“Puncher’s Chance” by James Grayson and Kathy Ferguson
“Original Sin” by Richard A. Lovett
“Preemption” by Charlie Rosenkranz
“The Door that Does not Close” by Carl Frederick
In “Puncher’s Chance” by James Grayson and Kathy Ferguson, the year is 2023 and Magbeam technology has made it possible to colonize Mars. But Dr. Victoria Porter, Assistant Director of Space and Technology, believes that maintaining the Mars colony isn’t economically viable. While she investigates the HEO platform, David William Longrie—astronaut, mechanic, and former boxing champion—learns of a biohazard outbreak on Mars. The colony is in desperate need of medicine, and he has volunteered to get it there using the only ship available, an outdated vessel called the McCauliffe. He, Ellen, and crew end up with Dr. Porter as their passenger. And, of course, along the way everything that can go wrong does. While the story is a basic survival in outer space tale, the characters and their plight are fun and exciting to read about and the pacing is very well done. This story will have you at the edge of your seat and also show the reasons why colonization beyond Earth is so important.
“Original Sin” by Richard A. Lovett explores the nature of humanity’s uncanny knack of using good inventions for evil purposes. The invention in this story is a VR device that records the experiences of the one wearing it, and not just his surroundings but also feelings of pleasure and pain. Once recorded onto a data chip, it can be played back by anyone else wearing a headset. Invented by his friend, Derrick, Coach uses it to train his star athlete, Dylan. But eventually, much darker uses for it are discovered. A well-written SF morality tale with memorable characters, this novelette is certainly worth reading.
Earth is under attack by aliens in “Preemption” by Charlie Rosenkranz. But the attacks seem random with no logical purpose. President Harrison and his cabinet must figure out the reason for the alien attack and a way to stop it. This humorous yet moving story takes humanity’s perceived place in the universe and turns it upside down, and also leaves you with a deeper appreciation for “Man’s Best Friend.”
In “The Door that Does Not Close” by Carl Frederick, Professor Thorvald and Roger seek a codex lost since Ancient Rome. Roger is an android in the form of a human boy, controlled by an alien whose race visited the Romans centuries ago. The codex has now become legend to them. The friendship between Thorvald and Roger is the glue that keeps the story together, and Frederick gives a possible answer to the question: would you still want to pursue science if you knew you were just reinventing the wheel? A thoughtful story that’s well worth a read.