Thrice Damned
‘Accursed Devil, thrice damned is all thy race’ - Johannes Miltonus, M2The shuttle descends out of the sun, its slab sides resolving from dark shadow into the familiar blue and…
War Dove
A half dozen beige and brown aircraft stood inanimate in the Valkyrie depot at the edge of the airfield, steam drifted off the idling dual Vector-Turbojet engines. Mechanics and ground…
The Emperor Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
The stars are beautiful tonight.A heavy haze had kept them hidden from him behind a blanket of gloom as he lay on his back, eyes cast skywards. When the gloom…
The Piercing Chill
The freezing steel of the door burned the side of her face as she pressed her ear to it. Straining to hear, she prayed for the shuffling outside to fade…
Her Cold Smile
The first time he saw her he turned to Cassius and said, 'I'm going to marry that woman.' They were in the mess hall; he had a spoonful of grox stew halfway to his mouth.
In Memoriam
[143.938.M41] [Journal Entry: Commissar Yorke - Aboard the Caput Inter Nubila] One of my duties as regimental commissar - and by far the one I least look forward to, in all I…
Those Who Remain
A few days ago the trap might have worked. It was simple, well hidden, and completely lethal. But Tanii had learntfast since she’d fled into these woods. She scoured the…
Trench Water
Artillery boomed, but to him it was no more noticeable than the rumble of distant thunder. He was used to it. He had grown used to it. Part of him…
Execution Day
The crunch of his boots on the morning frost was the only sound on the parade ground as the commissar strode before the gathered regiment. His face set as hard…
Suppression
Everyone learned how to hear shells coming. The sound was little warning, but this time it was enough for Aumahn to dive into a supply dugout. Every surface was damp,…