Post on 31-May-2018
transcript
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
1/43
July 15 , 2006THR I L L I N G T A L E S F R OM B E Y OND T H E E T H E R
GalaxyStorebyScottM.Sandridge
RestArea
by
Tim
Baer
TheAdventuresoftheSkyPirateTheAssassinofPatienceBay,PartOnebyJohneCook
MemoryWipeChapterOne:TheSilverSun
by
Sean
T.
M.
Stiennon
Issue 02H T T P : / / R A Y GUN R E V I V A L . C OM
http://raygunrevival.com/http://raygunrevival.com/http://raygunrevival.com/http://raygunrevival.com/http://raygunrevival.com/http://raygunrevival.com/http://raygunrevival.com/http://raygunrevival.com/http://raygunrevival.com/http://raygunrevival.com/8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
2/43
Page2
Table of ContentsOverlordsLair.............................................................................................................................................................................................3
ShortFiction:GalaxyStore....................................................................................................................................................................4
ShortFiction:RestArea....................................................................................................................................................................10
Serial:TheAdventuresoftheSkyPirate....................................................................................................................................12
FeaturedArtist
Erika
Green............................................................................................................................................................25
Serial:MemoryWipe.......................................................................................................................................................................27
TheJollyRGR............................................................................................................................................................................................43
Overlords (Founders)PaulChristianGlenn PR,SoundingBoard,OurStrongRightHand
LeeS.King Copyeditor,Proofreader,BelovedNag,Muse
JohneCook ArtWrangler,DesktopPublishing,othersundries
Venerable StaffA.M.Stickel:SeniorProofreaderMikeLoos:Proofreader,TechnicalLeadPocketRGRTaylorKent:Producer RGRPodcasts,allthingsaudio,SlushmasterScottM.Sandridge:SlushmasterDavidWilhelms:SlushmasterWalterRosenfeld:ProofreaderMatthewMcConley:ProofreaderSerial AuthorsLeeS.King
PaulChristianGlenn
Johne
Cook
SeanT.M.Stiennon
Confidante, Mentor, and Site HostBillSnodgrass DoubleedgedPublishing,WebNetSolutions
Special Thanks:RayGunRevivallogodesignbyHatchbox Creative:, http://www.hatchbox.com
Website:http://raygunrevival.com
Forums:http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/index
AboutRGR:http://raygunrevival.com/aboutContactRayGunRevival:http://raygunrevival.com/contactSubmissionsGuidelines:http://raygunrevival.com/guidelines.html
Cover:BurningEmpiresbyarchaenon
OriginalArt,TakedasStrike,byE.J.Mickels,IIhttp://www.hisart.us/
Allcontentcopyright2006byDoubleedgedPublishing,
aMemphis,Tennesseebasednonprofitpublisher
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
http://www.hatchbox.com/http://raygunrevival.com/http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/indexhttp://raygunrevival.com/abouthttp://raygunrevival.com/contacthttp://raygunrevival.com/guidelines.htmlhttp://www.hisart.us/http://www.double-edgedpublishing.com/http://www.double-edgedpublishing.com/http://www.double-edgedpublishing.com/http://www.double-edgedpublishing.com/http://www.double-edgedpublishing.com/http://www.double-edgedpublishing.com/http://www.hisart.us/http://raygunrevival.com/guidelines.htmlhttp://raygunrevival.com/contacthttp://raygunrevival.com/abouthttp://raygunrevival.com/Forum/indexhttp://raygunrevival.com/http://www.hatchbox.com/8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
3/43
Page3
Overlords LairTheDeathandResurrectionofSpaceOperabyJohne(Phy)Cook
WithanodtoMarkTwain,therumorsofthedeathofSpaceOperaareexaggerated.I'vegota938
pagebook
on
my
desk
right
now
that
explains
how
and
why.
It's
an
impressive
work.
This
thing
is
a
tome,aboatanchor,atreasuretroveofshortfictionthelikesofwhichIhavenotseeninmanyyears.
I'vegotsmallerphonebooks.
TheSpaceOperaRenaissance(Harwell&Cramer,Tor,2006)isananthologyunlikeanythatI'veseen.
Theanthologystartsoffbydefiningwhatspaceoperaisandwhatitisn't.Forexample,'spaceopera'
usedtobeadisparagingtermthatdescribed'hacking,grinding,stinkingpulp',theworstkindof
formulaicdrivel.Therewasonegroupthattriedtostampoutspaceopera,andanotherthattriedto
recastitandbringitback.Thestruggleisfascinating.
Afterkicking
things
off,
the
anthology
divides
space
opera
history
up
into
six
periods,
and
provides
representativestoriesfromeach.Itstartsatthebeginning,spanningtheperiodbetweenthe1920s,
andfeaturesEdmondHamiltonandLeighBrackettandJackWilliamson.Thefollowingsectionsarethe
Draftees(1960s),Transitions/Redefiners(late70stolate80s),Volunteers/Revisionaries(early90s),
MixedSignals/Categories(late90s),andNextWave(21stCentury).
Thebottomlineisthattoday'sspaceoperaisn'twhatitusedtobe,andthat'sprobablyagoodthing.It
iswhatweusedtothinkofassciencefantasy,andthat'sfinebyme.I'vewrittenherethattoday's
spaceoperacomfortablystraddlesthespacebetweenhighfantasyandhardscifi.
ButIhaveoneproblem.Whenwefoundedthismagazine,weeachhadtheideathatspaceoperawas
indecline
and
needed
to
be
restored.
Imagine
my
surprise
to
read
that
nearly
every
Hugo
award
since
theearly80shasgonetoaspaceoperanovel.Ifspaceoperaisenjoyingarenaissanceastheeditors
suggest,whydidn'tanyofusknowaboutit?
Apossibleansweroccurredtomelaterintheday.Perhapsthereareasmallpercentageofhighquality
spaceoperanovelsthatwinawardsbutthemajorityofscifinovelsaresomethingelseagain.That
mightaccountforlongerworks,butwhataboutthethingsthatIknewmoreabout.Asaneditorfora
numberoffantasyandscifiezines,I'veseenthenatureofourslushpilesubmissions,andtheyhave
beenanythingbutspaceopera.Maybewhatwe'relookingatisasmallbutprolificgroupofnovelists,
andthelargermajorityofauthorsandstoriessailmoretypicalscifi/fantasywaters.
Ifso,wheredoesthatleaveus?
Itleavesusbackwherewecamein,lookingatthefictionlandscapearoundus,seeinganeedthatisn't
beingmet,andconfidentthatwecanbringsomethingtothetable.Weaimtohookpeopleonshorter
fictionandprovideapublicationtoseewhatgood,shortspaceoperalookslike,andapayingvenueat
whichtosubmitthatfiction.Insteadofjustdecliningstoriesthatdon'tmakeourpublication,we
activelymentortheauthorswithanonymouscommentsfromourseasonedstafftohelpthemwiththe
processofgrowingasjourneymenwritersontheirwaytowardbecomingsuccessfulauthors.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
http://tinyurl.com/eoktehttp://tinyurl.com/eoktehttp://tinyurl.com/eoktehttp://tinyurl.com/eoktehttp://tinyurl.com/eoktehttp://tinyurl.com/eoktehttp://tinyurl.com/eoktehttp://tinyurl.com/eokte8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
4/43
Page4
Short Fiction: Galaxy StoreByScottM.Sandridge
Gorguth
pulled
the
loader
down
the
main
corridor
of
Wiks
Galaxy
Store,
his
little
furryhandsclenchedaroundtheplasticcordsliketheywerealifeline.Ontheloaders
platformwasareactorenginetwicehissizeandthreetimeshisweight.Hegrittedhis
flatteeth,hisfloppyearseclipsinghisvision,ashestrainedhistinymusclesalmostto
theirlimits.Theenginesweightwastakingitstollontheplatformscushionforcefield
projectors,whichweredesignedonlytoalleviatefriction.
WhycouldntWikjustbuyantigravplatformslikeeveryoneelse?
Gor!Hisearstrembledatthewhinyvoiceofhisboss.ThepudgyAmphroid
wavedhisAktoriancigarinthedirectionofDockingBayNine.Hisgreeneyesboredinto
Gorguth.Move
your
lazy,
furry
butt!
We
cant
keep
the
customer
waiting.
Hes
been
herethreewholeminutesforcryingoutloud!
Imcoming,Imcoming!Gorguthgroanedthroughclenchedteeth.Couldnt
thathairless,bugeyed,insecteaterseehowmuchhewasstruggling?Imnotpullinga
feather,youknow!
Ifyoucanthackit...Wikstonemadeclearhisintendedthreat.Gorguthstarted
pullingharder.
AshepassedWikalongthecorridor,heheardhisbossshout,Wegotanother
onedockingatFive,sobethereandreadytogetwhattheyneedinfiveminutes!
GorlookeddownthelongshaftthatledtoNine.Therewereatleastanotherfifty
pacestothedockingbay.ButtheresnowayIcangettherein
Doit!Wikshouted.OrIllsellyoutoaCarnar!Withawickedgrin,headded,
Theyconsideryourkinddelicacies,youknow.
Gorsbodystartedtrembling.Heloweredhisheadandearsandsaid,Yes,sir.
Thatsbetter,Wikmutteredpasthiscigarashetookapufffromit.Dontbe
late.
GorreachedDockingBayFivetenminuteslater,hisfurallsoakedwithsweat.At
leastit
was
an
empty
loader
he
had
to
pull
all
the
way
from
Nine.
As
the
transparent
doortoFiveslidopen,hebracedhimselffortheshoutheknewwasforthcoming.Gor!
Yourelate!
Imsorry,sir,Gorreplied,earstrembling.I
Noexcuses!Wikssquealwashigherpitchedthanthelastone,andGorcould
seethatthetwonewcustomerswereholdingtheirhandsagainsttheirears.Howmany
timeshaveItoldyounottokeepthecustomerswaiting?
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
5/43
Page5
Gorquicklysizedthetwocustomersup.Theywereabouttwicehisheightand
wereofaspecieshehadntseenbefore.Therewasntmuchfuronthemexceptontop
oftheirheads.Theyworeflightsuitsmadefromsomekindofsilverfabric,possibly
worntoprotecttheirvulnerableskin;Gorhadheardofsomespecieswhoworeclothing
primarilyforstatus,buthefiguredmostofthemwereobviouslyextinct.Thelaserguns
magnetically
attached
to
their
hip
pads
suggested
predatory
and/or
territorial
instinctsthatobservationmadeGorseyesturnyellowanddilate.Gggooddayto
you.Yourenothungry,areyou?Ah,Imean...
WiksneeredatGor,andthenheturnedbackaroundtogreetthetwonew
customerswithasmile,saying,Howmaywebeofservice?
ThetallerandstrongerofthetwoGorassumeditwasthefemalehadsmall
stubbleofneatlytrimmedfuraroundhermouthandonherchin.Herskinlooked
slightlycookedtoareddishbrowntint(toomuchheatexposure,Gorthought,asure
signofsuicidaltendencies).Sheadjustedthegalactictranslatorinherrightear,and
thenspoke
in
avoice
lower
in
pitch
than
most
females.
We
need
areplacement
for
a
nucleardrive.
Whatacheapdrive!Gorblurtedout.HisearsfloppedforwardduetoWiks
rebukingglare.Uh,Imean,ah...
Wikcutin,Whathemeanstosayiswhysettleforsuchanoutdateddrive?We
caninstallabrandnewM/Aramjetdriveforonly57,000IPCs.
