"Do we really need umbrellas?" "We always walked with them back home," Melissa replied. Lana never seemed to appreciate the value of tradition. In this strange place, it was all they had to tie them to what they'd left behind. The two walked side-by-side along a stone path, as the sea of green around them … Continue reading Terrarium
Science Fiction
Stolen
These were not the lands of his ancestors. Long ago, his people had been men of the forest. They'd foraged and hunted in peace for generations in woodlands far to the east. Then, men with guns had taken their land, marched them off through tears to the empty places in the west they did not … Continue reading Stolen
Ice
"Amazing!" Trina gushed. As she watched, a puddle of water behind the fume hood rose elegantly, its surface undulating as it spun as though a spindle, finally resolving itself into a distinct shape before freezing solid. The result was a tall, slender crystal perched delicately on a flashed base. "And that's water?" "Just water," Parker … Continue reading Ice
The Junk Drawer
Ashes, The Rectifier, and more
The Voyage of the Hokule’a
A journey through space and time ends on a boat
Air
"Hey!" The call echoed through the cavernous hold. Lowering his tab, Will turned to find Devin waving from the distant platform. "My stylus broke. Can you pass yours?" He shouted across the gap. "Sure," Will replied. "Might take a minute." "Well I'm in no hurry. Are you?" Of course Will wasn't either. The ship … Continue reading Air
Growth
Amid all the new technology, it was amazing that nature could yet produce beauty man could not replicate. Darrel was tired, but happy. As daylight faded, he wiped the dried salt from his brow with hands caked in grit. The machines did almost everything, but he still liked to get his hands dirty. Now, as … Continue reading Growth
Short Story Sunday
Hello, dreamers, and welcome to my latest attempt to resume my weekly posts. As my long-time readers know, generally I reserve Saturdays for work on short fiction pieces. However, from late August to early January each year, "Short Story Saturday" becomes "Short Story Saturday" as I spend my Saturdays immersed in college football. This does … Continue reading Short Story Sunday
Cardboard Dreams
In 1966, the world was an uncertain place. A thin veneer of fancy clothes and rock and roll covered a deep, roiling pot, ready to boil over. Racial tension divided us, the specter of nuclear armageddon scared us, the harsh realities of war in foreign jungles drove men to anger. There were signs and protests … Continue reading Cardboard Dreams
Our Branching Path
Emerging technologies could redefine what it means to be human.
Michael T. Kuester 