James Pyles's Blog, page 199
July 7, 2017
All Too Human
“But why a humanoid robot at all, Carol? Do you have some sort of Isaac Asimov fetish or something? Our fascination with humanoid robots went the way of twentieth century science fiction.” “I want to see just how human we can teach AI to be. Up until now, we’ve focused on using machine learning to […]
July 6, 2017
Death by Atmosphere
“I can’t believe you lifted the old man’s security badge, Aldin. He’ll freak when he finds out.” “If he finds out, Sierra. He’s lousy about checking the logs, so he’ll never see it was used after hours when he wasn’t at the lab.” The two teenagers had already gotten into the building using the back […]
July 5, 2017
Drive Me Crazy
I never understood her side of the desk we share. My side looks like a cyclone blew through the room. Papers, DVD cases, and coffee cups scattered everywhere. I’m always losing pens. She’s so precise, so neat, except she’s a little careless with the stuffed animals our grandson gives her so she’ll be safe. When […]
July 4, 2017
Inseparable
Wednesday could only make squawking and chirping noises but her sister Friday understood every word. She was the only one who could. “Because everyone hates us, Wednesday. You know that. You’ve known that ever since you were old enough to see how different you look.” Wednesday shook her head, her large beak moving from side […]
Jael’s Hammer
Now Sisera fled away on foot to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, “Turn aside, my master, turn aside to me! Do not be […]
The Last Cilician Pirate
“And the fools thought they could hold me to ransom without my retaliation.” Twenty-five year old Julius Caesar was arrogant beyond belief. He and his party had been taken captive by Cilician pirates who had demanded twenty talents for his release. Insulted, Caesar demanded they ask for fifty and sent all but two servants and a friend […]
The Fall of Chavah
“I’ve always been given the blame, but it was really that woman and man. After all, I can’t make someone do something against their will. She ate of her own accord and the man, who should have known better, was standing right there, and not only did he not stop her, he ate too.” “Why […]
July 3, 2017
Thurren’s Cairn: A Brief Love Story
“Now we can be together forever, Charlotte.” “I hold you dearly in my heart, Thurren, but you are a dragon and I am a Princess. We can never be together, forever or otherwise. I will grow up and one day be Queen. You will grow large and mighty and be a prize sought after by […]
The Lion and the Dolphins
“See, I told you he’d come back to this shore, Markos. He’s obviously a wealthy young man, perhaps enjoying some solitude away from the family business.” “True enough you were right, Tycho. Easy prey. We grab him, then his family pays whatever ransom we ask for his safe return.” “Not that he’ll be in precisely […]
The Non-Memorial
“I don’t get it, Sheldon. What’s the big deal? It’s just a bunch of blocks.” “Great place to party, though. It’s like a maze in there, Linda. Get a bunch of people together, bring some weed, and no one can find you.” “We didn’t come here to party, Sheldon. We’re touring Holocaust Memorials in Europe […]
