by Julian Miles | Nov 18, 2024 | Story |
Author: Julian Miles, Staff Writer
The wind’s picking up, keening between the stacks. If it gets any stronger, we’ll have to retreat.
“Alpha Seven, your favourite scout’s offline.”
“How long?”
“Nearly ten minutes.”
Switching myself to wide-hail, I call out.
“Team Seven, Scully’s dropped out. Who had last contact?”
There’s rapid chatter back and forth. We’ve become good at this: folk who stay lost for too long die. Ellis comes back to me.
“She was going to the ziggurat. Swore she had a double-detect on her movement scan.”
I told her not to go near that place! Then again, I’m only her captain. No real authority…
Switching back to Command, I update them.
“Reports are she headed for the closest ziggurat to confirm an intruder detection.”
There’s silence while someone gets past their swearing phase.
“We’ve told everybody about not doing that. I presume you emphasised it. Which leaves us with some interesting questions for her, if you bring her back alive, Alpha Seven.”
Nards.
“Interpreting that as a one-unit retrieval instruction, Command. Please confirm.”
“Confirmed, Alpha Seven. She’s your stray. Either you bring her back in or we’ll write off the two of you and call it quits.”
Nice of you to be honest about it. Then again, it’s not like this is the first time.
“Copy that, Command. Alpha Seven off into the wilds. Deputy Alpha is Colleen, Gamma Six-Four.”
There’s a short pause before a local message flashes across the info strip that runs across the bottom of my faceplate: ‘For real? They’re sending you after her?’
I reply: “Message: ‘Affirmative. Look after Team Seven’.”
She comes back: ‘Wilco. Happy hunting’.
Yeah, that.
The environment scan shows an incoming dust storm, and the wind has doubled in force since we landed this morning. It’s going to be vicious out here in a few hours. Best be quick.
“Launch warning. Alpha Seven going up in three, two, one.”
I punch my thrusters and hurtle into the sky with a deflection calculated to let the wind curve my flight to come down on the gigantic step pyramid that looms in the distance. We’re still not sure why the first dumpers turned the accumulated trash from Earth into these edifices, but we’ve lost too many people to traps within them to investigate further.
Dropping right on target, I punch the thrusters and come down perfectly, like stepping off an escalator.
“Where are you, Scully?”
A world covered in technological junk makes communication over distance impossible without using orbital devices. However, local hailing can be relied on for fifty metres or so if you don’t have line of sight. Chances are, if Command lost her, she’s in a hole. ‘How deep?’ and ‘Dead or alive?’ are the next questions.
No reply. I scramble about fifty metres along, then try again. Ziggurat’s a kilometre across… Going to be a long afternoon.
“Here.”
“Eleventh call. I was starting to get worried. Where’s ‘here’, exactly?”
“Second tier, underneath a chunk of Falcon 19 fuselage. It was coming loose, moving in the wind, which explains the movement readings. When I arrived, it fell on me.”
“That was rude of it.”
“I thought so.”
“Be with you-”
I’m on tier three, and it’s… Right there. I jump down.
“Now.”
A heat scan shows me where she is. I have to use cutters and claws to get to her.
“You should be flatter.”
“It got my legs, what more do you want?”
“Given the way Command sounded, you might regret surviving.”
She locks her suit to mine.
“Never gonna happen. Get me out of here.”
“Wilco. Launching in three, two, one…”
by Julian Miles | Nov 11, 2024 | Story |
Author: Julian Miles, Staff Writer
Sources always emphasised the utility of wind-up devices after any sort of catastrophe. I used to be sceptical, but having now spent a couple of years surviving in the ruined urban wonderlands of southern England, I admit I was mostly wrong.
When I hooked up with this group last year, they made jokes about a person who babbled on the radio all the time. Curious, I gave it a listen. Whoever they were, they had a mega broadcast rig, and spent their time ranting. I guess sleep was the only thing that stopped them screaming into the void on every channel they could reach.
Which limited the usefulness of radio communications to when the babbler was offline. It did focus us on getting things done when we could, though.
Over the last year, when radios were usable, we’d been hearing about ‘the kills’. Something was making its way along the coast, exterminating smaller groups and loners. They didn’t even loot, and were very good. Some of the people they dealt with had been heavily armed.
A few months ago, after the Bognor Hunters were slaughtered, a new trend started: consolidation. Loners turned up at the gates of settlements, asking to join. Groups merged.
Then came the night the babbler spoke. The usual stream of nonsensical invective and begging stopped, and a slightly puzzled voice said.
“Who are you? How did you get in h-”
Then came a scream. The sort of sound I’d always thought was created for horror movies, not made by real humans.
In the silence that followed, a muffled voice whispered.
“All quiet.”
I grabbed the nearest handset without thinking. Pressing transmit, I asked.
“Who is this?”
Nothing. I continued while those around me looked on in horror.
“Are you part of the group that’s killing people?”
There was a snort of derision.
“We’re the end.”
The microphone fell onto something hard, then cut out.
After our yelling wound down, we had a long, serious – and frankly scared – discussion about what sort of maniacs were stalking the night. From there, we reached out to every group we knew.
