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THR I L L I N G T A L E S F ROM B E Y OND T H E E
July 20
FlinteyesDuelbySeanT.M.Stiennon
StarPilotsGravebyMarcieLynnTentchoff
DeucesWild:PartOne: ReluctantAlliesbyL.S.King
JasperSquad:EpisodeOne:Exile!byPaulChristianGlenn
Issue T T P : / / R A Y GUN R E V I V A L . C OM
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Table of ContentsOverlords Lair .................................................................................................................................3Short Fiction: Flinteyes Duel.................................................................................................4Space Verse: Star Pilot's Grave .......................................................................................9Ray Gun Revival Serial: Deuces Wild ........................................................................ 10Featured Artist - Sidharth Chaturvedi........................................................................20Ray Gun Revival Serial: Jasper Squad .....................................................................22The Jolly RGR ................................................................................................................................34
Overlords (Founders)Lee S. King
Paul Christian GlennJohne Cook
Serial AuthorsSean T. M. Stiennon
Lee S. King
Paul Christian GlennJohne Cook
Senior StaffMike Loos: Proofreader, Technical Lead PocketRGR
A.M. Stickel: ProofreaderPaul Christian Glenn: PRLee S. King: Copyeditor
Johne Cook: Chief, Cook, and Bottle Washer
Slushmasters (Submissions Editors)Taylor Kent (snarkdogg)
Scott M. Sandridge (lord-id)David Wilhelms
Confidante, Mentor, and Site HostBill Snodgrass, Double-edged Publishing, Web-Net Solutions
Special Thanks:Ray Gun Revival logo design by Hatchbox Creative:, http://www.hatchbox.com
Website:http://raygunrevival.com
Forums:http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/index
AboutRGR:http://raygunrevival.com/about
ContactRayGunRevival:http://raygunrevival.com/contact
SubmissionsGuidelines:http://raygunrevival.com/guidelines.html
Cover:GrandSpaceOperaEntry,bySidharthChaturvedi
Allcontentcopyright2006byDoubleedgedPublishing,
aMemphis,Tenneseebasednonprofitpublisher
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesBeyondtheEther July2006
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Overlords LairWell,hellothere.Theresnotellinghowyoufoundus,buthereyouare,andImsureyouhave
questions.LetscuttothechaseandIllanticipatesomeoftheobviousquestionsandthenleaveout
someothers.Thisisgoingtobethatsortofplace informal,whimsical,andjustalittlemercurial.We
areOverlords,afterall.
Letsstartthere.
Q:WhoandwhataretheOverlords?
A:TheOverlordsarethe(currently)threecoEditorsofRayGunRevival.Weare,inno
particularorder,LeeS.King,PaulChristianGlenn,andJohneCook.Wepickedthattitlebecause
'Overlord'evokesacertainthrowbackcharmlaMingtheMercilessfromtheFlashGordonera,a
venerablepulpfictionadventureandprecursorofwhatweconsiderclassicspaceopera.
Q:PulpFiction?WithTravoltaandSamuelL.Jacksonandtheglowingsuitcase?
A:NottheTarantinofilmofthatname,no,buttofictionfromtheyearswhenmarginalscience
fictionwasprintedforcheaponinferiorpulppaper,leadinguptothearrivalofthefabulousLensman
seriesbyE.E.DocSmith,commonlyacceptedasthefirstgrandmasterofspaceopera.
Q:Whatisspaceopera?A:BeforeItellyouwhatitis,letmestartbydefiningwhatitisnot.
Opera.Inspace.
Spaceoperaspanseverythingfromhighfantasytohardscifi,andisgenerallyconsideredasub
genreofspeculativefictionthatemphasizesclearcutenemies,romanticorswashbucklingadventure,
exoticsettings,avastscale,andcolorful,largerthanlifecharacters.Twoexamplesyoumayrecognize
aretheoriginalStarWarsfilmandJossWhedon'sFirefly.
Q:Sowhythismagazine,andwhynow?
A:Becausespaceoperahasfallenonhardtimes,andweintendtoreviveit.
Oneofthedefinitionsofrevivalisarestorationtouse,acceptance,activity,orvigoraftera
periodofobscurityorquiescence.Weusedtoseealotmorespaceopera,butthegenrehasfallenby
thewaysideinrecentyears.Somethingismissing,asenseofadventure,asenseofwonder.Sowegot
together,grabbedourcheesyrayguns,andcreatedthismagazine.
Q:Ah,goodpoint wheredidtheraygunscomefrom?
A:Oneoftheiconicelementsofearlyspaceoperawasthehandheldlaserpistol.Whencasting
aboutforthenameforthenewpublication,oneofusblurtedthenameout,andtheotherssnickered,
anditjustsortofstuck.
Whatelseisthere?RayGunRevivalisafreeelectronicmagazine(ezine)publishedbiweeklyin
the.PDFformat,whichcanbeviewedonline,locallyviaAcrobatReader,orprinted.Wewillpublish
originalshortstoriesandarticlesandongoingserialstories(liketheoldepisodicSaturdaymatinee
filmswithcliffhangerendings).
Fortherecord,thewhole'arrogantOverlord'schtickisacomedicposture.Nobodyaroundhere
takesitseriouslyforonesplitsecond.Trustmeonthis.
Withthatsaid,wenowexpectyoutogoandtelltenpeopleaboutRayGunRevivalorwewill
ruthlesslyvaporizeyourpatheticplanet.
Imnotevenkidding.
Johne(Phy)Cook
Overlord,BaronofOutlandishIdeas,ScourgeofGrammar
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesBeyondtheEther July2006
http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hagedorn/visual.htmhttp://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hagedorn/visual.htmhttp://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hagedorn/visual.htmhttp://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hagedorn/visual.htmhttp://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hagedorn/visual.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_Fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_Fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_Fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lensmanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_operahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_operahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_operahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_operahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lensmanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_Fictionhttp://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hagedorn/visual.htm8/14/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 01
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Short Fiction: Flinteyes DuelBySeanT.M.Stiennon
JaxCallamhadanewpairofionpistolsstrappedtohishipsashecameoffthe
transport. Theywerefineweapons,decoratedwiththepurestvioletgold,andtheir
buttswerestuddedwithpressuregemsfromthedepthsoftheDevilsNebula. Each
wascapableofputtingoutenoughpowertoshatteratonofuranium. Theyhadcost
severalmillionSEUs. Gunsworthyofthegreatestgunmaninthegalaxy.
Hewalkedwithaswaggerthroughthestreets,andbeingscowedbeforehim. He
gleamedwithsplendorbefittinghisstation,acapeofmicroscopicgoldenscalesthrown
overhisshoulderswithabroochofredsapphireholdingitinplace. Hisbootswere
sewnfromthehidesofsnapsnakesandhisheadwaswrappedbyaforcecirclet. Itwas
onlyfittingthatheshouldlookhisbestonthisday. Today,hewasgoingtokillJalazar
Flinteye. Thatdeedwouldensurethathisnamewasenthronedforeverinthegalaxys
underworld.
Thestreetsofthecitywerecleanenough,withjustenoughdusttostainthesoles
ofJaxsboots. TheonlypatrolstationsvisiblewereabandonedtheAlliancehad
removeditspresencefromErbatessyearsago,andnowalocalrulerheldlimitedsway
overmostofitslands. TheperfectplaceforamanlikeJaxtoplyhistradeandestablish
hisnameamongthestars. Hightowersoflightcoloredstonesoaredabovehim,and
thestreetswerepavedwiththesamematerial. Beingsofmanyspecieswalkedthe
streetssalesmen,tourists,nativeErbatessols,lowlifes,anoccasionalbeggar,andmany
others.
The
weather
was
bright
and
warm,
much
like
it
always
was
at
Jaxs
carefully
weathercontrolledhome. Hisdecadenthomewhereonlymoneymattered.
Theplacehewaslookingforwassunkintotheshadowsofabackalley,witha
brightneonsignabovethedoor. Aninsectoidbouncerwithtwoandahalfmetersof
thickexoskeletonstoodinfrontofit,butheletJaxpasswithanodandaclickofhis
mandibles. ThesignreadStarPlasmaBarandfluctuatedbetweenseveraldifferent
colorsandspectrums. Jax,ahuman,couldseeonlysomeofthemtherestlookedlike
grayorbrown,andsometimesthelightevenseemedtobeoff. TheErbatessolscould
seemorethanmostbeingsinthegalaxy.
Itwasdarkinside. Theonlyrealbrightnesscamefromaspotlightinthecenterof
theroom,beneathwhichabandwasplayingonsomesortofreedinstrumentsand
drumsmadefromanimalshell. TheirwailingpiercedJaxsears,makinghimcringe. A
fewdimblueandvioletlampswerescatteredabouttheroom,andbytheirlightJax
couldseebeingssittingattables,glidingthroughthedarkness,andconversingin
hushedtones. Thebarwasatthefarsideoftheroom,litupwithaneerygreencolor.
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Jaxsgoldencaperustledashewentin. Hemovedthroughtheroom,scanning
eachbooth. Itwasoneofthetamerbarsontheplanet,butthatwasntsayingalot.
Somebeingsgrowled,someleered,somesmiledsuggestively. Heignoredthemallhe
coulddealwithanytroubleeasily.
Avoicecameoutofthedark. Lookingforsomeone?
Jaxturned,startled. There,inaboothhehadntevennoticed,farfromanylight
source,wasasinglebeing. Butthevoicethevoicewasright.
Hedroppedhishandsdowntocaressthejeweledbuttsofhispistols. Jalazar
Flinteye?
Theshapenodded. Thatsme. Yourenothereforadrinkorafemale.
No. Imheretokillyou.
Youremorecandidthanmostbeingswhowanttodothat.
Imbetterthanthemtoo,Jaxhissed.
The
shape
nodded.
Jaxs
eyes
had
adjusted
to
the
dark
enough
to
make
out
his
basicformandcoloritwasFlinteye,allright. Lightcoloredfur,darkclothing,and
emptyblackeyes. TherewasafainthintoffangsandclawstoobutJaxdidntletthat
unnervehim.
So,Flinteyesaid,areyougoingtodoithere,andmakeyourselfpayforthe
cleanup?
Jaxfoundthemercenarysgazeunnerving. Hestoodrigidandheldhisheadup,
allowinghishandstoloosenthepistolsintheirholsters.
