Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 36 (December 2002). Illustration: “Kopusure” by Wilhelm Steiner After I gave birth, my tummy ached.I spat up ectoplasmic gas.I told the nurse to place my new sonon a basket of plastic Easter grass.I peeled back his crystalla,looked into his wet, black eyes.Feathers scattered to the floor as he said,"What's … Continue reading Alien Tot, by Ellen Lindquist
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 36 (December 2002). Illustration: “Unborn” by Patrick Stacy Once upon a time, in a cold and rainy metropolis in America, there was a huge, dark, and dirty warehouse. Inside the ghastly structure, one room contrasted sharply with the others. It was a fully white and antiseptic room. Unlike the … Continue reading The Unborn, by Marcelo Hipolito & Marcelo Machado
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 36 (December 2002). Illustration: “TwikType” by Eric Seaholm Under the drowsy eye of a xenon orb, I thumbed through my gear. Seven full cartridges of helium-argon fusion cells jutted this way and that way in the palm of one hand, and the strap of my KV1 plazzburner swung wildly … Continue reading Tzykkaar’s Gambit, by Ian Fulton Roberts
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 36 (December 2002). Illustration: “Wish 1” by Romeo Esparrago Excuse me, sir, may I take a look at that magazine? I just can't seem to get to sleep. Too excited, I guess. I probably should have brought a book, but I left in sort of a hurry. No, I've … Continue reading Shoveling Snow, by Andrew Darling
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 36 (December 2002). Illustration: “Land of My Paradise” by Matt Gaser Red clay. Did the whole planet have to disintegrate into red clay when its young rocks were pulverised? Red clay permanently embossed in sticky clumps to the underside of stained leather boots. Red clay fouling up the works … Continue reading Redemption on a Red Plain, by Greg Guerin
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 36 (December 2002). Illustration: “Peeple” by Romeo Esparrago Tasca the Hunter moved on all fours, in the way of the People. His lean, smoke-gray body blended well with the predawn grayness. Today Tasca hunted not for food, but for something far more important-knowledge. Knowledge to weld his solitary kind … Continue reading People?, by Edward McKeown
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 36 (December 2002). Illustration: “Nixotine” by Andy McCann "What the hell is that supposed to mean!?" I shouted as loud as my raspy voice could. I had to inhale deeply around my cigarette after each sentence. The puffs of smoke that constantly floated upwards blurred my gray hair and … Continue reading Nicotine Fits, by Ian Hunter
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 36 (December 2002). Illustration: “The Chase” by Ehrad "Can you see anything?" asks Chan. I glance over at Alexei, who brings the binoculars up to his faceplate and peers out at the foggy beachhead to our right. There is a silence as he tries to pierce through the rolling … Continue reading Nexus, by Carl Rafala
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 36 (December 2002). Illustration: “Graviton” by Romeo Esparrago Never have I been good at introductions when stumbling upon another during a graviton glide. A long, cold swoop. An awkward hitch in my space. Though, this time, I managed to mumble my name with some sort of decorum. "Raexx NM," … Continue reading Graviton Gliding, by Ian Fulton Roberts
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 36 (December 2002). Illustration: “Morning Star” by Ehrad "There is considerable material in the universe that emits very little or no light, according to cutting-edge astrophysicists. This has been discerned through observation of the flow of intergalactic hydrogen streams. These behave as though they are being acted upon by … Continue reading Fade to Black, by E.S. Strout
