Issue 39
February 01, 2008
Ray Gun Revival
Pg. 2
Table of Contents
Overlords (Founders / Editors):
2 Table of Contents 3 Overlords\u2019 Lair Venerable Staff: 5 The Last, Full Measure A.M. S\ue003ckel - Managing Copyeditor by Alice M. Roelke Shannon McNear - Lord High Advisor, grammar consultant, listening5 ear/sanity saver for Overlord Lee 11 JASPER SQUAD: EPISODE 8 Paul Chris\ue003an Glenn - PR, sounding board, strong right hand A Distant Detour L. S. King - Lord High Editor, proofreader, beloved nag, muse, by Paul Christian Glenn webmistress Johne Cook - art wrangler, desktop publishing, chief cook and bo\ue005le 17 Featured Artist: Patrick Reilly washer 20 The Pasadena Rule 20 by Ben Schumacher Slushmasters (Submissions Editors): 25 Deuces Wild, Season Two, Chapter 2 Sco\ue005 M. Sandridge Fractured Facets, Part One John M. Whalen David Wilhelms by L. S. King Shari L. Armstrong 30 The RGR Time Capsule Jack Willard January 15 - January 30, 2008 Johne Cook, L. S. King, Paul Chris\ue004an Glenn
Serial Authors:
Sean T. M. S\ue004ennon
John M. Whalen Ben Schumacher Lee S. King
Paul Chris\ue004an Glenn
Johne Cook
Cover Art: \u201cSteampunk\u201d by Patrick Reilly Visit us online at http://raygunrevival.com Web-Net Solu\ue004ons, admin, webmaster, database admin, mentor, con\ue001 All content copyright 2008 by Double-edged Publishing , dante, liaison \u2013 Double-edged Publishing a Memphis, Tennessee-based non-pro\ue001t publisher.
Without Whom... Bill Snodgrass, site host,
Special Thanks: Ray Gun Revival logo design by Hatchbox Creative Ray Gun Revival magazine
Rev: 20080101c
Issue 39, Feburary 01, 2008
Pg. 3
Overlords\u2019 Lair for an issue bears its own special largely artifical holiday of Valentines Day. P reparing challenges. Take last week, for instance.
hair mo\ue004oned to the seat beside her. Jace smiled his gra\ue004tude and hurried However, that\u2019s not to say that we at RGR don\u2019t over. Here in Wisconsin, one day last week dawned have anything to say about love.
at 50 degrees F, overcast but pleasingly As he leaned forward to sit, the ring ...doomed to repeat it. In The Last, Full warm. It was 25 degrees F at lunch, and they Measure , author Alice Roelke writes about a hanging from a string around his neck were sending the kids home from school two pure love that... well, I\u2019ll let you find out for fell forward. The girl\u2019s gaze riveted on it hours early. It was snowing by sundown, the temperature was heading below zero, and ayourself. It\u2019s a clever story with a fun premise brutal wind sent wind chills overnight to -30and a protagonist drawn from similar cloth as\u201cMy king!\u201d she gasped, falling to -50 F. It is the beginning of February, anda young Luke Skywalker. After all, those whoknees. don\u2019t there isn\u2019t much going on. We\u2019re sufferinglearn from history are... through the doldrums of a winter short on new As a special treat, we have the next chapter Hestrike. blinked and glanced around the content in the wake of the WGA writer\u2019s from Paul Christian Glenn in his Jasper Squad I mean, there are only so many ways you can empty corridor. I\u2019mlate!Andonmy\ue000rst serial novel. I could probably try to twist some package game shows and so-called reality TV day. He dashed down the hall and intoanalogy out of this to match the Valentine\u2019s D before you spurn the format altogether and the auditorium. It sprawled as big astheme of the issue, but let\u2019s just say it\u2019s a turn your attention to other things and other football stadium, and lay packed to its great chapter from Paul, and you should read ways to take your mind off your struggles and ; ) seams. The speaker, \ue004ny and it. forlornconcerns for a little while. We have war in Iraq, a shaky economic picture, and the theater of looking in its middle, had alreadyThe rest of the squad shu\ue002ed out of the pre-election politics without the full staff at begun. His voice sounded much closer, back hallway and assembled near the he looked The Daily Show to help us make sense of the transla\ue004ng in Jace\u2019s ear as elevator. They all looked haggard\u2014none madness. around for a seat.
had apparently slept too soundly\u2014but
Or yesterday. We received 20 inches of snow in \u201c...know you are joining one of theSpill mostno\ue004ced that Jackaby looked even 12 hours. As pretty as it is, there\u2019s always a cost more ragged pres\ue004gious, most secret organiza\ue004ons in than the others. His face when you have to shovel enough of it to get out was pale, and his forehead was moist of your garage and make the sidewalk passableall of history.\u201d with perspira\ue004on, even in the cold o for your friends and neighbors. It tends to dampen the initial enthusiasm somewhat. One of the security guards moved morning. Curious.
towards Jace. Jace intensi\ue001ed his search.
Therefore, you\u2019ll forgive me if the furthest The thing last thing he wanted was moreWith a curt nod, Spill approached the from my mind is the looming specter of the trouble. A young woman with caramelgroup. \u201cWe\u2019re clear to go,\u20
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, Feburary 01, 2008
Pg. 4 without preamble. “We s ll don’t something to let me watch what was “Ya don’t act like it.” know whether the local search has happening. I felt the vibra ons from been called o , so we’ll split and take the engines—low and smooth from the “You’re s ll holding it against me for separate routes back to the landing bay. jets, high-pitched and much too rough shoo ng at your friend, aren’t you?” Stamp, you’re with me. Melendez, you from the props. Virgil was bouncing “I don’t hold nothing against nobody.” around enough that I had a hard me Slap hesitated, then said, “Almost take the cadets. Keep your coms open, securing my impromptu seatbelt. I nobody. But I would take it kindly if you your shooters tucked, and your heads down. Any ques ons?” nally managed to clip onto a pair of wouldn’t throw your soup at me next rings on each side. It wasn’t as ght as me you get mad.” “Yeah,” said Stamp. “At what point do I I’d like, but it would do. “This is Jack. I’m get a weapon?” all set,” I said into my helmet mike. I did We at Ray Gun Revival love space opera, and we love bringing it to you. Happy Valentines “At no point in the foreseeable future,” not hear any acknowledgment. day! replied Spill with a sarcas c smile. Finally, Season Two of Deuces Wild starts with
this chapter. Slap and Tristan added Carter and Addie to the ship’s roster as they headed back out into space. However, Trouble was This issue draws to conclusion a fascinating already waiting for them. novella by Ben Schumacher called The Pasadena Rule. This is a sci-fi love story of the Slap grabbed a towel and wiped his face. highest order.
“Terri c.”
“I dunno. He don’t talk about it. And—” Delta: We’re tracking you near the cloud He grabbed her arm as she started tops. Turn on your lights and let us seeforward. “I wouldn’t ask him. He don’t like ques ons about his past.” you.
Johne Cook Overlord, RGR Breezeway, Wisconsin February, 2008
Virgil: Lights, da. (Katya sounded Her head pped, her lip ju ng out in very, very red. She wasn’t was ng a curious pout. “Why? Does he have something to hide?” syllables.) Delta: When you come up, we’ll be “Li le girl,” Slap said so ly, “we all have almost straight north of you, about ten something to hide.” o’clock from your present heading. Let “Yeah? Well, I don’t.” She twisted to us know when you spot us. watch Tristan for a few moments then I wished there were a window on the turned back to Slap. “And don’t call me outer airlock door, or a video display, or‘Li le Girl.’ I’m about your age.”
