Fiction

The Test Of Fire

Fellow Styonkars,

As SigEv just transmitted to you, the experiment has failed and I have returned. Yes, three hundred and four kosos before I was due, but remaining would only waste precious time. The Planet of Colour did not meet the criteria and I was compelled to ask Dharti to carry me back. We must begin the search for another, more worthy race. I intimate you now, before the official sabha meeting due in the eighth hissa because it is best we resume the archive searches, choose from the volunteers and draw plan layouts. The time of the bequest approaches and another deserving race must be identified before the 444th Chakker of Larissa around Styon. And this time we must choose more carefully, lest our trial fails, like it did with Earthlok.

Shashak

Sha was crying about Bergus Naysa, her former lover, because he was extremely angry about Sha and me seeing each other. She looked at me with tears streaming down her face.

Statues

I stand motionless, my breath coming in ragged shallow gasps. The only things I can afford to move are my eyes. I know it’s out there, somewhere close, and to move is to die.

Space-Station-9

Seed

For a while after hearing the proposal, Trusk sat absolutely still, taking it all in.

Then he leaned back in his seat, and squinted, as if to properly regard his friend.

Bloodmaiden

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.

Jinnetic Engineering

Dear Arthur,

I can't give you the interview you've been begging for, but at least I can now explain how I was able to change fields and accomplish so much in such a short time. It isn't the whole story, but you will find out the rest soon enough.

Partners In Something

I.

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

Playing God

After Jack was picked up by the alien spaceship, and after the round vessel had vanished into the Milky Way, he found himself walking down a tubular corridor with white vibrating walls, escorted by a sinuous blonde who smiled graciously and said her name was Minna. She was tall and well endowed, with sparkling blue eyes, but Jack knew she was a hologram.

They Never Knew: Cyber War

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.

Hair Of Derkowit

Dear friend,

It all began with an advertisement in the newspaper. The advertisement was like this: “New method for growing hair on bald head, Result assured”. Below the title it was written that a scientist named Dr. Derkowit had found a method for growing hair on bald head by prolonged research. The contact number of Derkowit’s office was given with the advt. below it was written that payment be made only if the hair grows abundantly on the bald.

AIR

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…

An Astronaut's Destiny

Mark Nelson was stoic as he entered the NASA Houston living quarters for astronauts in training. He walked to his room, opened the door, and slammed it behind him. He dropped onto his bed and stared at the ceiling. “Damn,” he said as he smashed his hand against the wall. A several minutes later, someone knocked on his door.

“Who is it?”

“Anderson. Can I come in?”

Mark sat up on the edge of the bed and said, “I really don’t want to talk to anyone right now, Bill.”

Beyond Virus

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

Alien Bites Man

Joe Blonson had always been nosy. He couldn’t help himself. Sometimes it got him into trouble, and it ruined his first marriage. He felt an irresistible urge to ask his wife: “Why’d you look so depressed in the morning, and now in the evening you’re singing and looking like a million dollars?”

Dragon Breath

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.

The Story Of My Life And Their Death

For a race of intelligent beings, humanity is not all that smart. We were never too logical, nor too practical and while we were busy unraveling the world, we forgot to unravel ourselves. So when science caught up with us and then forged ahead we were caught unawares and unable to handle it. Only if we had invested even half the amount of effort on people that we had invested on creating technology, the world would still exist.

Cotton Picking Hands

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.

The Second Replica

Fran switched on her videophone. The round, reddish face of the general manager of the GYHB (General Yol Holovision Broadcasting) appeared on the screen.

Al Jinn

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.

	Buckle Up For A Trip To A New World: A Review Of 'Red Sky, Blue Moon'
	The Ash Virus
	The Tale of Bob
	Mission 197
	R. L. Vogeler’s “Reminiscence of an American Dream”

Main menu