Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 24 (December 1999). Illustration by Romeo Esparrago travelers on this roadignore the signsthey can't read Englishdon't know what a verb is they take wrong turnsend up in barnyardsfeeding chickensand shovelingthe cows i was lucky enoughto study with the Masteri carry his thesaurusand spell check computer there is no word … Continue reading Kiss the Darkness, by Richard Behrens
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 24 (December 1999). Illustration: “Buzzin’ the Cap!” by Romeo Esparrago A Reconstruction of My DepositionTo a Bunch of Government CopsAnd Others Who Didn't Identify Themselves by Bruce McEachin[Conceived by Frederick Rustam] On the Bus I'd always thought that aliens from outer space were either figments of some people's overheated … Continue reading WokeEye Tours Washington, by Frederick Rustam
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 24 (December 1999). Illustration: “You’ve Got Worms!” by Sam Crowe What's happening to me? Anne tried to pick up her head but she felt so weak and dizzy she had to lie back again. She stared at the ceiling. Her vision was blurry, but what she could make out … Continue reading A Visit to the Doctors, by Mark Anthony Brennan
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 24 (December 1999). Illustration: “Think Variations #4” by Duncan Long When I was a child, I would have dreams of cabin beach houses along sand-pipered stretches of wet foamed washed sand. Bubbles coming up through small pockets and crabs underneath. Long afternoons with the fading sun and a cooling … Continue reading Seminal Images, by Christopher Clagg
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 24 (December 1999). The young reporter was being put to sleep by the event he was covering. He was kept awake only by a soda from a handy vending machine. When the reporter first started working for the city's largest newspaper, the Herald, he had imagined himself writing stories … Continue reading Poof!, by Mark Griswold
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 24 (December 1999). Illustration: “Inspirat” by Romeo Esparrago Luna Colony: Nature never intended for a child to be born and raised up there on the moon, in an artificial dome with artificial gravity and artificial light and artificial air. What you do want a human child for up there, … Continue reading The Man in the Moon, by McCamy Taylor
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 24 (December 1999). Illustration: “We Sha’Kar” by Sam Crowe We are Sha'karWe are the hand of the Gods of the Sky and CircuitWe are the Wrath Most HolyWe feel no pityWe feel no remorseWe know no fearWe know no painWe are resolute --Warrior Oath of the Sha'kar 1 To … Continue reading Legacy, by Will Harrison
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 24 (December 1999). Illustration: “Wasabi!” by Romeo Esparrago The guy below me was really moving. He was kicking up a trail of dust as he sped across the desert floor. Close to 200 kilometers an hour, I figured. As I gained on him from behind I had to maintain … Continue reading Grounders, by Mark Anthony Brennan
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 24 (December 1999). Illustration: “Deceptive Assassin” by Romeo Esparrago As arranged, Yelosh awaited his messenger halfway across Bard's Bridge. The turbulent black waters of the Mossrill sloshed around beneath him and the lights of Gelwyn City shone behind him. He was a little light headed from spending the last … Continue reading The Fisherman’s Coin, by Al Krombach
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 24 (December 1999). Illustration: “Mouse Trap!” by Romeo Esparrago Sheriff Cyrus Johnson was suffering from a touch of indigestion the day the revolution arrived in Hammacksville. It whistled in on the one o'clock train, wearing a crisp black suit, top hat and silk checkered tie with a diamond pin … Continue reading Dead End, by Corey Brown