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, February 01, 2008
The Last, Full Measure by Alice M. Roelke
Pg. 5
The Last, Full Measure
A
by Alice M. Roelke
One of the security guards moved towards “Young man, would you come here?” His face locker’s door slammed shut, jolting Jace back to the present…or, rather, the future. Jace. Jace intensified his search. The last thing burning, Jace walked down. It took a long time. he wanted was more trouble. A young woman “First day at the Time Corps, eh?” said the with caramel hair motioned to the seat beside door-slammer, his strange-sounding words The speaker, a jowly man with commandher. Jace smiled his gratitude and hurried translated by Jace’s tiny ear device. “Well, ing red hair, frowned at Jace. “Name and date, over. pleased to meet you. I’m Fillmore, 2310, Vega.” he snapped. As he leaned forward to sit, the ring hanging The black-suited man extended a hand. “Jace Ekunder, the year 2000.” from a string around his neck fell forward. The Jace shook it. He wished he wore something girl’s gaze riveted on it. “My king!” she gasped, The man’s eyes focused on Jace’s pendant more official-looking than jeans and a jacket. falling to her knees. and he snapped his fingers. “Give me the “I’m Jace Ekunder, 2000, Earth.” ring.” So much for no trouble. Jace drew back, “Come on, kid. The speech is in five.”blinking. “Hey, c’mon, I’m no king.” “It’s just a—personal effect, Sir.” Jace’s Jace followed Fillmore down the blue plexifingers fumbled. The speaker waited pointedly A man tapped the bowing girl’s shoulder. steel corridor, dodging T.C. agents of various “Pharez, what do you think you’re—” Thenuntil he he handed it over. Jace watched the man, positions and periods. He passed a long, spotted Jace’s pendant. “Sire!” He also knelt. whom he now remembered was Warren Sky, curved window and caught a dizzying glance one of the highest T.C. superagents. SuperNow others stared at Jace. Too many others. of the outdoors. He paused by the window. Even the speaker frowned in his direction.agent Sky turned Jace’s ring in his hands, The T.C. building stretched hundreds of floors examining the bluish metal and odd, deeply Jace fingered the heavy blue ring he always below. Outside, skyscrapers blanketed everycut symbols. kept on a string around his neck. Why were thing in sight except a pale hint of sky: 5500s people staring at it? Superagent Sky looked up. “Where did you Earth! find this?” “You know the rules.” A voice behind him He blinked and glanced around the empty caused Jace to turn. The security guard! The “I’ve had it all my life. My adoptive parent corridor. I’m late! And on my first day. He stocky man caught one glimpse of Jace’s ring, found it with me.” dashed down the hall and into the auditorium. and paled. “I apologize, Sire!” He fell to one It sprawled as big as a football stadium, and lay and formed a fist over his heart. “I am Sky stared at him with hard green eyes. knee packed to its seams. The speaker, tiny and your for- loyal subject…whoever you are.” “Follow me.” He turned and started out of the lorn-looking in its middle, had already begun. auditorium. Murmurs rose to a crescendo. His voice sounded much closer, translating in“But I’m nobody! Please, get up.” JaceJace kept his gaze down and wished he could glanced around. The people who weren’t Jace’s ear as he looked around for a seat. disappear. Superagent Sky paused outside staring at him with rapt faces glared at him or and spoke into his lapel. “Tref, Melg, and Parol, “...know you are joining one of the most whispered to one another behind their hands. meet me in my quarters.” He strode down halls prestigious, most secret organizations in all of until he reached a door with “Superagent Sky” Far below, the speaker cleared his throat. history.” etched on its front. Jace followed him in. Soft
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, Feburary 01, 2008
The Last, Full Measure by Alice M. Roelke
Pg. 6
green walls surrounded him. The apartment Jace blinked. “What?” “What—what happened?” asked Jace. was gigantic, at least five times the size Jace’s Melg glanced at Sky, who nodded. home had been—before he’d been picked to Superagent Sky glared at the kneeling man. “Melg, get up!” join T.C. “Many a year from now,” began Melg, “during the soft green days of Re’he’galia, in “What do you mean?” Jace’s head buzzed. That seemed so long ago. He hadn’t even the reign of His Royal Highness King Selvano known about the Time Corps then. Sky turned to him. “It’s simple. You have the Shanandon the Fourteenth—” ring of Re’he’galia. The ring—not to mention No one did, unless chosen. T.C. involvement, Re’he’galia—won’t be around for more than“Get on with it, would you?” snapped Sky. and the T.C. itself, had to be kept completely a thousand years. Obviously, time has been secret. After their orientation and training, “There was a powerful man, Ensard disrupted. Now the question is, when do you agents returned to the same day they’d left, as Sejamsin Jelgors—” Melg caught a glare from belong?” The superagent paced to the opposite they did after every mission and conference. Sky. “Anyway, he wanted to rule Re’he’galia. wall, ripped the string free and dropped Jace’s Though he was powerful, he knew no one T.C. picked people from many differentring into a slit in the wall. would follow him unless he got rid of beloved times, since it was easier to have many agents Jace jerked forward. “What are you—” King Selvano. He waited until the new year, fixed in various times than it was to spend years when the king gave his annual speech. Jelgors’ training agents to go anywhere. There were, Sky of ignored him. Modulated beeps sounded mercenaries, posing as terrorists from the rival course, exceptions—superagents who could go from the wall. A screen emerged and Sky country, Stellring, assassinated the king. Jelgors to any time-place. But most agents spent their peered at it. “Strange,” he murmured. “This stepped into the gap, promising revenge on the whole lives nearly normally, performing only ringa is as old as Re’he’galia itself.” He pulled Stellrings. He started a war, rallying Re’he’galia few missions within their timelines. it from a lower slot and regarded it, then Jace behind him and hoping for conquest. Instead, curiously. Superagent Sky ran his hand along a panel “Who picked your first name?” he got several thousand tons of Stellring’s new and dim lights turned bright. He turned to“IJace. biological think my birth parents did,” said Jace. “It weaponry. There was no defense. In “Do you know what this is?” He held up the ring. a matter of days, all of Re’he’galia lay dead. It was on a bib found with me.” It shone in his hand like metallic blue ice. was the end of a good and beautiful nation… Sky turned to the man who the hadend of an era.” “It’s just a ring. Can I have it back?” Sky bowed. “Melg, was there ever a King Jace inspoke. “Now we find out someone ignored Jace’s words and looked past him to Sky Re’he’galia?” the door. It slid open, and three men entered interfered with the timeline by ‘rescuing’ wearing dark suits. When the second one Melg cleared his throat. “No, Sir. But the boy and the ring, and depositing them there glimpsed Jace and the ring, he gasped. He in a different time, leading to a great many was a Prince Jace. Re’he’galia was destroyed slipped slowly to one knee, and clasped awhile fist he was still an infant.” problems and opportunities for abuse. The ring over his heart. “Sire!” has already caused trouble. It’s too dangerous “Destroyed?” Jace had never even heard a symbol to be allowed out of its time. We’ll Jace felt funny looking down at the balding of Re’he’galia before, and now he found outto it destroy it. And of course, we’ll have to have man’s salt-and-pepper hair. He turned tohad Sky.been destroyed? prevent the infant from being ‘rescued.’” “Please tell him I’m not a king.” “And let me die instead?” said Jace. “Yes, Sire.” Melg addressed Jace. “We tried “But you are.” everything to change its demise. We failed.” He “It was an illegal, unapproved interferenc dropped his gaze.
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, February 01, 2008
The Last, Full Measure by Alice M. Roelke
Pg. 7
with time.” Sky deigned to glance at him. grab “The it. Straightening, he saw Melg hit the went floor, to Re’he’galia and stopped Jace from consequences could be disastrous.” his eyes closed. Sky, his nose bleeding, rose being rescued, he could suddenly cease to grimly and started towards Jace, reaching exist, for no matter what he did now. “Could be? You’re going to kill me forhis a gun belt. “Stop, thief,” he said in an ironic It was possible he’d live on anyway, an ‘could be?!’” Jace leaned forward, clenching monotone, his and pulled his gun. fists and glaring. anomaly, a hiccup in time. But Jace was a little No! Not like this. Jace wrenched one of fuzzy the on the theory. He certainly didn’t want “Not kill,” said Sky. “Simply stop the interferorb’s dials, then slammed down the prominent to test it. ence with time.” He drew out his superagent’s orange button. time orb, a fancier version of the one regular I’ll have to go back, er, forward, and make Nothing happened. agents used. The semicircular handheld device sure they don’t interfere with the person who had no lock; superagents could go to any timerescues me, he decided. place. “If you’ll excuse me,” said Sky to the Sky’s shadow fell over him. In a panic, Jace looked down. Of course! He yanked loose While I’m there, I should try to save other superagents, looking past Jace as though the safety on the orb’s back and slapped the Re’he’galia, if I’m really one of its royalty. he already didn’t exist. button again. Around him, the superagents Silently, he laughed at himself. If superagents Jace shook his head to clear it from shock. hadn’t disappeared and darkness descended just as succeeded, how could he? But he ought to try. Besides, he had always wanted to mee “No!” He leaped forward and wrenched at the finger found the trigger. Sky’s his birth parents. ring in Sky’s hand. # The superagent’s face contorted in fury. Wait a minute. His plan had already hit a He drew back an arm and sent a punch sailing snag. He didn’t know Re’he’galia’s location. Jace stood in the same room, now empty across Jace’s jaw. Without and dimly-lit room. He let out a ragged sigh and it, he could do nothing. sankbut to the floor. His head pounded and he felt Stumbling back, Jace clung to the ring, Maybe Sky had something that would help, a warm trickle from his mouth. He opened his as a place-coordinate. Jace stood up to his grip slipped. “I want it back. It’s mine.” such hand and saw sharp imprints in his palm—the look around. “You’re nothing, just an anomaly.” Skysymbols from his ring. He gave the ring a quick twisted Jace’s hand, his smile grim. Another The main room lay nearly bare around him. kiss and slid it into his pocket. superagent tackled Jace from behind. Jace He glanced at the green floor where the fight A mumble sounded from the next room. squeezed his eyes shut and hung on. would later be held, then moved past. The room Jace twitched. He eased forward and peered branched on either side into other rooms, the Then a punch hit Sky. He reeled, and into the next room. There, asleep, lay Superbedroom on the left. Jace turned to the right. dropped his orb. It skittered across the floor. agent Sky, his mouth open, one arm hanging This room held a huge desk brimming with The ring popped from his fingers. Jace stumbled down from his bed. Jace glanced down at the electronic equipment and books. Jace couldn’t backwards with it and landed hard on his orb. rear The date read 4-3-5509. Two days ago. decipher most of the book titles. Some looked end. He looked up to see Melg fighting the Jace’s head spun. He leaned back against almost medieval, while others looked strangely other superagents. “Hurry, Sire!” Melg called, a soft wall and slid to the ground. He needed futuristic. He realized with disheartening clari just before a fist hit him. time to think. that he wouldn’t be able to read a place-coJace scrambled to his feet and started for Of to course, with the time orb, he had ordinate all the directory even if he found one. The the door. He glimpsed Sky’s orb and stooped language translator simply didn’t work on time in the world. Or did he? If a superagent
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, February 01, 2008
The Last, Full Measure by Alice M. Roelke
Pg. 8
written words.
