Rene was halfway out on the Redwing trail when the sobbing stopped her steps. It was a dry, green day at the mouth of Spring. It was still a little cold for short-clothes, but she couldn’t help herself, and had gotten out her khaki hiking shorts and denim short-sleeve blouse to put on with her…
Outside the ship, I took a moment to look the other vessel over. It was huge. The skipper had to have been at least a little disappointed that it wasn’t clear for salvage, but Interstellar law dictated that we rendered aid to ships in distress when we found them, and he took the duty very…
The executive went wide-eyed for a moment and looked around as if making sure no one had heard. “Of course not Mr. Rixx, by law you have every right to resign your position.” Rixx felt himself untense. “I will go now, then.” he said and started to rise. “Wait just a moment,” the VP waved…
At first he was just a shadow moving against other shadows, and I could barely keep up with him. I followed his movements as best as I could, keeping my distance, and keeping silent. A few times I snapped twigs or startled animals, but it must not have seemed to Archibald any more than the…
Last year, the Ocean was animated by the accidental destruction of the Mind Crucible, and intercontinental trade was brought to a standstill, and most oceanfront property in the world was crushed under the angry hand of the waves incarnated. Remember that? The repairs to the artifact were made using a plaster which was applied using…
Last week, he’d received a small, thick, bone-white card delivered by private courier while he was making a delivery. Paper messages were extremely rare as paper itself was so valuable. Usually if a message had to be delivered on hard media, it was on poly-vellum which was more durable and very cheap. It would also…
“You’re an old one,” he whispered with a small smile, “probably got some interesting stuff in there.” He lined up his flenser on the glass of the pod, and squeezed the actuator. The device made a soft purring sound, as it carved its tiny hole through the glass. “Maybe you’re holding on to the secret…
Earthlings, We regret that you are too late. You call this a “first contact mission” and I understand your excitement, I assure you. We have ancient records detailing the importance of such events. You have not, however, contacted a previously-unknown-to-you race of sentient beings. We hope you are not too disappointed. Get the rest ofthe…
As he approached the airlock, he heard a voice, “I can help you” it said. A creature stepped into his path, it was a large chicken with steel feathers and a sword beak. It was menacing in appearance, but not threatening. “Your legs, your lungs, your heart,” the chicken said, “I can fix them for…
With renewed vigor, the two continued their search. Morning light began to pour in through the high, cobweb-dimmed windows of the room. One of them sneezed, and dust which was once a roll of parchment scattered across the room in a rolling cloud. “Sorry,” one said to the other, “I hope that wasn’t the one…