Thefemalescratchedherhead.Wedontreallyneedthatkind.Wejumpfrom
placetoplacewithaH.A.M.
Awhat?Wikasked.
Thefemalesmiled.Thetypeofdrivethatrequiresthrowingswinethrougha
ramjet.
GoreandWikbothgavethefemaleablankstarefollowedbytwoeyeblinks.
Theybothfoundthemselvesaskingsimultaneously,Swine?Whattypeoffuelisthat?
Imjustmessingwithyou.ItmeansHyperdriveActivationMechanism.
Whichisinneedofacheckup,theblueeyedmaleaddedin.Hispale
complexionshowedthathewasapropernocturnalcreature.Butthereweresome
thingsaboutthemalethatdisturbedGor:hisvoicewasalittlehighpitchedforamale,
andit
looked
like
he
was
wearing
some
form
of
ritual
paint
around
his
eyes
and
on
his
lips.Whatastrangespeciesthesecreatureswere!AwarningglancefromWikkeptGor
silentaboutit.
Wecanprobablyhelpyouwiththat,saidWik.AH.A.Mcheckupwillcostyou
around5,000IPCs.
Thefemalewhistledandsaid,Damn!
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
6/43
Page6
GornoticedthatWikinterpretedtheexclamationasasignofexcitement,Areal
bargain,Iknow,butwehereatGalaxyStoreareallaboutbargainprices.Nowhereelse
intheGalaxywillyoufindacheaperpriceforanM/ARamjet.
Doyouhavecheaperdrives?Themaleasked.
Wikhidhisdisappointmentwell;Gorknewthatemployeeslikehimwouldbe
feelingit
for
the
rest
of
the
stellar
day.
But
for
the
moment
Wiks
fake
smile
remained.
Well,youcanalwaysgoforPlasmaPropulsionDrive.Theyrecleanerthannuclear,but
youstillruntheriskofabadreactionifhitintherightspot.
AsopposedtoanM/Areaction?Themaleaskedwithasniff.
Wikchosetoignorehim.APlasmaDrivewillcostyouaround30,000IPCs.
Wouldyousettlefor15,000?thefemaleaskedwhilescratchingherchin
stubble.
ThehairyfeelersonWiksheadbobbedforward,thenstraightenedbackup.
20,000isthelowestIcango.
Deal.
Done.Now,ifthetwoofyouwillcomewithme,wecanbegintheIPC
transactioninmyoffice.
AsidewaysglancefromWiktoldGorthatitwastimetogogetthedrive.He
brushedhisearsawayfromhiseyesandhurriedoff.Onhiswayoutheheardabrief
conversationbetweenthetwocustomers.
Youcoming,Darling?
Illwaithere...dear.
Onthe
way
to
Merchandise
Storage,
Gor
muttered
under
his
breath,
Gor,
do
this.Gor,dothat.Gor,yourelate.Gor,kissmygreenshiny
Hereachedtheelevatorplatformthatleddownintothestoragedeck.Heswept
hishandovertherecognitionconsole,andtheelevatordescendeddownatubeflooded
withcrimsonlight.
Ifonlyhehadenoughmoneytobuyhisownship,hecouldgetoutofthisplace.
Allhehadforsavingswas5,000IPCs,andithadtakenhimthreeyearstosaveupeven
thatmuch.Hethoughtaboutstowingawayononeoftheships,butrememberingthe
penaltyforgettingcaughtmadehisfurfrizzout.Ifonlybuyingpassageonashipwasnt
illegalforemployees.
Thedescentended,andhesteppedofftheplatform.Heloadedtheplasma
reactor,thenreturnedtoBayFiveandwentstraighttowork.Asheworked,henoticed
acouplearmamentsontheship.Ahwell,noneofhisbusiness.
Themalecustomerbegantoaskhimquestionsabouthisfamily,hisjob,wherehe
lived,whatspecieshewastheusualchitchatquestions(hehadnofamily,helived
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
7/43
Page7
whereheworked,andhewasTedalyon).Heaskedoneofhisown,Doallthemaleson
yourplanethavepaleskin?
What?Thecustomerasked.Thecornersofhislipsturnedupwards,andthe
sightmadeGorquiver.
IIapologizeifIoffendedyou,Gorsaid.
Thecustomer
let
out
astrange
series
of
short,
repetitive
gasping
sounds
from
his
mouththatsoundedlikeanAmphroidinheat,thensaid,Nooffensetaken.Imfemale.
Mypartner,Will,hesdefinitelymale.
Then,Gorasked,Yourenotangry?
No,ofcoursenot,sheanswered.
Gorpurredwithrelief,andsaid,MynamesGorguth,butyoucancallmeGor.
Janell,shereplied.Pleasedtomeetyou,Gor.
Sheheldoutherhand.Gorasked,Whatsthatfor?
WhereIcome
from,
she
answered,
this
is
how
we
greet
new
friends.
Oh,Gorheldoutafurrypaw.Sheclaspedherhandaroundhisandshookhis
armupanddown.Youknowwhatthatmeansonmyworld?
What?
Consenttomate.
Janellwasleftspeechless.
Gorwentbacktowork.
AshorttimepassedbeforeWillreturnedwithWik.TheAmphroidwasgrumbling
under
his
breathnot
a
good
sign
as
far
as
Gor
was
concerned.
As
the
two
reached
the
ship,WillshruggedhisshouldersandsaidtoJanell,Wouldyoubelieveit?Nofinancing
plan.
Wikadded,Thedealsoff!Gor,takeourreactorbacktoMerchandiseStorage!
BbutI,Gorstammered.Hisearsfloppedoverhiseyes.Ialreadyinstalledit.
Wiksbluishgreencheeksturnedpurple,andhisvoiceroseinpitch.Thentakeit
backoutandputtheoldonebackin!
TheAmphroidballedhisfistsandstompedaway,mutteringandcursing.Gor
threwdownhisplasmawelderandgroaned.Somuchfortakingalunchbreak.
Janellfolded
her
arms
and
tapped
one
foot
as
she
regarded
her
partner.
Now
lookatthemessyougotusinto.Anychancewecangetanucleardriveinstead?
Willshookhishead.Hewants15,000forthedrive,andhesaddinginstallment
paymentsnow:2,000per.
Gorsearsperkedup.Heclimbeddowntheshipslandinggearandasked,How
muchwereyoushortbeforetheinstallmentpayments?
Willscratchedhisheadandanswered,5,000.Why?
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
8/43
Page8
Gorsfurquivered.Anyroomforathirdcrewmember?Ihavefiftyyears
experienceasamechanicalengineer,andmyraceisimmunetomostformsof
radiation.
Wecoulduseagoodmechanic,saidJanellasshegaveWillacoldstare.Who
knowswhatelsemightbreakdownonourbrandnewDDC7CargoVesselagain?
Gorclapped
his
hands
and
leaped
in
the
air.
I
can
have
5,000
sent
to
your
accountinafewminutes.
Gortookoffrunning.Janellwatchedhimdepart,thenlookedatWill.Ill
negotiatewithWikthistime.
Willshruggedandsmiled,Whateveryousay,Dar
Janellsfistgothimrightinthegut,knockinghiswindout.CallmeDarlingone
moretime,andIllaimlower.
WhenWillcouldbreatheagain,hestartedtosay,ButyournameisFrench
for
Buthewasalreadycurleduponthefloorbeforehecouldfinishsaying,Darling.
#
Nodeal!Wikyelled,shakinghisfists.Thatuselessballoffurhasnorightto
transferhisfundstoyouraccount!Itgoesagainstcompanyregulations!
Gorsfurquiveredashewatchedtheexchange.IllgetsenttoaCarnarforsure,
hethought.
Janellcrossed
her
arms,
frowning.
And
what
regulations
would
those
be?
Wwhy,itsintheemployeecontracthesigned,saidWik.Hejammedastubby
fingerdownontohisdesktodrivehomehispoint.Noemployeecantransferpayfunds
grantedbythecompanywithoutwrittenapprovalbyhisstationsupervisor.
Janellrolledhereyes.Whypaythematall,then?
Look,Idontcarewhatkindofslaveoperationyouhavegoinghere.Sheleaned
forward,placingherhandsonWiksdesk,andlookedhimintheeyes.Allwewantisto
getoffthisstationandbackintospace.Now,youhavetwooptions:youcangrantthe
littlefuzz
bucket
permission
to
transfer
his
funds
into
our
account,
or...
She
patted
her
holsteredlasergunandsmiled.Wecandothistheunpleasantway.Yourchoice.
#
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
9/43
Page9
TheDDC7exitedthedockingstationofWiksGalaxyStorethatorbitedPlanetY
withonepassengermorethanithadwhenitarrived.Janellpunchedinthenavigation
coordinatesthatwouldtakethemtotheirnextdestination.
Theirnewpartnersatatthecommunicationconsole,sendinghisletterof
resignationafterthefact.
Asthe
ship
prepared
for
the
jump,
Gor
asked,
So,
what
do
you
two
do
for
a
living?
Well,uh,we,Willstumbledoverhiswords.Wereindependentarcheologists.
Wekindofhuntotherpeoples
Whathestryingtosayis,Janellcutin,werepirates.Wesearchoutdead
planetsthatoncehadlifeonthemandtakewhatevervaluableswecanfind.Thenwe
sellthemtothehighestbidder.Ifwerelucky,wefindacontractedexcavationteam,let
themdoalltheworkforus,thenrobthemblind.
Oh,saidGor.Hefinishedhisletter,thenpunchedSEND.Beatsworkingat
GalaxyStore.
THEEND
Scott M. SandridgeScottM.SandridgewasborninHotSprings,Arkansas,andgrewupinCorbin,Kentucky.Henowresides
inHolland,Ohio,whereeverybodytalksfunny.
Hehaslovedwritingsinceearlychildhood,butdidntgetseriouswithituntil2000.HeenrolledinLong
RidgeWriters
Group
in
February
2001.
His
first
short
story,
Treecutter,
was
published
in
Issue
4
of
TheSwordReviewinJuly2005.Hehassincegoneontopublishmoreshortstoriesandwritereviewsfor
TangentOnline.HeisalsoamemberoftheCrittersWritersWorkshop,acolumnistforTheSword
Review,andisaSlushmaster(SubmissionsEditor)forRayGunRevival.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
10/43
Page10
Short Fiction: Rest AreabyTimBaer
Fiawlthrottledbacktheenginesastherigsettledtothegroundathisselected
restarea.Oh,myancientkidneys,hesaid.Thatwasalongandtiringdrive.He
flippedafew
switches
and
listened
in
satisfaction
as
the
rig
made
its
various
hydraulic
hissingnoiseswhiledeployingitsstabilizinggear.Groaningandstretchingashismuscles
complained,hegotupoutofhisgelrideseatandstartedafttotheexithatch.
Lettingsevenofhiseyesskimthetattletalelightsontheairqualityboardinside
theairlock,heslappedonetentacleontheopenhatchswitch.Takingacautioussniffof
theairforobnoxiousodors,hesteppedofftherigandontothegreenfoliagebeneath.
Squintinginthebrightlightofthisplanetsyoungstar,hecasthisgazeabout
lookingforthelocallifeforms.Heknewtheyweretechnologicallyadvancedhedhad
atoughtimeusinghisguidancesystemonthewayinduetoalltheradiointerference.It
wasbad
enough
with
all
the
xrays
and
other
random
junk
this
young
star
was
throwing
out,butthisplanetfairlybristledwithstrayradiowaves!Hemadeamentalnotetotell
hisdispatchertolabelthissectionofspaceasayellowcautionzonebecauseofit.
