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THRILL ING TALES FROM BEYOND BEYOND THE ETHER
“Young Ones” by Selena Thomason “TO THE SHORES OF TRIPLE, LEE!” by A.M. Sckel Deuces Wild 02, “Reluctant Allies, Part Two” by L. S. King Jasper Squad 02, “When In Wroume” by Paul Chrisan Glenn
Issue 03 “Fragment in Space,” Space,” by Michel Merza
Ray Gun Revival – August 1, 2006
August 1, 2006 Issue 03
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Table of Contents
Overlord’ Overlo rd’ss Lair... Lair......3 ...3 Young Ones...... O nes......4 4 TO THE SHORES OF TRIPLE, LEE!......14 Deuces Wild, Wild, Reluc Reluctant tant Allies: Part Two Two by L. S. King......1 King......19 9 Featured Artist, Artist, Michel Merza, aka DKF......25 Jasper Squad, Squad, Episode Two: When in Wroume, by Paul Christian Glenn......27 The Jolly RGR......33 Overlords (Founders): L. S. King, Johne Cook, Paul Chrisan Glenn Ray Gun Radio: Taylor Kent - founder, director, and producer, all things audio John “JesusGeek” Wilkerson - RGR Disinformaon Specialist
Venerable Staff: A.M. Sckel - Managing Copyeditor Mike Loos - Proofreader, Technical Technical Lead – PocketRGR; Walter Rosenfeld - Proofreader Mahew McConley - Proofreader Paul Chrisan Glenn - PR, sounding board, strong right hand, newshound L. S. King - copyeditor, proofreader, beloved nag, muse, webmistress Johne Cook - art wrangler, desktop publishing, editorials, chief, cook, and bole washer
Slushmasters (Submissions Editors): Taylor Kent, Sco M. Sandridge, David Wilhelms Serial Authors: Sean T. M. Sennon, Lee S. King, Paul Chrisan Glenn, Johne Cook Cover Art: “Fragments in Space,” by Michel Merza Without Whom... Bill Snodgrass, site host, Web-Net Soluons, admin, webmaster, database admin, mentor, condante, liaison – Double-edged Publishing
Special Thanks: Ray Gun Revival logo design by Hatchbox Creative Visit us online at http://raygunrevival.com All content copyright 2006 by Double-edged by Double-edged Publishing , a Memphis, Tennessee-based non-prot publisher.
Rev: b20060802
Ray Gun Revival – August 1, 2006
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Overlord’s Lair by the Ray Gun Revival Overlords
The Missing Sense of Wonder
W
e at Ray Gun Revival have been thinking a lot lately about what it is about space opera that is different than regular fantasy or scifi. It seems to us that one of the big advantages is in the concept of the ‘sense of wonder.’ For my part, I think of all those thos e great old works like Doc Smith’s Lensman series or the adventures of John Carter, Warlord of Mars, from Edgar Rice Burroughs. It seemed like there were new wonders around every page, and that encouraged me to dream big dreams. But something happened along the way way.. As sci-fi matured, it also lost its sense of wonder somewhere along the way. But what is this ‘sense of wonder’? I recently read that th at the term ‘sense of wonder,’ wonder,’ as it relates to fiction, was actually act ually coined by Hugo Gernsback himself to describe science fiction (yes, that Hugo, the man after whom the most prestigious science fiction award is named after). Ironic, that. One modern definition for Sense of Wonder goes like this: “The Sense Of Wond Wonder er comes not from brilliant writing, nor even from brilliant conceptualising; it comes from a sudden opening of a closed door in the reader’s mind. [...] Arguably, almost any Sense Of Wonder-producing case embedded in an SF text, no matter how weak that text may be elsewhere, could be analysed to show a comparable forcing of Conceptual Breakthrough.” -- John Clute, in The Encyclopaedia Of SF Think of it as the ‘Aha’ moment, the sudden glow from the metaphoric light bulb. I’ve read on one website that a Sense Of Wonder can be evoked in one’s mind by all sorts of things, including: • Futuristic technology • Deep space • Alien life • Changes of scale or perspective And while all that makes sense, as Overlords, we couldn’t help but feel there was something missing, something in addition to that definition.
