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A/N: Up early because the power cable on my laptop is dead. I’ve ordered a new one but it won’t be here until Tuesday and I currently have 10%power left. Any formatting issues are due to me hurrying.

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Scrying was nothing like Daniel had imagined. He’d imagined it would be like looking into a window or similar, but instead it felt like their combined mind flew through the air and then swept down into the tunnel that was the entrance to the bunker they were targetting. It was bland and grey inside: some sort of emergency planning bunker, he thought.

Yes, Carrie said. It’s rather well guarded as well. She flashed an image locating all the guards and security features to the others in the merge. We could get in quite easily but I don’t know that we can do it without being seen. Read the rest of this entry »

So here’s the thing. As you all know I’m on a publicity drive right now (hence the requests for votes on TWF etc at the end of every post at the moment).

I’m considering an author reading on Google Hangouts, Skype or similar (likely Hangouts). After the reading the guests could ask questions and suchlike. All Patrons and recent donators would be invited to join and (presuming we’re using Hangouts) it’ll stream live to Youtube for non-invitees to watch (otherwise it’ll be uploaded later). I’m guessing the whole thing will last about an hour.

So please answer the following in comments if you wish:

1. Would you be interested in this?

2. If you are and you’re not a patron how much would you be willing to drop in the hat to get access to the hangout rather than just watching on Youtube.

3. If you are interested would you like it to be a monthly event?

Yes this is similar to the $25/month perk on my Patreon but I’m thinking that might be better as an all Patrons thing so I’m also looking coming up with a better idea for the $25 dollar/month perk. Something like a side story written just for you at the rate of 500 words/month? Thoughts?

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Another related – but slightly more complicated idea – would anyone be interested in hosting me for a virtual author appearance?

This would involve no money but instead you’d invite friends who you think might be interested in my book around to your place and we’d link up via Hangouts or Skype again. The structure would be similar – reading and questions and I’d send you some leaflets with links the website and places the books can be bought. There’s some details of the idea I need to work out yet but would anyone be willing?

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I’m also crowdsourcing publicity ideas. Which is a posh way of saying do you have any ideas on how to spread the word?

Thanks again for being readers!

Becka

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“So what do you need me to do?” Daniel asked as he and the other non-precognitive clairvoyants settled into the spare classroom.

“We’re going to merge and attempt to scry the facility where the military are debriefing Robert,” Alexandra said. “See if we can see a way to infiltrate a small group in to there to break his disguise without being caught.”

“Even without scrying that sounds like a tall order,” Daniel said.

“It’s an extremely long shot,” Alexandra agreed. “But if we can see a way, it’s worth a try. Otherwise we’ll place the attack group in the woods on the hill and hope that revealing him there is enough.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Amanpreet was enquiring after the bioforming supplies the Ishtari on Talis had asked her to obtain when Umi called.

“I thought Kayla would like to know the results of the Council of Planet’s deliberations on Vaia,” she said without preamble.

“Yes, I imag–” Amanpreet broke off as Kayla rushed over. “Yes, she definitely does.”

“Have they come to a decision?” Kayla asked. “What are they going to do?”

“A blockade,” Umi said. “As my people suggested. But the Humans and Ishtari insisted that vital food supplies be permitted past the blockade, since Vaia is not yet self-sufficient.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Those are military trucks all right, Matthias said as Naria circled over the convoy of vehicles making its way towards the small tourist carpark at the base of the hill. Can you get a bit lower? I want to scan them and see how many there are before we move on to the other points.

Of course, Naria said. Just make sure you keep us masked. I don’t want to be shot at. I’ve seen the damage bullets can do. Read the rest of this entry »

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Andrew was awestruck every time he saw Naria’s dragon form. She was nearly thirty foot long, beautifully sleek and serpentine, and her sapphire blue scales glittered in the sunlight. If it was possible he thought she was even more beautiful than in her human form.

Stop admiring me, Drew, Naria snaked her head around and touched the very tip of her nose to his like an extremely large cat. Given that her head was bigger than his entire body, it was slightly disconcerting. Now hurry up and get on. We don’t have time to waste. There was a pause. It’s nice that you think I’m beautiful, though. Read the rest of this entry »

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A/N: repost because the original was causing a redirect loop

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“The main thing you need to know about an expedition to a prohibited world is that even on a sanctioned expedition landing is still completely forbidden. Indeed we must take great care to avoid being seen from the surface.”

“I can see why,” Amanpreet said. “From the surface we’d appear to be an unusual astronomical phenomenon if spotted and that could could influence the development of their cultures even without contact. But it won’t be easy especially since you say they are launching their first extra-atmosphere vehicle. How do we observe and avoid being seen?” Read the rest of this entry »

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A/N: It helps if you paste in the body text, Becka. y.y

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Okay, sweetie, Julie said after the imp was gone. Feed in your vision now and we’ll deal with it first and see where to go next from there.

Right. Emily said. There was a pause, then more images began flowing into the merge. As Emily had said, her premonition had given her an aerial view of the school and its surroundings, allowing them to see the moment the attack would be launched: just as dusk was turning to full night. Read the rest of this entry »

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This is the largest clarification anyone has done in living memory, Julie said once the merge was complete. There may have been a larger one back when all this started, but the psychometric records – even with the addition of my family’s hidden archive – are so incomplete we can’t be sure–

Very interesting, Caro. The interruption was dry. But we don’t have time for a history lesson, so get to the point. Read the rest of this entry »

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“Good,” Amanpreet said. “By the way, are they voting on the biosphere restoration plan soon?”

“For Talis you mean?” Oni asked. “They already did a few days ago. It was approved unanimously. The scientists have already moved the eggs into a large habitation dome and the Talis computer has released a few bio-robots to tend them now they are out of stasis. The linguists are making inroads on their language as well, thanks to the computer learning to understand you.”

“Yes,” Niobe said. “I imagine that would help.” Read the rest of this entry »