Ah!ATerran!hesaidashespottedacreaturestandingbehindawhitepicket
fence.Hecouldtellitwasblatantlyafemalemammalian.Healsonoticedherjawswere
workingnonstop,grindingawayatsomethinginhermouth.
Bokertov,hecalledouttoher,wavingthepolitenumberoftentaclesfora
greeting(three!)ashestrodeacrossthefoliage.TheTerranmadenovocalresponse.
Shesimplystoodtheregazingblanklyathimasshechewed.Yes,yesverypolite.I
shouldnothavebotheredyouwhileyouwereeating.Iunderstandtotally.Hecasthis
eyesabouttryingtolocateanotherTerranwhowasnotquitesobusy.Findingnone,he
returnedhisattentiontothisfemale.Thatsfinedonttalkwithyourmouthfull.Its
notimportant.IwasjustcravingalittleconversationwhileIstretchedmywearybody.I
justdroveinfromSkisoderkinandneededalittlerestbreak.
TheTerrancontinuedchewing,herwideeyedgazeneverleavingFiawl.
Yes,alongdrive.Helookedaroundagain,buthewasalonewiththisTerran.It
startedtocrosshismindthattheremightbealanguagebarrierbetweenhimselfand
whatwas
this
race
called?
Homely
Gradients?
He
shrugged.
It
didnt
matter.
Henoticedafewsmallflyingthingsupintheskythatflittedoneway,thenthe
other,allthewhilemakingsharpchirpingnoises.Thenhenoticedsomeotherflying
creatures,smallandblack,thattookdelightinswarmingaroundapileofsomething
mushylyingonthegrass.Surelythosecouldnotbetheracethatcausedtheradio
interference?No,ithadtobethislargecreature.Thelargeoneswereusuallythesmart
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
11/43
Page11
ones.Ittookalargeheadtoholdanadequatebraintoattaintheleveloftechnology
neededforthatmuchradiointerference.
HiseyesweredrawnbacktohisbelovedrigaPakkarSuperHauler.Thistrip
wouldmakepossiblethelastpaymentonitandthenitwouldbehis,freeandclear.
Thenhecouldstarttoearnsomeseriousmanna!Butrightnowhedwastedenough
timetalking
to
this
polite
Terran.
It
was
time
to
get
back
to
work.
He
only
got
paid
while
therigwasmoving.
Well,Idontmeantokeepyoufromyourmeal.LikeIsaid,itsbeenalongride
andIjustwantedtogetoutandstretch.Hewiggledthepolitenumberoftentaclesfor
afarewell(nine!)alongwiththepropergrimacetohisoralsphincterandstrodebackto
therig.
TheTerranneversaidaword.Shejuststoodinherpasturecalmlychewingher
cud,waitingtobebroughtintothebarnforhermorningmilking.
Tim BaerTimisafreelanceauthorwithseveralstoriespublishedinvariouselectronicmagazinesontheinternet.
Whenheisnotbusypoundingoutmorestoriesonhislaptop,heiskeptoccupiedtakingcareofhiscats,
thedogs,hiswifeandkids,andservingtheLordnotquiteinthatorder,butdonttellthecats!
ThisstoryfirstappearedintheOctober2005issueofTheSwordReview.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
http://theswordreview.com/item.php?sub_id=226http://theswordreview.com/item.php?sub_id=226http://theswordreview.com/item.php?sub_id=226http://theswordreview.com/item.php?sub_id=226http://theswordreview.com/item.php?sub_id=226http://theswordreview.com/item.php?sub_id=2268/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
12/43
Page12
Serial: The Adventures of the Sky PirateEpisodeOne:TheAssassinofPatienceBay,PartOnebyJohneCook
Ashadowpassedoverheadasthetwoyoungmencarryingbasketsfacedoff
againsteachotheronthetopofthehillhighaboveapristineSouthSeasislandbay.
Imustpass,saidatannedyoungman,hiswavyblackhairlooselytiedwitha
cordatthenapeofhisneck.Youmayaswellstepaside.
Holdon,Vennah!Idonotyieldthepath,saidtheother,whoseformalmodeof
speechwassomewhatdiminishedbyhisbarefeetanduntuckedshirt.
Thefirstcoppedasdramaticaposeasonecanwhilecarryingabasket.Iam
older.Age
goes
before
vitality.
Thesecondremainedresolute.Yourcreakingjointsandsnappinghipsareno
excusetoactthelout.Stepasideyourselforfacethewrathofmybladeforyour
impudence!
Youwillruetheday...somethingsomething!
Andlikewise!
Asone,theythrewtheirbasketstotheground,drewtheirweaponsfromrope
tiedattheirwaists,andsaluted.Theycircledeachotherforamoment,andthenthe
firstleapt
forward.
They
started
slashing
at
each
other,
fighting
back
and
forth
over
the
littlehilltop,showingmorecompetencethanyoumightexpectforyoungmenoftheir
age.
Thefightwasproceedingvigorouslywhenthesecondcombatantdrewup
suddenlyandstaredpasttheshoulderoftheotheratthebaylaidoutbeforethem.He
startedtopoint.Hey,Flynnlook,weveOW!
Haltinghisattackandjoininghisfriend,Flynnsaid,Sorry,Sandle,andturnedto
lookforhimselfwherehewaspointing. Thesoaringbird?heasked.
SandlefixedFlynnwithadrolllook.Inthebay.Someonessailingin,anditlooks
liketheyre
alone!
A
stranger
has
come
to
Patience
Bay!
Otherthanthepacketshipthatcomeseverysixweeks,theyreallstrangerswho
winduphere,Flynnsaid,givingSandleagoodnaturedelbowtotheribcage.Hespied
thegreyingmaninagreyingcraftsailintotheAbbeysremotebaydownbelowand
watchedtheraggedlittlecraftapproachthedock.
Doesntlooklikemuchofaboat,commentedSandle,restingthestickheused
asaswordlightlyononeshoulder.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
13/43
Page13
Whatdoyoumean?askedFlynn.
Whatdoyoumean,whatdoImean?Thedingysail,theweatheredpaintIve
seenbetterrowboats.
Flynntookitallin,cuppinghishandsoverhisforeheadtoshieldhiseyes.You
justhavetoknowwhatyourelookingfor,myyoungfriend,hesaid.
Itlooks
pretty
humble
from
here,
Sandle
muttered,
idly
twirling
his
stick.
Itlookslikefreedomtome,Flynnsaid,softly.
Aftertyingup,thestrangerclimbeduponthedock,stretched,threwarucksack
overhisshoulder,andstartedhikingupthegravelpathtowardthewhitestone
buildingsthatcomprisedtheAbbeyproper.
Comeon,saidFlynn,clappinghisfriendontheshoulder.Thevintnerwillhave
ourheadsifwereturnemptyhanded.
Theysheathedtheirsticks,retrievedtheirbaskets,andstartedwalkingtoward
the
vines
planted
along
the
side
of
the
hill,
Flynn
striding
straight
ahead
and
Sandle
strollingbehind.
Sometimelater,astheywerepickinggrapesinthemidafternoonsun,the
visitorsheadpokedabovethehorizonashehikeduptherockytrail.
Sandlebegantonod,butthemomentpassedandhepretendedheddropped
somethinginthesoil.Flynnnoticedthestrangerspiercingblueeyesflitover,sizingup
thetwoashestrodetowardthem. Flynnfranklyreturnedthestrangersscrutiny
withoutmalice,withoutflinching.
Welcome,stranger,Flynncalled.Thestrangersmiled,butFlynnpressedon.
Ven,what
is
your
ship?
TheLoneWolf,saidthestranger,hisvoiceclear,cultured,andfirm,sounding
morelikehebelongedinpalacehallsthanonabackwaterisland.Then,sketchinga
quicksalute,thestrangercontinuedtowardthebuildings.
Younoticeanythingaboutthevisitor?FlynnaskedSandle,watchingtheman
entertheAbbeyscourtyard.
Otherthanhesgotabeggarsboat?saidSandle.
FlynnsaidSomethingaboutthatmansbearinggoesbeforehim.Hisstatureis
differentsomehow.Almost...
Destitute?suggestedSandle.
Flynnturnedtohisfriend.Regal,hesaid.Hethenturnedandlookedatthe
courtyard.TheAbbottrottedoutofthebuildingtoreceivethestranger,boweddeeply
beforetheman,andthenquicklyusheredhimintothecooloftheshadedinterior.
Theeyesofadistantobserverwatchedthewatchers.
#
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
14/43
Page14
Astheycarriedthefruitsoftheirlabortothevintnershut,Sandlesaid,Youve
beenawfulquietthisafternoon.Youcantbeuptoanygood.
Hm?Oh.Flynnsmiledselfconsciously.Justthinking.
Thatsnevergood,observedSandle.Letmeguessitsabouttheboat.
Flynnjustgrinned.
Sandleseyebrows
arched
as
an
idea
hit
him.
Tell
me
that
youre
not
concocting
schemestoacquirethatboatandsailawaysomewhere.
Flynnresistedbutbrokeoutinafullonsmile.
Sandleseyesnarrowed.Butyouknowhowmuchtroubleyoudgetinwiththe
Abbotifyoudid,soyourealreadypastthephasewhereyoureconsideringthatwith
anyseriousness.
Flynnssmilebecamesofter,aneffectthatseemedlikeanadmission,ifnota
confession.
Sandle
hitched
his
basket
up.
Uh
huh.
And
how
many
schemes
did
you
consider
beforeyouthoughtbetterofit?
Justthethree,hesaid,hiseyesdancing.
Sandleplacedagrapebetweenhisfrontteethandpoppedit,squirtingFlynnwith
theerrantjuice,promptingagoodnaturedshovefromFlynn.Soyourestickingaround
forawhile,butthatwontlastforever.Itsonlyamatteroftimebeforeyoumakeyour
breakandsailawayfromthisrockattheripeoldageof,what,fifteen?
Flynnchuckledbutdidntconfirmthestatement.WouldyoumissmeifIleft?
Sandlesnorted.Hark,no!Illgetyourbedandfirstshotatanygirlswhocome
here!
Flynnlaughedmerrily,perhapsattheideaofgirlsvisitingPatienceBay.Then,
soberingslightly,Flynnsaid,Ibethewouldntmissme.
TheAbbot?Sandlesnickered.Thatalldependsonhowdifficultyouareat
eveningmeals!
Flynnidlybrushedatthegrapeseedsstickingtohischest.Idonttrytobe
difficult.IjustcantexplainhowIllbecompletelycalmonemomentandthenhellsay
somethingthatwillfeellikeaskewersharpenedandwaitingjustforme.
Theywere
passing
by
the
stone
buildings.
Instead
of
answering,
Sandle
just
motionedwithhisstubbychintowardthetopicoftheconversationwhowasstanding
highonabalconyoverlookingthecourtyard.Seeingthemlookhisway,theAbbot
turned,claspedhishandsbehindhisback,andstrolledbackthroughshadowedarches
andintotheAbbey.
Thetwoyoungmenexchangedasignificantglanceandkeptwalkingtowardthe
vintnershut.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
15/43
Page15
#
Asecondshipmadeportlaterthesameday.Thewirylittlemanwithno
personalityacceptedhelptyingup,andthensteppedoffhisboatontothedock,tipping
thedockhandgenerously.
