All Snippets
The Macedonian Hazard – Snippet 01
The Macedonian Hazard - Snippet 01 The Macedonian Hazard By Eric Flint, Gorg Huff, Paula Goodlett Prologue: Build, Sell, or Die Queen of the Sea, off the coast of Trinidad November 28, 321 BCE Stella Matthews lay on the bed in her cabin on the Queen of the Sea and watched TV. Stella was fifty-two years old, a bit overweight, recently divorced, with two adult children left behind by The Event, and was on the Queen of the Sea to, as the movie said, "get her groove back". Being dropped in the fourth century Before the Common Era was not helping...
1637 No Peace Beyond The Line – Snippet 41
1637 No Peace Beyond The Line - Snippet 41 "Seems to me we are here to spy on matters that are manifestly none of our business. And how is it that Sophie's understanding of personal matters might be lacking? She is a widow, she knows --" "Her marriage was arranged for her. Just as Poppa had planned for you and me, until we were saved by the changes wrought by the up-timers. Now be silent or begone!" "This is wrong," Leonora grumbled. But she craned her neck to get a better look through the crack of the door. * * * The...
Serpent Daughter – Snippet 39
Serpent Daughter - Snippet 39 # Cal rode the coach without companions. Charlie Donelsen was meeting with Rupp and Bondí, organizing Bondí's testimony before the Assembly. The Creole accountant had brought with him from New Orleans ledgers indicating regular cash infusions to the Chevalier of New Orleans, which he claimed came from the Emperor Thomas Penn. Unfortunately, there was nothing like a signed receipt, and Bondí's own knowledge of the source of the cash came from his involvement with Etienne Ukwu's war against the chevalier....
1637 No Peace Beyond The Line – Snippet 40
1637 No Peace Beyond The Line - Snippet 40 Chapter 21 Oranjestad, St. Eustatia Anne Cathrine, daughter of King Christian IV by morganatic marriage (and so, not a princess) yawned, stretched, fended off the sunlight that eked in through the slight gap in the hurricane shutters. They were just slightly ajar, held there by an adjustable hook-and-eye that had been set just so. She smiled into the morning light. That had been done by her wonderful, kind, thoughtful, Eddie. Her war-hero, ducal, up-time machine-wizard Eddie. Her adoring, innocent,...
Serpent Daughter – Snippet 38
Serpent Daughter - Snippet 38 Was he prepared to make his leap? "Mr. Franklin," he called. Temple Franklin groaned as he levered himself down from the top of a prison wagon. He gripped iron-bar handles set into the sides of the vehicle, and hissed at a prisoner who stretched a dirty hand with ragged nails toward him. "I am not yet interested in having my coat cleaned, Gottlieb," Franklin grunted, striking the ground with both feet. "Rest assured, I will tell you when I am, and I will also credit you this evening with another round of very...
1637 No Peace Beyond The Line – Snippet 39
1637 No Peace Beyond The Line - Snippet 39 "So our choice was between standing around while the knowledge from Grantville's library drives a radically new history, or to have a hand in shaping it. And these islands are among the places where those changes will come the fastest and the hardest." Joost Banckert's frown was no longer impatient but somber. "There is much to think about in what you have said, Eddie. But none of it shines a light on how mariners such as us, bred to pursue profit individually and aggressively, can make money when we...
Serpent Daughter – Snippet 37
Serpent Daughter - Snippet 37 "I'll tell you who can," Roland said. "The man -- or woman -- who takes that rod and this one and uses them at the crosses of the earth to try to still tremors." Ordres laughed. "When you say 'uses them,'" Sarah probed, "do you have any idea how to do that?" Roland shrugged. Ordres shook his head. "The Reconciliations says it was a prayer." "Funny thing," Sarah said, "it seems to me I'm constantly getting by on a prayer. And I suppose you're also telling me that, to find out what's behind that door . . . or who ....
Serpent Daughter – Snippet 36
Serpent Daughter - Snippet 36 "Whole thing's jest gone to stupid." Chapter Eight Two men joined Sarah in the sanctum. One had long dark hair and mustache and wore a stylish German hat; the other was darker skinned, maybe an Indian, and wore a crown of flowers. She held the Earthshaker's Rod across her lap. She had given up trying to look into it with her Eye of Eden; however much she might try to put on a brave face for Cathy and her counsellors, she felt sick and exhausted. Her eyes ached, and the vision of her ordinary eye was dim. The...