The Sword and Laser discussion
Introduction and welcome thread!
Hi, everyone. I read books, ride bicycles, brew beer, and teach English.I also follow directions, so here's this.
Hi everybody,I'm SJ from Canada. Mostly I hang around in the Fantasy Book Club but I've been lurking here quite a lot lately too reading some very interesting discussions. I'm definitely more of a "sword" than a "laser" but have been known to enjoy laser stories too. Mostly I just love anything creative. An avid fantasy fan, I browse the web finding people with similar interests: especially in books, film and artwork. Goodreads has been a great site to connect with readers and other writers!
Hi my name is Owen. I am 19 years old and from dublin. Some of my favourite books are snow crash, anansi boys and ready player one.
I finally got around to setting up my Goodreads account, and joining this group. I am definitely a Laser, it is not that I hate fantasy or anything, but I just get really annoyed when physics is treated with such casual disregard (which is also why I have a problem with Star Wars), so I just have to take it in smaller dosages, like only reading one fantasy book between two Sci-Fi books.
Except for A Song of Ice & Fire, because that is special. :-)
Hello, I am more of a laser fan. I joined the group with Leviathan Wakes and just started Assassin's Apprentice (so far, so good). I enjoyed the John Scalzi interview as I have read both Starship Troopers and Forever War and am now looking forward to reading Old Man's War.Keith in Pittsburgh
Hi, I'm from Sydney and have always loved fantasy, so I guess that makes me more of a 'sword' fan. I read Assassin's Apprentice (and the rest of the series) a few years ago and really enjoyed them. I also love dragons. Is that geeky? My favourite fantasy author has to be David Eddings, his stories and characters are wonderful and I love his sense of humour. Cheers :)
Hi, all; I'm Jenni.When I went to grad school a librarian friend warned me that I'd never read for fun again. I find myself joining the community here because she was partly right: what I've lost is the time to find books to read outside of the work.
I've been hooked on 'Golden Age' SF for a bunch of years now, which was my gateway into hard SF, speculative fiction, and high/low/urban fantasy. Professionally I'm always on the look out for science fiction in plays.
Hi, I'm Katie.I found this group because Felicia day linked to the youtube and it mentioned Assassin's Apprentice which I read semi-recently. Soooo I got sucked into Goodreads now because I love to read and have a mission of expanding my fantasy and sci-fi knowledge beyond just Tolkien and Herbert.
Current favorites besides those two are Terry Goodkind, David Eddings, Orson Scott Card, and Charlaine Harris. :)
Katie wrote: "Hi, I'm Katie.I found this group because Felicia day linked to the youtube and it mentioned Assassin's Apprentice which I read semi-recently. Soooo I got sucked into Goodreads now because I love ..."
I'm with you on David Eddings :) Have you read Robert Jordan? A bit different writing but the Wheel of Time Series is epic.
Hey guys, I'm Adam.
I'm 24 and from Fredericksburg, VA. I work as a sushi chef, and loathe my job about as often as I love it.
I've been a longtime fantasy and sci-fi fan, but have never really read any genre fiction. I initially went to college to pursue my passion for literature and writing as an English major, but things didn't quite go as planned, and six years later I ended up being a culinary school drop-out.
Due to recent, major changes in my life, I've found myself with much more free time, and seemed to have rekindled some of my passion for reading. I had tried to read GRRM's Game of Thrones while in high school, but could never get into it. I've now finished it (in a little over a week, at that!), and am currently quickly devouring Dan Simmons' Hyperion.
I am super excited to be a part of a book club/group, as I've never done it before. I'm looking forward to starting Assassin's Apprentice in the next couple of days and reading along with everybody. I feel as though I may have to force myself to slow down my pace, as at the rate I've been reading, I'll be done in a few days!
Looking forward to meeting everybody.
I'm 24 and from Fredericksburg, VA. I work as a sushi chef, and loathe my job about as often as I love it.
I've been a longtime fantasy and sci-fi fan, but have never really read any genre fiction. I initially went to college to pursue my passion for literature and writing as an English major, but things didn't quite go as planned, and six years later I ended up being a culinary school drop-out.
Due to recent, major changes in my life, I've found myself with much more free time, and seemed to have rekindled some of my passion for reading. I had tried to read GRRM's Game of Thrones while in high school, but could never get into it. I've now finished it (in a little over a week, at that!), and am currently quickly devouring Dan Simmons' Hyperion.
I am super excited to be a part of a book club/group, as I've never done it before. I'm looking forward to starting Assassin's Apprentice in the next couple of days and reading along with everybody. I feel as though I may have to force myself to slow down my pace, as at the rate I've been reading, I'll be done in a few days!
Looking forward to meeting everybody.
Dionne wrote: "I'm with you on David Eddings :) Have you read Robert Jordan? A bit different writing but the Wheel of Time Series is epic."I haven't yet, but he is on my list :)
Hello everyone, This is Matt.I currently live in Atlanta, GA and have been a long time follower of the podcast, but the Assassin's apprentice is my first attempt to read a book along with the club.
