James Pyles's Blog, page 174

The Chimera Problem

The first settlement on Hansen’s Planet was zealous about shifting totally from nuclear energy to renewable, sustainable, “green” energy within the first twenty-five years after arrival. The problem was no matter what they tried, the indigenous bird-like creatures they called “Chimera” seemed just as zealous about committing mass suicide using their “green” technology. “Various solar panel […]

The Outside-In World

“Dani?” Eight-year-old Landon’s brain figuratively froze at the thought that his two-and-a-half-year-old sister could wake up over ten years older than she went to sleep. Further, she was dressed in animal skins like what Grandpa might call a “refugee from an old Tarzan movie,” whoever “Tarzan” was. “I know this is a shock Landon, but […]

Incendiary

“…I’m living in an empty room, with all the windows smashed…” The Sixth Chapter in the Undead Life of Sean Becker It was still an hour before dawn. There would have been a time when he’d already be on his way into work from the East Bay. The population of San Francisco increases by nearly […]

Sheltering Night

“Anton Vladimirescu Naga. I haven’t seen you since I was a little boy. Why are you here in Talnakh?” “I am called Antonie now. It was kind of you to invite me into your home, Gennadi. Your generosity is like your father’s.” “So is my stupidity for staying in this frozen hell, but the pay […]

Extravagance, Thy Name Is Humanity

The plans were extravagant in the extreme. For centuries, the thought of creating a Dyson Sphere, that is, manufacturing an immense hollow ball around the Sun with the inner edge of the shell positioned at One AU or the exact distance of Earth’s orbit from its star was thought to be the absolute cure-all for […]

My Semi-Controlled Nightmare

“Can you tell me why you did that, Latisha?” Ron Fielding was sitting in the Elementary School Principal’s office in a chair opposite the six-year-old girl. She had wanted the Principal to sit with them during the interview which was fine, but he hated the idea that his partner Lauri Marin and two uniformed police […]

The Woman in Blue

Obe was tending the fire on the shore by the bay. The sun had set to his right hours ago and most of the clan slept. Their tiny settlement was young and night predators hunted nearby so he kept watch, though the fire and the scent of the men should keep them away. The moon […]

The Troublesome Princess

“I will not marry you, Prince Abo. Go away.” “You cannot stay in your tree forever, Princess Yasuko. You are of age now and our parents betrothed us to each other in our seventh year.” “I don’t care. You are a pig. I will stay in the Empress Tree until I die if you don’t […]

You’re Too Early

“Confess, Adolphus. We know you’re an anti-Semite. We know what horrors you are going to commit.” “Please, Fräulein. I’m blind. I’m supposed to be in hospital. Who are you? Where have you brought me? I’ve done nothing. I’m just a wounded soldier.” “Rivkah. Leave him in his cell. I need to speak with you.” She […]

Strange Vision

“Why is it so dark in here, Dr. Chandler? How am I supposed to know if the operation worked for not?” Ten-year-old Joey Wright was sitting in what felt like an eye doctor’s chair waiting for his new pair of glasses. There had been something wrong with his eyes and Dr. Chandler had to do […]