Each week, Jimmy Jack visits the bubble that protects Yogi. Yogi is the community smartman, and he is obliged to honestly answer Jimmy Jack's questions. Yet when Yogi discovers an intelligence amid the stars, the natural order between a community and its smartman becomes jeopardized, and Jimmy Jack and Yogi must reevaluate their friendship before the first saucer lands.Generations of genetic modifications have destroyed the smartmen's resistance to the plague. Fragile and susceptible to that terrible disease, the smartmen who hoped to reengineer their minds to rise above the poor and less fortunate find themselves at the mercy of the common folk for shelter. Housed in plastic bubbles maintained by the populace, the smartmen must weekly hear the troubles and travails of their communities and offer their best advice, a payment the communities demand in exchange for the maintenance and care given to the bubbles that protect the smartmen from disease. But the smartmen find a new hope to return to the top of the social ladder when they discover an alien intelligence amid the stars. They hire work crews from their communities and race to construct a giant radio with which to communicate with those alien minds that might know how to free them from disease and their bubbles. Only, the smartmen are not the only ones interested in speaking with those beings visiting from the stars, and not everyone welcomes the thought of the smartmen finding freedom from their plastic shelters. Views: 850
Finding the one you're meant to be with can transform your life. Sometimes you don't realise how lonely you are,until you meet them. Awake or asleep,they're your soulmate.When Eric learns that the weather in Hollow has been acting strangely, he returns to the magical town to help his friends with the danger they might face soon.Eric and his friends have to understand what is wrong with the weather and why the boys are getting paler day by day. Could the truth be hidden in the dark depths of the cave? And what is hidden inside the fountain on the square?To solve the Fountain Riddle, Eric and his friends will have to fight the Pied Piper and his rats, visit a 19th century ball, and catch the boy in the painting. Views: 832
The men in the tight suits and narrow ties grow wealthy by cultivating the worth of their towers’ sparkle. Yet their economy depends upon the toil of the polishers, who work to keep so much glass clean. A magic dancer jeopardizes the fragile skyline when her steps summon a thundering herd, turning the polishers into hunters, and threatening to shatter all the foundations made of fragile glass.Doug Stewart counts himself among the men who sit atop the city’s sparkling towers of glass. Doug is troubled while his colleagues, dressed in their tight suits and narrow ties, enjoy the wealth delivered by their skyline’s glimmer and sparkle; for Doug counts the terrifying number of polishers who are leaping from their scaffolds rather than face another day with the mop and the broom. And Doug sees the signs of a mighty dust storm brewing above the wild lands to the east, and he fears that the wind prepares to carry a force into his world capable of suffocating the faith civilization places in those fragile towers built of glass. Views: 831
Vast. Criminal. Enterprise. The New World Order is in full swing. Country by country, economic warfare is bringing ordinary people to their knees. Meanwhile, presumed dead and perpetually on the run, John and Jane are having a mid-life crisis. Can this marriage and democracy be saved? All Greek To Me - Book II in The Quiet Rooms Trilogy.Vast. Criminal. Enterprise. The New World Order is in full swing. Country by country, economic warfare is bringing ordinary people to their knees. Meanwhile, presumed dead and perpetually on the run, John and Jane are having a mid-life crisis. Can this marriage and democracy be saved? All Greek To Me - Book II in The Quiet Rooms Trilogy. Views: 828
Poppy McKeever is reluctant to move to an old cottage on Dartmoor - until she discovers that her new home comes complete with its own pony. But life at Riverdale is not as straight-forward as it seems, especially when Poppy spies a flash of white in the woods next to the cottage. Who is the mysterious pony running wild on the moor - and will Poppy ever be able to tame him?Poppy McKeever is reluctant to move to an old cottage on Dartmoor - until she discovers that her new home comes complete with its own pony. But life at Riverdale is not as straight-forward as it seems, especially when Poppy spies a flash of white in the woods next to the cottage. Her stepmother Caroline is acting strangely and her adrenalin-junkie brother Charlie is on the hunt for big cats. But will Charlie's obsession drive the two children into dangerous territory? And when Poppy is faced with a terrible dilemma - to save her brother or the pony she has always longed for - who will she choose? Views: 827