Hello everyone, I'm Vince, sometimes called Gideon (and sometimes Gidiot). I joined because I graduated college and wanted to start reading for fun again. College had turned it into a chore and I stopped reading for fun. I recently moved to Nevada into a fully furnished appartment with a very empty and sad set of shelves and thought it to be a sign. I just picked up Assassin's Apprentice and hope to find myself filling these shelves with more books. This is the first time I've joined any sort of book club but I've been following the show since Geek & Sundry hit YouTube with all it's glorious channels. I don't really know if I'm a Sword or a Laser but that is one thing I hope to figure out eventually. My interest zone is rather huge so it's exciting to think about what books I might end up collecting. :D
I'm Mike and over the years have been a big fantasy reader for a long time. I got a little burned out and have been reading a bit of everything lately. I use my hour commute to listen to audio books. I'm at the mercy of what I could get at the library...some have been good...some not so much.
I'm Mike and I've been hooked on fantasy and science fiction since reading The Hobbit in 7th grade. I live in Amish country in Ohio where there really isn't a whole lot to do besides reading, so it works out well that I love it. I'm partial to Sword, but a good Laser always reminds me what drew me to it in the first place.
Hello,I am Nathan. I am an avid, avid reader. If I have free time, which as a father of 5 boys is pretty scarce, I will most likely be found reading.
I was introduced to Sword and Laser through the Geek & Sundry channel. I have enjoyed the books that have been suggested so far. I hope to make a positive contribution to this reading forum.
Thanks!
Hello i'm Jay, I am new to online book clubbing and figured i'd give it a try after seeing The Sword and Laser on Geek and Sundry. I am reading Leviathan Wakes but may put it aside and pick up Assassin's Apprentice just to keep up with the group.I am a fan of both Fantasy and Sci-fi genre, but sometimes find myself falling between the cracks and reading Fantasy-Horror.
Some of my favorite authors are: Ray Bradbury Clive Barker JRR Tolkien Terry Brooks
Hi, I'm Neil.I've loved Fantasy and Sci-Fi I picked up the Timothy Zahn Star Wars series and The Hobbit when I was at school, since then I've found my way to to Terry Pratchett, Raymond E Feist, Brian Lumley Robert Jordon, Robin Hobb, Asimov and recently Brent Weeks. I've finally got round to joining Goodreads and the Sword and Laser in search of new authors to discover.
I am starting to read the Assassin's Apprentice for the first time in a few years and looking forward to reading the books on the Sword and Laser list.
Hello, I'm SN I'm a recent addition to Goodreads and am just beginning to get into the website so this is the first group I've joined.
To be honest, while I'm a huge reader of just about anything, I've only recently gotten into the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre. While my older brother is a huge fan of these genres and I did read some of his books growing up I never got into the genre till now. I joined this group b/c it seemed like a friendly and open space to get initiated and I am already greatly enjoying the August selection The Assassin's Apprentice.
Oh hello there, I'm David.I recently got back into reading when I started commuting for 3+ hours a day on a train from Milwaukee to Chicago and back. After completing my short to read list, I sought out book clubs and here I am. I've been a big sci fi and fantasy nerd ever since I can remember, yet I've never read LotR, which even I find odd. My favorite authors are Tad Williams, Heinlein, and Daniel Suarez.
Hullo, You may call me Miskinak (Turtle in Cree - no I'm not Cree but I am sluggish and shy so turtle fits)
I'm new here, and have been following Sword and Laser a wee bit on Geek & Sundry - then I saw the interview with Jon Scalzi come up I squee'd with excitment A most excellent author, his only weakness being that I found him only after his first book so he just isn't writing fast enough to feed my need. Then omgosh, at the end Robin Hobb was mentioned as the next book being Assassins Apprentice, my head just blew off my shoulders. all this back to back with George R.R. Martin and you've got within a four week span three of my four top authors.
so here I am a new member and joining in the forum.
I will admit it's been a few years since I read the Assassin's apprentice, but will relish the re-read.
Aaaaand.. will review some of the other books read to add to my read lists.
Hello, I'm Kriss. I decided to join this group because I was in some serious need of a direct when it comes to picking up literature. I can't make up my mind about what to purchase. I'm also to hoping to delve a little more into the Sci-fi side of things.Some of the best series I've read so far have been the Pendergast series and The Hollows.
Hi guys,this is Jens, from Germany.
I'm a particle physicist by day and a serious bookworm by night.
I discovered S&L on the YouTubes only recently and finally see the potential of this medium beyond videos of people doing stupid things.
Thanks for that, Veronica and Tom.
I've been reading SciFi for as long as I can remember, starting with Perry Rhodan (I already told you I was german). Nowadays, I mostly stick with short fiction, since the density of thought-provoking ideas is much higher, than in most novels. But I also enjoy the works of Philipp K. Dick, Heinlein, Peter F. Hamilton and so on.
Fantasy became interesting again with Joe Abercrombie, Brett Weeks and Patrick Rothfuss.
