Category: Pure Speculation

  • SF Flash Fiction: The Watcher

    Some people read the news on their lunch break, but I know the news is just the first draft of history, and my job is the final draft. I’ve read every single Marvel Comic book ever printed over three centuries worth of coffee breaks. You might think that a frivolous way to spend one’s free…

  • SF Flash Fiction: Virtuals

    “Hello Mr. Chasbak,” Vyonray tapped up the volume on her bluetooth. “How are you today?” “I’m well thanks,” the soft-spoken gentleman was as unenthusiastic as ever today. “I was just following up with you to see if you had the opportunity to review those listings I forwarded last night?” Vyonray managed to sound chirpy despite…

  • Flash SF: Social-Engineering Simulacrum

    “Where did you meet Ms. Antaran?” “In a chatroom.” “May I ask what kind of chatroom?” “It was…” Mr. Langbacher twiddled his thumbs uncomfortably and sniffed loudly. “It was a dating… It was a chatroom for meeting single women overseas.” The detective scribbled the words ‘Mail Order Bride‘ on his notepad and nodded thoughtfully, “And…

  • Flash SF: The Illusian

    Jwandry was just about to take a break from digging her husband’s grave when she caught the movement out of the corner of her eye. Two hours of chiseling away at the rock-solid soil had produced only a shallow indent. At this rate, it would take days to complete it. There were no schools here…

  • Flash SF: The Meme Virus

    “Status…” “Status…” “Status! Now!” Chiandrii practically jumped out of her spacesuit, “I-I’m sorry. I’m here. I’m here. I just wasn’t expecting a status update for another ten minutes.” “I’ve lost three Information Scientists on this expedition all ready,” Director Kawlah’s displeasure was clear. “So when I request status, I don’t care how early it is,…

  • Flash SF: The Philanthropist’s Dilema

    “At this stage, Mr. Haro, we have exhausted all options,” the doctor was explaining softly. “It’s time to settle your affairs.” Haro nodded slightly from his prone position, where numerous tubes and wires bound him to the bed, which he now knew he would never rise from again. He waited for the electrodes to stimulate…

  • Flash SF: Information Entropy

    The complete dismantling of universe Hexonia was a tragic, however necessary evil. It was a series of genocides numbering in the hundreds of billions, but all of the matter within our own Universe was all ready consumed in our ultimate computation. The question naturally arose, in those brief moments when there was sufficient processing power…

  • Flash Fiction, Wage-Slave Avatar

    A short short story where a human avatar for real life is confronted with another client’s superior robot avatar. Posted to 365tomorrows, you can read it here. Ng’s eyes were straining as far as they could go in their sockets to get a look at the brand new shiny avataris sapiens parked at the end…

  • Flash Fiction: Biobaubles

    Kira was still wailing in the background when Jillian dialed the web address tattooed on the lifeless kitten’s belly. She had to talk her way past two chatbots before finally being put in touch with a human being. “Good day Jillian Dillard,” the customer service rep announced. “My agents inform me you have an inoperable…

  • The Nerd Harvest Up at 365Tomorrows

    A short short SF flash fiction you can read here. “You’re angry.” “I’m not angry, I’m frustrated.” “If you’re frustrated, that usually means you’re about to learn something.” “Don’t quote Philo to me. You know I hate it when you quote Philo.” “I’m just trying to think this through like he would do. This was…

  • Flash Fiction: The Fertility Pilgrim

    Lortimer thought the woman sitting next to him, Drea, was very odd. The entire flight she had engaged him with incessant conversation, drawing up every spare moment of his time. There was something almost urgent in her need for his attention. “Isn’t that just a fantastic view?” Drea asked, gripping Lortimer’s arm and shaking it,…

  • Flash Fiction: The Intergalactic Almost Hero

    Albert Martucci woke up at six AM sharp every morning. He put on his slippers and his robe and went into the kitchen to brew a fresh pot of coffee. He ate the same breakfast every morning. Two eggs lightly scrambled, three strips of bacon, and two slices of buttered toast. Albert enjoyed the routine.…