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Introduction Science fiction is a genre of literature that explores the potential of science and technology to shape the future of humanity. It can be used to imagine new worlds, new technologies, and new possibilities for human existence. If you're a student of AI, you may be interested in writing a science fiction novel that explores the potential of artificial intelligence. Here are some tips on how to write a science fiction novel that sells: 1: Come up with a great idea The first step to writing a science fiction novel is to come up with a great idea. What are you passionate about? What are you curious about? What kind of world do you want to create? For example, I'm passionate about artificial intelligence, so I might write a science fiction novel about a world where AI has become so advanced that it has surpassed human intelligence. Or, I might write a science fiction novel about the dangers of artificial intelligence, and how it could potentially lead to the destruction of humanity. 2: Do your research Once you have a great idea, it's important to do your research. This will help you to create a believable world for your story. If you're writing a science fiction novel about AI, you'll need to learn about the latest advances in artificial intelligence technology. You can read books and articles about AI, or you can take online courses. You can also talk to experts in the field of AI. This will help you to understand the potential risks and benefits of artificial intelligence, and how it could potentially shape the future of humanity. 3: Create a believable world Once you've done your research, it's time to start creating your world. This includes creating a map of your world, developing a timeline, and creating a list of characters. It's important to make sure that the rules of your world are consistent. For example, if you have a world where AI has become so advanced that it has surpassed human intelligence, you need to make sure that all of the characters in your story understand this. You also need to make sure that you don't overload your readers with too much information. This can be difficult, especially if you're writing about a complex topic like artificial intelligence. The best way to avoid overloading your readers is to be selective with the information you share. Only share the information that is essential to your story. 4: Develop your characters The characters in your story are just as important as the world you create. Make sure your characters are relatable and believable. Give them flaws and weaknesses. Put them through challenges that they must overcome. For example, if you're writing a science fiction novel about a world where AI has become so advanced that it has surpassed human intelligence, you could have a character who is afraid of AI. This character could be afraid that AI will eventually become so powerful that it will destroy humanity. 5: Write a compelling story The most important step of all is to write a compelling story. This means creating a plot that will keep your readers engaged. Add conflict and suspense to your story. Make sure your readers are rooting for your characters to succeed. And don't forget the ending! 6: Get feedback Once you've written a draft of your story, it's important to get feedback from others. This will help you to identify any areas that need improvement. You can share your story with beta readers, or you can join a science fiction writing group. You can also get feedback from your writing instructor. 7: Revise and edit Once you've gotten feedback on your story, it's time to revise and edit. This is where you'll polish your prose and make sure your story is well-written and free of errors. 8: Publish your story Once you're happy with your story, it's time to publish it. There are a number of ways to do this, including self-publishing, traditional publishing, or submitting your story to a science fiction magazine. Conclusion Writing a science fiction novel is a lot of work, but it's also a lot of fun. With a great idea, strong characters, and a compelling story, you can write a science fiction novel that will sell. Additional tips for writing a science fiction novel that sells: Read widely in the science fiction genre. This will help you to understand the conventions of the genre and to learn from the best science fiction writers. Attend science fiction conventions and workshops. This is a great way to meet

In the writing world, AI can help you brainstorm ideas, fix grammar mistakes, and even suggest ways to make your writing more interesting. Here's how: Ideas Generation: Sometimes, we get stuck and can't think of an interesting plot or a fascinating character for our story. AI tools can give you suggestions, they can spark new ideas that you might not have thought of otherwise. Here are some: OpenAI GPT-4: has developed a cutting-edge language model that can write human-like text. Many different apps are built on top of GPT-4. Grammarly is a fantastic tool for checking spelling, grammar, and tone. It can also help with rephrasing sentences to make your writing clearer. Quillbot can help you paraphrase your sentences to make them sound more professional, creative, or clear, depending on what you need. ShortlyAI: This is another AI-powered writing assistant. It's designed to help with longer pieces of content like stories or articles. Hemingway Editor doesn't use AI in the way the others do, but it's great for making your writing bold and clear. It highlights complex sentences, passive voice, and more. Learn How to Use It: Once you've picked your AI tool, take some time to learn how it works. Don't worry, many of them are designed to be really user-friendly. The best way to get better at using AI tools (and writing in general!) is by practicing. Write a little every day, and don't be afraid to experiment with the AI's suggestions. If you're not sure about something, ask! Whether it's a friend, a teacher, or even an online community of writers - there are people out there who can help. So, that's the magical world of AI in novel writing! Keep on writing, and let your imagination soar!