Since Amazons algorithms don't produce many helpful results, I'm looking for new authors and enjoying the very good and thorough reviews here.
See you,
Jens
Hello, I'm Matt. I've been listening to the audio version of the podcast for a year or so and just started making my way through the video shows. I enjoy both scifi and fantasy. I plan to start actively participating beginning in September with "Foundation". This book has been patiently waiting on my Kindle and now I have a good excuse to start reading it!
I know it's late but if i make anyone feel uncomfortable by some of my opinions, feel free to tell me so I'll moderate myself
Hi, I'm TravisSome of my favorite authors include:
Robert Jordan, Jim Butcher, Kim Harrison, David Weber, Craig Shaw Gardner
and so so many more lol
I read SciFi and fantasy indiscriminately. I like trying to blow my kindle apart by stuffing it to the seams with as many books as possible, and gaming online, my newest obsessions being The secret world, and Orcs Must Die.(that last I blame entirely on Brian Brushwood, so many hours gone and i can't stop playing it lol)
Some of my recent favorite books are
The Way of Kings, The Name of the Wind, and The Black Prism
Hi there!My name is Ezz and I have been part of this group for awhile now looking for book ideas between my real time book club. I have been watching the vids on G&S and love the discussion, so have been waiting for a book I can start with. It just so happens this months book is my favourite all time author and series so I couldnt pass up a chance to see other peoples thoughts... I am more of a sword reader but occasionally will read lazer books- hoping I might get some good ones from this group! Fav authors are Robin Hobb and Ian Irvine (great aussie fantasy author).
hello, i just joined this group a few days ago. i have been aware of the geek and sundry channel for some time now but just recently started watching. i'm not yet reading the book of this club yet as i have other club books to read but looking forward to joining the fun soon (maybe with next month's book). i also just got a nook so i'm finally enjoying the benefits of an ereader. i also do a lot of audiobooks as i frequently have to drive for long periods of time. my favorite author is Jasper Fforde and the best way i can describe my taste in books is "varied" but i tend to shy away from heavy themes (not heavy books, haha).
Hello everyone, I have just started following the sword and laser thanks to YouTube and good reads. I am not an avid reader but am hoping to get more into it. I am currently reading assassin's apprentice and Noctournal. In the past I have tended to lean more towards fantasy than scifi but I am open to try new things.
Hi, I'm Bill. I found this group through a labyrinthian (?) path that twisted through Revision 3, TWiT, The Guild, Dr. Horrible and Twitter. My favorite authors include Frank Herbert, Piers Anthony, Michael Moorcock and Robert Jordan. I got caught up in Game Of Thrones mania and loved the first two books and liked subsequent ones a little less as the page counts increased. Suffice it to say that I always enjoy finding out about new and not so new fantasy/sci fi authors, so here I am.
Hi, I'm Jake and I'm a sword. I've been a long time listener of S&L, but this will be the first month that I read a book with the group. The show introduced me to some of my favorite authors, among them George R.R. Martin and Patrick Rothfuss.
Hi all I’m Alain. I live in sunny Bermuda. I found my way here through a link from John Scalzi’s site for his interview on the S&L show. I have been a Science Fiction fan for as long as I can remember. I am not a huge Fantasy fan but I do read the odd tome. I think part of the reason that I don’t read more Fantasy is they are rarely standalone book. I know it’s more common now in SF than it used to be but it’s still easier to find standalone novels. These days I have little free time so I tend to be quite finicky about allocating it to something that will take up a substantial part of it. I am studying this November for a professional designation so time free time is scarcer than usual. In addition to reading novels I read quite a few short stories not only is it enjoyable it’s a nice way to discover new authors.Cheers
Hi, I'm Shannon. I've been listening to the show for a while and I've posted a few times here on the forums, but it's been a long time, and I never formally introduced myself. I also haven't always followed along with the reading, but I plan to start doing so in September with Foundation. I don't have a preference between sci fi and fantasy - in both, I just want characters I care about and an enjoyable story.
Hi I'm Neil. I'm in accounting, finance and Android podcasting. I'm into reading SciFi mostly and other stuff that looks good.
hi im claire, just started reading tigana and came across your group by one of the reviews, and thought hmm they sound a bit like me so here i am. My fav authors are patrick rothfuss, r hobb. I see ur reading the farseer books, fantastic Enjoy :)
Hi, I'm Colleen.I'm an out of work trained TV/Radio Broadcaster. Currently in love with the hosts of Sword/Laser! You guys are awesomesauce!
I like Anne McCaffrey, David Webber's Honor Harrington series, and a thousand others. I love reading and these great discussions of those books!
Hello I'm Darren from the United Kingdom that's been appearing a bit on the TV just recently for some reason.I have loved science fiction and fantasy since I learned to read (according to my exasperated parents who never understood where the fascination came from), but I now have very little time to read!
I will be relying on you guys, therefore, to guide me to some rewarding reads for the little time that I can fit in some reading.
