Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 29 (March 2001). Illustration: “Reach” by Shelton Bryant A pinkish cloud of April spritzed from the calendar bottle. When months went on sale at the Time Store, Chanu bought dozens of EconoSpring, her favorite line. Spray the perfumed powder on your electropulse points and there you were, surrounded by … Continue reading I Remember October, by Candi Chu
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 29 (March 2001). Illustration: “Star Studded” by Romeo Esparrago "Five hundred thousand years ago there wasn't a star in the sky," the woman told the child. "And now look at it." The child looked up. In the center of the night sky hung an impenetrable disc of blackness, and … Continue reading A Star-Studded Sky, by Guy Hasson
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 29 (March 2001). Illustration: “Goldilocks” by Charles McChesney Scratching his lopsided head, Mung wondered if he could drag the body across the wasteland before the desert killed him. He stood in the dust of a waterless world with his shoelaces untied and his thick eyelids squinting against the sun, … Continue reading The Goldilocks Zone, by Lance Hawvermale
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 29 (March 2001). Illustration: “Temporal” by Patrick Stacy A whining, nasal voice drifted across the air from an unseen radio somewhere above and behind, and the words were buzzy and incoherent. "Shut that damn thing off!" Sir Bernard Archibald split the air and shattered the calm serenity with his … Continue reading Temporal Exile, by Graham Adair
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 27–28 (September/December 2000). Illustration by Sam Crowe "When I try to explain this to other people, they usually snicker." Dan shifted nervously on the couch and thought 'Uh-oh', wondering what could possibly follow such a statement. The man speaking, Dr. Ken something, had a rich, deep voice, and Dan … Continue reading Mundane Ripples, by Derek Robinson
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 27–28 (September/December 2000). Illustration by Patrick Stacy Ugh said a soft goodbye as he closed the door after the goodnight kiss. His conscience grated on his nerves. Something had to be done. This beautiful woman somehow found his miserable self attractive. It wasn't natural. He had to keep himself … Continue reading The Neanderthal Swan Song, by Richard W. Novy
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 27–28 (September/December 2000). Illustration by Patrick Stacy Jasyn Rile smiled as the land cruiser crept to a stop above the transfer station in Chicago. It was his first trip to the Windy City and his expectations grew higher and higher with each passing kilometer. The trip from San Francisco … Continue reading A Shift of Power, by S.E. Eggleston
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 27–28 (September/December 2000). Illustration by Sam Crowe Through his windscreen, a billboard the size of an upended landscape -- and on it a vast, plush mouth, a woman's, in close-up. Surgical steel hooks glinting in the lip corners; milady's implants urging her lips grinward: an advertisement for the Prosthetic … Continue reading Ad Nauseam, by Adam Browne
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 27–28 (September/December 2000). Illustrations by g.k. Senthil Kumar Restis Morgan settled his ship into the spaceport with long-practiced care. Once secure in his private berth, he leaned back into the cushioned pilot's seat and sighed -- Terrasan 6 was a tiresome world, the least favorite stop on his yearly … Continue reading The Bargain, by Gregory G. Barton
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 27–28 (September/December 2000). Illustration by Steve Cook "I want Mommy," Shale whined for the tenth time since they left the orbiting Satellite Colony Beta, aboard the overbooked Trans World Airlines Shuttle. "Yes, Shale, we know," Sill sighed, patting her three-year-old sister on the head. Harry put down the business … Continue reading Business with Pappy Joe, by Warren Cook
