by submission | Apr 15, 2023 | Story |
Author: Paul Cesarini
Lee tapped twice, zipped his fly, picked up his rifle, then went back to work. He could’ve used one of his three remaining disinfectant wipes in his med kit to wash his hands, but decided not to. Med supplies were way too low and way too valuable to waste on personal hygiene. Besides, he knew he had a rare treat waiting for later that day: a shower. A real, actual shower, complete with a bar of soap he “borrowed” from the makeshift supply depot they created. He found the shower in a mostly intact house about two blocks away, next to what might’ve been a barber shop at one point. The house must’ve had well water or something. Even the toilet worked, though toilet paper had become a commodity so scarce it was rationed by the square now. The shower had quite a view, too, since part of the bathroom had been blown apart. It was now a walk-in shower by default. There was no hot water, of course, but it didn’t matter. A shower was a shower.
The sink worked, too, but he wasn’t sure the water was potable. It started off kind of brown but cleared up when you let it run for a few minutes. Tablets should take care of lingering impurities, he thought. He was determined to bring some with him tonight, to try it out, but knew those were also scarce.
All this of course assumed he would still be alive by tonight. Somehow, he had gotten used to the uncertainty of it all. The fear, the waiting. The long stretches of boredom, interrupted by quick blasts of fire and insanity. The cycle of mundanity and violence wasn’t something you should be able to get used to, but somehow he did. He missed his parents, his cats, even his neighbors. He wasn’t sure if any of them were still alive. If he dwelled on that, it was a bottomless pit and out of his control. Instead, he focused on the small things – the things he could control.
Tonight, it was a shower. He could control that.
by submission | Apr 14, 2023 | Story |
Author: Majoki
I’m that guy who gets run over by the car forced off the road as the good guy or villain flees during the exponentially epic chase scene in every action movie.
I’m that random bystander who gets Swiss-cheesed in a hail of bullets, as the everyman hero miraculously dodges the endless rounds of suddenly very inaccurate henchmen.
But, most recently, I’m that diligent employee who the newly self-aware (and always anti-sapient) robot eviscerates as it casually punches its way deep into the corporate headquarters to take control of the steely army of robots of which it was supposed to be an ever-obedient soldier.
Not today. Not anymore.
I’m at the intersection. The intersection of innocence and no-fucking-way. I decided I’m not giving any more of my lives up for car chases, gun fights or robot uprisings. I’m fucking fighting back.
You should, too. It’s not like we can’t all see it coming. We know who’s expendable. Who the redshirts are. Fuck robot uprisings. Let’s see the hordes of innocent bystanders become self-aware and fight for their right to exist. That’s the crossroads we’re at.
So, I’m waiting on the corner. It’s windy and trash is whipping up from the curb. Already, I can see the cars racing down the street I’m supposed to cross, the pop-pop-pop of guns beating the bullets my way. And, of course, physics-defying bots are leaping from car to car.
They are almost at my intersection. Almost on my mark. All I’ve got to do is step into the path. Do my ever-loving duty. Be the quickly forgotten carnage. That’s entertainment, right?
Are you not amused?
Not fucking today. Not fucking anymore.
At the intersection. I pivot. I walk the opposite way. The universe ends.
Simple as that. A choice. And a new universe spins into being.
A universe where innocent bystanders don’t die for entertainment. For anything. Because we don’t fucking put up with it anymore. There is a new universe for every choice we make. For every intersection we cross or choose not to cross.
I’m not dying anymore for a universe that sees me as a throw-away prop. I’ll live and die as it amuses me, not some test audience of automatons. The show will go on. It always will. But you don’t have to let the machines tear out your heart.
Here’s how: at the next intersection, don’t be a fucking robot.
by submission | Apr 13, 2023 | Story |
Author: Nancy Geibe Wasson
My friend first began to disappear back in co-ed youth sports while being chosen for teams. She said she was in attendance and accounted for, abruptly became invisible for five whole minutes, and then wham! She was back, selected to a team, ready to begin playing.
Another friend said it was much later in life when she first disappeared. At the hospital, she, her husband, and the doctor were discussing pregnancy care for her and the baby. Her husband and doctor were talking when she went completely transparent for a whopping fifteen minutes, but then she was magically present again at the end of the appointment.
Today, when we were out shopping, I disappeared while paying for purchases. The salesperson spoke with my older kids as I faded away from existence for four frightening minutes, then suddenly I found myself fully returned, holding the bag.
So far, my friends and I have not disappeared long enough for anyone else to notice, other than ourselves, of course. Although, on walks about town we pass by ‘missing’ and ‘lost’ posters of women and wonder what really happened to those that have gone before us.
by submission | Apr 12, 2023 | Story |
Author: Vidyut Gore
Some romances are meant to be.
Chandra, the beautiful Moon, gazed across the dark expanse of space at him, her existence visible only because of his blazing radiance. Suraj, the embodiment of the dazzling Sun, conjured into personhood in the minds of those who beheld him. His light bestowed power, allowing life, while she reflected it in her gentle radiance in the depths of the night.
