Oasis and Wu get an assignment! ------ Chapter 8. "Oh, that's just perfect," Ariane said, and Wu Kung thought he could see the sarcasm dripping from the last word. "Maria-Susanna's a Shadeweaver, or on her way to being one, Byto might have been killed over Hyperion, and Fairchild's disappeared in a way that indicates he's already got allies." "Yeah, it's just a cornucopia of great news," DuQuesne said, grinning blackly. "What about on your end, Captain? Got anything to take the edge off?" She shot a [ Continue reading... ]
Shadows of Hyperion: Chapter 7
May 24, 2021 By 9 Comments
Simon gets a date, gets some news, and gets an idea! ----- Chapter 7. The door chime finally drew his attention; Simon said "Come in," absently, while still focused on the tri-display in front of him. "Since you were taking a break today," Oasis' voice came from behind him, "I thought we might –" Feeling his face flaming scarlet, Simon hit the off control on the little console. But by the raised eyebrow and widening grin on Oasis' face, he knew he'd been a split-second too [ Continue reading... ]
Shadows of Hyperion: Chapter 6
May 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment
DuQuesne conducts an interesting experiment, and a discussion with Orphan about a dead Champion... ------ Chapter 6. Orphan held his head slightly tilted, one hand absently stroking his crest on that side. "Please repeat that, Doctor DuQuesne. I want to be sure I understand what you are asking." "I want to find out if I can read your mind – with your permission. Telepathy, in other words. The ability to directly make contact with another mind through no physical intermediary or technological aid such as the [ Continue reading... ]
Shadows of Hyperion: Chapter 5
May 22, 2021 By Leave a Comment
There's been a murder, and DuQuesne was right there.. ----- Chapter 5. "You're back!" Ariane exclaimed as DuQuesne appeared in the doorway. Then, seeing how the massive frame sagged, she ran to him, caught his hands in hers. "You look terrible, Marc." "I feel terrible. Klono and Noshabkeming, I feel terrible." The way he muttered off the outmoded Hyperion curses without so much as a selfconscious twitch told her just how bad it was. She exchanged glances with Wu Kung, as her bodyguard helped DuQuesne in, and saw [ Continue reading... ]
Shadows of Hyperion: Chapter 4
May 21, 2021 By Leave a Comment
And it's time to introduce a new complication... ----- Chapter 4. DuQuesne watched as electrical sparks crawled around Davia's hand, and pretended not to see the tears trickling down the young-looking face. They were sitting in a private meeting room. The main part of the debrief, summarizing the events of the last year or so from the crew's point of view, had taken quite a bit of time, but Ariane had decided that the more personal parts of the debrief, especially the revelation that the Hyperions were gifted [ Continue reading... ]
Shadows of Hyperion: Chapter 3
May 20, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Time to move on -- and meet a new Hyperion! ----- Chapter 3. "That is … unwelcome news," Simon said, studying Wu Kung with a sour, sinking feeling in his gut. "You are certain?" The Hyperion Monkey King grimaced. "Why do people always ask that? Would I say it that way if I were not? Yes, I am certain, as certain as you could tell me that I am wearing my robes! I can see your soul, and you have damaged it badly, about as badly as Ariane's." He raised both eyebrows. "Why are you upset, though? I thought you did not [ Continue reading... ]
Shadows of Hyperion: Chapter 1
May 18, 2021 By 2 Comments
And we begin the fourth novel in the Arenaverse! ------ SHADOWS of HYPERION Fourth in the Arenaverse Series Chapter 1. "Ariane! Ariane, wake up!" The voice was vaguely familiar, echoing out of the red-tinged blackness of pain. "Ariane, can you hear me? Dammit, where's Gabrielle?" "You don't look too well either, Marc. Sit down!" That… that was Oasis. Marc? She made an effort to open her eyes and say something; a vague moan was the [ Continue reading... ]
On Writing: The Danger of Metawriting, OR, How I Wrote A Book That Did Exactly What I Wanted And Screwed It Up Anyway
May 11, 2017 By 1 Comment
The Arenaverse novels – Grand Central Arena, Spheres of Influence, and now Challenges of the Deeps – are inarguably my most successful solo novels. Grand Central Arena itself has continued to bring in significant amounts of money for me even now, seven years after release. I'm also very proud of the Arenaverse itself; developing it was, and continues to be, a huge challenge. One of the Arenaverse's key aspects from a writer's and reader's point of view, of course, is that it is not merely a story but a salute to, and occasional commentary [ Continue reading... ]
Challenges of the Deeps: Chapter 27
November 30, 2016 By 24 Comments
It was time we got some answers about what Vindatri wanted... ----- Chapter 27. "Your words tantalize me, my friends," Orphan said as DuQuesne was still trying to wrap his mind around this latest revelation. "It is clear – it has, in truth, always been clear – that there is some great mystery surrounding Doctor DuQuesne, and his compatriots Wu Kung and Oasis and, I believe, Maria-Susanna. I have to believe it also has to do with Wu Kung's extraordinary performance in the recent Challenge. "It seems that these connections now [ Continue reading... ]
Challenges of the Deeps: Chapter 23
November 21, 2016 By 2 Comments
Vindatri had separated them... ----- Chapter 23. DuQuesne stared narrowly at the man before him. He knew the patrician, lined face, the graying hair that had once been brown, the sharp brown eyes looking levelly into his own, the half-smile of the lecturer and scientist so familiar to him. "I had expected to end up talking with myself," he said finally. "Not you, Professor Bryson." Clearly this couldn't be the man he looked like; this had to be one of Vindatri's guises. At the same time, it was almost impossible to think of [ Continue reading... ]
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