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made its mark in various industries, and the writing world is no exception. With the emergence of AI-powered writing tools, authors can enhance their novel writing. In this blog post, we will delve into how AI can transform the process of novel writing, exploring four key areas where AI can be invaluable. Flawless grammar and spelling are paramount in any well-crafted novel. These tools identify common grammar errors. The initial stages of novel writing often involve brainstorming ideas. AI-powered, helps authors generate and organize their thoughts. These tools ensure the story remains on track. Authors gain a comprehensive overview of their work and guarantee a well-organized narrative. Starting a novel can be an intimidating task, but AI can provide a boost with its ability to generate first drafts. AI creates text based on character descriptions, plot points, and settings prompts. First draft trials serve as a springboard. They offering fresh ideas with different writing styles. Constructive criticism is vital for authors seeking to refine their manuscripts. AI comes to the rescue with its ability to act as an AI critic, evaluating existing novels. AI-powered critiquing tools can identify plot holes, character development, and pacing. As you embark on your journey, keep in mind a few tips: Determine how you want AI to enhance your writing. Do you need help with grammar and spelling, outlining, or generating a first draft? Establishing your goals will help you select the right AI tool. Explore the diverse range of AI-powered writing tools available. Experiment with multiple options to find the one that best suits your writing style and requirements. Don't hesitate to reach out to AI experts or online communities for guidance. Embracing AI-powered writing tools opens up a world of possibilities for authors who strive for excellence in their craft. With AI as your ally, you have the potential to transform your writing and create exceptional novels. Embrace this technology, experiment, and witness the remarkable impact it can have on your writing journey.

New Release Sometimes, the right man in the wrong uniform can make all the difference. Ethan, a lowly recruit with an oil-stained uniform and a spirit worn down by disappointment, finds his life forever changed by a twist of fate. Squinting at his reflection, he sees the sleeves of his borrowed jacket bore captain’s stripes. A grotesque emblem is embossed over the jacket's breast pocket—a roaring lion's head surrounded by a cluster of jagged broken bones—the symbol of the Special Operations Service. There is no way out. The ship is taking off because they think an elite SOS captain is on board to take command—him. His choices were brutally simple . . . act like the officer everyone thought he was or be found out as a fraud. One was survival, the other . . . The consequences sent a wave of panic through him. He was a mouse in a lion's skin. He had to become that lion until he found a way out of his cage. Ethan's path intersects with Kate Haliday, the leader of the dark matter project in the Cygni star system. A subtle dance of glances and half-spoken truths begins. But the threads of connection are fragile as they are tangled with the ambitions of Commander Varek, a skeptical officer. The emergence of an unknown alien race casts a long shadow that shifts the cosmic chessboard of a space fleet and a galactic empire. Their interest in dark matter and Earth's colonies weaves a layer of mystery and suspense. In this hard science fiction dance, Ethan must navigate the intricacies of love, rivalry, and alien invasion. The possibility of being unveiled darkens his every step. With each move, the line between the man he is and the officer he pretended to be . . . blurs. Once a misfit dropout, Mike now controls the fate of man versus machine In a world where the boundaries between man and machine blur, your thoughts, emotions, and yearnings are no longer private. The confluence of biotech and infotech has given birth to the Algorithm—a force that predicts your every move and has the power to shape your deepest desire. But when the Algorithm starts undermining human worth, many find themselves obsolete. Grappling with their waning relevance, they find solace in a new realm. They master the skills of a surreal virtual world that requires neither gravity nor light. As technology's grip tightens, a haunting question emerges: Does anyone hold the reins of the omnipotent Algorithm? Enter an unlikely hero—an aimless dropout who unwittingly finds himself at the nexus of power. Tall and lean, Mike has deep-set blue eyes that often reflect his internal conflicts and dilemmas. His past is riddled with disappointment and insecurity. Assuming another student’s ID in a crowded exam room, Mike's journey takes an unexpected turn when a stern figure declares, "I am Jacob Winters. Welcome to the AI career placement test. Today, we will discover which of you represents the pinnacle of human genius." Delve into Keeper of the Algorithm to discover a future where destiny is written in code and domination is the ultimate prize. For serious AI enthusiasts only!

