Squivel’s Mirth, by Joseph M. Weinberg

Computer render of a spiky purple furry creature with a column of black eyes and a striped tail, beside a red folded object and a green flying craft over blue water

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 18 (June 1998). Illustration by Romeo Esparrago The whirring of the gun could be heard throughout the flagship Hunter as they locked onto the other ship, the Firebird. There was a pounding sound as the guns dislodged electric death across the empty void. The magnetic field generated by the … Continue reading Squivel’s Mirth, by Joseph M. Weinberg →

One of the Family, by Kate Thornton

Textured collage of a blue sleeping face, a woman with pink hair looking worried, a green caterpillar-like creature and swirling blue shapes behind panels of orange texture

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 18 (June 1998). Illustration by Romeo Esparrago I eased the throttle back slowly and the glider came to a smooth halt in front of Myron's Pet Shop. I jumped out, still proud of the way I looked in my tight-fitting uniform. When I removed my helmet and shook out … Continue reading One of the Family, by Kate Thornton →

Wasted Minds, by Barbara Hancock

Red, black and white high-contrast image of a woman with a cloth over her mouth and an armored figure, cut by diagonal stripes

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 18 (June 1998). Illustration by Romeo Esparrago Delia climbed on board the armored bus, easily skirting the metal doors as they slammed shut behind her. Programmed to pause for only thirty seconds, the bus was already picking up speed as she crossed the threshold. Ignoring the whistles, obscenities and … Continue reading Wasted Minds, by Barbara Hancock →

In the Beginning was the Word…, by Con deBlon

Glowing colored orbs, white, purple, green, red and yellow, floating in a black starfield

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 18 (June 1998). by Con deBlon (Constantine Beloroutchev) Illustration by Andrew G. McCann The night was ...ironically, there was no night at all. Twilight was briskly followed by Armageddon or Ragnarok, as you like. It came so unobtrusively that nobody noticed anything unusual. For one reason, to put it … Continue reading In the Beginning was the Word…, by Con deBlon →

Search and Rescue, by Bruce Davis

Computer render of an astronaut on a tether working on a large cylindrical spacecraft with solar panels against black space

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 18 (June 1998). Illustration by Duncan Long The call came in about an hour into the midwatch. We hadn't had much action that tour -- just one or two missions, and those were walkovers. We were getting kind of stir-crazy by then, two months into what looked to be … Continue reading Search and Rescue, by Bruce Davis →

Ramaas, Planet of Adventure, by Tony Chandler

Collage of faces of a young man and woman fading into swirling space, a woman in a shiny blue suit with pink hair, a golden spaceship and a dark armored figure

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 18 (June 1998). Illustration by Romeo Esparrago It was the greatest contribution known by the human race, the supreme epitome of human technology. The monument's fame had spread until it had even been added to that most prestigious of honors, ranked as one of the 'Wonders of the Known … Continue reading Ramaas, Planet of Adventure, by Tony Chandler →

Two Marooned Space Cadets in the Swamps of Arcturus II, by Andrew G. McCann

Cartoon of two men in a green swamp under a purple sky. One, holding up his wrist, says: "I've got a space-leech on my wrist. Give me a cigarette to burn it off." The other answers: "Sorry, I don't smoke."

Sanity at the Keyboard, by Ray Dangel

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 17 (March 1998). Never throw things at the monitor.Never throw the monitor.Coffee cups and elbows are mutually attractive.Tears are an undocumented feature of all software.Work naked at least once a week to reduce stress.Switch gradually from swearing to bookmarks.Mistakes are noticed right after you press ENTER.Baffled by new software? … Continue reading Sanity at the Keyboard, by Ray Dangel →

Companions, by Eldon Tyrell

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 17 (March 1998). Illustration by Romeo Esparrago Companions for saleShining metallic robotsAlone as before * Poem copyright ©1998 by Eldon Tyrell URL: <http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/3848/index.htm> Illustration copyright ©1994-1998 by Romeo Esparrago ← Back to Planet Magazine No. 17 (contents)

Alien Indulgence, by Ernest Slyman

Stylized drawing of a muscular figure with green hair, a pale face and a red-patterned body, outlined in white against blue

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 17 (March 1998). Illustration by Romeo Esparrago The Neen carry about in their pockets little moons,birthsigns and if you gaze into the orbsyou see a blue sunriseand feel odd, a little dizzy and in your head it starts,the visions come all at once, trembling arms,you feel hungry, your mouth … Continue reading Alien Indulgence, by Ernest Slyman →