Twoinoneday,saidthedockhand.Thelittlemansmiledasmilethatnever
reachedhis
dead
little
eyes
and
was
walking
away
from
the
dockhand
when
he
heard,
Cantrememberthelasttimewehadtwoinoneday.
Thelittlemanstopped,turned,andreturnedbacktothedockhand.Hesaid,Is
thatright?Hey,lookoverhereforamoment,anddroppedasilverycordinhisright
hand.
Thedockhanddrewclose.Whatisit?
Movingfasterthantheeyecouldsee,hewrappedthecordaroundthe
dockhandsneckandthatwasthelastanyoneheardfromthedockhand.
Itwastwilightwhenthelittlemanwalkedthroughthedesertedhutstowardthe
pathuptotheAbbey.Heturnedacornerandayoungmanwithbarefeetandapartially
untuckedshirtcruisedpast,bearingafishingrod.
Sandlegreetedhimwithafriendlywave.Welcome,stranger!Hecruisedpast
andspoketohimself,Wow,twoinoneday.Thenheturnedthedarkenedcorner.
Thelittlemanstoppedandlookedoverhisshoulder,asilverycorddroppinginto
hishand.Hecreptsilentlybacktothecornertolookaround,butcouldntseewherethe
youngmanwent.
Thelittlemanwaitedforsometimeforsomesignofwheretheotherhadgone,
butthere
were
any
number
of
little
huts
around
there.
Finally,
he
started
trotting
quietlytowardtheAbbey,vanishingintotheshadowsofthejunglelikeawraith.He
movedlikehethoughthewasunseen,unobservedbyhumaneyes.
Halfofthatwastrue.
#
FlynnstoppedbySandlesroombeforedinnerbuthewasnowheretobefound.
Hisbrowsfurrowed,andthenhemadehiswaytothegreathallwithitsopencurving
archesatthefrontandthreesides.Thetablesweresetinthecenterwiththemasteron
anelevateddaisthatbackeduptothekitchenontheothersideoftheWestwall.
Flynntook
his
normal
seat
at
one
of
the
outlier
tables.
Sandle
wasnt
there,
either.HewasdeepinthoughtwhenhenoticedtheAbbotwaveforhimtoapproach
themastertable.
Hewaitedaninsolentmomentbeforepushinghimselfupfromthetableand
presentinghimselftothemenseatedatthemastertableuponthedais.
Thisistheyoungmanhimself,theAbbotsaid,amanofmediumbuildanda
deep,resonantvoice.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
16/43
Page16
Wevemet,saidthestranger.
TheAbbotcontinued.CooperFlynn,IdliketointroduceTuyMeklanek,anold
friendofminejustinfromBorneyBay.Hellbestayingwithusforalittlewhile,afew
weeks.IneedtoleaveforashorttripandhaveaskedVenMeklanekifhewouldoversee
yourlessonsinmyabsence.
Flynnstood
and
crossed
his
arms.
Which
is
it,
he
said,
looking
fiercely
at
the
Abbot,alittlewhile,orafewweeks?
Abrittlesilencesettledoverthetable,butthenewcomersquietlaughbrokethe
mood.MydearAbbot,Iseewhatyoumean.Thisonehassomespirit.
GivingtheAbbotablacklook,Flynnstrodeforward,holdingouthispalmtothe
newcomeringreeting.
VenMeklanek,IamCooperFlynn,atyourservice,hesaid.
CallmeTuy,saidthestrangerasherosetoreturnthesalutation.Itisa
pleasuretomeetanystudentoftheAbbots.
Meklanekkeptthecontactamomentlongerthanwasusual,bringingFlynns
attentionbacktohim.Westarttomorrowafternoon,notedMeklanek,andFlynn
grudginglynodded.
Flynnturnedtogobacktohisseat.HemissedseeingtheAbbotmaskathoughtful
grinbehindhiscup.
#
Flynnwasawakenedinthenightbyanurgenttugonhisarm.Heblinkedinthe
lightofacandlethrustfartooclosetohisface.Theflamestutteredeerilyinthebreeze
fromthe
open
window.
Whatisit,raspedFlynn.
Twoinoneday!Sandlewhisperedloudlyinhisear.Thereisanothershipcome
toharbor,andthisonecarriedagreatblackbirdofdeath!
Flynnrolledoversleepily.Whatareyousaying?Thattheappearanceofthe...
whatwasitagain?
Agreatcrow,ormaybearaven.Itwasreallybig,aFowlFatale!
Flynngroaned.Youvebeenreadingtoomanypulptalesfromthemailship.
Flynn
sighed
and
tried
rubbing
sleep
out
of
his
eyes.
How
big
is
big?
he
said
blearily.
Sandlepacedaroundashechattered,gesturingwildlywiththecandle,castingthe
craziestwhirlingshadowsaroundtheroom.Whenithoppeddownfromthecabinto
therail,itlookedlikeitswingspanwasbetterthansixfeetifitwasaninch.
Flynnlookedimpressed.Analbatross,then.
Sandlestoppedandwhirledtofacehisfriend.Ablackalbatross?
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
17/43
Page17
Flynnyawnedandlayhisheadbackdown.Itcouldbeabig,blackhummingbird
forallIcare.Sotellme,whatmeaningdoyoureadintothearrivalofthiswinged
harbinger?
Sandlesigheddramaticallyandspokeinasingsongyvoice.Thegreatblackbird
isthemanifestationofdoom.Thatshipbringsdeathofsomesort.
Flynncocked
his
head.
Like
bad
meatloaf?
SandlereachedoverandgrippedFlynnsshoulderinhisexcitement.Likean
assassinperhaps,orevenwomen!
Flynnshothimalook,andthensnorted.Gobacktobed,Sandle.Withthat,he
rolledbackoverandpulledhisthinpillowoverhishead.
Youllsee,saidSandle,pointingatFlynn.Somebodyshoursaremarked,andI
aimtobeready.Imcarryingarealsworduntilthatbirdleaves.
Withhisheadburiedunderthepillow,Flynnwavedhishandindismissal.Sandle
rolledhiseyes,tookhislamp,andhistheories,andleft.
Flynnlayinthedarkforafewmoments,andthenpulledhisheadoutfromunder
thepillow.Lookingcarefully(andperhapssheepishly)aroundthedarkenedroom,he
quietlygotupandclosedthewindow.
#
Afteradawnbreakfast,FlynnsparredwithSandleuntilhewastakenasideby
Thannon,theWeaponsMaster.Theybanteredwhiledueling,aswasThannonscustom.
StartingaclassicHarkiattack,Thannonsaid,Didyougetinsomepractice
workingoutthatinsidecorkscrewyesterdayafternoon?
Beatingaside
each
attack,
Flynn
managed
to
say,
I
was
theoretically
picking
grapes...butwegotinacoupleofhoursofsparringwhilewaiting...forthevisitorto
makeportandgetuptotheAbbey.Hah!
Engarde!yelledThannon,andstampedhiswaytowardsFlynn,whoparriedand
steppedoutoftheway.Whowasthestranger?
Werentyouatdinner?
IwaslookingforFeldt.Hewentmissingyesterdaylateafternoonjustbefore
dinner.
Flynn
ducked
one
swing
and
hopped
over
another
before
launching
a
counter,
theirpracticesticksgoingclickclickclickinthequietoftheearlymorning.Some
functionaryfromthedistantmainland...hesaid.Hesgoingtobeconductingmy
afternoonlessonsintheAbbotsabsence.
ThannondartedinandtriedtoslapFlynnsstickoutofhishandsbutFlynnsgrip
wasunyielding.Flynnpushedhimbackandlaunchedafierycounterattack.TheAbbots
goingaway?saidThannon.Didhesaywhere?
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
18/43
Page18
IwastoorelievedthatIwouldbegivenareprievefromtheoldwindbagthatI
didnt...OW!FlynnheldhisarmwhereThannonhadrappedit.
Thereisareasonthatformisproper,observedThannonsternly.Youarefree
todowhateveryoucanaccomplishinthisworld,butItellyouthatyouignorepropriety
atyourperil.ThannonfixedFlynnwithasignificantlook.Andbythat,Imeanrespect
foryour
elders
as
well
as
how
you
present
ablade.
The
principle
is
the
same
in
both
cases.
Flynnseyesflashedbuthecomposedhimself.Iapologize,MasterThannon.
Sandlewokemeduringthenighttryingtotellmesomethingaboutthearrivalof
anothership.
Thannonseyesnarrowedbriefly,andthenhegesturedwithhishand.Proper
formprevailsinthefaceofcarelessnessorfatigue.ThatswhyIingrainitsoearly.
Again!
Afterafieryexchange,FlynnmanagedtoflickhisstickinsideandraptheMasters
swordout
of
his
hand.
Thannon
smiled
ahumorless
smile
and
came
back
in
the
next
fewexchangestoexposenofewerthanfourweaknessesinFlynnsform.Flynnheldup
hishandinsurrenderandhalfbowedtotheWeaponsMaster.Afterthat,theremainder
ofthesessionproceededalongamoretypicaltrack.
Theywentbackandforthforanotherhalfhourandthenstoppedforamugof
waterinthemidmorningsun.
Youareprogressingquickly,acknowledgedThannon.DespitetheAbbots
misgivingsconcerningyou,youclearlyhavepotentialwithabladeifyousodesire.Have
yougivenanyfurtherthoughtwithregardtoatrade?
Flynnhadafarawaylookinhiseyes.ThenheblinkedandlookedatThannon,who
waitedpatiently.Hm?No,Ihavenodesiresotherthanleavingthisisland.
Youdontlikeithere?
Itsapleasantenoughprison,Iguess,saidFlynnashegesturedaroundatthe
islandaroundthem,butIwanttogetoutintotheworldandfollowinthewakeofmy
father.Ihaveafeelingthereissomethingunfinishedabouthisdeath.Whoknows?After
that...PerhapsVenMeklanekcansuggestsomethingwhenheinstructsmethis
afternoon.
Onhearing
that
name,
Thannons
head
snapped
around,
and
his
indolent
focus
suddenlycametobearentirelyonFlynn.
Isthatwhoarrivedonthesailboatyesterday?
Thefirstone,yes,Flynnsaid,carefully.
Thannonlookedathimforalongmoment.Timeforlunch,theWeaponsMaster
saidabruptly,dismissingFlynn,wholeftThannondeepinthought.
#
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
19/43
Page19
Afteralightlunchinthecoolnessofthegreathall,Flynnmadehiswayoutside
andupthestonestairstothebalconyandthendowntotheintimatelibrarywherethe
Abbottypicallyattemptedtraining,oneofmanylittlehavensofknowledgescattered
aroundtheAbbey.FlynnfoundMeklanekthere,pagingthroughdustytomes.
Flynnrappedlightlyonthedoorjamb.VenMeklanek,Iamhere.
Meklanekturned
around
holding
aleather
bound
volume
with
parchment
pages;
lightfromtheopenwindowspilledacrossthepageashestrokedhissaltandpepper
beardedchin.
Tuy,hesaid,introducinghimselfagainandgesturingtowardachair.MayIcall
youCooper?
Flynnstoodhisground.Cooperisabarrelmaker.Mostpeoplejustcallme
Flynn.Someherecallme...otherthings.
Tuylaughedtohimself.Flynnitis,then.Hereplacedthebookandthenwalked
aroundthedesk.Youknow,Ilikebooksaswellasanymanandbetterthanmost,but
whatdo
you
say
we
take
this
outside
for
now.
