Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). Illustration: “Slimey” by Andrew G. McCann "No, Hart!" he shouted. "If you're going to shoot yourself in the head, do it right!" Before I could utter a word of protest, Hallan snatched the 9mm pistol out of my hands, pointed it at his grinning blue alien … Continue reading Route Driver, by Nathan J. Kailhofer
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). Illustration: “Ringside” by Andrew G. McCann A sudden snow squall blinded the downhill skier. In the oblivion of whiteout he impacted the sturdy pine tree head-on at over twenty miles per hour. He was located ninety minutes later by the Aspen Ski Patrol, unconscious and bleeding … Continue reading Ringside Seat, by E.S. Strout
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). "Chang, you tell her," Maria said, her dark eyes flashing as her hand unconsciously tried to brush back a lock of auburn hair she no longer owned. She and Jonathan had shaved their heads earlier that morning in preparation for their long cryogenic voyage, and it … Continue reading Mother Perkins, by Arthur Sánchez
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). Illustration: “Jorvik” by Romeo Esparrago The year was 1977. The archeology dig at the site of an old candy factory in the city of Coppergate in the north of England had been going on for two years. Each week more thousand-year-old relics from the Viking city … Continue reading Jorvik, by Joe Vadalma
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). Illustration: “Indescribable” by Andrew G. McCann Story © 2004 by Andrew G. McCann Illustration © 2004 by Andrew G. McCann ← Back to Planet Magazine No. 42 (contents)
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). Illustration: “Gurn (detail)” by Gil Formosa It didn’t matter how many times Jobim had mapped out this day in his head. All he knew was it had come — there would be no turning back. He lowered the case carefully to the desk and slid his … Continue reading Fair Warning, by Scott Leslie
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). On Christmas Day in 1998, at 4:45 PM, somewhere within the country of Indonesia, Sidney Jones died of a massive coronary. He had known of the facts of this reality since birth, and had lived his life with a purpose to avoid them. At a certain … Continue reading The Cyclops Syndrome, by Anthony R. Heffernan
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 42 (August 2004). Illustration: “Commercialist” by Romeo Esparrago The holo-woman had bright red hair. She identified herself as Jane, a teacher and mother of two from Cleveland, Ohio. She looked completely at home in Catherine's kitchen. "Are your children grown?" Catherine asked as she fixed coffee. "Lisa is sixteen … Continue reading Commercialism, by Alissa Grosso
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 41 (March 2004). Illustration: “Face” by Leo Lin Alone I drifthearing hissingred lights flickerin a constellationI never wanted to see becoming uniform, coldmy steel collar gathering frostno longer a strugglefor rarefied controlmoon passing my windowin a long clumsy arc repeat the checklistfor the last timethoughts fadingto the Florida sun … Continue reading Steel Can, by D. Nordling
Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 41 (March 2004). Illustration: “The Signal” by Ehrad Radiant planetswhere natives uses black firefor coolish darkness Are you asking mewhere I hide my tentacles?she whispered, smiling. Alien childrenplaying with human bodiesuntil the bell calls. Footprints in concretefrom nowhere to anywherethree toes with sharp claws. Poem © 2004 by Cassie … Continue reading Four SciFaiku, by Cassie
