Stories tagged “Alternate History”
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Russia Enters the Great War
1942 Sitting in the place of honor among his court, Tsar Nicholas II, Autocrat of All the Russias, reflected on his long inglorious life. Following giants like his father and grandfather, was it inevitable that he was dim in comparison? The war with Ja...
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Not According To Plan
Our cause being almost lost, something decisive and great must be done. — John rode up to the back door of the building, his horse’s hooves clopping on the cobblestone street. He was happy to see some stagehands that he knew milling around ...
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There and Back Again
The tension was unbearable. Seconds from now the LSH-13 mission would launch, ending mankind’s 40 year exile on this island Earth. I remember when manned spaceflight was an adventure. We had landed on the moon and had gone back. Then tragedy stru...
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Telephone
Officer Kurns found him standing in the doorway to a little room just off the study, looking deep in thought. “Detective? What are you-?” she began and drew up short when she saw what lay beyond him. The room was unfurnished, except for an ...
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Night Raid
Night-time and they’d come back for more. The huge gun swung around in a haemorrhage of steam, sounding good. Behind me, Avez was loading the first rune into the chamber. It was squat and densely inscribed – European design, in contrast to ...
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High Society
The night began like any other. A steady stream of guests entered in to the ballroom, and after her father had welcomed them all, the evening began. Servants filtered throughout the crowd, serving champagne and small foodstuffs as couples began the fi...
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An Uninvited Dance
“Yes,” she said quickly. He led her to the floor and they began to waltz. As they fell into the rhythm of the music, she glanced over her shoulder in time to see the Earl’s son stalk moodily away. She breathed a quiet sigh and realize...
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Appeasement and Appearances
The moment stretched to a minute as they continued, their movements synchronized in dance. He finally spoke again. “I’ve irritated you?” Nothing. He sighed. “Forgive me. I understand that our interaction has been…unusual....