Time to Orbit: Unknown

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... [Glossary] .......... Next> Things seemed to be going well. The waves were low and gentle even as the shore disappeared behind us, and the call of the nest grew stronger and stronger as I rowed. There had been a couple of reasons why I’d split up the teams as … Continue reading 5: A-sailing we shall go

First ---- Previous ---- Glossary ---- Archive ---- Next Well, there’s one way to get more details on Smon – ask Smon. Smon had certainly wanted some time alone when she’d left, so rushing over to her egg (not egg… cart?) immediately is probably not a great idea. She returns to the hive to pass … Continue reading 13: Smon’s Earth

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... [Glossary] .......... Next> No way. No way. There had to be another explanation. He couldn’t… he couldn’t actually be alive? I’d been trying for this, I’d been planning for this, but… I scooped up a few spiders and moved them a little way away from the pile. Not too … Continue reading 4: The parable of the Child

First ---- Previous ---- Glossary ---- Archive ---- Next Smon is fascinated by the communication tower. As the pair approach the hive, she points up at it. “You see other star from there?” “Stargazers see stars from up there, yes.” “Stargazers.” “Men, with job to see stars. We see some stars from ground. Easier to … Continue reading 12: Baby Blues

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... [Glossary] .......... Next> Onward we walked, bravely taming our very own planet, the new masters of Sanctuary. We surveyed our kingdom day by day, and… Okay, it was super boring. Walking is really, really boring. We did it for days. Slowly. Walk for a day, stop to stock up … Continue reading 3: Clarity is suspicious

First ---- Previous ---- Glossary ---- Archive ---- Next The pair stare awkwardly at each other. Silence stretches, and Tyk realises that neither of them are really sure how to interact. There’s absolutely no way that Tyk would risk biting or shoving anyone with a fragile newborn boy in their care, and absolutely no way … Continue reading 11: Star Farms

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... [Glossary] .......... Next> By the next morning, the squid tentacles in the trough had dissolved completely and the trough contained a long layer of transparent gelatin-like substance that was safe to eat and fairly full of energy. Harlan cut it into blocks for storage and easy transport on the … Continue reading 2: Hello, void

First ---- Previous ---- Glossary ---- Archive ---- Next Explaining to Smon that she wants her to come on a small walk to see many people isn’t difficult. Smon dashes into her egg and returns almost immediately with a small bundle of silk containing… objects of some kind, Tyk supposes. She can’t see inside. She … Continue reading 10: Redstone River Hive

<<First .......... <Prev .......... [Archive] .......... [Glossary] .......... Next> Here’s some friendly life advice for you: don’t ever go to space. I mean, I guess if you’re an astronaut or whatever, and spend years training to leave the prison of Earth’s gravity and behold the universe, more power to you. But otherwise, don’t go. I … Continue reading Charlie MacNamara, Intrepid Explorer 1: Building a Sanctuary

First ---- Previous ---- Glossary ---- Archive ---- Next “Claws,” Smon corrects. “Arms, claws.” Tyk considers this information. She has seen Smon put food in her mouth with said ‘claws’, but for a creature without mandibles, that would be expected. No; that’s not the problem with Smon’s assertion. The problem with Smon’s assertion is the … Continue reading 9: Jaws and Arms