Stories tagged “science-fiction”
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Through The Forest (Part 2)
Katie and Ron continued to walk through the silent forest, every step forward being harder to take than the last. They walked in silence waiting eagerly to hear something, anything. Then Katie jumped and screamed as she looked down at her leg. The roo...
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After Hours
He grabbed the arm and twisted. The man yelped, and Voln pulled him down into the fetid water, leaving him crumpled and soaking at the cyborg’s feet. The last man’s knife traced an uncertain path through the air. Eventually he decided that the blad...
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After a few more Hours
Still muttering about unannounced telekinesis, Voln stepped over the thug in the water, leaving him to gurgle a trail of agonised bubbles into the muddy puddle. He approached the leading man, who was rubbing at a fresh cut on his forehead and wearing a...
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Accidents in the Workplace
Turner knew as soon as the word slipped out of his mouth that this wouldn’t end well. “Bollocks” was a generally accepted indication that things were going to get really bad really, really quickly. Another good indicator was the Engin...
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Escape
Esterus Marvor reclined in the seat of his PPX starcruiser, a more than capable interstellar craft, and wallowed in the self-gratification of a job well done. After successfully receiving the “goods” from his contact on the surface and evad...
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To The Editor
Following the letters from Messrs Lyle and Trisin, I feel obliged to defend Mrs. Khaster’s production of Guardian Front. While it certainly featured anachronisms and few would deny that Iowa Moore’s cameo as Stephen Mogahn was a frankly baffling ca...
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Practical Applications of Game Theory
The jungle moved. Dense leaves and thick grasses surrounded trees bigger than the drop ship that had brought them in. Sensors were off due to the constant motion. “They say that everything changes at night.” Karen glanced away from the wind...
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How Far is Too Far?
When Richard opened his eyes, the blue lights and blurred vision from cryo-stasis disrupted the dream. A moment ago, a red-headed woman had cupped his face and was in the middle of whispering something exciting into his ear. He tried to will her back i...
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To be a Guardian- Il'yanni's Trial
Hand over hand, I climbed the knotted rope. I don’t know how long I climbed, but the ground fell away under me. Difficult work, but my prey was a difficult man. Looking up, I examined my progress. The rope disappeared into clouds that hugged the ...
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Know Thy Enemy
The corsair descended upon the frigate like a bird of prey. Gravity cannons anchored them to the larger ship and the crew of the Last Man readied a boarding party. There were slaves to be had. Plunder was nice, but slaves were the real prize. On the Ya...
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Less Than Stellar Working Conditions
It was getting hot and the humid heat always made me claustrophobic. Sweat drenched my hair and gathered on my forehead, making my face itch. The suit that prevented me from wiping away the sweat was miserable to work in, and a general pain in the ass....
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The First Sign of Danger
“I’m in the middle of something, whatchoo need?” I knew I came off gruff. I often did when I was busy or a mistake could cost me my life. “Nice to hear you too, Jailen.” It was Cas. “Seriously, I’m doing some w...
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In Between Minds: The Price
The world swam before my eyes. I tried to remember what had happened last time- hallucinations? There was a part of myself locked away, trapped on the other side of the gulf inside my mind and I had just pushed it even further away. Reality fell apart....
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In Between Minds: Thoughts of Safety
Safe? I’d never been safe. My parents had watched, helpless as the cruel hand of the government had plucked me from my home and taken me to Camp 32. Despite assurances that we would be cared for by the best, the government did nothing to protect ...
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In Between Minds: Cascade of Deceptions
A blanket of snow covered the roof of the train car. There is no sign of anybody. It’s dangerous up here. I repeated the images over and over. By the time the officer’s hat peeked over the edge, he was breathing hard and glancing to the gro...
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In Between Minds: Tide of Rage
Panic and cursing followed my display of power. It was short-lived as one man snapped orders and the officer’s military conditioning kicked in. “Back up! Everybody back up! You two, climb those cars over there. On my signal shoot her. Thoug...
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In Between Minds: Storm of Consequences
I awoke to the rhythmic staccato of a moving train, and to a pair of voices. Soft-spoken, yet stern they discussed my future. My mouth tasted of blood and my head felt like someone had used it as a football. I didn’t think I was hallucinating- th...
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In Between Minds: Moment of Renewal
I had so many questions but the other voice didn’t respond to them. I didn’t know if it was ignoring me or gone. Was I getting crazier? Sometimes that happened to us. My stomach reminded me that food had been promised. I wanted to take a qu...
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In Between Minds: Disconcerting Revelations
Several piles of clothes in various cuts and sizes had been provided. I started getting dressed, selecting pieces for durability and warmth. I never wanted to be cold again. The conversation continued in my head and as confusing as it was, I needed ans...
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In Between Minds: Abatement
The solyanka was thicker than I was used to, almost like porridge, but the delicate balance of spicy, sweet, and sour was perfect. I felt some of my lost strength returning as the throbbing pain in my head lessened. While I ate, I studied the people wh...
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In Between Minds: Dreams and Nightmares
As the steward backed out, Kseniya reached into her pocket and gave him a handful of money. If that was the tip, then how much had the food cost? The math was boggling. My eyes must have revealed my amazement, for she smiled at me and said, “That...
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In Between Minds- Precipice of Responsibility
The closer I got to the door, the slower I moved. A few feet from it, I stopped entirely. “If tying up loose ends is rule two, then what is rule one?” “Why obedience, of course.” At that moment he sounded like the Polkovnik. The...
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In Between Minds- Distorted Revelations
The door slammed open. ‘Sir’ stood there scowling. His jacket bulged making me suspect he had retrieved his gun. “Plans have changed. You’ve seen what we wanted you to see. Remember this, " he said pointing to the Polkovnik...
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In Between Minds- Final Preparations
“Our choices are limited but this does have the advantage of being a kind of final test. I need you to understand that we have made an effort to stay out of the way, to not get directly involved- until you. Many people will get hurt and probably ...
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In Between Minds: An Unbalancing Act
The train began to pick up speed as it left the station. It wasn’t packed, but more passengers rode with us than before. That thought gave me some comfort. “Whatever you did, undo it. Now.” Martin growled. Sweat beaded along the hard ...