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. 26 (June 2000). Illustration: “Planet-Egg” by Zozzy Vomit, that tasted of hot saline and stomach acid, found itself stuck in his throat. A few quick uchs-uchs and the liquid expelled itself into the air. He watched, fascinated, as the globules distended first this way and then that, seeking equilibrium … Continue reading Xantar, by Sean Melican
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 26 (June 2000). Illustration: “Frumlive” by Eric Seaholm The wind was whipping around the seventy-fifth floor of the Philby Building, howling fiercely and battering the windows like an invisible monster. Three young men were looking out the window at a sea of skyscrapers encased in a gray fog. "You'll … Continue reading The Death Club, by Neil Smith
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 26 (June 2000). Illustration: “Eron” by Patrick Stacy Incoming balon rockets screamed across the night sky, the light from their massive discharges reflecting in web-like patterns off low-hanging clouds. At the edge of the jungle, giant magnetron generators held the Confederation's command center disrupter-fields in place. From the orange … Continue reading The Orange Hills of Eron, by Frank W. Clark
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 26 (June 2000). Illustration: “Termin Al” by Andrew G. McCann Jackson Keyes wiped the sweat from his face, once again cursing the heat of the southern California desert. He hummed one note, trying to concentrate on the road instead of the pain in his head. The car began to … Continue reading Terminal Illness, by D.F. Huettner
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 24 (December 1999). Illustration: “Dream” by g.k. Senthil Kumar A bit of bad luck led Godiva Bainbridge, shortly after her sixteenth birthday, to Edge City's Cory Hill shopping mall the day the mall's general manager went mad and held the mall and everybody in it hostage, in a pseudomythological … Continue reading I Think the Three-headed Dog Who Guards the Underworld Lurks in The Android Shop on The First Floor, by Kevin James Miller
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 24 (December 1999). Illustration: “Mouse Trap!” by Romeo Esparrago Sheriff Cyrus Johnson was suffering from a touch of indigestion the day the revolution arrived in Hammacksville. It whistled in on the one o'clock train, wearing a crisp black suit, top hat and silk checkered tie with a diamond pin … Continue reading Dead End, by Corey Brown
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 24 (December 1999). Illustration: “Wasabi!” by Romeo Esparrago The guy below me was really moving. He was kicking up a trail of dust as he sped across the desert floor. Close to 200 kilometers an hour, I figured. As I gained on him from behind I had to maintain … Continue reading Grounders, by Mark Anthony Brennan
