“Might as well.” Ukko turned. “If you like. What is it?” Akka brushed one gloved hand over the engraved panel sending away a gray mist. “Apollo 11 landing site, 1969.” He looked down from the perspex platform to the descent stage then up to the ascent stage. “I don’t like that.” “Why?” “Well all this … Continue reading Second Man
Category: Flash Science Fiction
Recall
“A thousand bucks.” Dave knows his marks. Ratface doesn’t flinch. “Cash?” “Always.” “Done deal. How long?” “Two hours.” Dave turns to me as ratface walks away. “Go get started, I’ll back the truck up.” I do a quick inventory, the bedsit isn’t big but it's worth more. So much for respecting the elderly. A … Continue reading Recall
Out of Africa
He came into the world when she was thirteen, alone and friendless, the midwife hurriedly turning her back on the mud walled hut. She held him scared and nervous as the last light filtered through the open plains of the delta, serenaded by the hyena’s call and thrashing legs through grass. She thought his face … Continue reading Out of Africa
Hot Dog
“What line of business are you in Mr. Patheson?” Ugly fucking hairy ape-woman, what do you know of business? Just rent me the space and be done with it. You’ll find out my business soon enough. “Entertainment Cindii, a little import export on the side.” “I see.” No you don’t, none of your ugly symmetrical … Continue reading Hot Dog
Lesson
Jake Yancy’s parents were like all parents, happy and scared when their small bundle of joy popped out. They did their best as best they could, squeezing him into their busy lives between work, sleep, friends and Netflix. Like most they won some and lost some, like us all they didn’t know which was which. … Continue reading Lesson
Sex and the Single Cosmonaut
The clouds of Jupiter beckon, endless shifting coffee cream swirls of gas and dust folding and unwrapping in melting deep rivers, soaring mountains of colour. I want to reach in, dig down and clutch my hands drawing up tendrils of the floss, wisps falling from my fingers, misty cascades of super chilled gas insanely, killingly … Continue reading Sex and the Single Cosmonaut
Vocation
Abbot Johannes gazed at the twenty-four professed gathered before him, the bitter chill of early February penetrating the bare stone chapel. The taking of vows, the final irrevocable admission of a brother to the community was solemn, a time of thanks. This one was unique, a loss-tinged joy. Having remained prostrated, naked in penitential reverence … Continue reading Vocation
Darkstar
It was a typical departure lounge, exceedingly cold, bare, entirely antiseptic. Two chairs, two doors, two beings. An appropriate point to leave one life for another. He looked up. “Even so we must go through the formalities. You are aware of the choice?” “Yes. Pain, misunderstanding, isolation and struggle for the chance of genius, creativity, … Continue reading Darkstar
Under Their Nose
T – 00:00:05:00 P.A. “Five.” 696e:6f77::616d. 01000111.01001111.01001111.01000100 MisOpSys. “System’s good.” Consul01. 01001111.01001011.01000111.01001111 T – 00:00:04:00 P.A. “Four.” 696e:6f77::616d. 01010111 01001000 01000001 01010100 01010100 01001000 01000101 01000110 01010101 01000011 01001011 01010111 01001000 41 01010100 01010100 01001000 01000101 01000110 55 01000011 01001011 01010111 01001000 A 54 01010100 01001000 01000101 46 U 01000011 01001011 01010111 48 A T … Continue reading Under Their Nose
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Three a.m. and I’m going, stuffing clothes haphazardly in my duffel bag, cash in my back pocket, fear in my heart. A few more hours, a few more miles will buy me some time, just a little. I grab my wrist, re-set my id randomizer. I’m now Konrad Abernnor, MD. It’ll do. * * * … Continue reading Jesus Just Left Chicago
