Ray Gun Revival Magazine, Issue 14

THRILLING TALES FROM BEYOND THE ETHER
The Ombudsman
by Steve Poling
Serial: JASPER SQUAD, Episode 4
“The Monster Engaged”
by Paul Christian Glenn
Serial: The Adventures of the Sky Pirate
“The Fugue”
by Johne Cook
Serial: Mind Wipe, Chapter 7
“Powers of Darkness”
by Sean T. M. Stiennon
Issue 14
January 15, 2007
“Make a stand...or die trying,” by Paul Molendijk
Pg.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents 2
Overlord’s Lair: A Splurge of Serials 3
The Ombudsman by Steve Poling 4
Serial: JASPER SQUAD, Episode 4, The Monster Engaged
by Paul Christian Glenn 11
Featured Artist: Paul Molendijk 19
Serial: The Adventures of the Sky Pirate, Part 7, The Fugue
by Johne Cook 21
Serial: Memory Wipe, Chapter 7, Powers of Darkness
by Sean T. M. Stiennon 29
The Jolly RGR 39
Overlords (Founders / Editors): L. S. King, Paul Christian Glenn, Johne Cook
Venerable Staff:
A.M. Stickel - Managing Copyeditor
Paul Christian Glenn - PR, sounding board, strong right hand
L. S. King - lord high editor, proofreader, beloved nag, muse, webmistress
Johne Cook - art wrangler, desktop publishing, chief cook and bottle washer
Slushmasters (Submissions Editors): Scott M. Sandridge, John M. Whalen, David Wilhelms
Serial Authors: Sean T. M. Stiennon, Lee S. King, Paul Christian Glenn, Johne Cook
Cover Art: “Make a stand...or die trying,” by Paul Molendijk
Without Whom... Bill Snodgrass, site host, Web-Net Solutions, admin, webmaster, database admin, men-
tor, confidante, liaison – Double-edged Publishing
Special Thanks: Ray Gun Revival logo design by Hatchbox Creative
Visit us online at http://raygunrevival.com
All content copyright 2007 by Double-edged Publishing,
a Memphis, Tennessee-based non-profit publisher.
Rev: 20070115b
Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Pg.
Overlord’s Lair:
A Splurge of Serials
T his issue is a little different. We have a really

different short story by Steve Poling that
kept me guessing all the way through. It has the
and Stamp felt the gargantuan weight of the
creature as it struggled to pull him from the rising
ship. He felt the joints of his body strain and crack
feel of a classic throwback story while presenting as he was stretched between the cuff on his arm
a really original spin. This is a different kind of and the monster dangling from his leg.
protagonist, a working class hero. This is “The Rey trained her weapon on the thinly-stretched
Ombudsman.” tentacle that held him, and she began to fire...
Of his story, Steve says that he hoped he Next up is a stand-alone issue of The Adven-
retained the Robert W. Service feel. tures of the Sky Pirate by yours-truly. Two years
“(This story) runs parallel to a much larger have passed since Cooper Flynn joined the myste-
novel that follows the inventor of the FTL hyper- rious Friar of Briar Island, a clandestine privateer
drive and founder of the Sirian Confederacy. in the service of the Queen of Haddiron. A short-
In my future history there are three great staffed crew are undone by poor timing and face
powers: Terran Empire, Sirian Confederacy, and a heavily armed Sylvan warship with nothing but
Camelot, whose Pendragon is a Jim Jones in space. the thinnest of cover stories. The situation looks
The Terrans are corrupt. The Sirians are sneaky grim until Flynn reveals a trait that will make him
bastards. And Camelot is utterly evil. I have in legendary, and unleashes the audacity of “The
mind novels describing the rise of each.” Fugue”.
An aging member of the Spacers’ Guild signs And finally, we present the triumphant contin-
on with a star ship and discovers its cargo includes uation a serial by local legend Sean T. M. Stiennon,
something not listed on the manifest, but how Memory Wipe, Chapter 7, “Powers of Darkness.”
does one file a union grievance from Rigel? After his powers helped him to injure the son
We then have an embarrassment of riches, not of Nathan Clane, gaining him a vendetta with the
one, not two, but three serials, of which at least powerful Clane gang, Takeda visited Dr. Lawrence
two are flat-out (heh) stellar. Beinnen for an examination. Beinnen’s findings
were startling: Takeda has bone structures, glands,
First, we have the the fourth episode of the and vessels which no normal human possesses.
JASPER SQUAD, “The Monster Engaged.” It is Beinnen mentioned his old partner, who seemed
Fireflyesque but it is pure JASPER SQUAD. This to have some knowledge of such things: Cramer
is a story that starts on the run and ends with a Orano, who has now fled to the harsh colony
blast. world Nihil.
Space gangster Tannen Stamp is on the run with Now, as Takeda secures passage to Nihil from
Cadet Rey. Current enemies must work together Esheera Nii, a Vitai Rover, a mysterious assassin
against old allies, and circumstance makes for named Lashiir—who has already tried once to kill
the strangest bedfellows of all. But aside from Takeda—has found them again, and Brian Vass is
fabricated charges, betrayed alliances, fractured also closing in...
trust, and uneasy cooperation, there lies a hungry
evil so implacable and merciless that it will take This issue is a virtual feast. It’s time to dig in!
all their will, wit, and cooperation to stay alive for Johne (Phy) Cook
one more day.
With thunder and a shudder, the Jasper lifted,

"The Battle for Monday Morning," by Jordan Lapp Pg.
The Ombudsman
by Steve Poling
“I ’m Jim Kesler. Don’t tell me how wonderful

it is to be in space; don’t tell me how much
fun low-G is; don’t tell me we’re the vanguard of
“You signed on with anybody yet? Or you trying
to decide?”
“Sort of. I don’t understand why Samba
humanity. Now, don’t do those things, and we’ll Ventures is offering twice as much as Haramatsu
get along fine.” Jim extended his hand to the kid. for the same work.”
“Nice to meet you.” Jim’s opinion of the kid went up a little.
The kid, Bert Mittag, was just off the Coper- “Good question. Have you looked at their safety
nicus transport and had introduced himself record?”
moments before. Jim could see he knew enough “No.”
to find the Golden Nugget and that he drank dark “That’s one thing Earthgov censors can’t
German beer. The kid was clean-shaven, pink suppress. First thing you look at in a contract is
cheeked, idealistic, and a lubber. safety. Half the companies out here would rather
“Sir? Can I ask you something?” pay a wrongful-death fine than properly maintain
“Since I’m secretary of Spacer’s Guild Local equipment that your life depends upon.”
7, you can ask anything that’s Guild business. “That’s not fair.”
Otherwise, it depends on the question.” Jim “Damn straight. Too many posthumous griev-
finished his beer and pushed the empty away. ances get filed with the Guild. Look at this.” Jim
The kid jumped when the robo-server popped pulled a display slate from the duffle bag at his
out to take it. Business was so light that Sheldon, feet and turned it to the kid. “These came out of
the bartender, had left the place on automatic. the Pallas Mining Consortium. They’re a death
“You don’t know which questions to ask, now do trap run by lubbers. I’ve tried three times to get
you?” the Guild to shut them down.”
“No, sir.” Bert’s cheeks got red. The kid read the summary. “This is criminal.”
“If you’re going to be a spacer, you’ve got to “Don’t let Earthgov hear you say that. Pallas
quit asking for permission. This ain’t Earth. You belongs to Comrade Senator Harriman. I’m
have to know up front what you can and can’t do. taking a chance just filing these complaints with
If a thing needs doing, do it. If you screw up, I just the Earthside morons at Guild headquarters.” Jim
hope it doesn’t kill anyone I care about.” took the display slate back and stowed it. “You
“Well, I...” The kid stopped himself. “Can I buy have to take care of yourself out here. If you’re
you a beer?” smart, you’ll tell Damien Haramatsu I said ‘Hi’
Jim smiled at the kid for the first time. “That, when you report for work. But you got to figure
Bert, is a question you can always ask, but I’ll out for yourself what’s in your best interest.”
take a rain check. I just finished one beer and I Jim caught a flicker at the edge of his vision.
don’t need another. How about I ask you some Across the Golden Nugget, beside the pinball
questions instead?” Jim didn’t wait for a reply. machine, the Guild job-board had flickered

"The Ombudsman," by Steve Poling Pg.
indicating a new posting. “Excuse me, Bert.” said.

Jim walked over and called up the most recent “He was.” Jim scratched his head. “But I figured
entry. He squinted to read the job summary young Tolerude for a spacer. Worked with his wife,
and leaned back from the screen. The years had Tara, on the Big Bopper. If they’d lived, she’d have
given him gray hair, a bald spot to comb over and straightened him out. Look at this.” Jim pointed
just enough farsightedness to make reading the to the display.
posting an effort. “The Sagittarius is a new ship and that’s
Bert followed and watched over Jim’s good. There’s nothing worse than signing on
shoulder. to a worn-out tub. You’ll work twice as hard for
“That’s an extrasolar contract.” half the money under lousy conditions. There’s
“I can read, Bert.” always the chance a ship won’t come back, but
“Sorry. How’s General Interplanetary to work I’d rather ship out on a Zodiac class than anything
for?” he asked. else flying.” Jim told the Guild computer that he
“Tough as nails, but they make payroll, and wanted the contract.
management is all spacers. Good outfit.” “That’s all?”
“That’s not what Earthgov says on the vids,” “No. Now I wait for a day or so while the Exec
Bert said. of the Sagittarius decides who he wants to hire.”
Jim had come out to the Belt to get away from The job-board beeped.
Earthgov propaganda. He’d seen the “Special “What’s that?” Bert asked.
Investigative Report” and it galled him. Jim was “That’s fast.” Jim whistled. “It’s never that fast.”
proud as hell of old man Miller, who built the huge The display indicated acceptance from no less
slow-ships and launched them to Alpha Centauri than Captain Ginger Desai. He smiled. “Twenty
and Sirius. Back in those days, spacers ran all the years ago, Bert, I had a conversation like this one
companies. with a red-headed girl fresh off the Copernicus
“Lubbers make vids smearing the General, transport. Cute as a kitten and sharp as a plasma-
but do they do anything about Pallas? No.” Jim torch. I hope you do as well, kid.”
snorted. #
“It isn’t safe. The first hyperdrive ship exploded
in a nuclear fireball.” Jim reported to the Sagittarius with his gear
Jim nodded. “You’ve got a point, but don’t and ran into Ginger at the airlock. Her red hair
confuse Tolerude Scientific with General Inter- hadn’t grayed since he’d seen her last and her
planetary. It’s one thing to install a hyperdrive in green eyes could still look right through you. She
a freighter you’ve won in a bet. It’s another thing stood five feet ten, matching Jim’s height. When
to build interstellar ships for two generations.” she caught sight of him, she smiled broadly. “Jim,
“I heard that his grandfather—” you’re a godsend. We’re on a tight schedule and
“Everyone has, kid.” Jim interrupted. “I was when Hans was arrested—”
in the Copernicus shipyards the week before “Hans MacConnel?”
Endeavour launched for Sirius. I met Erik Tolerude “Yeah, he took a poke at some Earthgov toad.
and shook his hand. Ironic that his grandson Time’s been good to you, Jim.”
should invent the hyperdrive.” “Same with you, Ginger. How’s Glenn and the
“They say the grandson was obsessed,” Bert kids?”

