Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 01

8/14/2019 Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 01

1/34

THR I L L I N G T A L E S F ROM B E Y OND T H E E

July 20

FlinteyesDuelbySeanT.M.Stiennon

StarPilotsGravebyMarcieLynnTentchoff

DeucesWild:PartOne: ReluctantAlliesbyL.S.King

JasperSquad:EpisodeOne:Exile!byPaulChristianGlenn

Issue 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/


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Table of ContentsOverlords Lair .................................................................................................................................3Short Fiction: Flinteyes Duel.................................................................................................4Space Verse: Star Pilot's Grave .......................................................................................9Ray Gun Revival Serial: Deuces Wild ........................................................................ 10Featured Artist - Sidharth Chaturvedi........................................................................20Ray Gun Revival Serial: Jasper Squad .....................................................................22The Jolly RGR ................................................................................................................................34

Overlords (Founders)Lee S. King

Paul Christian GlennJohne Cook

Serial AuthorsSean T. M. Stiennon

Lee S. King

Paul Christian GlennJohne Cook

Senior StaffMike Loos: Proofreader, Technical Lead PocketRGR

A.M. Stickel: ProofreaderPaul Christian Glenn: PRLee S. King: Copyeditor

Johne Cook: Chief, Cook, and Bottle Washer

Slushmasters (Submissions Editors)Taylor Kent (snarkdogg)

Scott M. Sandridge (lord-id)David Wilhelms

Confidante, Mentor, and Site HostBill Snodgrass, Double-edged Publishing, Web-Net Solutions

Special Thanks:Ray Gun Revival logo design by Hatchbox Creative:, http://www.hatchbox.com

Website:http://raygunrevival.com

Forums:http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/index

AboutRGR:http://raygunrevival.com/about

ContactRayGunRevival:http://raygunrevival.com/contact

SubmissionsGuidelines:http://raygunrevival.com/guidelines.html

Cover:GrandSpaceOperaEntry,bySidharthChaturvedi

Allcontentcopyright2006byDoubleedgedPublishing,

aMemphis,Tenneseebasednonprofitpublisher

RayGunRevivalThrillingTalesBeyondtheEther July2006
http://www.hatchbox.com/http://raygunrevival.com/http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/indexhttp://raygunrevival.com/abouthttp://raygunrevival.com/contacthttp://raygunrevival.com/guidelines.htmlhttp://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://raygunrevival.com/guidelines.htmlhttp://raygunrevival.com/contacthttp://raygunrevival.com/abouthttp://raygunrevival.com/Forum/indexhttp://raygunrevival.com/http://www.hatchbox.com/


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Overlords LairWell,hellothere.Theresnotellinghowyoufoundus,buthereyouare,andImsureyouhave

questions.LetscuttothechaseandIllanticipatesomeoftheobviousquestionsandthenleaveout

someothers.Thisisgoingtobethatsortofplace informal,whimsical,andjustalittlemercurial.We

areOverlords,afterall.

Letsstartthere.

Q:WhoandwhataretheOverlords?

A:TheOverlordsarethe(currently)threecoEditorsofRayGunRevival.Weare,inno

particularorder,LeeS.King,PaulChristianGlenn,andJohneCook.Wepickedthattitlebecause

'Overlord'evokesacertainthrowbackcharmlaMingtheMercilessfromtheFlashGordonera,a

venerablepulpfictionadventureandprecursorofwhatweconsiderclassicspaceopera.

Q:PulpFiction?WithTravoltaandSamuelL.Jacksonandtheglowingsuitcase?

A:NottheTarantinofilmofthatname,no,buttofictionfromtheyearswhenmarginalscience

fictionwasprintedforcheaponinferiorpulppaper,leadinguptothearrivalofthefabulousLensman

seriesbyE.E.DocSmith,commonlyacceptedasthefirstgrandmasterofspaceopera.

Q:Whatisspaceopera?A:BeforeItellyouwhatitis,letmestartbydefiningwhatitisnot.

Opera.Inspace.

Spaceoperaspanseverythingfromhighfantasytohardscifi,andisgenerallyconsideredasub

genreofspeculativefictionthatemphasizesclearcutenemies,romanticorswashbucklingadventure,

exoticsettings,avastscale,andcolorful,largerthanlifecharacters.Twoexamplesyoumayrecognize

aretheoriginalStarWarsfilmandJossWhedon'sFirefly.

