John T. Cullen has authored over 20 books, including The Generals of October (Simon & Schuster, 2004)—pulse-pounding political-military suspense fiction set in a near-future U.S. Constitutional crisis.
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John T. Cullen also writes screenplays, including one for Nebula Express (adapted from his SF novel) and the violent, darkly glistening, utterly strange tale of a serial killer in Scorpion.
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Pioneers
a novel
by John T. Cullen
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(10) Old World—Year 2299
Souspolitis was a short, dark-haired man with a face thought beautiful by many women. Paul, though honored to be invited to the party at Souspolitis's condominium for being one of the six pioneers, had been warned to avoid him. At 45, Souspolitis was 15 years older than Paul. He was one of the few Aerie dwellers who had not grown white-haired in his forties. All his life he had excelled at school, at work, and at play, and for several years now he had been a member of the ruling Council. He had a lazy, cruel sense of humor that stayed just within bounds.
At the party this evening, he made after-dinner conversation with Master Engineer Krings and two other Aerie leaders. Krings, big and tough, had been drinking heavily. What shocked the party was when Krings threw a glassful of whiskey at Souspolitis and stamped away, slamming doors as he left.
Souspolitis, brushing the droplets off his tuxedo, turned coldly, amiably, toward Dr. Mannering, who happened to have been listening, and asked: "Well, Dr. Mannering? Do you share my opinion?"
Mannering looked uncomfortably into his drink. As usual with Souspolitis the discussion cut close to the quick of Aerie sensitivities. Mannering seemed to think for a minute or two.
Meanwhile, the four-piece combo began to play again, drawing some of the spectators softly out of the circle. Laughter rang out. Aerie people knew time was precious. Little time to debate the obvious.
Souspolitis smiled thinly. "Well, Dr. Mannering?" A small crowd remained, anticipating Mannering's reply. Paul couldn't pull himself away. He had to know what Mannering would say.
"Well, Dr. Mannering?"
Mannering was a big man, with huge hands and a red face surrounded by white hair. His normally crisp blue eyes looked pained, "Well, Krings has been moody lately. He can't seem to agree on anything with Sheuxe and myself about this interstellar mission we're designing. He seems to want to salvage Earth." He considered some more, staring down as if the answer lay in his drink. Finally he looked up and shrugged. "Yes, I think you are right and Krings is wrong. Earth will never be home to mankind again. We must put our money on the stars, not down here."
Souspolitis shrugged off his small victory, sipping a drink. The crowd began to drift apart and the music and laughter picked up. So the mission would go forward, Paul thought walking away. At this point, Krings must feel the disapproval of his EarthTwo project was the final nail in his coffin. Paul grew sweaty under the collar, thinking any day now he and Licia would have to confront Krings about their affair.
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If you like what you're reading, please send at least two other avid readers to this website.
—Thank you! …Your grateful author, John T. Cullen.
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Other gripping books by the author:
Copyright © 2005 by John T. Cullen. All Rights Reserved.
John T. Cullen has been a pioneer in digital publishing since 1996. He is listed by digital publishing historian Karen Wiesner as the sixth digital publisher in history, and the second person to publish serialized chapters on line (starting 1996). His web magazine Deep Outside SFFH was the first to be listed along with the professional pulps in Writer's Market (1999) and was at one time the oldest professional SFFH magazine in the world. John T. Cullen continues to explore new ways to adapt the primordial power of storytelling to emerging new digital opportunities as the Third Millennium springs to light.
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A Walk in Ancient Rome John T. Cullen (Simon&Schuster May 2005) innovative, acclaimed walking & teaching tour—explore every corner of the Imperial capital at its zenith almost 2000 years ago; learn its history—smell and taste the very air of Classical Rome.
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= Summer 2008 =
A Walk in Ancient Rome, Second Edition John T. Cullen (Clocktower Books 2008)—New! Many new maps; images from the unique scale model of AndréCaron of Quebec. Read this innovative book, with its acclaimed walking & teaching tour. Explore every corner of the Imperial capital at its zenith almost 2000 years ago; learn its history. Smell and taste the very air of Classical Rome. The new edition is bigger, like an atlas. Some people have carried the 1st edition with them to Rome, and found it greatly enhanced their experience.
Dead Move: Kate Morgan and the Haunting Mystery of Coronado, 2nd Ed. John T. Cullen (Clocktower Books, San Diego, Summer 2008). John T. Cullen has tackled the mystery of the ghost at the Hotel del Coronado. He has assembled a dramatic new theory about how and why she violently died on the back steps of the hotel in 1892. A first-class ghost story and whodunit wrapped in one.
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