Old Soldiers

Author : Julian Miles, Staff Writer He’s petrified. I can tell from the white-knuckle grip he has on his rifle, the way his eyes cannot fix on a given point for more than a few seconds. My threat scan classifies him as ‘low to negligible’. Which is a bit of a bugger as he’s one of my ...

Unkept

Author : Steve Smith, Staff Writer Parker watched from the back of the car as the driver navigated the roadblocks and security checkpoints, crossed the bridge over the river and pulled into the parking lot. On any other night he would have made this drive alone, through the ...

There Goes My Bonus

Author : Curtis Brown "What was that?" The Sheriff turned his head to one of his deputies after they heard a low rumble somewhere outside. "Deputy, go check that out, I will handle this." The Sheriff turned his head back to his prize: a short young man with a burnt-orange full ...

Providence

Author : Ian Hill The day’s outlook was bright as my father woke me up with a smile on his facing, saying that it was finally time to visit the holy city. So it was that we hastily underwent our morning rhythm with a great deal of fevered haste. We, my father and I, boarded the ...

Fancy That

Author : Clint Wilson, Staff Writer Flaktar entered the great senate hall dressed in his Fuztonian best. His entourage followed close behind, their own attire mimicking yet not exceeding his outfit’s grandeur. His fat grey slimy head stuck out from his tight collar, which was decorated ...

365 Tomorrows

Author : J.D. Rice “So anyway, do you want to go out Saturday night?” I asked the question abruptly, after an uncomfortable amount of small talk. Stacey's eyes darted away from my own, looking across the park where we'd agreed to meet. I told her I just wanted to discuss our latest ...

The Crossing

Author : Roger Dale Trexler Bruen looked out the viewport into nothing but darkness. Utter, barren blackness. “I don’t see anything,” he said. Behind him, a voice said: “Watch this.” Slowly, the lights in the room faded out. His eyes adjusted slowly to the darkness of the room ...

Boarding Action

Author : Connor Harbison “Lieutenant Chen, let out the mainsail three degrees. I want to ride this solar flare between the two cruisers. Please alert the dorsal and ventral batteries they may fire when the enemy is within sight.” Captain Aguilar smiled as the solar sails bloomed. The ...

Us

Author : Suzanne Borchers Arnold, a four-foot bot, wiped disinfectant rags over the chairs and tables while the residents of Ever Pleasant Retirement Home slept. The night duty was routine and Arnold moved easily around the recreation room. Quiet. As always, he was alone. A shadow ...

Control

Author : Roger Dale Trexler They stood on the western plain and watched the tornado tear apart a settlement in the distance. Nearby, to the north, half a foot of snow had already blanketed the survivors. A torrential downpour was creating mudslides to the south of them, and the sun was ...

The Modern Fauxmetheus

Author : Bob Newbell "Throw the switch!" Dr. Victor Frankenstein yelled to his assistant over the roar of the wind and the incessant peals of thunder. "Yes, master!" replied the diminutive lackey as he pulled down on the enormous knife switch on the wall of the laboratory. The low ...

Crows

Author : Julian Miles, Staff Writer The seasonal rains have set in; bringing the battle for the planet we call Tango to a bogged-down halt. High above, the grey clouds flash blue-veined white as miniature suns blossom in orbit. The war continues across known space, committed men and ...

Sunset

Author : Roy Upton At sunrise, Artavian stands on his porch looking out over the valley. The greens and browns reassert themselves. Golden light defines the valleys and trees of the walk lands that stretch to the horizon. He sips a coffee. Sadness blurs the view as, solitary, he ...

You Wouldn't Download a Car

Author : Logan Smith Zach glanced at the time flashing in the corner of his vision. 3:58 am. Class in five hours, and he hadn't caught a wink of sleep. He took his glasses off, setting them on their charging dock before turning back to his computer. The newest Tesla design had hit the ...

The Replacement Husband

Author : Ken Poyner I could have had him made with a synthetic skin that reeks a constant temperature, that adjusts to pressure, that could be washed with soap and water. He does not care, but it would be physically easier on me, and more comfortable for the neighbors. At a distance, ...

Zxandra's Summer

Author : Michael Rafferty On the morning of the third Wednesday in September the eighth grade class of Halsey Charter school prepared to give their “What I did for summer” theme speech. The class was small; twenty-four mostly well off kids. Richie Greenwall began with six weeks touring ...

A Sneeze

Author : Aiza Mohd "A SNEEZE A singular moment during which your eyes, your nose, your mouth, every feature of your head all simultaneously forget who they are and what they are doing and have a mini existentialist explosion." My handwriting is childlike after my reconstruction; I ...

Ever Forward

Author : S T Xavier Gunfire. Small explosions. A hand on the back of my neck, pushing me down towards the small opening to the tunnel. Fragments of wood and rock under my hands and knees as I crawl through the darkness, following the distant sounds of those who went before me. One ...

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