eyelids. Shouting and the press of bodiesway toldthrough the crowd after him. Jace he was in a crowd. He opened his eyes to He sighed and slumped againsta dazzling the assault of colorful, blurry objects.Uh oh. Jace pushed along the wall, hoping escape and at the same time wondering wh desk. “Oh, Re’he’galia, where are you?” He he blinked, and slowly his eyes adjusted to to the murmured. it was necessary. Did the man really think Jac light. A ceiling of bright stained glass stretched was a security risk? It didn’t matter what he “Re’he’galia is a large country on theoverhead planet almost too high to see. People milled thought; right now Jace couldn’t afford any around the huge, echoey building in clothing Gensen IV,” said a precise, computerized voice. with colors so bright Jace’s eyes hurt. trouble. Jace’s eyebrows jerked up. Jace reached the stage’s wall, and a small Backing away from the throng, he bumped In the next room, the superagent grumbled door a man in a purple-and-yellow dotted suit. at its edge. It was the same color as the in his sleep. “...never do that again, into do you and barely visible. He looked back. The “Excuse me,” he mumbled. The translatorwall made hear?” He sounded like he was dressing man moved nearer, trapping him in the corner. his words come out strange to his own ears. someone down in his dreams. Jace waited Beginning to feel desperate, Jace tried the door until Sky fell silent, then leaned forward“Iand saw you appear,” the man growled. It With didn’t open. whispered, “What are its coordinates? Please the small buzz from his translator, Jace underanswer quietly.” Then he noticed something. Where the stood the words. “You think you can push me keyhole should be lay a familiar mark. Involunjust because you’ve got some high tech “Name a city,” said the voice politely,out with tarily, Jace glanced down at his hand. It bore device?” The glaring man shouldered forward. lower volume. the same round mark, with now-fading symbols from his ring. Glancing back at the approach “Uh, sorry.” Jace backed away. “Um, the capital.” ing man, Jace dug the ring from his pocket. H “Where’d you get that device, anyway?” pressed it into the indentation. “The coordinates of Rhengston The are stranger motioned to the time orb. “You’re 2934.28223.” not allowed to have anything like that in here. A perfect fit! The door opened with a click. Don’t you know there’s a security watch?” He stepped inside, drew the door shut after With shaking fingers, Jace punched the him, and heard the click again. numbers into the time orb, then had the “Uh, it’s nothing.” Jace shoved the orb into computer repeat them. He nodded, and his pocket and turned and pushed through the A tall bookcase obscured most of his view. whispered, “When is the last king assassinatcrowd, trying to keep his head down. What he could see of the new room looked ed?” small and plain after the riotous crowded place. Strange words floated to Jace’s ears. His “January 1, 6969,” replied the computer.Most of the people made way easily, many while offering new year greetings. A few people translator immediately interpreted them. gave Jace puzzled stares, but he hurried past. “Thank you.” Jace spun the dials until the “...I beg of you, don’t go out there!” subdued denim certainly didn’t allow him date on the time orb read 1-1-6969. With His a last, to blend in here; he’d have to be quick. long look around, he squared his shoulders, Jace peered around the bookcase. A man drew a breath, and pressed the button. He reached a wall of blue and green tiles wearing a golden crown and a red cape, his and paused to look around. Up ahead stood back a to the bookcase, stood before a kneeling # stage-like platform, covered with guards.man. MostNearby, a beautiful woman in a shimpeople faced that way expectantly. Jace glanced mering, silver gown held an infant. The infant Bright sunlight shone through his back closed and saw the grumpy man elbowing his wore blue baby clothes—and a bib with letters
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, February 01, 2008
The Last, Full Measure by Alice M. Roelke
Pg. 9
written in an ‘olde’ style print. The letters The king watched him, a frown puckering onflies in his stomach. From the corner of his spelled “Jace.” his brow. Then he slid his gun into its holster, eye, he thought he glimpsed the bright red hair and nodded. “You are a true son of Re’he’galia. of Superagent Sky across the stage—waiting. Jace’s heart thumped loud in his chest. VeryHis well. I shall give you the royal outfit toSomewhere, wear, assassins also waited. Would fingers tightened on the bookcase. this work? It was the end for Jace, whatever and hook up something so that I can dictate happened. He took a deep breath. speech. I’ll have to cut it short, of course.” The kneeling man still spoke. “Please,my Sire! The king strode from the room, looking preocI—I’ve seen what happens in the future. As A half-remembered line from history cupied. soon as you go out there, you’ll be assassilessons flitted through Jace’s mind. “...Those nated! Please don’t do it!” The queen stepped nearer. “Thank you,” who she gave the last, full measure of devotion.” murmured. “You are a good man.” She smiled The king turned slightly and Jace glimpsed For Re’he’galia, thought Jace, and stepped at Jace, and joggled the baby Jace in her arms. his profile. The king looked so much like“What Jace out. is your name?” that they could have been brothers…or father and son. Then Jace saw the kneeling man’s Jace’s eyes flicked to the baby. He smiled # face. He was a younger version of Melg.sadly. “My name isn’t important.” “If what you say is true...” began the king.Melg drew Jace aside. “Who are you?” he Prince Jace of Re’he’galia leaned back and propped his feet on a picnic table. Royal Then he shook his head. “No. I cannot abandon whispered. gardens stretched away from the pavilion, and, the kingdom for a superstition. Who could below him, the water in the fish pond sparkled make it past our security?” “Just a friend.” deliciously. Perhaps he would sneak a swim They continued speaking, but their words “You’re not a robot, are you? We tried that later. At twenty summers old, he was nearly slid past Jace. He leaned against the door, already. It didn’t work. It couldn’t fool the a man, with many stately duties to occupy his thinking. assassins’ weaponry. And the king refused to He relished the rare pleasure of a day time. let us use clones on moral grounds.” free of duty. Finally, he straightened. He stepped around the bookcase and cleared his throat. The king “I’m not a clone,” said Jace, “just a regular Footsteps sounded nearby. Jace twisted whirled and whipped out a decorative-looking person.” He moved past Melg and sat on around a to see his father descending the path, gun. The woman and Melg gaped at Jace.footstool, The drew his knees up to his chest and wearing a simple robe, no crown. With a sigh, infant just gurgled, and the king pointed his squeezed his eyes shut, to wait, to try to still the king seated himself beside Jace and clapped gun. “What treachery is this?” the pounding of his heart. his son on the back. For a moment they just sat there, too full from the glorious sunrise to talk. “Don’t be frightened, Your Highness.” Jace It seemed only moments later that JaceThen the king spoke. raised his hands into the air. “I’m also a timestood ready, wearing heavy royal robes and traveler, one who happens to look like you.electronic equipment. He waited by the door“It to is a bright day for Re’he’galia, is it not?” Don’t worry. I’m a loyal subject with no wish theto main stage. The king ring-opened it for him, usurp your throne. But if you permit me, I then may turned and gave Jace’s hand a brisk shake. be able to help. You can lend me your clothing “Thank you, young man. And good luck.” and let me take your place. If anyone attempts You too, Father, thought Jace. assassination, you’ll still be safe.” He stood on the stage’s threshold, drag-
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, February 01, 2008
The Last, Full Measure by Alice M. Roelke
Pg. 10
Alice M. Roelke Alice M. Roelke has been to New Jersey and Canada. Shekeepsapalmtreeinherroom. Shecon nually metravelsintothefuture,a day at a me. Her specula ve c on has appeared in Young Salva onist, GateWay S-F, Ray Gun Revival, Wayfarer’s Journal, and Tower of Light Fantasy. Youcanviewherwebsiteat http://aliceroelke.googlepages.com/home or write to her at AliceRoelke *at* gmail *dot* com.
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, February 01, 2008
JASPER SQUAD, Episode 8, A Distant Detour by Paul Christian Glenn
JASPER SQUAD: EPISODE 8 A Distant Detour
Pg. 11
by Paul Christian Glenn
C
discuss with you.” aptain Spill made sure everyone was Doctor Davian Pen.” awake before sunrise. One night holed Spill paused and looked back at the grinning up with Ixter and his flunkies was more than“Never heard of him,” said Spill. toad. “If it’s compensation you’re looking for, enough—he wanted his squad back aboard the “He’s afraid our accounts have been shut off.” Jasper before morning traffic made the port“That’s the both us, Cap’n,” said Ixter. I’m a fed…or used to be…or somethin’. All I know skies busy enough to attract GPF patrollers. Ixter laughed, a guttural, choking sound. is he’s holed up with a fella called Kremm like that, naw, Cap’n. Sendin’ you on who As the groggy crew rolled up whateverStathora on Tarpius II. Stathora’s the one“Nothin’ your way’ll put me in good graces with Stathora put out the word on you an’ your squad. Said belongings they had with them, Spill stepped which ain’t no small reward in itself.” if anybody connected ran into you, we should out into the hall and stalked toward the front point you his way.” of the apartment. The main room was empty, “What, then?” but he could hear Ixter tinkering around in his Spill’s throat sank into his gut. Stathora little “command center,” so he walked over and was the last man in the galaxy with whom heIxter shoved his chair forward a few inches knocked on the door. with wanted a rendezvous. Not only was the guy a his feet, scraping it across the concrete floor. “Yep, yep, hang on, naw.” Ixter’s tepid legendarily cruel gangster, he also happened He lowered his eyes and the tone of his voice. “It’s about your boy, there, Tannen to be the heartless bastard whose crony had voice mumbled from the other side, and Spill Stamp.” murdered Melendez’ husband. She had spent waited a moment before the door opened. The the last several years working to put the past greasy toad smiled up at him from a busted Spill nodded. behind her. Did he really have it in him to march chair inelegantly wedged in front of several her straight into the heart of darkness? “How much you happen to know about high-end com modules. “Awful early, Captain,” that one?” asked Ixter. said Ixter. “You and your jeepers get yourselfNone a of this was Ixter’s business, however. good night’s rest up here?” “Where on Tarpius?” he asked. Spill saw no reason to hide what was likely “Good enough,” replied Spill. “You said you common knowledge among Ixter’s ilk. “Not of would have a name for me this morning.” “Fill City,” said Ixter. “I took the libertymuch,” he said, choosing his words carefully loading the points into the Jasper’s nav-coord nonetheless. “He knows I’ve had dealings with for you.” “So I did, and so I do,” laughed Ixter, “though shock ‘merchants’ in the past, and he’s holding I woulda thought your muscle had spilled the over my head. Our deal is that if he proves “Fine,” said Spill, turning away. “We’llitbe beans by now.” himself useful, I’ll let him slip through the on our way momentarily, if you’re not planning cracks before everything is said and done.” to escort us out.” “Stamp knows?” asked Spill. “Well and good, well and good,” nodded “Naw, my man’s already at the port, ready “Sure enough, I told him last night afore he Ixter, to unlock your buggy for ya,” said Ixter. “But, “but there’s somethin’ else altogether, tucked in,” replied Ixter. “But it ain’t no secret Cap’n, to and you might find it to your benefit.” between us, naw. The fella you’re lookin’ for is there’s one other matter I wanted naw,
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Issue 39, February 01, 2008
JASPER SQUAD, Episode 8, A Distant Detour by Paul Christian Glenn
Pg. 12
He paused then, as if measuring how much Ixter he leaned back in his chair, threw hisHis arms face was pale, and his forehead was moist wanted to give up. back and folded his hands behind his head.with perspiration, even in the cold of morning. He smiled widely again, his brown and yellow Curious. “Well?” prodded Spill. teeth glistening in the glow from the com panels. “As a businessman who has dealings With a curt nod, Spill approached the “That ship o’ yours, she’s a prototype, group. with Mr. Stathora, it’s in my best interest to see “We’re clear to go,” he said without yeah?” preamble. “We still don’t know whether the you reach Tarpius II. A fella like Stamp, naw, he local search has been called off, so we’ll split who’s hidin’ from his compatriots in the underSpill nodded. “One of a kind, as I underand take separate routes back to the landing ground, well, he might not want to get there at stand it.” bay. Stamp, you’re with me. Melendez, you take all, if you read my signal.” the cadets. Keep your coms open, your shooters “Could be,” agreed Ixter noncommittally. Spill sighed and nodded. Not only would he and your heads down. Any questions?” tucked, “Fact is, though, your boy Stamp knows a good bit more about the ship than anybody elsehave you to make sure Stamp didn’t sabotage the“Yeah,” said Stamp. “At what point do I get a weapon?” engine room again, or send out a surreptitious got on board.” beacon to some shady cohorts, or beat one of That took Spill by surprise. He raised his the crewmembers to within an inch of their “At no point in the foreseeable future,” replied Spill with a sarcastic smile. eyebrows and blinked in spite of himself. life, he also had to keep an eye on the cockpit to make sure Stamp didn’t lock himself in and “Terrific.” “How…when…?” he stumbled over the commandeer the whole damn ship. His deal questions. The Jasper was a federal ship.with Spillthe outlaw was getting less appealing all # was an insignificant and unsuccessful shock the time. thug. It didn’t add up. As if on cue, Stamp suddenly appeared They took the groaning elevator down to “Naw, honestly, Cap’n, I don’t know much at Spill’s shoulder. “We’re ready to go,” hethe garage, and Spill felt nothing short of relief more,” said Ixter, somewhat unconvincingly, growled, emphasizing his displeasure at being when the doors slid apart and he stepped out, “but it could be Stamp even piloted that beauty awake so early in the morning. body intact. He led the way from the elevator afore the feds got hold of her.” to the exit, weaving in the darkness through Spill nodded his grudging thanks to Ixter the various carcasses of stripped groundcars, Like a bolt, Spill remembered Stamp’sand turned to face Stamp. “How’s your leg?” kicking his toe not once, but twice, against very first attempt to escape. He had broken into he asked. hard and heavy mechanical parts left carelessl the Jasper’s engine room and muddled the on the floor. nav frequencies. At the time, the ship was “Better,” grunted Stamp, but there was a careening in a freefall toward Wroume’s stony measure in his step as he walked toward the Ixter’s thugs were nowhere to be seen when surface, and Spill hadn’t paused to wonder elevator at the other end of the room. Spill they finally reached the exit door, so Spill tried how Stamp might know how to do such a thing found himself feeling grateful to Rey, whothe hadhandle and found it unlocked. He stepped to a prototype vessel. given the outlaw that careful hobble. out into the grey morning, and immediately felt the icy drizzle that forever lingered in Drinias Ixter’s story suddenly made a kind of sense, The rest of the squad shuffled out of the Pel. It was a big ugly city, and as grateful as he and the information was useful—if baffling— back hallway and assembled near the elevator. had been to hide here for the night, Spill would but now he wondered about the angle. They all looked haggard—none had apparently be glad to see it disappearing beneath him. slept too soundly—but Spill noticed Jackaby “Why are you telling me?” he asked. looked even more ragged than the others.
