For his actions during the Pact Coup, Natian Shipstrong inspired a generation of sons named for him, including his own. If his parents were still alive they would have been horrified– their son, a symbol of their desire to abandon the establishment, now the ultimate symbol of an ever-expanding regime.
The General and the Gamble
Command Sergeant Jonathan Dixon took a deep breath as he stared down the cell door at the end of the hall. He cursed his terminally sweaty palms staining the otherwise perfect manila folder in his hands, and forced down a wave of nausea. It’s just like any other asset interview. […]
Theme Thursday: Worship
“Do you remember the Unrest skirmishes of ‘38?” I rocked forward in my chair, my one government sanctioned luxury in Astran leather. Hard to get in outer ring planets, but no one could say I hadn’t earned it, least of all the prisoner across from me. The older man’s eyes […]
Now, SHIFT!
I’ve seen him before. But I can’t think about that right now. Hot drips of sweat trickled down my forehead, threatening to leak into my eyes. The fire was coming closer. Fighting the aching in my back and legs, I sank into my ready position. Ready. I have to be […]
Weapons of Engagement
“Here you go miss,” the silversmith beamed as he passed his handiwork to her. Gwenyth marveled at the engraved heartwood staff. With spiked metal cuffs at each end, cast in steel with silver filigree scrolls, it was nothing short of a masterpiece. Dannil would love it. “Thank you, Frank!” Her […]
Theme Thursday: Vulnerability
The rest of the drive was spent in silence. Marius’s decision hung thick in the air between us. Giving up a position of power to risk his life with me could put not only himself but his sons in danger… Silas Reide was twenty five, same as Marius when he came to power.
Finally the buggy rumbled past the stone marker and I breathed a sigh of relief. The name chiseled on the marker was a welcome sight.
Theme Thursday: Luck
“So, it’s a heist for the presidency?” Cressida Koch looked up from the pre-nup on the desk. The document was held down by a pretentious paperweight, the kind only a member of Congress could own. EDMUND WINSLEY, SENATOR in Trajan Pro text floated like veins of gold suspended in the […]
Paladins on Patrol
“Checking for an available unit for a code 3 response at 44 Fraternity Drive, Unit 954 is requesting a second for an Oracle Disturbance.” It took effort to not finish the transmission with a grumble of “damn kids!”, but she managed not to. 44 Fraternity Drive was the Divinity Fraternity house for the undergrad mage academy, and one that should have been shut down years ago if police visits were any indication.
The New Bakery
The woman stood in front of the glass case, thumbing the folded up five dollar bill in her hand. At last the line had moved forward enough for her to see half-gone trays of pastry delights, all neatly labeled with colorful cards and cheerful designs. So many options to choose […]
The Anointing
David stood on the mountain, holding the bones of his King in his arms. The last time he’d been on that summit was the burial of his father. Now again he laid down the remains of a man who meant everything to him. Saul may have been jealous. Saul may […]