I'm more a fan of certain books rather than certain authors, though I will read everything that Terry Pratchett writes as a matter of course.
Hopefully I'll be able to contribute if people talk about some older stuff.
Hi, I'm Tash and I'm from England. I've always loved reading fantasy but trying to read a bit more sci-fi as well.
Hi addicted readers. I'm a GoodReads author of adventure-thrillers posting a complimentary e-book in the "Authors" discussion area, hoping my raging-river prose will be a good read for members.Cheers & enjoy !
Marshall Chamberlain
Hi Kyle here. I'm addicted to books I must say read every second I can. Most fantasy, Sci-fi and a little bit of anything else. There are very few books I don't like to be honest. I also am compulsive about finishing series I start even if they go bad. I re-read books frequently as well
Kyle wrote: "Hi Kyle here. I'm addicted to books I must say read every second I can. Most fantasy, Sci-fi and a little bit of anything else. There are very few books I don't like to be honest. I also am compuls..."Hi Kyle, I do the re-read too, especially since it can be a long time between novels in a series. The Wheel of Time Series has been going for so long and the books are so detailed that it's easy to forget what's going on.
Hi, I'm Matt from Harrisburg Pennsylvania. I spent most of my childhood avoiding reading whenever possible. It wasn't until college that I first started reading more than choose your own adventures for fun. I am definitely more of a sword then a laser but I do read some of each.
Matt wrote: "Hi, I'm Matt from Harrisburg Pennsylvania. I spent most of my childhood avoiding reading whenever possible. It wasn't until college that I first started reading more than choose your own adventur..."Welcome, neighbor. I'm in NJ and also more of a Sword.
Hello All,I'm Andrew.
Sorry I'm just getting around to posting here. I have been a long time listener of the S&L podcast, but only recently got into goodreads. I'm a big audiobook fan, and listen to a good amount of sci-fi and fantasy, but I enjoy other fiction as well.
Mod
Originally from Buffalo, NY. I've lived in Maryland for the last 8+ years.
Apart from reading fantasy and sci-fi I like a few other genres, but haven't found myself reading them much the last 3 or 4 years.
I'm a software engineer by trade so I like all sort of computer/technology things, and I'm an avid gamer.
I prefer paperbacks of the mass market variety to all other formats, but will buy hardcover when I just can't wait.
So far eBooks just aren't for me and audio books are reserved for long car trips.
Hi! I'm Angeles, a Java programmer from Spain. I'm a fan of Philip K. Dick, Andrzej Sapkowski and Neil Gaiman.
I recently got a new ebook reader, so now I can a read a lot more without space problems in my personal library :D
I recently got a new ebook reader, so now I can a read a lot more without space problems in my personal library :D
Hello all. 40 year old UK'er. Been reading for, well, as long as I could read. Started off many years ago with Enid Blyton and still love her books to this day. My teens was filled to capacity by Stephen King, James Herbert, Dean R Koontz and Clive Barker. I must admit I was shit scared reading most of these books and seeing as I only really read at night this probably wasn't such a good idea for my over imaginative brain. Hell it took me over a year to read 'It' and that was only because I had to keep hiding it under my bed (never liked clowns anyway!).
After that I moved on to Harold Robbins, well what respectful 15 year old girl wouldn't?
Then at the age of around 19 I hit Fantasy and never left, I tried Asimov and 'that' genre, but we never got on. In the middle I had a go at Crime /Detective type novels and in the last year have found the Jack Reacher market (Tom Cruise, really?) but fantasy really is where my passion is. Read most of Robin Hobb, just really the Fools story to catch up on. I am struggling really hard with the Wheel of Time series, but I will not be defeated.
Chat to me if you like I don't mind.
Cxx
Glad to be here and meet everyone. I'm Aaron, author of Lokians: Book 1 Beyond the End of the World. This is the first installment of my new sci-fi series. Action packed super thriller with a side of philosophy and technical jargon. How's everyone doing?
I just published my new book, 'The Underground Taaqatwar' with Amazon and this is an excerpt from the book:
I
Gilbert was the immediate past president of the United States. It was during his era of presidency that the U.S. military attacked the Ali Abdulla terrorist group in retaliation to the attack and demolition of both the World Trade Center as well as the Pentagon. The U.S. military apprehended the leader of the Ali Abdulla terrorist group and slowly brought him to death. It was excruciatingly painful, and video of the torture was leaked, making him an example of what is to come to those who dare attempt another attack. News and videos on the various websites signified that all the plans for the attack on the Ali Abdulla group and the death of their leader were advocated by the former president Gilbert Maclean. This won him a lot of admiration from the public. He was considered a patriotic president who cared for the welfare of Americans, for he was a man who would not rest until he had attained his dream of peace his people had been so desperately craving.