Icanseeyouare,growledFlinteye.
Hefroze. Flinteyecouldseeinfraredhowcouldhehaveforgotten? Thisroom
mustbelikedaytohimwithallthebodyheatinit. Jaxwouldntforgetthattwice.
Jaxshandsjerkedawayfromhisweapons,andheslippedintothebooth
oppositeFlinteye,inaplacewhereJaxcouldseewhathisadversarywasdoing,butnot
theotherwayaround. Thatwouldeventhingsup.
Yourefriendlyforanassassin,saidFlinteye,drinkingfromtheglasshehadin
frontofhim.
Imagentleman. Illgiveyousixhourstoprepare.
Thatsniceofyou.
YoullmeetmeonthePlazaofTearsafterthattimehaselapsed,orthewhole
galaxywillknowthatJalazarFlinteyeisacowardwhocantfaceaworthyopponent.
ThenJaxstoodupandstartedtoleave. Behindhim,heheardFlinteyechuckle
andsay,Whoisthisworthyopponent?
Iam!Jaxsnapped,drawingtheattentionofafewnearbypatrons.And
somedaythewholegalaxywillknowmynameastheydoyours!
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Suddenly,Jaxheardnoisesbehindhim,andbeforehecouldreactbothhisarms
werelockedagainsthisbodyinanunbreakablegrasp. Hestruggled,butwasheldtight
byunwaveringhands.
Heheardthevoiceofabotclosetohisear. Isthisonethreateningyou,
Jalazar?
Icantakecareofmyownproblems,Axten,Flinteyegrowled.
Jaxcursedhislackofcaution. OfcourseFlinteyewouldhavehisbotalittleways
off,readytodefendhim.
Hisarmswerefreed,butJaxdidnttrytogoforhisguns. Sixhours,andifyou
haveanyhonor,leavethebothome,hesaid.
ThenJaxleft,anxioustogetbackoutintothelight.
#
Hevisitedarestaurantforalightmealandadrink,thenwenttoabathhouseto
cleanse
himself
and
his
clothing
before
the
duel.
Finally,
with
half
a
standard
hour
to
spare,hewenttothePlazaofTearsonfootwithhisionpistolsfreshlycharged. He
worethesameclothingashehadearlierintheday. Itwaslateafternoon,andthesuns
heatwasbeginningtofade. Trulyanexcellenttimeforaduel,withacoolwindblowing
throughthestreetsandtheskygraduallydarkening.
Hedidntknowhowtheplazahadgottenitsname,buthehadvisiteditbefore.
Featurelesscobblestonescovereditshundredmeterexpanse,andinthecenterwasa
singlefountainthat,ratherthansprayingupwards,flowedgentlyoveranelaborateand
veryabstractsculpture.
Flinteyehadntarrived,andthesunsanklower. Jaxcheckedhischronometer.
Onlyafewminuteswereleftbeforetheappointedtime. Hegrowledtohimself,pacing
aroundthefountainandglaringatthesurroundingstreetsandtowers. Therewereno
pedestriansarounditwastheperfecttimefortheirencounter. Wouldthatcraven
mercenaryrobhimofhisvictory?
ThetimeJaxhadspecifiedcameandwent. Anotherhalfhourpassed,andJax
sankdownontooneofthestonepedestalssurroundingthefountain,ballinghishands
intofists. Frustrationwelledupinsidehim,
Thenhefeltawarmbody athisbackandacoldbladepressedagainsthisthroat.
Dontmove,boy,orIllhavesomecleaninguptodo,Flinteyehissed.
You! Weagreedtoatime,andyoumissedit!Jaxsaid,afraidtomovehisthroat
muchbecauseofFlinteyesdagger.
Iwashere. YoudidntsayIhadtobeinplainsight,didyou?
Scum! Nowgetyourknifeawayandletshaveaproperduel.
Proper? YoureevenmoreofabratthanIthought. Ivealreadywontheduel.
Youlost.
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ThewordechoedinJaxsears. Lost. Nowabladewasabouttoplungeintohis
neck,abladeeverybitasdeadlyasplasmawhenitwasthisclose. Defeat.
Verywell,claimyourvictory,hesaid,tryingtokeephisvoicefrombreaking.
Youreallywantmeto?
Amomentlater,Jaxfelthispistolsslippingfreeoftheirholsters. Thenthedagger
wasliftedaway. Nowgetup,saidFlinteye.
Flinteyeshovedhim,andJaxscrambledtohisfeet. Hisionpistolswereboth
clutchedinoneofthemercenaryshands,andtheotherwasaimingaheavyplasma
pistolathisforehead. Whydidyouwanttokillme,boy?
Therearebountiesonyourhead.
Youdontneedmoneyifyoucanaffordclothesandweaponslikethis. Andthe
bountiesarenttooseriousyoucantbeaftermeoutofasenseofjustice. Tellme
why.
I
wanted
people
to
fear
me!
Youvegotalongwaytogobeforetheylldothat. YouwouldntscareaSophite
farmer.
Jaxsanktohisknees,shakingallover. Hefeltasthoughhisuniversehadcracked
andwasnowfallingtopieces. IwouldhavebeenfamousifIhadkilledyou. Everyone
wouldhaveknownmyname. JaxCallam!
Yourewealthy? MaybeIcouldgetagoodransomforyou.
Beyondthedreamsoftrillions. Butwhatgoodismoney,SEUssittingin
accounts,metalandgemsfromallacrossthegalaxy,withoutaname? Anearned
name? Nothing!
Therewassilencethen. Flinteyeseemedtobethinking,althoughhenever
stoppedcoveringJaxwithhispistol. TwilightwasspreadingoverthePlazaofTears. Ah,
thatnameseemedappropriatenow. Jaxcouldfeelsobswellingupdespitehisbest
effortstorestrainthem.
Atlast,Flinteyespoke. Ivegotalotofoptions. Icouldkillyounow. Icouldhold
youforamassiveransom. Icouldjustrobyouofwhatyouvegotandsendyouoff
withoutevenenoughSEUstogetoffplanet....
Hetrailedoffthreateningly. Thenhegrunted. Toomuchtrouble. Gohome.
No! Imnobodythereonlymoney! Imonlyabagofmoney!
Insteadofonlyakiller? Seemslikeagoodtradeoff.
Flinteyeholsteredhisplasmapistolandgotup. Bye,Jax. Goodluckgettingback
home. Donttrytokillanymoremercenaries. Youllgetworselucknexttime.
Hisionpistolswerestillontheground. Jaxlungedforthemwithacry.
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Justbeforehereachedthem,twoboltsofflaringvioletplasmastruckthemand
turnedthejeweledgunsintoheapsofsmolderingwreckage. Scorchedpartsscattered
acrosstheplaza.
ThenJaxkneltdownandcriedfreely,nolongercaringifanyonesawhim. The
goldencapeweighedheavilyonhisshoulders,crushinghim. Flinteyewouldhave
beatenhimeasilyevenifithadbeenastraightdraw.
Flinteye! YousaidIdbejustakillersowhatareyou?hehowled.
Heturned. ThoseeyesperfectblackorbsregardedJaxcarefully. ThenFlinteye
said,Ididntkillyou,didI?
Thenhevanisheddownasidestreetwithoutabackwardsglance,leavingJax
huddledinthedust,shakingsoftlywithhisweeping. Thestarsrushedoutoverhead,
sweepingupfromthesouthtolighttheskywithathousandpinpricksofbrilliantlight.
Atlast,JaxCallamstoodandwalkedovertotheremainsofhisweapons. Hewent
straighttothespaceportandcharteredpassagebacktohishomeworldonthenext
starshiptoleaveErbatess.
Sean T. M. Stiennon
Seanisanauthoroffantasyandsciencefictionnovelsandshortstorieswithmanypublicationsunder
hisbelt.Hisfirstshortstorycollection,SixwithFlinteye,wasrecentlyreleasedfromSilverLake
Publishing,andhewon2nd
placeinboththe2004SFReader.comShortStoryContestandtheStorn
CookRazorEdgedFictionContestwithhisstoriesAspandTheSultansWell,respectively.The
SultansWellhasbeenpublishedintheanthologySagesandSwords.
Seansworktendstocontainlotsofactionandadventure,butheoftenincludeselementsoftragedy
andlossalongsideroaringbattles.Alotofhisworkcentersaroundcontinuingcharacters,themost
prominentofwhomisJalazarFlinteye(SixwithFlinteye). HealsowritestalesofShabakofTalonPoint
(DeathMarks,inissue#9ofAmazingJourneysMagazine),Blademaster(Asp,2nd
placewinnerin
the2004SFReader.comContest),andotherswhohaveyettoseepublication.
Seanlovestoreadfantasyandsciencefictionalongsidesomehistory,mysteries,andhistoricalnovels.
HisfavoritesincludeDeclarebyTimPowers,theMemory,Sorrow,andThorntrilogybyTadWilliams,
StephenLawheadsSongofAlbiontrilogy,andKingSolomonsMinesbyH.RiderHaggard.Hehas
reviewedbooksforDeepMagic:TheEzineofHighFantasyandScienceFiction,andreviewsbooks
currentlyat SFReader.com.
Tocontacttheauthor,[email protected]
readerfeedback.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesBeyondtheEther July2006
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0975884050/002-2477435-2791214?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0975884050/002-2477435-2791214?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0975884050/002-2477435-2791214?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0975884050/002-2477435-2791214?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0975884050/002-2477435-2791214?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.sfreader.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.sfreader.com/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0975884050/002-2477435-2791214?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=2831558/14/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 01
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Page9
Space Verse: Star Pilot's GravebyMarcieLynnTentchoff
Mybirthfatherleftustofightinthewars,
AninsultManeverforgave,
Hewentseekingglory,orsomyauntsays,
Butfoundjustastarpilot'sgrave.
AsIgrewupdirtsidemyeyessoughtthestars,
Idreamedofmyselfstrongandbrave,
andjustlikemyfather,whileMasatandsighed,
You'llendinastarpilot'sgrave.
ButwhenmyMasickenedIgaveupmydreams,
Ofgloryandplanetstosave,
Iworkedasmallfreightertopaydoctors'bills,
FarworsethanPa'sstarpilot'sgrave.
