John
About
- Username
- John
- Joined
- Visits
- 188
- Last Active
- Roles
- Member
- Invited by
- scott
Comments
-
"Jun?" I say, sub-vocalizing to my AI companion. We have worked together long enough that it knows I want a rundown on Bel Anolies. I stop one step short of the sweep of inner surveillance cameras and extend one bejeweled hand, palm down. I wonde…
-
It’s not an altogether unsatisfying plan. In truth, I’d wanted to visit the new Imani Biomedical facility for some time, but just had never had the opportunity. I made the request through discreet channels, of course. An interesting emergent quality…
-
I pause for a moment. I am smiling, but my lips are pressed tightly together against the threat of sounds beneath my dignity escaping them. I dare not blink for fear of spilling the water in my eyes that causes the image of Mr. Bezier to shimmer. …
-
"Perhaps you are right... I'm not so sure that Truth is not malleable." A terrible parody of a smile dawns on my face in reaction to the irony that's slowly unfolding before me. "If you believe something long enough, it does not weigh less heavy on …
-
I cover my chagrined expression with a sip from the teacup, remonstrating myself for the threat. I am not some green ambassador to be so unsubtle. I attribute my behavior to the fact that I'm still reeling from the revelation that some Rememberers s…
-
"What is heresy? You are." I smile, though it doesn't soften my eyes. "That is, your very existence is heresy. That His Imperial Majesty would act against the Rememberers is unthinkable. That he would fail, more so. A careful reading of the Historie…
-
I can't keep the tremor out of my voice as I say, "All these years... I looked for some time after. I waited for some word, but there was nothing. I can't... How many? How many Rememberers survived? Who?" I hardly dare hope. Theirs was a reclusive l…
-
"An old saying, yes." I look at Mr. Bezier through narrowed eyes. "Not in the way I think you mean, though. I have only known one group of people to use that saying--the Rememberers on Kosh." My eyes stare past my guest, into a time when a my hai…
-
My eyes flick up, suddenly intense, though my casual smile does not falter. "That's a curious phrase, Mr. Bezier--'share history together'. Not one I've heard for some time...and not around here." I pause for a sip of tea, watching him intently.
-
I purse my lips in mild disdain at the use of the machine, the paper cups. But there's a hint of a smile there as well. The boy makes a statement about himself more than he seeks to insult me. He's not going to be forced to play on my board. Very we…
-
"You should trust your instincts," I say, taking a chair. "An offer of tea is always a civilized way to begin. In fact, I believe you can tell quite a lot about a person by the way they serve tea." Complete rubbish, that, but I do believe you can te…
-
“I suppose it’s my position, my age…maybe the impotent approriateness that people tend to believe comes with that combination. Surely a rich, privileged old lady must do nothing but drink tea and gossip, yes? She would never hack into the detention …
-
"A chair... Yes, I think that would do nicely," I say, moving toward the chair at Mr. Bezier's console. I casually get close enough for the thermal proximity sensor to register my presence and present the locked privacy screen. I didn't really thin…
-
"Good afternoon, Mr. Bezier." I smile, all benevolence. You'll forgive the intrusion," I add in a tone polite enough to almost be interpreted as a question--almost. My eyes travel past him, sweeping the room, unable to wait for the young man to reme…
-
As soon as Rei departs, I turn my attention back to the cell--just in time for Jun to inform me of Xuan's departure. "Thank you, Jun," I say. "Please keep me informed of any unusual developments with respect to Mixter Archebelloch and Captain King."…
-
“Thank you. We share the same goal, you and I. I respect your perspective on the rebellion. If you can indulge an old lady in her attempts to share hard-won experience with you: I have found that each decision one makes that saves innocent lives bec…
-
(Rolled: 2d6+2. Rolls: 5, 3. Total: 10)
-
I look at Rei, and momentarily, I see the young girl who used to host dinner parties for a great assemblage of dolls and stuffed animals. When did she become burdened with the care of a whole system? Now is not the time to treat her like a child, ho…
-
"Of course I trust you, dear," I say to Rei. "If you say you've done the math, and your plan saves lives, I trust your judgment. I do have a plan, though, and it could turn the tide of battle before things get out of hand." I pick up my fan, unf…
-
I look at Rei for a long time, while in my mind’s eye, I watch a line of asteroids hurtling toward the planet. When I speak, it comes out subdued, lacking my usual brisk confidence. “I do not think I would entrust the fate of millions of people to L…
-
"You always were such a gentle soul, Rei. I'm gratified that you've decided to believe that I haven't betrayed you," I say, smiling and bowing in an exaggerated display of mock humility, my forehead nearly touching the table and my arms spread wide.…
-
I look out over the Zen garden, watching the stone nanobots arrange themselves, creating the effect of someone raking. Before my eyes, a pattern emerges--symbols for honesty and inner turmoil. Of course. Jun runs the nanobots, and Jun is an incorrig…
-
“My family too, has had not a little allegience to the empire,” I say with a wry smile that turns wistful. My eyes harden and the knuckles on the hand gripping my walking stick whiten. “Thirty million colonists on Archon Six can attest to the deg…
-
“Sit, child,” I say in a tone that brooks no argument. “Rei. Kimiko. Soyinka. I love you like a daughter, and you may be all grown up and a duchess now, but if you ever again accuse me of conspiring against you, I will put you over my knee.” I re…
-
At Jun's announcement of a guest, I rub my eyes and notice with some irritation that my hand is shaky. I press my fingers to my temples to stop the shaking. I don't need a visitor right now...but I guess I need a break anyway. I should probably get…
-
"I knew my confidence in you was not misplaced, Captain. Farewell."
-
“Of course, Captain,” I say, smiling. “I am sure Mr. Bezier and I will get on splendidly. I feel fortunate to be in the company of such competent individuals as Mr. Bezier and yourself. On that note, Captain…I could not help but notice that my niece…
-
"Hmm… I say, finding sudden interest in adjusting the fall of my jacket. “I’m sure I don’t know. I find that being liked is not so very important in these matters.” I pause as if I’m done, and perhap I am, but then, in a sudden need to preempt anyth…
-
I sit up straighter and draw a breath as if to speak. My eyebrows raise and my mouth opens, shuts. I blink, twice. My head cocks slightly, as I draw a deep breath and my posture relaxes and I smile. “Very well, Mixter Archebelloch. I accept your ter…
-
“Certainly, I infiltrated your ship’s systems–nothing malicious, mind you, just staying apprised of the state of things and helping where I could. As it happened, that young man–Bezier–was quite up to dealing with the ship’s troubles. I was involved…