For once, it wasn’t difficult approaching any of them. Those who hadn’t heard that broadcast had been told about it.
Defensive alliances started. We even have patrols and traders moving between the nearest settlements. Each has a cadre of fighters now. Hunting and scavenging are done in teams. The kills have stopped. The exchange of skills brought unexpected benefits. Two of the settlements even have rooftop farms going.
Maby was a loner. Clearly been out there a long time, admitted to being a countryside ranger and fitness freak before everything blew up or got flooded. She asked to join, did her time as a prospect, then blended in.
Tonight I saw her kill for the first time. She did it cold, without hesitation, and I realised we really know nothing about one another.
I ran a dojo for years, but not for full contact. People came for discipline, fitness, and all the other reasons why learning to fight calms the soul. A few regulars were dangerous: streetfighters or ex-military.
How Maby moves reminds me of the pair of really dangerous regulars I let spar one night to show the others the gulf between kata and life.
As a would-be bandit expires at her feet, she catches my stare and whispers.
“All quiet.”
I go cold, then hot. She grins.
“Nothing like the fear of actual screaming death to bring people together.”
Oh sh-
Best she stays on our side.
by Julian Miles | Nov 4, 2024 | Story |
Author: Julian Miles, Staff Writer
The screen turns to flickering white lines behind a ‘Connecting…’ prompt. I find myself smiling and look up at the night sky. What do the natives call that constellation? Sarg something. Sarga Nol? Bigger… ‘Sarghalor Noghath’! Yes. Conceptual translation gives us ‘The noghath watches’. Neither the indigens nor us have any idea what a Noghath is. The origin of the name predates two civilisations, and has survived four cataclysms, unlike those who gave it. All that remains are fragments of lore that speak of startling wisdom and phenomenal endurance. The latter being entirely appropriate.
Back when I was a child, my great-grandfather ran an antique bookshop. Being his favourite, he let the precocious and avid reader I was browse any tome he had. From an old one I read shortly before he died and the shop was sold, I came across a poem that ended ‘For distance is the answer to grief’.
I can’t remember book, author, or anything else. Just that final line. When June breathed her last after they let me shut down her life support, those words were blazing in my mind. They continued to burn through days of datawork, funerals, distant relatives, and hollow words. It was a mercy Suki, our daughter, had grown up before our loss turned me into a stranger to the life I’d loved up until June’s accident.
In the end, I just left. That final line was the content of the email I sent Suki by way of inadequate explanation.
I went down to the coast. Then across the sea. Then across a continent. Two. Three. Came back to my home from the opposite direction, then promptly took a left and set off again. When a second circumnavigation failed to help, I went up: the Moon. Mars. Titan. Waystation Ten. The Globes of Centauri. Luyten Sanctuary. June still haunted me. So I went on: all four Wolf outposts, and on again, and yet further.
Eight years and a distance I cannot comprehend later, I was sitting across the way but scant minutes ago when I realised my mistake.
A book written in the early 1800s by a broken man – while travelling by varied, primitive means between Britain and the Bahamas – captured his bleak, world-weary outlook all-too well, but was limited by that world: what he knew and understood. While his struggles spoke to me, the solution he realised was presented in his terms.
The relief he perceived as coming from distance is simply the softening of loss as time passes. While he pondered the waves on the passage around Africa, I spent a similar time travelling to Waystation Ten, out on the largest surviving piece of the Fifth Giant, far beyond Pluto. I’ve travelled further than the poet who penned the words that drove me could imagine, yet only seen marvels amidst my grief, instead of laying it down along the way.
The screen flickers to life. It’s too far for a stream, but with a connection made I can record a short video.
“Suki, I’m sorry. I’m coming home.”
With that sent, I look up again, then give a little salute.
The noghath watches a scruffy tourist turn from the callpoint and start to walk briskly towards the spaceport, a measure of wisdom having finally arrived.
by Julian Miles | Oct 28, 2024 | Story |
Author: Julian Miles, Staff Writer
Abby whips her wing-tentacles about, making little ‘cracks’ of delight as a gigantic silver dinosaur walks by, its crystal eyes filled with icy fire. Every footfall causes things to shake and drinks to splash about in their cups – unless they’re being carried on the spindly spider-legged copper tables that stalk smoothly back and forth from the restaurants around the edges of the park. They provide a never-ending stream of delicious food and drink for the beings sat at and by the tables spread out across the verdant expanse.
Malcolm points a talon at the floating parasols that hover just high enough to provide the right amount of shade for every species of visitor.
“They seem so delicate. How do they fare against precipitation?”
Colyoy indicates a tower that appears as faint outline against the sky because of the camouflage displays keeping it unobtrusive.
“We don’t let our infrequent showers stop the festivities: at the first hint of rain, squadrons of self-propelled umbrellas dash from those towers to replace the parasols – which form parked clusters on designated rooftops. The umbrellas ensure everyone who doesn’t wave them off is sheltered.”
Abby tears her gaze from the dinosaur and extends a wing to point at the holographic map at the centre of the table. She reads out the text that appears.