“They’re fine. Let’s chat after we make this who were there already. Like everything else on
delivery—we’ve got to get loaded ASAP.” Sagittarius, the wardroom was shiny stainless
“What’s the hurry?” steel with only a few smudged handprints on the
“The Amarites are impatient, and we’ve got a walls and countertop. The coffee was real spacers’
contract to exchange trade goods at Rigel.” coffee, strong and black.
“Aliens?” “Hi, guys. Any grievances the Guild ought to
“Yeah, Gemini made first contact a few know about?”
months ago. They’ll trade but they’re sticklers for Paulson gave him a dirty look. “Which Guild?
schedule. We’ve got a consignment of machine The Earthgov Guild or the Spacers’ Guild?”
tools, life support, and mining equipment. You’re Jim winced. He didn’t want to think about
working with Sam Wright. He’s at lock nine. Good Earthgov or how it was screwing up the Guild. He
to see you, Jim.” wanted to do something about it, but couldn’t
Captain Ginger Desai slapped him on the see how. “Okay, okay, I’ll take my Guild hat off. I
shoulder and ducked into the Sagittarius. Jim hate Earthgov as much as you do. Tell me about
followed her until she started climbing into the Amarites.”
officer country while he descended to the crew’s Rob looked at Sam. The way things got quiet,
quarters. it seemed they’d rather gripe about Earthgov.
He suited up and began loading the Sagittar- Finally, Sam spoke. “We met them at Rigel.
ius’ hold. The crew members were all old-timers Nobody’s allowed near ‘em except the Captain
like himself. Cargo was held in sealed contain- who parlays with their Kotsar. That’s what they
ers massing several tons apiece. Jim worked call him. They like manufactured goods and pay
the loading dolly whose thrusters overcame the in fissionables.”
weightless containers’ inertia. The dolly was as “What are they like?”
new as the ship with only a few scratches in its “Who knows? Rob here got a look at one of
safety-yellow paint. The controls were the new them in a space suit on the last trip.”
type with automatic thrust settings that Jim “I saw one outside securing a docking collar.
promptly disabled. The light was bad and it had its visor down,”
The hold was a cavernous white-painted Rob said, “but I got a look at its face, ugly as a
expanse with a harsh white light streaming from nightmare. Glowing red eyes. The helmet had
fixtures thirty feet overhead. Rows and columns bumps for three horns and the suit had a spiked
were marked on the floor with fixtures to attach tail coming out the back.”
the containers by their corners. When stacked “You’re kidding.”
the containers would lock together. “Nope.”
When he finished, the hold was half-filled A look passed between Sam and Rob that
with containers stacked floor-to-ceiling. Narrow made Jim feel uneasy. Rob started griping about
passages ran between them. The crew hastily how Earthgov taxed spacers for breathing. Sam
buttoned things up and the ship departed for L4 pointed out that there were a lot more lubbers
where the rest of the cargo waited in high Earth to vote for handouts than spacers to vote against
orbit. taxes. Jim heartily agreed, despite the fact that
Jim strolled into the wardroom, collected a cup official Guild policy went the other way. After a
of coffee and joined Rob Paulson and Sam Wright, few minutes, Jim excused himself and went back

to his quarters. ittarius disengaged from F288 and made best

They were, by Jim’s standards, luxurious. speed to Sol’s gravity well to transit hyperspace
He didn’t have to share a bunk with a guy on a and reemerge within Rigel. The prospect of flying
different shift and it was the bottom bunk, to into the sun made him a little uncomfortable.
boot. He loved serving on a new ship. His bunk Back in his quarters, Jim lay in his bunk. “Hey,
was so comfortable that he fell asleep until they Sam, I got a question.”
arrived at L4. Sam Wright was in the bunk above him. “Ask,
They met freighter F288 that had just lifted then let me get to sleep.”
from Earth. It held the rest of the cargo, consist- “What’s hyperspace like?”
ing of more sealed containers. Still a little sleepy “Like anything else. You feel disorientation.
from his nap, Jim fell into the routine of loading Don’t eat a lot before transit. Sometimes you’ll
container after container. Most were dented and feel like you have to puke. Then the ship is
scuffed from years of hauling between Earth and someplace else.”
the Mars colonies, the Belt, and Jupiter’s moons. “You’re not nervous about flying into the
He’d checked the manifest beforehand and they sun?”
all massed within five per cent of each other. He “Sha gua! Jim, have you become a lubber? The
wouldn’t have to change thrust settings between sun-shield is just a fusion bottle turned inside out.
each container, and he didn’t trust the dolly auto- Shut up and let me sleep.”
matics. It took less than a minute for Sam to start
Like the others, container 32 listed machine snoring. Jim stared at the bunk above him. He
tools. Unlike the others, it was brand new with wasn’t tired and the snoring would keep him
the General Interplanetary rocket-in-orbit logo on awake. Container 32 nagged him. The more he
the side. He set the dolly thrust output to match thought about it, the more curious and paranoid
its mass. he became. If they were trading with Jovian
The container lurched forward. This container separatists, he could understand “mislabeling” a
massed only a tenth of what the manifest said. small-arms shipment. But what kind of contra-
Glancing at the dolly automatics Jim read a thrust band would aliens want? He was probably nuts.
suggestion that was the same fraction. Jim imme- The mass discrepancy was most likely a clerical
diately reversed the thrusters and brought the error.
container to a full stop. Without turning on a light, he quietly put on
“Is there a problem, Jim?” Ginger’s voice came his magnaboots and made his way to the rear
over his suit radio. of the freighter. The cargo hold was pressurized
“Uh, no. I overshot thrust. I’ll take this one a when Jim slipped in. However, the loading lights
little slower if you don’t mind.” had been extinguished leaving the only illumina-
“That’s good. Do that.” tion from amber guide-lights set in the floor. It
Slowly, he started the dolly’s thrusters while was barely enough to see to get around. And it
he refined his mental estimate of the container’s gave Jim the creeps.
mass. He smoothly brought the container to row While he made his way to container 32, a
three, column nine, floor level of the Sagittarius’ wave of nausea passed over him. He concluded
hold. that Sagittarius had transited to Rigel. He had
When the last container was loaded, the Sag- to move fast to get a peek, then slip back out

unnoticed. If he saw something dangerous, he’d corridors between them. Jim and the boy fled
file a grievance when he got back. down one.
Jim keyed the safety override code to open The corridor ended at the rear of the hold by
the seal. The front panel slid back, revealing a the space suits’ charging station. The boy could
lighted interior. hide in a space suit. Peeking around a corner, Jim
“Who are you?” A high-pitched voice came saw the two women standing outside container
from inside. 32, arguing.
He looked and said, “Uh, I’m Jim. What’s your “It had to be Earthgov,” Ginger said.
name?” Jim couldn’t hear Olga’s reply.
A little boy sat on a small acceleration couch. “Climb in here,” Jim said. Hurrying, he helped
He had brown hair, dark eyes and chocolate the boy get into the smallest suit. Jim wished he
brown skin. In over twenty years in space he had a gun, or some weapon he could use if things
had only met a handful of children, usually pas- came to that. Then he saw the oxygen cylinders.
sengers going with their parents to the Mars Too many years before on a prospecting ship,
colony—none in the Belt. He couldn’t imagine the Rock Hound, a newbie, no older than Jim at
any innocent explanation. What could aliens the time, named Al Mahan, broke the valve off
want with a human subject? he thought. Slavery, the end of a cylinder. He grabbed the cylinder and
medical experiments, and alien zoological exhibit that was a mistake. The result was instantaneous
all came to mind. Redness tinged the edges of and terrifying. The cylinder launched itself across
Jim’s vision. Worst was the feeling of betrayal: the the cargo hold carrying Al with him. The first
realization that all the Earthgov propaganda was bounce crushed his chest, killing him. The cylinder
probably true about General Interplanetary. caromed three more times around the hold until
“I’m Depak. Are you taking me to Daddy?” the jamming itself against a dolly. Jim shuddered at
boy asked. the memory of the cylinder spinning inches from
“I’ll try.” He beckoned to the boy to come with his faceplate.
him. Maybe he could hide the kid in his quarters. He unclamped the cylinders and pulled one
There were plenty of places to hide on a ship this free. It floated in front of him while he fished a
size. He’d just have to get back there. Then he’d three-kilogram sledgehammer from the tool crib.
talk to Depak and sort things out. “Stay behind The ship shuddered as docking clamps engaged
me,” he said. the port transfer lock. A cold chill shook Jim when
“Yes, sir.” The boy fumbled toward him in zero- he realized that something was coming in from
G. When he was out of the container, Jim placed outside.
the kid’s magnaboots on deck. “Always keep one He tried to close the helmet on the boy’s suit,
foot on the deck before you lift the other. The but its latch jammed.
switch to cut the magnets is by your big toe.” “Are we going outside to Daddy?” the boy
The door to the cargo hold opened and two asked.
women entered. The first was Ginger with a “Shhhh,” Jim whispered. “No, we’re just going
sidearm on her belt. The second was Olga Miller. to play hide and seek. Squat down and hold still
So the big Kahuna is involved, he thought. The so nobody can see you, Okay?” He struggled with
light from the container caught their attention. the latch.
Jim ducked out of sight. The sound of footsteps came from someplace
Containers were stacked to the ceiling, leaving near the door, cutting him off. The closest way

out was the port transfer lock. “I’m Linus Tolerude and I’ve come for my son,
The latch came free at the moment Ginger Depak.”
stepped around the corner. Then Jim recognized the face: older than the
“Jim, you don’t belong here,” she said. Her pictures, leaner, with worry-lines around the
pistol was out. eyes.
“How could you, Ginger?” Jim shouted. “You’re supposed to be dead,” Jim said.
“Mr. Kesler, calm down,” Olga said. She had “As far as I’m concerned the more people
circled around the row of containers from the who think so, the better,” Tolerude chuckled.
right. This left Jim facing Ginger and Olga when “Would you please put that down before you hurt
the port transfer lock cycled. someone?”
“You’ll never get away with this.” Jim raised the “But the aliens, the Amarites?”
hammer, ready to knock off the valve. He figured “They are as phony as this spiked tail.” It
the boy, in the space suit would be safe, when swished back and forth.
the cylinder cut loose. The commotion would get Jim released the hammer.
someone’s attention. “Daddy!” The boy wriggled out of the suit and
He knew most of the crew and couldn’t dashed to his father.
imagine any would be so cold-hearted as to sell Tolerude scooped the boy up and hugged him.
a boy to the aliens. All he’d have to do is make He listened attentively as the lad described the
enough of a commotion for someone to come trip with Aunt Olga and riding inside the container.
looking. When he wound down, Tolerude whispered
The transfer lock opened and a massive something in his ear, set him down and patted
spacesuited figure loomed in the hatchway. An the boy on his head.
appendage from the suit’s rear accommodated a “Why did you fake your death?” Jim asked.
spiked tail. The alien took a step toward him. “Are you sure you want to know?” Linus
Jim brandished the hammer. After he struck replied.
off the valve, he’d leap out of the way and duck “What happens if I do?”
behind a dolly. Olga Miller cleared her throat. “He already
The figure stopped. Jim made out three knows too much.”
glowing red eyes behind its visor. The spacesuit “I know,” Tolerude said solemnly. “You’re Jim
gave off a sulfurous stench. Its tail swished back Kesler, the union guy, aren’t you?”
and forth. Ginger said, “He is.”
Jim waved the hammer menacingly. “Stay “Tara knows him,” he touched the earpiece on
back.” The boy raised his head and peeked out of his headset. “She doesn’t think he’s Earthgov.”
his space suit. “Daddy?” Tolerude looked Jim in the eye. “Mr. Kesler,
The alien stopped and turned to the women. how would you like to be presumed dead and
After Olga nodded, the alien unlatched its helmet, wear a space suit that stinks of rotten eggs with
revealing a man with blond hair and blue eyes. three horns and a spiked tail?”
“There seems to be a misunderstanding,” he “What do you mean?”
said. “I’m hiring, but I don’t run a union shop. You
“What?” Jim kept the hammer poised to strike may not like the fact that all my employees are
the valve. presumed dead. If you sign on, you’ll be in on the

"The Ombudsman," by Steve Poling Pg. 10
start of something big.” arrives in twenty years, I want to have something

“Doing what?” ready for him.”
“What you’re doing now: loading cargo in the Tolerude turned to Olga. “How do you want to
Fat Chance. And I need an ombudsman.” handle PR?”
“Hmmm.” Jim weighed the alternatives. “Earthgov will buy a story of hostile aliens
Earthgov would only get more intrusive. Con- run amok,” she said. “It’ll fit their propaganda
versely, Tolerude was a spacer and he’d be a lot template.”
more responsive than Guild headquarters. He #
looked at the boy, Depak, who was clinging to his
father. Jim liked kids and decided to trust Linus “I’m Secretary Kesler. Don’t tell me the Depart-
Tolerude. Start of something big, he thought. ment of Safety can’t inspect your ship; don’t tell
“I take it Tara didn’t die with you when the Fat me about your connections in the Terran Empire;
Chance didn’t explode.” don’t offer me a bribe; don’t tell me how young
“She misses our son as much as I do,” Linus nanite rejuve makes me look. Now, don’t do those
replied. things and we’ll get along fine.” Jim extended his
“Why do you need an ombudsman?” Jim hand. “Nice to meet you again.”
asked. The Terran captain had just come into Jim’s
“I’m management. But I want someone whose office moments before. The inspection wouldn’t
job is to tell me when things are wrong.” find anything. Haramatsu corporate standards
“What if things don’t work out?” exceeded Sirian regs. But it was good for Jim’s
“I’ll cash you out and you’ll go home. But it will people to be reminded from time to time what
be complicated, since Earthgov will think you’re “right” looked like.
dead.” Jim watched Captain Mittag’s reaction across
Jim felt ashamed at what he had thought the mahogany desk.
moments before. He looked over to Ginger. “I’m “You don’t recognize me, do you, Bert?”
sorry…” “No. Where’d we meet, sir?” Bert’s cheeks got
Tolerude stopped him. “Mr. Kesler, I under- red.
stand what you were thinking and I appreciate “We met in a bar named the Golden Nugget
you sticking up for my son.” twenty-some years ago. And you offered to buy
“What’s the point of this charade?” me a beer. Grab your hat. I know the best bar in
“A lot of us don’t like living under Earthgov’s Williamsburg.”
thumb. We’re spacers and we’ve started a colony
where we can be free from Earthgov. Would you
like a while to think over my offer?”
Steve Poling
Steve Poling was born, raised and lives in West
“No need,” Jim said, “I’ll take that job.” Michigan with his wife and two kids. He is a C/C++/
“Good. I’ll buy your contract from Olga and C# poet by day with degrees in Mathematics and
we’ll renegotiate it at Sirius.” Computer Science who writes Subversive Fiction by
“Sirius?” night. Steve has an abiding interest in philosophy
“There’s just a rendezvous beacon here. All and potato cannons. See http://steve.poling.info/
this,” he waved at the containers in the hold, for a longer bio.
“goes to the Sirius system. When my grandfather

