Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 36 (December 2002). (A Langford Joh story) Illustration: “Rainbowrun2” by Ehrad When the sleek, silver craft eased into the landing bed of the Aegis transport platform, Bolee was there and waiting for its arrival. Aside from butloids and other computerized life forms, he was the only human present on … Continue reading The Aegis Crop, by William Alan Rieser →

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 35 (September 2002). Illustration: “Star Seed” by Ehrad There was major shuffling in the Luna City Confederation conference room as the examiners assembled and sat down to query their witness. That man let out a sigh, sitting nervously before them, his fingers drumming the chair rhythmically as he failed … Continue reading The Needs of the Many, by William Alan Rieser →

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 35 (September 2002). Illustration: “Sestus Probes” by Ehrad Mahogany or acrylic pemmican. Those were the unsavory colors behind his throbbing eyes and the texture of his numbed thoughts as Engineer Jahn Tonelle lowered his beleaguered, migrained head to the plastic kitchen table. He ignored his wife's breakfast of simulated … Continue reading The Blue Cabukhy, by William Alan Rieser →

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration by Romeo Esparrago The Andurian senior technician extended every one of his numerous tentacles to tweak the many circular knobs of the control array simultaneously. The timing of the adjustments had to be precise because the slightest error might allow for a radiation leak. That … Continue reading Menky’s Folly, by William Alan Rieser →

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 34 (June 2002). Illustration by Romeo Esparrago The Earth ambassador's craft slid smoothly into the docking tube of the Jekorfan Confederation satellite. Its receptor was already in place on the black transfer mat as Langford Joh stepped abruptly onto the gangplank and allowed himself to be manipulated by beam … Continue reading Fetish, by William Alan Rieser →

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Solanpus 2000” by Eric Seaholm December 12, 1978 - Bottomless Lakes State Park - due east of Roswell, New Mexico.Described by many as the most inhospitable area in the temperate zone, a place where the Pueblos knew of ancient evil but refused to say why. … Continue reading Crown Jewels, by William Alan Rieser →

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 33 (March 2002). Illustration: “Cryostate 2” by Jon Eke Something eldritch and menacing permeated his skull from the dark alley. Chollie gnawed the danger mentally, staring down a welding arc without a safety mask. Going in, he'd be blind with no foreseeable exit. The inky conundrum of the street … Continue reading Crawlspace, by William Alan Rieser →

Originally published in Planet Magazine No. 32 (December 2001). Illustration by Matt Morrow The entity was nothing at all like himself. It made the sire a trifle anxious and impulsive. The creature's imminence reminded him of an old lightshift, when a northern incursion of errant, mutant strays threatened his most creative spawn at that time. … Continue reading Trevor’s Junkyard, by William Alan Rieser →