The Year's Top Hard Science Fiction Stories
Allan KasterCraig DeLancey - 2017
In “Vortex,” by Gregory Benford, astronauts find a once thriving microbial lifeform that carpets the caves of Mars dying off. A code monkey tracks down the vain creator of a pernicious software virus that people jack cerebrally in “RedKing,” by Craig DeLancey. In “Number Nine Moon,” by Alex Irvine, illicit scavengers on Mars are on a rescue mission to save themselves after one of their team members dies. A young girl’s thirst for vengeance becomes a struggle for survival when she is swallowed by a gigantic sea creature on an alien planet in “Of the Beast in the Belly,” by C.W. Johnson. In “The Seventh Gamer,” by Gwyneth Jones, a writer immerses herself into a MMORPG community to search for characters being played by real aliens from other worlds. A woman armed with a rifle stalks a herd of cloned wooly mammoths in British Columbia in “Chasing Ivory,” by Ted Kosmatka. In “Fieldwork,” by Shariann Lewitt, a volcanologist struggles with her research on Europa where both her mother and grandmother suffered dire consequences. A daughter pays homage to her mother with mega-engineering projects to deal with climate change over eons in “Seven Birthdays,” by Ken Liu. In “The Visitor from Taured,” by Ian R. MacLeod, a cosmologist in the near future is obsessed with proving his theory of multiverses. The citizens of a small town on a “Jackaroo” planet object to a corporation placing a radio telescope near local alien artifacts in “Something Happened Here, But We’re Not Quite Sure What It Was,” by Paul McAuley. And finally, in “Sixteen Questions for Kamala Chatterjee,” by Alastair Reynolds, a graduate student defends her dissertation on a solar anomaly that threatens humanity.
The Fourth Science Fiction Megapack
John Gregory Betancourt - 2012
Authors in this volume include: Mary A. Turzillo, E.C. Tubb, Murray Leinster, Philip K. Dick, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Jason Andrew, Henry Kuttner, Cynthia Ward, George H. Scithers and John Gregory Betancourt, Milton Lesser, John Russell Fearn, Harry Harrison, Isaac Asimov, Ayn Rand, and many moreComplete contents"Zora and the Land Ethic Nomads," by Mary A. Turzillo"Food for Friendship," by E.C. Tubb"The Life Work of Professor Muntz," by Murray Leinster"Tiny and the Monster," by Theodore Sturgeon"Beyond Lies the Wub," by Philip K. Dick"Pictures Don’t Lie," by Katherine MacLean"The Big Trip Up Yonder," by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr."Storm Warning," by Donald A. Wollheim"The Application of Discipline," by Jason Andrew"Tom the Universe," by Larry Hodges"Wild Seed," by Carmelo Rafala"Tabula Rasa," by Ray Cluley"The Eyes of Thar," by Henry Kuttner"Regenesis," by Cynthia Ward"Not Omnipotent Enough," by George H. Scithers and John Gregory Betancourt"Plato’s Bastards," by James C. Stewart"Pen Pal," by Milton Lesser"Living Under the Conditions," by James K. Moran"The Arbiter," by John Russell Fearn"The Grandmother-Granddaughter Conspiracy," by Marissa Lingen"Top Secret," by David Grinnell"Living Under the Conditions," by James K. Moran"Sense of Obligation," by Harry Harrison"Angel's Egg," by Edgar Pangborn"Youth," by Isaac Asimov"Anthem," by Ayn Rand
Cyborgs!
Vaughn Heppner - 2014
Then, everything went wrong until only the Space Marines were left. Alone in the dark, outnumbered and outgunned by the cyborgs waiting for them on the methane-ice surface of Tyche, the hour of desperation has arrived. As requested by many DOOM STAR readers, this story has been released as a single title. CYBORGS! is a stand-alone NOVELLA, which means it’s SHORTER and CHEAPER than your typical Doom Star book. Previously published in the anthology Planetary Assault, CYBORGS! is the tale of Mule, a Space Marine sniper on an lonely mission, years away from any reinforcements. Earth’s future rests on his cunning and resolve.
