And we reach the end of the snippets that I'm doing for this book! Wu Kung's doing his bodyguard thing with Ariane out and about... ----- Chapter 29. A smell of caution and deviousness preceded the voice, so Wu was already turning in that direction when Oscar Naraj, dressed in one of his more conservative white suits, spoke. "Good morning, Captain Austin. You seem to be going out early." "Ambassador." Ariane nodded to him. She smells a lot less cautious around him these days. I really have [ Continue reading... ]
Spheres of Influence: Chapter 25
August 7, 2013 By 14 Comments
There was a little promise DuQuesne and Wu made to Orphan earlier... ------ Chapter 25. Ariane rose slowly to her feet, favoring her side. "Okay, I think I know when I'm beaten," she said, bowing to her opponent, Orphan. Wu Kung had been expecting her to yield earlier. But she's a real fighter, he thought with admiration. Won't give up even in a play fight without showing what she's got in guts. Orphan leaned back on his tail with a buzzing chuckle. "Oh, now that I [ Continue reading... ]
Spheres of Influence: Chapter 21
July 29, 2013 By 17 Comments
They'd finished the meeting, but there were still a few points left untouched... ----- Chapter 21. "I'll want to talk to you later, Wu," DuQuesne said as they got up to leave. "But first I have to talk with the Captain. Privately, if she will." Wu looked to Ariane, who nodded. "Stay in the Embassy, Wu Kung," she said, warningly. "I already promised… " Wu Kung began, then, seeing her start to straighten, quickly said, "I mean, yes, Captain!" Once the room [ Continue reading... ]
Spheres of Influence: Chapter 20
July 26, 2013 By 5 Comments
Well, it's time to convene the emergency beating...er, MEETing... ----- Chapter 20. "What the living hell is wrong with you, Sun Wu Kung?" Despite her anger, Ariane found it difficult to maintain the grim expression; the Hyperion Monkey King looked so utterly hangdog that part of her wanted to laugh, and another wanted to give him a hug. But I can't. This is far too important. I have to make this point. None of the others looked like they were laughing. DuQuesne's [ Continue reading... ]
Spheres of Influence: Chapter 18
July 22, 2013 By 23 Comments
Well, we'd heard that Sun Wu Kung had got himself in trouble (is anyone surprised? Bueller? Beulller?); let's see how, and what kind of trouble it is... ----- Chapter 18. "Go enjoy yourself for a little bit, Wu. I'm heading back to the Embassy to give Ariane the good news." Part of him wanted to protest that he should probably go back, but… finally on my own in the Arena! So many things to see! So many things to do! "All right, DuQuesne! I am sure she'll be so excited to hear Simon's [ Continue reading... ]
Spheres of Influence: Chapter 16
July 17, 2013 By 5 Comments
Time to be out and about a bit... ----- Chapter 16. "Are you sure this is okay, DuQuesne? I mean, I really really want to go with you, but you want me to guard Ariane, and—" "Relax, Wu," DuQuesne said, smiling. Already talking a mile a minute. "We all agreed you needed to be able to get out and about." "Quite so," agreed Simon absently, as they made their way along the broad corridor towards the elevator to the Outer Gateway. Low, flat tracks of shaped superconductor now lay [ Continue reading... ]
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