“Then, as a father, I ask you now—” Alitma said. ...

The mercenaries on Alitma’s bridge looked away from their leader, embarrassed. ...

“We have less than ten minutes before the plasma breaches the cannon’s hull,” Trak said. ...

“Memorable to who? Alitma’s going with us,” Daniel said. ...

Rachel-7 knew she had no chance of survival … so she decided to sing. ...

In an act of desperation, Daniel prayed to the Singularity Gods in the ancient, traditional manner ...

Daniel suddenly felt a whole lot better. ...

Alitma continued his rage-fueled rant ...

“Hmmph. Third-rate pilot, indeed,” Rachel 7 said and rolled her avatar’s eyes. ...

Without warning, the Afterthought’s alarm, already loud, became deafening. ...