She Loved Me, But...
... I didn't love her. She cried when I told her we could never see each other again. Outside, I looked up at her window for some time. That night my Replicator worked overtime. By morning, the clone of me was almost perfect; only a critical emotion differed. I sent him to her, with roses. |
She Didn't Love Me
She slapped my face. I couldn't believe it. How could she reject me? After drinking too much in my laboratory, I went to the Replicator. I found one of her hairs on my coat, and fed it into the machine. By morning, her clone was perfectly formed. The clone slapped me too. |
Mirrors Reflect Not Themselves
The reader sat back and began reading the tiny story. "That's odd," the reader thought. "It mentions me." The writer paused in his typing. Suddenly he realised the reader was reading his story before it was finished. "Go away," he typed, and failed to finish the |
Sleep is But a Doorway
Anna woke feeling tired, then the day got hectic. Chased the cat, saw the vet, wrote a short story, argued with Margaret. She was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. At the exact same moment, Yiing woke on the other side of the world. "That was a strange dream," thought Yiing. |
The Slime From Planet Vallauris
Aboard the Starship Legacy, no-one saw the green glowing slime monster ooze its way onto the flight deck. By the time they did, it was poised to launch its attack. The Chef Robot watched as the ooze sprang towards the helpless crew. Iki opened his mouth wide, swallowing it whole. "Hmm, tasty." He belched. |
Editor of the Times
Yeah, I know him. He's always worked for the newspaper, long as I can remember. Strange how his articles anticipate events. Interviewed that vulcanologist one week before the eruption. Saved a lot of lives. Exposed those faulty train brakes. Now you mention it, he does seem younger. Looks only nineteen these days. Strangest thing. |
After the Nuclear War
The robotic scavenger's claw closed on a tin of dog food. "That'll last us for another day," said the twelve year old child manipulating the controls back at the base. He moved the joystick, but the can wouldn't budge. He panned the robot's camera. Another robot's claw held the can tight. |
Mars and Venus on a Date
Mars and Venus, most famous of the Immortal Gods, went on a date. Afterwards, Mars walked her home and kissed her cheek. Ten thousand years later they went on another date. Mars walked her home and kissed her lips. She slapped his face. "I don't rush into relationships, you know!" |
The True Story of Atlantis
Rhadamanthus, King of the happy island of Atlantis, stood to address the crowd. "Friends, you will be the first to see my latest invention, a miniaturisation device." He threw the lever. A purple ray shrunk a temple to fit in his palm. He tried to switch it off; the lever broke. "Whoops," he said. |
The Hobbit's Quest
Kittiadoc Lacebuckle, the hobbit from Westbarge County, raised the glowing sword carefully. Lirion Melismator whispered across the table. "It is Elfslayer, one of the thirteen Swords of Power, designed to destroy all the good peoples of the world." "Oh," replied Kit, before using it to slice the cake. "Anyone for apple and cinnamon pie?" |
Double Agent on Moon Base X
"Torture me." |
And Now You Die!
Agent 7 drew his gun, aiming at David, bound to a chair. David kicked 7's arm, shouting. The door burst open; guards ran in. They grappled, with the gun pressed against David's head. David worked one hand free. As 7's finger squeezed the trigger, David threw the safety catch. Click! David opened his eyes. |
The Mugger
The mugger shouted "Gimme that." |
On the Bridge of the Starship Legacy
"Anyone for a game of Qu'Bindi?" asked Lycroft. Everyone groaned. |
Terraforming Mars
The project to adjust Mars's atmosphere was nearing completion. |