Maybe
you
can
show
me
alittle
of
the
island.
Flynnraisedhiseyebrowsinboredombutsketchedacourtesybowandgestured
towardthedoor.
#
TheypassedthevintnershutandFlynnstoppedlongenoughtogrababroad
vegetationbladewhichheholsteredathiswaist.Wheredoyouwanttogo?
Tuywalkedtotherockyoutcroppingoverlookingthejunglebelow,thenturned
andwaved
his
hand
negligently.
Around,
he
said.
Flynnsnickereddryly.Thatwonttakelong,hesaid.
Flynnledthewayalongtherocky,windswepthilltop,throughorchardsandsmall
gardenplots,finallyclearingapathandleadingthewaydownthroughlushhillsides.
Tuyasked,Sohowdidyoucometoliveonthisisland?
Flynndidntanswer,butTuywaitedpatiently.Theycametoashallow,fast
runningstream.Flynnspokeoverhisshoulder,Thewaterhereisclearanddrinkable,
proceedingtodemonstratethepoint.Tuyfollowedsuit.Ivereaditsbecausethe
volcanicsubstrataactsasafilter.Or,itcouldbebecauseCylloveshispeopleandcares
forthem.
Ive
heard
that,
too.
Flynn
looked
at
Tuy
to
see
his
reaction,
but
the
older
mansexpressionwaspatientandneutral.AllIknowisthatthiswaterisgood,said
Flynn,defensively.
Tuysaid,InoticedthattheAbbeyhasanunusuallyextensivelibraryofrareand
esotericbooks.
Flynngruntedandnodded,thenhoppedacrossthestreamandstartedhackingat
greeneryagain.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
20/43
Page20
Keepingup,Tuytriedagain.Doyoureadanyofthem?
Flynnstoppedandwipedhisbrowwithhisarm.Ido,hesaid.Itisoneofthe
onlythingsthatkeepsmehere.Ilearnedaboutthemalmostbyaccident.WhenIwasa
boy,IreceivedfrequentlightwhippingsforwhattheycalledmylackoffaithandwhatI
calledbeingaboyIhadntactuallydoneanythingwrong,justaskedquestions.Of
course,those
were
the
days
when
they
whipped
themselves
for
their
own
thoughts,
and
Ijustthoughttheylikedtohitthings.ItdidntdomuchformyopinionofalmightyCyl
butittoughenedmeup.ThenonedayIdeliberatelystolesomethingmostlybecauseI
couldandwoundupintheAbbotslibrary.Halfadozenofthemchasedmeintothe
room,butwhenthedoorfinallyopened,itwastheAbbotwhocamein,andbyhimself.
IdpickedtheJodkinsoutatrandomandwassittingreadingitathisdeskandinhis
chairwhenhecamein.HewalkedslowlytothetableandsawwhatIwasdoingand
whomIwasreading.
Doyouunderstandthat?,hedasked.Ijuststartedit,Ireplied,but,yes,I
understandit
so
far.
He
nodded
once
to
himself.
He
looked
at
the
desk
where
the
item
Idstolenwasresting.Hegesturedtowardit.Areyoudonewiththat?Ithoughta
moment,andthengrunted.Hepickeditup,turned,andreturnedtothedoor.Onthe
wayout,hestoppedandsaid,IfyoueverhaveanyquestionsabouttheJodkins,feel
freetoaskme.Inodded,andheleftagain,closingthedoorbehindhim.Thelibraries
becamemysanctuaryafterthat,andtheyneverstruckmeagain.
Tuysmiled.AnddoyouunderstandtheJodkinsnow?
Flynnturnedandlookedathim.Hesverywisebutistooimpressedwithhisown
wisdom.Hewouldhavebeenmoreimpressiveifhedhaditdictatedinsteadofwriting
itin
his
own
ornate
hand,
but
Isuppose
thats
why
the
volume
is
so
precious.
Tuysaid,ItwasmygreathonortospendtimeinthelibrariesinNewBriton.I
knowofaJodkinstherewherehedidjustthat,anditis,byallaccounts,amore
accessiblework,butIthinkyoumayhavethemorescholarlyvolumehere,ifmysources
areaccurate.
Flynnlookedathim.IfImeverthere,Illbesuretolookitup,notthatIthinkit
wouldanswermyultimatequestions.
Andthoseare?
Flynnjust
smiled.
Flynnresumedhistrekandhackedhiswayclearuntiltheycametoanestablished
pathheadinggraduallydowntheslope.Theyfolloweditinsilenceuntiltheysuddenly
cameoutoftheshadowsofthetreesandfoundthemselvesonaspectacularexpanseof
whitesandandcrystalbluewater.Theshorelinemeanderedsedatelybacktotheleft
andright,revealingabroad,curvingbeach.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
21/43
Page21
Behold,thepristinebeachesofPatienceBay!heexclaimed,andthenadded,
notthatthemonksevermakeitdownheretoenjoythem.
TheywalkedoutontothesandwhereTuyremovedhisshoesandstockings,and
theywadedalongintheshallowsoftheocean.Flynnpointedoutvariousfishinthe
shallowwater,thenremovedhisloosecottonshirtandrantowardthewaves,diving
headlonginto
the
surf.
He
started
swimming
with
ease
out
toward
atiny
island
acouple
ofhundredyardsoffshore.
FlynnwasoverhalfwaytherewhenTuypoweredbyhim,startlinghim.Flynnput
onaburstofspeed,catchingup,andkeptaferociouspaceuntiltheyreachedtheisland.
Theystaggeredashoreatthesametime,drippingwet,andbothstartedlaughing.Tuy
wasalittlewinded,butrecoveredhisbreathquicklyenough.
Youarefullofsurprises,arentyou,saidFlynn,breathingheavily,andthenhe
brokeoutintoagrin.
Tuysaid,Thatstomyadvantageinmylineofwork,andthenmockbowed.
Youllhave
to
tell
me
what
you
do
sometime,
said
Flynn,
thoughtfully.
Tuyjustsmiled.
#
Ontheirwayback,FlynnandTuywalkedthroughacourtyardthroughaflockof
chickens.Flynnstartedrunningaround,wieldinghiswoodswitch,andchasingthe
chickenshitherandyonwithgreatglee.Tuyleanedagainstastonewallandwatched
Flynnrunningandducking,duelingwiththechickens.
Flynnrappedonesolidlyontheback,causingittostumbleandsquawk.Aha!
Youredead!
he
said,
face
flushed
and
grinning.
Tuycoaxedthenervousbirdoverwithfeedandpickeditup,strokingittocalmit.
Youthinkthatkillingisexcitingbusiness,eh?saidTuy,casually.
Flynnstruckapose.Onlywhennecessary,ofcourse,butamanmustdowhata
manmustdo.
StrokingthechickeninhislapandlookingFlynnintheeye,Tuytwisteditsneck,
thethick,rubberysnapechoinginthecourtyard.Thechickenfloppedoverand
shuddered.Flynnseyeswentwide.
TuystoodandgaveittoFlynn,whodroppedhisswitchinthetransferandheld
thetwitchingchickeninstiff,tremblinghands.
Killingisneverglamorous,saidTuy,softly,evenwhenitisnecessary.He
pickeduptheswitchandgaveittoFlynn,whohelditinonehandlikeitwasalive.
Now,ifyoulltakethatbirdtoCook,wecanhavechickenfordinner.HeclappedFlynn
ontheshoulderandlefthimtherewithaswitchheldawkwardlyinonehandandadead
chickenstilltwitchingintheother.
#
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
22/43
Page22
Thefollowingday,itwaslateafternoonwhentheymadetheirwayaroundthefar
eastsideofthelittleislandandapproachedthedocks.
Youmustbeadecentsailortomakeitallthewayhereinthatlittleboat,
commentedFlynnastheywalked.
TheLoneWolf?Itssmall,butveryseaworthy.Itsbeeninmyfamilyforthe
longesttime.
Ive
been
on
much
grander
ships
of
course,
but
never
on
any
better.
Myfriendthoughtthatitlookedweathered.Howdidheputit?Iveseenbetter
rowboats.
Tuylaughed.Theresmoretothatlittleboatthanmeetstheeye.Itsweathered
becauseitsriddenoutmanyaswell,manyastorm.Andwhileitis,indeed,somewhat
modest,ithasoneprimaryadvantageoverarowboat.
Whatsthat?
Noneedforoars,saidTuy,winking,andFlynnlaughed.
As
they
approached
the
docks,
Flynn
started
squinting
at
something
there.
Well,
Illbe,hemuttered.
Whatsthat?
Flynnpointed.Myfriendthoughtthatanothershipdockedduringthenightthe
dayafteryouarrived.HesundertheimpressionthatitbroughtblackestDeathtothe
islandasitspassenger.
Tuytookamomentbeforeheanswered.Deathissobusythathedoesnthave
timetowaitonmereships,butIveseensomethatseemedtohavecloserrelations
withDeaththanothers,thatmuchissure.
Tuygrew
quiet
as
they
came
up
to
it.
It
was
another
smallish
ship
capable
of
beingpilotedbyoneortwo.ItwasmuchmoreornatethanTuys,withpolishedwood,
gleamingbrassfixtures,andstudiouslyfurledsails.
TuyturnedtoFlynnandcasuallysaid,Youvementionedthatyoupracticeyour
swordsmanshipinthemornings.Perhapswecansparsometime.
Flynnbowed,puzzled.Idbehonored?hesaid.
Tuyslappedhislegsuddenly.Inthatcase,Illstopbymyboatandretrievemy
sword.
Flynn
furrowed
for
the
barest
moment,
and
then
he
nodded.
ItwasfullytwilightbythetimetheyclimbedthelonghillbackuptotheAbbey.
Flynnhadsheathedhiseverpresentmacheteandpickeduphisswordfromthearmorer
toshowtoTuy.Tuywascarryinghisswordinhislefthandastheyenteredthemodest
frontcourtyardandskirtedalongtheeastsideofthebuildingtowardsthebackofthe
buildings.
ThatswhentheyheardSandleyellandheardtheclatterofaswordfightaround
thecorner.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
23/43
Page23
#
TuyandFlynnlookedateachother,drewtheirweapons,andrantothebattle.
Sandlewasbackedupagainstthefarwall,barelyparryinghisopponentsfierce
attack.Tuyroaredsomethingwordlessandawirylittlemanwithdeadeyesspun
around.SomethingabouthimcausedTuytotakeaninvoluntarystepbackward,and
thenhe
gritted
his
teeth
and
joined
the
attack.
The
swordsman
backed
up
to
assess
the
newthreat.
Theswordsmanengagedthethreeofthem.HeseemedtoignoreFlynnandTuy
andconcentratedspecificallyonSandle.TuysteppedinfrontofSandleandFlynn
steppednimblytohisside.
Theswordsmantriedtwofrontalattacksthatwerebeatenback,andthentook
tworunningstepsstraightatthemandFlynnfellbackastep.Theswordsmanbounced
andflippedrightovertheirheads,landinggracefullybehindthem.
Sandleshriekedandwildlyparriedawickedchestcut.Theassailantrolledtohis
sideas
Tuy
and
Flynn
whirled
and
assisted
with
Sandles
defense.
Tuy
roared
again
and
together,thethreeofthemadvancedontheswordsman,pushinghimbacktowardthe
corner.