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, February 01, 2008
JASPER SQUAD, Episode 8, A Distant Detour by Paul Christian Glenn
Pg. 13
Lieutenant Melendez led the cadets not out of the asteroid field yet. Anyway, “I never could work with people who’ve down the alley and disappeared left around I’m good at noticing things, especially when got no principles,” muttered Stamp. the corner. Spill waited for a moment, giving it comes to people like you. It goes with the They were just outside the port entrance Melendez time to disappear into the slowly job.” now, and Spill stopped to survey the situation. crowding streets. When he could no longer “Yeah? And what have you noticed about The gates were open, and travelers were passin bear listening to Stamp blow out heavy, exagme?” freely beneath the massive archway leading out gerated breaths of cold morning air, he started to the landing bays beyond. It wasn’t common walking. He took a right at the corner, and “For one thing, I’ve noticed that you have for law enforcement to perform routine ID mentally mapped out a route back to the an unnaturally comprehensive understanding checks at a busy port like this, which was just landing bays. He didn’t know the city well, of but my ship and it’s innards.” Over his shoulder, as well. Unfortunately, it usually meant underit was easy enough to see the distant point he heard Stamp spit contemptuously andcover agents were patrolling the bays. from which morning air traffic was beginning mutter a particularly obscene curse. to ascend over the skyline. Spill scanned the crowds, looking for “Don’t paint yourself too pretty, Captain,” Melendez and the cadets. He didn’t see them Stamp’s heavy feet clomped along behind him, and he shot a look of irritation back said the outlaw. “What did Ixter tell you?” anywhere, which was good. It meant they had toward the lumbering git. Stamp twisted his“Not as much as I’d have liked,” repliedeither Spill. reached the Jasper already or were still on lumpen face into what was either a grimace He took a left turn on to the main throughwaytheir way. In either case, there was a good distance between the two groups. Melendez or grin, and Spill returned the gesture with thatan would lead them up to the port. Both foot knew what she was doing. uncertain nod. traffic and street traffic were heavy now, and he felt comfortable enough to risk walking in When he felt relatively confident they “I got you a good lead, then,” said Stamp. the open. “I was hoping you could fill me inwould on be able to reach the landing bay unmothe details, seeing as how you’re so anxious to “You got us a lead,” replied Spill, his voice lested, he turned back to Stamp. “We’ll pick bebe useful.” even. “Whether it’s good or not remains to up this conversation later,” he said. “Let’s just seen.” focus on getting out of here. If we get marked, Stamp’s sigh was deliberate and acrimowe separate and meet back at Ixter’s garage.” nious. “This ain’t my first encounter with the “I got you a reasonably comfortable hiding Jasper, so what?” he replied. “I got a little Stamp shook his head. “If I show up there place last night, too,” added Stamp, ignoring working knowledge of the design.” without you in tow, I’m as good as dead,” he the contempt. said. “He’ll turn me over to the unfriendlies “Do you always start the morning “And by how would you have come by that?’ before you can say ‘mean peanut.’” asked Spill. counting your accomplishments out loud?” wondered Spill. “As far as I recall,” said Stamp, “me deliv-“Hide in a dumpster, then!” snapped Spill impatiently. “Ixter’s got the Jasper locked ering my oral biography wasn’t part of our “Just want to make sure you’re keeping down—we’re not going anywhere without his score,” said Stamp. “I may be a ‘prisoner’agreement.” and understanding of what’s going on.” all, but I’m holding up my end of the bargain“Consult your recollection and see if there’s “Well, then,” said Stamp, “let’s just be over here, and I’d be awful sore if it went anything about me being the one in charge of inconspicuous as hell, so we don’t have to unnoticed.” our arrangement,” replied Spill. “If I want to about it.” He slapped his heavy hand on worry change the rules, I will.” “You’ll get your due,” said Spill. “But we’re Spill’s shoulder, unleashed an ingratiating, infu
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, February 01, 2008
JASPER SQUAD, Episode 8, A Distant Detour by Paul Christian Glenn
Pg. 14
riating grin, and heaved forward toward the Rey stood at the opposite side of the circle, softened his edge even further. He smiled gate. Now it was Spill’s turn to curse obscenely, rummaging through their personal store over com- at Rey and engaged the thrusters, lifting and he did so. partments to see that everything was in place. the Jasper effortlessly off the ground and into Satisfied with the situation, Spill said, “Secure the takeoff queue. As they hovered, he looked Stamp in the holding cell and tell Jackabydown to at the busy port below and mumbled, # “Good riddance.” buckle in for takeoff.” As they made their way through the “Is that really necessary?” grumbled A moment later, they were sailing toward throngs of people, Stamp did such a goodStamp. job the stars. Traffic thinned as they reached the of blending into the scenery that Spill lost him. edge of the atmosphere, and with one final He considered doubling back to Ixter’s just to Spill ignored him. “We’re going to fly out thrust, the Jasper exploded out of orbit and into spite the outlaw’s confidence, but thought blind to avoid leaving a signal,” he continued. the free starfield. Spill disengaged the cockpit better of it and continued on alone. To throw “And tell Rey I want her in the cockpit withfrom it’s locked position and let it swing around off anyone who might be eyeing him, he took me.” the perimeter of the ship, making a full circle a meandering route to the Jasper’s bay, and to get a visual on the open space surrounding “Yes, Sir.” Melendez looked at Stamp and when he arrived he found Stamp leaning carethem. He leaned back in his seat and absorbed tilted her head toward the holding cell. He lessly against the lowered boarding tube. thetobreathtaking view with visible content. begrudgingly acquiesced and stormed over “About time,” grinned Stamp. “Everybody the bunk where an invisible field would keep“Sir?” asked Rey. “Coordinates?” else is on board.” It was everything Spill him could in place. do to keep from punching him in the mouth. “Where are you from, Cadet?” asked Spill. Spill ducked through the small portal They stepped inside the tube and ascended “Cassion, Sir. Padgetillon System.” leading into the cockpit and looked out through together to the boarding deck. As they stepped the glass. No one on the ground below seemed out into the small receptacle, Spill’s tensions to be paying any attention. The Jasper was “Thought so,” replied Spill. “I’ve heard it’ quiet.” melted away, and he breathed deeply, taking justinanother ship taking off for the morning’s the ship’s manufactured air. It felt like home. business. Good. Rey laughed bitterly. “About as backwater a “You first,” he said to Stamp, who happilyA moment later, Rey popped her head planet into as you could hope for,” she said. “Nothing obliged by clambering up the ladder to the the cockpit. “You wanted to see me, Sir?” but dirty farmland and empty oceans.” main deck. Spill followed, and was met at the “Sounds perfect,” said the captain. “How “Have a seat, Cadet,” he replied. “And lock top by Melendez, who looked anxious. would you like to drop in on your family and le down the portal behind you.’ them know you’re okay?” “Ixter’s man just left,” she said. “We’re unlocked and ready to fly.” She did as she was told, and as she buckled Her reaction wasn’t what he hoped for. Her herself into the seat beside him, she asked, “Good,” replied Spill, looking around. Ixter’s lips thinned into a tight line, and her face went “Where are we heading, Captain?” men had clearly scoured the deck, but at least pale. “Oh, I don’t know, Sir. I… they won’t be they cleaned up after themselves. The bunksFor the benefit of those on the deck, Spill expecting us.” were folded up and tied in place against the pressed the com button in front of him and walls, and the conference table in the center said, “Here we go.” He fired up the Jasper’s“Is that a problem?” was clear of any ransacking debris. Jackaby engines, and and the smooth familiar rumble “Not generally, no. It’s just… there isn’t
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JASPER SQUAD, Episode 8, A Distant Detour by Paul Christian Glenn
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much room… the place is a bit run down…” eyes, brushing the comment away. “Anyway,” fella?” he said, “I’m not looking for anything other “What are you telling me? Would we be than a quiet place to dump the lieutenant for “Spiritually speaking?” asked Spill flip pantly. unwelcome?” a few days.” “No, Sir.” She left the statement without The humor, albeit meager, didn’t register Rey looked at him with confusion yet again. follow-up, and shifted her eyes downward. with Ixter. “Naw, we didn’t get into specifics, “Sir?” Cap’n, but I did imagine it was firmly implied Spill was losing patience. “Spit it out, “The place we’re going is not a place she’ll you’d be headin’ directly to Tarpius II.” Cadet.” want to go,” he said. “And the man we’re Spill grimaced. Of course Ixter’s men had She shifted in her seat, then looked out meeting will be better off if she sits this one planted a tracker on the ship. Why wouldn’ out. On that point, so will we.” through the glass, staring into the stars. “I love they? In his beleaguered state, it hadn’t even my family. It’s just that they don’t… make a veryRey signed into the nav-coord and pulled occurred to him. good impression. They wouldn’t have muchup to Padgetillon. “Cassion, then?” “No worries, friend,” replied Spill. “We’re offer.” He heard her ask the question, but considsimply taking a little detour. I’ve got an officer Spill understood, and in doing so, he felt ered it rhetorical, and besides, she sounded here toowho needs to make a pit stop.” both pity and anger toward the girl. He looked far away for him to make the effort to answer. out at the starfield and leaned his head back. Seconds later, he was asleep and dreaming ofIxter’s eyes rolled up and he licked his lip several times. His voice trembled with…what? “Don’t be ashamed of your family, Jenna.home. It’s Fear? Anger? “Seems to me like this is a rather not becoming.” distant detour, Cap’n. You’re puttin’ ol’ Ixter in # She shifted in her seat. “I’m not ashamed,” a spot, here, naw. I have obligations, same as she said. “I just don’t want anyone to see me anybody else. I don’t like to be put in a spot.” The com alert seemed to blare from the as…” Again she trailed off, unable to articulate console, sending