Route Driver, by Nathan J. Kailhofer

Crude drawing of a red blob-like monster with a huge toothy white grin against a gray textured background

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). Illustration: “Slimey” by Andrew G. McCann "No, Hart!" he shouted. "If you're going to shoot yourself in the head, do it right!" Before I could utter a word of protest, Hallan snatched the 9mm pistol out of my hands, pointed it at his grinning blue alien … Continue reading Route Driver, by Nathan J. Kailhofer →

Cosmic Lasagna, by Sam Kenyon

Vivid painting of a red and orange mountain above green slopes dotted with dark pine trees

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). Illustration: “Red Mountain” by Robert Sorensen I dropped lasagna on my sockWho knows what this could spellConsequences flip by--circles of Hell andmelted ice cream trucks--like the numbers on a deprecated clock The jolly tinny jingle fades into a distant crashFrom a human energy unit brokendown to … Continue reading Cosmic Lasagna, by Sam Kenyon →

Holy Chronicles, by Nancy Wilcox

Pencil drawing of a towering masked warrior with a horned headdress and spear rising above a crowd of helmeted soldiers

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). Illustration: “Abonsam” by Robert Castillo '...and in the seventh generationworks destruction or salvation'so state the Holy Chronicles of War. But they never speak of soldiers,these chronicles of yours,only of the heroes battle-forged.What of common men?We break too easy on that anvil,there's not much holy in a … Continue reading Holy Chronicles, by Nancy Wilcox →

Martian Dreams, by Nancy Wilcox

The planet Mars, orange-red with dark markings and a white polar cap, against a dark background

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). Illustration: “Marz” by Nas A. Glass Ancient seas call meacross a sand-blasted plain,across forever. Ghost-water storm-surgedrowns memories of beaches --transcendent waves crash. Lit by distant sun,from a cold and empty sky,red grit sifts as rain. Poem copyright 2004 by Nancy Wilcox Artwork © 2004 by Nas … Continue reading Martian Dreams, by Nancy Wilcox →

Commercialism, by Alissa Grosso

Painted illustration of a red-haired woman in glasses and a pink sweater, with a smiling saleswoman, a suited man and the Moon behind

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). Illustration: “Commercialist” by Romeo Esparrago The holo-woman had bright red hair. She identified herself as Jane, a teacher and mother of two from Cleveland, Ohio. She looked completely at home in Catherine's kitchen. "Are your children grown?" Catherine asked as she fixed coffee. "Lisa is sixteen … Continue reading Commercialism, by Alissa Grosso →

Through the 100 Meter Lens, by Allen Itz

Painting of a huge red sandstone rock formation in swirling red, yellow and purple bands under a pale blue sky

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). Illustration: “Red Rocks” by Robert Sorensen we will see it allthe beginningand the end beforethe beginningand beyondto all beginningsand all endingsuntil finallywe will see itthe face of itwho/that startedall the marbles rollingthe god-awesome itsome call theawesome god of allmaybe/maybe notfor it is what it isunchanging until … Continue reading Through the 100 Meter Lens, by Allen Itz →

The Cyclops Syndrome, by Anthony R. Heffernan

Doomed Sultan

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). Illustration: “Cyclops” by Romeo Esparrago On Christmas Day in 1998, at 4:45 PM, somewhere within the country of Indonesia, Sidney Jones died of a massive coronary. He had known of the facts of this reality since birth, and had lived his life with a purpose to … Continue reading The Cyclops Syndrome, by Anthony R. Heffernan →