Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Prologue
The vice admiral stared at her screen, the twenty-six standard hours of sleeplessness beginning to weigh on her despite the five cups of black coffee she had consumed and the adrenaline coursing through her. The live readout of the ever-changing status...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Five
Martin finished his drink while listening to Namo's performance. He had to admit, he enjoyed the sound of her voice. Without being an expert in terminology, he nevertheless could appreciate her considerable vocal range and dynamic style that breathed...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Three
The leaf from the plant that Martin only knew as nataan'snanbo landed on the surface of the otherwise still water with a serene ripple. “Uhh, Martin? Why are you just staring off into space?" Namo peered over to try and meet his gaze, then tried...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Two
Martin's thoughts raced as he wiped his mouth on his sleeve. Images of a narrowly-avoided future of being jailed, or worse, hanged for the armed robberies he had committed across northern and central Sinoe flashed through his mind. Caught in this...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Six
“You don’t strike me as a coffee person.” Martin sipped his coffee hot, Namo took hers at room temperature. Whereas yesterday her hair had been done up in a bun to keep it out of her face while traveling, today it was let down. Her straight locks...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Four
As Martin had expected, the Central District of Fordham was night-and-day different from the Northern District. By moonlight, firelight, and lamplight, the pair navigated the dirt sidewalks that flanked the corduroy skid road. Even after dark, a few...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Ten
A beat of silence resounded between Namo and Martin. As much as he was loath to disclose information about the relationship between Fadina and him, knew he had to say something. “Martin? Please, answer me,” she pleaded, using his full first name...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Twenty
A drop of icy water landing on Martin’s temple startled him awake. Only a faint amount of light shone through the thick canvas walls of the tent, though it was bright enough to where Martin noticed droplets of condensation clinging to the ceiling....
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Thirteen
The following day brought some level of pomp and circumstance given the planned memorial service. Uyutuk excitedly roused the travelers shortly before sunrise, which was an unexpected emotion for the human, considering the solemnity of the day’s...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Nine
Scrubby oak woodland characterized the top of the plateau the pair had scaled on their second day of travel, but the well-maintained trail meant the pair could cross the remaining distance to Benuun over mostly flat ground in merely several hours’...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Seventeen
The next several days proved a significant challenge for Martin, who prioritized, at the bare minimum, not making an embarrassment of himself. For one, the man knew next to nothing about construction. That in itself would have been fine; he was willing...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Twelve
Martin blinked and realized his breath was heaving. He closed and opened his left palm once again. Clean, no blood. The creases of his palm traced the same patterns as they had that night, one of the only direct reminders of the events from two years...