“I have no idea, sir,” I lied, adding creatively, “Perhaps tomorrow?” Ralph Sigma-Two continued dancing from foot to foot. “Wutterfuk?” He bawled in a brief interlude from biting his bitty fingernails. “Wutterfuk ‘no idea’?” He aimed a vicious kick at… Continue Reading
Android JT1K checked its data. Alert: Power low. Reduce load. The solar flares they’d experienced in high orbit must have done more damage than had been recorded on board the mother ship. Power to the lander had almost drained. Decision:… Continue Reading
They made her a grave, too cold and damp For a soul so warm and true; And she’s gone to the Lake of the Dismal Swamp, Where, all night long, by a fire-fly lamp, She paddles her white canoe. —… Continue Reading
Their 4:30 appointment thumbs its figurative nose at Trevor Urqhart from the computer screen, blowing metaphorical raspberries. He double-checks the date and sighs. Is this the best they can do on their final opportunity to insult him? Allegedly it is… Continue Reading
It’s taken me twenty years to find the courage to knock on Nigel Crothers’ door, and he lives two streets away from my family home. Heading there now I’m dreading every step, counting each familiar streetlight and paving stone, carrying… Continue Reading
The world is pink and white. I can’t move, and hear nothing but echoing hurried footsteps and female laughter. A brusque voice of authority speaks in a shouted whisper: “Remember where you are!” Pain. Silence… …Female laughter, male laughter,… Continue Reading
George likes playing hide and seek. Running with the children of the village through meadow grass, among the mounds and hillocks, chasing along the timeworn runs of fox and rabbit through the ruins. Donna is his best friend now. So… Continue Reading