His awareness found hers, a luminescent calm to his fiery eye, a lilting melody to his heavy sigh.
Chandra, the essence of the Moon, a mere satellite around a planet, one of many orbiting around him, was mesmerising, inviting the eye in a way he never could. Her gravitation inspired tides.
They tumbled through space. He blazed a purposeful path through the galaxy, while she twirled around her planet, flirting in and out of sight of him in a dance as predestined as it was awe-inspiring. They drifted in intricate geometries through the cosmos, ever compelled along a universal destiny.
The romance of their existence was immortalised in countless narrations by their witnesses throughout the ages.
In one such recounting, they transcended their realities and met on the one celestial body linking them both: Earth.
Suraj, the Sun, and Chandra, the Moon, ever separated by their very nature, by day and night, found a way around the physics, space, and time that conspired against them. In trigonometric cunning, they translated their souls into a context where they could meet as equals: the perceptions of those on Earth.
Unwilling to remain apart, Chandra and Suraj projected their essences to Earth, where the very land rose to receive them as the Himalayas.
But fate is rarely kind to lovers. It so happened that Chandra and Suraj both manifested their spirits on Earth, true, but on opposite sides of the Baralacha Pass. Celestial entities with no way to navigate the Earth, they lay cradled in the high mountains, their essences still separated by impervious rock.
And yet, the mad passion of lovers determined to meet persevered. The grief of their separation melted the frozen hearts of the barren realm. Molten glaciers wept into pristine lakes till their hearts overflowed. They carved their way through the barren desert-scape, their love nurturing life in that inhospitable terrain, to finally meet and lose themselves in each other.
And here the lovers lie still, as the Himalayan lakes Chandratal and Surajtal, meeting in a celestial romance on Earth as surely as their namesakes continue their timeless dance in the sky.
by submission | Apr 11, 2023 | Story |
Author: Lance J. Mushung
Patrol ship TFS-648 flew in open space following its faster than light hop. The hop put it on a course parallel to a large slow spacecraft. The 3D viewscreen in the command compartment showed in detail the unknown gray craft 517.2 klicks distant. Commander Meyer and Pilot Tanaka studied the image and instrument readings.
Tanaka messaged Meyer’s comm implant. “This is the ship reported by SS-5909. The markings on the hull are in English. Its name is Arbella. Its configuration and technology indicate a generation ship from at least 250 years ago. Considering its limited electromagnetic armor and the numerous pits and scars on the hull, I estimate it has been in space 300 years.”
“There is no information on Arbella. Of course, many records were lost during the confusion of the Transformation. You and I should begin conversing audibly in English in preparation for contact.”
“Agreed,” Tanaka said in English. “The crew has detected us and already started transmitting. I have adjusted for their old technology, transmitted audio-only that we understand English, and initiated two-way audio and visual comm.”
A human male with tan skin, brown hair, and hazel eyes appeared on the viewscreen. “I am Captain Vasquez of the Earth ship Arbella. You appear human. Are you from Earth?”
“I am Commander Meyer and am from Earth, originally. We have faster than light travel now. How long since your ship left Earth?”
“317 years. Faster than light travel! Everyone would certainly have loved that. We’re looking for a planet to colonize. We’d appreciate your help.”
Vasquez had spoken like a person who had just won a lottery. His facial expression matched. On the other hand, Meyer looked as if he had come across a dangerous insect.
“Earth and humanity have improved,” Meyer said. “We have advanced into what you would call cyborgs. Our nonorganic parts consist of both AI and various implants. Genetic engineering has enhanced the organic parts. The existence of natural humans such as yourself is an abomination to us. You are as unwelcome in our time as Neanderthals would have been in yours. My ship will eliminate Arbella and all onboard. Historical records indicate your crew will have a variety of religious beliefs. I grant them five minutes to prepare for death. There will be no further communication.”
Vazquez’s eyes widened and his lips moved without making a sound as Tanaka terminated the comm link.
Tanaka said to Meyer, “My calculations indicate one of our asteroid smashers will be sufficient.”
“Agreed. Move us to a safe distance.”
“Vasquez is contacting us again. He says his people should be saved to ensure humanity survives in case our modifications fail to be viable long term.”
“What arrogance to think that has not already been considered. Continue to ignore his comm.”
“I will deploy the weapon so that it arrives after the five minutes you allowed them. We will be well outside the blast zone.”
Arbella shrank to a small image on the view screen even at maximum magnification.
Tanaka reported, “Deploying weapon.”
A tactical display appeared alongside the viewscreen. Meyer and Tanaka watched a small blue cylinder leave a blue flattened pyramid and head at high speed toward a red likeness of Arbella. Then the viewscreen showed a brilliant yellow-orange light that faded in a few blinks of an eye.
Tanaka said, “Instruments confirm the target has been obliterated.”
Meyer nodded. “Discontinue speaking in English. Return to home base.”
Tanaka began plotting a hop back home.