Q:Sowhythismagazine,andwhynow?

A:Becausespaceoperahasfallenonhardtimes,andweintendtoreviveit.

Oneofthedefinitionsofrevivalisarestorationtouse,acceptance,activity,orvigoraftera

periodofobscurityorquiescence.Weusedtoseealotmorespaceopera,butthegenrehasfallenby

thewaysideinrecentyears.Somethingismissing,asenseofadventure,asenseofwonder.Sowegot

together,grabbedourcheesyrayguns,andcreatedthismagazine.

Q:Ah,goodpoint wheredidtheraygunscomefrom?

A:Oneoftheiconicelementsofearlyspaceoperawasthehandheldlaserpistol.Whencasting

aboutforthenameforthenewpublication,oneofusblurtedthenameout,andtheotherssnickered,

anditjustsortofstuck.

Whatelseisthere?RayGunRevivalisafreeelectronicmagazine(ezine)publishedbiweeklyin

the.PDFformat,whichcanbeviewedonline,locallyviaAcrobatReader,orprinted.Wewillpublish

originalshortstoriesandarticlesandongoingserialstories(liketheoldepisodicSaturdaymatinee

filmswithcliffhangerendings).

Fortherecord,thewhole'arrogantOverlord'schtickisacomedicposture.Nobodyaroundhere

takesitseriouslyforonesplitsecond.Trustmeonthis.

Withthatsaid,wenowexpectyoutogoandtelltenpeopleaboutRayGunRevivalorwewill

ruthlesslyvaporizeyourpatheticplanet.

Imnotevenkidding.

Johne(Phy)Cook

Overlord,BaronofOutlandishIdeas,ScourgeofGrammar

http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hagedorn/visual.htmhttp://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hagedorn/visual.htmhttp://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hagedorn/visual.htmhttp://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hagedorn/visual.htmhttp://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hagedorn/visual.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_Fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_Fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_Fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lensmanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_operahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_operahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_operahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_operahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lensmanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_Fictionhttp://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hagedorn/visual.htm


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Short Fiction: Flinteyes DuelBySeanT.M.Stiennon

JaxCallamhadanewpairofionpistolsstrappedtohishipsashecameoffthe

transport. Theywerefineweapons,decoratedwiththepurestvioletgold,andtheir

buttswerestuddedwithpressuregemsfromthedepthsoftheDevilsNebula. Each

wascapableofputtingoutenoughpowertoshatteratonofuranium. Theyhadcost

severalmillionSEUs. Gunsworthyofthegreatestgunmaninthegalaxy.

Hewalkedwithaswaggerthroughthestreets,andbeingscowedbeforehim. He

gleamedwithsplendorbefittinghisstation,acapeofmicroscopicgoldenscalesthrown

overhisshoulderswithabroochofredsapphireholdingitinplace. Hisbootswere

sewnfromthehidesofsnapsnakesandhisheadwaswrappedbyaforcecirclet. Itwas

onlyfittingthatheshouldlookhisbestonthisday. Today,hewasgoingtokillJalazar

Flinteye. Thatdeedwouldensurethathisnamewasenthronedforeverinthegalaxys

underworld.

Thestreetsofthecitywerecleanenough,withjustenoughdusttostainthesoles

ofJaxsboots. TheonlypatrolstationsvisiblewereabandonedtheAlliancehad

removeditspresencefromErbatessyearsago,andnowalocalrulerheldlimitedsway

overmostofitslands. TheperfectplaceforamanlikeJaxtoplyhistradeandestablish

hisnameamongthestars. Hightowersoflightcoloredstonesoaredabovehim,and

thestreetswerepavedwiththesamematerial. Beingsofmanyspecieswalkedthe

streetssalesmen,tourists,nativeErbatessols,lowlifes,anoccasionalbeggar,andmany

others.

The

weather

was

bright

and

warm,

much

like

it

always

was

at

Jaxs

carefully

weathercontrolledhome. Hisdecadenthomewhereonlymoneymattered.

