System failure (story and critique)

System failure By Shawn   My eyes went over the passengers rocking on the train. Most of them were on their phone, immersed in their problems. A chubby black woman looked through the opposite window, while a drunkard in the back yelled verses of a song I didn't recognize. Someone coughed and everybody looked at …

Phantom generation (full + finale)

The night was the time when a back-alley part of the city came to life. Neon lights, dim music, and black-clad men on the streets, all of it belonged to a subculture of Sectoria. Bums near the trash cans, they only look nonthreatening, but they play a role. They observe what was left of the …

Phantom generation 3

Clubs and shady places worked at night, while the daylight has been used for other stuff. Dave walked straight to the bar, only turned once and see where were the local thugs. Except for the bouncer in black standing at the door and the barkeeper, the place was empty. "Whiskey. The cheapest one you've got.", …

Phantom generation 2

The message on the phone told him to get back to the precinct. He dropped his phone and rolled over the side.  It was a gloomy morning, not like others. With a heaviness in feet, he got to a sitting position. He moved his hair and looked at the numerous bullet scars in his legs, …

Matochian Thieves

Ildocians were too smart to meet us in the slums so I proposed to them an open field outside Matock. It was an old military base Ildocains frequently obtained and lost after our Master of Treasury Keeper charged them with enormous taxes. We knew how to blackmail people, just like teaching your kids. You want …

Battle Wings (Full)

Viola the Demonslayer approached the street, stepped from the thick fog where I saw her blade rock on her metal hip. Archaic suit had new scratches from the fight, and the same were on the soldiers who followed her. Her hair changed color - it must be the ash and dust that stuck to her …

Battle Wings – The Breach (Finale)

On the first light, the scout breached from the ramp panting and barely standing. He fell right at the feet of the guard and let him see the wounds he had on the back. A long rim on the man's body spoke that he was attacked by a blade - the weapon of Demons. "To …

Battle Wings – Premeditation

I left Soiba with a command to find a good spot tomorrow and wait for Viola to step out into the battle. Rudra's ultimatum was nearly over and she will move her unit against Battle Wings. This will be my turning point. But I need to make the preparations if I wanted my plans to …

Battle Wings – The Last Night

Dog howl passed the street along with the fireflies that flew from one barrel on fire to the other where guards waited to change the shift. The wind rolled a plastic bag on the road, dust tried to catch it, but failed and smothered the air. Night. A period when animals were in the move, …

Battle Wings – Junkyard

Frightened that War Stains are regrouping for another strike, I set my men in the move. Wagons got stacked full with goods, the cars were filled with armed crew and guns were loaded with fresh ammo. Our pulling back commenced in the other direction to avoid the confrontation with the hostiles. My driver pulled up …