The chief problem with being a free trader during one of the most prolonged conflicts between two major galactic powers was both larger and smaller than one might suspect. The pressing issue that haunted Captain Hetty Gaines was that of spare parts. Spare parts were dearer than hard currency from either party in the conflict Continue
Category: Shorter Stories
Sylvia’s Garden (Magical Realism)
The fox who visited the bottom of the garden every morning at 7:45 was a holy man. Or a seer. Not a spirit guide. Martin refused to believe in spirit guides. At his age, where did he have to go? Not yet old enough for the graveyard and yet too old to sustain the hustle Continue
The Priestess from Caithel Ur (SF)
The peace and solitude needed for meditative studies was not easy to find in the crystal palace of Caithel Ur. Dagmar’s door flew open with a slam as Tara, her eldest sister, barged in. Eilir and Tegan followed close behind, filling the room with malicious energy. “Father wants you,” Tara said without preamble. “Does he? Continue
Beeve & the Demon (Paranormal)
Beeve swore and pedaled harder as yet another car honked and swerved around him. He was already riding on the shoulder. How much farther over did they think he could go? His t-shirt was stuck to his back with sweat, and he was only halfway there. Ah well, at least the rest of the trip Continue
Triumphant Pt. 2 (SF)
Previously: “How did you get on our ship?” Estelle gave Zella a cutting glare, arms folded over her chest. “I helped load your crates and didn’t get off. I hid a crate that was about my weight station-side at Antrim. Then I got myself in behind your cargo and between the ship’s ribs so that Continue
Triumphant Pt. 1 (SF)
“I’m telling you again, Captain Barnes. This is a General Union authorized free-trader hauling from Antrim VII to Wexford Station. Wexford Station is still a GU station, is it not?” Hetty paused and took her measure of the unyielding GU captain. “Or has the General Union lost territory in the last standard week since we Continue
Don’t Swipe Right Pt. 2 (PNR)
From last time: “Lord Arthuriel! We have a problem. There’s been a breach at the gate!” A young, panicked voice quavered through a surprising amount of static for a smartphone. “Shit. I’m sorry, Phillip. I was distracted.” He gave my rump a playful squeeze. “Did you call Morgana?” He slid out from under me and Continue
Don’t Swipe Right Pt. 1 (PNR)
I shouldn’t have swiped right on the sexy warlock. There was no excuse for it. All the signs were there from the beginning. The guy’s main profile picture was of him in some kind of wizard Halloween costume, clutching a cat. The background was one of those giant cotton throws with a Mandala printed on Continue
A New Friend (SF)
It had been a while since the ships stopped coming. Lillith told herself that it didn’t matter all that much. She had everything she needed. Shelter in her prefab dome. Feasts of plenty from her diverse garden. Books to read, endless vids to watch, all paid for by her simple labor of monitoring equipment that Continue
Voyagers (SF)
How come you don’t know about them? You can’t go on your first deep mission without knowing what to do if you see one. They’re out there in the black. Some say they’re from the before times, Some say they’re proof of alien life. Folks say if you see one, you’d better make a wish, Continue