Theplacehewaslookingforwassunkintotheshadowsofabackalley,witha

brightneonsignabovethedoor. Aninsectoidbouncerwithtwoandahalfmetersof

thickexoskeletonstoodinfrontofit,butheletJaxpasswithanodandaclickofhis

mandibles. ThesignreadStarPlasmaBarandfluctuatedbetweenseveraldifferent

colorsandspectrums. Jax,ahuman,couldseeonlysomeofthemtherestlookedlike

grayorbrown,andsometimesthelightevenseemedtobeoff. TheErbatessolscould

seemorethanmostbeingsinthegalaxy.

Itwasdarkinside. Theonlyrealbrightnesscamefromaspotlightinthecenterof

theroom,beneathwhichabandwasplayingonsomesortofreedinstrumentsand

drumsmadefromanimalshell. TheirwailingpiercedJaxsears,makinghimcringe. A

fewdimblueandvioletlampswerescatteredabouttheroom,andbytheirlightJax

couldseebeingssittingattables,glidingthroughthedarkness,andconversingin

hushedtones. Thebarwasatthefarsideoftheroom,litupwithaneerygreencolor.



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Jaxsgoldencaperustledashewentin. Hemovedthroughtheroom,scanning

eachbooth. Itwasoneofthetamerbarsontheplanet,butthatwasntsayingalot.

Somebeingsgrowled,someleered,somesmiledsuggestively. Heignoredthemallhe

coulddealwithanytroubleeasily.

Avoicecameoutofthedark. Lookingforsomeone?

Jaxturned,startled. There,inaboothhehadntevennoticed,farfromanylight

source,wasasinglebeing. Butthevoicethevoicewasright.

Hedroppedhishandsdowntocaressthejeweledbuttsofhispistols. Jalazar

Flinteye?

Theshapenodded. Thatsme. Yourenothereforadrinkorafemale.

No. Imheretokillyou.

Youremorecandidthanmostbeingswhowanttodothat.

Imbetterthanthemtoo,Jaxhissed.

The

shape

nodded.

Jaxs

eyes

had

adjusted

to

the

dark

enough

to

make

out

his

basicformandcoloritwasFlinteye,allright. Lightcoloredfur,darkclothing,and

emptyblackeyes. TherewasafainthintoffangsandclawstoobutJaxdidntletthat

unnervehim.

So,Flinteyesaid,areyougoingtodoithere,andmakeyourselfpayforthe

cleanup?

Jaxfoundthemercenarysgazeunnerving. Hestoodrigidandheldhisheadup,

allowinghishandstoloosenthepistolsintheirholsters.

Icanseeyouare,growledFlinteye.

Hefroze. Flinteyecouldseeinfraredhowcouldhehaveforgotten? Thisroom

mustbelikedaytohimwithallthebodyheatinit. Jaxwouldntforgetthattwice.

Jaxshandsjerkedawayfromhisweapons,andheslippedintothebooth

oppositeFlinteye,inaplacewhereJaxcouldseewhathisadversarywasdoing,butnot

theotherwayaround. Thatwouldeventhingsup.

Yourefriendlyforanassassin,saidFlinteye,drinkingfromtheglasshehadin

frontofhim.

Imagentleman. Illgiveyousixhourstoprepare.

Thatsniceofyou.

YoullmeetmeonthePlazaofTearsafterthattimehaselapsed,orthewhole

galaxywillknowthatJalazarFlinteyeisacowardwhocantfaceaworthyopponent.

ThenJaxstoodupandstartedtoleave. Behindhim,heheardFlinteyechuckle

andsay,Whoisthisworthyopponent?

Iam!Jaxsnapped,drawingtheattentionofafewnearbypatrons.And

somedaythewholegalaxywillknowmynameastheydoyours!



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Suddenly,Jaxheardnoisesbehindhim,andbeforehecouldreactbothhisarms

werelockedagainsthisbodyinanunbreakablegrasp. Hestruggled,butwasheldtight

byunwaveringhands.

Heheardthevoiceofabotclosetohisear. Isthisonethreateningyou,

Jalazar?

Icantakecareofmyownproblems,Axten,Flinteyegrowled.

Jaxcursedhislackofcaution. OfcourseFlinteyewouldhavehisbotalittleways

off,readytodefendhim.

Hisarmswerefreed,butJaxdidnttrytogoforhisguns. Sixhours,andifyou

haveanyhonor,leavethebothome,hesaid.

