“Not quite evil mother-in-law material but not fun either, I imagine.” I switched back to a happier subject. “When's your next performance, exactly?”

“Next Wednesday—a week from tomorrow.”

I blinked at the assertion that tomorrow was Wednesday. Such a s…

With precise synchronization, the drones broke through the fog that covered the Woodland forest canopy. Dew sprayed from the conglomeration of insect-like machines as a cloudburst. And the sound of thousands of whirling fans echoed through the trees.

The…

Coffee collects on the tongue. Fingers press the tired eyes; their hand slides over the nose and onto the cheek. Digits extend over one eye, the other eye opens.

Attempting to Establish Connection to Remote System

A swallow. Status grids; motionless, …