Famous memory-maker and artist Mr. Moon shatters the natural hierarchy separating human and synthetic when a clone of the Company’s Gus line explodes into flame in an attempt to set a new motorcycle jump record. A new church rises, one that views clones of that Gus line as divine. The world holds its breath as a new order forms after tasting a divine memory harvested by a simple clone.Registrar Lester Ferris has never seen anything like it. Fervent followers of the Risen Moon consider the Company’s line of Gus model clones as divine beings, as reborn vessels holding the soul of that deceased Gus clone lost in the flames of a failed motorcycle jump engineered by the world’s favorite creator of memories, Mr. Moon.Registrar Ferris grasps for bearing as the world spins around him. He fails to recognize his place after witnessing the motorcycle accident that kills that fateful clone of the Company’s athletic and strong Gus line. The Bureau forces him to carry a gun. He chases clone abominations in the streets. He dons riot gear and strains to disperse angry crowds. When he had first signed on to the Bureau, his only duty had been to check paperwork and to scan that Company brand that circles every manufactured clone’s right eye.And Registrar Ferris realizes that those of the Risen Moon consider him most special. For he is the Registrar who wears the pink tie, the Registrar who witnessed first-hand that motorcycle accident that through flame forged a divine memory, the Registrar who yearns for reunion with a lost love.For those of the Risen Moon believe that Lester Ferris possesses the last bits of knowledge needed to reveal death’s secret to all of mankind. Views: 817
Mr. Sievers is a relic of a lost time. His knowledge of fine arts has earned him his post as the art gallery's curator. But the modern art world doesn't need the curator's trained eye. For the paint-by-number templates determine what the curator mounts upon his walls. Mr. Sievers feels helpless until a dark painting unexpectedly arrives at his gallery to rekindle the stale art world with new fire.The strange painting Max Sievers mounts upon the wall confuses the gallery's customary visitors. The guests' tastes have been cultivated over the last many years by the template kits sold in the gift shop. Guests are accustomed to reviewing the works of artists who carefully follow directions and keep their pigments carefully contained between the template's black outlines. Those guests lack the tools to understand the wild and abstract painting that Max Sievers one day centers in his exhibition room. They may not understand it, but those guests cannot deny the power of that strange canvas. That painting sets one visitor's soul on fire, and so sends Max Sievers out into the ruined district of town to search for the artist whose opus wall holds the potential to bring the art world to its knees. Views: 817
The orange blight threatens to consume the planet of Geralt. Dr. Rhodes races through the planet's golden grassland on a mission to vaccinate the children against the deadly blight, but his mission is nearly impossible. For the patriots of Zeb Griffin, bound to accept the law of no man but their own, resist Dr. Rhodes' efforts at the peril of their families and their planet.Hanson Potts loaded his family onto a starliner and floated the long months to the colony of Geralt with hopes of living free from the interference of the United Systems. He has worked hard alongside his fellow compatriots of Zeb Griffin, and their efforts to complete their construction contract reward them with a planet untainted by the United Systems' bureaucracy. The golden grasses that cover the landscape seem like an Eden until the first blotches of the orange blight appear in the fields. The blight brings horrible and merciless death. When the United Systems sends Dr. Rhodes to the planet to vaccinate the children and suffocate the disease, Hanson Potts must decide if it is best to compromise his faith so that his Maggie receives a needle's medicine, or if it is best to endanger those he loves for the principals that define him. Views: 808
