After the last time Chuck’s Pizza got robbed, Dad told me, “If some guy pulls a gun on you and tells you to open the cash register, open the cash register. Don’t try to be a hero. Call the police after he leaves.”
I didn’t know what to say. Did he know?
When I asked Daniel, he said, “Not a chance. Well, maybe subconsciously.” Continue reading Haley: Part 2
Once, when I asked my grandfather what Xiniti were like he said, “You know those science fiction stories where an explorer visits an unknown planet, discovers aliens that sneak back to Earth aboard their ship, and destroy the world? That’s what they’re like. At least, if you’re the Abominators. We managed to get off on the right foot with the Xiniti despite that.”
Staring at the Xiniti on the screen, I tried to come up with something appropriate to say. Not much came to mind. Continue reading Space Date: Part 10
The drone flew away, dodging the Xiniti ships by moving into the routes reserved for traffic coming out of the gate.
Even though most ships slowed down before using a gate, they didn’t have to, and could come out at theoretically any speed, so cutting across lanes wasn’t smart.
At the same time, the drone was freakishly fast, accelerating away from our ship in a blur. Continue reading Space Date: Part 9
I rushed into the back of the jet, and put on the Rocket suit. When I got back to the cockpit, I checked the screen I’d been using to read the conversation with the drone.
Nothing had been added. Apparently the AI didn’t feel any pressure to make conversation when it didn’t have anything to say.
I could think of a few people who could stand to learn from its example. Continue reading Space Date: Part 8
“WILL HITCHHIKE. REJOIN TRIBE/CLAN/CIVILIZATION. WE ARE NOMADS.”
So I digested that for a little while, wondering if it was true, or if it skipped a few steps. For example, the step where it turned us over to the civilizations of genetically modified humans who fanatically worshipped the Abominators, and might possibly hold a grudge against us for the way our grandfathers destroyed the last of their masters.
After which, it would go out and be nomadic. Continue reading Space Date: Part 7
After setting a course for Raptor’s position, I clicked through menus on the jet’s computer. I knew Grandpa had mentioned a translation program at some point. I’d never had a reason to use it.
After a few clicks I found it. Continue reading Space Date: Part 6
The League jet had cameras all around the body, allowing me to check out almost the entire hull without leaving the cockpit. I’d always thought that was cool, but as of that moment I could guess at the practical reason why Grandpa had installed them.
A long, black shell clung three quarters of the way down the hull. The fact that it had attached itself said a lot about it.
A depressingly large amount. Continue reading Space Date: Part 5
And then it struck me–the voice sounded familiar. I couldn’t figure out why at first, but his next line brought it back.
“And dammit,” he continued, “please tell me that Alex isn’t on your ship.”
I clicked the comm on speak. “Sorry, no. He’s not.” Continue reading Space Date: Part 4
Mom’s arms were on the other side of the chair from where Rachel and I stood, but if she were hoping to get away, those ropes had to go next.
Glancing near the legs of her chair told me no more ropes lay on the far side.
I thought she might be waiting for a better chance, but then I realized that this was it. For the first time since I’d arrived, no one held a gun to her head. Continue reading The Executioner: Part 7
Haley parked the car by the side of the road. As we got out, I couldn’t help but notice who wasn’t there–Jaclyn, Cassie and Julie. And that sucked because Cassie could have chopped them to pieces, Julie could have told them to stop, and had a pretty good chance that they’d listen, and Jaclyn…
Jaclyn could have done something. Physically, she was the only one of us who was in Prime’s army’s league. Plus she was a whole lot faster than any of them.
I couldn’t say that we were doomed, but part of me would have felt better knowing they were with us.
Continue reading Targets: Part 22