Spartan Guile: An Orion Porter Novel (Spartan Trilogy Book 3)
Toby Neighbors - 2019
The need for the rare element Ignatius Xelum is as great as ever. And Humanity’s Space Fleet will stop at nothing to get the IX gas reserves from the primordial planet of Apex Venandi where five intelligent species wage war on a daily basis. Spartan Company barely survived their first drop onto the hostile world, but they have to go back. The future of the Fleet depends on getting the rare IX gas crystals, but nothing comes easy on a world where everyone and everything is anxious to kill you. In Spartan Guile, Orion Porter must find a way to keep his friends alive, get the treasured gas for the Fleet, and discover what is at the heart of Aurora’s reluctance to accept his affection. It’s the thrilling conclusion to the Spartan Trilogy, an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that will answer all your questions in ways you never see coming. If you only read one Sci-fi book this year, Spartan Guile is it. This must read novel is an exciting Space Opera that will take you to all new places in a rich Science Fiction world full of aliens, military adventure, and constant danger. Spartan Guile is not just a worthy installment of a great series, it’s the satisfying conclusion to the first assignment of Orion Porter’s legendary career.
Run For The Stars
Harlan Ellison - 2005
All that stood in their way was a man on Deald's World named Benno Tallant, about as lousy a candidate for hero as one could imagine: junkie, looter, coward, betrayer. So the retreating Earth forces made him the last man on Deald's World. They surgically implanted a cataclysmic bomb in his body, turned him loose, and let the Kyben hunt him down. SEE BENNO RUN. RUN, BENNO, RUN LIKE HELL.
Theft of Fire
Michael Edelson - 2017
The mission to destroy a domestic terrorist cell in possession of a nuclear bomb sounds like the opportunity he is looking for, until he realizes that his targets are not terrorists, and that what they have is something infinitely more dangerous than a bomb. On the run with Dr. Grace Llewellyn and the device she calls Prometheus, Markus finds himself pitted against the full might of US intelligence and military forces as they mount the biggest manhunt ever conducted on American soil. He quickly learns that Prometheus represents a technological advancement so profound that it can alter the course of history. But there is another such device already in play, and he, Grace and Prometheus are all that stand between it and the end of human civilization as we know it.
Flight of the Javelin: The Complete Series: A Space Opera Box Set
Rachel Aukes - 2021
Life as an Independent Space Hauler
Jason Hill - 2021
Everything was taken from him and he was pressed into military service as a fighter pilot. A few years later, Jace has gotten out of military service and worked on a corporate freighter. He has grown to love space and plans to never return to earth. Dissatisfied with the corporate life, Jace finds the necessary backing to go independent. Thus, he begins the life of an independent freight hauler. This story is inspired by Nathan Lowell's Golden Age of the Solar Clipper series, Firefly, and some anime.
Some Dreams are Nightmares
Saxon Andrew - 2016
Jimmy Carpenter has dreams and they come true. He started having them as a young child and he thought everyone did the same thing. However, Jimmy has had a dream and the nightmare vision is terrifying. Jimmy is having difficulty deciding if this dream is real or a product of his imagination. He puts the dream aside but learns from his mother that his father was a dream and not a part of reality. When his only dream that had never come true, does, then he knows the nightmare is coming and everyone is going to die. Bestselling author, Saxon Andrew delivers a page turner that will make you believe that Jimmy’s Dream is a nightmare that could actually happen. Sit down and hold on. Some Dreams are Nightmares. Excerpt from Jimmy's Dreams: Candice was awoken by Jimmy pulling on her arm and yelling for her to get up, “What’s going on!” “MOM, GET DRESSED NOW! GET DRESSED!” Candice pulled on a robe and slippers and Jimmy pulled on her arm. “JIMMY!” “COME ON MOM, WE DON’T HAVE MUCH LONGER!!” Candice saw terror in Jimmy’s eyes as he released her arm and ran out of the door to the apartment. “Jimmy, wait!” “COME ON!” Candice saw him run down the flight of stairs to the front door of the building and go outside. She ran after him as fast as she could and found him waiting for her outside the entrance. He grabbed her hand and pulled her with all his strength toward the end of the street. She stopped him and said, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Jimmy released her hand and ran as fast as his legs would carry him. “JIMMY, STOP!” She was forced to run after him and as they arrived at the end of the street, she heard a huge blast over her shoulder that caused her to stumble forward and as she felt heat on her back. She continued chasing Jimmy until he stopped two blocks away. She reached him and lifted him into her arms. She turned around and saw their apartment building and the two buildings next to it burning in huge flames that lept high into the nighttime sky. Her eyes were wide open as she watched the flames begin spreading into the surrounding buildings. She looked at Jimmy shaking in fear of what had just happened and said, “How did you know?” “I had a dream.” Let me know what you think by contacting me at saxonandrew@msn.com Find us on Facebook at saxonandrewsuniverse.