The crimson blossoms of the alien firedrop flower pull mankind into the stars. Though the firedrop offers no taste nor nutritional value, there is little humanity would not sacrifice to serve the firedrop upon a household's finest china. Space knows a thousand ways to kill those who dare float amid the stars, and yet the simple pulse and glow of an alien weed make all the dangers worthwhile.Catastrophe promotes Sal Maddox to the position of a harvester aboard the starship Klondike. But Sal is a green recruit, having served aboard the Klondike for only a few hops between the stars. Sal's education in harvesting the glowing firedrop, in collecting that treasure that swoons the hearts of women and men, must be a quick one. For he must face the dangers of descending to that small moon crowded by a giant and angry planet, where gravity and the void kill so easily those who dare journey to look upon the firedrop teeming in its strange soil. The harvest changes more than just Sal's bones, until that young spacer's heart calls a new landscape home. Views: 808
The Vagary Tales are a collection of eight short stories that each follow a separate path on a wandering journey. Several genres are represented, so there is a story to appeal to almost anyone.The Vagary Tales are a collection of eight short stories that each follow a separate path on a wandering journey. Several genres are represented, so there is a story to appeal to almost anyone."What is Right" is a story about Christian, a young man who finds himself unable to recall his recent past. This puts him in danger when he discovers that remembering may cost him his life."The Man in Black" is my tribute to the great Johnny Cash. See how many song titles you can find in this short story about George, a prisoner in Folsom Prison."Without a Trace" tells of the adventures of Todd and Charles who find a pair of underwear that turn the wearer invisible."Three Gifts from the Queen" is an epic fantasy about a visit Lord Ranor makes to see the Queen. She presents to him three gifts: great and terrible gifts that Ranor wishes he hadn't received."Cross Word" is a short story of a woman cursed with a cryptic message in her New York Times."Sweet Tea" is a story about a boy, and his dog, Barnard. Poor Barnard has post traumatic mowing syndrome. Lance asks his neighbor, Mr. Wegner, if he can help alleviate Barnard's psychosis."The Grass is Greener" gives reason #52 why you shouldn't take your wife golfing.Being a high-level assassin isn't all its cracked up to be. Just when you think you have it all--expensive suits, fast cars, weekends on a yacht, travel to exotic lands--everything you know comes crashing down around you. Jake Monday hates Mondays more than any other day of the week. This Monday will change his life forever. "Jake Monday" is an excerpt from my upcoming (2013) series. Views: 777
Goodman Asher has marred his face to show humility. He has sewn shut his mouth. He has broken his nose and cut notches into his ears. Such hurts reward him by summoning a Fay Regent to his mirror. Goodman Asher smiles, for it is rumored that treasure follows the Regent. Only, Goodman Asher misreads the Regent's intention, and Asher's sewn mouth fails to correct the terrible misunderstanding.The magistrates rush to Goodman Asher's cabin. For Asher's daughter has warned her village that her father's obsession with the mirror tempts wicked magic. Rumors and fables have lured Goodman Asher off of the good path, and so the magistrates rush towards their neighbor's cabin to plead with Goodman Asher to relent from his folly. They will give Goodman Asher a choice, an opportunity, before putting that cabin and its master to flame. Views: 769
In the next hour, I would die. Either burnt to a crisp during Vela’s nosedive into Earth’s atmosphere or blown to a thousand pieces when the Vela explodes in space. The first would make me a Ku’wahine warrior, the second an Earther hero. My now dead sister Haunani had chosen the warrior route. Captain Tim Jones would do everything he could to be the hero. I didn’t care for either choice.In the next hour, I would die. Either burnt to a crisp during Vela’s nosedive into Earth’s atmosphere or blown to a thousand pieces when the Vela explodes in space. The first would make me a Ku’wahine warrior, the second an Earther hero. My now dead sister Haunani had chosen the warrior route. Captain Tim Jones would do everything he could to be the hero. I didn’t care for either choice.So begins Nalani’s Choice, a top ten selection in a Preditors and Editors readers short story poll. Views: 765