Gilbert was characterized as an All-American individual. He was tall, with a slim but muscular frame. He was also fairly young to be a president, and had an almost perfect bill of health. He had the look of someone who had once been a farm boy. With dark blonde hair,speckled with bits of silver and maturity and intense blue eyed, he could charm even his worst of enemies. Gilbert was also known to be a dedicated and faithful man, who would never take his marriage for granted. In the public eye he was seen as the Golden Boy of the Oval Office, without so much as a scratch on his good name. But the impossible rumors became headlines when evidence surfaced proving that Gilbert was engaged in an extramarital affair with a lady called Fati during his second term. The headlines were dripping with venomous slander, as President Gilbert’s secret obsession for exotic women slowly leaked out to the public. His wife, Priscilla filed for divorce, but with his clean record and innocent boy demeanor, she reluctantly forgave him.
However, Priscilla’s boring lifestyle could not quench his thirst for exotic goddesses, and Fati to him was like Aphrodite to a hopeless peasant. He could not resist her raven hair, or her almond colored eyes and olive skin. So one night, eight months later, he finally gave in to temptation. There was a secret tryst between him and Fati while his wife was on vacation in Central America. Besides his Secret Service guards, who were incessantly posted outside of his home, no one was there to catch them in their sinful act.
Gilbert and Fati were focused on nothing else but the lustful endeavor they so longingly missed. Nothing and no one else mattered during that brief moment they had with each other. For hours, Gilbert made love to Fati furiously, and there was not a movement or a sound from the other side of the door. All of a sudden, the phone on the night stand rang, however, Gilbert wouldn’t dare stop to pick it up. After ten minutes passed by, the door handle began to turn and a figure cautiously appeared in the doorway; however, neither Gilbert nor Fati acknowledged the feminine silhouette that slid through the cracked door.
“You whore!” Priscilla shrieked in utter shock.
She stood and gaped at them for what felt to her like an eternity. Gilbert met eyes with his distraught wife, then threw Fati from atop his lap as he began scrambling about the bed, trying to hide his shame beneath the defiled sheets.
“Oh my God,” he shrieked. “Honey, you are home very early.. But I can explain! She… she came and… we, we had to talk and it just…” his voice trailed off as he sank back onto the edge of the bed.
As she repositioned herself on the bed, Fati gathered the sheets around her chest and turned to meet an icy glare shot at her from Priscilla. She quickly rose from the bed, grasping the rest of the bed sheets to cover her body as she tore away from the glare. Priscilla heavily made her way towards Fati with hatred in her eyes, while Gilbert sat on the bed, his face buried in his hands. Fati neared her handbag as Priscilla continued to advance towards her. The mistress turned her back, rambling through her purse.
“What? Looking for a phone? Why, so you can schedule your next home-wrecking appointment?” Priscilla grew angrier with each insult she spit at the young woman. “You are nothing but a filthy little whore. Wait, are you putting on a glove? What sort of vile-” She was silenced by the bullet that penetrated her left lung. Gilbert, suddenly in tune with the commotion that took place in the room quickly jolted from the bed.
“My God. What have you done to my wife…” Gilbert murmured as he stood over Priscilla’s lifeless corpse. “Do you realize what you just did?” he screamed. “Guards, Gua-”
Fati quickly turned the silenced pistol towards his face, with a menacing smile thinning her voluptuous lips. His jaws tensed instantly, eyes glued to the gun.
“Oh, but why so silent Mr. President?” she chided with malice in her tone. “You weren’t so quiet just a few minutes ago.” She smiled. “What? Dead wife got your tongue?” she chuckled.
“No, I think it might be the extremely long piece staring me in the face,” he stated in an exasperated voice.
“What? Are you jealous because mine is bigger than yours? Well, I’m just shocked. I thought I’d never see the day that mouth would shut. You know, always open in bed, flapping out in public, babbling on those podiums. Oh, the cameras do love that charming little smile of yours. Guess it really hurt the poor little peoples feelings when they found out that little innocent Golden Boy stepped out on his wife. Guess they see it as him stepping out on them as well. Shame too, happened right after you ‘single-handedly’ infiltrated the big and scary terrorist group, Ali Abdulla Group.” She paused, enjoying the confusion and fear dripping from his face. “Well wasn’t that you Mr. President? See, when you make such achievements like that on a national level, you should be sure to watch your back.”
He gaped at her the entire time but she kept on pointing the pistol at him.
“What are you talking about, Fati?”
“Let’s just say that when they say keep your enemies close, I don’t think they mean that close,” cooed Fati with a devilish grin.
He sighed with grief and regret as he glanced down at his dead wife.
“Now Gilbert,” Fati exclaimed, as she turned her back to him and took a few steps forward, holding the pistol behind her back. She rifled around in her purse.“Tell me the motto of the United States.” She whipped back around to him expecting an answer.
He stared deep into her eyes and gave no response. She hastened toward him, a second pistol in her hand. She stepped over Priscilla’s body, forcing him against the wall. She rubbed the tip of the silencer gently around his right temple, and then placed the murder weapon in his hand. He looked at her, confused as ever.
