First Blood, by Jeff Colburn

Glowing red orb clutched by dark, angular red mechanical claws against a black background

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 21 (March 1999). Illustration: “Holding” by Ryan Bliss "Now just relax, Mr. Klempf. This will sting for a moment." She slid the IV needle into the bulging vein on his arm. "There we go. Squeeze the ball and you'll be done in a few minutes. Thank you for donating … Continue reading First Blood, by Jeff Colburn →

A Child’s Thought, by Christopher Clagg

Colorful digital collage of swirling shapes and toy-like objects leading to a baby's laughing face on the right

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 21 (March 1999). Illustration by Romeo Esparrago The pain of dying is replaced with a sudden bright light. I have often hoped there is a God, but have feared there is not. I put out my hands to shield my eyes and see the liver spots that stain my … Continue reading A Child’s Thought, by Christopher Clagg →

Carnival, by Richard Behrens

Painting of a grinning clown in a blue suit with a red star on his chest riding a unicycle out of the doorway of a straw hut, holding a smoking wand, with a target and a red barrel nearby

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 21 (March 1999). Illustration: “Clown House” by Lee Ward I As he turned sixty, Harry Bustamonte grew so sick of the world and the human race that he donned a moth-ridden pork pie hat, took to the road, set fire to the seat of his pants, and eventually returned … Continue reading Carnival, by Richard Behrens →

That Takes the Cake, by Michael Barnett

Rendered desert of rippled pink sand dunes with a chocolate layer cake topped with candles, and two knives lying in the sand beside it

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 21 (March 1999). Illustration: “Desserted” by Thomas Miller It was morning. Roger opened his eyes and saw the purplish sky. He shut them again. Three hours later, he reopened them to find the same purple sky with red and orange streaks across it. It was afternoon. Getting up off … Continue reading That Takes the Cake, by Michael Barnett →

And He Will Lead, by Tzvika Barenholz

Misty, dark mountain lake with jagged rocky peaks and a tiny red-lit castle on the highest summit

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 21 (March 1999). Illustration: “Overlook Castle” by Ryan Bliss "So let it be known that when the day comes to reveal the truths to the world, a prophet will be sent to show you the way. And he who is to come will come. And he will lead, and … Continue reading And He Will Lead, by Tzvika Barenholz →

Turka’s Tale, by Lee Allison

Digital painting of a magician in a white turban and red cloak holding a sword, standing in a burst of glowing purple-pink light, with a woman's face watching from the upper right

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 21 (March 1999). Illustration: “The Magician” by Duncan Long The cool breeze rustled the grass on the hilltop overlooking the sandy beach. To the east the sun was starting its daily climb through the sky, rising over the hills; and to the west and south along the ridge, a … Continue reading Turka’s Tale, by Lee Allison →

ThunderStar, by Tony Chandler

Neon line-art illustration of a lion-maned alien warrior with a jeweled collar reaching out with a huge clawed hand toward a blue planet

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 21 (March 1999). Part I Illustration: “Kragon’s Reach for Chadras” by Romeo Esparrago I have created a monster. The crimson glistened in dripping gobs on the walls. And then, in crimson clarity, there was the distinct imprint of its huge hand etched in gory detail. Down the center of … Continue reading ThunderStar, by Tony Chandler →

Return to Eden, by Scott Speck

Psychedelic pixel-art image of a blue and magenta blob-shaped landscape with orange and yellow hues, set on a background of colored tiles

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 20 (December 1998). Illustration: “Pixel Space” by Andrew G. McCann Mars is such a quiet, peaceful world.I stand and face the Eastblue-purple sky tinted orange with sunrise.Dry ice breezes stir dust from the surfacescraping a gentle hiss upon my faceplate. Rocket hulls gleam dully in the Martian sunrisethe ground … Continue reading Return to Eden, by Scott Speck →

After Thoughts From An Abduction, by Maryann Hazen

Man in a dark suit whose head is a burst of glowing pink light, surrounded by forks of lightning against a black background

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 20 (December 1998). Illustration by Duncan Long You ready?Don't mind the noise, you get used to it,after a while. It's not so bad.I'll tell it like I remember,if you'll let me.In this world of reality we, you know,dawdle about our day-to-day destinies.We whicker down over localpop-skull whiskey, packs of … Continue reading After Thoughts From An Abduction, by Maryann Hazen →

Interplanetary Tanka, by Romeo Esparrago

Crayon drawing of a green alien creature with eyestalks fleeing among blue tree-like figures as small purple aircraft fly overhead

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 20 (December 1998). Tanka is an unrhymed Japanese verse-form poem consisting of five lines that contains 5-7-5-7-7 syllabic structure. [Archive note: on the original page, three thumbnail pictures each linked to a separate page with one tanka and its full-size art. The three tanka are collected below.] invasion! Art: … Continue reading Interplanetary Tanka, by Romeo Esparrago →