Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 35 (September 2002). Illustration: “Bat-King” by Andy McCann King Seratin, ruler of the Goblin Nation, slowly circled the stone slab in the center of his torture chamber. "So, at long last, warrior, I have triumphed," he said, a tooth-filled grin upon his bat-like face. His prisoner, a heavily muscled, … Continue reading The Captive, by Justin R. Lawfer
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 35 (September 2002). Illustration: “Stoned Planet” by Carl Goodman One!See the teacher, sweepin' up the floor. Two!Shut the windows, Three!lock the doors. Four!See the blind man, can't find the way. Five!Count the lights, Six!the devils counts the days. -- Nursery rhyme of Midas Colony, unknown date of origin The … Continue reading A Bouquet of Demons for Diane, by Michael Liska
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 35 (September 2002). Illustration: “Sestus Probes” by Ehrad Mahogany or acrylic pemmican. Those were the unsavory colors behind his throbbing eyes and the texture of his numbed thoughts as Engineer Jahn Tonelle lowered his beleaguered, migrained head to the plastic kitchen table. He ignored his wife's breakfast of simulated … Continue reading The Blue Cabukhy, by William Alan Rieser
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 35 (September 2002). Illustration: “Sliding” by Georgi Ostashov "Angels with dragonfly wings, Fly up to heaven with me," throbbed the tenor voice of Celestino, from speakers held in the hands of stylized divinities. A massive Buddha held a large one in his lap, and across from him Christ's nails … Continue reading Angels at Penumbra, by Mark R. Yohalem
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration by Watt A. Gray-Tartiste One night I dreamed I was sloggingAlong the marsh with my Sam.Many ghosts from that land flashed across the sky.And each time I noticed footprints in the marsh.Sometimes there were two sets of footprints.Other times there were one set of footprints.This … Continue reading Frodo-Prints in the Marsh, by A. Grayt-Pohett
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). translated by Hathno Paige Illustration: “DRV” by Carl Goodman Peeled backSkin of nightReveal giant gray banana Hid in holesOthers not IGolden world gift You me cry heardNo got water!No got food! Hungry rush IBite warm fleshOww! Teeth bounce, mouth fire Atul!Hole coward shoutTail belong banana up … Continue reading UNE-IFAP, by Hathno Paige
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration: “Discovery” by Georgi Ostashov I never asked for a reasonWhy man should kill his fellow man,In darkness high above its hunting season,for lessons of the ancients we forgot againso much for guts and glory,the distant stars don't careI fight to tell the story of war … Continue reading Space Combat, by David Crane
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration by Romeo Esparrago solar cells darkenedasteroids navigatedmission accomplished k-band power goneion engine spent and dryonce warm, now frozen darkness lies aheadmomentum pushes onwardfarewell, Mother Earth Borrelly long pastSol a distant point of lightdestination: stars SciFaiku (haiku) & impressionistic art © 2002 by Romeo Esparrago For … Continue reading Now Departing: Deep Space 1, by Romeo Esparrago
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration by Patrick Stacy Of all the times he travelsthis is the one that fascinates him the most.These are the people he feels most compelled to observe.The partygoers of no tomorrow,knowing there will be no tomorrow.The children looking into the white nothingness coming their way,knowing they … Continue reading 9999, by Jerry Johns
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration: “The Ark” by Ellie Hradsky I don’t know why I write this now. It is unlikely anyone will ever read these words. Being a killer is never easy for a sane mind, but for those of us who were torn away from our homes, our … Continue reading The Tomb in the Stars, by Eric S. Brown
