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Issue 140 Volume 14 February 2010
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Editorial
Dan L. Hollifield
The Senior Editor's usual rants about whatever…
Serials and Novellas
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Weregild
Kristen Lee Knapp
A sword and sorcery story about a woman seeking revenge against the man who murdered her father.
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The Voices of Angels
Gil Miller
What is the noise down the pond that keeps disturbing the sleep of Harvey, a 78 year old retired farmer? And why does he keep
hearing the voice of his dead wife?
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The Essential Nightwatch
In preparation for the upcoming launch of a new series of "Nightwatch" tales, Jeff Williams presents the story
that introduced Simon Litchfield and his colleagues back in June, 2004:
Nightwatch:
Dragon's Egg
Robert Moriyama
To some, the Nightwatch Institute for Strategic and Economic Studies was an adviser to governments and major corporations. To others, it
provided expertise and equipment to help build — or rebuild — vital services in every corner of the world. But Nightwatch did
its most important work in the shadows … For Dr. Simon Litchfield, engineer, linguist, and — other things, the discovery of a
mysterious object in Afghanistan was just another day at the office.
Best Long Fiction of 2009 (Selected by McCamy Taylor)
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New Columbia
J. B. Hogan
Ari Blanque is a citizen of a futuristic world which has been divided, race against race, class against class, civilian versus
military. As a rich young man of privilege, he has never had to work or accomplish anything. However, he has one skill. He is a demon
when he gets behind the wheel of his car. This talent attracts the attention of rebels, who need a driver to help them reach their
base near the legendary paradise, New Columbia. Against his will, Ari undertakes a long and dangerous journey, during which he learns
the secrets of the brave new world which people like his father helped create.
(This epic tale originally appeared in three parts, from October 2009 through December 2009 / January 2010.)
Pop Fly
N. J. Kailhofer
A tale of miners versus pirates in outer space. (The author tells us that "An earlier draft of this story won an Honorable
Mention in the L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest, 2004. Adding up all the different versions, MS word says this
story has been revised 76 times since the first draft in '94 (when it was a 3rd person story). Enough is enough.")
(Originally appeared in the June, 2009 issue.)
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Three Revolvers On Mars
Kristen Lee Knapp
A tale of murder and revenge set in the future.
(Originally appeared in the September, 2009 issue.)
Lady Of Knives
Chad Banks
Figuring out who killed a member of a rival gang is the easy part for Monkey and his companions. Stopping her and her knives is
much more of a problem.
(Originally appeared in the December 2009 / January 2010 issue.)
The Lost Clones of Sakamoto Hero
McCamy Taylor
Sadie Hope is a clone with a terminal disease. Exiled to an "isolation facility" to die, with gunmen on her trail, her
life seems to be headed in the wrong direction — until she encounters the Lost Clones of Sakomoto Hero. This story is a sequel,
of sorts, to "A Study in Silicon", about the artificial intelligence, Mycroft.
(Originally appeared in the August, 2009 issue.)
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Short Stories
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In A Time Past
J. E. Deegan
Cleo and her beloved dog, Joe — or at least their spirits — visited their graves every year, remembering the lives
they had led and the events that had ended their brief lives. But this year would be different…
The Homecoming
K. A. Masters
When Larissa Macsterna found the stranded and injured merman in the tidal pool, her life would never be the same.
Dreams On The Wind
Steele
Tyler Filipek
As punishment for their crimes, working on the Atlantic Basin High-Altitude Wind Plant — a gigantic wind turbine suspended
miles above the earth — had seemed better than the death penalty. But if Corey and Jackson couldn't fix the cables that
kept the machine suspended like an enormous kite, they would ride the wreckage all the way down.
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The Rebound Effect
Roderick
D. Turner
He thought he was pretty ordinary — less than ordinary, judging the way most people treated him. But then the girl said he
had potential, and told him to meet her yesterday…
Wanderling
Benjamin Taylor
Jr.
The Captain of the Wanderling seemed to think his current assignment as skipper of a research vessel was boring after years
commanding combat ships. The Chief Scientist almost agreed with him — their mission to gather water samples from remote locales
was hardly likely to produce any interesting results. The First Officer, however, found magic in the simplest things.
The Collector
James Mascia
Jerry was a collector. He retrieved surveillance devices from their observation stations when their tasks were complete. It
onlylooked like he was kidnapping children from their beds.
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Best Short Stories of 2009 (Selected by Robert Moriyama)
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The Glass Cage
James Lecky
Ulphia's beauty was legendary. No man could resist it. To preserve it, she would pay any price…
(Originally appeared in the February 2009 issue.)
The Wellness Center
Lee
Gimenez
When humans colonized Azulation, they found the natives to be very useful, as slave labor — and more. But when some of the
Blues forget their place, Detective Erik Larson must investigate.
(Originally appeared in the March 2009 issue.)
Faux Pair
Patrick Welch
Apprentice thief Brendell was elated to be given an important assignment the moment he arrived in Perlenz. There was, of course, a
catch — no one who had attempted the job in the past had returned.
(Originally appeared in the April 2009 issue.)
