She detected heat, movement. No one's stupid enough to be that exposed in the snow. "Hide," Narra commanded Jae. She nocked an arrow, elbow up, eyes trained, just as Diannao once taught. Jae had drawn over Diannao's face one day, but Diannao taught her to focus despite distractions. The cabin door slammed. Narra watched in... Continue Reading →
Dream Photography
"You ready?" "System calibrated?" "Got it all, now sleep and let the magic happen-" "What about colour tracking, covered all wavelengths? D'you double check?" "Me and four others-" "And the pixels. Did they max out? Fifteen-hundred?" "Last ten runs, crystal clear." "Shadows? Freckles? Strands of hair?" "Like Da Vinci. We got this. Relax." "Okay... Make... Continue Reading →
Warm Welcome
"Pathway closed. Rift secure," announced a warm voice, filling the air around two bewildered humans. Adult and child; woman and girl. A different being approached. Human, only in appearance. "Welcome," it said, robes fluttering, "we trust your journey was painless?" "Please help," the woman held the girl close, "she's-" "Yes, we'll take care of the... Continue Reading →
Supply Run
Slinking along the dark and barren hillside, pack of acquired supplies secured tight, I see movement. Have I been caught? I drop low, confident in my darkened outer-wear, and watch the quiet, sprawling city. A flash by the edge reveals an individual stumbling past the barrier, long, unshaven white hair gleaming in the night. I... Continue Reading →
Swift Passage
The alien planet hung like a pool of blue. Their only stop on a one-way journey. Their vessel's final dregs of energy concealed them in orbit while their shuttle fell into the alien atmosphere. The violent entry rattled the shuttle, pilot and crew breathed deep lungfuls, fighting to clear their minds, to imagine a paradise... Continue Reading →
Revival
She crashed through the underbrush, branches whipping bare skin. Lifeblood dripped from scratches, soaking the soil, eventually feeding those with which she shared her homes. Heart pounding, she pushed on.The creatures gained ground.She clambered out of the tree-line into deep, rushing water and waited... He conquered the treetops, branch by branch. The creatures would watch... Continue Reading →