"The Second Ascension," by R. Cruz Pg. 11
JASPER SQUAD, Episode 4

The Monster Engaged Sci-Fi action sequences
Reader
by Paul Christian Glenn discretion is advised
T annen Stamp lumbered through the great

granite maze on the surface of Wroume,
twisting left, then left again, then right, then
squeal of pleasure.
Stamp shuddered to think about it, the man’s
eyes bulging with terror, his mouth stretched
straight on as fast as he could. Pain from the blast open in a screaming cacophony of pain. It was
wound in his thigh intensified with every step, terrible to behold—Stamp almost regretted sac-
but he knew that if he could push through the rificing the guy to save his own skin.
next few minutes, it would begin to numb. With He couldn’t do that this time, however. He
that thought in mind, he ran even harder. needed Rey to be alive when he found Captain
Behind him, he could hear the heavy breath Spill and the others. He was fairly sure that she
of Rey, the young GPF cadet who was shadowing had lied to him about the Jasper’s security system,
him. She was injured too, having suffered a nasty which she said required the Captain’s optic print
knock on the head when the Jasper crash-landed to initiate launch, but Stamp had other ideas
on this rock, and with the blood rushing through brewing.
her body, he was concerned that she wouldn’t be He had known it was probably a mistake to try
able to keep up much longer. to patch things up with Castel Cuttery, but after
Another horrific, gargling scream echoed the violent reception he’d received here, there
through the stone forest around them. The thing was now no question that his name was mud
was getting closer, and it had definitely locked on in the shock underground. He had dropped one
to their scent. Stamp had seen the great worm too many shipments, botched one too many jobs,
twice before. It was taller than Stamp himself, and angered one too many bosses. He needed to re-
longer than six men laid head-to-toe; it’s black, establish himself somewhere, find a new line of
sinewy skin was wet with mucus, and covered work, maybe working as an enforcer for a local
on all sides with thousands of writhing tentacles, crime lord on some backwater planet, somewhere
which it used to pull itself through the forest. The he could lay low for a while. But he had no money,
thing was incredibly fast for its size, its soft body and he had no ship. If he could deliver Rey to
oozing through the stalagmites and stalactites Captain Spill, unharmed and untouched, he
like a demonic snake through tall grass. might be able to convince the captain to let him
Stamp had seen the worm get hold of a man. ride along for a spell. There was, of course, the
Its tentacles wrapped around his body like living outside chance that Spill would insist on keeping
ropes, squeezing his body and pulling him toward him under arrest, but right now it seemed that
the monster’s great, inverted mouth. No sooner the Jasper Squad had their own trouble with the
had the poor bastard’s feet touched the tight, Galactic Patrol Force, and it would be a while
wrinkled hole, than the giant worm began to before they would be landing at any GPF outposts.
pump its body up and down, sucking in it’s prey Long enough, maybe, for Stamp to get lost in the
with sloppy, grotesque gulps and a blood-curdling meantime.

Serial, JASPER SQUAD, Episode 4, "The Monster Engaged," by Paul Christian Glenn Pg. 12
“Stamp,” gasped Rey, “I can’t keep up. I... same spot, and smoke began to rise from the
can’t...” burning flesh as his shots found their mark. Two
“Don’t waste your breath,” he yelled back. of the tentacles dropped free and shriveled up
“Keep moving!” toward the worm’s body, but three more reached
He took another hard left around a thick, forward to take their place.
twisted stalagmite and spurred forward, dodging Her eyes wide with fear, Rey reached out
smaller columns of stone before taking two quick toward Stamp, but instead of taking her hand,
rights and doubling back. The key to surviving this he swiped her shooter and leapt on top of her,
was to create as many twists and turns as possible. slamming her body against the hard ground
The worm wouldn’t tire, but it wasn’t intuitive, and using his weight to counteract the worm’s
and it would continue to follow the scent. The strength. He dug his heels against the stone
more it had to maneuver its massive, globular floor and pointed both shooters at the creature’s
body, the greater their chances of increasing the mouth.
distance between it and them. The sound of everything faded away, and
Suddenly, something was wrong. He couldn’t as he stretched both arms forward, the world
hear Rey’s wheezing breath behind him. He around him seemed disappear. He saw nothing
stopped dead in his tracks and spun around. but the squirming hole in front of him, and heard
Dammit! She was gone! Before he could even nothing but the sound of his shooterblasts as he
begin to curse, he heard exactly what he expected. fired, once, twice, fifteen, thirty times. He was
A shivering scream and the sound of shooter- vaguely aware that the hole was growing closer,
blasts in short, rapid bursts. but in his trance he did not falter. He continued
I ought to let her die, he thought, even as he to fire, again and again, as if it were nothing more
raced back toward the sound of fire. Stupid kid. than a game of target. Smoke from the monster’s
Within seconds he was upon them—the worm burning flesh began to cloud his vision. He saw
had been closer than he thought. It already had tentacles move to cover the worm’s mouth, and
Rey’s legs wrapped up in it’s flailing tentacles, he continued to fire. He felt the pressure against
and was pulling her toward its greedy, undulat- his heels drop away, and he continued to fire. He
ing hole; wet, sucking sounds belched forth from saw the worm’s body contract, then shrink away
it’s innards, and Stamp could smell it’s sickening from him, and he continued to fire.
sweet breath in the air. Suddenly he was aware of his own voice. He
Rey was firing worthless shots behind her, was screaming, a deep, throaty, vile sound that
mostly missing the monster, but Stamp knew shook with bloodlust and fury. He was shaking—
that a single blast wasn’t going to do any good. no—he was being shaken. He saw the cadet’s
For all its soft exterior, the great worm could face in front of him, and he felt her hands on his
take a hundred blasts and still keep squirming. If shoulders. He was no longer firing his shooters,
it had eyes, he would have aimed for them, but and he was no longer sitting up. Rey was on top
the beast navigated by scent alone. There was of him.
nothing for it but to break her free. “Stamp!” she shouted. “Be quiet! Get hold of
He rushed toward the thing, firing his shooter at yourself!”
the writhing mass of tentacles that were wrapped He dropped his arms and the sound of his voice
around Rey’s legs. One shot after another at the faded away. The world came back into focus. He

looked up at her, and felt a surge of anger within They moved on in silence after that. Stamp
him. Without thinking, he swung his arm up and continued to make their trail a twisted system
struck her square across the jaw, knocking her of quick reverses and double-backs. He kept his
clear of his body. He leapt to his feet and threw ears open for the sound of movement behind
her shooter down at her. them, and sniffed the air for telltale whiffs of the
“I told you to keep moving,” he shouted. “You creature’s scent.
want to get killed out here, that’s up to you, but As sunlight began to fail, he saw, at last, the
don’t expect me to save your hide again!” light from a clearing ahead. They were at the
She looked up at him, her eyes shimmering edge of Cuttery’s lair. The stalagmites began to
with unshed tears. Her face was red and the skin thin, and he stopped at the edge of the clearing.
was scraped away where he had hit her. Through A long, gentle, sandy slope stretched out before
gritted teeth she said, “It won’t happen again.” them, leading down toward the landing bay. Ships
Stamp glowered at her. “It’ll be back,” he said. were strewn about in the dusk, and beyond them,
“It takes more than a couple shots to the face to a giant cave opened into the heart of Cuttery’s
turn that thing off its dinner. Let’s go.” operations.
He turned and stalked off through the stone, Stamp stifled a groan as he sank to the ground.
trying to collect himself. The blood and adrenaline “We’ll wait until nightfall,” he said. “Once the sun
rushing through his body slowly subsided, and he goes down, we make our move.”
realized the pain in his thigh was gone. That was Rey sat down across from him. She didn’t
something, anyway. A minute later he heard the look up but simply nodded her head in silence
soft padding of Rey’s boots behind him. and exhaled slowly. He observed her quietly. Her
“How much time do we have?” she asked. stringy blonde hair dangled in loose strands from
He shrugged. “Who knows? It’ll take a few what had once been a regulation knot at the back
minutes to lick its wounds, but that sucker heals of her head. Her sharp features and almond eyes
up quickly, and it’ll be on the prowl again long were worn with dirt, sweat, and blood, and her
before our scent disappears.” thin lips trembled ever so slightly as she silently
“How far to Cuttery’s lair?” she asked. contemplated what lay ahead. Sitting there with
“Not far,” he said. “We’ll be there in less than her back to the stone, he saw her for what she
an hour. We’re going in through the rear landing was: a terrified kid.
bay, where most of the shock ships out. It’s full In Stamp’s experience, most cadets weren’t
of bugships and cargo. Lots of movement, lots worth a drop their first few months out of Academy,
of people running around. We should be able to but he guessed none of them had ever had an
slip in unnoticed if we’re careful, and staying out experience like this during their first forty-eight
of sight is a no problem once we’re inside. You hours of duty. He had no love for jeepers, but he
trained to hack a network?” had to admire her tenacity, and he wondered what
“Yes,” she replied. “We all are. As long as it’s kind of girl she was when she wasn’t fighting for
not a complex system—” her life. Probably cocky and loud-mouthed, like
“Ain’t nothin’ about Castel Cuttery that’s most cadets. They all thought they were going to
complex,” he said. “I’ll get us to a com, you find save the universe from people like him. It usually
us the prisoners. At that point, it’s nothing but took a few years for them to realize that the bad
guts and glory.” guys outnumber the good guys a hundred to one,

and that law and order were nothing more than dirty, kid,” he said. “I tried to tell you before. Don’t
grand illusions. This girl, though—she was getting put too much faith in him, or you just might find
her education early. yourself in worse situations than this.”
She nonchalantly brought her hand to her “I don’t believe you,” she said.
cheek and rubbed it, moving her jaw from side “I got no reason to make up stories,” said
to side, and Stamp suddenly felt shame. It wasn’t Stamp. “Believe me or not, Muriel Spill’s name
a very useful emotion, but he’d never quite been is well known in the shock underground. Guy’s
able to lick it. Smacking a girl across the mouth been takin’ cuts and turning his head for years.
was a reckless thing to do, even if she was GPF. Why do you think he’s still working the field at his
He looked away from her, down toward the age?”
landing bay below. “I didn’t mean to hit you “He’s good at what he does.”
earlier,” he mumbled. “I was all worked up. Hand “He’s hooked on the hush money, that’s why.
got away from me.” Any straight cop would’ve retired to a desk job
“I can take a hit,” she said flatly. “I’m tougher and spent his golden years gettin’ fat, but Spill’s
than you think.” in too deep with the bad guys.”
Stamp looked at her and let a grin creep across Rey turned her head and looked down toward
his face. “I’m figuring that out,” he said. She thrust the Jasper. “It’s none of my business,” she said.
her chin out and glared back at him. “Whatever you’ve heard, he’s the captain of this
A loud rumble shook the air from above, and squad, and it’s my duty to get him out if I can.”
Stamp leaned back to see what was coming. Stamp snorted. “Idealistic,” he said. “Good for
Through the tangle of sinewy stone above, he you, kid. Just remember what I said. Be careful.”
could see flashes of a ship moving overhead, He looked down at the Jasper and watched as
slowly heading for the landing bay. He turned to two of Cuttery’s men emerged from the boarding
watch it land, and grimaced as the giant double- lift and sauntered toward the interior bay. From
cookie floated down to land below them. the corner of his eye he could see Rey regarding
“It’s the Jasper,” whispered Rey. him, weighing his words against whatever game
“Yeah,” grunted Stamp. “Wonder how they he might be playing. It was hard not to smile.
fired it up.” He cocked his eyes toward her in a The sun dipped slightly below the horizon,
menacing gaze, and watched her eyes as she tried and the shadows around them grew long. “Give it
to scramble an explanation together fifteen minutes,” said Stamp. “We’ll shuffle down
“Maybe they’ve got the captain on board,” she this hill and head toward the interior bay along
offered. “Or maybe they found a way to—” the south edge of the clearing.”
“Don’t insult me, girl,” he growled. Rey looked at him suspciously. “You’re coming
Rey held his gaze for a moment, then dropped with me?” she asked.
her eyes. “I needed your help,” she said simply. “I said I would,” he replied.
“I had to try to save them. The captain wouldn’t “You’ve got your pick of bugships here,” she
have left me here.” argued. “Why would you still help me?”
Stamp shook his head and sighed. “Captain’s Stamp stood up and stretched his legs. “You