Theswordsmansurprisedthemall,movingsofastthattheycouldbarelysee,
engagingallthreeinavirtuosodisplayofswordsmanshipandsheerdetermination,
pushingthethreeofthembackbyhimself.Whilehewascrossingswordswithallthree,
hisstylewasveryunorthodox,usingonlydefensivemoveswithTuyandFlynn,butonly
offensivemoveswithSandle.Betweenthethreeofthem,theymanagedtoparrythe
quickthrustsatSandle,butthesinglemindedattackstowardhiminparticularwere
clearlyunsettlingSandle,asevidencedbyhowhecontinuedtoinchbackward.
TheattackerlungedatSandle,andFlynnandTuyconvergedtobeathimback,but
Sandleretreatedtoofastandtrippedoveraflagstone,fallingroughlyonhisseat.Seeing
thisopportunity,theswordsmantensedasifinpreparationtopounce.
Atthatmoment,anothershadowappearedinthecourtyardofftotheirright.
Itshim!yelledSandlefromhisseatontheground.Itstheassassin,Master
Thannon!
Atthat,Thannondrewhissheathedswordoutofhiswaistbandandflickedthe
sheathestraight
at
the
little
killer.
As
fast
as
the
projectile
was,
the
killer
was
faster
still,
blockingitandsendingittowardthethree.TuyandFlynnsplittoavoiditandthen
reformedinfrontofSandle.
Thannonenteredthecourtyardwithouthisnormalbanter,quietlyengagingthe
killerwithblisteringspeed.Thannonssworddancedinandoutwiththreeprobing
attacksandthenhebouncedrightatthelittlemanandranhimcleanthrough,pinning
himtothewall.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
24/43
Page24
Thekillersswordfellfromhishandandhesaidoneobscene,gutturalword,the
onlywordheeverspokeduringthebattle.
Thannonpressedhimrightbackuptothewallandbenttowardshim,speakingto
himinlowtones.Thenhesuddenlysteppedbackand,withaflourish,pluckedhissword
freeoftheassassinschest.Thenthemanwithdeadlittleeyessimplybecameadead
littleman.
WeaponsMasterThannonturnedtothethreeandtookinthescene.Hewasnt
slightlywinded,instarkcontrasttoTuyandFlynn,whowerebothgaspingforbreath.
TheyturnedtoseetothewelfareofSandle,andsawthatSandlewasntbreathingatall,
thesharpswordsheatheburiedhalfwaythroughhisthroat.
Thannonfinallyspoke.Perhapssomebodycantellmewhatsgoingonhere,he
said.
TheAdventuresoftheSkyPiratecontinuesnextmonth.
Staytunedfortheconclusionof
TheAssassin
of
Patience
Bay
Johne Cook
JohneCookisafounderofRayGunRevival,andisaveteranauthorofonlinearticles,reviews,and
shortstories. Hewasa2004winnerofNaNoWriMo,theNationalNovelWritingMonth.
Johnehastriedhishandatanynumberofickyjobsbutfoundhiscareerin2000whenhewasntpretty
enoughtoworkasaDeskClerk(truestory).HeisaTechnicalWriterandHelpAuthorbydayand
creativewriter
/
magazine
editor
by
night.
Johnegothisstartreadingspaceoperainhisdadsextensivecollectionofclassicpaperbacks.Hetraces
hiswritingrootstoMissKinanesfourthgradeEnglishclass,wherehelearnedhecouldcapture
peoplesimaginationwiththewrittenword.
Hispenchantforwritingabouthimselfinthethirdpersoncamemuchlater.
Inadditiontoreading,healsohasafascinationforquirkymovies,progressiverock,PCbasedvideo
games,andracquetball.
Johnelives
in
south
central
Wisconsin
with
his
(longsuffering)
wife
of
20
years
and
the
rest
of
his
quirky
family.JohneblamesPaulChristianGlennforspurringhisrenewedinterestincreativewritingfour
summersago,butthatsanotherstory.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
25/43
Page25
Featured Artist Erika GreenName:ErikaGreene,akaarchaenon
Age:24
Hobbies:
Art,
music,
politics,
fighting
games,
reading
FavoriteBook/Author:HarryPotterseriesandSherlockHolmes.MyfavoriteauthorisConanDoyle
FavoriteArtist:NormanRockwell,Dali,M.C.Escher,YoshitakaAmano
Whendidyoustartcreatingart?WhenIwasyoung,Ijustsortapickeditupinthesecondgrade
Whatmediadoyouworkin?IusuallyusePainterIX,and
Photoshop.
Sometimes
Opencanvas
and
an
intuos
2
Wacom.
Whereyourworkhasbeenfeatured?Ihavehadworkprintedformanylocalmagazines,andIhaveabustling
freelancebusiness.Workingonaseriesofcomicsatthe
moment.
Whereshouldsomeonegoiftheywantedtoview/buysomeofyourworks?http://archaenon.deviantart.com
/
http://www.archaenon.net
Howdidyoubecomeanartist? Watchingmycousin;he'sverygoodatreallifeportraits,andIwantedtobelikehim.
Whatwereyourearlyinfluences?MycousinLarryDuBose,Disneycartoons,oldOsamuTezukaandMiyazakimovies.
Whatwereyourcurrentinfluences?Dadaartists(Dali,Escher,etc.)andmusic. Musicplaysahugepartinmyart,andalmostallmypiecesarenamedafterasong. For
example,the
feature
image
is
named
after
an
ebm
band
Ireally
love.
Whatinspiredtheartforthecover? Thesong,BurningEmpiresbyvnv it'ssuchanamazingsong,andalltheirmusicmakesmewanttopaint.
Howwouldyoudescribeyourwork? Dark,different,manypeopletellmeit'ssuperdifferentfromwhattheynormallyseeandunique. Inormallycallitscribblymess
though,heh.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
http://archaenon.deviantart.com/http://www.archaenon.net/http://www.archaenon.net/http://archaenon.deviantart.com/8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
26/43
Page26
Wheredoyougetyourinspiration/whatinspiresyou?IguessItrytobedifferent. I'mnotimpressedbyalotof
currentart,andhoweverythingisdoneinFlash,andallthat
jazz.SoItrytostaymoretraditional,notlosingsightofthe
greatartistswhenIwork.Iworkalotfrommusic.Icanlistento
a
song
and
envision
what
I
want
to
do.
Much
of
it
is
wasted
on
thecuttingroomfloor,buttheonesIdokeep,Itrytofinish,
andhavethemrepresentwhatIseeinmyfavoriteartists
music.
Whathavebeenyourgreatestsuccesses? Finallymakingthetransitionfromtraditionalhandpaintedarttodigitalartwith
mediatools.ForthelongesttimeIwasantidigital,thenI
realizedtimesarechangingandIhadtogetwiththem. Being
abletomeetothergreatartistsandsuch,andfinallygettingout
thereand
doing
art
for
aliving.
Haveyouhadanynotablefailures,andhowhasfailureaffectedyourwork?Yeah,Ihadacomicbookoncegodowninflames;itwaspoorlythoughtout,andthe
showmanshipwasick.ThenagainIwasstillinexperiencedandincollege.Soittaught
mebetterdesignandshowmanshipskills.IthinkIbenefitedfromthatsetback.
Whatareyourfavoritetools/equipment?MostlyPainterIX,andanIntuos2Wacom.WhenI
draw
on
paper,
I
use
prismacolor
markers,
gouche,
watercolor,andoilpaintsonregularpaintingpaper,
witheverythingfrompaintbrushestotoothbrushesto
gettheeffectIwant.
Whattool/equipmentdoyouwishyouhad?ACintuiqeWacom;it'slikeadesktopscreen,butyou
candrawrightonthescreen,asopposedtoeyeingit
whilelookingupwithastandardWacom.Iwouldlove
toalsohavearolloflambscanvas,andareallynice
setof
Grumbacher
oil
paints.
It
would
be
nice
one
day.
Whatdoyouhopetoaccomplishwithyourart?Tomakeasmallnameformyself,andbeabletoget
betterasIgetolder.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
27/43
Page27
Serial: Memory WipeChapterOne:TheSilverSunBySeanT.M.Stiennon
It
was
a
relatively
quiet
night
in
the
Silver
Sun
Casino.
The
Palm
Room
was
only
halffullofmenandwomenpumpingtheirwagesintotheslots,whileonagood
businessnightitwouldbefullwithmorecustomerswaitingupstairs,sippingdrinksand
playingcardsuntilenoughspaceopenedupfortheguardstoletthemin.Lesserrooms
werepracticallyempty.Sundaynightwasalwaysslow.
TakedaCrosterpatrolledhisusualcircuitthroughthecasino.TheSilverSuns
ownerandmanager,JackBlaydra,wascarefulaboutsecurity.Heknewaswellasany
manthatthelocalpoliceforcelookedafteritsowninterestsmorethanthoseofany
citizen,andthatifanyonetriedtorobhim,hedhavetorelyonwhateverguardswere
onthe
premises
at
the
time.
Takedawasayoungman,buthedidntknowhisexactagesomewhereinhis
midtwenties.Hekepthisblackhairshavedclosetohisheadforutility,andhisfacewas
longandangularbeneathslightlybrownskin.HeworetheSilverSunsuniform
unobtrusive,withacircularbadgemadefromrealsilver.Hecarriedashockstickina
holsteronhisrightlegandapistolonhislefthip.
Takedasbadgehadhisnameetchedintoithewasoneofthecasinosmostloyal
guards,havingworkedthereforalmostthreeyears.Sincetwomonthsafterhehadfirst
wokenupinasqualidhotelwearingnothingbutapairofcheappants,withnomoney,
nopossessions,
and
no
memories.
The
memories
were
the
part
that
had
troubled
him
most.Everythingbeforethatlittleroomsimplydidntexistitwasasifhehadappeared
fromtheairatthatmoment,withanadultbodyandcapabilities.
HehadplentyoftimetothinkashestrodethroughthecasinosPalmRoom.
Plasmasignsflashedathimfromallsides,andhisearswerefilledwiththeclickka
chunkofslotmachines.Thecarpetsweredeepblue,andtheroomwaslitbyrecessed
lampswithshadestodiffusetheirvaricoloredlight.
ThesettlersinGreendomewerearelativelywealthycrowd,whichwasoneofthe
reasonsthecitycouldsupportacasinooftheSilverSunsscale.Thecustomersrangedin
agefrom
childrenthe
colony
had
no
minimum
age
for
gamblingto
octogenarians
whoselastpleasureinlifewasthehopeofajackpot.Mostworewellmadeclothes,
evensomedesignerbrandsorderedfromoffworldandshippedtoGreendomefrom
thespaceport.Ahandfulwereshabbybeggarswhohadprobablydecidedthatgambling
wasjustabitmorefunandalotmorepromisingthandrinkingthemselvesintoastupor
betweengraveyardshiftsatthesawmills.NoneofthemgreetedTakeda.Hekepthis
eyesaheadofhim,althoughherecognizedmostofthemfromothervisits.Otherguards
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
28/43
Page28
chattedwiththecustomersnotTakeda.HehadthreepeopleinallofGreendomewho
caredaboutanythinghehadtosay.
Hecontinuedon,passingthespeakerspumpingsoothingmusicintotheroom,
andtookaflightofstairsdowntothenextlevel,continuinghispatrolcircuitdowninto
oneofthecasinosbarsthisonewassmallanddimlylit,specializinginimportedliquors
forthose
who
could
afford
them.
