Diabolical Plots #84, February 2022
“The Galactic Induction Handbook” by Mark Vandersluis
“Coffee, Doughnuts, and Timeline Reverberations” by Cory Swanson
Reviewed by Kevin P Hallett
There are two new short stories in the 84th issue of Diabolical Plots. Both stories were entertaining reads.
“The Galactic Induction Handbook” by Mark Vandersluis
The handbook for newly discovered sentient species is revealed in this flash SF. The guide warns that the newbies will not be accepted or given power. In fact, it will be a challenging induction that could end prematurely with the extinction of the species.
The story was a quick and quirky telling of a likely truth without adding anything new to the idea.
“Coffee, Doughnuts, and Timeline Reverberations” by Cory Swanson
He is ‘20 in this short fantasy, meaning he is the instance of himself from 2020. The room is full of other examples of him, from ’08 to ’32, one every two years. They are here to get some guidance from ’32 on how to get through the next two years.
Or that is what ’20 thinks. Those instances of him from before 2020 look to ‘20 to understand what this is about, while those instances from after 2020 look at him as naïve and not ready to face the coming truth. He is alone in a room full of copies of himself.
As he waits for his guidance session with ’32, he tries to wheedle the truth from ’22 and ’24. But they know him too well.
The author’s story was mysterious and utterly engaging. It was a different approach to the future that grabbed the reader and pulled them through the story, kicking and screaming all the way.
You can follow Kevin P Hallett’s writing on www.kevinphallett.com