see me as a criminal,” he said, “and that’s fair. I see Rey right on his heels. Good girl. The sound of
am. But let me tell you the difference between shooterblasts echoed throughout the bay, which
me and some twisted jackass like Castel Cuttery. he hoped meant that Cuttery’s men had seen
Guy like that—he’s got no character. Maybe I the worm and were focusing their attention on it.
make my livin’ on the wrong side of the law, but That would provide enough diversion for him and
my word is good.” He pulled his shooter from his Rey to slip inside and get themselves good and
belt, dropped the photon clip, and checked the lost in the caves.
firing level. “Come to think of it,” he said, “that’s They passed beneath the Jasper and wound
a difference between you and I, as well.” their way around two small cargo ships. When
He paused for a second and sniffed the air— they had nearly reached the opening of the great
but it was too late. The rank aroma of the giant cavern that served as an interior bay, he suddenly
worm surrounded them, and then the monster heard Rey shout behind him.
was there, oozing through a wide arch behind “Stop!”
them, its grasping tentacles reaching toward He stopped short and spun around to see
them, its thick, gargling moan wailing heinously. her pointing. “It’s the captain! They’re making a
Stamp grabbed Rey by the arm and pulled break for it!”
her toward him. There was nowhere to go but He followed her finger and saw Captain Spill
down. They would be seen by Cuttery’s men, but and his two squad members racing toward the
Stamp had no choice. With Rey in tow, he leapt Jasper. Shooter blasts streaked through the air
backwards, and then they were spinning wildly around them as they scrambled between the
down the stony decline. Incredibly, the worm landing gear of various ships.
emerged from the cover of the stone forest and “Rey!” screamed the captain, “We’re getting
slithered down after them, driven, perhaps, by out of here! Move!” As the words escaped his
rage more than hunger now. Still sliding, Stamp mouth, he and his team reached the Jasper’s
pointed his shooter and pulled the trigger twice boarding lift and disappeared inside.
to no effect. The photon clip! He must have Stamp felt her tiny hand tug on his arm. “Come
dropped it when he reached for Rey. on,” she shouted. Cuttery’s men were swarming
For her part, Rey was firing at least, but her out of the interior bay now, their weapons drawn
shots were flying wide, and the creature was but their fire subdued. They didn’t want to
undeterred. Gaining momentum, it closed the damage their own ships with wild, careless fire.
distance between them as they reached the Stamp turned and followed Rey toward the
bottom of the slope. Jasper’s boarding lift. As they approached, he
Stamp leapt to his feet and hollered for Rey to saw, to his horror, that the filthy, giant worm was
follow him. He ran with abandon straight toward snaking directly toward them from the other side
the interior bay. He’d decided he would rather of the ship. There was no telling whether they
take his chances with Cuttery’s men than face could reach the lift before the creature cut them
that thing again. off.
He reached the first pass of ships and turned to The angry shouts behind him turned to

horrified screams as Cuttery’s men finally saw Rey knelt down over him and unlocked the
the beast, and the air was suddenly full of unin- cuff from his arm. “Can you walk on that leg?”
hibited fire. she asked.
They were only a few measures from the “I don’t know,” he muttered. “Probably not.”
lift, and Stamp heard the Jasper roar to life. Rey They reached the boarding chamber, and the
handed him her shooter and he fired at the thing, door slid open to reveal Captain Spill and Lieu-
only a few paces away now, as she punched in tenant Melendez waiting for them. The captain
the boarding code. The lift opened and she leapt reached down and helped Rey to her feet. “You
inside. He turned away from the monster to follow all in order?” he asked.
her in, but suddenly his body jerked backwards, “Yes, sir,” she replied.
and he felt intense burning pressure as a long “Good,” said the captain. “Now, what’s he
tentacle wrapped itself around his leg. doing on this ship?”
He thrust his elbows out to leverage himself Rey stiffened at the question. “I couldn’t just
against either side of the lift, and screamed as his leave him, sir.”
leg felt like it was being pulled from his body. He “You could have and you should have, Cadet,”
heard a voice shouting down from above, “Rey! said Spill. “Do I need to remind you that this
Are you in?” piece of filth hijacked my ship yesterday? And if
“Go!” she shouted back. She produced a pair it weren’t for a couple of lucky breaks, all four of
of handcuffs and latched one cuff around his us would be dead or worse right now, thanks to
forearm, the other through the grated floor of the him?”
lift. She then grabbed the shooter from Stamp’s “I was trying to rescue the squad, sir,” she
hand and dropped to one knee. replied. “He helped me find the docking bay,
With thunder and a shudder, the Jasper lifted, and...”
and Stamp felt the gargantuan weight of the The captain glared at her. “And?”
creature as it struggled to pull him from the rising She looked down at Stamp. “And he saved my
ship. He felt the joints of his body strain and crack life.”
as he was stretched between the cuff on his arm Spill looked down at Stamp, contempt
and the monster dangling from his leg. emanating from his eyes. Stamp stared back
Rey trained her weapon on the thinly- at him, neither pleading nor demanding—just
stretched tentacle that held him, and she began waiting for a decision.
to fire. One blast after another, each finding its “Let’s take this up to the deck,” he said. “Lieu-
mark, until at last he felt the tentacle fly loose. He tenant, help the cadet carry that lump upstairs,
heard a sickening thud as the creature landed on and keep his hands where you can see them.”
the ground below. #
Rey grabbed his free arm and heaved him up
into the lift. The door slid shut, and Stamp felt Ten minutes later, Stamp was sitting at the
his stomach drop as the lift ascended up into the conference table in the center of the ship’s deck.
boarding chamber in the belly of the ship. The captain had called the entire squad to the

meeting, and they were waiting now on Cadet you’re on the run, and I know you don’t know
Jackaby, who was bringing the cockpit around to why.”
dock. “That’ll clear up soon enough,” said Spill.
Stamp considered his options. He knew Spill “Maybe it will and maybe it won’t,” said Stamp.
would prefer to see him dead—the captain had “But until it does, you’ll need to lay low. A group
already tried to kill him once, back on Candlevar— of tight-ass jeepers like you couldn’t be more
but the crew wouldn’t stand by and let that conspicuous if you tried, but I know safe places. I
happen. It was possible that they would insist know people who can get information.”
on keeping him prisoner until they sorted out He watched as the captain considered this.
their own situation, but that would be one extra “And what do you get out of it?” asked Spill.
worry they didn’t need. What Stamp needed was “A ride,” answered Stamp. “Nothing more.
leverage, something he could barter with, and he I don’t know if you noticed back there, but
had an idea about that. I’ve made some enemies myself. Between the
With a hiss and a click, he heard the cockpit botched job on Candlevar and this little tussle
lock into place. The access port slid open, and the with Cuttery, there’ll be folks looking for me. It’ll
young cadet called Jackaby stepped up onto the be a while before I feel comfortable settlin’ down
deck. somewhere. I need to be on the move—just like
“Status?” asked the captain. you.”
“We’re flying with all systems intact, sir,” Captain Spill leaned back in his chair. In a split-
replied Jackaby. “No sign of pursuit from Cuttery. second, he made his decision. “You’ll remain a
I’ve set our course for Camber System.” detainee of this ship,” he said. “Once we’ve got
“Good,” said Spill. “Now, we’ve got some dead our trouble sorted out, if you’ve proven yourself
weight to deal with.” He leaned forward and useful, we just might look the other way while
looked at Stamp. “Tannen Stamp, criminal mas- you slip off down some dark alley. But if you give
termind. You could have taken any one of those me a minute’s worth of trouble, you’re going to
bugships back on Wroume, but you chose to jail like the scumbag you are.”
saddle us with your unwelcome presence instead. Stamp smiled inside, but he kept his expres-
Why?” sion grim. “Fair enough,” he replied.
“Rey was holdin’ the door for me,” replied “Settled,” said Spill. Then he turned to the
Stamp with the most obnoxious smirk he could other members of his squad. “No one on this
muster. “I thought it’d be rude to just walk on squad is to be alone with Stamp, not ever. Don’t
by.” turn your back on him, and don’t listen to his lies.
“Let me make this clear to you,” said Spill. “I’ve He may be useful at the moment, but he’s not to
got no reservation about burning a clean hole be trusted.
through your thick head, so let’s speak plainly. “Now, everybody’s got a job to do. Lieutenant,
Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t drop take the helm. Rey, get this deck in respectable
you out into the black.” order. Jackaby, you come with me. We’re taking
“Because I can help you,” said Stamp. “I know Stamp down below so he can undo whatever he

did to our nav system.”

Without a word, the squad stood and
dispersed. Captain Spill approached Stamp and
whispered in his ear, “I’m watching you.”
Stamp looked back at him and grinned. “That’s
probably a good idea, Captain.”
He followed the captain and the cadet to the
stairwell. As he walked, he looked up and caught
Rey’s eye. She nodded at him and smiled.
“Captain,” called Melendez from the cockpit.
“We’ve got more trouble.”
Spill threw his arms in the air and turned to
her. “In the name of Pavalova, what is it now?”
Melendez’ face appeared in the cockpit access
port. “GPF, sir. And it’s no chance meeting—four
fighter ships locked on to our coordinates.”
“How did they find us so—”
The captain’s words were cut short as a laser
blast rocked the ship. His hands still bound, Stamp
stumbled backwards and fell on the deck.
“Lieutenant,” said the captain. “Engage these
suckers.”
“Sir, there are four of them.”
“You heard me, Melendez,” shouted Spill. “I
said engage!”
Paul Christian Glenn

Paul Christian Glenn is an Overlord (Co-founder
and Editor) of Ray Gun Revival magazine, and has
been writing for as long as he can remember.
It should be noted, however, that he has a

notoriously short memory.

Featured Artist: Euka Pg. 19
Featured Artist:
Paul Molendijk
Name: Paul Molendijk
Age: 39
Hobbies: Movies, sci-fi, and fantasy art.
Favorite Book / Author: Used to read a lot of Jack

Vance, Philip K. Dick, and more like those a long time
ago. I should pick it up again. Favorite books would be
Jack Vance’s The Demon Princes and Herbert’s Dune
series.
Favorite Artist: When it comes to classic fantasy art,

Frank Frazetta is my all-time favorite. But I like the dark
feeling of Brom and the wonderfully detailed paintings
of Melanie Delon very much as well.
When did you start creating art? I think like every

artist, I started drawing as a kid. But growing up and as
a young adult other matters became more important.
But a little over a year ago it started “itching” and I picked it up again.
What media do you work in? The thing that got me really starting again was the discovery of painting
in Photoshop. Together with a graphical tablet and another great program, Artrage, I make all my
work, although some pieces start as a doodle on paper.
Where your work has been featured? So far only on the DVD that comes with the magazine
ImagineFX. And a few t-shirts for myself :)
Where should someone go if they wanted to view / buy

some of your works?
To view on my website, http://www.pan-o-rama.co.nr or
http://panlannen.deviantart.com/. To buy, they’ll have to
contact me.
What were your early influences? Early influences were

comics. I think the tales of “Storm” were the very first
ones.
What are your current influences? I try to learn from all

the art I see.
What inspired the art for the cover? I think I had a sort of
War of the Worlds - The Omega Man idea in my mind.

Featured Artist: Paul Molendijk Pg. 20
How would you describe your work?

Sci-fi and fantasy art.
Where do you get your inspiration /

what inspires you? All kinds. Art on the
internet, movies, manga/anime, people
that I see during the day or magazines.
Have you had any notable failures,

and how has failure affected your
work?
Yes, I have. Lots. It depends on how
bad I think it is. I could just leave it as it
is or correct it a bit.
If the failure is too big in my eyes I get

rid of the whole piece all together, and
feel uninspired for about a week.
What have been your greatest

successes? How has success impacted
you / your work?
It’s funny how that works. It’s the opposite of what happens when failing. When people show interest
in your work, all of a sudden you have all these ideas and things tend to work out quicker and better
then.
What are your favorite tools / equipment for producing your art? The best thing I have and what
keeps me going is my graphical tablet.
What do you hope to accomplish with your art? I want to

create art that make me feel proud and is appreciated by
others.

