Mrs. Lansing and the School of Humans
Mrs. Lansing slapped the back of Edward’s head. “What is this?†she asked, pointing at his computer pad.
“It’s the site I built!†whined Edward, rubbing the back of his head.
His teacher tapped her foot and folded her arms tightly to her chest. “That site looks like it was ...
The Illuminated Man
The last time I saw Alnersans was back when I owned a bar. We used to joke that Alnersans always brightened up the place, due to the lights implanted on his arm.
Alnersans had 6 LEDs crawling out of the flesh of his left forearm. I asked him about them once; he told me that they were his six ...
The Whole Night Sky
Muddy came over to Chris’s studio apartment on Saturday afternoon. He came with his old guitar wearing his mismatched black thrift store clothes. Chris plugged his ears directly into his music system, and they both played, but since they couldn’t hear each other, it wasn’t much different ...
Above the Law
Churos went there alone, although he was surrounded by a scattered platoon of guards and officers all charged with the task of escorting the 5'8" teenager to court. When the doors to the court opened, it was clear that the media circus was in full swing.
The smile that drew across his lips ...
Springtime on the Mountain.
Matthias bounded up the mossy hill towards the cave. It had been six years since he had last seen his master. He had often found Aupta meditating in the cave when he was her student. He could picture her perfectly, curly red hair, a yellow tunic, her silver sword balanced across her ...
Internal Clock.
It wasn't until the subway stopped at Union Square that Alba noticed the difference in time.
I've been on this train for hours, she realized. Before the conductor's announcement, she'd been lost in the newness of her amplified intelligence, rolling her mind around foreign concepts like a ...
Siren
Firanel felt the first stirrings at the age of thirteen. For her, it started in her temple, a slow but pervasive ache that soon spread to her jaw. By the time she told the Elders, Firanel could barely talk, but her soft voice brought praise and exultation. She had been chosen; she would become ...
One for the Road
Mikael downed the last shot of whiskey and made a hiss through his teeth. The empty plate before him stunk of what used to be near-raw steak from an underfed cow, poorly cooked and coated with nothing but a thin layer of oil.
The bartender came up to him, flipping on the air filter after ...
Sand
At night, the wind howled over the tent like an angry djinn, forcing its sandy fingers through tears and clumsy folds. "Tonight is the Aisra's," they'd whisper in nearby towns as the wind fought to erode the frictionless forcewalls, but if the Aisra caused the storm it was indifferent to it, ...
Making the World Go ‘Round
The people here smelled nice, Guss thought, dragging the huge tub behind him through the grass towards the receptacle. Everything was fragrant in that sort of way that made you think it was all genuine. He’d never known what a ‘real’ smell was like. He’d worked artificially since the ...
The Purifying Flames Of Burning Love
Three Elvises walk into a bar.
You may laugh, but I was there, it's true. Three Elvises. Elvii. Whatever. First strode in the bishop: big as life and twice as wide, identified as he was by his high-collared cape, resplendent in rhinestones and the golden sunglasses of his office. Behind ...
Transfer To Light
I have agreed to this interview in order to deliver a promise. Do not be afraid.
I was seven months old when I died. My parents lived on a primitive moon on a colony that rejected the free energy and technology that the rest of the civilized universe embraced. If it were not for the ...
Son Of Steel
Tristan was methodically taking apart his hands when the doorbell chimed. He jumped at the sound, going to the door in such a hurry that he left behind the joints and pieces of his left hand on the worktable. All nine of Tristan's eyes blinked and strobed expectantly, wanting to know if this ...
Hypoch Andrea
Andrea had never had to wash blood off of her hands before. She dripped the clear dose of hydro-oxygen conservatively over her fingers to flush the crimson stain down the reprocessing disposal. Sweat dripped down her forehead and cheeks but never reached her mouth, which was still covered by ...
The Laughter of Flutes.
"Don't worry Miles, you'll find me attractive. After the change you'll be programmed to find me attractive." Auroras voice sounded like two voices, a harp and a flute playing together. She stretched her lean blue body against the circular view port, the lights from the outside of the ship ...
God Of War
There’s blood up to the windows. It must have seemed like a good idea at the time, to stack the bodies in the Mercer Building, to get ‘em off the Rail. But I can’t help wondering if the allusion to gore behind those art-deco panes is worse the actual carnage.
At least they’re off the ...
Alien Love Affair
The orphanage was in the ghetto of the city, below the levels that Anodramida’s mother had forbidden her to visit when she was a podling. It smelled like metal and sulfur, and the darkness made her shake. Christopher wrapped her tentacle around his arm, and his warmth evoked an involuntary ...
Red Letter Day
Bernard held the letter loosely in his hands. He sat down on his bed, staring at the blank taupe walls of the Renewal center and didn’t look at the letter. Bernard’s Renewalist, Maureen, had suggested he try and read the letter again today. He’d been trying for three hours.
Slowly, ...
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