Spinward Fringe Broadcast 10.5: Carnie's Tale
Randolph Lalonde - 2017
The material was recorded while he was on Iora, a technically advanced world as the holocaust virus struck it. She is to review all materials and create a report that includes insights into the young pilot's personality, strategic information about Iora and any other details that could help Haven Fleet. Before long, Alice becomes personally invested in the plight of her subject, and makes discoveries that could change her forever. Meanwhile, a permanent government is taking hold in Haven Shore, and the Fleet is undergoing one last shakeup that could break the Apex class apart. All the while Alice is left to wonder where her father and his ship, the Revenge have gone while they wait for the rest of their active fleet to return from the Iron Head Nebula. The Spinward Fringe saga continues in Carnie's Tale, the connective tissue between Spinward Fringe Broadcast 10: Freeground and Spinward Fringe Broadcast 11: Revenge, telling Alice's story between those books from a more personal perspective. Version 2.
Sabbat Crusade
Dan Abnett - 2014
The stories within take place during the legendary Sabbat War, made famous by the heroic exploits of Commissar Gaunt and the Tanith First and Only.The First Edition of Sabbat Crusade is presented in a large format premium hardback contained within a camouflaged slipcase with Tanith iconography. The hardback itself features stunning new artwork from award winning artist Raymond Swanland, and the pages of the book are black-edged with a matching satin market ribbon. Inside, the book also features a unique, internal colour section depicting characters from the anthology.
The Northern Star Trilogy
Mike Gullickson - 2015
. . a fantastic book to read." 2058. As superpowers squabble over the remaining oil, and civilization limps on in a virtual universe, a cunning and ruthless genius uses the digital connectivity of our world to manipulate governments, subliminally sway the masses - and even kill - in his quest for immortality.The first bionic soldier - now mentally broken, a prodigy hacker abused as a weapon, a psychopath seeking redemption, and the CEO who created the cyber universe - and unwittingly - the means to rule both, are all that stands in his way.
Subterranean Scalzi Super Bundle
John Scalzi - 2012
Subterranean Press bundles together all of their John Scalzi titles into one easy-to-buy special this November:How I Proposed To My Wife: An Alien Sex StoryAn ElectionJudge Sn Goes GolfingQuestions for a SoldierThe Sagan DiaryThe Tale of the WickedThe God EnginesYou're Not fooling Anyone When You Take Your Laptop to the Coffee Shop
Agatha Christie Collection - With 37 Audio Books
Agatha Christie - 2013
FULLY FEATURED TABLE OF CONTENTS The full Table of Contents appears at the beginning of the book and can be accessed through the MENU or GO TO button. EPUB 3 CHECK The book successfully passes ePub 3 check developed IDPF. The International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) is the global trade and standards organization dedicated to the development and promotion of electronic publishing and content consumption.
A Soldier's Forever (Beyond Valor #2)
Lynne St. James - 2016
But as a military spouse with her husband on a deployment she’d make the best of it.Between dust storms and unseen enemies, Logan has been reconsidering his life choices. When he’s offered an opportunity to go stateside for an assignment, he jumps at the chance. With the help of his best friend, Alex, he plans a romantic weekend on Sanibel Island.When Logan surprises Chloe with a romantic trip it’s like a dream come true. But instead of being able to enjoy their time together, she’s worried about his reaction when he finds out she’s pregnant. Being the primary parent while he’s in constant danger thousands of miles away is getting old. But will he be willing to give up his military career for his family?Between seashells and sunsets, will their love be able to ride out the storm to find their forever?