Stories, poems and art reprinted from the classic Planet Magazine back issues (1994–2004).
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 22 (June 1999). Illustration: “Monkey Rex” by Billy Tackett From a jungle planetIn a system far away Came a monkey kingto fight for the simian way Riding in a saucerBananas piled high He lands in Bronx Zoo centralTo the surprise of many an eye Back-pack rockets fireAnd he's headed … Continue reading Space Monkey King, by Hathno Paige
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 22 (June 1999). Illustration: “Soldier” by Thomas Miller Ten years passed before I ever missed my arms. The war went on, and my claws and guns served just as well. But in the quiet times, when I lie in the mobile transport crate and wait to be taken to … Continue reading Remembrances, by Christopher Clagg
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 22 (June 1999). Illustration: “Ride the Wild Pony” by Romeo Esparrago Steel Stallions cross the sky,Black Death, fear on high.Locked talons, wings of strength,falling Circle Fury,echo of our screaming cry. Red-lined, and over the edge... Broadsides, guns to bear.Into Death we will stare.Stars will shudder, souls will shake.Flames light … Continue reading Steel Stallions, by Tony Chandler
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 22 (June 1999). Illustration: “Big Ben” by Thomas Miller The doctors call me Big Ben. I am not a large man. But I am larger than most clocks. I know the hour, the minute and the second as well as any other timepiece ever made. And I always will. … Continue reading Big Ben, by Kim Burnham
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 22 (June 1999). Illustration: “Regards, Hanoi Bob” by Nicola Stratford We had just turned to enter a holo shop when the sidewalk went rubbery, my arm stretched, and with a strange snap in my head, I found myself in an unfamiliar room. Stars crept by. Translucent scrawlings hovered in … Continue reading Remote, by James Heflin
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 22 (June 1999). Illustration by Andrew G. McCann They came to Earth from distant stars,Bright angels of the hidden skies,Our brothers, sisters, from afar,Their silken tongues wrapped round their lies. Enchanted was their lilting voice,Perfection surpassed was their form,Seducing all of human choice,Their peace the calm before the storm. … Continue reading Tormented Love, by Ron Carnell
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 22 (June 1999). Illustration: “Laser Fire!” by Steve Munsinger Private Emilio Ortiz staggered through the curtains that served as a door to the recreation room, half a month's pay worth of black market hooch still burning in his throat. The glassy walls of the tunnel gleamed at him from … Continue reading Exterminator, First-Class, by Thomas P. Wagner
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 22 (June 1999). Illustration: “Return to Seaholm” by Eric Seaholm You smell Ristro prison before you ever get within two klicks of it. It's the one thing that Phobos is famous for. Some fame. But you didn't argue with god when he gave an order. So, when god said … Continue reading Ristro, by Virginia Chandler
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 22 (June 1999). Illustration: “Trokar sez – decap that yap!” by Lee Ward Me, Trokar, no understand this poetry.Weak!!!Prefer smashing, crushing, eating things!!!!Grrrrrrr [Note: "This apparent poem was found among the imploded ruins of Lunar University in the fall of 2151 by Space Marines Inquisitor Tom Wagner, who was … Continue reading Trokar ‘Poem’, by Trokar
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 22 (June 1999). Illustration: “Flying Fires” by Romeo Esparrago Parker Ngyen had never shot a man before. He'd never even considered it. He always thought the Academy's firearm training was vestigial. Data were the modern peace makers, cyberscapes the OK Corrals. Still, here he was, sweat filling the tiny … Continue reading Flittering Headstones, by Michael Martineck
