Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 32 (December 2001). Illustration by Matt Morrow The silence felt deafening. The peoples of Earth were accustomed to the earsplitting detonations of Humanity’s space vehicles, whether Mars-bound colony vessels or simple, orbital drones. But the silver orb before them descended silently, as though it were attached to a magician's … Continue reading Alien Utopia, by Pat Hartsfield →