Batteries Not Included
“Yes, he’s already at school,” a tired voice said. “You managed to get him there in one piece?” a voice barked back over the phone. “Keep your dumb jabs out of this, he’s our son.” “Fine, look, just make sure he’s ready for his...
A Stranger in Hallownest
Hornet lowered her nail, staring down the strange creature before her. Only a few steps away from her stood a being she had never seen the likes of in the entirety of Hallownest and its winding tunnels. The sickly sweet smell still hung in the air, the...
Embraced by the Cold
"Tell me more about your job. Before," the screen read. A man sighed and typed back a response. "No. When am I getting out?" "Soon. Tell me. Learn me more and I will help you leave." "Teach. It's teach. Teach me more. Do you not know...
A Lord's Change of Plans
Like all the other worlds in the Imperium's rusted chains, this one was a ball of strife begging to be guided by hands far greater than any mortal. Indeed, its denizens sought escape from the endless toil of work, prayer, and hardship that painted...
Distant New Admirer
“Next on our list of greatest Country hits—" Click. “Next caller coming in is—" Click. “You don't have a single leg to stand on. Taxes—" Click. “The most popular Pokémon of the year are—" Click. A shrill static...
Devout and Divine
It was hard not to stare. Lucas knew he wasn’t supposed to, it was unbecoming of his role, and made him seem all the more unfitting for his calling. But he had to. Before Lucas, in this majestic palace of marble, stood Hestia. She was a magnificent...
An Axe to Grind
Beep. Beep. Beep. No, not now. Just a few more seconds. Beep. Beep. Beep. Charli rolled over onto her stomach and lazily slapped her hand on the nightstand next to her. Beep. Beep. Beep. She gave a few more half-hearted slaps before giving up...
Novus Ad Astra Chapter One
“Captain Nevins, you are clear for landing at pad two,” the automated voice beeped. “Thank you, darling,” Nevins replied. He leaned back in his cozy captain’s chair. “ADA, if you would, bring us in nice and squarely on that pad.” He pointed at the...
Married to a DNAlien
“Alright, here we go." Carden set the stylus on the record. He fiddled with a few of the knobs on the technological monstrosity that was his sound system, going over each one to make certain they were to what he noted down. It required precise...
The Edge of Love
A sharp, reddish creature sitting on a rock carefully went over her many protruding cutting edges. Bit by bit she ran her blades over one another, loudly sharpening them. “Oh, hey, how about this way? Or, um, no, uhhh.” The creature looked up to see...
Bug in the Stars Chapter One
The hull was silent that day. The sun still gleamed on the shattered husk of a proud ship. The planet edged ever closer across the empty sky. One being sat alone in the center of her immobile home as she had done for quite some time. Her mandibles...
BitS Chapter Fourteen
A few more days passed. Not a word from the stars, and still, a rumbling in Tyra's mind. Her conversations with Joshua continued, though stilted and occasionally awkward, yet enjoyable. Each passing hour was a reminder that she had to say something...