Fiction

In Sulaiman, four kingdoms stretching to the four corners of that vast land were ruled and guarded by the four dragon dynasties. To the East, upon an island hovering in the ocean not far from the coast was the Zale Dynasty, where the blue, serpent-like dragons slithered through the pure ocean waters or visited the fields, slipping so silently through the grass it looked like a gentle wind swaying the tall reeds. They were the most playful of the four dragon families, the gentlest of the four dragon rulers.

I.
 
“Jeff! JEFF! Goddamnit, Jeff! WAKE UP! You’re gonna make us lose the deal!”
 

The alleged Chinese 'attack' on Google servers to get access to the accounts of Human Rights Activists has ignited the 'cold cyber war'. The US administration has voiced its opinion on the matter. The Chinese have retorted with claims that the USA is one of the biggest hubs of cyber intrusions. This seems to be on the surface. There is much more beneath the surface. This story by Richard Tornello explores those depths. Let's see how deep the rabbit hole goes! -- Swapnil Bhartiya.

The tears blinded, yet she stumbled on. Cold stones and empty, jagged branches tore at soft legs, arms, skirt, blouse. The shawl pulled vainly around her upper body, trying to hide, conceal, forget what happened even as she delved deeper into the woods. Yet as the sun rose, its Eastern blood-red rays gleamed too bright. They too vividly reminded, forcing her to remember the cruel torture of that morning…

The Infinite medical center in Yester island. The center was bustling  with activity as usual. The Chief Doctor Arundale was in his room.

Once upon a time in a lush mountain setting there lived a dragon. He was a very lonely and unhappy dragon. He vaguely remembered his old home having left it when he was young. Dragon arrived in this world after being blown off course during a tai-fung. He had never flown so high and for so long  He could not find his way back home. He was a lost young dragon.

It was one of those 33rd century days where the sun beat down on the inhabitants of the Earth with one of the highly intensive beams of light for which it is famous for. On those kind of days, most of the residents of the city of Hugopolis, in the country that used to be known as the United States of America, tended to head up north to their cabins in the lake district, if finances permitted them such a luxury. It was especially important for them since, being canine beings, an outer layer of thick fur had implanted itself on their bodies, as it had for more than a millennium.

Eric Portland taught electronics and, to help his students, he was always on the lookout for discarded technology. Lora Portland, his wife, designed magnetic jewellery intended to help in the relief of arthritic pain. They liked to say that between electronics and magnets, theirs was a great attraction.
 
Eric found his gizmos in Op Shops. One Saturday, he and Lora were rummaging around in The Nambour Recycle Centre. Eric was contemplating a computer. Lora was head-deep in a box marked, Miscellaneous. Spotting a lamp of bilious green, she carefully dragged it out.