Virtual
T. Richard Williams
Alexis was to participate in a total-immersion telepresence mission to Sedna. Two men thought they knew why; both were wrong.
(*Contains adult situations*)
(Originally appeared in the May 2009 issue.)
Invitation Only
Noel
Carroll
Cassie and her husband wanted to see something special on their vacation in the Greek islands. They got their wish at a quaint,
very out of the way restaurant…
(Originally appeared in the June 2009 issue.)
Wood, Mud, Blood
Mark Ward
The wizard Edmund Farrier had been sent to investigate trouble in the North Country — an escalating battle between the
king's soldiers and an army of ludkin — magically animated wooden men…
(Originally appeared in the July 2009 issue.)
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The Sword in Zoe's Hand
Gary W. Feather
All that Zoe had left of Michael — her lover and her sensei — was a sword and the skill to use it. And with zombies
everywhere, it was a very good thing to have.
(Originally appeared in the August 2009 issue.)
Pale Nations of the Dead
James Lecky
In Pame Glorias, the Llorona Xalbadora wept tears of rucrystal, and waited for one who could free her from her eternal sorrow.
(Originally appeared in the September 2009 issue.)
Rad Day
Roderick D. Turner
Most people sealed themselves in their homes on Rad Days, when radiation levels rose to dangerous levels. But intrepid reporter
Kayla Foster knew that the best stories happened when the weirdos figured there were no witnesses…
(Originally appeared in the October 2009 issue.)
Blood, Bears, and Canvas
P. F. White
A two-fisted — well, two-pawed — tale set in the dark and dirty world of underground interspecies boxing.
(Originally appeared in the November 2009 issue.)
Thy Kingdom Come, My Will Be
Done
Frederick Rustam
The starship TerraNav carried scholars for every major discipline on a mission of exploration. Unfortunately, it also carried a
frustrated Chaplain and an A.I. that was eager to hear The Word.
(Originally appeared in the December 2009 / January 2010 issue.)
Receipt For A Dragon
Stuart
Sharp
Brian was between jobs, and about to be between girlfriends, thanks to his love of reptiles. Investigating the odd receipt he
found in an old book would at least occupy his time.
(Originally appeared in the December 2009 / January 2010 issue.)
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 Best Mare Inebrium Tales of 2009
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The Door of Renown
Jaimie L.
Elliott
The games people play is as nothing when compared to what deities can get up to the Mare Inebrium's Pantheon Room… Gods
and heroes and writers- Oh my! Jaimie Elliott's first ever Mare Inebrium story!
(Originally appeared in the March 2009 issue.)
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Never Friday
Greg Barozzi
When the two Captains of the Silver Moon return to the Mare Inebrium, Max isn't very glad to see them. But they buy their way
into Max's good graces with a large credit chip, and a sad story. After all, in the Mare Inebrium, a story to tell is as valuable
as hard currency…
(Originally appeared in the September 2009 issue.)
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Results of Forum Flash Challenges for December 2009
Congratulations to David Alan Jones, winner of the December 2009 Forum Flash Challenge. Take vicarious delight in
David's tale of icy wish fulfillment Winter of My Disc
Content, then rub the enchanted object of your choice (getcher minds out of the gutter, you in the back) five more times while
you read the other enchanting entries.
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Results of Forum Flash Challenges for January 2010
Congratulations to Bill Wolfe, winner of the January 2010 Forum Flash Challenge. Grumble along with
Bill's protagonist as he copes with a surfeit of time tourists in Case in Point, then elbow your way through eight more flash
mobs from the future. And watch for the next challenge just in time (more or less) for Valentine's Day!
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Best Flash Challenge Stories of 2009 (Selected N. J. Kailhofer)
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Forever the
Day
J. Davidson Hero
An old tree, an archivist, and a rescued girl combine for a Christmas tale that still makes the Flash Editor misty every time he
reads it.
The Model
Maker
Richard Tornello
The greatest lesson Mario could learn lay before him on the workbench, but it took him almost a lifetime to figure it out.
Salviati's
Siren
J. Davidson Hero
Marooned on the distant planet Salviati, botanist Sola Gardiner had to use all her skills to not be forgotten.
The Warm
Equations
Bill Wolfe
Billy's guilt consumed him. He had to save Mary, but she wasn't about to be stopped.
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Masterwork
David Alan
Jones
Simon Labree: Artist, inventor, thief, and troll.
The Ghost of
Christmas Past
Casey Callaghan
An asteroid miner gets an unexpected visitor in this Campfire Ghost story.
Old
Mary
Bill Wolfe
Almost everyone thinks it's great to gather around a campfire on a chilly night. Some people know better.
The Devil in the
Details
Casey Callaghan
The Devil went to see a painter. It was a meeting neither would soon forget.
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Poetry and Filk Music
Best Poetry and Filk of 2009
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Articles and features
Best of 2009 Features
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A Few Words About Dogs
McCamy Taylor
McCamy takes a trip to the futuristic world of Miwa Shirow in this manga review.
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Aphelion Webzine is © 1999-2023 by Dan L. Hollifield
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