Excerpt: King's Castle

War,” said Sonia, darkly. She was, after all, from a country very much invested in wars. “They still exist as well, then.”

“Things,” said Melody, thoughtfully, “don’t really change. Only, very superficially. Hem lines go up and down, but we still have to cover our breasts.”

“Oh, there are no wars now,” said Joshua.

“I’m so sure,” said Melody.

“It may just be an issue of semantics,” said Sonia.

“Well,” he said. “We have... partitioned the galaxy, let’s say.”

“Ah. Peace in our time,” said Melody, perhaps years earlier than she should.

“Lines in the sand,” said Sonia. “What happens if they are crossed?”

“Steps are taken?” hazarded Joshua.

“Steps are taken by men with weapons?”

“Men and women,” said Joshua.

“Ah,” said Sonia. “There is advancement, after all. Men and women, together. Fighting a war.”

“But it hasn’t happened yet,” said Joshua.

“And that it has happened time and time and time again in the past is nothing to worry you?”

“That was the past, as you say; things are different now,” he said. “Now, who wants to talk about black holes?”