Over the border

A compact yet richly varied anthology, this collection brings together tales that swing between the gritty realities of conflict and the speculative horizons of new technology. From the stark corridors of a war‑torn battlefield to the quiet musings of ordinary people confronting extraordinary change, each story offers a distinct voice that probes the limits of duty, belief, and invention. The pieces are linked by a common thread of curiosity about how humanity adapts when old certainties begin to crumble.

The opening story, set aboard the steel‑clad battleship Argyll, captures a restless midnight watch as officers argue the future of naval warfare. Young torpedo lieutenant Felton and the seasoned executive officer trade sharp theories about airships, submarines, and the fate of the mighty battleship itself. Their dialogue, tinged with humor and earnest speculation, sets a tense mood that hints at the looming clash between tradition and the emerging machines of war.