Category: Martyn

I’ve chosen “Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.” It’s a bit potty humour, so I have my doubts. A Gravy New World Chapter 1. A SQUAT grey building of only thirty-four stories. Over the main entrance the words GRUMP TOWERS NY, and, in a shield, the motto MAKE AMERICA WHITE AGAIN. The small room on the ground floor faced towards the north. Not that the solitary occupant would know it, for this room lacked windows of any kind, just a ceiling ventilator. And a can of deodorising spray. The light bulb has expired, which is a metaphor for the willingness…

In this part, I’ve updated Captain Alois to Captain Cloutier. MW

Part 5

And by night he was a pillar of fire

S. Maribel’s mess, typically filled with animated conversations, was eerily muted that night. The off-duty crew, jaw muscles stretched tight, reflecting their anticipation of a critical day in prospect, ate their meals with their eyes fixed on the surface of the small grey table, folded out from the deck, midway between the processor stripes on the aft wall, and the forward console, which controlled the level of magnification available to viewers in what doubled, in the limited space of the craft, as an observatory.

It was Elias’s first time there, and he spent most of his time gazing, mouth open, at the vista he saw through the bubble of stretched-diamond composite which sat atop the ship. The scene on which his eyes rested was the wide band of the debris ring, set against the backdrop of the galactic star field, and intersected by the slow, tumbling comets, rich in blues and greens reflecting in Maribel’s lights, preparing for their descent into the gravity well like icy migratory whales readying for their swim to the calving grounds. Its magnificence almost caused him to break out into songs of praise, and he wondered if perhaps he should, if only to lighten the mood. Before he could, the compartment door swung open and Lieutenant Bright, followed by Doctor Wildbird, climbed through.

In this scene, our protagonist sees the Redlines for the first time, and gains understanding of Dr Jane Wildbird’s name. I’ve also changed him from Fr Ellis Simpson to Fr Elias Banks. Part 4 Let there be light “Elias is here to see the Redlines,” Bright said, interrupting Banks’ thoughts. Alois nodded and tapped at the console adjacent to his chair, bringing the forward screen into glowing life. Elias stepped forward, peering at the displayed star-scape. As a child he would often run up the hill at the back of his parents’ farm after dinner and chores, and lie, spreadeagled,…

Part 1: I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, but I fear no evil

When they took him to his new cell, nearer the seat of government, Elias was surprised to find it overlooked the Square of Lost Heroes, a place, his studies revealed, which was dedicated to the contemplation of peace. Perhaps they were sending him a signal. Although he was getting used to their arcane way of thinking and doubted such a signal was as superficial as face-value would suggest. Defining the meaning of their message would require much thought.

He sat on the edge of his bunk swatting at the M’lee flies buzzing around in his cell’s thick air, his mind turning in circles of worry, trying to clarify the Moaik’s intent. Peace and acceptance of the misunderstanding would be preferable, but if needs be, he would be the Sword of God.

“I don’t need much,” he had said to Cimvric Ah-Mah when the invitation to attend the court of the Imperatorin came through. “Just a place to sleep, pray, and study.”

Ah-Mah just nodded and left, presumably to make arrangements.

Prologue

Part 3

Vengeance will be mine, said the Lord

Father Ellis arrived at the bridge hatch before Bright and Wildbird, who were still pulling themselves along the two hundred metre length of the axial corridor. The door, to his surprise, would not open when he tried.

“Maribel,” he said, reflexively touching his e-Go, a small comms bud behind his right ear. “Open the bridge door, please.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Dave,” she giggled.