Featured Artist: Paul Molendijk Pg. 21
The Adventures of the Sky Pirate, Part 7

The Fugue
by Johne Cook
The story thus far: understand each other.”
Flynn has made peace with the Friar and his crew “At least somebody does,” muttered Dete.
and has started to learn the life of a privateer. Flynn grinned widely, and then grew serious.
“I’m curious about something in my possession,
C ooper Flynn and the Friar stood on the helm

deck aboard the Venture, the elevated
and I don’t know what to make of it.”
The Friar listened carefully. “What is the
stern where the helm wheel was mounted, giving nature of this mystery object?”
them a great view of the ship and the horizon Flynn stroked his jaw, thinking, and bobbed
around them. The former stood at the wheel and his head in sudden decision. “Bring another
the latter scanned the horizon observing a black helmsman up here and I’ll show you right now.”
albatross through his telescope, and whistling. The Friar spoke. “Call for the First Mate,” he
The wind blew through Flynn’s hair, long, and said.
black and flying free. “You know, after all those Dete stopped his scrubbing and leaned on his
years growing up on a remote chunk of rock, I knees. He looked around as the two gentlemen
love the freedom here on this ship,” said Flynn. “I stood there, studiously silent. He sighed theatri-
can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.” cally. “I’ll do it,” he grumbled. The Friar winked at
The Friar grunted knowingly, glancing over at Flynn, who grinned broadly. Dete stood, cracking
his young friend. “You’re taller and tanner than his back, and went to the rail overlooking the
ever. One of the benefits of being on a privateer- deck below. “Crewmaster,” he yelled.
ing ship is the convenient lack of uniforms. What Brandeye looked up from where he super-
are you now, nineteen? In the two years since vised the shuffling of some crates, his cotton eye
you came aboard, you’ve won over the crew bright in the mid-day sun. “Yes?”
and distinguished yourself as a capable leader in “Cap’n wants the First Mate.”
action.” “Aye,” he said, and reached into his shirt,
Flynn looked over at his mentor. “I’m touched,” pulling forth a silver whistle. He piped off a
he said dryly. distinctive pattern and went back to what he
The Friar lowered his looking glass. “What can was doing. Within minutes, Walenda Darden
I say? I am given to inconvenient immoral lapses.” appeared from below-decks, tying her hair back
He smiled and resumed his perpetual scanning. with some twine and straightening the only truly
Dete, the head deckhand, stopped scrubbing the regulation uniform on the entire ship. Brandeye
deck with his pumice stone and scratched his sketched a salute to her and nodded up to the
head, unaware that the two were observing him. helm. “The Friar asked for you,” he said.
Flynn’s eyebrow twitched and an odd look She executed a crisp salute in return. “Thank
passed over his face. “I, also, have a weakness you, Crewmaster Brandeye,” she said formally,
for moral rectitude,” said Flynn carefully. and took the steps two at a time on her way to
The Friar laughed vigorously. “Excellent! We the helm. She stopped, braced, saluted. “First

The Adventures of the Sky Pirate, Part 7, "The Fugue," by Johne Cook Pg. 22
Mate Darden reporting as ordered,” Dete com- “This first side looks like a formula, but what it
plained, and then turned and stalked back over reveals is beyond me.” There was an image of
to his bucket, talking to himself under his breath. what looked like a stump or a log over a ship’s
Still standing at attention, Darden glanced dock.
quickly over at the Friar out of the corner of her “The way it’s drawn is strange,” mused the
eye and restated Dete’s declaration. Friar.
“First Mate Darden reporting… as ordered. “It’s not flying, like a bird, and it’s not drawn
Sir.” resting on the dock. It’s deliberately drawn above
The Friar chuckled, sketched a casual return the dock.”
salute. “Walenda, take the helm for a spell, won’t “It’s not hanging suspended from something,
you?” nor held elevated in place.”
“Sir! Yes, Sir!” Flynn said, “If anything, it looks like it’s…”
The Friar tapped Dete lightly on the shoulder Their eyes met. “…floating in mid-air,” finished
with the looking glass. “Here, Dete, take a the Friar.
breather and look through this for awhile. Let’s The creaking of the ship echoed loudly in the
find out what your eagle-eyes can see.” sudden silence.
Dete stretched, sketched a salute, and rose The Friar leaned back. “If you ever get to
with an eager twinkle in his eye, gratefully the main island, I’ll have to have you look up a
accepting the telescope. “Thank ya, Captain, Sir.” young associate of mine, somebody with a great
Darden braced and saluted again, and Flynn knowledge of things scientific and mechanical.
stepped back from the wheel with a flourish. She He can build anything if you give him enough
stepped forward and bowed from the waist, and resources and challenge him a little. I wager he
assumed her post, crisp and ramrod-stiff and could tell you what the formula is for.”
official. Flynn turned the parchment over. “This
Flynn looked at the Friar. “After you,” he said, other side just contains a bunch of fancy script.”
and they wandered back toward the Captain’s He started reading it aloud. “ ‘By order of the
cabin. Queen, the bearer of this writ shall be accorded
all rights and resources afforded to the Monarchy
#
in perpetuity until...” The Friar made a convulsive
“What I’m about to show you is an utter sound and Flynn trailed off. “What?”
mystery to me, not just what it all says, but what “May I?”
it all means.” Flynn had only seen the Friar this serious on
Flynn removed the sash around his waist and one occasion, and it involved the Briar Throne.
untied three leather straps, revealing a secret The moment felt like history in the making.
inner pouch. He withdrew the oil-skin packet and Flynn nodded and carefully handed over the
withdrew a small rolled parchment with writing parchment. The Friar looked first at one side and
on both sides. He spread it out on the table and then the other. Then he pulled the lamp over and
looked at the Friar seated across from him. “This held the parchment up in front of the lamp.
is it,” he said. “This is the legacy from my father A shadow of the emblem of the Haddiron
that Tuy Meklanek died to bring to me.” monarchy shone down on the tabletop. Flynn
He turned it around and slid it toward the Friar. didn’t know what to make of it, but the Friar’s

wide-eyed expression suggested that he did. “Sails, ho!” bellowed Dete from above and
The captain quickly gave the parchment to Brandeye piped. The Friar looked at Flynn.
Flynn. The Friar dropped his voice. “Hide that “We’ll talk more about this later, hookah?” Flynn
immediately and be extremely careful whom you nodded, still a little stunned.
show that to. What you hold in your hands is The Friar quickly strode out of the cabin. Flynn
unique, and vanished generations ago, presum- carefully readjusted his sash and followed after
ably lost. The hidden watermark establishes it as the Friar, stopping just short of running into a
genuine.” mountain of a man in the narrow corridor.
Flynn cocked his head. “A genuine what, “Pardon me…” Flynn’s cheerful resolve gave
though?” way when the huge, scarred face turned to regard
“What you hold there is legendary, the only him. Awful recognition settled like a lump into
one of its kind, a document of unbelievable Flynn’s throat.
importance, giving the bearer not just manifold Degore scowled down at Flynn, and the events
wealth, but real power within the realm. Until of two years ago appeared afresh in his head.
now, I thought it was just a myth to give people Their encounter in a local tavern on Parrot Bay
hope and something to strive for.” had been brief, memorable, and had given Flynn
“What is it?” nightmares for months afterward. There had
The Friar bent closer to Flynn and spoke in a been no words exchanged, just a fist the size of
voice so low that Flynn himself could barely hear. a melon smashing into Flynn’s face and knocking
“It is a prize awarded to the crown’s champion him cold with one brutal blow.
and his heirs after an invasion was beaten back After joining the Friar’s crew, Flynn had
almost single-handedly generations ago, the long- avoided Degore ever since. That wasn’t as hard
lost Queen’s Writ of Haddiron. It is a promissory as it sounds because Degore was frequently away
note, a blank cheque drawn on the combined as a regular on crews taking prizes back to port for
coffers of the Haddiron treasury. Not only that, it sale to Haddiron or ransom back to Sylva. When
gives the bearer unparallel authority, second only Degore was onboard the Venture, Flynn kept his
to the queen herself.” The Friar leaned back, his distance and his head, remembering their last
eyes wide. “Considering the ramifications of the brief but energetic encounter.
two sides of that parchment, I’m not sure which Until now.
side is more valuable” Flynn braced himself for another beating. If
With the realization of what he had, Flynn’s I’m going through this again, I’ll take it like a man.
expression rose, and then fell. “So I should keep Time to stop running. Then, as an afterthought, I
quiet about these, then,” he said more brightly hope he doesn’t break my face.
than he felt, and carefully put the parchments Moving deliberately, Degore slowly braced, his
back in the oil-skin, and replaced the packet in his back straight and his eyes snapping front in the
sash. He found it suddenly a little hard to breathe dark, narrow corridor. “Sir,” he rumbled without
and his imagination whirled in every direction. a hint of inflection.
Flynn couldn’t have been more stunned. “As
you were, Mister Degore,” he said, his voice hardly
cracking at all, sketching the briefest of salutes in
#
return.

Degore leaned back against the corridor wall more than capable and was helmed by a crafty
and swept his massive left hand across his body and experienced leader.
in a mock bow. “After you,” he said. “Sir.” She was, however, at the moment emitting a
Flynn relaxed and started to reach up to pat great deal of smoke, and her deck appeared to be
Degore’s shoulder, panicked and thought better of completely devoid of activity.
it mid-pat, and flexed his fingers self-consciously The Sylvan merchant started with flags, but
in front of his face. “Thanks,” he said, dropping his there was nobody there to respond to them,
arm to his side in defeat, and carefully squeezed so they approached closer until they pulled
past. alongside to starboard and the captain could hail
Well, what do you know?, he thought. I the smoking ship.
managed not to soil myself. This day might not “Ahoy!” There was no answer, so the captain
be a total bust after all. tried again. “Ahoy! Ahoy the burning ship!”
Up top, Dete held out the telescope, but the A single weathered figure appeared at the rail
Friar ignored it for the moment and said “Where of the burning ship. “Thank Raj, I’m saved!”
away?” “What happened here?”
“Sylvan merchant two points to port bow,” said “The Friar of Briar Island and his crew took
Dete crisply. over our ship and started this fire, leaving me on
“Is she alone?” deck all alone. Things were looking pretty bleak.
“YesSir. I don’t see anything else out there at I have no interest in riding this ship straight down
present.” to meet the seaghoul!”
“Very good, Dete. Walenda, bring us in port “I’m Captain Skone of the Kendersken,” he said
abaft, if you please,” said the Friar gesturing to as the two ships bumped against each other and
the right rear of the ship. He turned to Flynn. members of the Sylvan crew leapt over to lash
“What kept you?” the two ships together. “I’ve heard of this Friar
“I ran into an old friend,” said Flynn, grinning. pirate before. How long has he been gone?”
The Friar nodded, trying to keep a straight face. “About half an hour, I’d say. Can somebody
Only then did he accept the telescope from Dete. help me put out the fire?”
He found the ship in his view and nodded his con- Captain Skone directed his men forward
firmation of Dete’s find. “Bring out the hay!” with a wave of his arm to where the smoke was
“Hay?” billowing up from the deck and turned to talk to
“I’m fine - how are you,” asked the Friar, who Dete.
then laughed at his own pun. “Bring out the Dete smiled suddenly and put his index finger
crucible!” he bellowed. He turned to Flynn. “Time up to his lips in the universal “shh” gesture.
to go barefoot,” he said with a wicked smile. The captain heard his men exclaim. “What?
The fire is contained in a kind of saucer. The ship’s
#
not burning at all, just a bunch of hay.”
There was an excellent reason that The Venture The captain whirled to look at Dete. Dete had
was able to get close to Sylvan ships—she was stepped back 20 paces and was joined by a silent
not only of Sylvan design, she was smaller and crowd of barefooted, competent-looking crew.
faster than a warship, but longer, and holding They had swords and black powder pistols in their
more guns than a simple merchant ship. She was sashes, but most stood there with their arms

crossed. For his part, Dete smiled and bowed “Well done, everyone. The only thing better
theatrically. than a bloody successful ambush is a bloodless
A figure dressed in a purple coat and breeches one, and you carried it off by the numbers. We
with a large black leather belt and brilliant gold need to get this prize staffed and on its way.
buckle stepped silently forward—he was also Where’s Pate?”
barefoot. “Captain, I am the Friar of Briar Island,” A lanky sailor with a glass eye waved his hand
he said in a low voice. He removed his outlandish from the middle of the group. “Here, Sir.”
tricorner hat with huge plume and bowed. “It is “You get to stay here this time around. However,
my honor to inform you that your vessel has been you’re next when we take another prize.”
commandeered by the Scourge of the Volcanal.” Pate waved again, smiling.
Standing to the right of the Friar, Flynn grinned “Where’s First Mate Darden?”
at the impulsive title, all the while watching the “Here, Sir.”
Sylvan Captain. “We’ll escort you and the Kendersken back to
Captain Skone took a convulsive breath as if to the Dragon’s Maw, get you outfitted with a proper
yell, and Flynn softly cleared his throat. A large crew, and offload the prisoners. Following that,
and very wicked knife appeared in the Friar’s you will proceed on to our contact at Bitten Bay.
hand and the Friar quickly stepped forward, his You can deposit the funds in our account there
voice dropping an octave as he spoke. “Captain, and then continue on to the Naval Academy for
you strike me as a decent and moral man, a real further training and an eventual commission if
leader of men. As you value the lives of your crew, you so deSire.”
I suggest you stay your alarm.” “Yes, Sir!” she said, eyes glittering proudly.
Captain Skone paused, and that was enough “Mister Flynn. You’re in charge of the mop
time for the Friar’s men to filter in behind the detail. Let’s get that deck clean enough to eat
Sylvan sailors. “…and it’s done,” said the Friar, off of.”
grinning again. “As you were, captain. Feel free Flynn grinned and overturned his bucket on
to inform your crew at your leisure, Sir.” the head of the nearest deckboy so he wore it
Shooting the Friar an unfathomable look, like a helm. “Yes, Sire!” he shouted boisterously,
Captain Skone inhaled and raised his voice. running away at the head of a pack of laughing
“Listen up! If you value your lives, please drop your boys.
weapons and assemble in front of me here. We Twenty minutes later, the mopping detail well
are now the guests of the Friar and his…crew.” underway, Flynn was taking two mops down
And that was pretty much it. below when he saw Darden steal back behind the
stairs going up to the helm deck in the shadow
#
of the mess. She held a messenger bird carefully
Flynn helped douse the fire, occasionally in her hands. Flynn hung back in the shadows
splashing the deckboys as he did, a practice that and then saw the bird go up and flap away. She
grew into something close to a pick-up water straightened her uniform and strode forward.
fight. Others carefully herded the Sylvan crew Flynn’s brow furrowed.
below into the hold of the Kendersken, locking He turned and was about to go below when,
the hatch behind them. Then the Friar held an for the second time that day, the cry went up.
impromptu meeting on deck with the crew.

