The Faster Strand
Author: Arkapravo Bhaumik “No, it is not that. It is not bio-engineering. Bio-engineering is a lot slower. This is on a planetary scale. Bio-engineering cannot do this, this is mother nature.” Alec said. “Then? The turtles just got together and found the secrets to…
read moreChildren of Silence
Author: Hari Navarro, Staff Writer I began in the winter. My sister’s legs spread as bloodied wings atop the kitchen table and I secrete from her womb. Into the breach I fold, a sluice of screaming muscle and I barge through shuddering thighs in a gush of amniotic…
read moreMore Teeth
Author: Jae Miles, Staff Writer Caelsri stalks about the clearing, swearing softly, reading the signs. Her wolf pack has been chased off by her latest finds. Thinking of which, where are those ice-brained bucketheads, anyway? The change of attention saves her life….
read moreFinal Rest
Author: Rick Tobin “Would you finish the ceremonies, please?” The Prime, the sanctuary’s leader in white robes with gold armbands, stood over the clear casing where the body of an honored captain lay in state, waiting for family and friends to attend. “Yes, thank you…
read moreEudora Pennifer and the Wow Signal
Author: Janet Shell Anderson Years ago, a grad student reviewing data from a radio telescope in Ohio, found indications that a signal, possibly from a ship in space, was among all the meaningless noise the telescope had detected. He marked “Wow” in the margin. Alien…
read moreA Rare Connection
Author: Katlina Sommerberg The library doors opened, after scanning Erica’s face and bags. She came every Thursday, chocolate crescent in hand, and curled into her favorite armchair. Erica usually created digital art, but she dabbled in the ancient craft of pencil and…
read moreGirls World
Author: David C. Nutt No one is sure where the virus started. Most likely a Makerspace workshop in Ghana, but it doesn’t matter now. All I know is every time I log on, I’ve got to be very careful. It must be a computer that has no biometric security features and use…
read moreThe Divine Void
Author: Bryce Parker “What’s that?” my colleague asked. He pointed a thick finger toward the smooth black stone at the end of my necklace. I glanced down. The stone had drifted away from my neck as our landing craft bounced between microgravity and intense g-forces….
read moreRadio, Radio
Author: Steve Smith, Staff Writer Jeb startled at the suddenly ringing telephone. It took a moment to register, the old analog handset on his desk hadn’t been used in years, and he struggled to identify what that sound was before digging through a stack of papers to…
read moreWhen the Oracles Fall Silent
Author: Jae Miles, Staff Writer The screaming wakes me. I roll off and under the bed before assessing. Christine’s slid over to give me room. Another scream. The Bensons let their guard down. I warned them about trying to make a community. I’ll go across the road and…
read moreThe Obvious Choice
Author: Katlina Sommerberg Everything started with a star burping out an interesting tidbit. Buried amongst the electromagnetic radiation hiccups the same messages on repeat, looping endlessly. One species tamed this red giant, a fiend who swallowed half its planets,…
read moreTop of the World
Author: Malena Salazar Maciá Translated by: Toshiya Kamei My breath came in choppy gasps as I climbed. I thrust my pick against the rock with all my strength and finished hauling myself over the edge. As I sucked in a deep breath, the icy air stabbed my lungs. I was…
read moreRise of the Maui Jungle Fowl
Author: Katlina Sommerberg The wind rustled, drier than the dirt. The hazy moon cast its glow on the fields, but it wasn’t alone. My mother’s stories mentioned lights that accompanied the fickle moon. But these lights brightened. A green-blue ball, twice the diameter…
read moreFranco’s Cigars
Author: Jeremy Nathan Marks Smoking cigars was his new habit. Franco’s woman said you shouldn’t smoke so he switched from cigarettes. He would take a cigar a day as opposed to a pack of his favorite smokes. See, honey? I do listen. The first time it happened, Franco…
read moreEvil Lair Architect
Author: Morrow Brady You can’t ‘business card ‘ evil lair architect. Not if you wanted a future. Forbidden desires ooze from dark web dead drops. Desires sent by faceless ghosts that had long since twisted off the doll’s head of reality. Riches and power are like a…
read moreShelter in Place
Author: Rollin T. Gentry A figure emerged from the fog and constant sprinkling of rain. A small girl, maybe 5 or 6, in a yellow raincoat and black galoshes, approached the front gate of National Cybernetics Factory #3. She stepped up to the intercom, and standing on…
read more2051
Author: Jae Miles, Staff Writer Mister Grumsen looks about the little interview room. Nothing’s changed since he last inspected his paltry domain, but kings have to survey no matter how trivial, I presume. He nods at me. “One more before lunch, I think.” I press the…
read morePlace Your Bets
Author: Ken Carlson “The cries of the people will not be drowned out by ignorance! They can’t turn their backs forever; can’t run away from a revolution.” “Turning and running? Sounds like a misguided aerobics class. Bartender, two more, please.” In a spaceport bar,…
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