AndthencametheCreepers,thosealienslime,
Whowantedtomakeusallslaves,
IwishedIcouldfightthem,butjustwasn'tfree
Toseekoutastarpilot'sgrave.
Butwhenthewordreachedmemymotherwasdead,
BlownupinthelastCreeperwave,
IjoinedtherebellionandsentallIcould
Torotinastarpilot'sgrave.
AndnowIliedying,mylastmissiondone,
Withonlyoneboonlefttocrave,
Justpointmyshipstarwardandletherdriftfree,
And
grant
me
my
star
pilot's
grave.
Marcie Lynn TentchoffMarcieLynnTentchoffisanAuroraAwardwinningpoet/writerfromthewestcoastofCanada. Her
workhasappearedinsuchmagazinesasWeirdTales,OnSpec,Aoife's Kiss,andDreams&Nightmares,
aswellasinmanyanthologiesandonlinepublications.
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Page10
Ray Gun Revival Serial: Deuces WildPartOne:ReluctantAlliesbyL.S.King
Raucouslaughter,humanandalienbodyodorscombiningintheheat,andthe
smellofstaleliquorassaultedSlapssensesashewalkedthroughtheopendoorofthe
RocketWashBar.Paintflakedfromtheadobewalls.Offworldaliensaside,itwasnt
thatdifferentfromhome.
Packoverhisshoulder,hepickedhiswaythroughthecrowd,lookingforatable.
Thefewemptychairsdidntseemgoodchoicesconsideringtheglaresfromthose
seatednearby.
Slapmuscledthroughtothebarandaftercallingtwicetogetthebarkeeps
attention,hebangedahandonthecounter.Twoeyestalksswiveledtostareathim.Slapgapedforasecondbeforesaying,Somethingtoeat.Andadrink.Anything.
Thebartenderturnedaround,hismouthtwistingashespoke.Tenquel.Cash.No
credchits.
Cash!Slapgulpedandfumbledinhisvest.Ifamealanddrinkcostthatmuch,
whatwouldaroomcost?Heputthemoneyonthebarandglancedaroundasthe
bartenderturnedtothewalltap.Amotiononhisrightcaughthisattentionbut
somethingtoldhimnottomovehisheadorlookdown.Cuttinghiseyes,hesawahand
slidingathinstimbladeoutofasheathsewncleverlyintoablackvest.
BragosBands,whatwasthisguyupto?Aglassthunkedthecounterinfrontof
Slap,andhewrappedhishandaroundit,whilekeepingattunedtothemannexttohim.
Hefeltaslighttugatthepackonhisleftshoulderathieftryingtosteal?Without
thinking,Slapswungaround,andhisglassimpactedwithaface.Thethiefhitthefloor,
aneedlegunclatteringoutofhishand.Whatthe?Hestaredattheunconsciousman
forasplitsecondbutthesoundsofafightbehindhimmadehimturn.Themaninthe
blackvestthrusthisstimbladeintoamansgut.Theattackerscreamedinagony.Black
VestthenkickedasecondrightintoSlapschest.
Slapthrewanarmaroundthemansthroatandtightened.Ashewaitedforthe
strugglingmantopassout,hewatchedinaweasBlackVestcontinuedtofighttwo
moremen.Helookedlikeadancerleaping,spinning,kicking.Beforelonghis
opponentsalllayonthefloor.
Slaprealizedthemaninhisarmshadgonelimpanddroppedhim.BlackVest
turnedandregardedthetwomenatSlapsfeetthengazedupwithcoalblackeyes.
Thanks.
Dontmentionit.
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Page11
Peoplecrowdedcloser,gawkingatthebodiesandmuttering.BlackVestsgaze
dartedaboutashesheathedthedeadlyknife.Ithinkwedbetterleave.
Slapagreedandfollowedhimoutside.Thenightairfeltfreshandcool.Why
weretheyallfightingyou?
Quiet.Wehavetogetawayfromhere.Comeon.
Slapshruggedhispackhigheronhisshoulderasherolledhiseyes,thenfollowed
BlackVestthroughthenarrowstreets.Ashotasthedayscouldget,thenightsgotcold,
andSlapfoundhimselfshiveringinhissleevelessvestashepeeredaheadatthedark
shapeofhiscompanion.Oncehestumbledoverabodyinanalleyandgotamumbled
snarlasthepersonwoke.
Finallytheyenteredthegateofaninn.Slapblinkedatthefauxtorchesglowingat
eachsideofthearch.Wouldntrealfirebecheaper?Butthenmostofthelightinghed
seenhadntbeennatural.Heshrugged.Cityways.
Theytookaflightofcurvedstairstotheleftofthecourtyard,barelyilluminated
bysconcesdimlyflickeringwithyep,artificiallight.Slapshandranalongtherough
plasteredwalltokeephisbearingsastheyascended.Onceinsideasmallroom,theman
closedthedoorandturnedthelightonlow.HefacedSlap.Nowwecantalk.
Whywerethosementryingtokillyou?
Theywereassassins.Heranahandthroughhishair.Ithink.
Assassins?Whointheworldareyouthatassassinswouldwanttokillyou?
Nevermind.Hewalkedtothebedandgrabbedasmallsatchelfromthefootof
it.Byjumpingintohelpmeyoumighthavemadeyourselfatarget.Hestraightened
andstaredatSlap.Idadviseyoutogetasfarawayfromhereaspossible.Jumpplanet
ifyoucan.
Jumpplanet?BragosBands,Idontevenhavemoneyforaplacetosleep,or
foodhethoughtwithregretoftheliquorlostwhenhisglasshittheoneassassins
facemuchlessenoughmoneytogetaticketoffthisrock.
Themaneyedhimforafewmoments.Icanhelpwiththat.Butrightnow,lets
seeifwecangetsomethingtoeat.Herummagedinthebagandpulledoutasmall
item.Hepocketeditinhisvest,butSlapdidntseewhatitwas.Themanheadedforthe
door.Theresaboardinghousenotfarawaythathasadecentcook.
Whatswrongwiththisone?
ItsknownItookaroomhere.Toodangerous.Letsgo.
Slapwasntgoingtoargueatthementionoffood.
#
Hiscompanionatequietlyandneatly.Slaphadthechancetoreallylookhimover
intheflickerofthetorchlightrealfirethistime.Hishairwasdarkandhisskinnaturally
olivealthoughithadaspacepaletinge.Hewasaverageheight,whichmeantSlapssize
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dwarfedhim.Hisbarearms,althoughnotbulky,boasteddefinedmuscle.Buthiseyes
wereunforgettable.Theypiercedlikeblackice.
Themanhadchosenatableattheoutsideofthecourtyardandsatwithhisback
tothewall.Althoughheremainedstill,hiseyesdartedhereandthere,alwaysalert.
Slapshoveledfoodinhismouthasfastashecould,wishinghecoulduntangleall
thequestionshehad.Buthehadthefeelingthequietmanacrossfromhimwouldnt
answeranyway.
Heslurpedthehotrichdrinkwhateveritwas.Thanksforthemeal.
BlackVestsonlyreplywastomeethiseyesforamoment.Great.Arealtalkative
type.
Hethoughtaboutleavingtheplanet.Naw.Hewantedtogetfarawayfromhome,
butnotthatfar.AslongashewasawayfromtheMordas,andtheruinsofwhatusedto
behishomestead.Heclosedhiseyesforasecondasimagesofcharredbodiesandthe
smokingshellofhishouseflitteredacrosshismind.Hedrankmoreofthehotbrew,
dashingthememoriesawaywithalargegulp.
Themanstood.Ivepaidyourbillfortheroomtonight.Ithinkyoullbesafe.He
tossedasmallpouchonthetable.Thatwilltakecareofgettingyouawayfromhere
onplanetoroff.Thanksagainforyourhelp.
BlackVeststrodeout.Slappickedupthepouchandopenedittofindmore
moneythanhedeverseen.Well,whaddayaknow.
#
Tristanwanderedintheshadows,listening.Thoughnewtotheplanet,andthis
portcity,heknewthesortsofplacestogotolearnwhatheneeded.Reliefwashedover
himtofindhemerelyhadabountyonhisheadfromtheleaderofalocalunderworld
factioncalledtheMordas.Hesmiled.Hemusthavemadeagoodimpressionwhenhe
hijackedboththeirincomingshipmentanditspayment.
AtleastitwasntDraysassassins.Yet.ButTristansluckandcunningwouldnt
lastforever.
HewoundhiswaythroughthebackwaystoaplaceheknewMordashenchmen
gatheredtodrinkandbrag.Thebarhadanoldstyleductedheating/coolingsystem.It
evenhadanoutsideentrancetothesublevel.Ancientarchitecturewasso
accommodating.Hewassooninsideandlisteningatoneofthevents.
Thedrunkmenventedtheirangerloudlybothattheirlossandthattheirboss
blamedthemforit.Theywerehelplessandknewit.Tristanallowedhimselfasilent
chuckle.Thesepettycrookswerenoworry.Hestartedtorisewhenheheardadoor
slamandsomeoneyell,Getup,youlazybums!Weknowwherehispartneris.Old
boardinghouseneartheshipyardgates.
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Tristangroundhisteeth.Complicationsirritatedhim.Granted,heowedthathick
forsteppingin,butwhydidnthemindhisownbusinessinthefirstplace?Nowhe
owedthatlocalhislife.AndTristanalwayspaidhisdebts.Hehadtogetbackbefore
thosemengotthere.
#
Slapyawnedandstretched.Thebedwascomfortableand,surprisingly,clean.
Thatoffworlderhadgoodtaste,thatwascertain.Butwashecrazy?Assassins,danger,
havingtoleaveleavetheplanet?Yeah,OlBlackVestwasgagaallright.
Herolledupunderthecoversandtriedtosleep.Thecreaksandgroansoftheold
buildingkeptmakinghimjumpawake.Thiswasridiculous.Herosewithagrumbleand
snatchedinthedarkforhisclothes.Whatheneededwasafewstiffdrinkstohelphim
relax.Hedressed,slidthesheathforhisoldfashionedsteelknifeintothebackofhis
vest,anddonnedhishat.