shivers of adrenaline up Spill’s Being half a galaxy away now, Spill was her apparent confliction. spine and shattering his peaceful interlude. He no longer in a mood to deal politely with this “People see you for what you are,” said satSpill up with a shudder, blinking the sleep from small-time, simpering louse. “Don’t piss your flatly. “You’re a GPF Officer in full standing—or his eyes, and looked around. He was alone in britches, Ixter. Your friends are lucky to have you will be, if we complete this damn mission the cockpit—Rey had evidently stepped back found us at all. You can tell them we’ll be along with our skins intact. Besides, you’re aout smart to the deck—and the Jasper was dutifully for a visit in our own good time.” fighter and, God help you, a true believer.” sailing toward Padgetillon System. How long had he been asleep? Inexplicably, Ixter began to tap his finger At that, she looked over at him and against the monitor with a quick, steady crumpled her brow. Spill cast her a sidelongThe com beeped again, and he slammed his rhythm. An annoying click-click-click-click filled glance and smirked bitterly. “Hold on to it palm as down on the answer button with all the the cockpit, and Spill strained to hear what he long as you can, kid—your faith in the system. irritation he could muster in his groggy state. said next. Once you lose it, well…” He closed his eyes The and screen flickered, and a second later, Ixter’s “Naw, Cap’n, don’t you treat Ixter…” cli sighed. “It’s hard to find again.” much-abused visage leered up at him from the click-click-click “… like some kind o’ dirty towel, panel. Rey didn’t respond, and the moment grew here…” click-click-click-click “… my friends long. Spill forced a small cough and closed “Captain his Spill,” whined Ixter, “You lost,
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Issue 39, February 01, 2008
JASPER SQUAD, Episode 8, A Distant Detour by Paul Christian Glenn
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ain’t the kind o’ people you wanna walk on,On the other hand, any unplanned layovers and I ain’t, either …” click-click-click-click en “Let route would apparently incite Ixter to jasme suggest to you…” click-click-click-click percide. “… Somewhere on the ship there was a bomb. Of course there was. Why wouldn’t one last time in a professional manner…” there be? Spill cursed himself for getting lazy. click-click-click-click “… do as you been told…” He should have known. click-click-click-click “…or I will activate…” clickclick-click-click “… the failsafe device…” clickHe considered calling the crew together click-click-click “…that I installed on your fragile and flickin’ ship…” click-click-click-click “Izzat clear laying out their options, but the thought of a heated discussion wearied him. Instead, enough for ya, naw?” he made an executive decision. Sure, he was Spill waited for the clicking to cease. Ixter putting everyone’s life at risk, but how was that anything new? leaned close to the monitor, his red-rimmed eyes contorted with fury, his heavy breath blowing into the microphone. “It’s clear,” said Spill simply. “I didn’t realize this meeting was a hurried affair, but as that is clearly the case, we’ll reverse course and head for Tarpius. Problem solved.”
NEXT EPISODE: “Strange Horizon!”
Ixter remained close the screen, and he licked his lips again as he regained his composure. “Naw, that’s good news, sure as a pin,” he said. “I got no aim to be bullish, but I can’t have it lookin’ like you don’t respect my wishes. It’s not ol’ Ixter’s trouble if you happen to get blown from the black, somehow by accident, is it?”
“We’re on our way,” said Spill, and then he Christian Glenn Paul pressed the disconnect. He closed his eyes and considered thisPaul Chris an Glenn is an Overlord (Colatest dilemma. Taking Melendez into Stathofounder and Editor) of Ray Gun Revival ra’s den would be madness. She was a stalwart magazine, and has been wri ng for as long lieutenant, but the truth was that she barely as he can remember. held her rage in check on a good day. Bringing her face to face with Rand’s murderer would It should be noted, however, that he has a be more than she could take. She would get angry, sloppy, violent. It would not end well. notoriously short memory.
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Issue 39, February 01, 2008
Featured Ar st: Patrick Reilly
Pg. 17
Featured Ar st Patrick Reilly
Name: Patrick Reilly Age: 36
Country of residence: U SA
Hobbies: art, movie props
Favorite Book / Author: Richard Metheson, H.G. Wells, Stephen King Favorite Ar st: Frank Fraze a When did you start crea ng art? I
started drawing farther back than I can remember. I believe I was around six when I became obsessed with art. What media do you work in? I used to work primarily in pencil, ink, markers. But a er discovering digital 2D art
about three years ago I have made it my exclusive media. Where your work has been featured?
I’ve done work for ImagineFX magazine, Fantasy Art Now (book) , concept work for lms (Jeepers Creepers), and several
commercials.
Where should someone go if they wanted to view / buy some of your works? htt p://preilly.deviantart.com How did you become an ar st? Basically, I began doing commissioned art here and there, and along the way picked up m and more contacts which connected me with be er, and higher pro le, jobs. What were your early in uences? Vintage science c on and fantasy stories were a big inuence on me when I was growing
up.
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Issue 39, Feburary 01, 2008
Featured Ar st: Patrick Reilly
Pg. 18
What are your current in uences? Anything and everything inuences me. I may be walking through an an que store and see some sort of weird machine that has in uence, or maybe the sight of an odd insect may s r up some inspira on for a new piece of art. What inspired the art for the cover? Well, most of the steampunk pieces usually had some kind of nalized steampunk contrap on in ac on. I decided to take a di erent route and show one of these contrap ons being
built in some secret warehouse somewhere. How would you describe your work? I would say that many of my pieces are merely snippets or snapshots from a much larger story I’ve con in my imagina on. Where do you get your inspira on / what inspires you? Films, books,
everyday life.
Have you had any notable failures, and how has failure a ected your work? Well, when I was in junior high, there was an art contest to create a piece inspired by the story of Grendel. When the contest results were nally announced, I no ced I had come in second place. I really wasn’t upset about this, un l I discovered that the rst place winner’s piece was a line for line exact copy of one of Boris Vellejo’s pain ngs. A er
this incident I went out of my way to insure that I would never reso
such replica ng another ar st’s work, even if it meant that I would fail. I would rather come in dead last with my own work, than to come in rst by replica ng someone else’s work. That incident also mo vated me to be er myself as an ar st.
What have been your greatest successes? How has success impacted you/ your work? I always enjoy ge ng my work published or seeing my work realized on lm or just knowing that I was able to contribute something to the project. What are your favorite tools / equipment for producing your art? Painter, Photoshop and my Wacom Intuos 3 tablet Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, Feburary 01, 2008
Featured Ar st: Patrick Reilly
Pg. 19
What tool / equipment do you wish you had? I’d really like to try out the Wacom Cin q...I’ll probably get around to that some me in the near future.
What do you hope to accomplish with your art? I just want to create cool fantasy and sci- art, and hopefully have my name associated with quality illustra ons.
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, Feburary 01, 2008
The Pasadena Rule, Chapter 11 by Ben Schumacher
Pg. 20
The Pasadena Rule by Ben Schumacher
The music cut off and, somewhat surpris- I disconnected the suit from the airlock ingly, Madeline Whitten’s voice came on. She panel and folded a seat down from the wall. nlike Katya, I had not disabled my biomedi- was too loud. “Wake up, Jack. You’re about There to seemed to be an awful lot of warning cal data line, so the others had a pretty goodrendezvous.” make lights on the indicator board in the airlock. picture of my condition. The heat exchanger of It looked like one of the nastier simulation Virgil brought my suit environment to normal“No need to shout, Maddie.” I sat up, tried problems from training. “So what’s the plan?” in a few minutes, and my body temperature to stand up, rediscovered my injured ankle, I asked, as nonchalantly as I could. “Do the came down rapidly after that. Dr. Martinez and slumped against a bulkhead. There was snagaus with a tether?” suggested letting me sleep while I could.lot Katya of vibration. I took in a bleary view of the “Nothing to snag safely. Katya is putting airlock. “Where are you?” left the ship on autopilot long enough to drag Virgil down on top.” herself to the airlock window and make sure that I was not about to roll over and foul my “Back on Aphrodite—our shuttle docked an hour ago. Arkady’s talking Katya in.“On top?” There was nothing on top of lines. After that they just let me lie there about for Delta except ten big hydrogen cells and some You’re still in the clouds, but you’ll catch up almost the whole ascent. rigging. “Let me talk to Katya.” I started to ch with Delta in a few minutes.” As I learned later, it was an exciting couple over to our private channel. of hours. Katya had to fire the explosive bolts “Can I go on inside? No, wait, I see the I’m still at three thousand millibars.” “Jack, she’s real damn busy this minute.” to jettison the landing gear, as I’d figured. indicator. The fans did work, though she could not use full “You won’t get down to one atmosphere in“At least let me listen in on the channel, thrust on the portside fan without flippingtime. Just stay there in the airlock. UnplugMaddie.” the over. She somehow managed to open up the suit from the panel and find yourself a comsecondary jets several kilometers below the “I’ll see what I can do. Meanwhile, there’s fortable spot.” nominal altitude, which gave Virgil a badly some cargo webbing in the lower sample locker needed extra boost. Parts of the electrical I began to unlock my umbilical. “What’s the in the airlock. Try to improvise a crash restrain system died, and there were other failuresbig as rush? Let’s cruise around till I can take Do theyou copy? We expect the landing to be well. But I spent the trip snoring on the airlock co-pilot’s chair.” pretty rough. Call me when you’re ready.” floor. What the hell were they planning? “Roger,” “You’ve chased Delta almost to the terminator. We need daylight for the docking.” I said. #
U
11.