ThenJaxleft,anxioustogetbackoutintothelight.

#

Hevisitedarestaurantforalightmealandadrink,thenwenttoabathhouseto

cleanse

himself

and

his

clothing

before

the

duel.

Finally,

with

half

a

standard

hour

to

spare,hewenttothePlazaofTearsonfootwithhisionpistolsfreshlycharged. He

worethesameclothingashehadearlierintheday. Itwaslateafternoon,andthesuns

heatwasbeginningtofade. Trulyanexcellenttimeforaduel,withacoolwindblowing

throughthestreetsandtheskygraduallydarkening.

Hedidntknowhowtheplazahadgottenitsname,buthehadvisiteditbefore.

Featurelesscobblestonescovereditshundredmeterexpanse,andinthecenterwasa

singlefountainthat,ratherthansprayingupwards,flowedgentlyoveranelaborateand

veryabstractsculpture.

Flinteyehadntarrived,andthesunsanklower. Jaxcheckedhischronometer.

Onlyafewminuteswereleftbeforetheappointedtime. Hegrowledtohimself,pacing

aroundthefountainandglaringatthesurroundingstreetsandtowers. Therewereno

pedestriansarounditwastheperfecttimefortheirencounter. Wouldthatcraven

mercenaryrobhimofhisvictory?

ThetimeJaxhadspecifiedcameandwent. Anotherhalfhourpassed,andJax

sankdownontooneofthestonepedestalssurroundingthefountain,ballinghishands

intofists. Frustrationwelledupinsidehim,

Thenhefeltawarmbody athisbackandacoldbladepressedagainsthisthroat.

Dontmove,boy,orIllhavesomecleaninguptodo,Flinteyehissed.

You! Weagreedtoatime,andyoumissedit!Jaxsaid,afraidtomovehisthroat

muchbecauseofFlinteyesdagger.

Iwashere. YoudidntsayIhadtobeinplainsight,didyou?

Scum! Nowgetyourknifeawayandletshaveaproperduel.

Proper? YoureevenmoreofabratthanIthought. Ivealreadywontheduel.

Youlost.



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Page7

ThewordechoedinJaxsears. Lost. Nowabladewasabouttoplungeintohis

neck,abladeeverybitasdeadlyasplasmawhenitwasthisclose. Defeat.

Verywell,claimyourvictory,hesaid,tryingtokeephisvoicefrombreaking.

Youreallywantmeto?

Amomentlater,Jaxfelthispistolsslippingfreeoftheirholsters. Thenthedagger

wasliftedaway. Nowgetup,saidFlinteye.

Flinteyeshovedhim,andJaxscrambledtohisfeet. Hisionpistolswereboth

clutchedinoneofthemercenaryshands,andtheotherwasaimingaheavyplasma

pistolathisforehead. Whydidyouwanttokillme,boy?

Therearebountiesonyourhead.

Youdontneedmoneyifyoucanaffordclothesandweaponslikethis. Andthe

bountiesarenttooseriousyoucantbeaftermeoutofasenseofjustice. Tellme

why.

I

wanted

people

to

fear

me!

Youvegotalongwaytogobeforetheylldothat. YouwouldntscareaSophite

farmer.

Jaxsanktohisknees,shakingallover. Hefeltasthoughhisuniversehadcracked

andwasnowfallingtopieces. IwouldhavebeenfamousifIhadkilledyou. Everyone

wouldhaveknownmyname. JaxCallam!

Yourewealthy? MaybeIcouldgetagoodransomforyou.

Beyondthedreamsoftrillions. Butwhatgoodismoney,SEUssittingin

accounts,metalandgemsfromallacrossthegalaxy,withoutaname? Anearned

name? Nothing!

Therewassilencethen. Flinteyeseemedtobethinking,althoughhenever

stoppedcoveringJaxwithhispistol. TwilightwasspreadingoverthePlazaofTears. Ah,

thatnameseemedappropriatenow. Jaxcouldfeelsobswellingupdespitehisbest

effortstorestrainthem.

Atlast,Flinteyespoke. Ivegotalotofoptions. Icouldkillyounow. Icouldhold

youforamassiveransom. Icouldjustrobyouofwhatyouvegotandsendyouoff

withoutevenenoughSEUstogetoffplanet....

