Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 32 (December 2001). Illustration by Matt Morrow Walter called me at 3:30 in the afternoon. I work nights, so I was pretty groggy when I finally answered. I know he spoke for a while, but all I remember is that he wanted me to come over to his house. … Continue reading The Weapon, by Michael Elmore
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 32 (December 2001). Illustration by Matt Morrow The entity was nothing at all like himself. It made the sire a trifle anxious and impulsive. The creature's imminence reminded him of an old lightshift, when a northern incursion of errant, mutant strays threatened his most creative spawn at that time. … Continue reading Trevor’s Junkyard, by William Alan Rieser
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 32 (December 2001). Illustration: “Jesus” by Robert Sorensen Miss Grinderswitch, principal at the Montross Reformatory School for Boys, had insisted that tattoos were a filthy abomination fit only for sailors, pugilists, and bartenders. No self-respecting gentleman, what all the boys aspired to become someday, would sport a lurid mermaid … Continue reading The Taboos of Tattoos, by Ed Lynskey
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 32 (December 2001). Illustration: “Soft Sunset” by Ellie Hradsky "Engines are charged and functional," Commander Sloan said. "Check is completed, Commander. Slip-stream is go, fire at your mark, and resume contact from Mars orbit," Ground Control responded. Sloan pulled out a picture of his wife and son. Smiling, he … Continue reading Slip-stream, by Glenn H. Morris
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 32 (December 2001). Artwork by Romeo Esparrago I wait in the Burgerland parking lot wondering what he’ll pull up in, hoping for a classic like the yellow, six-wheel ATV and not some chichi rocket-bike. The roar of a giant weed-eater fills my ears. I look up. A man dangles … Continue reading Sergeant Stone: Hard to Forget, by Hathno Paige
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 32 (December 2001). Illustration: “Mad Flying Clown” by Lee Ward On Planet Circus: Hermaphrodite bears lounged in courtyards while quadriplegic midgets rolled through streets. But from space, Planet Circus was little more then a sickly looking, pinkish dot lodged in the darkness, an inconsequential imperfection in the universal skein. … Continue reading Planet Circus, by C.C. Parker
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 32 (December 2001). Illustration: “Vul” by Carl Goodman Tars Bokara shuffled down the dusty corridors of the Medakala Museum of Antiquities, heading for the Curator's office. Not only did he have the bad luck to work for the poorest, least prestigious of Col-Traxis III's one-thousand museums, but he worked … Continue reading Open Twenty-Four Hours, by Edward McKeown
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 32 (December 2001). Illustration: “Moss Man” by Jon Eke Although the view from the bedroom window was pleasant that afternoon, it did nothing to brighten Bob's mood. The morning storms had finally cleared off, leaving a misty haze over the tiny plots of grass lining their sleepy neighborhood street, … Continue reading Learning to Walk in the Age of Machines, by Michael Athey
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 32 (December 2001). Illustration: “Control” by Carl Goodman On the brightly-lit bridge of a ship cruising the long darkness between star systems, a duty officer glanced away from his screens. Tapping a key, he called a location on the ship's outer hull. "Hi, Arnie. We may have something for … Continue reading Getting Game, by Steve Davis
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 32 (December 2001). Illustration: “Spawn” by Jon Eke Introduction The three main characters here are Edge, a city-born thief, Cynar, a mature hedge wizard, and Kerg the barbarian, from Thangar. Each believes themselves the leader of the group. Our team of "entrapaneurs" is currently in the reluctant employ of … Continue reading The Flower and The Sentinel, by Steve Davison