“Away from the idyllic coasts and their gravity-defying viewing stairs, great fairs and exhibitions act as centrepieces of vast parks filled with carefully balanced selections of rare flora and fauna.”
She peers at Colyoy over the extended wings.
“What are ‘great fairs’, and what is exhibited?”
Colyoy gestures helplessly.
“There are so many, and I cannot do them justice with words. You’ll have to behold them. It’s why Luna the First decreed that no recording devices are permitted on Village. To visit here is to stimulate your sense of wonder directly. It’s also why ninety percent of those visiting Village are chosen by lotteries.”
“Please try with words. Tell me of your favourite.”
Colyoy looks to Malcolm, who nods.
“The Magnificent Thunderer. Having seen your reaction to one strolling dinomaton, imagine a vast roundabout filled with mechanical megafauna twice the size of them. Camargue Horses, Felmakhan, Raptori Sand Prancers, Technura Megapedes, and a hundred more. All of them spinning as fast as the combined joyous screams of the riders in the howdahs on their backs or bellies dictate.”
Abby gawps until her father reaches across and closes her beak. He raises a talon.
“Now tell her of the Monumental Joust.”
Colyoy turns to Abby.
“Do you know what a dodgem car is?”
She quickly looks it up, then nods enthusiastically.
“Imagine a big one with a crew of four, where three pedal and one wields a compressor-pulse lance. Each of four rounds must have a different lancer. Then if all are willing, another four rounds may be played. And so on for a day of laughter and bruises. The crew with the highest number of victories at the end of each day are feted in riotous style as befits such a demanding triumph.”
He chuckles.
“It’s gloriously silly, and an unforgettable spectacle.”
Abby stares at her father.
“We could form a team with lead bodyguards Sulawe and Begrim.”
Malcolm smiles.
“And the Royal Falcarew of Agremnia shall ride victorious.” He glances at Colyoy, “A decision is finally made.”
Colyoy nods.
“Then you’ll spend the leisure day commanded by Luna the Ninety-First engaging in the Monumental Joust. Only after that may formal matters be addressed,” he grins, “or further adventures had, and formal matters ignored for as long as is feasible.”
by Julian Miles | Oct 21, 2024 | Story |
Author: Julian Miles, Staff Writer
“Did you see that?”
I look at Lopaka.
“What?”
He indicates with the muzzle of his laser.
“Over there. To the left of the big blue rock that’s right of the black cube.”
“Between the dark monolith and the blue boulder?”
He gives me the side-eye.
“That’s what I said, Kimo.”
I shrug. The armoured shoulders of my suit squeak. No matter how much maintenance, cheap kit will always be cheap. Okay, back to it.
“What did it look like?”
“Purple. Came to about three-quarters of the way up the blue boulder.”
That’s a two-metre figment of his nerves, or something to worry about. I switch channels.
“HQ, this is Kimo at Post Seven. Lopaka has a possible. Far side of blue object closest to central monolith.”
“Hold for quick detailed scan.”
Lopaka snorts quietly. I start counting in my head: 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6… 7… 8… 9… 10… 11… 12…
“Post Seven, we show no definite trace.”
“Thanks, HQ.”
I’m about to give Lopaka a piece of my mind when I realise I’m being watched. Looking to one side, I meet the gaze of three shining black eyes arranged in an inverted triangle, set in a bald purple head. The unknown seems to jump in surprise and disappears behind the blue boulder.
“HQ, Kimo at Post Seven. Confirm possible.”
Lopaka turns his head to stare at me.
“Alert raised. Hold for tactical scan.”
I tap the ready button on my laser, gesturing for Lopaka to do the same. Tactical scans take longer than detailed ones. Long enough that people waiting have been known to be dead before the result arrives.
Lopaka comes over private channel.
“That’s against regulations.”
I switch channel and reply.
“They deduct the cost of body repatriation from any death benefits.”
Lopaka has a family. He taps his ready button.
A pair of purple unknowns charge round either side of the rock, coming for us, green crystalline weapons shooting blobs of orange fire.
I start firing as I bring the laser up. Stuff the Proper Fire Procedures, I want to survive. I’m surprised when Lopaka switches his beam to blade style, exactly as required. My needle style beams are going through the left-hand unknown, but it’s not slowing. Lopaka’s first shot takes his target clean off just below the lower eye. It topples. I switch to blade beam, flick it vertical, and cut my target in half just as it enters close fire range.
“Post Seven, we show two traces and unauthorised energy discharges.”
“Engaging, HQ.”
Lopaka does a silent two finger count.
“HQ, Post Seven requesting rescan.”
That’s the quickest type. 1… 2… 3… 4…
“Post Seven, we show no trace.”
“HQ, Post Seven. Requesting after-action processing.”
“Post Seven, confirm implied successful action. Verification and science teams are on the way. Hold until relieved by Fitafita Mauli and Palakiko.”
Lopaka chuckles.
“They will not appreciate being woken this early.”
I grin.
“Serves them right for using hack codes in Tekken 37 yesterday.”
He bursts out laughing.
“Cheat action verified. Penalty applied.”