# #
“Sails, ho!” “Put your back into it, lads!” encouraged Flynn,
Flynn dropped the mops and took the stairs rowing along with the sopping, sooty deckboys.
two at a time. “Where?” “The sooner we reach the Sylvans, the sooner we
“Behind us on the horizon!” can hit ‘em with the fugue!”
Flynn took the offered looking glass and got “What’s a fugue,” asked Nickardy.
a good look at the vessel before the Friar came “You don’t want to know,” intoned Falt with
up behind him. Wordless, Flynn handed off the more knowledge than he actually had.
looking glass to the Friar and looked at the Kend- Flynn just smiled as he rowed and winked at
ersken still moored off the Venture’s starboard Nickardy, his black eyes twinkling.
side. Darden ran to her railing and looked up at Twenty minutes of hard rowing took them far
the Venture. enough out to hail the incoming Sylvan warship.
“Captain?” she asked. Flynn signaled the deckboys to stop rowing,
“Cast off,” yelled the Friar. “We’ll take turned, and stood easily in the rocking longboat.
whoever’s left and go meet them. Break out the He picked up the cloth and started waving it.
muskets!” “You there, what are you doing?”
Flynn looked back at the ship on the horizon “Hookah, my fellow Sylvans. We have come to
and considered the size of the remaining skeleton warn you away from our ship, the Skenderden.”
crew compared to a ship that was at least as big as “Is that a quarantine flag? What is it, the
the Venture. He looked down at the deck where a plague?”
frightened deckboy was paralyzed, unsure where Flynn dropped the flag to his side as if wearied.
to go. He was sopping wet and covered with ash “Worse! It’s the fugue! Very contagious, and
from cleaning the fire crucible. extremely deadly.”
The effect was inspirational. “The fugue? I’m not familiar with it.”
“Captain,” said Flynn, “I have an idea.” Flynn “Oh, yes, it’s quite disturbing. It affects those
sketched it out: the size of the incoming ship, the at the opposite end of age—the older you are,
size of the remaining crew, the slow speed of the the more susceptible, and the younger you are,
debarking merchant prize, the resources at their the more impervious…for a time. My crew here
disposal. When he finished, the Friar looked at is immune to its ravages, so far any way, but after
Flynn with fresh appraisal. we divert you away from our ill fortune, we will
“You know, that just might work.” He turned return to sail our ship to a quarantined port to
and addressed Brandeye. “Bring the flags.” Then wait out the illness and see how many graves we
he returned his attention to Flynn. “Break out will have to dig.”
the launch and assemble your crew.” “What happens to the afflicted? How does it
“I’ll take the deckboys,” said Flynn. The Friar’s manifest? Might we have something on board to
eyebrows furrowed. “I’ll explain later!” promised treat this malady?
Flynn, and if the Friar entertained any doubt on “It begins as the water in your body starts
that score, he kept it off his face. oozing out of every pore. First, you’re drenched,
“Let’s go,” roared the Friar. “We haven’t much and then you dry out until you start to spit up
time!” ash with great raspy heaving coughs. Your bones

become brittle, your skin flakes off, and you The Friar regarded Flynn with newfound
finally blow clean away on the wind. The only appreciation. “You used dirty, sweaty deckboys
cure is a fortnight on nothing but rum and citrus. as proof of a fabricated illness?!”
Those infected are extremely contagious until the Flynn smiled widely.
fugue-fever passes. We beg you, turn back lest The Friar nodded once. “You, Sir, are a steely-
your crew, too, become victims of the fugue!” eyed liar, and I salute you.” He removed his fancy
The captain looked dubious, but one long look hat and bowed deeply.
at the ashen, dripping boys was enough to make “By the way,” said Flynn, “we should break
his decision. “Yes, thank you for the warning. out some rum and citrus when we return to the
May Raj bless and heal you.” He waved and Maw.”
turned to his First. “Change course and make for “Oh? Why’s that?”
the Volcanal.” “No reason,” said Flynn, his black eyes
The quarantine flag dropped out of Flynn’s twinkling.
trembling fingers, and he waved bravely to the #
Sylvan warship.
“Extremely deadly?” whispered Qent. After cleaning up, Flynn joined the Friar in
“Worst kind,” replied Flynn. the captain’s cabin. “We do have something
He spoke a low word and they brought the important to talk about. I told you that I thought
launch around to head back to the Venture. The I could find the spy in the crowd. I’ve found him,
last thing he heard was “Break out the rum and only ‘he’ is a ‘she’.”
citrus for all hands.” The Friar leaned forward. “Who is she?”
“I love this job,” said Flynn to his grinning “First Officer Walenda Darden. After you gave
mates, taking an oar. her command of the prize ship and handed her a
grant to the Haddiron Naval Academy, she stole
#
away and flew a black messenger bird. Cyl only
“You can take the Quarantine flag down,” said knows where she kept it hidden.”
Flynn climbing back aboard the Venture. “They The Friar frowned deeply. “You’re sure?”
bought it.” “I saw her with my own eyes while the crew
“Make way for the Maw,” yelled the Friar, and was distracted. I don’t know if there’s any way to
then fell in walking with Flynn. “Bought what, keep an eye on her from contacts at the Academy,
exactly?” but it would be good to find out who her contacts
“I told him the Venture was quarantined with are and what her intentions are regarding you,
the fugue, an illness that affects older people.” the Maw, and the Venture.
The Friar stopped in mock outrage. “Who are The Friar leaned back in the high-backed chair
you calling ‘older people’?!” that he had bolted to the wooden floor. He dug
Flynn cocked his head, a coy mannerism. “You around in his waistcoat and pulled out a pipe,
know – people older than myself! I told them the some wood matches, and a tin of tobacco. He
fugue was a wasting disease that manifested as prepared and lit the pipe, and smoked in silence,
water leaking from all pores…” the cherry smell filling the cabin with a homey
“So, sweating.” scent. He nodded once and leaned forward. He
“…along with ashen features.” pointed the stem of the pipe at Flynn.

“You have matured and grown while here on “I’ll do it,” he said.
the Venture. You are a natural leader, and are
somewhat wasted here. You can accomplish some
things without education, but can accomplish so
much more with a proper schooling.” He held his
hand up to forestall protest. “What you need is
a commission to the Academy. I can’t grant that
to you, but I can provide the funding. If you can
find a way to enter the Academy, I’ll pay your way Johne Cook
if you return here to us when you’re finished with
your schooling.” Johne Cook is an Overlord (Co-founder and Editor)
Flynn sat on the Friar’s hammock, stunned. of Ray Gun Revival magazine.
“What are you saying?”
The Friar grinned. “It takes a spy to catch a Johne is a Technical Writer and a long-time space
spy. I want you to follow Darden and uncover her opera fan.
role. Infiltrate the Academy, find out what she
knows, who her contacts are, and if Briar Island
has been compromised. Get close to her and find
out what she knows. Stop her if you can, kill her
if you must, then return here when you’re ready.”
“That could take four years!”
“Then four years it is – we survived without
you before now. This is an advanced assignment
that I wouldn’t think of giving to anybody with
less ability to think on their feet.”
Flynn stared at the floor and pushed back and
forth in the hammock in nervous energy. “But
the privateers of Briar Island are the only family I
have, and the Venture my only home!”
“All the more reason to leave now, so you can
protect those you love and care for. Will you do
it?”
Flynn remained looking at the floor. “I can’t
think of anywhere else I’d rather be right now
than here.” He raised his head and looked the
Friar in the eye.

Pg. 29
Memory Wipe
Chapter 7 - “Powers of Darkness”
by Sean T. M. Stiennon
The Story so Far: Three years ago, Takeda

Croster woke up in the city of Greendome on
the colony world of Belar with no memories, no
I n the deepest chamber of his lair, Lashiir
sat upon a silk cushion and stared into the
darkness. The blackness was complete–when he
connections, and no possessions aside from the had been preparing his home, he had carefully
clothes he was wearing and an Imperial citizen- made sure that no speck of sun or fire light could
ship card with his name on it. He worked at the find its way into this chamber. There was nothing
Silver Sun casino, ignored by most, until one night in it aside from his cushion, which had been here
when he began to manifest superhuman powers so long he had forgotten its color. Even his eyes
in a fight against two corrupt cops: enhanced could see nothing but blackness, complete and
senses, great strength, lightning fast reactions. crushing.
He seriously injured both cops. Strange dreams Yet this darkness was nothing compared the
and a feeling of great exhaustion followed the great Darkness beyond all light. Lashiir sat in
encounter. silence, emptying his mind and letting darkness
Takeda has left Belar, fleeing from the corrupt fill his hearts and his soul. There was nothing but
police official, Captain Brian Vass. His only this–not really. Light was mere illusion, a passing
companion is a mysterious Lithrallian hunter thing of this world. This was the wisdom of the
named Zartsi, who saved his life in the jungles. Clordites, and the only thing Lashiir’s people
Together, the two of them hijacked a ship and worshiped.
landed on the planet Freedan, in a rainy indus- This room was his shrine, an assassin’s deepest
trial city called Freesail. sanctum.
After his powers helped him to injure the son He released his breath, letting it pass out of
of Nathan Clane, gaining him a vendetta with the his beak with a gentle fluting noise. Someday
powerful Clane gang, Takeda visited Dr. Lawrence his soul too would be extinguished in the great
Beinnen for an examination. Beinnen’s findings Darkness. But he would send many others to her
were startling: Takeda has bone structures, glands, before that happened. Takeda Croster would be
and vessels which no normal human possesses. among them. He was no ordinary human–that
Beinnen mentioned his old partner, who seemed much was obvious. Blades did not sprout from
to have some knowledge of such things: Cramer the arms of any human Lashiir had ever encoun-
Orano, who has now fled to the harsh colony tered.
world Nihil. But another being interested him even more:
Now, as Takeda secures passage to Nihil from The Lithrallian. His name was still unknown to
Esheera Nii, a Vitai Rover, a mysterious assassin Lashiir, but the strength in his eyes, the speed in
named Lashiir–who has already tried once to kill his arms, and his resilience to the wounds Lashiir
Takeda–has found them again, and Brian Vass is had dealt him had all been impressive. The
also closing in.... Lithrallian was skilled, not just with guns, but also

Serial: Memory Wipe, "Powers of Darkness," by Sean T. M. Stiennon Pg. 30
with the twin daggers he wielded. He had been was covered by a rug woven with patterns from
well-trained–had trained himself, perhaps. his home. The other side of this curtain was the
The daggers in particular were remarkable. closest any being ever came to his sanctum.
They had stopped Tsiika’s edge without taking a Lanternlight showed him a man standing on
nick. Lashiir knew a good deal about the warriors the other side of it. “What is it?” Lashiir asked,
of Lithrall–he had studied their armies, their speaking through his translator.
weapons, their tactics. Many Lithrallians had “Thomas calls from the free port,” Jedias said.
ivory knives. Few had ones of such quality. Even “He’s found Croster and the Lithrallian.”
fewer had a matched pair of such blades. Lashiir sighed slowly, enjoying the feel of air
Lithrallian barons generally carried blades fluting through the passages of his beak. He
made from hardened strome, often richly inlaid reached his claws up and raised the hood of his
with gold and jewels. Ivory daggers were kept for robe. The fabric was soft against his black exo-
their wall displays. Lashiir dimly remember ed skeleton.
that the Serpent Fangs–the personal bodyguard “This news pleases you, master?”
of the king–always carried a blade marked with “It does.”
their oath of loyalty. Still, he doubted that this Jedias feared the consequences of summoning
Lithrallian was among them–his knives had been his master from contemplation. The penalties
marked with a complex pattern, but it had not ranged from a simple beating to having one’s
been any Lithrallian script Lashiir recognized. tongue ripped out, hamstrings slit, eyes gouged,
An interesting puzzle. Perhaps an examina- and then being left in an alley for the streets to
tion of the warrior’s corpse would yield more claim.
information–or perhaps not. Perhaps his identity Lashiir stepped out from behind the curtain.
would remain forever a mystery, lost to memory. “John.”
Swallowed by Darkness. “He’ll live, master, but his left arm won’t ever
A gentle chime drifted through the blackness. be as good as it was, and the damage to his torso
One of Lashiir’s men thought whatever message will take weeks to heal.”
he carried was important enough to interrupt his “Thomas?”
master’s contemplation. “Waiting near the free port.”
Lashiir rose from his cushion, turned, and “Get Huo. Join me on ground level in three
found the door blindly. He knew the distance minutes.”
exactly, and found the latch without difficulty. “Yes, master.”
The passage outside was black as well–a kind of “Have net launchers and scoped carbines.”
airlock, to prevent any light from finding its way “Yes, master.”
into the shrine. Lashiir shut the door behind Lashiir nodded, and Jedias proceeded him out
him, then opened a second door and stepped of the room, breaking into a run as soon as his
out into the lamplight of his personal chambers. back turned to Lashiir.
Cushions littered the floor, along with a bottle of The Clordite sighed again, slowly. There was
pale violet liquor, a few books written in Clordash, one chore for him to complete before going to
and other minor articles. No being ever entered take his prey. Roger Clane was still his guest,
this chamber besides him–not even his closest being tended to by Lashiir’s surgeon. He was
servants. injured badly.
Another door took him into a third room, the But, unlike John, he would accompany Lashiir
concrete of its ceiling hollowed out into a dome. this time. Lashiir had told his father that Roger
It was split in half by a red curtain, and the floor would remain part of the hunt for Croster. The