Ray Gun Revival – August 1, 2006
You can get all those things in sci-fi, but space opera has a flair for the dramatic, going a little large, pulling out all the stops, and having a grand time while doing it. It was that sense of emotional involvement in tandem (or defiance!) of a mental awareness that has been pestering us since we started thinking about these matters. matters. And then, the answer came up in conversation. conversation. When talking about what the difference was between sci-fi and space opera, the answer popped right out: “Science fiction uses space, technology and other worlds to stim ulate your mind. Space opera uses the same tools to stimulate your heart.” The dictionary provides a word that seems to capture that burst of insight and inspiration; Epiphany: “A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization.” That’s the kind of insight that can rock you from your toes to your ears. Space opera is all about taking ideas that traditional sci-fi wouldn’t touch with a ten foot sliderule and finding value therein, and adventure, and a rip-roaring good time. That’s how we can accept light sabers and anti-grav speed ers and semi-sentient droids without demanding schematics and diagrams for the principles that would allow those things to work. If the characters and the situations ring true, we can accept the premise and be swept along for the ride. Think of that as the sudden opening of a closed door in the reader’s heart, as well as his mind. That may explain how a simple story with basic plot holes and logical errors can resonate so fiercely, why we can accept the idea of a mythic power like The Force but are repelled when such a concept is rationalized away down into a concentration of Midichlorians. What we bring you at Ray Gun Revival is fiction that captures the best of both worlds, the opening of closed doors in mind and heart. So look sharp and enjoy the ride—we’re just getting started. The Ray Gun Revival Overlords
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Young Ones by Selena Thomason
Historian’s note: The events of “Young Ones” take place shortly after those of “Verid.”
erid stared at the human reflection V in the mirror mirror.. She still wasn’t used to it. But that was was part of the Experimentation Experimentation Phase, trying on different forms and learning about them. All in preparation preparation for The Choosing. One thing seemed seemed obvious; she wouldn’t chose human form permanently. Something about it just annoyed her. However, the humans themselves were interesting. interes ting. After the incident incident with the Elani, Captain Merrimore had agreed to let her stay on board the Hawking so she could learn more about humans, and so the captain could learn more more about the the Kedru. Kedru. It was a mutu ally beneficial relationship. Her com beeped. Then she heard Merri more’s voice. “Verid, would you join us on the bridge?” His voice sounded agitated. Or was it worried? Verid was still new to humans and their vocal tones were proving difficult for her to read. read. Their facial expressions were easier, but Verid suspected that was because with the proximity she also got a little bit of information telepathical telepathically. ly. It wasn’t anything as clear as what she sensed with other Kedru, and certainly not the sort of link she could expect with a permanent mate. But it was something, a sense of what they were feeling and thinking. And that made making sense of their facial expressions much easier. Verid left her quarters and headed towards the bridge. bridge. “What’s wrong?” “Ensign Brody didn’t come back from the expedition. He got separated from the others while they were shopping for supplies on the promenade. Mitchell and Baty saw him being dragged away by a couple of aliens. They followed but lost him in the crowd.” “I’ll be right there.”
