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: “Roach” by Patrick Stacy "Jesus Christ," I said, jumping halfway off my barstool. The huge cockroach, startled by the movement, bolted back into cover under the bar before I could step on it. Not that I was sure I wanted to. It was about the … Continue reading New York Minute, by Edward McKeown
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Threenessedness” by Eric Seaholm "Paper?!" the Plenipotentiary of the Everything Machine cried. "It's untouchable!" Art Shraede swallowed nervously. The Plenipotentiary was the most powerful man on three planets and the space in between. Nobody made demands of the Master of the Everything Machine. Not presidents, … Continue reading Traditional Art, by R. Scott Russell
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration by David Sauma It was only the second day of his paper route and Mosiah was liking it better with every turn of the pedals. He was on his own out here among the farms, where the roads were straight and you could see for … Continue reading A Lonely Place, by T. Everett Cobb
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 32 (December 2001). Illustration: “Spawn” by Jon Eke Introduction The three main characters here are Edge, a city-born thief, Cynar, a mature hedge wizard, and Kerg the barbarian, from Thangar. Each believes themselves the leader of the group. Our team of "entrapaneurs" is currently in the reluctant employ of … Continue reading The Flower and The Sentinel, by Steve Davison
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 31 (September 2001). Illustration by Rononymous This job sucks! Sure I've always known that but, sometimes, I think I'll quit. But, I never do. The truth is there's nothing else I can do, so here I stay, late at night, busting my ass in a decrepit old bar, with … Continue reading Weird World: Bats of a Fur, by Marcelo Hipolito & Marcelo Machado
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 31 (September 2001). Illustration by Jon Eke The first thing to break the surface is a crocodile snout, grinning and toothy. It is upright, jaws slightly apart as if to swallow the midnight moon, and there is a mildly malevolent sense of humor about it. It is old, old, … Continue reading Uncharted Waters, by Julian Maven
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 31 (September 2001). Illustration: “Escape” by Cynthia Frederick "All right, children," Mrs. Patterson said as she got up from her desk. "It is time to hand in your short-story assignment." The classroom was filled with the sound of paper being torn from notebooks or removed from folders as the … Continue reading Excuse, by Justin R. Lawfer
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 30 (June 2001). Illustration: “Lord of the Dead” by Jon Eke It was the first thing in the morning while nursing a hangover that Thomas Bentley gave up drinking for good. He told his wife, Eloise, this over a cup of coffee. "That's it. I'm done." "How many times … Continue reading Spacehead, by C.C. Parker
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 29 (March 2001). Illustration: “String” by Shelton Bryant John Milder had wasted his life. He knew it, deep down in his heart, and had known it for a long time. The sickness finally had eaten away what was left of it, leaving nothing but an empty husk. He was … Continue reading Milder, by Mike Velichansky
