This is But One Fragment Five Hundred Words Long Constituting Part of Something Much Larger, With At Least One New Episode Per Week, And May Be What We Call A Serialized Novella. “Timo has been missing for a few days.” I interrupt Nusci as she fills the air between us with trivialities. The thought had been hanging at the tip of my tongue waiting to burst into the otherwise one-way conversation. “He hasn’t been in the lab this whole sixday. We’re worried about him.” Nusci is mute for a long moment, the vapid grin adorning her face slowly falling into patient smirk, her eyes conveying an expression of empty indifference. “Is that so?” She asks. “I wouldn’t have any idea where to start looking.” “It’s [...]

This is But One Fragment Five Hundred Words Long Constituting Part of Something Much Larger, With At Least One New Episode Per Week, And May Be What We Call A Serialized Novella. Had that been advice? Or a threat? That word. I am distracted, lost in thought, as I round the corner leaving Erikstrassa and entering the crowded High Street just blocks from Dragon’s. I’m walking to meet Nusci, but traveling a different route than last Sixday eve, walking the back streets where I am memorizing the faces of the people – on rote, the clock pitches of bots – any who might be inclined to follow me. Paranoia is unfamiliar to me. But Timo – Zech – Klaas – the faces and the anger [...]

This is But One Fragment Five Hundred Words Long Constituting Part of Something Much Larger, With At Least One New Episode Per Week, And May Be What We Call A Serialized Novella. Sixday eve and Timo is still missing. I wasn’t counting, but that makes five days with no word. And the odd thing is that no one has come to ask us anything. No inquiries. And his workstation is untouched from how he left it. It’s as if someone just expects him to walk back in one day and get back clocking. Inside the lab is another matter entirely. I leave the impression that I’m the most concerned among my lab-mates about his disappearance, but the truth is that Nacks takes that title without [...]

This is But One Fragment Five Hundred Words Long Constituting Part of Something Much Larger, With At Least One New Episode Per Week, And May Be What We Call A Serialized Novella. Zech corners me on the way into the lab. Zech, and his slicked, needle-striped hair are unavoidable as I walk across the front pave. My eyes meet his sharp stare and I can’t get past without stopping to acknowledge him. I am required to greet Zech — Zech who pulls his hand from the pocket of his grey trousers to shake mine. I am required to smile at Zech — Zech who purses back, lips tight. I am required to outwardly respect Zech — Zech who is a Ranker. “Mozari, right?” He uses [...]

This is But One Fragment Five Hundred Words Long Constituting Part of Something Much Larger, With At Least One New Episode Per Week, And May Be What We Call A Serialized Novella. I hate this city. Beyond this window is a four-storey drop to the alley where a service bot is sweeping. Beyond this window are the reeking streets of Asgarth, wet and musty. The rain fell this afternoon and wet the stones and stirred the traces of life that sneak into the city on a whim and a wind. A bit of green pokes through the reds and browns and the bot clips it away with a quick flick of a torch. It might have been nothing, but why take chances after all. After [...]

This is But One Fragment Five Hundred Words Long Constituting Part of Something Much Larger, With At Least One New Episode Per Week, And May Be What We Call A Serialized Novella. Nacks gets really quiet for most of the next day because Timo is still missing. She tells us that she had stopped at his building last night after she left the lab and no one answered the buzzer. I try to cheer her by prompting up that privately rehearsed conversation about my tea with Nusci a few days prior, but she isn’t particularly interested.  A non-starter. I’m fairly certain she and Nusci never really got on very well. Ving is interested. Ving has this way of emotionally distancing himself from these sorts of [...]