Orphan had an explanation to give... ----- Chapter 16. "To use a human expression that's probably going to be interesting in translation, Orphan, we're all ears," Ariane said. Orphan tilted his head. "That... was an interesting expression indeed. But I get the gist of the meaning." He stood, leaning back against a railing in front of the actual viewport, silhouetted against the planet-sized whirlpool of cloud and storm ahead. "It begins many, many years ago, when I signed on for an expedition to the Deeps headed by a [ Continue reading... ]
Challenges of the Deeps: Chapter 15
November 2, 2016 By 18 Comments
And now to see things from another point of view... ----- Chapter 15. "Leader, an urgent communication for you." Dajzail looked up from his meal, seeing Kanjstall the Salutant waiting. "That urgent?" "It is from Fleet Master Alztanza, Leader." Home and Hive, that is urgent. With only seven Fleet Masters in the entire One Civilization (that the undercreatures mistakenly called an "empire"), communications from them were rare and always important; and Alztanza himself had been one of Dajzail's friends since they were [ Continue reading... ]
Challenges of the Deeps: Chapter 14
October 31, 2016 By 6 Comments
Our friends were finally on their way... ----- Chapter 14. "Orphan…" Ariane said apprehensively. "Are you sure we want to get any closer to that?" "My dear Captain Austin, we are going to get far closer," Orphan replied with a chuckle. The immense vessel loomed ever larger in the suddenly-tiny shuttle's viewport. Just about an old-style mile long, and looks it, DuQuesne thought, as he saw a brilliant line of light that widened, became a massive pair of doors into a huge landing bay. "Almost like coming home, isn't it?" he [ Continue reading... ]
Challenges of the Deeps: Chapter 13
October 28, 2016 By 8 Comments
Preparations for departure are underway... ----- Chapter 13. "Not taking Zounin-Ginjou?" Simon asked, looking at the relatively small craft – no more than fifty meters long – that was sitting at the end of the berth the Liberated were assigned. "Later," Orphan said, carefully checking the exterior of his ship. "If all three of us took Zounin-Ginjou from here, too many eyes would note the departure; this is a short range vessel, the sort used for brief jaunts from point to point." "With your permission," said [ Continue reading... ]
Challenges of the Deeps: Chapter 12
October 26, 2016 By 23 Comments
And what do you do after winning a race? A party, that's what! ----- Chapter 12. "As always, a fine celebration," Orphan said, observing Wu Kung trying to imitate a whirling dance by three of the Genasi, while a laughing crowd of a dozen species watched the performance. "Afterward, however, would I be correct to hope that you and Captain Austin will be free?" "You mean, to go on your little jaunt into the back end of nowhere? That's the plan," DuQuesne answered. He had noticed the tall alien had a particularly cheerful [ Continue reading... ]
Challenges of the Deeps: Chapter 11
October 24, 2016 By 42 Comments
Sun Wu Kung had won the race... ----- Chapter 11. Even as Wu crossed the finish line, he was suddenly there in front of Ariane, skidding to a halt not three meters from the table at which DuQuesne and his opponent were seated, surrounded by rank upon rank of spectators, silent, staring, frozen in disbelief and shock. Even though she had been warned, Ariane was herself still in a state of utter awe. DuQuesne had said Wu was better than him. But this… And then the silence broke and a roar of applause, of furious curses and [ Continue reading... ]
Challenges of the Deeps: Chapter 10
October 21, 2016 By 7 Comments
Wu Kung was apparently in trouble... ----- Chapter 10. Wu Kung landed in a crouch-and roll, came to his feet in the precise center of the platform, saw the figures – one Dujuin rhino-like creature, two Daalasan like armored frog-men, and one spidery Milluk in the silvery Arena armor – appear from nothing around him. Adjudicators! The Arena's own peacekeepers! Then he heard Orphan's quiet despair, and rose to his feet, grinning savagely, baring his fangs to the Adjudicators as they raised their own weapons. "I gave my word to [ Continue reading... ]
Challenges of the Deeps: Chapter 9
October 19, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Time to look in on DuQuesne and see how he's doing... ----- Chapter 9. "Draw two," DuQuesne said, evaluating his cards. Nothing impressive in this hand. I need a break. The two cards passed to him turned out to be a Sky Gate and a Nexus Gateway. With the Inner Gateway and Outer Gate I have, that at least makes a decent run. "Bet 5 points," he said, not without trepidation. That's half of what I've got left. He could see Orphan, absently stroking his high head-crest in a nervous fashion, sitting near Ariane; Laila Canning [ Continue reading... ]
Challenges of the Deeps: Chapter 8
October 17, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The long-awaited Challenge is about to start! ------ Chapter 8. "Boy, Tunuvun," Wu Kung said, "This is going to be fun!" He couldn't keep from bouncing up and down on his feet, staring out at what Ariane had pronounced in disbelief to be "a triathlon on full enhancers!" He and Tunuvun stood at the top of a mountain – that ended abruptly at a wall behind them! – and looked out upon a racecourse that could only be possible in a place like the Arena. Or, he noted with a momentary pang of sadness, at home. The bittersweet [ Continue reading... ]
Challenges of the Deeps: Chapter 7
October 14, 2016 By 1 Comment
If you haven't played a game before, you'd better practice it a bit prior to a species-critical Challenge... ----- Chapter 7. "I yield the play, Dr. DuQuesne; once more you have outmatched me." Orphan tipped his remaining cards into the dump-bucket. "Anyone else still in?" he asked the others, looking around the conference-room-turned-simulated Arena. A shadowy holographic display showed several simulated runners speeding along a course, overcoming various obstacles. "Not me," Oasis said promptly. "I know Marc too [ Continue reading... ]
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