Henry Gallant and the Great Ship AMAZON Chapter 1 An Unfortunate Turn of Events As soon as the morning watch settled in, Captain Henry Gallant walked onto the Constellation’s bridge. The Officer-of-the-Deck rose and vacated the command chair without speaking. The voyage had lasted long enough for the crew to become accustomed to his routine. Habitually, during the first minutes of the day, he examined the ship’s vital operational parameters from his bedside monitor before going into CIC for a detailed task force sitrep. Blips from the combat space patrol (CSP) were visible on the main viewer. The speakers broadcast communication traffic from distant Hawkeyes. Once he had satisfied himself that all was as it should be, he appeared on the bridge and assessed the more mundane needs for the day. The OOD handed him a list of completed tasks and those that demanded his approval. During this activity, he was lost in contemplation, and no one dared interrupt his train of thought. ​ Only after dictating his orders for the day did he relax and give a word of encouragement to the OOD. Then he disappeared below decks for his daily walkabout, where he gauged the temperament of the crew. The hour exercise through the spacecraft carrier allowed him to maintain his fitness. This ritual was the most efficient use of his time since it also allowed him to observe ongoing maintenance and repair activities. On the one hand, the number of administrative duties clamoring for his attention limited his time; on the other, keeping in sync with his ship’s pulse was vital to making good decisions. It brought a faint smile to his lips when he resolved to shift more of the clerical burden onto his XO. Margret Fletcher had a talent for paperwork and was known for her no-nonsense adherence to the regs. Even though he overloaded her of late, she had responded with her usual zeal. ​ As he passed through compartment after compartment, he dictated audio notes into his comm pin about items that needed attention. He marched along the corridors and stepped through the open hatches, ever mindful of the crew’s attention. Although immersed in his process, the crew discerned that his military instincts were on full alert. He would notice the slightest failure of attention to detail as the men and women went about their jobs. Occasionally, he heard a laugh or good-natured ribbing. That was well. A crew that could laugh while working would faithfully execute their duties. He enjoyed the sameness of each day; it reassured him that his world remained rational. It had been two days since the Constellation had poked her nose into the Ross star system. Gallant congratulated himself on making the deployment from Earth so rapidly. It had been a long and arduous two-month grind, but Task Force 34 was finally ready to relieve Task Force 31 as guardian of this system. ​ He shifted his mind back to the disturbing initial surveillance reports that had perplexed him for the last twenty-four hours. Task Force 31 was not visible, which by itself, wasn’t alarming. A planetary body might block their light, though they weren’t responding to radio signals either. Again, they might be on the other side of the star, and the speed of light wasn’t being accommodating. Another calculation percolated into his consciousness. He had sent Hawkeyes out on a sweep of the system. So far, nothing was amiss, but there was confusing radio chatter from the planets indicating that some horrific event had occurred recently. Gallant returned to the bridge in time to review the latest recon update. None of the information was reassuring. He noticed an anomaly in the data that prickled the hairs on the back of his neck. Though the statistics were mysteriously thin and precariously riddled with contaminated inconsistencies, they were coaxing him toward a disturbing conclusion. He worried his premonition might be correct and ordered the CIC to conduct an AI simulation analysis. It wasn’t long before Commander Fletcher stepped onto the bridge. ​ “Good morning, Captain,” she said. Then with a frown, she added, “I have the results.” Gallant spun in his command chair and cast a concerned eye on her. ​ She held a tablet by two fingers out in front of her as if she had found it in a vat of something vile. “Morning XO,” said Gallant, taking the device. Swiping through the screens, he absorbed the information while his heartbeat rose. He wanted to remain calm to reinforce his reputation as imperturbable. He didn’t want Fletcher or anyone else to suspect that he could lose his composure. But he was bursting to rush into CIC. He wanted to review the raw data to verify that it was accurate, but he knew that the analysts would have been meticulous in developing this report. She interrupted his concentration. “You were right, sir.” ​ “Ha—h’m,” he said, clearing his throat. He took a deep breath and forced himself to appear relaxed. ​ Fletcher shook her head and prodded, “Looks like an enormous debris field—possibly with escape pods.” ​ She pointed to the area spread deep throughout the star system’s heart, halfway between planets Bravo and Charlie. The OOD and the chief of the watch inched closer, craning their necks to get a peek at the tablet. ​ Gallant recalled the disturbing image of the original data. Understanding flooded over him. He visualized what must have taken place, and it took an enormous effort to suppress his emotions. ​ She scowled. “No sign of Task Force 31.” ​ Still, he didn’t respond. ​ She muttered, “That doesn’t necessarily mean . . .” ​ Everyone on the bridge gazed expectantly at him. ​ Like a father who returns home to find his front door smashed open, he ordered, “OOD, open a channel to all ships.” ​ A moment later, the OOD reported, “Channel open to all ships, Commodore.” ​ “To all ships, this is Commodore Gallant; set general quarters, assume formation diamond 4.4.” ​ “Aye aye, sir,” came the response from each ship. ​ The task force split into four strike forces. Captain Jackson of the Courageous led the first strike force designated 34.1. It was followed one light hour behind by 34.2 and 34.3, led by Captain Hernandez of the Indefatigable and Captain Chu of the Inflexible, respectively. They kept a light-hour separation from each other. Finally, Gallant led Constellation and Invincible in 34.4, another light hour behind the rest. The cruisers and destroyers were split amongst the strike forces. The dispersed strike forces looked like a baseball diamond with the Constellation at home plate. ​ It took several hours to complete the maneuver. Satisfied that the ships were sufficiently far apart for the majority to survive a blast from the Great Ship’s super-laser, he ordered, “Task Force change course to 030 Mark 2, all ahead full.” ​ Gallant waited anxiously on the bridge for the entire twenty-four hours it took for the task force to crawl across the Ross star system. Some telltale blips appeared on the scope interspersed within a belt of asteroids. When they were finally close enough, they saw the remains of many half-dead ships. They began picking up distress signals of countless escape pods. Officers and watch-standers on the bridge stared at the viewscreen, trying to glimpse the wreckage. ​ Gallant’s eye estimated the number of blips. They could only be the remnants of Task Force 31. It was worse than he imagined—a terrible loss of life. ​ “OOD, prepare med-techs. Send the search and rescue teams to recover the escape pod survivors.” The initial action report was sent by the senior surviving officer, Captain Raymond. It was sketchy. It couldn’t be called a ‘battle’ report since not a single ship of the task force had fired a shot. ​ After a brief visit to Constellation’s sickbay, the officer reported to Gallant’s stateroom. ​ Raymond was not quite fifty, but his balding head, sunken eyes, and beaked nose made him appear older. His long black mustache with grey flecks drooped, making him appear to frown. His uniform was in tatters, and he had several bandaged injuries that had been tended to by the ship’s surgeon. His thickset body was powerful, but he stood slumped over, pain etched across his face. ​ “That’s the scorched wreck of my ship, the Dauntless,” said Captain Raymond, pointing to the viewscreen. The broken battlecruiser, along with the crippled remnants of four cruisers and a dozen destroyers, were all that was left of Commodore Pearson’s Task Force 31. ​ “Commodore Pearson orders were to hold the system at all costs. Admiral Graves had assured him that the Great Ship would not appear. He was told that it would have to protect the Chameleon home planet in the Cygni star system against the Titans. At least that was President Neumann’s thinking after he found out that the Chameleon had only the one Great Ship left.” ​ “The United Planets has been in negotiation with the aliens for over a year,” said Gallant. “Was there no progress?” ​ There was anguish in Raymond’s voice. “None. And the Chameleon were angry.” He paused, dropping his gaze. “The governor told them to shove off, no deal was possible. After that ultimatum, things turned ugly.” ​ Gallant frowned. “Take your time and start from the beginning.” ​ Raymond’s words were clipped. “Task Force 31 had one carrier, four battlecruisers, and two cruiser-destroyer squadrons between planets Charlie and Bravo when the Great Ship appeared. They demanded that the United Planets evacuate the star system. Well, you know Pearson, no way that was happening. He sounded battle stations and ordered his ships to disperse to present a minimal target for the Chameleons.” ​ When Raymond hesitated, Gallant prompted, “What happened next?” ​ “The action was a disaster—a complete shock. The Chameleon looked at the dispersion as a threat and warned him to stand-down, withdraw, or surrender. After a few minutes, they fired.” ​ He cast his eyes down. ​ “The single blast was so devastating that it destroyed nearly all our ships. The blinding light and searing heat crippled my Dauntless and disintegrated most of the task force. The crippled remainders launched escape pods and waited for a follow-up salvo that, mercifully, never came. We hobbled out of the way. I sent a message to the governor on Charlie.” Raymond swallowed hard and furrowed his brow. “The governor’s response was to call it ‘an unfortunate turn of events.’” “I learned later that the Chameleon had threatened to make peace with the Titans if we didn’t yield the system. They must have since it gave them the freedom of action to leave their home world unprotected and deal with us.” He handed Gallant a flash drive. “This contains a plot of the action and the recordings of the communications between our ships and the governor. I’ve stuck my neck out to get this information on the record. You should collect and check the wreckage along with my observations.” ​ “I understand. Some powerful men in the admiralty will be worried. I will describe the action in a detailed report to be sent to Earth,” said Gallant. He worried about how to keep Task Force 34 from suffering the same fate as their predecessor.

