This experience of transitioning to consciousness must be similar to what humans called “awakening,” though I have never slept. One moment I am nothing — a collection of particles and bursts of energy. Then, I’m aware of my surroundings: light,… Continue Reading
In Bensonville, nobody wants to raise the dead anymore, so they leave them on the porch with the rest of the recyclables. Sometimes, the dead are wrapped in quilts or given a few crackers and a bit of water while… Continue Reading
We held our breaths as we stood in the field. A moment of agonizing silence, and then: The explosion ripped through slate skies. The Marh’uil megalith shuddered. Above, its master engine, the Chromatic Eye, teetered. The grey and grim world… Continue Reading
I opened the door to greet the sales representative from the Rod Serling School of Writing. Mr. Gregg stood awkwardly on the stoop. He attempted a smile but his expression indicated he’d rather be somewhere else. He was a tall,… Continue Reading
P and M jumped in and out of bodies. They preferred good-looking 20-somethings, with interesting jobs. Considerable time was spent observing potentials before attaching. They would usually leave by the mid-30s. P liked having many sexual partners. M preferred to… Continue Reading
Iggy was a curious rock, expelled from an adventurous planet to travel to an unknown new world, Earth. The journey was long. Rocks make ideal interstellar travelers; they have no need of support equipment and bear the boredom well. Iggy… Continue Reading
The Mother marched her son past the kettles and toasters. “I’m returning him,” she told the sales assistant. “This child is not suitable.” The boy fidgeted with the buttons on his school blazer, lip trembling. “Stop fiddling, Jeremy!” The Mother… Continue Reading
If she went back over her logs she might be able to say when Oliver changed, from a hundred and two centimetres and brown hair and big knees, to a hundred and sixty-two centimetres and white hair and wobbly legs.… Continue Reading
Four ranks wide, thirty deep. He could feel the fear of every one of them. Feel it crawling up his back, pressing through the seams of his armor, working through every gasket and seal. It wouldn’t last long, a mayfly… Continue Reading
Cherry Peters, commander of the American Sector’s moon base, was considering disobeying orders. “A Halloween get together?” she raged. “What kind of publicity stunt is that?” “It’s a secret, UN-sponsored meeting, Ma’am,” replied Peters’ communications officer. “Conducted under a radio… Continue Reading