boy was an imbecile, but Lashiir liked to think Esheera crossed her arms over the knitted
that it gave the hunt a fresh aspect of challenge. sweater that covered her chest. The wing-flaps
He stepped out into the passageway, dropping extending from wrists to hips folded neatly.
one hand to rest on Tsiika’s hilt. This time, a bullet “Where were you thinking? The cops might put
might be good enough for Croster. But Tsiika and their coffee down if they hear about a Rover ship
no other weapon would send the Lithrallian to roasting pedestrians.”
Darkness. “Any suggestions?”
She tilted her head again. “So you don’t know
#
where you’re going?”
One hour. “No, no...but we don’t know the city very well.
Thinking about it a few minutes later, Takeda We just want to grab a few supplies.”
had to thank God that Esheera’s ship had been so “Somehow,” Esheera said, “I don’t think you’re
close to being ready. It could have been days. He giving Esh the whole truth. But sure. The Seer’s
knew just enough about starships to know that a better ship than she looks–she won’t have
their mechanisms were delicate, and a thousand trouble.”
things could go wrong during lift-off, travel, Esheera pointed her arm to the west. “Twenty
landing, even re-fueling. Hundreds of critical minutes walk that way there’s an abandoned
parts kept the thing going, and a single malfunc- building, first floor painted white, five stories tall.
tion could sabotage the whole craft. I’ll pick you up on the roof–I won’t land, though,
One hour was nothing. so if you’re not there, you lose.”
But it might be enough time for him to die. “All right.”
He tapped the Vitai on the shoulder as She pulled a battered, round watch from
she peered into a hatch on the ship’s painted some pocket and looked at it. “Let’s say seventy
underside, holding a wrench in one hand and minutes. Good enough for you?”
some kind of pressure gauge in the other. She Takeda nodded and walked away while Esheera
turned to him, earrings, bracelets, and beaded turned back to her ship. Zartsi was waiting a few
locks of dark hair jangling. The enormous nostrils feet away. “She agrees?” the Lithrallian asked.
of her pig-nose flared. “What’s up?” she croaked, “She didn’t seem happy about it, but she’ll
fluttering her wing-flaps. pick us up.”
“Can we arrange for you to pick us up? I mean, Takeda gave Zartsi the building’s description.
bring the ship to meet us elsewhere?” The Lithrallian nodded. “Then we move.”
She tilted her head and narrowed her black Takeda took a last glance around the port,
eyes. “Now that’s a funny thing to say. You guys full of battered old ships and with exotic wares
must live fast lives.” and even more exotic captains laid out in front
Her jovial tone took some of the bite from her of them. He couldn’t see any sign of Lashiir’s
words. Takeda shook his head. “It’s not that. We man–pale-skinned and clothed in deep black–but
just need to be somewhere else for a few minutes. he wondered if the man was still watching them
I guess we could come back here, but it would be from the shadows, tracking their movements
easier if you picked us up.” even as he called Lashiir.
He hated to lie–or at least tell a half-truth–but They left the free port out the back entrance
he had a nagging suspicion that, if Esheera knew and stepped onto a street outside a factory that
that a Clordite assassin was coming to kill both belched smoke into the relatively clear sky. A few
of them, she wouldn’t be so eager to give them people–two working men and an older woman–
passage. leaned against the building’s brick wall, smoking.

They stared at Zartsi for a few seconds, then nightmares that grew worse and more exhaust-
returned their attention to languid conversation. ing every time. His powers scared him, in a way,
Takeda broke into a loping run as soon as he and using them still exhausted him once the fight
was out of the port. Zartsi matched him stride was over or the enemy evaded.
for stride. “Better not to risk staying still,” Zartsi hissed.
“Risks death with him.”
#
Takeda thought of the coldness in Lashiir’s
The streets that snaked among the factories eyes and the metallic rasp of his voice as he spoke
were empty of all except a few beggars, an occa- through the translator. He shuddered even in the
sional worker out for a smoke or a piss, and puddles warm sunlight.
of water left over from last night’s rainfall. Takeda They ran on.
and Zartsi moved quickly, alternating between a #
fast walk and a ground-covering dash. Takeda
couldn’t see anyone following them, although he Lashiir hated the free port: Nothing but a
looked back and around frequently, but he still muddy patch of ground covered with ships worth
wanted to get as far from the port as quickly as only scrap. The beings populating it wore motley
possible. clothing that would shame the lowest untouch-
He couldn’t face Lashiir again. Not if he able in the Dark Sphere. He watched it from
wanted to live. across the street, concealed in the shadows of
They turned a corner and saw the building an alleyway. Jedias waited just behind, conceal-
Esheera had described–probably an old office ing an automatic carbine underneath his cape.
building, too worn out to use, not even worth the Huo crouched a few feet further back. His net
trouble of demolition. A few broken panes of glass launcher would look particularly suspicious.
still filled the windows, and the white paint that Then Roger Clane was slumped against one
formed a band around the first floor was peeling brick wall, moaning as he clutched his wounded
off. Takeda pointed it out, Zartsi acknowledged shoulder. He wore the usually preposterous
with a nod, and they ran past. There would be array of clothing and weapons, including a pulser
time to loop back. thrust openly through his belt.
They stopped to rest for a moment outside Lashiir started to step out into the street. He
the chain-link fence of a factory yard filled with rarely ventured out during daylight, and although
piles of pipes, crates of parts, and massive spools he enjoyed the warmth, the rays of the sun were
of wire and cord. The fence was made from too bright for his eyes. Warm shadows were his
strome with razor-wire unrolled across the top, element, not streets flooded with stark golden
and there a guard stood on duty who glared at light.
them suspiciously and took the safety off his rifle. Then he heard a tiny sound, accompanied by a
That removed the possibility of hiding in a pipe smell he had memorized years ago.
until pick-up time. “Thomas,” he hissed. “You have news?”
“Should we keep moving?” Takeda asked, The black-clad man dropped down from a
panting. He strained for his powers as he had once window ledge above him, falling into a crouch as
back on Belar, and found he could summon some he struck the paved alley floor. “Wasn’t I quiet
of his enhanced senses, but decided to preserve enough?”
his strength until he needed it. It was possible “You did well,” Lashiir answered. “But you will
he would be able to get off-planet without using never do well enough to surprise me. Do not
his powers. Without having nightmares–fierce imagine otherwise.”

“Apologies, master.” and clapped a hand onto the grip of his pulser.
“Where are they?” “Before you aimed your weapon,” Lashiir said,
“They moved off northwest, running.” “I would have Tsiika beneath your skin.”
Lashiir leaned slightly closer to Thomas. “And Roger heard the truth in his words. He wasn’t
you did not follow?” precisely a coward, but his bravado did not extend
“I didn’t think it necessary. I attached a listening to suicide. His hand fell away from his gun.
device to the man’s collar. His pilot told him that Lashiir stepped out into the street.
he would be picked up at a nearby building.” #
Thomas described it, and Lashiir nodded
slightly. “Good.” Five minutes before the time Esheera had
“I’ve kept listening. They’re going to be there named, Takeda and Zartsi approached the
in fifty minutes.” building. The sun had passed its noon zenith and
“More than enough time. Go there and wait.” was beginning its slow descent. With any luck
Lashiir dismissed Thomas with a wave of one that sun would be behind them before Freesail
talon, then turned to look back at Roger. saw it set.
“Shit,” the young man whimpered. “Why don’t Takeda checked his pistol. The safety was off.
you just let me get back home? I’m hurt bad, and “No one’s trailing us?”
I never want to see those bastards again.” “I see none,” Zartsi answered, unslinging his
“You wouldn’t wish to disobey your father’s rifle. “Doesn’t mean anything.”
orders?” Lashiir answered, a hint of a laugh in his “I guess not.”
voice. Takeda drew upon his powers–on whatever
“Just let me go, you psycho! I don’t care about it was in his brain that activated the organs, the
him. He can’t do worse to me than that guy did.” glands, the vessels that were unique to his body.
Earlier, while resting in contemplation of He smelled smoke on the breeze, rust, sweat and
Darkness, Lashiir had asked himself why he hot metal from a nearby factory. Also dust. His
continued to involve Roger, and had settled on hearing picked up wind and the clank of machinery,
two answers. First, it was good business to fulfill even the shouts of a foreman and the merchants
whatever conditions an employer demanded. back at the free port.
Second, he took some joy in demonstrating to Even his enhanced sight showed him nothing
Nathan Clane how weak his son was. but darkness beyond the building’s shattered
Lashiir rested one of his talons on Roger’s other windows.
shoulder and applied gentle pressure. Even that “Let’s go,” he said.
was enough to dig his claws into the young man’s Logically, there was no way Lashiir could have
jacket. A little more, and they would penetrate it known about this building, even if he had come
and enter flesh. immediately after his man had reported Takeda’s
“Come now,” Lashiir whispered. “I will not whereabouts. Esheera hadn’t struck him as a
order again.” woman to be late–he should be safe.
Roger hesitated. Lashiir punched a claw But he couldn’t forget those dull red eyes, and
through his jacket and shirt, digging it just past the two hearts he could hear pounding beneath
his skin. Roger yelped. Such methods of coercion the black armor of the Clordite’s chest.
were crude, but sometimes necessary. He had his gun in his hand as he stepped
He tore the claw out and stepped away. His through the door of the building: a dark ante-
ears told him Roger stood, snarling obscenities, chamber, long cleared of any furnishings. A

carpet of dust muffled his footsteps. Faded text was no ordinary human. That was why he had
on a door to his left read: “Stairs”. spent enough time in meditation to all but silence
Takeda opened the door. Zartsi went through his hearts, and ordered his men–Thomas and
with his rifle. For a moment, Takeda thought how Huo–to do the same.
silly they looked, like kids playing commando. Lashiir bounded onto a desk and launched
He followed the Lithrallian, covering the stairs. himself into the air, bringing Tsiika to the Master
Nothing but blackness, although his eyes were Wasp stance as he flew. The Lithrallian fired at
good enough to see through it. His ears heard Thomas, across the room, but with no effect.
only their footfalls and a few vermin which had Lashiir’s blade swept towards his spine.
worked their way into the walls. “Zartsi!” the human shouted, firing again.
The stairs came to an end at the third floor. Huo aimed his weapon from the far side of the
Zartsi opened the door while Takeda went room and fired it with a dull thwump. From the
through, back hunched and gun clasped in both corner of his eye, Lashiir saw a dark net explode
hands. Shafts of sunlight penetrated a haze of from it’s capsule, stretching like smoke to engulf
dust, giving Takeda enough light to see broken its target.
plastic and particleboard desks scattered across a The Lithrallian pivoted on his heel, swinging
room that took up half of the floor, like shattered the butt of his rifle up to meet Lashiir’s beak.
rocks on a desolate plain. Tsiika struck it with a sound like a temple gong.
He stepped forward, tracking his eyes across Wood cracked and the stock shattered as Lashiir’s
the room, and Zartsi followed. If there was any talons struck concrete. He sent Tsiika up for the
breathing, it was muffled by the wind in the street. Lithrallian’s ribcage.
He increased his pace, crossing to a doorway on It struck a curved ivory blade. The other
the other side of the room. The stairs had to dagger came raking at Lashiir’s eyes.
continue somewhere. Darkness’ Breath, the Lithrallian was fast–
Then, for an instant, he heard the throb of two perhaps faster than any being Lashiir had fought
hearts. Not two men. Two hearts, beating side- since leaved the Dark Sphere. But he could see
by-side in the same chest. bandages binding the wounds he had given
Lashiir’s hearts. the Lithrallian last night. Now was the time for
Takeda spun and fired two rounds at the death.
shadow rising from twenty feet away. As if He wouldn’t even have to call upon Tsiika’s
awakened by the gunfire, other heartbeats fell song.
on Takeda’s ears. Zartsi roared. #
#
Takeda heard propellent ignite and the
The bullet struck concrete just above Lashiir’s thwump of the gun firing, just as he heard the
shoulder. It didn’t slow him for an instant. His left beating hearts of two men in the darkness and
talon came up from his belt with three throwing the gentle noise of something flying towards
blades, each one coated with the venom of the him, but he couldn’t tear his attention away from
Lithrallian redwhip, which he launched at Croster. Zartsi and the shadowy mantle descending on
His right hand drew Tsiika from her scabbard with him. He watched as a gleaming sword shattered
a gentle hum of music. the Lithrallian’s rifle stock.
He wasn’t surprised to see Croster leap away Then a force like a moving wall slammed into
from every one of his missiles–he knew the man his side, knocking him down instantly. He tried