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Minutes later Verid stepped onto the bridge. One look at Merrimore’s face confirmed that he was worried, not agitated. Lt. Craig was giving a status report from f rom his communications console. “Sir, Shuttle Three is heading back now. now. I’m scanning the station for Brody’s signal.” A slight shakiness in his voice betrayed his place as the youngest, least experienced person on the bridge crew. crew. Verid made note of the vocal tic and its meaning for future ref erence. She felt for Lt. Lt. Craig. He was in an awkward awkward spot. Even though he wasn’t the lowestranking bridge officer, he was the one with the least amount of flight experience experience.. The helmsman, Ensign Santos, hadn’t applied to the Academy until after he had spent five years flying commercial cargo cargo runs. Lt. Craig often wished he had done the same. “Let me know as soon as you yo u find it,” Merrimore said from his usual place at command. Verid had an idea of what might have hap pened. “The people who took him, what did they look like?” Cdr. Michaelson offered the details from her station. station. “Mitchell said they they had yellow and brown skin.” Noting confusion on Merrimore’s face, she added, “He said their skin wasn’t a solid color colo r, that it was mottled, yellow yell ow and brown swirled together together..” Merrimore raised an eyebrow eyebrow.. Verid guessed that meant humans tended to have skin that was a solid color. color. Looking at the humans around her, that did seem to be the case. Humans came came in a wide wide variety of colors, but each person’s skin was only one color overall. She was surpris surprised ed she hadn’t noticed that before. “Did they also have brown fur along the bottom sides of their faces and down the back of their necks?” Verid asked. Cdr.. Michaelson didn’t seem to know. Cdr know. She shrugged and waited for Lt. Cdr. Mitchell to reply through the com. Apparently, he was Issue 03
“Young Ones”, by Selena Thomason
listening in from the shuttle. “Yep, short brown fur on the face and neck,” he replied. “And hands with three fingers plus an op posable thumb?” “I didn’t get a good look at their hands, but I think so.” Verid turned to Merrimore. “It “It’s ’s probably Maridians Maridians,, then. Unfortunately, that that’s ’s trouble.” Verid saw more anxiety leap into Merri more’s face and felt a sudden need to reas sure him. “Well, they won’t hurt him,” she added quickly. “ They will try to sell him off. Marid ians are thieves mostly, but lately they have gotten into procuring fighters for the sports corps.” Verid saw confusion in their faces. She couldn’t blame them. It didn’t make sense to her either. either. She tried to explain it anyway anyway.. “One of the Maridians’ favorite pastimes is watching people fight. Physical altercations altercations,, I mean.” “Like boxing?” Merrimore asked. “I don’t recognize that term. But each corp corp chooses a fighter, then they place the two combatants in a cage and let them brawl until one of them is incapacitated.” “Sure sounds like boxing,” Michaelson commented wryly from her station. “So,” Merrimore began, “you think they took Brody to be one of their fighters?” “Yes. He is young and strong, likely to be a good fighter. fighter. Plus he is a species they haven’t seen before, which would make him even more valuable. Novelty sells, after all.” Lt. Craig turned from his console. “Sir, I think I’ve found him.” Merrimore tried the com. “Ensign Brody, come in.” There was no response. “He’s not answering, sir, but I located his signal. It’s on one of the lower levels, levels, looks like a landing bay. bay. Wait, he’s moving.” A small ship detached from the station and sped away away.. “Captain, he’s on that ship.” “Follow them.” Ensign Santos quickly sent the Hawking in pursuit. But the Maridian ship continued to pull away. “Stay with them, Ensign.” “I’m trying, tr ying, sir sir..”
