Author Archives: George Phillies

“Collapsed?” Montescu said.  “That’s very sad.”  For him, Waters thought, it is indeed sad.  The untold Imperial Credits he and his fellow bureaucrats had hoped to loot from the corpse of the Union would not be reaching his grasping hands, … Continue reading →

Lesser Throne Room of the Imperial Governor of All BarhamBarham City, BarhamMartigale 10, 853 AIS Hiram Waters, clad in the multiple layers of silk robe Imperial etiquette prescribed for ambassadors of other human powers, waddled to the prescribed ten paces … Continue reading →

“I hear you loud and clear, Sergeant,” Winston said emphatically.  “We have four Brownings.  Take two of them.  And a fifth man to bring the car back.  Counting in my head.  Where do I get five men?” “Special Auxiliary Deputies,” … Continue reading →

Now the shuttle was visible as a bright white disc, a small-scale model for the huge white disc of the Langley.  The Imperials were firmly convinced that prolate ellipsoids, flying submarines, were the only way to build good spaceships.  Only … Continue reading →

“Makes sense,” Melanie said. “You have more horses here?” Schroeder asked. “No, Sir.” Melanie shook her head. “There were a bunch this morning, sent off toward Salt Lake City by train, and the ones here were gone tomorrow, meaning my … Continue reading →

Abernathy yawned and said a few words to his AI.  “Found them,” he finally announced, “the records thought the ship was out of service. The Anglic Union, part of some treaty arrangement, supplies the Imperial Fleet with a certain number … Continue reading →

“Going to be the devil to pay,” Melanie said.  “No matter the excuse.  Northcote lost four horses, my paycheck gets hit with the tab. Leastways we’ve got a rule, how much I get to keep no matter what.  I won’t … Continue reading →

A human face appeared on a comm screen. “This is Anglic Union Astrographic Service long-range reconnaissance cruiser Langley, Captain Andrew Davis commanding.  Greetings to Barham system traffic control. We are on a routine pass through your system. I am carrying … Continue reading →

“Aim for the heads!” A woman’s voice shouting could be heard from the barn. “They’re all over the horse.” The deafening tune of two Browning Automatic Rifles drowned out the shrieks of the dying animal.  One of the creatures turned, … Continue reading →

Finally, an image of the breakout appeared on one of the monitors. “Seriously strange,” Abernathy said.  “What do we have here?” He thought for a few seconds. “Senior Chief Pelham! Senior Chief Pelham!”  The AI would now forward his message … Continue reading →