Category Archives: Fiction

“Like Vines” by Alicia Power 12 Thermidor, Arisene Year 1244 My Dearest Cecilia, Though it has only been a week since I said farewell to you and your formidable gaggle of youngsters, I feel as if I’ve reached another world … Continue reading →

“A Greater Good” by Laura O’Brien There’s nothing more terrifying than an empty to-do list. Normally, my list stretches too long for my viz to show it in full; I have to flick the projection again and again until I … Continue reading →

“A Life on Air” by D. A. D’Amico The snub triangular jet flipped, banking against intensely bright Venusian clouds before leveling out. Jaundiced rain peppered the forward cameras. Powerful winds wrenched the wings, tilting the craft as the charred titanium … Continue reading →

“The Eyes of Hemshat” by K. D. Julicher Siandra rolled back the protective leathers from the sides of the trade booth as morning sunlight slanted down into Merchants’ Square. She  kept one eye on the travelers entering the city as … Continue reading →

“Scans“ by Mike Adamson They say Ardvreck Castle is haunted, and I know it is. But not quite the way you might think.      Scientists are supposed to be practical people, and we are. My expedition from the University of … Continue reading →

“A Planet With a Lake” by Derek Nason “Thanks for your help.” Those were your last words, to me or anyone. When I asked you once what I should do to cope with your eventual death, you instructed me to … Continue reading →

“The Valley of the Speaking Flames” by B. Pladek “The first thing I will do is name the sparks,” I say. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Mara tells me as we hang in orbit over the planet, looking … Continue reading →

“My Magic, My Spell” by Mary E. Lowd You stole a piece of my power from me. And it took me fifteen years to recognize it. We were acolytes together, studying under Mage Dawlins. I studied ice magic. You studied … Continue reading →

“Where a Good Town May Take Us” by Andi C. Buchanan Overnight, our town unmakes itself. Copper nails slide out from the blue-grey slate and form bundles, heads at one end. The slates stack themselves in neat piles, keeping themselves … Continue reading →

“A Pilgrim’s Tale“ by Bruno Lombardi      Lost gods were the worst hitchhikers.      I was somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when a god flagged me down.      For a moment – for a brief moment … Continue reading →