Three hours later Nic was seriously reassessing how freely he would be asking questions in the future. He found himself far less eager to delve the mysteries of the universe if doing so was liable to result in so much walking. Enlightenment was not worth the blisters. Not that the library was making it easy … Continue reading Archive Ch.8
Archive Ch.7
Half an hour later they finally arrived at the alleged resting place. It sat tucked away in a little nook at the end of an aisle, the endless books broken up by a little oasis of plush emerald-green chairs and a matching upholstered couch. They surrounded a small table made of the same lacquered wood … Continue reading Archive Ch.7
Archive Ch.6
A peculiar feeling gripped Nic as he entered the Library. Part of it were the wards set over the threshold. They were crushingly strong, the back of Nic’s neck practically burning as he crossed. Though they allowed him through without complaint, their presence lingered long afterwards, itching like the memory of a knife pressed against … Continue reading Archive Ch.6
Archive Ch.5
“Teriyaki or barbeque?” Nic looked over at Jordi where he leaned against the wall of the elevator. They had just stepped back into it, the car rumbling its way back down from the Director’s office. “Pardon?” Nic asked, audible confusion in his voice. “Teriyaki or barbeque, which do you like more?” “…Teriyaki?” Nic said very … Continue reading Archive Ch.5
Archive Ch.4
“So, what’d you do?” Nic looked over at Jordi as the two of them walked side by side, following the guide bot as it led them through the halls of Archive. “Sorry?” Nic asked. “What’d you do to get called into the boss’ office?” Nic shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. I was at the front … Continue reading Archive Ch.4
Archive Ch.3
‘Never judge a book by its cover’ was a phrase Nic hadn’t ever given much thought. He knew it of course, he doubted few over the age of six didn’t, though he couldn’t remember when or how he himself had learned it. One of those timeless phrases that you just absorbed from hanging around other … Continue reading Archive Ch.3
Archive Ch.2
As they drew nearer to the castle, Nic quickly realized that the buildings surrounding it were different from the rest of the neighbourhood. A second, much newer wall of steel and concrete had been erected around all the blocks surrounding the castle. Small compared to its stone counterparts, though still far taller than Nic would … Continue reading Archive Ch.2
Archive Ch.1
“What was the first spell ever cast?” Master Orlin looked up from his work, fixing Nic with a raised eyebrow. “I beg your pardon?” he asked. “The first spell,” Nic repeated. “That a techne ever coded and cast, what was it?” Nic’s master sat back in his chair, the raised eyebrow lowering into a look … Continue reading Archive Ch.1
Watson
Winters on the world of Watson are terrible things to endure. Long, dark, and bitterly cold, lasting eight of the local calendar’s thirteen months as the planet moves away from its parent star. Little more than a ball of ice, only just able to maintain a livable atmosphere, and even then, only with significant technological … Continue reading Watson
Bloody Jack
We weren’t supposed to go to the old colony. It had been decommissioned years ago, back when Landfall was still just a tiny frontier outpost on a planet that didn’t even have a proper name. Things had grown considerably in the time since, much of the original structures being vacated in favor of newer, more … Continue reading Bloody Jack
Bleeding Quill 