The 1812 Overture, horns and cannons “Aren’t there docking lights on Delta?” I pressed my helmet to the airlock door and tried peering into the cockpit through the smal blazing, poured into my ears. It would not have “You aren’t heading for the docking cradle,” window, but it was not placed to give me a view been so bad, except that the cannons were Maddie explained. “Here’s the situation,of Jack. the piloting stations. After a minute I gave aimed more or less at my head. I had beenYour maximum thrust on the fans is way down, it up and got to work. The webbing was right down so deep, though, that it took me a long so you can’t hover at your present altitude. where Maddie had said. Some support rings time to swim to the surface. “What the hell?”The I docking cradle is no good.” on the walls would do as hard points to attach finally managed to get out.
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, February 01, 2008
The Pasadena Rule, Chapter 11 by Ben Schumacher
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it. I chose the rear-facing seat and beganthat to Jack is awake and fully secured. He to sends make sure that the fire-safety procedure fold the webbing into a broad band that would his love and says good luck. are complete. We don’t need an explosion. go around my midsection. As I wrestled with Virgil: Okay. Starting the turn. Fire safety? That didn’t make much sense it, I started to hear the audio from the pilot-toeither. True, the dirigibles were full of hydrocontrol channel. I assumed that the first voice Virgil tilted and began a slow turn to port. gen—but there couldn’t be any Hindenbergwas from someone aboard Delta. There was something strange about the way style explosion on Venus. With no free oxygen it moved—sluggish, even though I could hear Delta: We’re tracking you near the cloud in the atmosphere, no fire was possible. Then I fans turning near maximum. That would be it out. We were bringing the oxygen. tops. Turn on your lights and let us see the you. figured the reduced thrust; but it also might be Katya’s Virgil: Lights, da. (Katya sounded very, very Virgil: I’m back in my helmet, and I’ve taken condition. She was a competent pilot, but now tired. She wasn’t wasting syllables.) the oxygen out of the cabin air. Almost all of she was exhausted and badly injured, strugO-two in the lander tanks is vented. The gling to fly a damaged ship. The situationthe was Delta: When you come up, we’ll be almost heat sink is stable at five-fifty degrees. not ideal in several respects. straight north of you, about ten o’clock from Copy and thanks. I was trying to visualize what was goingAphrodite: on. your present heading. Let us know when you Aim for the center lifting cell? That sounded spot us. my suit instruments, and realized like a very bad idea. They were, after all,I checked the I wished there were a window on the outer that the airlock was filled with nothing but lifting cells, the things that were holding Delta airlock door, or a video display, or something and fluorocarbon, pressure still at two up. If we smacked into them, probably argon ripping to let me watch what was happening. I felt and a half a few open, we’d spill a million cubic meters of atmospheres and falling. Just in case the vibrations from the engines—low andwarm hydrogen. What in God’s name did they I was tempted to take off my helmet. smooth from the jets, high-pitched and much have in mind? I told myself that this wasn’t my We were going to try to use the lifting cell too rough from the props. Virgil was bouncing problem. Now it was their turn to rescueas me. crash balloons? Nineteen objections to that around enough that I had a hard time securing idea popped into my head. The impact might my impromptu seatbelt. I finally managed toDelta: Your target is the number six cell— kill us. Virgil might just snap through all of the center cell on our port side. Go as slow as you clip onto a pair of rings on each side. It wasn’t rigging cables and come out the other side, can, but control is more important than speed. as tight as I’d like, but it would do. “This is Jack. plunging out of control into the clouds beneath Come I’m all set,” I said into my helmet mike. I did notstraight out of the sun, so you can put was not impossible that a bad crash-landing your shadow on the center and follow itItin. hear any acknowledgment. could destabilize Delta and roll it over, spilling Delta: We see you, Virgil. Virgil: Cell number six, dead center. Yes, I everything and everybody into the abyss. Even have it. if everything worked, Delta, deprived of the Virgil: Clearing the cloud tops. Yes, I see lift from the cells we ripped, would start losing Delta: Hit the middle cells, five and six, altitude so you also. very quickly. I felt Virgil level out and that we can maintain trim. fly straight. Delta: Start your S-turn. Make your approach from the west, with the sun behindVirgil: Okay. Delta: Make your starboard turn when you. We’ll give you the steadiest target we can. you’re ready. Delta: After you’re in, just hang on and Aim for the center lifting cell. we’ll have someone with you right away. Virgil: I’ll run another kilometer to get Aphrodite: Aphrodite here. Maddie says some room. Aphrodite: Arkasha here. Our people want
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, February 01, 2008
The Pasadena Rule, Chapter 11 by Ben Schumacher
Pg. 22
Delta: Twelve minutes of sun left. Do you felt my chest heaving for breath. I’m screwed It had , been half sprung off of its hinges, so it I thought. I’vebustedmyhelmet.I’mafishout only took a couple of heaves to force it open. want to try a practice pass? of water. I squeezed my eyes shut and waited I pulled myself inside the main compartment. Virgil: No. for the world to fade away. This had also been perforated and vented
to the outside atmosphere. Up front, the Seconds went by and the world hadn’t windows faded were covered by the folds of a lifting yet. I reached my hand back to my helmet cell to envelope. I saw Katya, strapped into the The turn to the right was much tightersee than whether there had been some mistake. No seat, slumped motionless against the pilot’s the first turn had been, and it felt like we lost mistake. The blow had split the helmet wide some altitude in it. The jets throttled up to helpover the top of my head. I could stickmaneuvering controls. right us regain the height, but we were laboring. myIn fingers in the crack and scratch my scalp.I scrambled forward. Her inner suit was my mind’s eye, Delta was broadside to us,Inose still holding pressure. She was bruised and opened my eyes. All my helmet displays had to the north, the port side illuminated by the and a trickle of blood ran down gone dark, but I could tell from the feelingunresponsive, in orange rays of the sunset. Our shadow would from her nose, but from the outside it looked my ears and the painful heaving of my chest be a small dark smudge on the side of Delta ’s diaphragm that I’d lost my pressure. Blood possible that she was still alive. and spherical lifting cells. pounded in my ears. My eyes were stinging No one had told me exactly what was and Virgil jinked to the right, then right again. I kept blurring over. But somehow I was still planned at this point, and my suit communigrabbed onto the cargo webbing and gavealive. it a cator had died. It was clear that we needed final tug to check it. “Thirty seconds. Here weSo what the hell, I unlatched my helmet and to get out of there. I found the locker where go,” somebody said. I could feel Virgil stumble took it off. I squirmed out of the webbing and Katya had stored her life-support pack and, and sway as Katya tweaked up our approach got to my feet as best I could, given my damn dragging it across the cabin, transferred her vector. Only a few hundred meters left. I held ankle and the tilt of the deck. I still wasn’tumbilical from the dead ship to the live pack. my breath. Suddenly, the roar of the jets cut off, There were several jagged holes in the dead. The indicator lights came on green. Now which and the whine of the fans jumped an octave, outer wall of the airlock, from fragments way of was that exit? until it was way too high. The fans pivoted the disintegrating fan blades I guessed. I could on their mountings. Virgil slowed and began I heard a noise on the top of Virgil’s hull. stick my fingers through those holes, too, and to drop. There was a half-second of tearinglook through them at the last orange embers Of course. The docking hatch up there was our and whipping noises from the cell fabric and escape of daylight outside. I was breathing Venus air. route. Someone banged on the outside rigging cables that we snapped; and then we of the hatch, so I made a fist and banged back. jerked right, spun around, smashed to a stop.Well, I who needs breathing, anyway? At The manual latch turned from the outside, was twisted, yanked, and flung backward.the I felt moment I did not, not with the hotsuitretracted, and the hatch lifted up. my helmet strike the bulkhead with an impact gas exchanger doing its best to keep my blood I stared into the mustached face of Carlos that broke it open. Several somethings ripped oxygen at the right level. For a time—but Ruzhany. He smiled behind his faceplate. through the walls of the airlock, and the air maybe not for long—the suit would keep me rushed out with a whoomp. The lights wentgoing, with or without breathable air. My Then, when he got a good look at me, his jaw out. My suit deflated. reflexive gasps were distracting, though,dropped. so I took a deep breath and just held it. I shouted, “My suit is keeping me alive. # Come There was no opening the outer door, but Idown and give me a hand with Katya. Watch out for her leg—burned pretty bad.” interested in the inner one anyway. There was a sharp pain in my earswas andmore I And I held my breath again. Delta: Copy that. We’re ready for you.
