Colors swam like fish trapped in a bowl over top of me and buzzing like wasps in my ears, and Omoi wouldn’t shut up about exposure to hostile phenomena and a brief interface with something that had run wild circles around her programming. My vision swam, eyes were watering. I closed them, let the tears … Read moreA Throne For Crows (Part 28)
I didn’t walk so much as stumble inside. The air was thick and heady with mold and plantlife. Bushes and green leafy things existed in the light of bioluminescent algaes, coating everything in a strange mixture of greens and blues. The Regent stood at the center. “The city came under attack,” I said. What was … Read moreA Throne For Crows (Part 27)
“Down in the tunnels?” Boss asked. “Yep,” I said. “That’s where we’ll find the Regent.” If there was anything in the city that could thwart Bismarck, the best place for it to hide was in the one place no Crows were allowed to go. And I already knew the Regent was more than willing to … Read moreA Throne For Crows (Part 26)
An hour later and the inquisitors had arrived, asking questions and starting to move the massive body of the insect. A truck had been requisitioned, another truck, and they were moving it despite how it drool ichor out of the shattered hole that had been its face. I hadn’t moved much, transfixed by the sight. … Read moreA Throne For Crows (Part 25)
The beetle moved, despite everything, stirring up the cloud of dust like a petri dish. Jay and I met eyes as the beetle started to dig into the side of the building. “Status,” He barked. “No visible damage from our side,” The firing team said. “Sorry Warden.” Jay closed his eyes. I picked up the … Read moreA Throne For Crows (Part 24)
We stopped by the cafeteria. The city’d been placed on reduced rations, even further; a meat derivative from the cows that’d been brought in, mixed with other high protein things and salt to keep the birds happy. “Not the best recipe,” Boss said. A message flickered in front of my eyes, dancing as Omoi scanned … Read moreA Throne For Crows (Part 23)
“I’ll organize a supply council tomorrow,” The Regent muttered. “Then perhaps set up liaisons for the troops. Ugh, what a pain.” “Will you be joining us in battle?” Quen asked. His voice had lost most of its authority. “I have the nurseries to guard,” The Regent said. “And I am not well suited for battle, … Read moreA Throne For Crows (Part 22)
Rapid construction saw the spread of wireless towers, looming high over unclaimed buildings. Several of those buildings were picked clean of ivy and plantlife, barring where it was structurally important. Banners flickered in the wind, personal effects. Words of encouragement dappled with a layer of fresh paint, only a few decades old. The City was … Read moreA Throne For Crows (Part 21)
Late that night, while the sounds of construction echoed over the mostly empty city, my fingers touched on the pendant buried at the bottom of my materials. The rusted surface ached across the delicate skin of my fingers. I cried for my mother and father, long dead. I cried for my brother. I cried for … Read moreA Throne For Crows (Part 20)
The Capital used to have music. Now there was only a bizarre solemn poem being read aloud on air. No meter I could follow, just long trailing lines of conversation. “Is it yet our roleTo die rather thanFlyAnd when we touchThe groundIn the endWhat will we find?” That went on and on and on, the … Read moreA Throne For Crows (Part 19)