InterGalactic Medicine Show #52, September/October 2016

“Silverbird Rising” by Rebecca Birch

Reviewed by Herbert M. Shaw

“Silverbird Rising” by Rebecca Birch

Someone got inspired by a British author. A young student at an acclaimed school for alchemist mechanics works with her overzealous partner to save her friend. Using the titular artificial intelligence model, they explore the myriad tunnels of the subterranean caves. Birch barely touches on the intricacies of higher education in exchange for a not so subtle complaint on the unfair treatment of the sexes. Despite the main character’s obvious attraction to the male foil, her observation of his “much larger [laboratory]” takes away from the reader’s interest in seeing her succeed since her envious attitude is clearly unfettered even after the conclusion.

“The Cenotaph” by Deborah L. Davitt

A multicultural space exploration crew must work together under the guidance of an atmospheric scientist who humbles herself to a fault. The story makes for a scientific imagining of the discovery of past life and culture on another planet that has recently entered the orbit of the solar system. While primarily from the perspective of the scientist making the discovery, the ideas of her crew on the Venture spacecraft are received in a dismissive but receptive fashion. Not much suspense or excitement here, and with all the aspects of a new planet in the solar system, it’s never discussed how gravitational orbits can affect the ecosystems of the other planets. Davitt also dismisses the recently posited idea that the sun is traveling through space and the planets are following it more in a spiral than in elliptical orbits as first posited by Copernicus.

“Material Without Being Real” by H.G. Parry

Through an unexplained phenomenon, the dead are able to return for one more shot at life. Finally an interesting story! After her older brother comes back from a death brought on by an incurable flu shortly after the War, young Edith starts to notice some odd behavior in her older brother. He still acts like a brother and still shows affection like a brother, but something is missing that only young Edith can deduce. Her journey to get to know her brother again reveals an anomaly behind the mystery of the resurrection. Much more psychological in terms of what’s going on than the previous two stories in this issue, and less in search of pity.

“A Touch of Scarlet” by David Steffen

In a dystopian future, psychological suppression gets upended by those whose thoughts can’t be controlled: children. Now this one was good. The kids get put in the care of a mentor whose job is to teach them how to act in society. With futuristic technologies, all news and political decisions are literally flashed before the eyes of the citizens, occurring instantaneously on a regular basis. When the child narrator decides to fight the system, she creates a political revolution that would make George Orwell turn in his grave…proudly.

“Cabbage Communion” by Chris Phillips
A fantasy about the reincarnation of those who have died clashes with the progressive religion of a small town. While lamenting over her mother’s death in a recent bus crash, Clydette finds herself torn between an old legend and the new myth. At the core of it all is the unsettling truth of what happened and what cannot be changed. While the most hard-hitting story in this month’s issue, it’s also the most moving. The conclusion brings the reader to understand the heartbreaking reality of loss: acceptance.

“Orphaned” by James Van Pelt

Intergalactic technological advancements at their finest. When a young boy wakes to find his parents missing on an unnamed planet, it’s up to his wits and the guidance of his sentient station to figure out what happened. With so much technology at his fingertips, this story serves as proof that even children still need their parents, even if they might not be altogether (spoiler alert) human. A lot of this story is reminiscent of the film Moon with Sam Rockwell and the voice of Kevin Spacey. Though their confinement is less obvious in text, both the child and the station share a relationship that becomes more compassionate as the search for his parents ensues. The end throws the reader for a loop when the truth is revealed, but it closes this issue of IGMS with an air of affection and gratitude, where it started with feelings of envy and pride.