to move his arms, to bring his gun to bear on the parrying a wide slash from Lashiir.
Clordite, but found them tangled in something “Zartsi!” he shouted.
that felt like cobwebs spun from steel. He waited for an instant when Zartsi didn’t
His body smacked against the concrete. The block his path, then emptied his magazine at
scent of dust invaded his nostrils. His hyper-acute Lashiir, hammering out the bullets as fast as the
senses told him that a gun was about to fire–fully gun’s firing mechanism would work. The assassin
automatic, something told him. They’d shoot dodged back for an instant. Zartsi broke away.
him like bagged game. Takeda saw fresh blood pouring from a wound on
He rolled towards the gun. Bullets raked the his cheek, a half-inch away from his eye.
concrete. Somewhere music was playing and They reached the door a half-second before
two paired hearts were beating faster. He tried to the assassin. The dark-tinted metal of his sword
stretch his arms, break the net holding him with erupted a full foot out of it just as they swung
sheer strength, but the slick fibers only stretched it closed. Takeda clamped his hand onto the
and contracted tighter than they had been. He doorjamb and reached for his power.
had managed to keep his grip on the pistol, but Blue energy came crackling out of his hand,
couldn’t aim it. A blade. He needed a blade. hot enough to fuse the door shut. The assassin
And he knew there was one in his arm. He tried wrenched his sword free and fluted a sound high
to remember that length of gleaming material, enough to hurt Takeda’s ears.
halfway between bone and metal, visualize it. The door on the next floor up swung open.
Flesh split on his right forearm, and he felt Two more beating hearts came through it. Takeda
tension ease all around him as one of the ropes dropped the clip out of his gun and rammed
holding him snapped. He raked his arm, slashing another one in.
wildly. Together his strength and the blade in his A black-clad shape came down the steps
arm–both arms–were enough. The steel-hard with a carbine cradled to his armpit–but his eyes
fibers tore apart. weren’t adjusted to the near-total darkness.
A gun barrel swung down to aim at him. He Takeda put a single bullet through his heart, and
snapped his own pistol into both hands and pulled the man toppled forward and skidded to a halt on
the trigger twice. Both rounds found a home in the third floor landing, leaving a trail of blood.
the assassin’s brain. The man’s corpse fell back. A red pulser beam blasted chunks of red-hot
Takeda swung his pistol towards the other concrete out of the stairwell wall. The scarlet
one–towards his beating heart and wet breath– light helped show Takeda the familiar, cruel face
but the man had already taken cover. Takeda of Roger Clane. He aimed.
didn’t waste his ammunition. Zartsi struck first. One of the Lithrallian’s ivory
He glanced back. Zartsi’s ivory daggers and the blades spun through the darkness and hit point-
assassin’s dark sword wove a pattern in the dusty first in the bulge of black leather covering Clane’s
air that even Takeda’s eyes could barely follow. belly. The young man screamed, firing his pulser
Zartsi fought with tight slashes and precise thrusts, again. The beam raked the bottom of the stairs
keeping his blades close to his body except when above him, showering hot dust onto the steps.

Takeda and Zartsi both ran up the stairs as his blades in his hands. “Where is Rover?” he
fast–faster–than they have ever run before. snarled.
Zartsi jerked his dagger free in passing, drawing Takeda pointed. “There!”
a fresh moan from Clane as they left him for a The Ixlu Seer soared towards them. A quadrant
third time. of wings swept out from the ship’s sides, and
Takeda heard a ship’s engine burning. iridescent light flowed from the engine banks
attached to every one. The ship was painted a
#
red just a couple shades brighter than the color
To all appearances, Tsiika’s hilt was nothing of Esheera’s skin, with other patterns done in
more than bare metal, wrapped in the scales of deep blue, bright yellow, green, and white.
the saalo worm. She was a fine blade, an example The ship swept above the building and fired its
of the best swordcraft to be found on any world, engines in reverse, bringing it to a halt in the air
but she did not appear to be anything more, even above the building as lifts on the craft’s underside
with the harmonics which gave her music. kept it aloft. A hatch opened in the ship’s belly
But she had her own song. Lashiir twisted a and Esheera’s wrinkled face looked out.
knob on the weapon’s pommel, its face etched “Good to see you boys on time!” she shouted,
with the saalo worm’s image, and suddenly the throwing out a rope ladder. “Come aboard!”
blade began to quiver gently, just enough to hide Then Takeda saw her puckered mouth drop its
her sharp lines from sight. A gentle hum filled smile. She had noticed the blood pouring over
Lashiir’s ears, too high-pitched for human hearing. Zartsi’s cheek.
Roger Clane had asked if sonic blades could be Two hearts hammering like drums. Takeda
made as large as a sword. He had asked rightly. put bullets into the air just as the door fell off its
The sonic blade sliced easily through the door’s hinges. Lashiir’s appearance was no less terrify-
fused lock, and a kick from Lashiir’s talon sent it ing in daylight–the sun hardly seemed to touch
flying open. He could still hear their footsteps on the complete black of his carapace.
the stairwell. Lashiir slid around every bullet like a shadow
He followed and Tsiika sang. dancing in firelight. One hand wielded his sword,
# it’s edge oddly blurred. His other hand pulled
something brighter from within his cloak–a gun,
The sunlight on the rooftop was painfully probably human manufactured. Takeda tried to
bright to Takeda’s eyes after the darkness of the dodge as the assassin pulled the trigger.
building. He took a moment to adjust and let His shoulder erupted, and he could smell
the sharpness of his vision fade just slightly. He his own blood. Somewhere Zartsi roared, and
noticed that his sleeves were torn and that the Esheera bellowed something from above,
blades had receded into his arms, leaving faint audible over the thrumm of the Seer’s engines.
seams. Another bullet cracked. Takeda stayed on his feet,
He reached back and poured crackling energy somehow, but couldn’t move his right arm.
into the door, fusing it behind them. Zartsi kept Heat and the stench of burning fuel filled his

senses. Takeda saw bright orange flame sweep great an indignity. He knew that he could never
across his vision, heard it crackle, heard wind hiss rest again, never feel the softness of cushions and
in Lashiir’s beak. Zartsi shouted something–he the bite of liquor, until he had torn the lives from
heard the sounds, but his brain couldn’t interpret both of them–by whatever means he could.
the words. Too much pain. He had a ship. Even the millions of miles of
A strong arm wrapped around his chest. black space could not keep him from them. With
More bullets fired, and there was another burst the help of his men, it wouldn’t be hard to find
of flame. Takeda saw a blade flash just a half-inch out where they had gone. Maybe Thomas knew.
away from his face. His feet left the ground. He There was only one thing left to be resolved.
struggled, but then heard Esheera’s voice in his “Roger,” he hissed. “Come closer. I wish to
ear: “Relax, you landtrash! I’ve got you.” speak with you.”
He realized that he was on the ladder, swaying The human cursed and slumped a few inches
in the wind as Esheera and Zartsi hauled him up. closer to where Lashiir sat. “You know what, you
Within seconds he was lying on the deck of damn bird? I don’t care. I don’t care about you or
the Ixlu Seer as Zartsi cut the ladder away and any of this shit! Just send me back to my father.”
Esheera ran for the cockpit. “As you wish,” Lashiir hissed.
Tsiika cried out as Lashiir pulled her from her
#
scabbard, and from there it was an instant before
Lashiir ran his pointed tongue over his arm she tasted Clane’s flesh and blood. His head
where fire from the Rover’s weapon had scorched thumped down the steps, cleanly severed, it’s
him. Again, he had been careless, and such care- golden hair soaked red. Thomas caught it as it
lessness bordered on unforgivable. His bullet passed him. The body slumped down.
had only wounded the human–not blasted open “Leave the body,” Lashiir said. “Bag the head
his skull, as Lashiir had intended. And the Rover and have it delivered to Nathan Clane’s head-
had moved quickly. quarters.
And, again, he had been hideously overcon- “Yes, master.”
fident. He didn’t believe Tsiika’s song could slice Lashiir fluted gently. His years on Freedan had
Gorgossish ivory, but it would have given him a been good ones–Tsiika had drunk well, and some
considerable advantage in those few seconds of his kills had even provided some challenge.
of battle. The Lithrallian was too formidable for Between kills, his lair had been comfortable, his
anything but his greatest skill. servants well trained.
Now he sat in darkness–imperfect darkness– But the time had come to seek greater prey.
with Thomas perched a few steps further down And, if Nathan Clane sought vengeance against
and Roger Clane cursing and bleeding at his side. him, it would only make life more interesting–and
Thomas was wisely silent. Clane wouldn’t shut give him more light to extinguish in the sea of
his wet mouth. Darkness.
He considered what he would do now. They
had left the domain he had carved for himself,
aboard a ship bound for the stars. Lashiir knew
he couldn’t let them escape–that would be too Next month: Chapter 8...The Price Paid

Sean T.M. Stiennon

Sean is an author of fantasy and science fiction novels
and short stories with many publications under his belt.
His first short story collection, Six with Flinteye, was
recently released from Silver Lake Publishing, and he
won 2nd place in both the 2004 SFReader.com Short
Story Contest and the Storn Cook Razor-Edged Fiction
Contest with his stories “Asp” and “The Sultan’s Well,”
respectively. “The Sultan’s Well” has been published
in the anthology Sages and Swords. Sean’s short story
“Flinteye’s Duel” was published in Ray Gun Revival, Is-
sue 01.
Sean’s work tends to contain lots of action and

adventure, but he often includes elements of
tragedy and loss alongside roaring battles. A lot of his
work centers around continuing characters, the most
prominent of whom is Jalazar Flinteye (Six with Flinteye).
He also writes tales of Shabak of Talon Point (“Death
Marks,” in issue #9 of Amazing Journeys Magazine),
Blademaster (“Asp,” 2nd place winner in the 2004
SFReader.com Contest), and others who have yet to
see publication.

Sean loves to read fantasy and science fic-
tion alongside some history, mysteries, and
historical novels. His favorites include Declare
by Tim Powers, the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn
trilogy by Tad Williams, Stephen Lawhead’s Song
of Albion trilogy, and King Solomon’s Mines by
H. Rider Haggard. He has reviewed books for Deep
Magic: The E-zine of High Fantasy and Science Fic-
tion, and currently reviews books at SFReader.com.

Jolly RGR Pg. 39
The Jolly RGR

Up next for Ray Gun Revival, Issue 15
When we pick the stories for the next issue, we look at the best available candidates.
We went through our slushpile and, lo-and-behold, the top stories for the next issue
are from the same authors who were published in the last issue. This is a credit to
those authors and a challenge to prospective authors.
Enjashek
by Mik Wilkens
When xenobiologist Rella Abris is hired to study the enjashek of Dion 3, she discovers
far more than she bargained for.
The Time of Your Life

by Richard S. Levine
Palmer Hodo was in jail on Mars with no way out until the game came along. If he
won, he’d live a comfortable life on Europa.
If he lost, he’d be dead.
Featured Artist
Serial: Deuces Wild, #8

In the Lap of the Gods, part Two
by L. S. King
When we last left our heroes, they had landed on a planet to have work done on the
ship. Slap went missing, taken by the Confeds. However, the Eridani kidnapped him
from them. Tristan must now decide if he will trust the Confeds to help him get Slap
back.

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THRILLING TALES FROM BEYOND THE ETHER

Slushmasters (Submissions Editors): Scott M. Sandridge, John M. Whalen, David Wilhelms

Cover Art: “Make a stand...or die trying,” by Paul Molendijk

Special Thanks: Ray Gun Revival logo design by Hatchbox Creative

Visit us online at http://raygunrevival.com

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

T his issue is a little different. We have a really

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

“I ’m Jim Kesler. Don’t tell me how wonderful

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

indicating a new posting. “Excuse me, Bert.” said.

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

to his quarters. ittarius disengaged from F288 and made best

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

start of something big.” arrives in twenty years, I want to have something

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

JASPER SQUAD, Episode 4

T annen Stamp lumbered through the great

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

did to our nav system.”

Paul Christian Glenn

It should be noted, however, that he has a

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Hobbies: Movies, sci-fi, and fantasy art.

Favorite Book / Author: Used to read a lot of Jack

Favorite Artist: When it comes to classic fantasy art,

When did you start creating art? I think like every

Where should someone go if they wanted to view / buy

What were your early influences? Early influences were

What are your current influences? I try to learn from all

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

How would you describe your work?

Where do you get your inspiration /

Have you had any notable failures,

If the failure is too big in my eyes I get

What have been your greatest

What do you hope to accomplish with your art? I want to

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

The Adventures of the Sky Pirate, Part 7

C ooper Flynn and the Friar stood on the helm

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

The Story so Far: Three years ago, Takeda

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007

Ray Gun Revival magazine Issue 14, January 15, 2007