Erik has sewn a thousand tabs of LSD into the seam of the strap in his backpack. A sheet of Purple Ohms neatly cut into long strips of fifty-by-two and carefully wrapped in clear cellophane. He has kept fifty for the journey and has them stowed under the tight skin of his African drum. “We’re... Continue Reading →
In The Same Place – Matt Hobbs
‘Pull yourself together,’ Messalina said to Henri Delacourt, as they sat in the Limehouse Water Bar. The ancient poet in the tatty blue corduroy jacket stared down into his vodka club soda. She could only see bushy grey brows where eyes should be. So irritating, she thought; if you’re going to ask my opinion at... Continue Reading →
Pilgrimage of the Black Shepherd – Jack Barry
The dew had settled on the grass. Fog, dense, is the pressed cheek of the sky flush against the earth. The heavy water in the air fills the lungs. There are shapes in the mist, the great swelling figures cast shadows as they are born from the water, traverse the dewdrop grass, and dissolve again... Continue Reading →
Laborotics – Degen Hill
Electricity coursed through the concrete bunker that housed Unit 11, bringing the 30 androids to life. Green lights atop each mechanical worker flickered on while their gears clicked, unlocking them from their charge stations. C-17 clenched his black mechanical hand into a fist and then slowly flexed each of his five, tri-jointed metal fingers until... Continue Reading →
The Junkyard King – John Tarrant
A shimmering red bubble surrounded The Junkyard King, a foot-tall midget in a diaper. He stood on a tower of smashed cars and space cruisers. Black hair covered his chest. A small flask lay at his feet and he clutched a fat cigar and blew clouds of smoke. In the other hand he held a... Continue Reading →
Fortunius Bix and the Second Thought – Han Adcock
What could happen in a second? The question entered Bix's head as the Circle stared at the Maut Collider. It was malfunctioning again. Something in the program wasn't running properly, most likely. It only takes a second for something to give. Bix came from quite a large and well-stocked family of idiots, although all the... Continue Reading →
A Heavenly Price – Mike Murphy
John Lewis did not understand why he had been chosen to make this decision. It would affect everyone on Earth! He didn’t want to make it. He wasn’t a Washington politician or a member of one of those think tanks. He was a farmer who, with his wife and two sons pitching in, was just... Continue Reading →
Cleopatra’s Needle – Tom Howard
She ignored the New Cairo mayor sitting across from her until he spoke. “We are honored by your presence so soon after your last visit to the Western Lands, Your Highness.” Cleopatra, the forty-seventh pharaoh of that name, turned her attention from the gray skyscrapers outside the limousine window. The Royal Scribe sat beside her,... Continue Reading →
The Tunnel Merchants – Steve Carr
Staring at the flitling, Koona Mau winced as the light from it burned through the thin white tissue that covered his large eyeballs. He had his elongated yellow fingers wrapped around the bubble she was encased in, grasping it lovingly. His loud sighs of contentment echoed in his burrow. He laid back on his bed... Continue Reading →