She chuckled with utter amusement. “Don’t worry you can’t do any damage with that thing. See Mrs. First Lady here stole my only bullet. Funny, it was actually meant for you. Luckily, I always carry an extra piece. Oh, and I’ll be needing that,” she said as she removed the silencer from the tip of his gun and added it to hers.
“Now come on Mr. President won’t you tell me the motto of this beautiful country,” she said in a voice as seductive as the first day he met her.
“In God we trust,” he mumbled.
She grinned, then bashed him on the side of the head with the handle of the pistol and quickly he fell to his knees. She commanded him to get up and raise his arms in the air. He drunkenly raised his torso from the carpet, feeling like he suffered a mild concussion, still clutching the empty pistol. As she positioned the gun directly between his eyes, he slowly raised his hands in the air.
“I know you trust in your God, so much that you must long to be with him. So let’s just say I’m here to do you a favor. But I don’t think you will be with him for long, you filthy sex-addicted nymphomaniac,” she said as she cackled victoriously.
With a sigh of sheer satisfaction, she stared into his eyes one last time before pulling the trigger. He fell to the floor, blood seeping from his brow onto the burgundy carpet. Fati dressed, and placed the second pistol in Priscilla’s cold, dead hand.
When she reached the precincts of the house, she met two guards, and stopped. One of them drew closer to her, whispering in her ear, “We didn’t know she was coming back today. Said her flight came in early.”
“Who?” she asked innocently.
“Priscilla” the guard replied.
The other guard chuckled, “Yeah we tried to call but I guess you both were kinda busy”
Fati gave him a sharp glare. He cleared his throat, “So, uhm, you ok? Did she catch you in there?
Fati smiled and replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. It’s Gilbert you’ll have to worry about.”
Puzzled, one of the guards said, “Alright then, miss, take it easy. See you.”
“Yeah I don’t think so.” Fati replied.
With that, she exited from the front door and drove off.
About ten minutes later, Rita Rice appeared; a renowned and seasoned lawyer. When Rita reached the precincts of the house, she met the guards and gave a smile. “Hello gentlemen, how are you today?” she asked.
“Doing well miss,” answered the first guard. One added, “Just doing our job as usual.”
“Wonderful! Who’s there, in the house?” she asked.
“They’re all there,” one of the guards answered.
“Priscilla just arrived early from her vacation. Wanted to surprise her husband,” the other added, as he slipped an uneasy look to his partner.
“Thank you gentlemen. Have a nice day,” she said, and proceeded through the front door.
“See you too.”
She entered the house and walked around the living room.
“Priscilla, I came to visit!” she called out.
But, there was no reply. She glanced around the living room and upstairs, but the place was quiet and nobody seemed to be there.
She ruffled her hair with her hand.
“Gilbert… it’s me, Rita.”
But once again, there was no reply.
The home was very large, but usually someone was always there to greet her, so she went out to the guards once again.
“Are you all sure they’re home?” she inquired.
“Yes ma’am, did you see them?” The guard asked.
“No, I shouted but no one answered,” she replied.
“Yeah, I heard you shouting. But… take it easy.”
Rita removed her phone from her handbag and dialed them, but no one answered the call. Rita became puzzled. The guards, beginning to feel anxious, decided to go check on the two.
“Ma’am, we are going to go check on them. We need you to stay here until we get back.”
“What? I’m confused. What’s going on?” She questioned as she followed behind them.
“Ma’am I said stay here,” answered the first guard, but Rita refused to listen.
“O.K. But stay behind us,” he demanded as he began to inaudibly speak into his wrist. Rita became very fearful, and stayed very close behind the guard.
They went back into the house, and two more men met them at the stairwell. The guard told them to search the downstairs while they advanced up the stairs. They checked all the rooms, passing the bedroom door. As Rita glanced over to the bedroom door, she noticed that it was cracked open. She peaked through the sliver of the opening, and say Gilberts naked foot lying on the floor. Fearfully she opened the door the rest of the way, witnessing the crime that took place. She stood there petrified.
“Ma’am you cannot walk into their private bed chambers.” They noticed the expression on her face. “Are you O.K. Miss Rice?” The guard asked.
She pointed into the room shaking, “No!” She screamed. “He killed my sister!”
The guards quickly stepped in front of her. “What the Hell happened here!” The first guard exclaimed.
Th
I
Gilbert was the immediate past president of the United States. It was during his era of presidency that the U.S. military attacked the Ali Abdulla terrorist group in retaliation to the attack and demolition of both the World Trade Center as well as the Pentagon. The U.S. military apprehended the leader of the Ali Abdulla terrorist group and slowly brought him to death. It was excruciatingly painful, and video of the torture was leaked, making him an example of what is to come to those who dare attempt another attack. News and videos on the various websites signified that all the plans for the attack on the Ali Abdulla group and the death of their leader were advocated by the former president Gilbert Maclean. This won him a lot of admiration from the public. He was considered a patriotic president who cared for the welfare of Americans, for he was a man who would not rest until he had attained his dream of peace his people had been so desperately craving.