Is it possible for Death itself to be offended? Perhaps...since it appears to be taking its revenge, in an unpleasant variety of ways, upon a group of veteran adventurers while on a quest in 1930s Africa in a pulp fiction style adventure story.GENRE: Children’s Adventure(An Unofficial Minecraft Book for Kids Ages 9 -12)Book 1: The Angry GhostSteve can't wait for the carnival to come to town. Excited, he drags his sister to see the creature they brought as the main event - a ghost called Herobrine. But it all goes horribly wrong as Herobrine escapes. Steve realizes he has a connection to Herobrine - but what could it be? Steve and his sister must set off to a journey that takes them to the capital city and to the Nether to find out more.Author’s Note: This short story is for your reading pleasure. The characters in this "Minecraft Adventure Series" such as Steve, Endermen or Herobrine...etc are based on the Minecraft Game coming from Minecraft ®/TM & © 2009-2013 Mojang / Notch Views: 764
Wilson waits for his freedom while monsters growl within the prison walls. Unnatural darkness shrouds the prison since the murder of his prophet Luke Turner. He smiles though his cellmates plan his murder. For his prophet's tattoos snake upon his skin, promising that death will be but a short sleep before he awakes a free man. Wilson's faith cannot suspect that prophets keep unspoken motives.Wilson Greene waits for his freedom while monsters growl within the walls. Deep, unnatural darkness shrouds the prison since the Brotherhood murdered his penitentiary prophet Luke Turner. Wilson sits in that darkness and waits for the blades his prophet promised would be plunged into him. He smiles in the dark though his guards and cellmates plan his murder. For his prophet's tattoos snake upon his skin, dark runes shifting in the shadows and promising that the death soon to be delivered is but a temporary sleep before he awakes a free man. The teeth of Wilson's bracelet rattle. Luke Turner has harvested all of Wilson's faith, and that prisoner with the ink shifting beneath his skin has no reason to suspect those tattoos mark him for a terrible warden waiting beyond those prison walls. Views: 761
A cycle after Sini’s defeat of the Tamok I stumbled across the truth about the Archonan. After a lifetime of being tormented by Archonan bigots, imagine how deliciously sweet the discovery of the truth tasted. I know where they came from and whose scions they are. What will the Archonan purists think when I tell them about Aos Whey-ki? They won’t feel so high and mighty then.Planet Tirano creates a unique milieu for the stories of the series The Encircling Belts of Tirano Saga. Its aristocracy consists only of pureblooded descendants of the leaders of the mother ship that landed two millennia ago. Genetically engineered women, conceived in vitro, control Tirano’s computer network and hyperspace portals. Vhirko, clones of women who died valiantly in battle, guard Tirano’s monarch. Tirano has been at war for decades with a savage alien species that becomes sentient only if mentally linked in groups of four or more.Tirano’s King Mhikhel unleashes fundamental, and uncontrollable, changes to this milieu when he acknowledges as his child an illegitimate son of a commoner and raises the child (Tarnlot) as a prince. Despite the aristocracy’s antagonism, Mhikhel grooms Tarnlot to serve as the Lord Chancellor (the highest governmental post, which is normally held by a member of the aristocracy) when Mhikhel’s heir (Prince Zhun’Mar) assumes the throne.In A Bastard’s Oath Tarnlot must rescue the throne for Zhun’Mar’s by foiling both an aristocrat’s coup d’etat and the aliens’ coup de main. In the series’ second installment, A Dream Is A Pinhole In Time, Tarnlot and Zhun’Mar escape an ambush in deep space by entering a hyperspace fissure that strands them on a planet in an unknown galaxy: present day Earth. The third installment, Outliers of Tirano, begins the stories of Siniastra, Zhun’Mar's daughter. Sibyl of Doom continues the story of Siniastra's quest to serve as Queen of Tirano despite the efforts of Tirano's aristocrats to remove her from the throne. Views: 760