Hetrailedoffthreateningly. Thenhegrunted. Toomuchtrouble. Gohome.

No! Imnobodythereonlymoney! Imonlyabagofmoney!

Insteadofonlyakiller? Seemslikeagoodtradeoff.

Flinteyeholsteredhisplasmapistolandgotup. Bye,Jax. Goodluckgettingback

home. Donttrytokillanymoremercenaries. Youllgetworselucknexttime.

Hisionpistolswerestillontheground. Jaxlungedforthemwithacry.



8/34

Page8

Justbeforehereachedthem,twoboltsofflaringvioletplasmastruckthemand

turnedthejeweledgunsintoheapsofsmolderingwreckage. Scorchedpartsscattered

acrosstheplaza.

ThenJaxkneltdownandcriedfreely,nolongercaringifanyonesawhim. The

goldencapeweighedheavilyonhisshoulders,crushinghim. Flinteyewouldhave

beatenhimeasilyevenifithadbeenastraightdraw.

Flinteye! YousaidIdbejustakillersowhatareyou?hehowled.

Heturned. ThoseeyesperfectblackorbsregardedJaxcarefully. ThenFlinteye

said,Ididntkillyou,didI?

Thenhevanisheddownasidestreetwithoutabackwardsglance,leavingJax

huddledinthedust,shakingsoftlywithhisweeping. Thestarsrushedoutoverhead,

sweepingupfromthesouthtolighttheskywithathousandpinpricksofbrilliantlight.

Atlast,JaxCallamstoodandwalkedovertotheremainsofhisweapons. Hewent

straighttothespaceportandcharteredpassagebacktohishomeworldonthenext

starshiptoleaveErbatess.

Sean T. M. Stiennon

Seanisanauthoroffantasyandsciencefictionnovelsandshortstorieswithmanypublicationsunder

hisbelt.Hisfirstshortstorycollection,SixwithFlinteye,wasrecentlyreleasedfromSilverLake

Publishing,andhewon2nd

placeinboththe2004SFReader.comShortStoryContestandtheStorn

CookRazorEdgedFictionContestwithhisstoriesAspandTheSultansWell,respectively.The

SultansWellhasbeenpublishedintheanthologySagesandSwords.

Seansworktendstocontainlotsofactionandadventure,butheoftenincludeselementsoftragedy

andlossalongsideroaringbattles.Alotofhisworkcentersaroundcontinuingcharacters,themost

prominentofwhomisJalazarFlinteye(SixwithFlinteye). HealsowritestalesofShabakofTalonPoint

(DeathMarks,inissue#9ofAmazingJourneysMagazine),Blademaster(Asp,2nd

placewinnerin

the2004SFReader.comContest),andotherswhohaveyettoseepublication.

Seanlovestoreadfantasyandsciencefictionalongsidesomehistory,mysteries,andhistoricalnovels.

HisfavoritesincludeDeclarebyTimPowers,theMemory,Sorrow,andThorntrilogybyTadWilliams,

StephenLawheadsSongofAlbiontrilogy,andKingSolomonsMinesbyH.RiderHaggard.Hehas

reviewedbooksforDeepMagic:TheEzineofHighFantasyandScienceFiction,andreviewsbooks

currentlyat SFReader.com.

Tocontacttheauthor,[email protected]

readerfeedback.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0975884050/002-2477435-2791214?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0975884050/002-2477435-2791214?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0975884050/002-2477435-2791214?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0975884050/002-2477435-2791214?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0975884050/002-2477435-2791214?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.sfreader.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.sfreader.com/http://www.deep-magic.net/http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0975884050/002-2477435-2791214?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155


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Space Verse: Star Pilot's GravebyMarcieLynnTentchoff

Mybirthfatherleftustofightinthewars,

AninsultManeverforgave,

Hewentseekingglory,orsomyauntsays,

Butfoundjustastarpilot'sgrave.

AsIgrewupdirtsidemyeyessoughtthestars,

Idreamedofmyselfstrongandbrave,

andjustlikemyfather,whileMasatandsighed,

You'llendinastarpilot'sgrave.

ButwhenmyMasickenedIgaveupmydreams,

Ofgloryandplanetstosave,

Iworkedasmallfreightertopaydoctors'bills,

FarworsethanPa'sstarpilot'sgrave.