Halfwaytothedoor,itslammedopenandthreemenentered.Slapcouldsee
theiroutlinesinthedimlightofthehallwaybutknewtheycouldntseehim.Hedrew
hisknifeandaimedbythethunkandgroan,heknewhehithistarget.Withagrowl,he
chargedtheothertwoandknockedthemback.Hepickedoneupbytheneckand
crotchandthrewhimacrosstheroom,thengrabbedtheotherbythethroatand
squeezedbeforetossinghimaswell.
Hefeltalongthefloorwithhisfootuntilhefoundthebodyandretrievedhis
knife.Usingthemansshirt,hewipeditclean,thenstraightened.Hereturnedtheknife
toitssheathwithasigh.BlackVestmighthavebeenright.
Iseeyoudidallrightwithoutmyhelp.
Slapspun,handonhisknife,toseetheslendersilhouetteinhisdoorway.BlackVest.He
relaxed.Iguessso.Theseyourfriendsagain?
Thelocalgangdomdoesntseemtolikeme.Oryou,nowthatweareknownto
beacquaintances.
TheMordas?
Yes.
Slapscowled.Idontlikethemeither.ButIcantakecareofmyself.
SoIsee.ButIthinkyouremistakeninyourassessment.Yourevastly
outnumbered.Yourbestbetistoleavewithme.Myshipisdockedonthesoutheast
sideoftheport.Wecanbethereandoffthisplanetbeforedawn.
Andthenwhat?Idontwanttogoanywhereelse.Thislousyrockismyhome.
Homehomewasashes,deadanddesolate.Nolaughter,nolife.Maybeanotherplanet
wouldbeafreshstart.
Butwhatdidheknowaboutthisman?Hehadassassinsafterhim,andthe
Mordas.Hehadmoney.Andaship.ButhedcomebacktohelpwhenhethoughtSlap
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wasindanger.Thatwasenough.Slapgrabbedhispackfromthefloorbythebed.He
tookadeepbreathandgaveanonchalantshrug.Butwhosaysfolkscantleavehome
foranadventureortwo?Letsgo.
#
Thisway,thelocalsaidwhentheygottothebottomofthestairs.Tristan
followedhim,thenstoppedinthedoorwayandhissed,Thekitchen?
Mybreakfastispaidforandfightingmakesmehungry.
Tristansighedandleanedagainstthewallwhilethehickgulpeddownfood.
Youngthisonewas,barelyaman.HewasverytallafullheadhigherthanTristanand
muscular,broadshouldered,butlean.Physicallaborer,definitely.Probablyafarmhand
fromhisoldstyledenimpantsandthefelt,opencrowncowboyhat.Hecertainlycould
throwbodiesaround.WhatplanetcouldTristansafelyleavehimon?
Areyoudoneyet?Tristanaskedashisunwantedcompanionwipedtheplate
withapieceofbread.TheMordascouldsendmoremen.
Mouthfull,themanstood,nodding.Ready,hemumbled.
Resistingtheurgetorollhiseyes,Tristanheadedforthebackdoor.
Hey,wait.
Tristanpivotedbackaround.Whatnow?
Whatsyourname?
Hepeeredatthetallmanintheglowfromthenichelights.Itcouldnthurtto
sharethealiasheusednow.Tristan.
Themannodded,andstood,asifwaitingforsomething.Tristanturnedtoleave
andfeltatouchonhisshoulder.FolkscallmeSlap.
Tristanstoppedandtwistedtolookupintohisface.Slap?Thatsit?
Slapshrugged.ItsallIneed.
Tristansighedandcontinuedtowardthebackdoor.Itcouldbeworse.Hisname
couldbeLennie.
#
Slapfollowedquietly.Hedidnttrytotalk,whichrelievedTristan.Theywound
throughthestreetstowardthespaceport,pastopenairmarkets,butthevendorswere
closedandbeggarssleptinthestreet.
Whichoneisyours?Slapaskedastheynearedthegateforprivateships.
Tristanpointedthroughthefencetoasmallcraftatthefarsideofthedockyard.
BeyondtheFalchion,betweenthetwoyachts.Notthebesthedeverowned,butit
wasagoodship.
Slapwhistledthroughhisteeth.Cutlasclass?Sweet.
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Tristannodded,butbeforehecouldsayanythingaflashmadehimclosehiseyes.
Anexplosionthunderedinhisears.Abodyknockedhimtotheground,andhegasped
forbreath.Moreexplosionsshatteredtheair.
Getoffme,youlug!TristanshovedatSlapwhorolledoverandsatup.
Justtryingtoprotectyou.
Idontneedit.Tristanbrushedthedustoffhisclothesandrose.
BragosBands,Slapsaidinahush.
TristanlookedthroughthefencetowhereSlapgapedandbitbackagroan.He
staredattheflamingwreckagethathadbeenhisship.Allthesupplieshedstolenfrom
theMordas,andhiswayoffthisplanetgone.Youknow,Tristanrubbedhis
foreheadsinceIfirstlaideyesonyou,itsbeenonethingoranother.
Slapsnorted.IfIhadntwantedtostopandeat,wedabeenaboardher.He
turned,hiseyesnarrowed.TheMordasreallymustwantyoubad.
Tristan
gave
him
a
grim
smile.
Not
as
badly
as
I
want
them,
now.
#
Sowhatareyougoingtodo?Slapaskedastheyhurriedawayfromthegate.
Nevermind.Justfollowme.
Slaphunchedhispackhigherontohisshoulder.Youknow,thatsgetting
irritating.
Whatis?
YoutreatingmelikeImakidanddontknownothing.Iminthiswithyou,likeit
ornot.Whycantyoutellmewhatsgoingon?
Tristanstoppedandstaredwiththosepenetratingblackeyes.Slapglaredback,
notwillingtoletthismangetthebestofhim.
FinallyTristanturnedandcontinuedwalking,sayingoverhisshoulder,Whenwe
getthere.Iwanttomovefast,andtalkingwouldslowusdown.
Slapmadesurehisansweringsighwasloud.
Theyleftthespaceportandwovethroughthestreets.Thewaygrewdirtierif
onewentbythereekofsewage,andthebuildings,fromwhathecouldtellinthefaint
lightofthenearlyfullmoon,older.
Finallytheyarrivedattheedgeofapropertythatcontainedtheburnedout
remainsofafactory.Severaloutbuildingremainedonthelot.Theycreptcloserand
hunkeredbehindapileofcharredtimber.
Whatsyourplan?Slapwhispered,squintingoverathisnewfriend.
SinceIstolethatoneshipment,theyvegottenparanoidandmovedtheir
suppliesouthere.Tristannoddedtowardastructureontheirfarleftashepulledon
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glovesandflexedthefingers.Imgoingtotakecareoftherestoftheirinventory.That
shouldhamstringthemlongenoughtosuitme.
Sowhatarethesesuppliesthataresoallfiredimportant?
Munitions.
Munitions?Slapscratchedhischin.TheMordasarethugs,Iknow,butwhat
wouldtheyneedtostockpilemunitionsfor?
Theyhavebuyersoffworld.Oneofthemisanastygroupofmercenaries.Makes
theMordasseemlikepeacemakers.
Slapfrowned.Sowhatareyou,somesortofspacecop?
TristanstaredatSlapforamomentwithalookofastonishmentandgaveasilent
chuckle.No.Ijustdontlikethebuyers.Tristanroseslightlyandpeeredoverthetop
ofthelumber.Keeponthelookout.Imgoingtosneakpasttheguards.
Slapliftedhiseyebrowsattheboldbutinsaneplan.Thateasy?Whatdoyou
have,
some
invisibility
screen?
DontIwish.Tristanseyescrinkledinaslightsmile.Ihavetouseamoreold
fashionedmethod.Stealth.
Slapwatchedinaweashisnewbuddyfadedintothenight,hisdarkclothesand
hairmakinghimalmostunseen.Heheldhisbreathandchewedaraggednailwhile
waiting.
#
Thefewguardswereeasytoslippast.Thepropertyhadenoughpilesofrubbish
tocovermuchofTristansmovement.Ifonlythatdrattedmoonwouldgobehind
clouds.Heglancedup.Clearskyscatteredwithstars.Notevenawispofhaze.Hecrept
aroundtowardthebackofthetargetedoutbuilding.Brokenwindowsbadlyboardedup,
thegratehangingbyonehingeoffanexhaustventtheymightbetrapsinsteadofeasy
entrances,butTristanwasntgoingin.
Heliftedthevesttorevealtheretooledammobeltaroundhiswaistandsetthe
timersforallthedetonators.Fifteenminutesshouldbeenough.Hecreptclosetothe
wall.Onethroughacrackbetweentwoboardsatonewindow,anothershovedpasta
brokenpaneofglassonTristanwent,crouchingandrunningfromplacetoplace,
insertinghislittledevices.
Threetogo.
Ascrapeabootongravel.Tristanfroze.
Dontmove,avoicefrombehindsaid.
TheironythatTristanhadalreadystoppedanymotionfadedintoachagrined
grindingofteeththatsomuchkeptgoingwrong.Wasitbadluck?Thisplanet?That
yokel?
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FireboltedthroughTristansbodypainrippedthroughconvulsingmuscles.He
droppedtotheground,unabletoevenscream.Thenallwentblack.
#
Hisbodythuddedonahardfloor.Trembling.Nausea.Tristanopenedhiseyes.At
thesightofSlapsfaceheclosedthemandshuddered.Anightmare.
Afootproddedhisside.
Isheawake?askedagravellyvoice.
Thedetonators!Tristanseyesflewopen.Howlonghadhebeenunconscious?
Yeah,asecondvoicesaid.
Gethimup.Theotheronetoo.Searchthemforweaponsandgetsomethingto
tiethemupwith.Youothers,shootthemiftheytryanything.
HandshauledTristantohisfeet,andhesawtheywereinsideadimlylitbuilding.
Fromthesize,probablytheoneswherethemunitionswerestored.Great.Morebad
luck.
Slapstood,facepale,eyesunfocused.Tristanglanceddownandsawthebeltstill
aroundhiswaist.Notmuchtimehadpassed,ornoonewouldbehere.Whatnow?
Handspawedhim,removinghishiddenstimbladeandtheammobelt.
Slapscowledashewassearched,andhissteelknifetakenaway.Heshookhis
headasiftoclearit.
Well,ifitisntouroldfriend,thehomesteader.So,cowboy,wemeetagain.
Slapsheadjerkedup,andhespuntofaceapale,slightlyoverweightman.
