Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 36 (December 2002). Illustration: “Retroactive” by Wilhelm Steiner The room was filled with white lab coats and military fatigues. These uniforms were, in turn, filled with a gathering of scientists and military men on the third floor of an apartment building near a busy beach. A test was imminent, … Continue reading The Equalizer, by Forrest Aguirre
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 36 (December 2002). Illustration: “Morning Star” by Ehrad "There is considerable material in the universe that emits very little or no light, according to cutting-edge astrophysicists. This has been discerned through observation of the flow of intergalactic hydrogen streams. These behave as though they are being acted upon by … Continue reading Fade to Black, by E.S. Strout
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 36 (December 2002). Never have I been good at introductions when stumbling upon another during a graviton glide. A long, cold swoop. An awkward hitch in my space. Though, this time, I managed to mumble my name with some sort of decorum. "Raexx NM," I grumbled in my thoughts. … Continue reading Graviton Gliding, by Ian Fulton Roberts
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 36 (December 2002). Illustration: “The Chase” by Ehrad "Can you see anything?" asks Chan. I glance over at Alexei, who brings the binoculars up to his faceplate and peers out at the foggy beachhead to our right. There is a silence as he tries to pierce through the rolling … Continue reading Nexus, by Carl Rafala
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 35 (September 2002). Illustration: “Powerful” by Romeo Esparrago Brad Lawson realized the whole experience wasn't a dream when the UFO that kidnapped him landed on the White House lawn. It had all begun during his Saturday night fishing trip to a canal near his home. He was dateless for … Continue reading Power, by Mark Stanley
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 35 (September 2002). Illustration: “Graveyard” by Georgi Ostashov I. Looking upwards into the sky,one might have wondered,at the long jagged streakswhich like greedy fingers reachedto touch upon the sleeping earthand bring forth the kisses of death. Once, my greatest aspiration had been to become a published poet, but that … Continue reading The Streaks in the Sky, by Raymond Towers
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 35 (September 2002). Illustration: “Nu Werld” by Eric Seaholm Now Ingle-9 was as hellish a world as any than man had come to inhabit in the area of the galaxy near Sol. A permanent band of thick acidic cloud wrapped around the rocky planet and more or less completely … Continue reading Sweet-Pea, by Greg Guerin
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 35 (September 2002). Illustration: “Sliding” by Georgi Ostashov "Angels with dragonfly wings, Fly up to heaven with me," throbbed the tenor voice of Celestino, from speakers held in the hands of stylized divinities. A massive Buddha held a large one in his lap, and across from him Christ's nails … Continue reading Angels at Penumbra, by Mark R. Yohalem
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 35 (September 2002). Illustration: “Sestus Probes” by Ehrad Mahogany or acrylic pemmican. Those were the unsavory colors behind his throbbing eyes and the texture of his numbed thoughts as Engineer Jahn Tonelle lowered his beleaguered, migrained head to the plastic kitchen table. He ignored his wife's breakfast of simulated … Continue reading The Blue Cabukhy, by William Alan Rieser
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 35 (September 2002). Illustration: “Stoned Planet” by Carl Goodman One!See the teacher, sweepin' up the floor. Two!Shut the windows, Three!lock the doors. Four!See the blind man, can't find the way. Five!Count the lights, Six!the devils counts the days. -- Nursery rhyme of Midas Colony, unknown date of origin The … Continue reading A Bouquet of Demons for Diane, by Michael Liska