The
bar
was
made
from
polished
red
granite,
and
the
bottlesontheirrackswerebacklitwithpalevioletlight.Lightflashedonthepolished
steelofchairsandtabletops.
Atfirst,theplacelookedquietjustonedrinkeroverinthecorner,hunchedover
abottleofbrandy.Then,withajolt,Takedarealizedthattheusualbarkeepaman
namedThristwasntathisplace.Healsonoticedthathecouldhearangryvoicesinthe
backroom.Takedashanddroppedtothestunrodonhisrightlegandgraspedthe
rubbergrip.Probablynothing,butTakedahadlearnednottotakechances.His
footstepsweresilentashelopedacrosstheroomandvaultedoverthebar.Themanin
thecorner
didnt
even
look
up.
Takedaputhiseartothegildeddoorbehindthebar.Avoicewasraised,cursing,
andTakedaheardanothervoiceforamomentbeforeanangryshoutcutitoff.Hedrew
hisstunrodandclickedthedooropen.
Thebackroomwassmall,containingafewracksofsparebottles,amixing
machineforspecialorders,andachairforthebarkeepduringhisbreaks.Thristwasin
thatchairnow,butnotbychoicehewasflankedbyatwotallmenindarkclothing.One
ofthemhadhishandonThristschest,forcinghimbackinthesoftcushions,andthe
otherwasspeakinginalowgrowl.Onemoretry,Thrist.Yougiveusthatmoneyyou
owe,or
well
see
how
you
like
eating
glass.
Please,thebartendermoaned.Justtakethemoneyintheregister.Illpayit
backlater.
Themanshookhishead.No.Wedontwantanyfusswithyourboss.Wejust
wantourcash,andwellgetitoutofyourlifeinsuranceifwehaveto.
ThemanstartedtoreachforabottleasThristscreamedandthrashed.Nogood.
Takedasawthatbothmenwerebuiltlikewrestlers,andThristwasbuiltlikea
bartender.
Takedaactivated
his
stun
rod,
and
the
steel
shaft
hissed
to
life.
Thats
enough,
hesaid,inhisusualdispassionatevoice.
Bothmenwhirledaround.Themanwhohadspokenhadasharplypointedblack
beardanddeepbrowneyes.Takedarecognizedhimasoneofthelocalpolicesquadoff
duty,sincehedidnthavehisbadge.Thatexplainedhissizeandstrength.Hispartner
wasalsoacop,withthickblondhairandaprominentscaronhischin.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
29/43
Page29
Noneofyourbusiness,Croster,themangrowledback.Justbackoutthatdoor
andIllforgetIsawyou.
Takedatookastepforward,aiminghisstunrod.Hedusetheweaponifhehad
to,butusuallyhecoulddiffusesuchsituationswithoutviolence.Thristlookedrelieved.
Henoticedtoolatethattheblackbeardedcophadasleeveholster.Asmallblack
gunsnapped
into
the
mans
palm,
and
Takeda
found
himself
staring
down
its
barrel.
Lastchance,thecopgrowled.
Takedaknewthatifthismanshothim,itwouldprobablymeansomepaperwork,
afewbribes,andmaybeevenalittleblackmailfromthecopstotheSilverSunsowner.
Butbothmenwouldgetnothingmorethanasternlecturefromtheircaptainifeven
that.
ButJackBlaydrapaidhimforareason,
andTakedahadalwaysacknowledgedthe
possibilitythathisjobmightprovefatal.He
hesitated.The
cop
facing
him
could
shoot
fast
andaccurately,andTakedacouldseehis
partnerreadytodrawhisownpistol.Takeda
wasstrong,andhadgoodspeedandreactions,
butheknewhecouldntoutrunabullet.
Then,ashestareddownthepistols
barrel,somethingclickedinTakedasmind,
andsuddenlyheknewhowtotakedownthis
copand,somehow,heknewhecoulddoit.
Hecould
hear
the
breathing
of
the
old
man
at
histable,seetinyflecksofstubbleonthecops
chin,smellliquorofahundredvarieties.
Everythingwasperfectlyclear.Neverinthe
threeyearsherememberedhadanythinglike
thishappenedtohim.Buttherewasnotime
tothink.Hecouldonlyact.
Buttherewasnotimetothink.He
couldonlyact.
OriginalartbyE.J.Mickels,II
http://www.hisart.us/pageseven1.html
Takedadroppedandwhippedbackthehandholdinghisbaton.Abulletslicedthe
air
where
his
head
had
been,
but
he
was
already
down
on
the
carpet.
His
arm
snapped
forward.Thestunbatonwhirledthroughtheairandsmashedintothecopsfacewitha
loudclangandacrackofelectricity.Themangurgledandfell,firinganotherbulletinto
thefloor.Hispartnerdrewhisownweapon,releasingThrist,andputhisfingerthrough
thetriggerring.
Takedasaweverythingasifitwerebeingplayedbackinslowmotion.Herolled,
andtheblondcopfired,buthisbulletswentintothefloor,crackingastheypunched
throughthecarpetandcrumpledagainsttheconcretebelow.Takedaslefthandwent
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
http://www.hisart.us/pageseven1.htmlhttp://www.hisart.us/pageseven1.html8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
30/43
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
31/43
Page31
AndCaptainVasswasnthappy.BlaydrahadshowedTakedathemessagehehad
sentanhourafterbothcopshadbeentakenawaytothehospital,demanding
recompenseformedicalcosts,lossofdutytime,painandsuffering,andafewhundred
SilversontopfortheCaptainspockets.Surprisingly,theCaptainhadntorderedTakeda
tobeturnedover.Hisnamehadntevenbeenmentioned.Still,Blaydrahadtoldhim
that
if
Vass
came
after
him,
hed
be
on
his
own.
Takeda
would
keep
his
job
for
nowthe
incidenthadonlyprovenhisvaluebutiftherewasanyriskofpolicereprisals,hedfind
himselfonthestreets.
Andwhatthen?Takedadidntknowanyone.Familieswereimportantincolony
citieslikethisone,andTakedahadnone.Noconnections.Nooldfriends.Hislife
consistedofthreeyearsthreeyearsinwhichhehadstartedasanutteralienandslowly
becomesomewhatacceptedinhisroleasacasinoguard.Ifhelostthejob,hedalso
losetheidentityhehadbuiltforhimself.Theonlyidentityheremembered.
Someonesatdownonthestoolnexttohim,andTakedaglancedup.Sherithe
secondof
the
three
people
who
cared
anything
about
him,
just
after
Blaydra.
She
was
a
girlfromafamilyofdomefarmerswhohaddecidedtosupplementherincomeby
servingdrinksonthegamblingfloors.Shewasabouttwentyyearsold,withshoulder
lengthblondhairthatusuallyhadbluehighlightsdyedintoit.Hereyesalwaysseemed
tobehalfclosed,asiflightblindedher.
Youokay,Tak?sheasked.
Whatdoesitlooklike?
Itlookslikeyouvehadenoughwhiskey.Givemethat.
BeforeTakedacouldstopher,shetookhisglassandknockeditbackinonegulp.
Thenshepasseditbacktothebarkeepandsaid,Youshouldgetsomesleep,Tak.Itll
bebetterwhenyouwakeup.
Sure.WakeupwithCaptainVassramminghispulserdownmythroat.
Vassdoesntwantyou,Tak.Histhugsarepowerful,butheknowshecouldnt
pressacaseagainstyoubeforethecitycouncil.
Hewontneedto.Ahitonthestreetwilldothejobbetter.
Shesmiledwarmly.Ithinkyoucantakecareofyourself,Tak.
Thatstheproblem,hesnarled.Ialmostkilledtwomen.
Sherisignaled
the
bartender
and
put
her
hand
on
Takedas
shoulder.
He
didnt
shakeheroff.Tak,webothknowtheydeservedit.Therearentmanymenin
Greendomewhodontsometimeswanttobeatupthecops.
No,hesaid,quietly.Itsmorethanthat.
Takedalookedupandmadeeyecontactwithhersomethingherarelydid.
Somethinghappenedtome.WhenIsawthemthreateningThrist.Iwas...Ichanged.I
gotstrongerandfaster.IfeltlikeIcouldseeandheareverythinginthecasino.Icould
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
32/43
Page32
movefasterthaneitherofthemcouldshoot,andIknewwheretheyweregoingto
shootbeforetheypulledthetrigger.
Takedaglanceddownathislefthand,usuallysoclumsyhecouldbarelyholda
forkinit.Hehadputabulletstraightthroughtheblondcopsgutwithit.
Sherishrugged.Iveheardfunnythingshappentopeoplewhentheyfight,
sometimes.They
do
things
they
couldnt
do
before.
You
heard
about
that
marine
who
rolledahalftonrocktosavehissergeant?
Thiswasdifferent.
Maybeitwasandmaybeitwasnt.ButImgladsomeonecanstanduptothose
cops,Tak.
Shesqueezedhisshoulderand,whenheglancedup,shewassmilingwarmly.He
feltatingleinhisheart,butalthoughhehadspenttwoyearsinclosecontactwithSheri,
hehadneverreallybeeninterestedinher,noranyothergirls,althoughplentyoflovely
youngwomenfrequentedthecasino.Shewaskindtohimhelikedherforthatbuthe
hadnever
seriously
considered
pursuing
her.
IdontknowwhoIam,hegrowled.
YoureTakedaCroster,Sherisaid.Whatelseisthere?
Youdontunderstand.Ivelookedupmycitizenshipprofiletheresnothing.No
profile,Imean,althoughIthinktherewasoneonce.Mycitizenshipisstillvalid,butthe
infoisblank.AndtheresnobirthrecordIvegonedowntothePopulationOfficemore
thanonce,buttheycantfindanyrecordofmyparentsormybirth.
Noteveryonereportsbirths,Tak.
Morethan
that.
Ieven
did
some
hacking
in
the
records
at
the
space
port,
when
I
wenttherelastbreak.NorecordofhowIgotonplanet,anyhotelIstayedat,anything.
Thefirstpersonwhosawmewasthehotelmanagerwhocheckedmeinthenight
beforeIwokeup.HesaidIseemeddrunk,butnothingunusual.
Iknow,Tak.Ivetalkedtohimmyself.
Helookedup,surprised.Youhave?
Shelaughed.Sure.Yourenottheonlyoneinterestedinyourself.
CanyouexplainwhathappenedtomewhenIfoughtthosecops?
I
guess
not,
she
sighed.
But
I
dont
think
its
anything
to
worry
about.
I
think
youjustgotsicksobadlyyoulostyourmemories.Maybeithassomethingtodowith
that.
Hiseyeswentbacktothecounter.Maybe.
Afterafewawkwardmomentsofsilence,Sheristoodup.Well,Idbetterbe
going.Ivegotsomecleaninguptodo.Takecareofyourself,Tak,anddontdrinkany
more.Getsomesleep.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
33/43
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
34/43
Page34
Buthehadntsleptsoundly.Therehadbeendreams...dreamshecouldbarely
remembernowthathewasawake.Twothingsremainedclearinhismindasherubbed
hisneckandstareddownatthecarpet:fearandasingleimage.Theimagewasthatofa
woman,andtheonlydetailshecouldrememberclearlywereherpenetratingblueeyes
andasweepoflongblackhair.Hecouldntrememberanythingaboutherfromhis
dream,
and
he
didnt
even
recall
what
expression
she
had
worn.
There
had
been
other
sensations...darkness,pursuit,strangefeelings,andbizarredreamlogic.Allofthem
weretoovaguetomakesenseof.