Lyssel!Youmurderinglizard!Illkillyou!IswearIllkillyou!
Twomengrabbedhisarmsbutbarelyheldhimback.Theonesholdingweapons
onhimjabbedtheair,yellingforhimtobestillashelungedtowardtheirboss.
Tristantookinthesneeringmanssheenedtrousersandmatchingjacketno
standardpackvest,theusualgarbonthiswarmclimedplanet.HewatchedSlapwith
interest,yetpartofhisbraintriedfranticallytofigureoutthetime.
Now,now,myoafishfriend.Lysselpulledaslenderfilefrominsidehisjacket.
HepointeditatSlapthenbegantocleanunderhisnails.Youcantblamemethatyou
lostyourranchandfamily.Iofferedyouachancetoleavepeaceablyandyouchoseto
stay.
Itwasmyhome!Slapyelled,tearsstreamingdownhischeeks.Youburnedit
down.Youmademewatchthemdie,youmurdering
OnelackeypunchedSlapinthestomachwiththebuttofhisweapon,makinghim
doubleover.AngerboiledupinTristan.ThesemenhadtakeneverythingfromSlap.His
ownlosseswerenothingincomparison.Ifonlyhehadachancetobreakfree
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AlowgrowlgrewintoaroarandSlapstraightened,fistssmashingouttothe
sides.Themenholdinghisarmshittheground.Heswungaroundandknockedone
guarddownTristandidntwaittoseemore.Hesmashedthekneecapofthemanto
hisrightwithhisheel.Hisleftarmsnakedaroundhiscaptors,andhetwistedtobring
theelbowoverhisshoulder.Heyankeddownwardandthemanscreamed.
Tristandroppedtoasquatasabodyflewoverhead,thenjumpedintotheairandshotafootouttocatchaguardaimingatSlap.Themantumbled,andTristanscooped
upthegun.Hefiredquickly,takingouttherestofthemen.
HisweaponandSlapslayonthefloornearanunconsciousman.Hesheathedhisstim
bladeandgrabbedthesteelknife,thentooktheammobeltandslungitbacktoward
stacksofboxesfurtherinside.
Lyssellayonthefloor,trappedunderabody,moaninginpain.
Slapstood,silentandshaking,facewet,gazingabouthimasiflost.Tristanhadtoget
themaway.Iftheydidntleavenow,theydbeinorbitwithoutaship.Hecalledthetall
cowboysname.
Slapturned,andTristanpointedatthedoor.Getout!Hurry!
Hisfriendgrabbedhispackfromthegroundandjoinedhimrunningfortheexit.
Dontstop,Tristancalled.
Theyracedacrosstheproperty,onlyabletodistinguishoutlinesbecauseofthe
moon.Tristanexpectedguardsortheblasttoknockthemdown,butnothinghappened.
HadLysselcalledallhismeninsidewhenhecaughtthetrespassers,ordidthedark
covertheirescape?Aroversatnearagate;Tristanveeredtowarditandjumped
aboard.SlapdoveinsideasTristanpressedtheignition.
Theexplosionrockedtheroverasitrose,lightingupthesky.Tristangrippedthe
controlsandfoughttostabilizethecraft.Hislipsthinnedandhisknucklesturnedwhite.
Thevehiclerespondedandhesighedwithrelief.Aglanceatthenavigationconsole
almostmadehimchuckle.HelookedoverhisshouldertoseeSlapwipinghisfaceonhis
sleeve.Heheldoutthesteelknife,hiltfirst.Slaptookitwithanod.
Ifoundourwayofftheplanet.Tristanpointedattheconsole.Thishasanauto
directtoaprivatepadatthespaceport.Idontthinkwellhavemuchtroubleacquiring
Lysselsyacht.Whatdoyouthink?
Slapgaveashakysighandaslightsmile.
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L. S. King
AsciencefictionfansincechildhoodreadingHeinlein,Asimov,Clarke,Dick,Bradley,
Pohl,Vonnegut,AnthonyandmanyothersL.S.Kinghasbeenwritingstoriessinceher
youth.Now,withallbutoneofherchildrengrown,sheiswritingfulltime.Forthelast
fouryears,shehasworkedondevelopingaswordandplanetseriestentativelycalled
TheAncients.Thefirstbookisfinished,andshehascompletedaroughdraftofseveral
morenovelsaswell.
SheservesontheeditorialstaffofTheSwordReview,isalsotheirColumnsEditor,and
writesacolumnforthatmagazineentitledWriter'sCrampsaswell.Sheisalsooneof
theOverlords,afoundingeditor,hereatRayGunRevival.
Shebeganmartialartstrainingoverthirtyyearsago,andownedakarateschoolfora
decade.AmotherandgrandmotherwholivesinDelawarewithherhusband,Steve,and
theiryoungestchild,shealsoenjoysgardening,soapmaking,andreading.Shehas
homeschooledherchildrenforoverfifteenyears,andmaintainstwohomeschooling
websites.ShealsolikesLooneyTunes,thecolorpurple,andisaZorroaficionado,which
mightexplainherloveofswordsandcloaks.
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Page20
Featured Artist - Sidharth ChaturvediName:SidharthChaturvedi
Age:20
Residence:Miamiformostoftheyear,NewJerseyduringholidays
Hobbies:Drawing,Writing,Reading,Swimming,
whateverstrikesthemood.
FavoriteBook/Author:Nowthere'salist.Tops
wouldbeJonathanStrange&Mr.Norrellby
SusannaClarke,DunebyFrankHerbert,and
TheSandmanbyNeilGaiman.
FavoriteArtist:Icouldn'ttellyouwhomyfavorite
worldrenownedartistis toomanyofthose.In
comics,IparticularlylikeJohnCassaday's
pencils.Alsoseensomemindblowingworkby
peopleonDeviantArt,mostofallbyArmin
Mersmann.
Startedcreatingart:WhenIwastwoyearsoldmaybe,butIonlygotserious
aboutitandstartedtakingclasseslateinhighschool.Otherwiseit'sjust
beenconstantpractice.Nothingbetterthandoodlingeverysecond.
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Page21
Mediayouworkin:Mainlypencils,butalotof
digitalaswell.
Whereyourworkhasbeenfeatured:
http://chagan.deviantart.com/
Wheresomeonecanbuyyourworkorcontact
youprofessionally:
Howdidyoubecomeanartist?:I'veactually
beenonthepremedicinetrackforaslongasI
canrecall.Artwasonlyahobbyuntilmy
sophomoreyearatcollege.GuessIfigureditstheonethingItrulyenjoydoing,Ikindof
lostinterestinbeingadoctorasafreshmanwithoutrealizingit.
Whatareyourinfluences?:Artistically?Anythingthatblowsmeaway.It's
neveraquestionofmysayingIcouldneverdothat,Ijustkeepworking
sothatonedayIcandoitbetter.
Whatinspiredthepieceonthecover?:I'doriginallydoneitforaCGNetworkscontest
entryasascenefromastoryIwaswritingatthe
time.
Whatdoyoudreamofaccomplishingwithyourart
duringyourlifetime?:
Becomingagreatcomicbookartist.Probablynot
possibletobecomeadeptinallkindsoftraditional
art,butI'ddefinitelyliketotouchonasmanyof
themaspossible.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesBeyondtheEther July2006
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22/34
Page22
Ray Gun Revival Serial: Jasper SquadEpisode1:Exile!
ByPaulChristianGlenn
Spillwipedthecoldblackcondensationfromhisvisorandsquintedintothe
darkness.Itwasimpossibletoseemorethanafewpacesinfrontofhim,andhe
expressedhisfrustrationwithaseethingsigh.
Melendez'voicecrackledinhisrightear.Iheardthat,sir.
Mineswereabadidea,hegrowled.Can'tseeathingdownhere.
Wedidn'tchoosethelocation,Captain.Thebadguysdid.
Spillgruntedandshuffledforward.Thirtyyearssincethemineshadbeen
abandoned,andtheairwasstillthickwithblackquordust.Perfectkindofratholefor
theverminhewaschasing.
Theradiocrackledtolifeagain.Youshouldbecominguponacrossline,said
Melendez.Takealeft,thengoallthewaytotheend.Andbecareful.Therewasa
collapseonthislineabouttenyearsago.Itwasclearedout,butthesupportsmaybe...
fragile.
Spillreachedoutwithhisleftarmandranhisglovedfingersalongtheroughly
hewnwall.Yougoingtobeabletofindmedownhere,Lieutenant?heasked.
Don'tfret,Captain,shesaid.Iknowthesetunnelsbetterthananyone
breathing.
Yeah,youwould,wouldn'tyou?
Silence.
Spillsmirkedtohimself.Hefiguredthatwouldshutherup.
Thewallvanishedfrombeneathhisfingersandherealizedhe'dreachedthecross
line.Asquietlyaspossible,hesteppedforwardandpeeredaroundthecorner.Atthe
endofthetunnel,nomorethanfiftypacesahead,asmalllanterndangledfromahook
intheceiling.Quordustfoggedthefluorescentbluelightemanatingfromtheorb,but
thereintheeerieglowstoodthreedistinctsilhouettes.Theywerehulkingfigures,
wrappedfromheadtotoeinprotectiveairsuits,andtheirhelmetsborethefamiliar
blackroseinsigniaoftheHissencrimefamily.
Lieutenant,whisperedSpill,Standready.I'mgoingin.
Roger.
Spillfingeredtheshooteronhisbelt.Itmadehimnervous.Hisownpiececouldn't
beclippedtotheselousyairsuits,sohewasmakingduewithastandardPatrolForce
shooter.Itwasapowerfulweapon,butclunkyforanexperiencedmarksman.Hemuch
preferredthefinesseofhisoldEMBlaster.
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Page23
Ashepassedbeneaththetunnel'smakeshiftsupportbeams,thethreefigures
noticedhimapproaching.Theyturnedtofacehimbutdidn'traiseahandingreeting.
Theydon'ttrustmeanymorethanItrustthem,thoughtSpill.
Hesteppedintothecircleoflight,andthemaninthemiddleofthetriumvirate
heldupthreefingers.Spillreachedforthewristpadonhisairsuit,tappedthenumber
threeandheardaclickinhisleftearashelockedintotheircomchannel.
AsecondlaterheheardMelendez'voiceinhisotherear.Gotit.Recording...
now.
