Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 27–28 (September/December 2000). Illustration by Patrick Stacy Live, from your neighborhood: "For chrissakes, get that bicycle out of the way," called Ben Guzzle from the foyer, his voice muffled by the new 27-inch TV he carried. His three children scurried from the den, pelting Ben with questions. "Move, I … Continue reading Hellooo Ms. Anderson-Lee, by Anthony R. Elmore
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 27–28 (September/December 2000). Illustration by Patrick Stacy Charlie felt the weight of the past work week ease from tense muscles in his back and neck. He pulled onto the access ramp to the interstate and headed west toward the Rocky Mountains in the distance. The weekend was waiting for … Continue reading The Catch, by Chris Wills
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 27–28 (September/December 2000). Illustration by Steve Cook "I want Mommy," Shale whined for the tenth time since they left the orbiting Satellite Colony Beta, aboard the overbooked Trans World Airlines Shuttle. "Yes, Shale, we know," Sill sighed, patting her three-year-old sister on the head. Harry put down the business … Continue reading Business with Pappy Joe, by Warren Cook
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 27–28 (September/December 2000). Illustrations by g.k. Senthil Kumar Restis Morgan settled his ship into the spaceport with long-practiced care. Once secure in his private berth, he leaned back into the cushioned pilot's seat and sighed -- Terrasan 6 was a tiresome world, the least favorite stop on his yearly … Continue reading The Bargain, by Gregory G. Barton
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 27–28 (September/December 2000). Illustration by Sam Crowe Through his windscreen, a billboard the size of an upended landscape -- and on it a vast, plush mouth, a woman's, in close-up. Surgical steel hooks glinting in the lip corners; milady's implants urging her lips grinward: an advertisement for the Prosthetic … Continue reading Ad Nauseam, by Adam Browne
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 26 (June 2000). a bead of light sent through a labyrinth of goldunveils a little bit of information. it is thereor it is not, established through technology. and so a message is composed, and the photonis made use of, in minute poetry. energy fieldsmay take the place of gold, … Continue reading Labyrinth of Gold, by Andy Miller
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 26 (June 2000). Illustration: “I Dream” by Patrick Stacy I DREAMED I dreamedThat my brainHad been replacedBy a cavity of waterIn which a goldfishSwam about. I haven't felt quite rightSince that dream. I HAIKU This cold summer night:Horses exhale mist, and snort,Like wingless dragons. Poetry copyright © 2000 by … Continue reading Two Poems, by Dan Lukiv
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 26 (June 2000). Papier-mâché sculpture by Gene Fenton Looking at my handSeeing twisted alien clawMay have raped and pillagedWithout regard for law Our bodies not brand-newJust painted recycled partsRipped from galactic junkyardOf broken-down planets and stars Absolute recyclingA dream for earthbound greensAll could learn a lessonFrom the galactic scene … Continue reading Recycled Blood-Sucking Aliens, by Hathno Paige
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 26 (June 2000). Illustration: “Frumlive” by Eric Seaholm The wind was whipping around the seventy-fifth floor of the Philby Building, howling fiercely and battering the windows like an invisible monster. Three young men were looking out the window at a sea of skyscrapers encased in a gray fog. "You'll … Continue reading The Death Club, by Neil Smith
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 26 (June 2000). Illustration: “Planet-Egg” by Zozzy Vomit, that tasted of hot saline and stomach acid, found itself stuck in his throat. A few quick uchs-uchs and the liquid expelled itself into the air. He watched, fascinated, as the globules distended first this way and then that, seeking equilibrium … Continue reading Xantar, by Sean Melican
