Another random snippet from Tiamat's Nest. This time, it's near the end. Charles just learned that Tiamat has set a trap to lure his family into danger - and himself out of hiding. He abandons his colleagues - Joseph (an online gamer) and Serena (one of his students) - and sets off on his own into the network underworld. He doesn't realize that Joseph is tracking him online.
Serena is speaking at the start of this. Also, note that Tiamat appears online as a golden dragon.
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"You're right, he's hopeless in real life, but now I think about it he never had the same problems with artificial, logical structures. He just seems to have the kind of mind that makes sense of it." Almost as an afterthought, she added, "Where's he going?"
Joseph swallowed. "You really don't want to know." He gazed at the blank hole at the heart of the network. An old world map from early explorers might have labeled the uncharted space 'Here be dragons.' Those old timers had it more right than they could possibly understand.
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13 comments:
Ooohh awesome 8! Such a powerful punch packed therein! Love it and LOVE the foreshadowing!!!
Wonderful 8. I can feel their angst. I tweeted.
So interesting! Especially loved the phrase " He's hopeless in real life". A geek's lament, yes? :-)
Gamer world becomes real?
Great example of foreshadowing. Nice snippet.
Ooh, mega intriguing. I love the concepts, can't wait to read more. Terrific snippet!
This is intriguing! Are they following him into a game? I'll be back next week. :)
I loooove this snippet, Ian!
Excellent foreshadowing: "An old world map from early explorers might have labeled the uncharted space 'Here be dragons.' Those old timers had it more right than they could possibly understand."
Great eight!
Thanks for your comments, everyone. I'm happy that several of you picked up on the foreshadowing. This is leading up to the finale, and Charles is heading into unknown territory.
Debbie - geek indeed, but the non-tech variety.
Sue Ann - online is a world unto itself...with a nasty tendency to reach into the real world.
History Sleuth - believe me, this is no game!
Hopeless in real life, but now he is disappearing into a hole. Sounds like danger!
BTW, I love you artwork also. How do you get it?
Red Wing, the artwork is all mine. Thank you for noticing :D
I love the notion of uncharted space at the heart of a computer network. Thanks for sharing!
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