Themanwhohadsignaledsteppedforward.Where'stheshock?heasked,
dispensingwithformality.
Stashedinacrosslineaboutahundredpacesback,repliedSpill.Threecrates.I
canleadyoutoitaslongyou'vegotmymoney.
Oneoftheothermentookastepforwardandspokeinaquiet,deliberatevoice.
Itain'tyourmoneyuntilweseethegoodies,MisterBoulder.Youknowhowitworks.
Hetiltedhisheadback,allowingthepalebluelighttoilluminatehisuglyfacebehindthe
visor.Hewassmiling.
Spill'sstomachtwisted.Heknewthisman.Moretothepoint,thismanknewhim.
Withoutbreakingeyecontact,hereplied,Justwanttomakesurewe'reagreedonthe
amount.Keepthingsequitable.Hestressedthelastword,andinstantlyheard
Melendez'voiceinhisear.
Rogerthat,shesaid.Onourway.
TheuglymantookanothersteptowardSpill.Equitable,heechoed.Nowthat's
kindofanunusualword,ain'tit?Equitable?
Spillstoodhisgroundandsaid,You'regettingalittlecloserthanIgenerallylike.
Theringleadersteppedforward,hishandrisingtowardtheshooteronhisbelt.
Stamp,what'sgoingon?heasked.
TheuglymancalledStampdidn'ttakehiseyesoffSpill.Ihaveafeelingthis
tunnel'sabouttogetalittlemorecrowded,hesaid.ButifIknowourbuddy'Mister
Boulder,'Ithinkwecanwork
AbrilliantredlaserblasteruptedfromSpill'sshooterandhitStampsquarelyin
thechest,knockinghimbackwardintothedarkness.Theothertwogangsters
immediatelydrewtheirweaponsandfiredwildly,butSpillhadalreadyrolledoutofthe
lightandtakenpositionbehindaslightjutinthetunnelwall.Hejumpeduptooneknee
andtrainedhisshooterontheringleader.Hefired,butthekickknockedhisshotwide
andhistargetjumpedclear.Thetworemaininggangstersdroppedtothegroundand
beganfiringinSpillsgeneraldirection.Inthedarknessofthetunnel,heknewthey
couldn'tseehim,buthefelttheheatofthedeadlyboltsastheyflashedoverhead.
Melendez'voicecrackledfromhisearpiece.Situation?
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Spillignoredherandinsteadfocusedonfindinganewhidingplace.Hefiredtwice
atthegangsterstogiveawayhiscurrentposition,thenleaptbackwards.Thegangsters
firedathisabandonedpositionandSpillusedthosesecondstoscrambletotheopposite
sideofthetunnel.
Captain!shoutedMelendez.What'shappening?
It'saparty,hebarkedback.Tellthecadetstoholdpositionatthecross
section.YouandIcanhandlethis.
Ashooterblastexplodedoverhisshoulderandkickedupdirtinchesinfrontof
thetwogangsters.
Toolate,saidMelendez.We'realreadyhere.
SpilltwistedaroundtofindMelendezstandingonlyafewfeetbehindhim.The
twocadetsflankedeithersideofher,theirshootersdrawn.
Youtwo,fallback,saidSpill.KeepyoureyesopenandforGod'ssake,don't
shootunlessItellyou.Thecadetsreactedimmediately,droppingbackfurtherintothe
tunnel.
Thetworemaininggangstershadtakentotheirfeetandwerewarilyadvancing.
SpillmotionedtoMelendezandsheranfortheoppositesideofthetunnel.Ifthebad
guyswerefoolishenoughtostartfiringagain,they'dfindthemselvescaughtina
crossfire.
Melendeztookpositionandaddressedthecriminalsfromthedarkness.Youare
herebydetainedbytheauthorityoftheGalacticPatrolForce.Abdicateyourweapons
andstanddown.
Spillaimedhisshooterattheapproachingringleaderandwaited.
Abdicateyourweapons,repeatedMelendez.
ThegangsterssuddenlyboltedpastSpillandMelendezandrushedheadlonginto
thedarkness,hopingtomakeanescape.Theywereheadingstraighttowardthecadets.
Rey!Jackaby!shoutedSpill.Takecover!
Toolate.FiveburstsoflightflashedthroughthemurkydarknessandRey'svoice
echoedoverthecomchannel,Jackaby'sdown!
SpillandMelendezchargedtowardthefray.Rey,saidSpill,Givemeaflare.
Now!
Secondslaterahazylightilluminatedthetunnel.Thedustwasthick,butthe
silhouetteswereclearenough.SpillandMelendezsimultaneouslyopenedfireandthe
twomenacingfigurescrumpledtotheground.
Theflareslowlyfaded,andSpillturnedtoseeMelendezcrouchedinthelantern
lightbehindhim.Captain,shesaid,Thisoneisstillbreathing.
I'llhandleit,hereplied.GoseetoJackaby.
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Melendeznoddedanddisappearedintothedarkness.Spillwalkedslowlybackto
thelanternlight,kneltdownandregardedthewoundedman.TannenStamp,hesaid.
Whatareyoudoingsofarfromhome?
Stamphadbeenwearingamercvest,sothechestwoundwassuperficial.Of
greaterconcernwastheraggedholeinhisairsuit.Stampwasdoinghisbesttoclutch
thefabrictogether,buttoomuchofthematerialhadburnedaway,andthepoisonoussubterraneanatmospherewasslowlychokinghim.Gaspingandretching,heglaredat
Spill.
We'lljustwaithereamoment,saidSpill.Letnaturerunitscourse.
Adeepgroanechoedfromtheearthabovethem.Spilllookedupintimetoseea
largechunkofchalkyblackquorplummetfromtheceilingandsmashintojaggedshards
onthetunnelfloor.
Youknow,onsecondthought,saidSpill,Idon'tfeellikewaiting.Sleeptight,
Stamp.
Melendezmaterializedoutofthedarkness.Thecadetsareontheirwaybackto
theJasper,shesaid.I'llhelpyoucarrythisman.Shesquattedtogetherarmsunder
Stamp'slegs.
Leavehim,saidSpill.He'snotgoingtomakeit.
Melendezlookedupandfixedhereyesonhis.Withallduerespect,Captain,that
wouldbeaviolation
LieutenantinterruptedSpill.Theearthgroanedagainandthesupportbeams
madeominouscreakingnoises.
Welivebyandforthelaw,sir,saidMelendez,quotingtheOfficer'sOath.
Whereareyou?askedReyoverthecom.What'sgoingon?
SpillstaredatMelendez,butshedidn'tflinch.Heshouldhaveknown.We'reon
ourwayup,hesaid.
Withadisgustedgrunt,heswitchedonhisheadlamp.Melendezdidthesame,
andtogethertheyliftedStamp'sbodyandstumbledoutofthelanternlight,intothe
darknessofthetunnel.Inthebeamsoftheirheadlamps,hundredsoftinyquorchunks
droppedfromtheceiling.Amonstroussnapechoedthroughthetunnelandthecentral
supportbeamcrasheddownintosplintersbehindthem.Inquicksuccessionthe
supplementarybeamsgaveway,andcrushingbouldersraineddownaroundthem.
Faster!shoutedSpill.Melendezwasstrainingagainstthemassiveweightof
Stamp'sbody,andSpillrealizedtheywouldntmakethecrosssectionbeforethetunnel
collapsed.Inaquickmotionhespunaround,grabbedStamp'sfeetfromMelendezand
swungthedyingman'sbodyupoverhisshoulders.Go!hesaid.
Melendezranforward,dodgingcertaindeathwitheverystep.Shereachedthe
crosssectionandturnedintothemorestabletunnel.AninstantlaterSpillappeared,
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Stampslifelesshulkdanglingaroundhisneck.Heshotheralookofexasperationasthe
tunnelbehindhimcollapsedwithdeafeningthunder.
Let'sgetbacktotheJasper,hesaid.
#
TheGPSJasperwasasmall,fast,stateoftheartpatrolshipthathadjustcome
outofprototypeandintoactiveuse.Thedesignwasbasedontheantiquateddouble
cookiemodels,socalledbecauseoftheirsimple,circulartwoleveldesign.Thebottom
cookiehousedtheship'sengines,whiletheuppercookiehousedbunks,holdingcells
andaconferencetableallinanopenareanomorethanfiftypacesacross.
Spill'sfavoriteinnovationintheJasperwasthecockpit.Intheoriginalcookies,a
helmwasbuiltintoonesideoftheupperdeck,makingthatthefrontendoftheship.
TheJasper'scockpitwasbuiltonahydraulicrailsystem,whichcircledtheexteriorofthe
uppercookie,allowingthepilotcompletefreedomtoslidebackandfortharoundthe
perimeter
of
the
ship.
The
freedom
to
pilot
from
any
vantage
point,
coupled
with
the
thrustersuniqueabilitytoinstantlyshiftinanydirection,madetheJasperoneofthe
mostmaneuverableshipsinthegalaxy.
ThankstohismanyyearsofserviceontheForce,CaptainSpillwasthefirstsquad
leaderentrustedwiththisflashynewmodel.Mostofficerswithtwentyfiveyearsof
patrolundertheirbeltwerepunchingperpcodesbehindadesksomewhere,butSpill
preferredactiveassignment.
SpillandMelendezemergedfromthemouthofthemineshaftandontotherocky
desertplain.Thesunwassetting,andthewickednocturnalsandstormsforwhich
Candlevarwasinfamouswerebeginningtostir.Smallwhirlwindsofsharpsandwhipped
aroundthem,pepperingtheirairsuitsintinytorrents.TheJasperhoveredthirtypaces
away,itstubularboardingliftloweredandwaiting.
Jackaby,prepfortakeoff,saidMelendez.We'llbeupinlessthanaminute.
SpillheavedStamp'slimpbodyfurtheruponhisshoulders,andtheyranforit.
Withinsecondstheywereundertheship.TheyreachedtheliftandMelendezpunched
intheboardingcode.Thedoorhissedup,andtheytumbledinside.Spillcarelessly
tossedStamp'sbodytothefloorwhereitlandedwithadullthump,andhesmackedthe
'ascend'buttonwiththebuttofhispalm.Thedoorhisseddown,thepressurization
locksclicked,andmanufacturedairfilledthecompartment.Secondslaterthetube
recededintothebottomoftheship.
