Simon had a theory to test.. ----- Chapter 6. Simon stood on the bridge of Paksenarrion and gazed outward. I do not think I will ever grow fully accustomed, let alone jaded, to this. The great warship – one of several gifted to Humanity by the Liberated – was cruising now many thousands of kilometers away from the Sphere of Humanity, so far out that the Sphere itself was but a shadow in the gloom, its Luminaire a fuzzy circle of dimmed brightness. On every side flowed and eddied incredible banks of cloud – white and [ Continue reading... ]
Challenges of the Deeps: Chapter 4
October 7, 2016 By 5 Comments
Ariane and Wu had found themselves involved in a Challenge that wasn't even Humanity's... ----- Chapter 4. "That might not have been the best choice, Ariane," DuQuesne said somberly. Simon was puzzled by the gravity in his voice. Reflexively, he glanced around the meeting room, but there was no one present except the members of the "core group", as Simon thought of it – DuQuesne, Ariane, Simon himself, Laila, Carl, and the newcomers Oasis and Wu Kung. "Do you think Wu might lose? Or is there some other [ Continue reading... ]
Spheres of Influence: Chapter 22
July 31, 2013 By 2 Comments
We've mentioned Simon several times earlier, let's see what he's up to... ------ Chapter 22. "Simon!" Laila Canning said, and there was honest surprise in her voice. "What in the world… or worlds, I suppose… are you doing here?" Simon looked around at the soaring lines of the Faith's great hall, and the lines of people of all species filing in. "Well, partly I have never been here before,and I admit to a great curiosity as to the workings of a faith which is held by members of almost [ Continue reading... ]
Spheres of Influence: Chapter 13
July 10, 2013 By 11 Comments
It's time to check back in with our party's head scientist and see how he's doing... ----- Chapter 13. The room stretched away in front of Simon, and to both sides, to such distances that he momentarily groped for a true sense of scale. Bakana, he thought. It simply cannot be this large. But it was. The ceilings, set with arched windows from which streamed beams of what seemed pure, natural sunlight (though, perhaps, by the tint, not Earth's sunlight), rose one hundred meters or more; yet it was low, [ Continue reading... ]
Spheres of Influence: Chapter 10
July 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
We haven't checked in with Simon's point of view in a while... ----- Chapter 10. "Doctor Sandrisson!" Relgof Nov'ne Knarph strode from one of the shining metal and glass doors opening from the immense silver-and-marble appearing lobby of the Embassy of the Analytic and embraced Simon, to the human scientist's momentary surprise. He returned the hug, however. Either they have similar gestures, or he has carefully studied ours and knows that to adopt them will make him seem closer to us. Not [ Continue reading... ]
Spheres of Influence: Chapter 3
June 17, 2013 By 7 Comments
Let's take a look at our third regular point of view... ----- Chapter 3. Simon jolted awake from the doze he'd been in, the restraints on Holy Grail's copilot seat keeping him from catapulting through the air. What… "We have a detection, Simon," his AISage Mio said, her projection materializing nearby. "Displaying now." Simon didn't question her assertion, but for his own peace of mind – or lack thereof – he checked the readings himself. The results did not comfort him. No [ Continue reading... ]
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