Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration: “"Princess"” by Romeo Esparrago I had the windows of my Jeep rolled down, so I heard the shouts around the same time that I saw the crowd. I was driving west on Queen Street, near the the old Hudson's Bay Store. A crowd of teenagers … Continue reading Sometimes, I Dream of Roses, by George Condon
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration: “"Jacket"” by Rick Shelton George Slimey was somewhat daunted by Pricella Lucretia, vice-president of sales of the Pharmaceutical Institute Laboratories Ltd., his largest client. She had jet-black hair twisted into a complicated bun, a pinstriped power business suit over her overabundant curves, thick red lipstick … Continue reading Psychic Pop-Up, by Joe Vadalma
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration: “"Luxorite"” by Romeo Esparrago The wind howls down the slope of the mountain, gaining in intensity as it cascades over rocks and fissures in its way. Winds that rush like the Dread Horde through skeletal pines and birches, lifting their petrified limbs to the sky … Continue reading One Hundred Twenty Three Degrees, by Jo A. North
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration: “"Repli-Girl"” by Romeo Esparrago Flushed with guilt, Julie laid Seth, her two-month-old boy, back in his crib when the nanny entered the nursery. Julie stepped away as the nanny reached into the crib with her forearms, bracing herself with her hind arms, and picked up … Continue reading Mother’s Milk, by Sean Hower
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration: “"The Pilot"” by Anselmo Alliegro The Winston Churchill was still a dozen kilometers away when Paul Reagan saw it for the first time. Through the port hole of the troop transport, the Churchill resembled a lumpy potato, except that the lumps were really gun turrets. … Continue reading Jump Ship, by George Condon
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration: “"Vilos"” by Romeo Esparrago There once was a simple young man named Jacob, who lived with his mother on a small farm. One day Jacob's mother said, "My son, the land has not yielded enough crops for us to pay next month's rent. I want … Continue reading Jacob and the Sorceress’s Daughter, by Justin R. Lawfer
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration: “"Head"” by Matt Morrow A quintillion bytes and growing; roughly all the important data known to mankind by the year 2035, and it was just inside. The Technic Test Team had worked together successfully on several projects. But the prospect of testing Compendium was a … Continue reading It’s Inevitable, by Dan Heisman
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration by Romeo Esparrago "The thymus gland's function is to activate the body's T-lymphocytes prior to puberty. These cells effect arousal of the dormant human immune system. They produce a hormonal substance which stimulates our immune response to overwhelm any threatening agency. They may serve additional … Continue reading Green T, by E.S. Strout
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration: “"Game"” by Romeo Esparrago The canvas tent flapped softly in the warm evening breeze. It was a breeze laden with the smell of decay. Jahrel wrinkled her nose at the stench, but said nothing. In this part of the city there were worse things than … Continue reading The Game of the Phoenix, by Arthur Sánchez
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 39 (September 2003). Illustration: “"Blochead"” by Romeo Esparrago Lost in the woods, Roger and Walter were two vagabonds searching for shelter from the relentless cold wind that was tormenting them. As they reached a clearing, they were surprised to find a decrepit castle before them, almost indiscernible under the … Continue reading Eternal Grief, by Marcelo Hipolito & Marcelo Machado
