Kevin's Watch

He treasured her advice too much to let her die.

Although he was sometimes hard-pressed to interpret it. Her wish for his ruin was so palpable that he had to be extraordinarily careful in how he sifted her insights, what valence he assigned to her pronouncements. As a result, his encounters with her were a challenge which he found profoundly stimulating.

In truth, he could almost certainly have afforded to let her die any time during the past half century. He liked talking to his mother; he profited from her advice. But he could have done without it.

He kept Norna Fasner alive precisely because she wished him ill with such steady virulence; also because ... ... ; and finally because she kept him on his toes. Otherwise he was inclined to forget that he was mortal.

He kept Norna Fasner alive precisely because she wished him ill with such steady virulence; also because he took pleasure in her utter helplessness; and finally because she kept him on his toes. Otherwise he was inclined to forget that he was mortal.

His skull exploded like a smashed melon.

Trumpet had set herself behind a substantial piece of rock, obviously trying to block Calm Horizons' fire. The asteroid was four times the size of the gap scout. Was it big enough to protect the ship from a super-light proton blast? Just one?

Yes.

Good.

Sorus wondered how long she would have to hold her breath. Then she knew.

The defensive's proton gun blasted. Without transition the asteroid shattered, hailing shards like shrapnel at the gap scout. Trumpet's shields held. She survived.

But now she had no cover. As soon as Calm Horizons recharged her cannon, Trumpet was finished.

'Captain!' scan called, 'the cruiser's increased her rate of fire. Matter cannon, lasers, torpedoes - she's throwing everything she has at Calm Horizons!'

Trying to defend Trumpet.

Fine.

Now.

Sorus let herself breathe.

'Oh, Milos,' she murmured sweetly. 'Milos Taverner, you lump of Amnion shit. I have something for you.'

Her tone must have touched a nerve in the human residue of his mind, at an atavistic instinct for panic. Despite his growing inflexibility, he turned sharply, nearly flung himself around to face her. His fingers danced on hhis SCRT.

In one motion Sorus swept up her impact pistol and fired straight at his face.