B. Morris Allen's Blog, page 14
April 15, 2019
Beginnings 015 – Manifest Destiny
On the day that Kvald of the Sword came to the fabled City of Fate, black clouds covered the sky, thunder rumbled in the distance, and the wind howled unceasingly. The atmosphere, in short, was foreboding.
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“Manifest Destiny”
Start with Stones: collected stories
Published 22-Jun-2013
About the story: When everyone knows all the prophecies already…
April 14, 2019
Beginnings 014 – Last Train
“Old-time Rail Yard,” the sign said. The man standing in front of the Transportation Museum read it carefully. For the next three days, a small room in the annex off the main museum would exhibit the trains and other rail equipment that had once operated in or around the Greater London area.
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“Last Train”
About the story: An old story that took a long time to finish – about the (fictional) Greater London Old Time Rail Yard.
April 13, 2019
Beginnings 013 – … Crash Like Thunder
It was a hum of warning buzzers when it was spotted at system’s edge. It was a rumble of fear when it passed through the Engsson barrier and immediately began evasive maneuvers. And it was the deep, slow toll of a bell when it orbited Norbeq IV and the bombs began to fall.
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“… Crash Like Thunder”
Ray Gun Revival; Novo Pulp; Tocsin and Other Stories
Published Sep, Oct 2012
About the story: The sequel to “Drive Like Lightning…”, with the title stolen directly from Brian Setzer’s song.
April 12, 2019
Beginnings 012 – Drive Like Lightning …
She is a flash of yellow when she drops out of FTL, going .9 c in a sleek ship marred by a tracery of energy-weapon scars. She is a spray of actinic blue when she crashes through the Engsson barrier at the edge of Norbeq system. And she is a steady burn of fusion red as she decelerates at tremendous g to allow Norbeqi fast cruisers to catch up and arrest her.
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“Drive Like Lightning …”
Ray Gun Revival; Novo Pulp; Tocsin and Other Stories
Published 22-Aug-2012
About the story: With an introd...
April 11, 2019
Beginnings 011 – Metaphorosis
Like the sound of soft fingers on skin, green palm fronds whispered amongst themselves. Their soft breath caressed his cheek as he listened for the slight scratching of frond cilia against stiff palm trunks.
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“Metaphorosis”
Metaphorosis: a collection of stories
Published 22-Jun-2013
About the story: Never change, sweetheart. Not into that.
Loosely based on a reversal of the plot of Kafka’s “Metamorphosis”, but with a lighter tone, and more metaphors.
April 10, 2019
Beginnings 010 – After the Fall
The faint sound of music filtered through gauzy curtains and into the reception hall. As far as Rezin was concerned, it could just filter right on out again, through the gracefully arched windows and over the soft green lawn to the shimmering lake in the distance. And take that damnable crowd with it.
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“After the Fall”
About the story: The second story about Rezin Miller – Witness to the death of civilizations.
April 9, 2019
Beginnings 009 – Barren Witness
A low moaning sound floated over the horizon. Another Inchkar, no doubt, sacrificing himself to one pathetic god or other. The moaning was not from the sacrifice, of course. The Inchkar were devout, stoic – they took stoicism to a new level. Rezin spat, precious moisture on the cracked, parched soil. Creeping, crawling creatures converged instantly, met, fought, and died. The drops of spit evaporated, but the fresh corpses drew other creatures, thirsty for the little moisture those husks con...
April 8, 2019
Beginnings 008 – The Devil and Ms Koslovich
The news ended, and Mary Koslovich turned off her television. The knob clicked, and she listened to the odd, high pitched whine that the old set emitted. It faded quickly, and she rose from her comfortable chair. In a moment, the alarm would go off, warning her that it was 6:35, ten minutes until He came.
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“The Devil and Ms Koslovich”
About the story: Lonely Ms. Koslovich has an encounter with a handsome devil.
April 7, 2019
Beginnings 007 – Proteus’ Revenge
I was a garrulous person once, but Bergen Evans changed all that. Words, according to Mr. Evans, are living protean things.
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“Proteus’ Revenge”
Twisted Dreams
Published 01-Oct-2011
About the story: Just as it says – based on running across a Bergen Evans quote.
April 6, 2019
Beginnings 006 – Sophistication
Rick Henson was probably the most sophisticated person I ever met. He was one of those people who can take the last cookie when you offer them around, and then tell you later how good it was. He took candy from his little nephews and nieces regularly.
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“Sophistication”
About the story: Earl Wilson said “Sophistication means the ability to do anything without feeling guilty.” I just built on that.
