Home > Work > The Dark Between (The Messenger #2)
1 " It was Viktor who answered him. “Closer? Yes. Close? Not so much. We’ve got lots of power and fuel, but the translation drive needs to be completely reset. It takes time for it to stabilize.” He folded his arms, considering their options. “Let’s just translate as soon as we can, okay? Otherwise, I might have to arrange to meet you somewhere.” He didn’t really want to leave the Slipwing behind, but— “Might I remind you that we still have considerable work to do before you are in a position to use the Archetype to its full potential?” a pleasant voice said. “I’m well aware of that, believe me.” Sentinel, the AI that effectively ran the Archetype, had been oddly quiet for a bit, which was unusual given their connection. “Hey, is something bothering you?” Dash asked. “I do not understand the question.” “Bothering you, as in, is there something you don’t like?” “I know what you mean. I am uncertain how to proceed in this line of questioning, as you are the first human to whom I have been mentally bonded, and your tendencies are not entirely known to me.” “We’re getting to know each other. Some humans used to call that a honeymoon.” “This has nothing to do with astronomy or insects, I can assure you,” Sentinel said. “It was a tradition among humans who—actually, nevermind. Do you think I’m lollygagging?” “Lollygagging is not a term I know. Is it related to candy?” “No. The use of time. Like dawdling.” “Dawdling is a term I know. It is—" “Wasting time,” Dash said. “In other words, you’re getting impatient, or at least as impatient as a machine presence can be. You have a purpose, and it’s not being fulfilled when the tools—like me—are finally in place.” Which was ironic for a two hundred thousand year "
― J.N. Chaney , The Dark Between (The Messenger #2)
2 " If they lived long enough for her to fix anything. With a final glance, he waved toward the ship. They were in this together now, for better or for worse. "
3 " its parent planet. “Well, here we are,” Leira said. “Now what?” Dash curled his lip. “Not really sure. I know this is the right place.” “Yeah. Except there’s nothing here.” “Can you detect anything at all?” Dash asked Sentinel. “I am engaging an active scan, to determine—” Silence. Huh. That was unlike Sentinel, to not finish a thought. Dash opened his mouth to ask if everything was okay, but Sentinel resumed speaking. “The moon is starting to undergo change,” she said. Dash peered at the image. He didn’t see anything—and then he did. “What’s going on?” he asked. “The moon is starting to break apart,” Sentinel replied. Sure enough, fragments spalled away from the central zone, while far larger chunks of rock began to separate. Something else was being revealed—something massive and apparently mechanical, more of which became visible as the moon continued "
