Issue 301, Volume 28
December 2024 / January 2025

Issue 25 Volume 03 June 1999

Editorial

Dan L. Hollifield

The Senior Editor's usual ravings about whatever…

Serialised stories and Long Fiction

In Arms We Trust Part 4 (of 5)
Vasilis Adams Afxentiou
It is not because other people are dead that our affection for them grows faint, it is because we ourselves are dying.

Superhero Nation Part 1 (of 5)
Mike Tanier
It's 2049, and any kid can call himself a superhero if he's willing to spend a little money and break a few laws.

The Journeyman Part 1 (of 5)
Allen Woods
Nothing in their lives could ever have prepared the citizens of Ithica, GA for the Journeyman.

Threat of Valleor Part 8 (of 8)
Dan L. Hollifield
The adventure pauses with this installment and will return later.

Short Stories

"Ray Guns and Space Ships and Fires…Oh My!"

Not long ago, Cary Semar posted a request on the Lettercol for more "hard SF" types of stories, tales involving space ships and science and gun fights and… Well, what started as a joke among the staff ("Gee, why don't we just have an all Space Opera issue?") is turning into a reality, with your help of course.

APHELION'S FIRST EVER THEME ISSUE IS ALMOST HERE!

Well, the submissions are all in, the inbox for the contest is now closed. Cary Semar is hard at work on the submissions even as we speak. Best of luck to all of the writers who chose to submit entries. Soon we will know the judge's decision.

The theme issue itself will be published in July 1999.

This contest is not open to the staff of Aphelion though their stories may appear in the issue if they choose to write one and if space is available.

So, those disrupter banks are fully charged, the dogs of intergalatic war have been loosed from their chains, the Grey Lensmen are on the case… may the best beings win!

A Favor
David Blalock
Assassination is more than motive, method, and opportunity. Sometimes it's about controlling the bigger picture.

Disposable Heroes
Douglas Goodman
A tale of loss and redemption in a world where heroes can be bought and sold in an interstellar black market.

Don't Look Back
Frances Taira
Commonwealth Operative Mike Campbell's first assignment is to bring Island Colony into the Interplanetary Commonwealth, bring about democratic elections, and prevent a civil war. The mysterious prophetess Medea has other ideas.

My Intended
McCamy Taylor
In Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness,' we learned that Kurtz's 'intended' is mature, independent minded and highly moral. This is her story.

Running of the Bulls
Eddie Gibbs
For everything there is a season. And an off-season.

Silent Obsession
Noel Carroll
When reality and dreams collide.

Talking Heads
Linda Kohut
This story is dedicated to those who stand guard on the frontier between reality and chaos.

The Burden of Grace
By Vasilis Adams Afxentiou
The place is the Adriatic. The time is now. But this story was already old when Moses brought down the laws.

The Hitchhiker
Hans D. Christianson
There is always someone better than you.

Poetry and Filk Music

Avalon
Iain Muir

Fate
David Blalock

The Traveler
Joseph B. St. John

When the Hobbits Fade to Grey
By Sven Kloepping

Articles and features

The Aphelion Interview: Kate Thornton
Jeff Williams
Jeff Williams sits down with one of Aphelion's most popular writers, to discuss her life and work. This is the first in a series of Interviews we will be bringing you over the next few months.

Double Wide
Jim Parnell
Alternative Radio - What Happens if you Listen Too Hard, or, I Hear the FNORDS!
WARNING: Contains language.

Wayward Musings
Kim Holec
A new column by Kim Holec,in which she discusses books and authors of note, and whatever else is on her mind.
This Month: Lois McMaster Bujold.