The Cosmogonist’s Tale

Author: Alastair Millar “All of you are now old enough to learn, children. So hear how it was, and is, and will be.” The Elder settled himself into his chair and smiled benignly. He had his audience’s full attention: it was rare for grown-ups to take them seriously, and ...

Crabby

Author: Phil Temples I was an English Lit postdoc, down on my luck—and money—when I saw an advertisement seeking test subjects for a sleep study at a local university. It paid well; well enough that I glossed over the cautionary warnings describing the potential risks and ...

Input Error

Author: Sarah Klein Mark stared at the screen on the small object. He shook it gently. He was fascinated it was still on. An object like this from salvage, an object he didn't recognize – it meant it had to be at least twenty years old. As he tilted it, he saw the small ...

1965

Author: Henry Peter Gribbin My name is Ben. I am a middle-aged schoolteacher from Pittsburgh. I am also a homeowner. I recently bought a house that sits on a busy street in a thriving community. The previous owners were an elderly couple who recently passed. The husband was ...

Fire Wielder

Author: Julian Miles, Staff Writer "What are doing?" I step the lance down to standby and look round. There's a Luminarian fledgling regarding me, eyes lit in glorious shades of orange. "I'm clearing droppings from this rooftop, young edular." It waves stubby wings in ...

Freedom

Author: Diego Lama, Translated by Rose Facchini God called Alberto on his cell. “Hey, it’s God,” He said. “I wanted to let you know that the world annoyed me, so I’m getting rid of everything except you, okay?” “Okay,” Alberto responded. Then he added, “Thanks!” “Now, ...

The Crooked Holo

Author: Daniel P. Douglas When a sleek and shiny bizbot from Rush, an upstart Venusian drift-pod vendor, showed up on the same mid-day shuttle to Godessa, Ogleblatt fumed. He glared at the bot’s silver and blue pinstriping and decided to call up Ortega on holo. He punched ...

Happy

Author: Deborah Coy Clarise thumbed through the thick album on her lap. Her mother, sitting next to her, pointed to a rampant unicorn just like the one glowing a proud blue on her wrist. “Wouldn’t it be awesome if we had legacy tats?” Clarise didn’t answer but quickly ...

Nightmarish Paradise

Author: Jackson Lanzer A man is silhouetted by a sunset, the heavenly light decorating him in immaculate golden armor and a tattered cape of shadows. His rusty hair flows in the wind, and his oak eyes stare into the celestial abyss. “Just me, alone, suffering in ...

Drift and Shift

Author: Majoki *Influence of the stars,* Breezy Hicks answered her daughter. The teenager looked at her curiously. *The stars? Why would anyone think the the flu originated there?* Breezy smiled. *They were literally medieval. Plagues. Pestilence. Why not blame the ...

The Unofficial Test Run

Author: Elizabeth Hoyle “Virtual breakfast with President Mahlers is at 8:30 followed by a joint press conference with the heads of NASA, Earth Only, and The Time Organization at 9:45—” “Who invited those idiots from the T.O? All they want is to keep their rich investors ...

As the Night Draws In

Author: Julian Miles, Staff Writer Another street carpeted in things once considered essential. I wait. Nothing moves. Picking up a can of beans, I swing my arm back, then stop. Put the beans in my backpack. Spotting a can of prunes, I throw that instead. It lands hard and ...

Fidget

Author: Andrew Dunn Anonymous hotels on dusty roads close to chaotic ports wasn’t Nick’s favorite part of being an independent fidget. It was worse when the ship he was contracted to meet was three days late, the desk clerk he was bribing told him adherents of the latest ...

Growth Experience

Author: Rick Tobin All lounge tables were separated far from the hideous Braxel’s corner booth. A cleared semi-circle void reeked of rampant terror regarding the infamous diner now surrounded by nervous alien species, some tentacled, slurping preferred living or semi-living ...

Holiday Hologuests

Author: Ruby Zehnder “Mark, is the download finished?” Laura called from the kitchen. “Just about,” Mark replied. “Should I call the kids?” "Sure. Why not," he said and returned to the controls. The holographic images of his parents were flickering into existence. Laura ...

Small Gods

Author: Lewis Richards I carry a world on my back, bearing it forward across the emptiness ahead. I feel for life in the darkness, not to add to my little world, but to consume so I may endure. So I may tend. This is not my first world, I grow and must leave the worlds I ...

Were Dinosaurs Christians?

Author: Majoki “Were dinosaurs Christians?” Asterisk asked without bothering to raise his hand. Teacher scanned his face for biometric signs of incorrigibility. Negative. Proper attention would be paid. “Asterisk, please raise your hand and wait to be called upon ...

Dear Traveler

Author: J.D. Rice Dear Traveler, Welcome. Don't be alarmed at the state of our planet, the overgrowth is intentional. We decided to let nature take the reins while we slumbered. We are eager to meet you. . . too eager, you might say. You have likely already found ...

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  • Sun Dragons

    Author : Clint Wilson, Staff Writer “The satellite passes above …