Writing too much?

[aesmael]

Originally published at a denizen's entertainment. You can comment here or there.

Yesterday, the first day of our NaNoWriMo endeavour. Experimenting with daily excerpts instead of weekly, just for this attempt. The other approach I had in mind was to post each part of this four part story and post it then, but I am more assured of having done writing than being able to complete those sections in a timely way.

The words were far less than needed for keeping pace, making only 911, but my history suggests I was never going to make the total anyway. For me, that is a good output, so I am managing to be pleased. I am trying to focus on getting the story written instead (although still in the month if I can, however quick I can). Whatever story I am writing I tend to hate at the time, sure it is worthless and badly done, so I am going to try and keep going anyway.

A lot of short scenes here. I think on rewrite maybe I should start things a little earlier in time. Lots of dialogue, and I am bad dialogue. Bad at description and visualisation of spaces too. I couldn't say I have strengths to compensate for these, but ah well. We keep along, and let's see what today's effort brings.

Ugh. Such pointless filler and sub-standard, typical rubbish. Can barely stand to look upon it.

From this distance the object designated Base 13 was not even visible as a point in the sky, but still Algol paced in front of the projected star-field. Though Ferideh was not yet late the time was close to their rendezvous and she was anxious. This was the most major operation she had yet participated in.

"If we attempt direct extraction now the likelihood of success is minor, but non-zero." The words hung in the air, followed by a long silence.

"Thank you, Shula."

Algol paused. She hadn't expected that to be actually reasuring, but it seemed to be working. She paced a few more times, then pinged her sister and asked if she would be up for a game.

* * *

The door closed behind Ferideh with a swish. Irritating convention, made sneaking that much harder.

Fortunately at this moment she had no particular need to avoid detection, having achieved the appearance of local legitimacy. For now she needed only follow this corridor down to the port and she'd be off before anything she'd done was noticed...

"Yasmine!"

Ferideh stopped. She allowed herself a single inward sigh, put on a smile, and turned to face the interruption.

"I'm lucky I ran into you," he said. "Come on, I've got some great news to celebrate."

"You know I'd love to Gamal, but I've got to get going. Launch windows and port authorities wait for no one, you know."

"Spare an hour, at least? Surely it's nothing so urgent you can't stop for a drink or two first."

By this point he had his hand on her shoulder. She decided to go along for now; he was right about her having some leeway, though much less than he thought.

* * *

The Parrotfish Bar was as brightly and variously coloured as its namesake, and conveniently close to the port. It served almost as home for Ferideh when she visited Base 13, as it did for many who were only temporary visitors, but on this visit she had been more interested in locations further from the surface. If she were not now operating on a deadline the noise might have been reassuring when she entered.

She was not the only one Gamal had corralled for his celebration. He'd found enough people to fill a table, most of whom Ferideh had at least a passing familiarity with. No one of significance from her perspective. She got herself a seat, participated in the obligatory small talk, and waited to the point to be gotten to.

"Come on, come on, what is this great news? You must tell us!"

9 minutes, 47 seconds by her internal chronometer. She didn't know his name, but he'd saved her thirteen seconds.

"It is not really so great." He took a swallow of his drink.
"No, I tell a lie. It is very great news. You know I had been trying to get a place on an out-system run?"

"You got it?"

"Better." Again he paused, drawing out his triumph. "I have been offered a position in one of the Crossway Freeholds."

She really wished he hadn't dragged her here.

"Which one? Iceheath?" That was Fawwaz.

Gamal shook his head. "Bracken."

Most laughed. "Don't worry, I'm sure Bracken's good too."

Gamal pointed at the joker and declared he would be buying the next round. They laughed some more. Ferideh pushed her chair out.

"Yasmine, going already?"

"Sorry, I'm cutting it close already."

She added a smile to ease the let-down, but he followed her to the edge of the bar anyway, tempting her to take the opportunity for privacy.

"Bracken, that's a good gig. Promotion too?"

"Of course."

"So when are you leaving?"

"'Bout a month."

"Really? I wouldn't have thought you'd have the patience. Thought you'd head out first chance to get settled in. Might be a good idea."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Hit the ground running, you know? Anyway, I gotta go. See ya, if I'm ever through Crossway."

There. Out of her hands, conscience salved. Not that she was supposed to care about by-catch.

Departure was anti-climactic after that. Checks cleared, outbound path cleared, released without mishap. Thrusters fired and her little solo pod was away without anyone having tried to stop her.

* * *

Ferideh woke an hour before her rendezvous with Shula. It took her less than a minute to verify all was well, all was as expected. The rest was waiting, mostly. She was good at waiting.

* * *

When Ferideh came aboard she shook the blond streaks out of her hair. It was only now, safely back with her crew, that she allowed her appearance to relax back into its default. Algol did not wait until she was done before requesting a report.

"I got out fine. No trouble there, except nearly getting roped into a party. No sign of any alert, not even a recall order on my way out. Maybe I was cleaner than I thought. Let's not assume so. Any sign of flight?"

"Nothing suspicious in the week since you left. Do we proceed?"

Ferideh nodded. "Looks like. Base 13's collaboration with piracy was definitely a matter of senior policy, neither unwitting or corruption.

"I see. Pass the records you lifted to Shula so I can decide who gets charged with what. Then go stretch your legs, relax, okay?"

Ferideh snapped an extra-formal salute.

"Yeah, alright, but you're still off-duty for now. Shula, get me the Meredith. We've got some coordination to do."