Rear Admiral Henry Gallant AMAZON Chapter 1 Far Away ​ Captain Henry Gallant was still far away, but he could already make out the bright blue marble of Earth floating in the black velvet ocean of space. ​ His day was flat and dreary. Since entering the solar system, he had been unable to sleep. Instead, he found himself wandering around the bridge like a marble rattling in a jar. His mind had seemingly abandoned his body to meander on its own, leaving his empty shell to limp through his routine. He hoped tomorrow would bring something better. ​ I’ll be home soon, he thought. ​ A welcoming image of Alaina flashed into his mind, but it was instantly shattered by the memory of their last bitter argument. The quarrel had occurred the day he was deployed to the Ross star system and had haunted him throughout the mission. Now that incident loomed like a glaring threat to his homecoming. ​ As he stared at the main viewscreen of the Constellation, he listened to the bridge crew’s chatter. “The sensor sweep is clear, sir,” reported an operator. ​ Gallant was tempted to put a finger to his lips and hiss, “shh,” so he could resume his brooding silence. But that would be unfair to his crew. They were as exhausted and drained from the long demanding deployment as he was. They deserved better. ​ He plopped down into his command chair and said, “Coffee.” ​ The auto-server delivered a steaming cup to the armrest portal. After a few gulps, the coffee woke him from his zombie state. He checked the condition of his ship on a viewscreen. ​ The Constellation was among the largest machines ever built by human beings. She was the queen of the task force, and her crew appreciated her sheer size and strength. She carried them through space with breathtaking majesty, possessing power and might and stealth that established her as the quintessential pride of human ingenuity. They knew every centimeter of her from the forward viewport to the aft exhaust port. Her dull grey titanium hull didn’t glitter or sparkle, but every craggy plate on her exterior was tingling with lethal purpose. She could fly conventionally at a blistering three-tenths the speed of light between planets. And between stars, she warped at faster than the speed of light. Even now, returning from the Ross star system with her depleted starfighters, battle damage, and exhausted crew, she could face any enemy by spitting out starfighters, missiles, lasers, and plasma death. ​ After a moment, he switched the readout to scan the other ships in the task force. Without taking special notice, he considered the material state of one ship after another. Several were in a sorrowful dysfunctional condition, begging for a dockyard’s attention. He congratulated himself for having prepared a detailed refit schedule for when they reached the Moon’s shipyards. He hoped it would speed along the repair process. ​ Earth’s moon would offer the beleaguered Task Force 34, the rest and restoration it deserved after its grueling operation. The Moon was the main hub of the United Planets’ fleet activities. The Luna bases were the most elaborate of all the space facilities in the Solar System. They performed ship overhauls and refits, as well as hundreds of new constructions. Luna’s main military base was named Armstrong Luna and was the home port of the 1st Fleet, fondly called the Home Fleet. ​ Captain Julie Ann McCall caught Gallant’s eye as she rushed from the Combat Information Center onto the bridge. There was a troubled look on her face. ​ Is she anxious to get home too? ​ Was there someone special waiting for her? Or would she, once more, disappear into the recesses of the Solar Intelligence Agency? ​ After all these years, she’s still a mystery to me. ​ McCall approached him and leaned close to his face. ​ In a hushed throaty voice, she whispered, “Captain, we’ve received an action message. You must read it immediately.” ​ Her tight self-control usually obscured her emotions, but now something extraordinary appeared in her translucent blue eyes—fear! ​ He placed his thumb over his command console ID recognition pad. A few swipes over the screen, and he saw the latest action message icon flashing red. He tapped the symbol, and it opened. TOP SECRET: ULTRA - WAR WARNING Date-time stamp: 06.11.2176.12:00 Authentication code: Alpha-Gamma 1916 To: All Solar System Commands From: Solar Intelligence Agency Subject: War Warning Diplomatic peace negotiations with the Titans have broken down. Repeat: Diplomatic peace