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). 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: “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. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Wormhole” by Ellie Hradsky In one scenario, the universe is expanding slowly enough that the gravitational attraction between galaxies causes the expansion to slow down and eventually stop. The galaxies then start to move toward each other and the universe contracts. -- Alexander Friedmann 1. … Continue reading Blue Shift, by E.S. Strout
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Cryostate 2” by Jon Eke Something eldritch and menacing permeated his skull from the dark alley. Chollie gnawed the danger mentally, staring down a welding arc without a safety mask. Going in, he'd be blind with no foreseeable exit. The inky conundrum of the street … Continue reading Crawlspace, by William Alan Rieser
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Solanpus 2000” by Eric Seaholm December 12, 1978 - Bottomless Lakes State Park - due east of Roswell, New Mexico.Described by many as the most inhospitable area in the temperate zone, a place where the Pueblos knew of ancient evil but refused to say why. … Continue reading Crown Jewels, by William Alan Rieser
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Comp002” by Carl Goodman When she awoke, sunshine was just creeping into her hospital room from the window. The glare transformed the framed picture on the opposite wall into a mirror. Molly recognized her own reflection. But the perspective was wrong, like the distorting mirrors … Continue reading Molly, by Charles Kaluza
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Old Man & Cyborg” by Kenn Brown Mr. Sam was an old man who ran the outmoded shipping lanes, picking up junk satellites that came up on the feely monitor. It had been a helluva slow week. Mr. Sam stared blankly at what was infinite … Continue reading The Old Man and the Cyborg, by M.F. Korn
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Project” by Eric Seaholm Professor Atkinson awoke, his heart pounding and his thoughts reeling from yet another nightmare. Switching on the bedside lamp, he swung his legs out from beneath the covers, sat up, and took a deep breath. As the adrenaline in his system … Continue reading The Project, by Garry Dean
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Running” by Andy Miller Kevin Dandridge walked into Lyle Gunderson's cubicle and fell into the extra chair in front of the desk. "If I don't get some excitement in my life, I'm going to kill myself," Kevin said after a few moments. Lyle looked up … Continue reading Running With the Bulls, by Peter Bergman, Jr.
