Drum is sent with his team on a new mission to the south, to intercept a Runner. He begins to suspect what Varda’s radicalism and guerilla planning are all about.

Installment 11

To begin at the beginning, click here.

The first volume of the E cycle, Last and First Men, finished its serial run on this blog in February. if you would like an e-book copy, just follow these links. Save a copy on your computer, then copy it to your reader using the USB connection.

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Into the Cauldron — Drum McKenzie, now on security detail, is taken down into the sandstorm in pursuit of some Last Men. Drum learns a lesson about the real nature of the organization he has joined, and about what goes on in the Cauldron.

Installment 10

To begin at the beginning, click here.

The first volume of the E cycle, Last and First Men, finished its serial run on this blog in February. if you would like an e-book copy, just follow these links. Save a copy on your computer, then copy it to your reader using the USB connection.

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nook version

The situation is dire. The Soster Project data has been assimilated into the star charts and older versions of E have disappeared. Those who can are beginning to flee from the Ruined World to the new one before the window closes. The lifers hold a meeting which rapidly becomes partisan. Charles takes stock.

Installment 9

To begin at the beginning, click here.

The first volume of the E cycle, Last and First Men, finished its serial run on this blog in February. if you would like an e-book copy, just follow these links. Save a copy on your computer, then copy it to your reader using the USB connection.

kindle version

nook version

Charles is beginning to understand in himself the growing anxiety of those at Mazatzal — the fear of being left behind. But at the same time, they are all beginning to realize that those who cross over to E will not find it empty and free. There are Eian aboriginals to contend with — themselves, the players of the massively parallel E research on which they have been engaged for decades.

Installment 8

To begin at the beginning, click here.

The first volume of the E cycle, Last and First Men, finished its serial run on this blog in February. if you would like an e-book copy, just follow these links. Save a copy on your computer, then copy it to your reader using the USB connection.

kindle version

nook version

Everyone is waiting for the probe to settle into orbit around the planet E. Some questions are being asked. Why is Mazatzal Station being gutted of administrative personnel? Staffing and infrastructure are already below maintenance minimums. And what is this new stuff which Varda Fleming has found? Does it have something to do with the growing autonomy of the E simulation? And for the first time the Mazatzal astronomers wonder what awaits them on E? After all, they have been there before. In mind.

Installment 7

To begin at the beginning, click here.

The first volume of the E cycle, Last and First Men, finished its serial run on this blog in February. if you would like an e-book copy, just follow these links. Save a copy on your computer, then copy it to your reader using the USB connection.

kindle version

nook version

After another conversation with Captain Martin, Charles LeHon decides to go to the headquarters of the E Research Foundation in Beijing. He does not come back with good news.

Some material from the previous installment is repeated here to aid continuity.

Installment 6

To begin at the beginning, click here.

The first volume of the E cycle, Last and First Men, finished its serial run on this blog in February. if you would like an e-book copy, just follow these links. Save a copy on your computer, then copy it to your reader using the USB connection.

kindle version

nook version

The withdrawal of amenities and infrastructure from the astronomers gets worse. New people are flooding in, called flicks by the lifetime residents because of the flickering life they lead, flitting about here and there, never long in one place. These flicks are doing what they call research. They are administrators, publicists, political aides. They have always passed through the Mazatzal facility, but now their arrival bodes ill.

Varda Fleming and Drumlin McKenzie talk. She lectures Drum on her radical politics, and what she has been doing on her excursions into the higher mountains. Drum agrees to go with her on an expedition.

Installment 5

To begin at the beginning, click here.

The first volume of the E cycle, Last and First Men, finished its serial run on this blog in February. if you would like an e-book copy, just follow these links. Save a copy on your computer, then copy it to your reader using the USB connection.

kindle version

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volume 2

As the Earth rotates and the location of the newly re-appeared E probe becomes visible to each of the three telescopes in turn, the ping is confirmed. But it has jumped forward. Instead of being eighteen years from planet-fall it is eighteen months. What has happened? Moreover, the astronomers notice that infrastructure resources are being withdrawn. They are having trouble getting the doors of their sleeping quarters to opn. Cooling and even air are being shorted. Worrisome.

Some material from the previous episode has been repeated here for purposes of continuity.

Installment 4

To begin at the beginning, click here.

The first volume of the E cycle, Last and First Men, finished its serial run on this blog in February. if you would like an e-book copy, just follow these links. Save a copy on your computer, then copy it to your reader using the USB connection.

kindle version

nook version

The can, as it is familiarly referred to by the Mazatzal astronomers who are spending a lifetime watching it’s progress toward the planet E, has disappeared. This is a time of waiting, of casting about for an explanation. Has it gone dead? Crashed into something? At that distance, there is no way to tell. Charles LeHon goes to see the station commander, Martin, to brief him. Should this be kept quiet? Should the simulation of the now hypothetical E bw cut back to save resources? Or should it be kept up to avoid attracting attention? Then there is a ping. Has contact been re-established?

Installment 3

To begin at the beginning, click here.

The first volume of the E cycle, Last and First Men, finished its serial run on this blog in February. if you would like an e-book copy, just follow these links. Save a copy on your computer, then copy it to your reader using the USB connection.

kindle version

nook version