I enjoy science fiction works, and some detective stories. Mostly short stories, and mostly works that have entered into the public domain. Don't have a lot of time to read which I'm hoping will change in this new year.
This link opens in a pop-up window
Their chances hung literally on a prayer ... which they had to answer all by themselves!
Their chances hung literally on a prayer ... which they had to answer all by …
Another fast read, this one was pretty good. I don't really want to spoil anything, but robots and religion (or Religious Robots)...... I am going to give this a 4 out of 5 stars.
Another fast read, this one was pretty good. I don't really want to spoil anything, but robots and religion (or Religious Robots)...... I am going to give this a 4 out of 5 stars.
By going through channels, George worked up from the woodwork to the top brass!
By going through channels, George worked up from the woodwork to the top brass!
Quick, easy 20 minute or so read. This story was adapted into an X-Minus One radio drama. It's been a while since I heard the story, so I'm not sure how much was changed. I'm sure there were some changes. Just a fun overall story.
Quick, easy 20 minute or so read. This story was adapted into an X-Minus One radio drama. It's been a while since I heard the story, so I'm not sure how much was changed. I'm sure there were some changes. Just a fun overall story.
Thorus, the vengeful, had determined his way. Aria, the healer, had determined her way. Which …
I feel like there is a moral, or a lesson to this story. But I have no idea what that might be. I also feel like, although a complete story, that something is missing. I'm not sure what, but it feels like it needs just a little more. Overall this short story is ok.
I feel like there is a moral, or a lesson to this story. But I have no idea what that might be. I also feel like, although a complete story, that something is missing. I'm not sure what, but it feels like it needs just a little more. Overall this short story is ok.
Civilizations must make sense somehow. But was this one the gaudy, impossible exception?
Civilizations must make sense somehow. But was this one the gaudy, impossible exception?
Short, fairly predictable story - small twist, but pretty much knew what the ending was going to be the first use of the word "chaser".
Short, fairly predictable story - small twist, but pretty much knew what the ending was going to be the first use of the word "chaser".
Content warning Mild Spoilers
Good first read of the new year - took a little longer to read then I expected.
I'm not sure how the title of this short story fits.
Early in the story, there is a type of directive that might be familiar - only in the case of the book, they don't really follow it when it comes to finding humans. They even have a type of universal translator - but my problem with it is even thou it translates - it's in somewhat strange and broken language. Maybe that is how it works, but that is where the story got hard for me to read and follow.
Still I think it's a solid story, with some good quick facts that make it feel like they have been doing this for a long long time.
I think 3 stars. I'm going to put a mild spoiler alert, just because I feel like the translator thing is kind of key, even thou I didn't like how it worked.
I think the take away from this story is in war, no matter what kind of war it is, there are no clear winners and no clear losers. Everyone loses something, everyone gains something. Or maybe that is just my take on the story.
I think the take away from this story is in war, no matter what kind of war it is, there are no clear winners and no clear losers. Everyone loses something, everyone gains something. Or maybe that is just my take on the story.
"Destroy the Invader," the orders read—and Captain McPartland's expendable spacer flashed into suicidal battle.
"Destroy the Invader," the orders read—and Captain McPartland's expendable spacer flashed into suicidal battle.
Very short story, but actually a pretty good one.
Councilman Curtis would never cooperate with Max Fleigh's plans for overthrow. But a duplicate of …
Content warning Heavy Spoilers....So far....
My initial thoughts were, wow, this kind of reminds me of "The Manchurian Candidate." But after googling when that was written, I guess I should be saying "The Manchurian Candidate" reminds me of this story. This story was written in 1950, and "The Manchurian Candidate" in 1959, and the movie was in 1962. The themes for the story is similar, but really it's a different story. In Manchurian - the candidate for the president of the United States has been brainwashed by an unknown Asian government, for reason of take over. While in Imitation, it's a counsel member of a governing body between Mars and Jupiter. With Earth agents wanted to take over control of the colonies. In Imitation, the counsel member is replaced by a duplication - an android/robot, that the agents have "control" over. I'm also reminded of the Outer Limits episode "One hundred days of the Dragon" (1963), which share the same general theme and elements from both Manchurian, and Imitation. Where an unknown Asian government, replaces the president outright, and similar to Manchurian it's to take control of the U.S. One of the biggest differences between the stories, two appear to take place in the present (or 1950/60s present). And one takes place in an unknown future. I'm just over half way though the story, and I'm hooked on it. And really looking forward to see how this story gets resolved. It's a very interesting story, that if you like Manchurian - I think you will enjoy this story.
Interesting story.