Gilbert was characterized as an All-American individual. He was tall, with a slim but muscular frame. He was also fairly young to be a president, and had an almost perfect bill of health. He had the look of someone who had once been a farm boy. With dark blonde hair,speckled with bits of silver and maturity and intense blue eyed, he could charm even his worst of enemies. Gilbert was also known to be a dedicated and faithful man, who would never take his marriage for granted. In the public eye he was seen as the Golden Boy of the Oval Office, without so much as a scratch on his good name. But the impossible rumors became headlines when evidence surfaced proving that Gilbert was engaged in an extramarital affair with a lady called Fati during his second term. The headlines were dripping with venomous slander, as President Gilbert’s secret obsession for exotic women slowly leaked out to the public. His wife, Priscilla filed for divorce, but with his clean record and innocent boy demeanor, she reluctantly forgave him.
However, Priscilla’s boring lifestyle could not quench his thirst for exotic goddesses, and Fati to him was like Aphrodite to a hopeless peasant. He could not resist her raven hair, or her almond colored eyes and olive skin. So one night, eight months later, he finally gave in to temptation. There was a secret tryst between him and Fati while his wife was on vacation in Central America. Besides his Secret Service guards, who were incessantly posted outside of his home, no one was there to catch them in their sinful act.
Gilbert and Fati were focused on nothing else but the lustful endeavor they so longingly missed. Nothing and no one else mattered during that brief moment they had with each other. For hours, Gilbert made love to Fati furiously, and there was not a movement or a sound from the other side of the door. All of a sudden, the phone on the night stand rang, however, Gilbert wouldn’t dare stop to pick it up. After ten minutes passed by, the door handle began to turn and a figure cautiously appeared in the doorway; however, neither Gilbert nor Fati acknowledged the feminine silhouette that slid through the cracked door.
“You whore!” Priscilla shrieked in utter shock.
She stood and gaped at them for what felt to her like an eternity. Gilbert met eyes with his distraught wife, then threw Fati from atop his lap as he began scrambling about the bed, trying to hide his shame beneath the defiled sheets.
“Oh my God,” he shrieked. “Honey, you are home very early.. But I can explain! She… she came and… we, we had to talk and it just…” his voice trailed off as he sank back onto the edge of the bed.
As she repositioned herself on the bed, Fati gathered the sheets around her chest and turned to meet an icy glare shot at her from Priscilla. She quickly rose from the bed, grasping the rest of the bed sheets to cover her body as she tore away from the glare. Priscilla heavily made her way towards Fati with hatred in her eyes, while Gilbert sat on the bed, his face buried in his hands. Fati neared her handbag as Priscilla continued to advance towards her. The mistress turned her back, rambling through her purse.
“What? Looking for a phone? Why, so you can schedule your next home-wrecking appointment?” Priscilla grew angrier with each insult she spit at the young woman. “You are nothing but a filthy little whore. Wait, are you putting on a glove? What sort of vile-” She was silenced by the bullet that penetrated her left lung. Gilbert, suddenly in tune with the commotion that took place in the room quickly jolted from the bed.
“My God. What have you done to my wife…” Gilbert murmured as he stood over Priscilla’s lifeless corpse. “Do you realize what you just did?” he screamed. “Guards, Gua-”
Fati quickly turned the silenced pistol towards his face, with a menacing smile thinning her voluptuous lips. His jaws tensed instantly, eyes glued to the gun.
“Oh, but why so silent Mr. President?” she chided with malice in her tone. “You weren’t so quiet just a few minutes ago.” She smiled. “What? Dead wife got your tongue?” she chuckled.
“No, I think it might be the extremely long piece staring me in the face,” he stated in an exasperated voice.
“What? Are you jealous because mine is bigger than yours? Well, I’m just shocked. I thought I’d never see the day that mouth would shut. You know, always open in bed, flapping out in public, babbling on those podiums. Oh, the cameras do love that charming little smile of yours. Guess it really hurt the poor little peoples feelings when they found out that little innocent Golden Boy stepped out on his wife. Guess they see it as him stepping out on them as well. Shame too, happened right after you ‘single-handedly’ infiltrated the big and scary terrorist group, Ali Abdulla Group.” She paused, enjoying the confusion and fear dripping from his face. “Well wasn’t that you Mr. President? See, when you make such achievements like that on a national level, you should be sure to watch your back.”
He gaped at her the entire time but she kept on pointing the pistol at him.
“What are you talking about, Fati?”
“Let’s just say that when they say keep your enemies close, I don’t think they mean that close,” cooed Fati with a devilish grin.
He sighed with grief and regret as he glanced down at his dead wife.
“Now Gilbert,” Fati exclaimed, as she turned her back to him and took a few steps forward, holding the pistol behind her back. She rifled around in her purse.“Tell me the motto of the United States.” She whipped back around to him expecting an answer.
He stared deep into her eyes and gave no response. She hastened toward him, a second pistol in her hand. She stepped over Priscilla’s body, forcing him against the wall. She rubbed the tip of the silencer gently around his right temple, and then placed the murder weapon in his hand. He looked at her, confused as ever.
