A 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 paper ...

Girls 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 it ...

The 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 ...

Radio, 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 ...

When the Oracles Fall Silent

Author: Julian 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 ...

The 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, into ...

Top 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 the ...

Franco’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 lit ...

Evil 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 ...

Shelter 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 her ...

2051

Author: Julian 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 ...

Place 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, ...

Holy Roller

Author: David Barber “Drugs. Alcohol. Sex.” The missionary was praising the tolerance of the Jirt. She leaned forwards. “They don’t care.” Francisco shuffled awkwardly on the bench. A woman like her saying sex. His grandfather placed a heavy hand on the lad’s shoulder ...

A New Year Story on Another Planet

Author: Glenn Leung The Star was rising to the Significant Angle once again. The inhabitants of Planet finished their chores and went to bed. We had to keep our celebratory noises down as they don't take kindly to drunken songs and pointless countdowns. Some of us gathered ...

Auld Lang Syne Revisited Again

Author: David Henson Debra dipped a shrimp in cocktail sauce. “I’m glad my folks could take the kids so we could have a quiet night in. How’s your father spending this New Year’s Eve? As if I have to ask.” The couple sat at their dining room table in a space open to the ...

Revolutions Around A Star

Author: Steve Smith, Staff Writer Carter sat on a long low bench in the middle of the observatory and stared out into deep space. He hunted the blackness for a fleck of light, then watched it hawklike, trying to gauge its position relative to the edge of the viewport to see ...

Happy New Year, Sad Old World!

Author: Irene Monaner Matthew had never heard of the Association of Friends of Planet Earth until he was invited to their NYE Gala Dinner. Having no better plans for the last evening of the year, he had donned a tuxedo and now shared a table with a couple of herpetologists, ...

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