Stories, poems and art reprinted from the classic Planet Magazine back issues (1994–2004).
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration: “Cryostate” by Jon Eke Six months up we lost Rene, and the first of the two crawlers we had. Two months later in quick succession we lost Gerard, Clemmens the German, and Armstrong the first American. London Control of course got us within two hours … Continue reading Short Term, by Christopher Clagg
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration: “Nature of Coincidence” by Georgi Ostashov Private Jack Kane didn't mind the noise of the heavy artillery. He didn't mind the whiz-bangs. He didn't mind the Lewis guns' death rattle. He'd worked in the Tyne shipyard's deafening cacophony since he was 14. Private Jack Kane … Continue reading Sinews of War, by Mark Greener
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration: “Bhodisattvas” by Kenn Brown . . . the spectre of solidities Whose substances are sand. --Emily Dickinson That’s a crock of doo-doo. --Orestes Pugh It was a last resort, an act of desperation -- but much better, Burgess reasoned, to undergo alternative therapy than to … Continue reading Spacetime Flickers, by Fred D. White
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration: “Gargoyle” by Andy Miller On the barren surface of the newly discovered world, human and alien stood in the dry heat of twin suns, pointing guns at one another. The scene reminded Jason Ketrige of an old movie he had once seen in ancient Terran … Continue reading Circle in the Sand, by David Crane
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). From "The Adventures of Drake Sutton, A Bachelor in Space" It was a thing from another world, and we're not talking about the blonde bombshell. This was a creature that could not be named. A horror that could not be explained. There was nothing left to … Continue reading Tall, Dark, and Gruesome, by Christian M. Chensvold
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration: “Flame” by Carl Goodman 1. August 2004: Gage County Fair -- Beatrice, Nebraska First contact. No argument there. June Haverstock's home video made CNN within the hour. It's just that... it wasn't the most noble way we could have met extraterrestrials for the first time. … Continue reading Conspicuous Consumption, by Gary Piserchio and Frank Tagader
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration: “The Ark” by Ellie Hradsky I don’t know why I write this now. It is unlikely anyone will ever read these words. Being a killer is never easy for a sane mind, but for those of us who were torn away from our homes, our … Continue reading The Tomb in the Stars, by Eric S. Brown
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration by Romeo Esparrago The Earth ambassador's craft slid smoothly into the docking tube of the Jekorfan Confederation satellite. Its receptor was already in place on the black transfer mat as Langford Joh stepped abruptly onto the gangplank and allowed himself to be manipulated by beam … Continue reading Fetish, by William Alan Rieser
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration by Patrick Stacy Of all the times he travelsthis is the one that fascinates him the most.These are the people he feels most compelled to observe.The partygoers of no tomorrow,knowing there will be no tomorrow.The children looking into the white nothingness coming their way,knowing they … Continue reading 9999, by Jerry Johns
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration: “A_M_S_gksk2002” by Senthil GK A soothing, synthesized voice filled the taxi. "Now entering City 19, called Materoff by the inhabitants. Two standard minutes until your destination is reached." Artiq Falerthan leaned his head against the padded seat-back. Materoff. Only three hours away from home by … Continue reading A Man Searching, by Jeffrey L. Williams