She chuckled with utter amusement. “Don’t worry you can’t do any damage with that thing. See Mrs. First Lady here stole my only bullet. Funny, it was actually meant for you. Luckily, I always carry an extra piece. Oh, and I’ll be needing that,” she said as she removed the silencer from the tip of his gun and added it to hers.
“Now come on Mr. President won’t you tell me the motto of this beautiful country,” she said in a voice as seductive as the first day he met her.
“In God we trust,” he mumbled.
She grinned, then bashed him on the side of the head with the handle of the pistol and quickly he fell to his knees. She commanded him to get up and raise his arms in the air. He drunkenly raised his torso from the carpet, feeling like he suffered a mild concussion, still clutching the empty pistol. As she positioned the gun directly between his eyes, he slowly raised his hands in the air.
“I know you trust in your God, so much that you must long to be with him. So let’s just say I’m here to do you a favor. But I don’t think you will be with him for long, you filthy sex-addicted nymphomaniac,” she said as she cackled victoriously.
With a sigh of sheer satisfaction, she stared into his eyes one last time before pulling the trigger. He fell to the floor, blood seeping from his brow onto the burgundy carpet. Fati dressed, and placed the second pistol in Priscilla’s cold, dead hand.
When she reached the precincts of the house, she met two guards, and stopped. One of them drew closer to her, whispering in her ear, “We didn’t know she was coming back today. Said her flight came in early.”
“Who?” she asked innocently.
“Priscilla” the guard replied.
The other guard chuckled, “Yeah we tried to call but I guess you both were kinda busy”
Fati gave him a sharp glare. He cleared his throat, “So, uhm, you ok? Did she catch you in there?
Fati smiled and replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. It’s Gilbert you’ll have to worry about.”
Puzzled, one of the guards said, “Alright then, miss, take it easy. See you.”
“Yeah I don’t think so.” Fati replied.
With that, she exited from the front door and drove off.
About ten minutes later, Rita Rice appeared; a renowned and seasoned lawyer. When Rita reached the precincts of the house, she met the guards and gave a smile. “Hello gentlemen, how are you today?” she asked.
“Doing well miss,” answered the first guard. One added, “Just doing our job as usual.”
“Wonderful! Who’s there, in the house?” she asked.
“They’re all there,” one of the guards answered.
“Priscilla just arrived early from her vacation. Wanted to surprise her husband,” the other added, as he slipped an uneasy look to his partner.
“Thank you gentlemen. Have a nice day,” she said, and proceeded through the front door.
“See you too.”
She entered the house and walked around the living room.
“Priscilla, I came to visit!” she called out.
But, there was no reply. She glanced around the living room and upstairs, but the place was quiet and nobody seemed to be there.
She ruffled her hair with her hand.
“Gilbert… it’s me, Rita.”
But once again, there was no reply.
The home was very large, but usually someone was always there to greet her, so she went out to the guards once again.
“Are you all sure they’re home?” she inquired.
“Yes ma’am, did you see them?” The guard asked.
“No, I shouted but no one answered,” she replied.
“Yeah, I heard you shouting. But… take it easy.”
Rita removed her phone from her handbag and dialed them, but no one answered the call. Rita became puzzled. The guards, beginning to feel anxious, decided to go check on the two.
“Ma’am, we are going to go check on them. We need you to stay here until we get back.”
“What? I’m confused. What’s going on?” She questioned as she followed behind them.
“Ma’am I said stay here,” answered the first guard, but Rita refused to listen.
“O.K. But stay behind us,” he demanded as he began to inaudibly speak into his wrist. Rita became very fearful, and stayed very close behind the guard.
They went back into the house, and two more men met them at the stairwell. The guard told them to search the downstairs while they advanced up the stairs. They checked all the rooms, passing the bedroom door. As Rita glanced over to the bedroom door, she noticed that it was cracked open. She peaked through the sliver of the opening, and say Gilberts naked foot lying on the floor. Fearfully she opened the door the rest of the way, witnessing the crime that took place. She stood there petrified.
“Ma’am you cannot walk into their private bed chambers.” They noticed the expression on her face. “Are you O.K. Miss Rice?” The guard asked.
She pointed into the room shaking, “No!” She screamed. “He killed my sister!”
The guards quickly stepped in front of her. “What the Hell happened here!” The first guard exclaimed.
Th
The Sword and Laser
Books mentioned in this topic
Ghosts of the Scattered Kingdoms (other topics)The Sword of Shannara (other topics)
Shadow & Claw (other topics)
A Canticle for Leibowitz (other topics)
A Canticle for Leibowitz (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Wade Garret (other topics)Gene Wolfe (other topics)
John Scalzi (other topics)
Richelle Mead (other topics)
Brandon Sanderson (other topics)
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We are a Down Under father-and-son writing team. We're celebrating the release of our third novel, The Orphan Factory (The Orphan Trilogy, #2) - a coming of age spy thriller.
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Lance & James