Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 23 (September 1999). Illustration: “The Future Once” by Romeo Esparrago I was rushed that morning in December. Balancing coffee, bagel, and keyboard, I hurried to check my e-mail before I had to rush off and play teacher. I had one e-mail. One. No subject and no return e-mail addy. … Continue reading Once and Future, by Virginia Chandler
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 23 (September 1999). Illustration: “Magic Mountains” by Romeo Esparrago The night I met the Man, the rain had slowed to a fine cold mist as I got my tent set up and my gear inside. I paused for a minute and stretched, weaving my fingers into a fleshy cat's … Continue reading Mountain Time, by Lee Dresselhaus
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 23 (September 1999). Illustration: “End of the Mission” by Romeo Esparrago "The meet goes down tonight." Bran hands the dossier across the table to Galahad and continues. "We've conducted some auric surveillance on him, ran a few dream traces. Our rough archetypography suggests a strong Warrior arcana." Galahad looks … Continue reading Mission Fatigue, by Daniel Ksenych
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 23 (September 1999). Illustration: “FOTW” by g.k. Senthil Kumar I am Namer. Outside the window of my study, by the raging light of the torches held in misguided fists, I can see the stone portal at the entrance to the monastery, and the title etched into its gray skin: … Continue reading The Fall of the Word, by Chad Brunner
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 23 (September 1999). Inspired by the artwork “Dino Farm” by Thomas Miller Ned Fenton paused outside the back entrance of Sarah's Diner, glanced left and right to see if anyone was watching, then stepped inside. He stood in the dark storeroom a few moments to splash on fresh after-shave … Continue reading Dino Farm, by Ray Dangel
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 23 (September 1999). Illustration: “Color Me, Too” by Kalazar When I walk to my job early in the morning, there it is again. No use taking another street to avoid it: the photos are all over the city, for everyone to see. A naked white child, maybe six or … Continue reading Color Me Black, by Fabio Fernandes
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 23 (September 1999). Trophies of wealth, thought Loretta Capinelli. The butler, a thin, elderly man who looked snobbish even in gray pajamas, led her along the wide, elaborately furnished corridor. Despite the hour, the weather, and the consuming curiosity that had drawn her here, she found herself fascinated by … Continue reading Bitter Reflections, by Ty Drago
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 23 (September 1999). Illustration: “Black Bart” by Duncan Long The machine that stamped your name onto a flattened penny cost a dime to operate. It was owned by Tipper Flannagen, a convivial freckle-faced young man with flaming red hair who also owned the gun-fighting Black Bart robot that laughed … Continue reading Arcade, by Alan Kaufman
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 23 (September 1999). Illustration: “The Derelique” by Romeo Esparrago One month out from Alfred's Star, the Mayflower's alarms sounded, awakening Edman from a nap in his cabin. "Huh!" he shouted, startled from his dream. "What?" For a few seconds he was still running through the surging and receding waters … Continue reading Antiques, by Mark Stanley
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 23 (September 1999). The ostrich was nervous, and Buck Brannan couldn't blame him. Shoot, he was nervous too. But it was the big bird that had the Mark VI 'Ram-Jets' strapped snug around its feathered body. Still, the rocket pack would put them on an equal footing with the … Continue reading The Ostrich Race, by Tony Chandler