Insidethelift,MelendeztwistedherhelmetoffandkneltoverStamp'sbody.
He'sgoingtoneedoxygenandacoupleofjabs,shesaid.Spillsaidnothing.
Theliftslowedtoahaltandthedooropened.Spillsteppedoutintotheboarding
chamber,whichwassimplyasmallroomwithtwoexits.Onewasasolidmetaldoor
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thatledintotheenginebay,theotherwasacircularstaircaseleadinguptothedeck.
Thewallswerelinedwithhooksonwhichtohangtheairsuitsandhelmets.
SpillandMelendezquicklyunzippedtheirsuitsandtossedthemaside.They
grabbedStamp'sbodyandclimbedthestaircasetogether,swingingthegangster
betweenthemlikeatwohundredpoundham.Astheyemergedontothedeck,Rey
rushedovertoassistthem.
Jasper'sreadytogo,Captain,shesaid.Lookingdownthestairwellintothe
receivingstation,shebegantoask,Theothertwosuspects...
Theyreceivedaproperburial,saidSpill.How'sJackaby?
I'mallright,calledJackaby,steppingoutofthecockpit.TheblastfriedmyO2
processorandIfelldowndizzybeforeIrealizedwhathappened.OnceIswitchedonmy
auxiliaryunit,Iwasfine.
Iswitchedonyourauxiliaryunit,correctedRey.
Ineithercase,youmadeoutbetterthanthisguy,saidMelendez.Jackaby,get
themedkit.Rey,helpmegethimtoabunk.
Spillwalkedtowardthecockpit.I'mgoingtogetusoffthisrock,hesaid.Iwant
thatscumballsecuredinaholdingcell.Donotrevivehimuntilhe'slockeddown,
understand?
Yes,sir.
Spillduckedthroughasmallaccessportinthewallandsteppedintothecockpit.
Throughtheglass,thelandscapeofCandlevarspreadoutinfrontofhim.Thesunwas
justdisappearingoverthehorizon,andsandandrockassaultedtheshipsshinynew
hull.Couldn'tgetoutofheresoonenough.
Heclosedtheaccessportbehindhimandploppeddownintothepilot'sseat.He
setthenavcoordinatesforGalacticPatrolForceHeadquartersandpressedthe
intercom.Braceyourselves,hesaid,andhitthethrusters.
WithathunderousrumbletheJasperblastedstraightupfromthesurfaceand
soaredeffortlesslytowardthestars.Astheshippreparedtobreakatmosphere,Spill
unlockedthecockpitandrelaxedasitslidfree,slowlyatfirst,thenfaster,circlingthe
outsideoftheship.Helookeddownattherecedingplanet,thedistinctmountainsand
valleyssweepingpasthim,blurringintofaintshapes,thenfadingintoformlesspatches
ofbrownandgray.Healwaysfeltasubtlemelancholyashewatchedaworlddisappear
belowhim.Everyplanetinthegalaxywasutterlyunique,adistinctandintricateplace
filledwithlifeandactivity,civilizations,wars,artandhistory.Yet,fromthecockpitof
theJasper,youcouldwatchitalldisappear,swallowedintothevastnessofspace.It
becamejustanotherspeckoflight,indistinguishableamongabillionothers.Inamatter
ofseconds,youcouldwatchthewholeworldbecomemeaningless.
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Theintercombuzzed.ItwasMelendez.Captain,thedetaineehasbeen
stabilized.He'sawake.
Berightthere,hesaid.Heenteredthereturnsequenceandthecockpitswung
backaroundtoalignitselfwiththeaccessport.Itlockedintoplace,andhewasreaching
fortheportdoorwhenitwassuddenlyopenedfromtheotherside.Melendez'face
appearedintheopening.
MayIhaveaword,sir?sheasked.
Whatisit?
Shejumpeddownintothecockpitandclosedtheportbehindher.Arewegoing
totalkaboutwhathappenedbackthere?sheasked.
Spillsighed.Notnow,Lieutenant.
Hesteppedtowardtheaccessport,butMelendezmovedtoblockhisway.
Captain,shesaid,youweregoingtoleavethatmanbehind.
A
criminal.
Yes,andapossiblewitness.Howlonghasitbeensincewe'vehadanythingsolid
onaHissen?
Hewon'ttalk,saidSpill.Theyneverdo.
Fine,shesaid.Forgetaboutthat.Hewasunarmed.Helpless.Chokingtodeath.
Howcouldyoujustlethimdie?
Whatareyou,acop?
Yes,sir,andsoareyou. Shelookedawayforamoment,thencontinuedmore
respectfully.Thosetwocadetsarewatchingus.They'reheretolearnwhatForcelife
lookslikeoutsidetheAcademywalls.Wehavearesponsibility
Areyou,ofallpeople,lecturingmeaboutthelaw?Spillsteppedforwardand
juttedhischinintoherface. Itwasn'taquestion,itwasachallenge,andhewantedto
makesureshegotthepoint.
Melendez'gazeturnedtosteel.No,sir.
Takethecontrols,then,hesaid.Navcoordisset.
Withthat,hepushedpasther,openedtheaccessport,andsteppedupontothe
deck. JackabyandReyweresittingattheconferencetableenteringreportsintotheir
workpads.Spillrememberedwhatitwaslike,thatlastmonthofAcademy.Hewonderediftheywereasnaiveashehadbeen.
OntheothersideoftheroomsatStamp.Exceptforthepallorofhisskin,you
wouldneverguesshehadbeenincriticalconditionjustmomentsbefore.Sittingonthe
edgeofhisbunk,helookedeverybitathug:muscularframe,unkempthair,features
apparentlyhewnfromstone.HesatontheedgeofhisbunkandstaredatSpillwithdark
eyes.Thesilverbraceletsonhiswristsglowedwithasoftbluelight,indicatingthatthe
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holdingcellhadbeenactivated.Therewerenovisiblewallsaroundthebunk,butStamp
couldn'tmovemorethantwopacesinanydirection.
SpillsaunteredovertothecellandsatdownonthebunkbesideStamp.
Spill,raspedStamp.Ioughttowringyourworthlessoldneck.
Spillnodded.You'reprobablyright.Fortunatelyforme,you'renotinaposition
todowhatyouought.
Sowhathappensnow?askedStamp.
Spilllookedatthefloorandshrugged.Yougotojail,Tannen.Didntyouever
playcopsandrobbers?
StampsmirkedopenlyandnarrowedhiseyesatSpill.Somethingtellsmeyou
don'twantthemtosendmeup.Couldbebadforyourcareer.
Idon'twantalotofthings,Stamp,saidSpill.Idon'twanttoretire.Idon'twant
toeatanotherGPFoutpostration.AndIcertainlydon'twantyoutobekilledduringa
failed
escape
attempt.
Youdon'tscareme,lawman,saidStamp.ThatLieutenantofyoursisagoody
twoboots.Smokemy'suitandshe'dreportyoubeforethenextdock.
Thinkso?askedSpill.
I'dbetmylifeonit,saidStamp.
Theintercombuzzed,andMelendezaddressedthemfromthecockpit.
ApproachingHeadquarters,shesaid.They'llbelookingforyourAcode,Captain.
SpillstoodandwalkedawayfromStamp'sbunk.Afewpacesout,hestoppedand
turned.AboutthatLieutenantofmine,hesaid,She'sseenthingsthatwouldgiveyou
nightmares,Stamp,andmostofthemwereherownhandiwork,soyoumightwantto
hedgethatbet.
BLAM!
WithahorrifyingroartheJasperrockeduponend.Thecadetswerethrownfrom
theirtable,collidingwiththewallinatangleoflimbsandcurses.Spillfellbackwards
andslidtowardthecenteroftheroom,catchinghimselfatthestairwell.Beforehe
couldscrambletohisfeet,theshipwasthrownagain,thistimewithlouderthunderand
theunmistakableshudderofhulldamage.Spillskiddedonhishandsandkneestoward
thecockpitaccessportandstuckhisheadthroughtheopening.
Melendez,heshouted,whatthehell?
Idon'tknowwho'sfiring,shesaid,butthey'vecertainlygotbrass.We'rejust
outsideofheadquarters.
Spilljumpeddownintothecockpitandsealedtheportal.Let'sseethem,he
said.MelendezreleasedthecockpitandSpillfeltthefamiliarstomachdropasthey
swungloose.HegrabbedthecomanddialedintothesecureGPFchannel.Theboton
theotherendrespondedpromptly.
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Pleaseenteryourauthorizationcode,saidthebotinitstypicalstaccato.Spill
punchedinhisAcodeanddidn'twastetimeonpleasantries.
GPSJasperrequestingassistance,hesaid.We'vegot
Hisrequestwasinterruptedbyaharshdemandfromtheother.CaptainMuriel
SpillandmembersofthePatrolSquadJasper,youareherebydetainedbytheauthority
oftheGalacticPatrolForce.Itwasn'tthebotthistime,butaliveCommander
broadcastingfromoneofthefourPatrolCruisersthathadjustcomeintoviewofthe
cockpit.
MelendezlockeddownthecockpitandSpillgazedincredulouslyattheheavily
armedcruisers.I'veenteredmyauthorizationcode,hereplied.We'rereturningfrom
assignmenton
Disarmyourweaponsystemandpreparetobeboarded,interruptedthe
unseenCommander.Youwillnotreceivethisinstructionasecondtime.
SpillswitchedoffthecomandlookedatMelendez.Doit,hesaid.Theyd
betterbebringinganengravedapology.
Melendezhitabuttonontheconsoletolowertheboardinglift,thenpowered
downtheweaponsystem.Itwasasymbolicgesture;theJasper'smoderatefirepower
waspracticallyuselessagainstthecruisers.Itstwolightcannonsweredesignedfor
disablingrunawaybugships,notbattlingcruisers.
CadetJackaby'svoicecameovertheintercom.Uh,hestammered,arewe...
okay?
Boardingpodisonitswayover,repliedSpill.Preparetostandatattention.
SpillandMelendezwaitedinsilence,watchingforapodtojettisonfromoneof
thecruisers.Afteramomentofinactivity,Melendezmurmured,What'sgoingon?