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Issue 39, February 01, 2008
The Pasadena Rule, Chapter 11 by Ben Schumacher
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Carlos stared at me for a few more seconds saw something up ahead swing down and then # before he swallowed and nodded. He saidfall away. Delta began to lift its nose. Then something into his helmet mike, then swung there was another pair of bangs, one on top They strapped me into the seat next to down feet-first into the cabin. Danny Kyemba, of the other, and something came loose and Katya, who was still unconscious. Unconscious, my opposite number on Delta, goggled at me fell behind us. The dirigible’s descent to the not dead. They’d pulled off her helmet and her through the hatchway. Together Carlos and clouds slowed almost to a stop. Danny shouted gloves, so I reached out and touched her hand. I extricated Katya from the pilot’s seat while something to me that included the word It was warm. Her fingers twitched and seemed Danny slipped a line down through the hatch. “gondola.” They had dropped the front and to curl around mine, but she gave no other We sent Katya out first, then her life-support rear sections as ballast, leaving only the center sign. Then the acceleration warning sounded, pack. Carlos himself went up, telling me by section, where the orbit shuttle was docked. and we dropped from Delta, banking left as signs that he was going to help get Katya’sThat might give us the minutes we needed. we fell. The main engine kicked in. The shuttle pack onto her shoulders. That left me standing rocketed ahead, outward and upward, faster Carlos leaned his helmet close to me. and higher, till Venus had no more hold on us. in the empty cockpit for about minute. I heard “Time to go,” he said. I nodded that I undercreaking sounds outside and felt the dirigible move beneath my feet. There were more stood. He and Danny took up Katya between # footsteps and scuffling sounds on the roof.them At and scooted down the side of Virgil. I followed more slowly. We were on the bent last a couple of hands came down and lifted Much later, I told Katya about the Pasadena wreckage of an access walkway, tricky footing, me out. Rule. but I gripped the safety line and limped after And there I was, bare-faced on Venus.the Theothers. Some kind of cable slide was rigged She listened to me and said, “There is no sun was setting, and the wind was chilly. at Virgil the starboard side. We put Danny and Katya such rule. That’s a stupid rule.” had shredded both of the center lifting cells, into the first harness and watched them slide, port and starboard, and the torn fabric lay faster than looked quite safe, out and down “Nobody talks about it, but it’s there. Don’t flapping around us. The cells forward and aftback of under our feet and out of our view. and tell me you weren’t thinking about it, when us appeared undamaged. We had been caught you were down on the surface.” “We’re next!” Carlos yelled. We slipped in a net of cables that the Delta crew had juryinto the other harness, which was little more She looked away for a second. She was still rigged for us. I took a look downward, between than a couple of loops around the main cable. cocooned in burn dressings, floating free in her the struts of Delta’s central spine. The clouds I had a last look around at all the damageberth we’d in Aphrodite’s infirmary. “I was in a bad down there were awfully close and they were caused. way,” she said quietly. “But I was still making getting closer awfully fast. It occurred to me up my mind. I hope I would have been strong that a sulfuric acid fog would not be kind to my Ready to go, Carlos signed. I stood forenough a to face what was coming. God does complexion. second at the edge, gazing down at the mist, not approve of suicide, Jack.” and shadowed in the last scraps of The other two bent over Katya, slippingruddy a daylight. My stomach went queasy. “Oh boy,”“I don’t know what God has to do with it.” safety harness onto her. Carlos suddenly looked up at me and shouted something; from hisI said. gestures, I could tell that he was telling me to“Scared of falling?” Carlos asked, his teeth “Now you are being obtuse,” she said. “Anyway, if there were a rule like that, then brace myself. I grabbed a cable that lay draped showing beneath the mustache. We stepped why did you come after me?” across Virgil’s silvery roof. There were twooff flat together. cracks, like the sounds explosive charges make, Now it was my turn to look away. I did it and the whole dirigible shuddered fore to aft. I
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Issue 39, February 01, 2008
The Pasadena Rule, Chapter 11 by Ben Schumacher
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because it was the best option. I did it because Ben Schumacher I had to, because there was nothing else to do. I did it because, once you think of an idea like that, you have to go through with it or youI am a physicist who teaches at Kenyon can’t live with yourself. I did it because I loveCollege in Gambier, Ohio. My major you, and I couldn’t let you die. research field is quantum information theory, though I have also dabbled in She smiled. These days she couldn’t go more than five minutes without smiling. “I tellhole physics and thermodynamics. black you what is wrong with your special space-diI’ve been a science fiction writer longer saster rule, Jack.” She reached out a bandaged than I’ve been a physicist, however, hand and laid it on my chest. “One little thing. having sold my first—and so far only— You.” story to
I kissed her. There is only one rule that matters, in Earth or heaven.
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, February 01, 2008
Deuces Wild, Fractured Facets, Part One by L. S. King
Deuces Wild, Season Two, Chapter 2
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Fractured Facets, Part One by L. S. King
T
toward the ladder, saying over his shoulder, ristan refused to allow the cargo to encroach to hide?” on the section of the bay where the exercise “But she keeps the voyage from being dull, at have equipment was. Slap had moaned about it, “Little girl,” Slap said softly, “we all least.” something to hide.” but now, he was glad. He would have missed Slap shook his head. “Dull’s startin’ to working out, especially on the long jaunts. And “Yeah? Well, I don’t.” She twisted to watch sound things had been quiet so far on this run.Tristan for a few moments then turned back togood.” Slap. Well mostly, but he didn’t want to ruin his“And don’t call me ‘Little Girl.’ I’m about # your age.” mood thinking about Addie. Slap cleaned up the galley, then went Slap watched as his dark friend bounced“Ya don’t act like it.” to his cabin and got out his new guitar. He off a ramp with springs underneath he called “You’re still holding it against me meandered for into the rec lounge with it slung a beatboard and grabbed the horizontal bar shooting at your friend, aren’t you?” over his shoulder. Tristan sat on a cushioned called a trap. Tristan then contorted his body chair in the corner, reading. Carter and Addie and did what looked like a jackknife up to a “I don’t hold nothing against nobody.”weren’t Slap there. handstand on top of it. He began spinning hesitated, then said, “Almost nobody. But I around and around the bar. Slap looked away “Look what I found.” He held up the instru would take it kindly if you wouldn’t throw your before he got dizzy and returned his attention ment. soup at me next time you get mad.” to the weights. “I said I was sorry.” She crossed her arms, Tristan glanced up. “So that’s what you Addie climbed down the ladder, and Slap her pout returning. “And I cleaned it up.” bought.” inwardly groaned. That gal had been nothing but trouble with her childishness. But for the “After a fashion—and after all three of“You us mind if I play?” Slap asked. moment she stood transfixed, her mouthgot on you about it.” “If I do, I’ll go to my cabin.” open, as Tristan flipped and spun. After a few She made a face and stalked away. Carter minutes, she came over to Slap. strolled up from the direction of the engine Slap grinned and sat, tuning the guitar by ear. He began playing soft, slow songs—the “Where did he learn how to do that?” room, wiping his hands on a shop towel. He ones gestured with it in her direction. “That girl is Shallah had liked. Tristan didn’t leave. Slap grabbed a towel and wiped his face. After awhile, Slap noticed that although Tristan a pistol.” “I dunno. He don’t talk about it. And—” He still held the book, he had quit turning any grabbed her arm as she started forward. “I “Yeah.” Slap glanced past the engineerpages. wouldn’t ask him. He don’t like questionsat the man swinging on the trap. “Don’t tell Tristan, but I’m starting to be sorry I took herCarter came in and slid into a chair quietly about his past.” on.” Slap hadn’t even thought about playing Her head tipped, her lip jutting out in a since Shallah and Evan died. But when he sa curious pout. “Why? Does he have something Carter chuckled. “Live and learn.” He walked
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Issue 39, February 01, 2008
Deuces Wild, Fractured Facets, Part One by L. S. King
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the guitar, he’d had to buy it. It felt good to Except for Addie’s moans, tsks, and occa- “Yep. We’re ready for customs and play again, although his fingertips were a sional mightsqueals, the room was quiet. And then customers.” raw, and he stumbled a bit remembering some the checkerboard board crashed to the floor, “Good.” Tristan inclined his head at the tunes. making Slap jump. Addie stalked out of rec board. “Another game?” lounge, and Carter sighed. “She’s not a graceful Addie broke the mood when she cameloser.” in, “Sure.” to no one’s surprise. She was silent for a bit, “Or winner,” Slap said. then declared, “Can’t you play something less # boring?” “Check,” Tristan said quietly, taking Slap’s bishop. With three glares pinned on her, she had Carter stood by the ramp with his lopsided the grace to turn red. “Well, sorry, but I like smile as Tristan approached. But Slap’s mind was more on the girl than music I can dance to.” the game. “I think her pa spared the rod a “Captain? Mind some company into the Carter snorted. “And who do you bit.” think city?” would dance with you?”
Carter snorted. “That’s an understate-“Not at all.” “You think I’d want any of you as a dancing ment.”
partner? What a choice. A hick, an old geek, or
“Isn’t Slap going?”
“We should have spaced her,” Tristan muttered. “Not right now.” Tristan let himself smile. “Your pa never did teach you much about “The owner is busying himself with the “Now, that ain’t very gentlemanly,” details Slap of making sure our cargo is delivered manners, did he?” drawled, moving his rook. properly.” “I learned to survive.” Tristan’s eyes glittered with veiled Carter’s smile spread. “And Addie?” Tristan barked out a laugh and dropped amusement his as he moved his queen. “Mate.” book on the cushion beside him. “Slap, are you “She already left on some prearranged “An’ neither was that.” Slap dropped his up for chess? If not, I’m going to my cabin.” appointments.” Tristan paused for emphasis. chin into his hand to study his mistakes.“I made certain I was not ready to disembark “I’m game. I’ll get the board.” earlier.” Carter chortled and rose. “Good night.” Addie sat on the table across from them, Carter laughed aloud as they descended peering at the board with a frown. Carter “Going to bed this early?” Slap asked. the ramp together. thumbed through Tristan’s book, then “After checking a few things below.” He wandered over to watch the game as well. # nodded and left. Mister No-smiles over there.”
“You know how to play chess?” Carter
asked her.
“No, but I can play checkers.” “I’ll set them up.”
Ray Gun Revival magazine
“He seems to be taking to his job, don’t “The you Xanthus Commonwealth has tightened security recently,” Carter said as they went Tristan leaned back, stretching histhrough spine a third checkpoint and inspection. “Even with a nod. “We land on Medan tomorrow. You since my last job.”
think, Tristan?”
have the cargo manifests ready?”