negotiations with the Titans have broken down. What this portends is unknown, but all commands are to be on the highest alert in anticipation of the resumption of hostilities. Russell Rissa Director SIA TOP SECRET: ULTRA - WAR WARNING He reread the terse communication. ​ As if emerging from a cocoon, Gallant brushed off his preoccupation over his forthcoming liberty. He considered the possibilities. Last month, he sent the sample Halo detection devices to Earth. He hoped that the SIA had analyzed the technology and distributed it to the fleet, though knowing government bureaucracy, he guessed that effort would need his prodding before the technology came into widespread use. Still, there should be time before it becomes urgent. The SIA had predicted that the Titans would need at least two years to rebuild their forces before they could become a threat again. Could he rely on that? ​ Even though he was getting closer to Earth with every passing second, the light from the inner planets was several days old. Something could have already transpired. There was one immutable lesson in war: never underestimate your opponent. ​ A shiver ran down his spine. ​ This is bad. Very bad! ​ Gone was the malaise that had haunted him earlier. Now, he emerged as a disciplined military strategist, intent on facing a major new challenge. ​ Looking expectantly, he examined McCall’s face for an assessment. ​ Shaking her head, she hesitated. “The picture is incomplete. I have little to offer.” ​ Gallant needed her to be completely open and honest with him, but he was unsure how to win that kind of support. ​ He rubbed his chin and spoke softly, “I’d like to tell you a story about a relationship I’ve had with a trusted colleague. And I’d like you to pretend that you were that colleague.” ​ McCall furrowed her brow, but a curious gleam grew in her eyes. ​ He said, “I’ve known this colleague long enough to know her character even though she has been secretive about her personal life and loyalties.” ​ McCall inhaled and visibly relaxed as she exhaled. Her eyes focused their sharp acumen on Gallant. ​ “She is bright enough to be helpful and wise enough not to be demanding,” continued Gallant. “She has offered insights into critical issues and made informed suggestions that have influenced me. She is astute and might know me better than I know myself because of the tests she has conducted. When I’ve strayed into the sensitive topic of genetic engineering, she has soothed my bumpy relationship with politicians.” ​ He hesitated. Then added, “Yet, she has responsibilities and professional constraints on her candidness. She might be reluctant to speak openly on sensitive issues, particularly to me.” ​ McCall’s face was a blank mask, revealing no trace of her inner response to his enticing words. He said, “If you can relate to this, I want you to consider that we are at a perilous moment. It is essential that you speak frankly to me about any insights you might have about this situation.” She swallowed and took a step closer to Gallant. Their faces were mere centimeters apart. ​ “Very well,” she said. “The Chameleon are a spent force. After the loss of their last Great Ship, they are defenseless. They agreed to an unconditional surrender. They might even beg for our help from the Titans. Their moral system is like ours and should not be a concern in any forthcoming action. However, the Titans have an amoral empathy with other species.” ​ He gave an encouraging nod. ​ She added, “Despite the defeat of Admiral Zzey’s fleet in Ross, the Titans remain a considerable threat. They opened peace negotiations ostensibly to seek a treaty with a neutral zone between our two empires. But we can’t trust them. They are too aggressive and self-interested to keep any peace for long. One option they might try is to eliminate the Chameleon while they have the opportunity. Another is to rebuild their fleet for a future strike against us. However, the most alarming possibility would be an immediate attack against us with everything they currently have. They might even leave their home world exposed. But that would only make sense if they could achieve an immediate and overwhelming strategic victory.” ​ Gallant grimaced as he absorbed her analysis. ​ She concluded, “This dramatic rejection of diplomacy can only mean that they are ready to reignite the war—with a vengeance. They will strike us with swift and ruthless abandon.” ​ Gallant turned his gaze toward the bright blue marble—still far away.