Even Richard Doutman’s modified XSV-9 struggled beneath the weight of the emergency transport trailer. His cycle hadn’t been designed to transport two dozen 12- and 13-year-olds against the movement of the Trans-Continental Conveyor. He didn’t mind. He expected his life to be interesting. “How’re they holding up?” Local patrolman George…
“Now if you would close your eyes, Mr. Eldritch. For some reason, it won’t project properly unless we shut our eyes for about half a minute beforehand.” Theodore Eldritch obliged the scientist. “No need to be dramatic, Chris.” “I—don’t misunderstand, sir. I’m not trying to be dramatic. You really won’t…
The alarms jerked Andrey from a deep slumber. He swam in thick memories, disoriented, the insistent drilling of the alarm dragging him to consciousness. He woke, lost, having let something slip away, something he had thought important while still asleep. He pushed the lid of his sleeping capsule open and…
Without looking back, Lamar stepped through the rip in space-time, knowing well he might die. It didn’t bother him much. Treated like a mech-drone, abused by the whole star-lost community, if he died, he’d find peace sooner than later. A strange pulling sensation gripped his body, as if he were…
The wall screens blazed with blinding speed as Pat “The Jack” O’Brien and Merlcon the Merciless vied for first place in the Trans-Galactic Scramble. The patrons of Heddie’s Sports Bar shouted over one another as the Jack edged ahead. Annie Worlitzer sat alone in a corner, watching the commotion and…
When the dust cleared and he regained his sense of direction, Tycho found he was looking at the sky. The clouds lay thick, low, almost motionless. Next to him, Eli was opening the vehicle’s hatch. With a whoosh, cold air rushed into the cockpit. Tycho inhaled a deep draught of…