Strange Soil
Author: Majoki
The new crop was the strangest I’d ever seen. Vine-like and fast growing, but with no apparent fruit or other nutritional attributes. Shaliman and I never quite knew what we’d see each cycle. That was up to the ag techs. We just kept our heads down and did ...
Cold Smile
Author: Julian Miles, Staff Writer
The sensation of having no legs is new, and I’m not liking it. Being unable to connect to the in-ship stream is worrying. At least I was able to reach the emergency button. Right on cue, the door panel slides back to admit-
A ghost in ...
Praise Him
Author: Jess Chua
[24 June 1975]
“You don’t have to worry. The results will change your life.”
“Yes, Doctor.” Mrs. Stevenson was awash with hope and relief.
“It’s all going according to God’s plan and decision.”
“Praise Him!” The Stevensons raised their palms to ...
The Heaven Probe
Author: David Barber
Transmissions from the Heaven Probe sizzled with white noise. In a moment of high drama, a shadowy figure had approached the lens, speaking in tones both measured and incomprehensible.
Dr Helen Forster smiled for the media. "Here is that first image ...
Justice, Comrades!
Author: Jackson Lanzer
Screens illuminate my face as the names of the damned dance to a symphony of crimson letters atop a digital stage. I will give each name justice. It is what they deserve.
My forearms are strong. It takes strength to push a button that snuffs out ...
Court’s Indulgence
Author: Bryan Pastor
The summons had arrived three weeks ago.
“Jury duty, ugh.” Andy moaned.
The summons was simple upper case bold text.
“YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO SERVE AS A JUROR. IT IS YOUR DUTY AS A CITIZEN TO COMPLY, ALL WHO ARE CHOSEN MUST ARRIVE AT THEIR ...
A Thousand Small Steps
Author: Caleb Coy
Lieutenant Elizabeth Rodriquez gazed at the lunar surface, her heart thrumming. Floodlights lit up the expanse of the moon’s far side, a barren ocean floor. Her crew-mates, Commander Harrington and Dr. Crowe, shared the silence, emptiness, and a simple ...
Rosebot
Author: Majoki
It is said my dying words were “Rosebot. Rosebot.”
'Dying' isn’t an entirely accurate term these days, but I go back a long, long way before Ascendancy, before even the early days of servitors like Rosebot.
Maybe that’s why Rosebot was on my mind as my ...
Only Bad Owners
Author: Julian Miles, Staff Writer
It was a lovely evening. We’d seen a band, gone for a meal, had a fine THC vape, and were wandering home, giant mocha lattes in hand.
“Hey, isn’t that a Spot?”
I look where Tam’s pointing. There’s a robodog coming down the sidewalk ...
All That Glisters
Author: David C. Nutt
I’ve been stationed on earth for some 15 cycles- that’s 150 years earth time. Oh, I’m not the only one. There are others. Naturalists, sociologists, cultural studies, and resource assessment. There are exactly 21,532 Citizens of the Confederation ...
An Observing Universe
Author: Samuel Stapleton
“Good evening. My name is Dr. Theodore Novinski, I am the Director of Project Evidence Originate. As explained earlier there will be no questions after my statement.”
Dr. Novinski began in earnest.
“I am here to address the events of April ...
Taxation Blues
Author: Alastair Millar
I studied the holo and sighed. At least he hadn’t turned up in person, like they sometimes did.
“I’m sorry, Phil,” I said, “my hands are tied. The Taxation Service reviewed your case very carefully, and there’s no doubt about it.”
“But they can’t ...
See You on the Other Side
Author: Brian C. Mahon
Fleeting fleeing from the pursuing swarm, my viewscreen’s gone red, a thousand alarms blaring constant warnings, “HOSTILE UNITS EXCEED DESIGN PARAMETERS. TARGETING SYSTEM SATURATED… GOOD LUCK.”
Swarmers: one-meter silvered cylinders with complete ...
The True Cost of World Building
Author: David C. Nutt
The Steampunk world Donny created was exquisite. As his genius played out in the programming, fantastic brass edged contraptions filled the scenery. Soaring edifices dotted the cityscape with a few doubling as docking stations for monstrous airships ...
The Monsters From Before
Author: Majoki
498.72 meters down in Olkiluoto, off the southwest coast of Finland, the digging stopped abruptly. That’s when they called me.
Why officials at the Onkalo Repository intended to deep-store spent nuclear reactor rods would call me was, at first, more ...
Pacified
Author: Julian Miles, Staff Writer
I watch Nona and Paul walk away, then drop back down. Nothing to do for a while. My next workday is Thursday, so I’m free for the next five days. I wonder if Wanda… No, she’s off with Eber doing resistance stuff. I couldn’t do that. ...
The Decoy
Author: Hillary Lyon
Moony stepped back to eye his handiwork. He called to his assistant. “Get over here and tell me what you think.”
Rollo rolled up beside him. “It’s sublime! The coloration, the fine detail. Especially the eyes—they’re so life-life! It’s sure to fool ...
An Opening
Author: James A Brown III
Seismic activity had gotten stronger over the last couple of weeks, along with random power drops. It all started when a hole was punched through the center of the moon to take samples for mining.
Dex was taking a breather, looking out a window ...
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