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Deuces Wild, Fractured Facets, Part One by L. S. King
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“Not surprising, considering the war on paused. “We will be going no closer to the ConDamn. How many people did Polk report to? Did he still work for Dray as well as the Con their border between Eridani and the Confedfederation than this planet.” eration.” federation? And did he still travel with them? Carter’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he “True.” swallowed. “Thanks, Captain.” Tristan had the feeling his life had just become much more complicated…and deadly “I wonder how the arms dealers are The engineer tagged along as Tristan did faring.” some shopping, ordering more books and some # music. He hesitated in considering which music Carter shot him a quick look. “Oh?” to order; would Wagner drown out Addie’s “Hey, Tristan?” caterwauling? That sparked another thought, “Idle curiosity,” Tristan said, shrugging, and he double-checked that his Shakespeare Slap’s cheerful voice cut through Tristan “since theirs is likely the most lucrative entercollection was complete—especially including like a stim-knife. He looked up from his novel prise in this region at the moment. To use Taming a of the Shrew. with dark expectancy. quaint expression of Slap’s, I try to keep one ear to the ground concerning activities which Lunch was quiet. Carter didn’t have to “Wanna go to the city with me?” might impinge on my ability to carry out my moan in delight at every mouthful, or have to own business.” ask what was on his plate like the cowboy. “I was there yesterday.”
Carter snickered. “You have a way of saying On the way back to Giselle, a familiar face “Yeah, I know, but I ain’t been yet, what with a lot without giving away anything. That’sin a the crowd caught Tristan’s attention—Jacek all this owner and cargo stuff to deal with.” gift, you know.” Polk. He was older, his blond hair streaked with The last thing Tristan wanted to do was go grey, but yes, it was indeed Polk. His gaze was “I consider it a necessity.” into Caldar again. Or have Slap go. But he knew riveted on Carter. the futility of trying to keep Slap aboard if he The two men finally cleared customs and The engineer started and stifled a gasp. was determined to leave. And who knew what continued into Medan’s port city, Caldar. “Captain, we have to get away from here,” he dangers awaited with Polk in the city. With a hissed. “I just saw a Confederation source.” sigh, he rose. “I’ll accompany you.” “I don’t think we’re going to have as easy a time in Xanthus’ territory as we thought,” “Polk?” “Great!” Slap bounded away with an enthu Carter said. “That war has everyone on edge. siasm that made Tristan feel worn out alread Slap said there wasn’t much cargo going in and “You know him?” out. Uh, legitimate, that is.” # “From long ago. So he’s a spy for the Con“Only natural, but we’ll do better when we federation as well, is he?” get to the Cygnus Hegemony.” “Sheee-oot. It takes forever getting throug customs, don’t it? Why didn’t you warn me?” Tristan stopped—Polk’s eyes strayed to him “Yeah, we should. Are we going as and far widened. as Slap asked as they emerged from the fina He let his dark glare bore into the Aquila Freehold?” inspection. the spy who turned white and hurried away through the throng of people. “If we get runs there—it is a bit distant. “Would it have changed your mind about And there are still the so-called free planets “By all means, let’s return to the ship.” heading into Caldar?” in the Pegasus Alliance. We’ll do fine.” Tristan
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“No.”
tightened his stomach against the onslaught. “But you—”
“Then what would be the point?”
The holobanner above the dome glittered: “You wanted to see that.” Tristan nodded Cirque des Étoiles. toward the dome.
“Well, so I’d know what to expect.”
Slap started forward. Slap grimaced with frustration, but the Tristan didn’t deign to reply, but instead promise of the circus dome itself sidetracked pointed at the call buttons on the panelTristan to shadowed his eager companion, his query. His mouth dropped open as they their right. “Hover cab?” subtly steering him from certain games while approached. “Look at that thing!” keeping his eyes open. Trouble could come “You know I like to walk.” in many forms in such a place, even without “Yes. The cost of these domes is incredible. The slightest variations in a planet’s gravity ca whatever companions he worked “Lead the way,” Tristan said, with anPolk—and exagbe fatal for performers. These domes aren’t for now. gerated sweep of his arm. just show, a modern variation of the old circus A man bumped against Slap and casually tents. They generate their own gravity field.” They wound through the city, Slap gawking, walked on. as usual, and Tristan watching for anything and Slap whistled through his teeth. everything. “Stay here,” Tristan hissed and quickened Tristan stared into the air, his mind seeing his step to catch up to the man, who was As they rounded a corner, a multi-hued things from...a lifetime ago. “Did you know aiming for a small crowd gathering in front dome pulsed and glowed in the distance. that of a barker. Tristan held his smirk inside as he ages ago on ancient Earth, circuses had all sorts of animal acts as well as human? And for relieved the pickpocket of his recently acquired “What’s that?” Slap asked. quite a long time, ground circuses were almo treasure. The man held up his trousers with extinct?” Ignoring the bitter bile that rose in hisan old fashioned belt. In a rare fit of humor, throat, Tristan replied, “Circus dome.” He Tristan took that as well. He left, subduing a should have known. Polk was here, after chuckle all... at the gasps and shrieks behind him Slap turned back to squint at the dome. “Why’s that?” as his mark—and the crowd—discovered his “Really? I’ve never been to a circus.” pants around his ankles. “The allure of the feats available in null-gee. The excitement in Slap’s voice boded ill. Reaching Slap, Tristan handed him Buthis in time the novelty wore off. It doesn’t The cowboy took off like a small child, homing take much to learn to perform in that arena pouch. in on the gleaming, opaque orb. Tristan ran to compared to the years of training for what “Huh?” Slap took it with a confused frown.you see here. So ground circuses became even catch up. “How’d—how’d you know he took it? And more popular. There aren’t many traveling the Slap skidded to a halt as he came to the how’d you get it back?” stars, due to the costs, but all of them put on entrance of the midway, his mouth hanging a show worth seeing. However this...” Tristan “A little prestidigitation.” open. nodded towards the pearlescent dome. “This is the greatest, the best—Cirque des Étoiles.” “Presti-what?” The beaconing lights, raucous music, shouts of the barkers, whistles, pops, and bangs from They Tristan shook his head. “Never mind. Try to approached the marquee, and Slap the games, the sawdust, and combined smells oohed at the show time. “There’s a perforbe more alert, all right?” of roasted peanuts and frying foods brought mance tonight.” unwanted memories cascading over Tristan. He
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Issue 39, February 01, 2008
Deuces Wild, Fractured Facets, Part One by L. S. King
Pg. 29
“Every night that they’re here. Look...” To catch up on previous episodes of Tristan put a hand on the cowboy’s chest. the adventures of Slap and Tristan, visit: “Things are heating up again. I saw someone http://loriendil.com/DW.php yesterday who could mark trouble. Coming here might have been a mistake. Going to a Deuces Wild is dedicated to the memory of my best friend; my inspiration for an enduring performance tonight isn’t smart.” friendship...http://loriendil.com/Starsky/ “But Tristan, I’ve never seen a circus.” The palm turned into a pointed finger and jabbed hard into Slap’s sternum. “Don’t start sounding like Addie. Haven’t you learned to listen to me yet? This place is dangerous.”
The expression on Slap’s face morphed from defiance to defeat to acceptance. “You think once this trouble is over, we could track a circus down so I could go see it?”
“Yes, yes,” Tristan said, relief washing over him that Slap would give in with such grace and understanding.
L. S. King “All right. Let’s get lunch and get back to ol’ Bertha.” L.S. began mar al arts training over thirty years ago, and owned a karate school for # a decade. When on the planet, she lives Carter waited at the top of the ramp, in face Delaware with her husband, Steve, and grave and arms crossed. They climbed up to their youngest child. She enjoys gardenmeet him, Tristan’s heart sinking. “What’s ing, soap making, reading, and all things wrong?” Myst. She also likes Looney Tunes, the “Someone’s kidnapped Addie.” color purple, and is a Zorro a cionado, which might explain her love for swords and cloaks. Like Londo Mollari, she wants to know if the Hokey Pokey is really what it’s all about.
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, February 01, 2008
The RGR Time Capsule
Pg. 30
January 15 - January 30, 2008 Sci-Fi news from the Ray Gun Revival forums
RGR Date: January 16, 2007
about this Predator novel gig, exacerbated Siege is an absolute delight, by turns horrifying, by being sick for a couple of weeks when I’d witty, and touching. http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1711planned to work on it and unexpected but lovely distrac ons (like Utopiales in France). Technically, After the Siege is a work of science The result is that I basically wrote Predator: fiction. But as with so many sci-fi stories, it The Pirates Can’t Be Stopped South China Sea in two months. I had more works on two levels, exploring real-world issues by Daniel Roth than six months to work on it, but only spent like the plight of African countries that can’t about eight weeks at the computer and writ- afford AIDS drugs. The upshot is that Doctorow’s A teenager hacked into the ou it charged with protec ng companies like Sony, Univer- ing longhand. I’m almost hesitant to men on fiction got me thinking — on a Lockean level — this because I think some readers and writ- about the nature of international law, justice, sal, and Ac vision from online piracy—the ers equate length of me spent on a project and property. most daring exploit yet in the escala ng war with quality. And it’s certainly true that some between fans and corporate giants. Guess ideas, some novels, require a long gesta on Which brings me to my point. If you want to which side is winning. period and an equally long me in which to read books that tackle profound philosophical Pirates will save the world questions, then the best — and perhaps only — revise, revisit, re-envision. place to turn these days is sci-fi. Science fiction is RGR Date: January 25, 2007 Ma Mason sez, “I’ve just posted a video the last great literature of ideas. of a cut down version of my stump speech Why Sci-Fi is the last bas on of philisophical c on http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1727 on my new book The Pirate’s Dilemma: RGR Date: January 22, 2007 http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/ How Youth Culture Is Reinven ng Capitalism, RIP Heath Ledger magazine/16-02/st_thompson explaining why it’s o en be er to compete http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1724 with pirates in the market place rather than http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heath_Ledger Recently I read a novella that posed a really ght them in the courts, and why we as a society need to reevaluate the ways we thinkdeep question: What would happen if physical Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger has died property could be duplicated like an MP3 file? about sharing informa on.” What if a poor society could prosper simply by in NY. He was found in Soho at 3:35 PM ET, dead making pirated copies of cars, clothes, or drugsin his bed. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they believe it was not a crime. that cure fatal illnesses?
Two stories about piracy
RGR Date: January 16, 2007
How to write a novel in two months
The answer Cory Doctorow offers in his novella After the Siege is that you’d get a brutal war. h p://www.je vandermeer. The wealthy countries that invented the original com/2008/01/15/how-to-write-a-novel-inobjects would freak out, demand royalties from two-months/ the developing ones, and, when they didn’t get them, invade. Told from the perspective of a As someone who has never thought of him- young girl trying to survive in a poor country self as a fast writer, I had certain trepida ons being bombed by well-off adversaries, After the
http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1710
Ray Gun Revival magazine
Issue 39, Feburary 01, 2008