“Virtual Parenting” by Tim C. Taylor

Painted illustration: a slender humanoid robot aboard a spaceship looks down at an open padded case of glowing tubes, with a laser flash striking an asteroid outside the window and a porthole showing embryos in glass domes.

[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork, “Parent” © 2005 by Robert Sorensen, has been lost.] Cursing the Guardian, Jerrine glanced at the digits counting down the release cycle for airlock CX2. It served no purpose. Nothing she could do would speed up the replacement of argon with nothingness. The other transcendentals … Continue reading “Virtual Parenting” by Tim C. Taylor →

10 Years Ago in Planet… “Stealth” by Andrew G. McCann

That's right, you saw me on "Oprah" and "Donahue." And I'll betcha my last beer you're wondering what kind of chucklehead would've done it. Well, let me explain by telling you that only one word describes the Ultimate Joyride: totally awesome. And that's what it was, a joyride. If it wasn't, you think I'd be … Continue reading 10 Years Ago in Planet… “Stealth” by Andrew G. McCann →

“Going Green” by Rachel Dunstan Muller

Leafy plant-people and a man holding a jar with a frog in a lunar greenhouse dome as a man and boy watch from a bench

The boy settled down on the bench under the skydome. The long night was drawing to a close as his father began the story. “Well son, it all started with SKALO, the Society for Kindness to All Living Organisms. SKALO was a group that made your garden-variety vegetarian look positively carnivorous. Not only did its … Continue reading “Going Green” by Rachel Dunstan Muller →

10 Years Ago in Planet… “Astrobeast” by Andrew G. McCann

Just before midnight on a Saturday, a young astronomer in Puerto Rico became the first to spot the small object sputtering toward the sun. It came in past Pluto, riding a spark that moved clearly against the millions of hard, bright stars behind it. Within two hours of e-mailing his colleagues at various universities and … Continue reading 10 Years Ago in Planet… “Astrobeast” by Andrew G. McCann →

“The Fall of Leuyoldedd” by Travis Lyon

Painted illustration: a grinning young knight in silver armor and a blue cloak watches with a cheering harbor crowd as an old merchant scrapes crusted deposits from an ancient sword on a wooden table, revealing gleaming steel, with tall ships behind.

[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork, “Excalibur” © 2004 by Alan Rabinowitz, has been lost.] Author's note: This translation of “The Fall of Leuyoldedd”, also known as “The Second Coming of Skell'aenthid”, represents only parts five, six, and seven of the full tale. The other parts have never been found. "How … Continue reading “The Fall of Leuyoldedd” by Travis Lyon →

Author/Artist: Sea Garden

A book titled "Sea Garden" showing a woman and a robot rests on a park bench in autumn before a spired city

Dear Editor: Sea Garden is my online futuristic/philosophical ‘book’ composed of voice and illustration. It is the story of the young girl Grey, her Omniputer best friend, and their journey together to free the star trapped inside her. It's also about the morality of artificial intelligence, the spirituality inherent in technology, the ultimate destiny of … Continue reading Author/Artist: Sea Garden →

“Second Chance” by David Murphy

Painted illustration: a young man in a grey tracksuit approaches a black-haired woman in a red dress reading on a bench, with a raven perched beside her, in a flowering courtyard among gleaming white futuristic towers.

[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork, “Raven” © 2004 by Judith Warthen, has been lost.] He lay back on the gurney, staring at the lights suspended above him. The bright glare burned his eyes, but he scarcely had the strength to close his weary lids. He was dimly aware of shapes … Continue reading “Second Chance” by David Murphy →