Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Nineteen
The travelers departed Uat’sn with somewhat less ceremony than in Benuun, which was more than fine as far as Martin was concerned. Still, despite the borderline routine nature of their time in Uat’sn, the anxiety at the back of his mind continued to...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Twenty-nine
The hulking steel machine arrived with the squeal of metal under friction and a great puff of smoke. After a moment, side doors opened on several of the brightly-painted railcars, allowing throngs of people to hurriedly disembark with the train. The...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Fourteen
Subsequent a tearful goodbye between Uyutuk and Namo and a promise to return when she could, afternoon found the pair on the metaphorical dusty trail toward Uat’sn, which, in this case, was also a literal dusty trail. As Martin inspected the map, still...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Fifteen
The first sign that the travelers were closing the distance to Uat’sn made itself apparent in the transition of plant community from semi-arid chaparral to a more dense, but still open canopy, scrub woodland. The dominant “canopy” plants, if they could...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Twenty-three
PART TWO: ECHO Martin gazed over the cliff southward. An antarctic wind stung his cheeks as leaned against the stone fence toward the water that crashed against the smooth-worn cliffs well over a hundred meters below him. The white spray battering...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Twenty-four
Namo’s left-field question caught Martin on the back foot, and the rogue felt the foundation of the courage he had built up crumble beneath him like wet mud amidst a rushing stream. “No… no it’s not about English. It’s about you and me, err, more like,...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Twenty-five
Martin sat in his cell, the pounding of his heart bordering on tachycardia belying his utter stillness on the cot. The thoughts swam by like crayfish in turbid water, muddied by his anxieties, fears, and self-flagellation as the tramp processed his...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Twenty-one
The last dregs of sunlight had begun to fade from the horizon, yet the traveling duo failed to encounter any signs of their destination. As the light faded from the already dim forest, the dense canopy began to feel denser to the point where Martin was...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Eleven
The dying embers of the campfire sizzled as Martin downed the last of his fifth of whiskey, the liquid searing his throat and sinuses. With the close of the workweek, the apprentice surveyor maintained the Arbour Surveying Agency tradition of...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Eight
Martin managed to convince Namo to think strategically about traveling to Benuun. If he were to accompany her, they would need to get some gear, because frankly, Martin simply couldn’t fathom how Namo’s standard of comfort was low enough to where she...
Vast, Our World and Our Resolve - Chapter Twenty-six
Martin stepped forward and offered his hand to the confused magnate. “Mr. Al-Kutami? Martin Halsted. This is my, uh, friend Namo.” The man grasped Martin’s in return and shook it, followed by Namo’s. As he shook the faun’s hand, his brow furrowed, if...