Takedashookhishead.Hehaddreamssometimes,justlikeanyotherman.This
womanhadprobablybeenoneofthecasinopatronswhosefacehadstuckinhis
subconscious.Hecouldntremembereverymanandwomanwhodriftedthroughthe
SilverSunsgamingfloorsandbars.
Heateabreakfastofthickporridge,thenchangedintoafreshuniformand
strappedonhisshockstickandgun,droppinghisbadgeintohispocketratherthan
wearingit.
He
didnt
go
on
duty
until
seven
this
evening,
but
he
might
as
well
go
down
andreadsomewhere.SheriwouldbesomewhereinthePalmRoomcleaningupin
advanceofthatnightsopening.Takedaknewthatifshesawhim,shedaskabouthow
hewasfeeling.Hewouldntadmitittohertoanybodybutheenjoyedtheattention
shegavehim.Sometimes.
Withhiscomputerholsteredonhisbelt,Takedalefthisroomandmadehisway
downaflightofstairstotheguardpostjustoutsidethePalmRoom.Thepostwas
empty.Garthshouldbeondutytherefrom3p.m.tomidnight,sowherewashenow?
Notoutforapiss.Hisusualcoffeemugwasconspicuouslyabsentfromthedeskwhere
heusually
sat,
watching
Net
shows
until
something
interesting
showed
up
on
his
securitymonitors.
Afteramoment,Takedashruggeditoffandkeptwalking.Garthwasknownto
oversleepsometimes,particularlyifhehadbeendrinking.Therewereotherguard
posts.
TakedaenteredthePalmRoom.Theroomhadnowindowstotheoutsidenow,it
waslitonlybyahandfulofwhitemaintenancelights,andthegameswereoff.Most
partsoftheSilverSundidntopenforbusinessuntil7pm.Thepopulationof
Greendomewasntrichenoughtosupportacasinoaroundtheclock.Still,thereshould
havebeencleanersvacuumingthecarpetsandpolishingthemachineswhile
maintenancemenmadesuretheywereemptyandinworkingorder.Itwasonlyanhour
untilopeningtime.
Takedawalkedoutintotheroom,passingdeactivatedslotmachines,holo
wheels,cashgrids,andothergames.Hewonderedwhatheshoulddo,ifanything.Was
theresomevacationdayhehadntbeentoldabout?No,Sheriwouldhavementionedit.
Astrikethatshewasntpartof?NoonewouldhavetoldTakedaaboutthathis
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
35/43
Page35
relationshipwithmostofhiscoworkersdidntgobeyondbusiness.Maybe,butthere
wasntanyreasonforastrike.Blaydrapaidhisemployeeswell.
Goodevening,Croster,saidavoicefromtheshadows.
TakedawhirledtoseeCaptainBrianVassstepoutfromwherehehadbeen
leaningagainstalargeslotmachine.Vasswasayoungmannotmucholderthan
Takedaandhe
had
only
lived
in
Greendome
for
five
years.
In
that
time,
he
had
become
themostfearedmaninthecity,withalarge,wellequippedpoliceforcetobackhimup.
Hedidkeepcrimedown,butonlybecauseheknewthepeoplewouldeventuallyrevolt
ifhedidnt,anditwaswellknownthathewasinvolvedinloansharkingandblack
mailing.SomepeoplesaidthatthemayorofGreendomewasathiscommand.
Vassskinwasapale,milkywhite,buthishairwassoblackthatTakeda
sometimesthoughthedyedit.Helookedlikeanidealsoldierbroadshoulders,straight
legs,hardchin.Hisdarkblueuniformwasperfectlycut,shiningwithgoldtrim.Hewas
thethirdpersonbesidesSheriandBlaydrawhocaredanythingforTakeda,butinhis
caseit
was
because
he
had
always
been
on
the
lookout
for
excuses
to
arrest
him.
Vass,Takedasaid.Wereclosed.
AcoldsmilecreptacrossVassface.Imnothereasacustomer.
Soyouregettingintoburglarynow?Takedaasked,slidinghishandtowardshis
gun.
Icouldshowyouawarrant,butthatwouldberedundant,Vasssaid.Anddont
goforthatgun.Youllgetmorethanjustacitationforresistingarrest.
Takedaheardtheclickofagunbeingcockedbehindhim.Hedidntneedtolook
toknow
that
at
least
one
of
Vass
officers
covered
his
back.
Howmanymenhaveyougot?hegrowled.OneofthemenItookdown
yesterdayhadagunonme.
Gillmanhasneverbeenmybestmarksman,Vassanswered.AndIvegot
enough.Now,Croster,thewayIseeit,youhavethreeoptions:eitheryoustickyour
wristsoutforcuffs,yougetbeatenintopulpandthencuffed,oryougetshotrighthere.
Whichwouldyouprefer?
Vasshanddroppeddowntocaresstheweaponslungagainsthisownhip:a
Damascuspulser,importedfromthebestmunitionsfactoryintheEmpire.
Therewas
no
choice.
Takeda
undid
the
clasp
on
his
arms
belt,
letting
his
weapons
droptothefloor.Thenheofferedhiswrists.Thiswasitnofight,norealconfrontation,
justaquietarrest,completelyatVassmercy,withoutanyfriendstospeakforhim.He
doubtedevenSheriwouldriskapetitionforhisrelease.
Acopsteppedoutoftheshadowsandsnappedapairofmanaclesontohiswrists.
Vasssmilebroadened.Smart,Croster.Ialwaysliketokeeptheseaffairsashonestas
possible.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
36/43
Page36
Thecopwhohadhandcuffedhimpickeduphisarmsbeltandpushedhimforward
asVassturnedandledhimaway.Otherofficersemergedfromtheshadows,flanking
bothVassandTakeda.Hebowedhisheadandwalked.Hiscomputerhadbeenonhis
belt,allthebookshehadloadedonitgone.Thingshadhappenedfastlastnight,hehad
goneabouthisjobasnormal,andnowhewasunderarrestwithimprisonment,torture,
and
quite
possibly
death
ahead
of
him.
At
least
no
one
would
miss
him.
AstheyapproachedthemainentrancetothePalmRoom,Takedanoticedthathe
couldseebettertheshadowswerentnearlyasdarkastheyhadbeenonlyseconds
before.Thehenoticedthathecouldhearthefootstepsofthecopsaroundhimclearly
notjustasgroup,butasindividuals.Hecouldcounthowmanybythesoundoftheir
bootsstrikingthecarpetandthegentleraspoftheirbreath.Nine,plusVass,whose
heelsstruckthecarpetslightlyharderthanhisofficers.Takedacouldeventellthatone
ofthemwaschewinggum.
Helookeddownathiswrists.Thechainconnectingthemanacleswasa
centimeterthick,
made
from
astandard
steel
titanium
alloy.
He
pulled
on
it
alittle,
hearingitclink.Itwasstrong,andthemanaclesweretightenoughtoweakenhishands
bycuttingoffbloodflow.
ButTakedakeptpulling,puttinghisshouldersintoit.Thechainstretchedasthe
linksclickedtogether.Suddenly,Takedafeltstrong,strongerthanheeverhadbefore.
Heinhaledadeepbreathofair,tastingitsslightstaleness,andpulledhiswristsfarther
apart.Thelinkshissedfaintlyastheystrainedagainsteachother,andthecuffsduginto
Takedasmuscles.Hepulledharder,hopingnoneofthecopslookedathimjustthen.
Aweakweldinthechainbrokewithacrack,andthenTakedashandswere
encumberedonly
by
the
manacles
themselves.
Before
any
of
the
cops
could
react,
Takedastartedmovingtheappropriateactionsseemedtospringintohishead.
Hisownweaponswereheldbyamanafewfeetbehindtoofar.Instead,Takeda
slammedhisknucklesintothejawofacopnexttohim,droppinghimtothefloor.
Anothercopgrabbedforhim,butasolidkicktohiskneessenthimreeling.Takeda
brokeawayanddovebehindacheapslotmachinenearthedoorjustasapistolcracked
andabulletstruckthecarpetseveralfeetaway.
ThedarknesswastransparenttoTakeda.Heranalonganaisleofmachines,
seeing
the
faint
glow
of
maintenance
lights,
his
shoes
hammering
the
carpet.
More
shotsrangout,andheheardVassvoiceraised,snappingorders:Cuthimofffromthe
door.Keephiminthisroomandkillonsight.Travis,Iwantmenoneveryexittothe
building.
Abulletslicedtheairjustinfronthimhecouldalmostseeitpassby.Takeda
changedcourse,runningdeeperintotheroom,towardstheguardposthehadwalked
pastonhiswayin.Withanyluckhecouldgettothebackexitjustasmalldoorbythe
garbagebinsandevadewhoeverwasguardingthatdoor.
RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesFromBeyondtheEther Issue02,July2006
8/15/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 02
37/43
Page37
Notimetothink.Takedaran.
Ablueuniformedcopranoutfrombehindalargeholowheelandwouldhave
crashedintoTakedaifhehadntjumpedasideatthelastmoment.Thecophesitatedfor
amoment,recoveringfromsurprise,andthenwentforhispistol.Takedareachedfor
theonlythingavailableasmallslotmachineandheaveditup.Justasthecopgothis
pistolout
of
its
holster,
Takeda
pitched
the
machine
at
him
with
asurge
of
muscle
power.ThesounditmadeasitcrushedthemanintothefloornauseatedTakeda.He
couldeverysoundofcrackingbonesandsquishedflesh.
Hehesitatedforamoment,andthatmomentnearlycosthimhislife.Afiercered
boltslicedthedarknessinfrontofhim,andforaninstantTakedafelthissightdimonce
again.Thepulserboltdidntblindhim.BeforeVasscouldadjusthisaim,Takedaran.He
dodgedbetweengamemachinesandpillars,hearingpoundingbootsallaroundhim.
Thecopshadstoppedshooting,probablyrealizingthattheyweremorelikelytohiteach
otherthantheirquarry.
Takedapaused
for
amoment
to
evaluate
the
situation.
Judging
from
the
noise,
mostofVasssquadstoodbetweenhimandthenearestdoor.Anotherfewmenwere
comingfromthedirectionofthedoorhehadenteredby,andthetwogroupswere
formingaringaroundhim.Ifhewantedtogetoutoftheroomhewouldhavetocharge
onegroupandthesidewithfewermenmademoresense.
SoTakedaranbacktowardsVassandthemaindoor.Iftheydidntexpecthim,he
mighthaveachanceofavoidingtheirbullets.
Anotherboltofcrimsonwentthroughoneoftheslotmachines,blastingaholeof
moltenredandorangeinthemachinescenterandsendingsparksandflamingparts
flyingbefore
it
drilled
through
the
carpet
and
into
the
concrete.
The
stink
of
burnt
metal
wasalmostoverpoweringtoTakedasheightenedsenses.Headjustedhiscoursetoone
side.Vasswasthebestmarksmaninhisownforce.Ifhegotagoodlookathistarget,
oddswerethathecouldnailit.
Takedachargedoutofthedarknessatacopstandingbetweenhimselfandthe
exit.Themanfiredasingleshot,missinginthedarkness,andthenTakedaslappedthe
gunawaybeforelockinghishandsaroundthemansthroat.Actingontheinstinctsthat
filledhismind,Takedatwisted,andthemansspinesnapped.
Takeda
didnt
let
himself
thinkif
he
thought
too
much
about
what
was
happening,itwouldparalyzehi