Spillwaswonderingthesamething,butwhenheswitchedthecombackonto
inquire,thesignalwouldn'tconnect.Thespeakeremanatedagarbledmixofmodulated
voicesignalsandwhitenoise.Spillcursedandmuttered,Thisisnotimeforasignal
wash.
HeturnedtoaskMelendezforanintegrityanalysis,butshewasstaringintentlyat
thecomspeaker.That'snotawash,shesaid.It'sascramble.Irecognizethe
pattern.
Can'tbeascramble,saidSpill.Howdotheyexpectustosignalcomplianceif
they'vescrambledthe...Thewordsfellfromhislipsandhisinsidesslowlysank.How
longhaditbeensincethecommandtostanddown?Thirtyseconds?Fortyfive?He
switchedthecomtointernal.Rey,Jackaby,hesaidflatly.Strapyourselvesdown.
Captain,you'renotbeganMelendez,butbeforeshecouldfinish,allfour
patrolcruisersfiredtheirmassivemulticannonsstraightattheJasper.
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Blazingblueblastsofdestructiveenergyscreamedtowardthem,butSpillwas
readyatthehelm.Withfocusedprecisionhetwistedtheship'shandlebarsinwardand
theJasperdroppedstraightdown,narrowlyavoidingannihilation.Thecruisersfired
againandbegantoreforminanattackpattern.SpillreversedthedropandtheJasper
shotstraightupintotheairspaceithadoccupiedonlysecondsbefore.Thecruisers
anticipated
the
move,
however,
and
the
shock
of
impact
was
devastating
as
a
solid
bolt
ofbluefireexplodedagainsttheJasper'slightarmor.Inthecockpit,everylightonthe
consoleflashedwildly,thenbegantoblinkout,onebyone.
That'sourmainframe,saidMelendez.Com'sgone.Navcoordisout.
Notmyfirsttimeflyingblind,saidSpill.Hehitthethrustersandspeddirectly
towardthepatrolcruisers,weavingthroughspace,dodgingwhatwasnowafullblown
assault.Intheflashingrainofmissiles,theJasper'struecapabilitiesrevealed
themselves.Thesmallsleekcraftveerednimblyinbetweenthedeadlyblasts,
exhilaratingSpillwithitsfluidresponsiveness.
Hezoomedupbeneaththeforemostcruiserandspedalongthelengthofits
underbelly.Theothercruisersceasedfire,waitingforhimtoemergefromtheother
end,andtheCommandersmusthaverealizedhewasmakingabreakforit.They
invertedtheirthrustersandpreparedtoreversedirection,butSpillwasalreadynearing
thetailendofthecruiserabovehim.Theyweren'tgoingtocatchhim.
TheJasperemergedatfullspeed.Spillreleasedthecockpitandswungaroundto
facethecruisers.HeengagedtheJasper'scannonsandfiredoffafewtokenshotsas
theyspedaway.Thecruisersreturnedfire,butSpillwasalreadyoutofrange.
They'regoingtosendoutpatrolships,saidMelendez.
Itwon'tmatter,saidSpill.Standardpatrollerswon'tcatchus.
Afteramomentofsilence,Melendezasked,Whatnow?
Spilllookedather.Wefigureoutwhat'sgoingon.
#
Thecockpitaccessportslidopenandrevealedchaos.Everythingonthedeckhad
beenthrown,smashedorupset.Theoverheadlightswereflickeringonandoff,andthe
integrityalarmblared.JackabyandReystaggeredtowardSpill,boththeirfacesadorned
withscratchesandlacerations.
Spillreachedforanearbyaccesspanelandsilencedthealarm.
Wereweattacked?demandedJackaby.Spillnoddedashesizeduptheir
wounds.Nothingserious,thankfully.Allheneededwasanegligencechargeontopof...
whateverelsewasgoingon.
Where'sLieutenantMelendez,askedReyfearfully.
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She'sflappingourwings,saidSpill.NavsyswasfriedwhentheGPCsattacked.
We'reonmanual.
Ittookamomentforthemeaningtopenetrate,butwhenitdidthecadetseyes
grewwide.PatrolCruisers?askedReyslowly.Why
Idon'thaveanyanswers,saidSpill,butIdohaveaplan.There'sanoutpostin
CamberSystem,threehoursfromhere.We'llpatchupthereandgetthisstraightened
out.
Beforemorequestionscouldbeasked,theroomwentblack.Foroneterrifying
second,darknessengulfedthedeck,thehumoftheenginesdisappeared,andthe
Jasperwasdriftinginthesilent,uttervoidofspace.Inthespaceofabreath,thelights
flickeredbackon,theenginesthrobbedbackintoaction,andtheyweremovingagain
WemayhavetodockbeforeCamber,saidSpill,mostlytohimself.
Jackabyturnedandbeganpickingupthescatteredcontentsofthecabin.Rey
lookedatCaptainSpillasagirlmightlooktoherfatherforreassurance.Hereturnedher
gazewithanevenstare,andsheunderstood.Herbackstiffenedandshesetherpetite
jaw.WithacurtnodsheturnedandbegantohelpJackabycleanupthemess.
SpillturnedbacktowardthecockpittoseeMelendezstandingbesidehim.He
gapedather.Getbacktothehelm!heshouted.Areyoutryingtogetuskilled?
I'vegotnocontrol,Captain,shesaid.
Spillstoppedandlistened.Thrustersarefiring,hesaid.
We'redefinitelyflying,sir,shesaid.ButI'mnottheonedriving.
SpillspunaroundandlookedatStamp'sbunk.Itwasempty.
Jackaby'smouthworked,buthecouldn'tmakeitsayanything.Reyspokefor
themboth.Wemusthavelostthecontainmentfieldwhenthemainframesputtered.
SpillunlatchedtheEMBlasterfromhiship.Lookforyourweapons,hesaid.He
glancedatthearmscabinetonthefarwallandwasrelievedtoseethelockindicator
stillglowing.Lieutenant,holdthedeck.
Hecrepttothestairwellinthecenteroftheroomandpeereddown.Nothing.He
drewhisblasterandcreptslowlydownthestaircase,searchingthereceivingstation
belowforanymovement.Satisfiedthattheareawasclear,hedescendedtothebottom
andmovedswiftlytotheenginebaydoor.Withhisweaponaimedatthedoor,he
tapped thereleasebuttononthewall.Thedoorhummedforasecond,thenmadea
grindingnoiseastheinternalmechanismstrained.Whenthemechanismgaveup,Spill
openedtheaccesspanelonthewallandpulledthemanualreleaselever.Thelatch
releasedwithaloudclick,butthedoorremainedfirmlyinplace.
Spillstuckhisblasterbackinitsholsterandclimbedbackuptothedeck.
MelendezandthecadetswereseatedattheconferencestaringatJackaby'sworkpad.
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ThegoodnewsisthatStamphasevidentlyfixedthenavcoord,saidSpill.The
badnewsisthathe'shotwireditandsolderedhimselfintotheenginebay.
Captain,saidMelendez,theglowoftheworkpadsoftlyilluminatingherface.
We'vegotbiggerproblemsthanStamp.
SpillwalkedoverandtooktheworkpadfromJackaby.Thescreendisplayeda
networkbroadcastnotification.AsSpillreadtheheadline,hewasoverwhelmedbythe
sensationthathisentirelifehadjustslippedaway.
WANTED:GalacticPatrolSquadJasper,formurderandfortreasonagainstthe
UnitedGalacticSystems.CaptainMurielJ.Spill,LieutenantJanetL.Melendez,Cadet
JennaC.ReyandCadetCorelF.Jackabyrepresentaphysicalandviolentthreat.Private
citizensarenottoengagethefugitives,butarerequiredtocontacttheirlocalGPF
authorityiftheyacquireanyinformationtothefugitives'locationoractivities.This
noticeisineffectforallsystems.
Spillstaredattheworkpad,readingthenoticeoverandagain.Doesntmakeany
sense,hemuttered.
Itlookstheybroadcastitthismorning,saidJackaby,shortlybeforewelanded
atCandlevar.
Strangethattheydidn'tjustcallusback,saidMelendez.
CaptainSpilltossedtheworkpadaside,walkedtothecockpitaccessportaland
peeredthrough.Outbeyondtheglasshesawaninfinitefieldofstars.Thousandsof
planetsandyetsuddenly,hehadnoplacetogo.
Melendez,hesaid,stillstaringoutatthevastexpanse.Trytogetintothe
coordinatesgridandseeifyoucanfigureoutwhereStamp'stakingus.Whereveritis,we'llneedtobeready.
Paul Christian Glenn
PaulChristianGlennisafeaturefilmauthoranddirector,lyricist,andallaroundfiction
writer,andisabletodofarmorethanhesbeengivencreditforhere.
Hisbioreadslikethis:PaulChristianGlennhasbeenwritingforaslongashecan
remember.Itshouldbenoted,however,thathehasanotoriouslyshortmemory.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesBeyondtheEther July2006
8/14/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 01
34/34
Page34
The Jolly RGRThisisthebackpage,thesternendofthemagazine. Wewillusethisspacetofeature
teasersfornextIssue'sworks. UpnextforRayGunRevivalIssue#2:
Overlord'sLaireditorial FictionshortbyScottM.Sandridge,GalaxyStore
WorkingatGalaxyStoreisnofun,sowhenJanellandWillarrive
toreplacetheirdrivesystems,Gorguthseeshisopportunityfor
freedom.
Fictionserial TheAdventuresoftheSkyPirate,byJohneCook,Episode
#1,
The
Assassin
of
Patience
Bay
CooperFlynn,anorphanonaremoteisland,meetsavisitorwho
ismorethanheappearstobe,andisthrownintoaviolent
encounterwithanothervisitorwhoisexactlywhatheappearsto
be.
FeaturedArtist Fictionserial MemoryWipeChapter1,bySeanT.M.Stiennon:
TheSilverSun
TakedaCrosterwokeupinGreendomeonthecolonyplanetBelar
withnomemoryandnothingonhimexceptapairofpantsand
anImperialcitizenshipcardwithhisnameonit. Exceptionally
strongforhissize,heworksasabouncerintheSilverSunCasino;
however,whenhedefendsaninnocentmanfromtwocorrupt
policemen,hebeginstomanifestunknownsuperhumanabilities
andattractstheattentionofpowerfulforces. Wheredoyourun
whenyoudon'tknowwhoyouareorwho'sinpursuit?