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Pg. Michaelson pointed to something on the screen. “Anyone else see the problem in this scenario?” The on-screen smudge quickly became a band of rocks. Merrimore put the problem into words, “An asteroid belt,” while everyone else stared silently at the obstacle in their t heir path. “We won’t be able to follow them in there,” the first officer said finally. “I know,” Merrimore replied quietly as the smaller Maridian ship disappeared into the rubble. He exhaled exhaled in what what seemed to be a gesture of frustration. “It’s “It ’s okay okay.. I know where they will go.” go.” Verid moved to the helm and pointed at something on the panel. “There, set a course for that that system. That’s where the sporting complex is. Sooner or later that’s where Brody will be.” “Sooner or later?” Michaelson asked. “Probably sooner. sooner. They will want to start making money off Ensign Brody right away. If you monitor their com channels, you can probably even pick up when his first fight fi ght will be.” “You mean they will advertise that they have him?” Merrimore Merrimore said. “But wouldn’t wouldn’t that lead us right to them?” “It won’t be as easy easy as you you think. They are are overconfident perhaps, but it isn’t without cause. The Maridians have have a somewhat protected status in these parts. And abducting abducting aliens to use as fighters is, well, commonpla commonplace. ce. The authorities won’t help you get Brody back and there will be more trouble before you get there. Let me know when we approach Bahiri territory.” “How will we recognize it?” Verid stared at Merrimore. It took her a moment to remember that the humans had never heard of the Bahiri and would have no idea where their territory was, even though everyone everyon e else in this sector did. “Look for a red red giant with five five planets. It’s the first system system in their territory. I’ll keep an eye out also and return to the bridge when we approach the border. border. I recommend that you let me talk to them and not try to negotiate with them yourself.” “Why?” “I just have more experience with them. In fact, I have have been Bahiri. It will be a little while before we get get to their territory, though. So unless you need anything else…” Issue 03
Pg. “No, you can go. We’ll let you know if we hear from these Bahiri or see the star con figuration you mention.” As Verid turned to leave, the chief engi neer, Cdr. McGinty, bounded onto the bridge. “Captain, I heard about the kid.” Merrimore raised raised a hand as if to calm him, “Don’t worry, Mac. We’ll get him back aboard safe and sound. He’ll be tinkering around in your engine room in no time.” “I’d like to join the rescue team, sir s ir,, if that ’s okay.” “We’ll see, Commander Commander.. We’ll probably want to keep the team down to just a couple people. We’re likely to stick out like a sore thumb over there. The fewer people we take take in, the better everyone’s chances.” “But, sir, sir, it’s my fault he got nabbed. He wouldn’t even have volunteered for that duty if we hadn’t gotten into that tussle yesterday.” “That was some argument you two had. What was it about anyway?” McGinty looked at the floor and rubbed the back of his neck. Verid noticed that he was suddenly avoiding Merrimore’s gaze. “Just a stupid disagreement that got out of hand. You know, know, Cap, we’ve been under a lot of stress trying to get the repairs finished as soon as possible, and the upgrades installed... and the kid, well, he thinks he knows every thing, you know?” “Don’t they always?” Merrimore replied in a friendly tone, as if to establish, or perhaps reinforce, a bond with the engineer. “We just both lost our tempers. But I’m the boss,” he pounded his chest a couple times as if to emphasize the point, “I should have handled it better. better. I should have kept my my cool.” “Well, that’s true.” He placed a hand on McGinty’s McGinty ’s shoulder. “But we can worry about the finer points of that later later.. What matters right now is getting Brody Brody back. Maybe you can help the search by figuring out how to expand our sensor range. The sooner we pick up Brody’s signal, the sooner we can get him back.” “Sure thing, Cap. I’ll get right on it.” it.” McGinty turned to leave and found Verid still standing at the door. door. He just nodded at her and went his way way.. She thought he seemed glad to have something to do, some way to contribute to Brody’s rescue. Ray Gun Revival – August 1, 2006
“Did you need something? something?” ” Merrimore’s voice broke into her thoughts and she real ized he was addressing her. “No, sorry. Just com me if you need me, me,” ” she replied as she left the bridge. # Verid watched the stars change outside her window. A run-in with the Maridians was bad luck. She hadn’t been been Maridian for for very long, just a few days, but it was long enough to learn that they they were were trouble. trouble. And the Bahiri, Bahiri, well…they were their own sort of problem. She hoped she would know the right thing to say to soothe their prickly natures. Verid had only the beginnings of a plan when she noticed that a large, orange star had come into view. view. With a start, Verid realized she had gotten so wrapped up in for mulating a strategy that she had missed the crossing into Bahiri territor territory y. Why hadn’t they commed her? Just then, they did. “We’re getting a signal,” Lt. Craig said.
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