My wife Sophia swatted my hand away from her waist, her lips in a tight thin line, her brow furrowed. “We can stop pretending, now that the ship is underway,” she said. I knew she didn’t mean to hurt my… Continue Reading
“Just five light years.” Evelyn winced. The light flashing off to her right meant that another person in line had taken the Leap. Between their excited yelp and a sound like rushing water, she thought the whole thing felt like… Continue Reading
“We’ve failed,” XDS-4 blinked flatly, solar fins hanging dejectedly from her torso. “Now millions will die and there’s nothing we can do.” No one else in the pod liked what she was saying, but no one could argue with the… Continue Reading
I’ve forgotten something, I know I have. In fact, now I come to think of it, I’ve forgotten everything. “Hey, Smith,” someone shouts, “move it!” I seem to be dressed in combat clothing; green camouflage. I’m holding a weapon, though… Continue Reading
They were right, it all passes too quickly. Demetria both regretted and cherished every extra minute it took to get little Anton into the bath. She wanted to get him into bed early, but he was so happy playing with… Continue Reading
The ocean here is wrong. When I complain about it, they tell me it’s because the atmosphere is different. Thinner, with an exotic composition that carries soundwaves differently from back home. I think it’s more than that. For one thing,… Continue Reading
Scott stared out of the window, studying the landscape beyond his bedroom. His house was on the outskirts of the city, and from there, he could only see the greenery of the communal park, the shimmering material of their lifedome,… Continue Reading
The waiter nodded and backed away respectfully. Nordique poured herself the last of the wine they had selected. “An exceptional vintage, Ar.” Nordique swirled the wine. “Pressed from the first generation of white grapes grown on Venus. Sure you want… Continue Reading
Arthur Norris went back to the shed to fetch gasoline for the mower. In the twilight the straight tracks of newly shaved grass looked like different shades of ribbons spilled from the spool. “Arthur!” he heard her calling. She was… Continue Reading
A family of Bou Sain Guo floundered nearby, struggling in the thick mucus ooze of the swirling river. Somah hesitated, transfixed by the fires illuminating the boxy stick-like bodies, their rake-like hands outstretched and pleading. “Keep moving, kiddo.” Pavel pushed… Continue Reading