AndthencametheCreepers,thosealienslime,

Whowantedtomakeusallslaves,

IwishedIcouldfightthem,butjustwasn'tfree

Toseekoutastarpilot'sgrave.

Butwhenthewordreachedmemymotherwasdead,

BlownupinthelastCreeperwave,

IjoinedtherebellionandsentallIcould

Torotinastarpilot'sgrave.

AndnowIliedying,mylastmissiondone,

Withonlyoneboonlefttocrave,

Justpointmyshipstarwardandletherdriftfree,

And

grant

me

my

star

pilot's

grave.

Marcie Lynn TentchoffMarcieLynnTentchoffisanAuroraAwardwinningpoet/writerfromthewestcoastofCanada. Her

workhasappearedinsuchmagazinesasWeirdTales,OnSpec,Aoife's Kiss,andDreams&Nightmares,

aswellasinmanyanthologiesandonlinepublications.



10/34

Page10

Ray Gun Revival Serial: Deuces WildPartOne:ReluctantAlliesbyL.S.King

Raucouslaughter,humanandalienbodyodorscombiningintheheat,andthe

smellofstaleliquorassaultedSlapssensesashewalkedthroughtheopendoorofthe

RocketWashBar.Paintflakedfromtheadobewalls.Offworldaliensaside,itwasnt

thatdifferentfromhome.

Packoverhisshoulder,hepickedhiswaythroughthecrowd,lookingforatable.

Thefewemptychairsdidntseemgoodchoicesconsideringtheglaresfromthose

seatednearby.

Slapmuscledthroughtothebarandaftercallingtwicetogetthebarkeeps

attention,hebangedahandonthecounter.Twoeyestalksswiveledtostareathim.Slapgapedforasecondbeforesaying,Somethingtoeat.Andadrink.Anything.

Thebartenderturnedaround,hismouthtwistingashespoke.Tenquel.Cash.No

credchits.

Cash!Slapgulpedandfumbledinhisvest.Ifamealanddrinkcostthatmuch,

whatwouldaroomcost?Heputthemoneyonthebarandglancedaroundasthe

bartenderturnedtothewalltap.Amotiononhisrightcaughthisattentionbut

somethingtoldhimnottomovehisheadorlookdown.Cuttinghiseyes,hesawahand

slidingathinstimbladeoutofasheathsewncleverlyintoablackvest.

BragosBands,whatwasthisguyupto?Aglassthunkedthecounterinfrontof

Slap,andhewrappedhishandaroundit,whilekeepingattunedtothemannexttohim.

Hefeltaslighttugatthepackonhisleftshoulderathieftryingtosteal?Without

thinking,Slapswungaround,andhisglassimpactedwithaface.Thethiefhitthefloor,

aneedlegunclatteringoutofhishand.Whatthe?Hestaredattheunconsciousman

forasplitsecondbutthesoundsofafightbehindhimmadehimturn.Themaninthe

blackvestthrusthisstimbladeintoamansgut.Theattackerscreamedinagony.Black

VestthenkickedasecondrightintoSlapschest.

Slapthrewanarmaroundthemansthroatandtightened.Ashewaitedforthe

strugglingmantopassout,hewatchedinaweasBlackVestcontinuedtofighttwo

moremen.Helookedlikeadancerleaping,spinning,kicking.Beforelonghis

opponentsalllayonthefloor.

Slaprealizedthemaninhisarmshadgonelimpanddroppedhim.BlackVest

turnedandregardedthetwomenatSlapsfeetthengazedupwithcoalblackeyes.

Thanks.

Dontmentionit.



11/34

Page11

Peoplecrowdedcloser,gawkingatthebodiesandmuttering.BlackVestsgaze

dartedaboutashesheathedthedeadlyknife.Ithinkwedbetterleave.

Slapagreedandfollowedhimoutside.Thenightairfeltfreshandcool.Why

weretheyallfightingyou?

Quiet.Wehavetogetawayfromhere.Comeon.

Slapshruggedhispackhigheronhisshoulderasherolledhiseyes,thenfollowed

BlackVestthroughthenarrowstreets.Ashotasthedayscouldget,thenightsgotcold,

andSlapfoundhimselfshiveringinhissleevelessvestashepeeredaheadatthedark

shapeofhiscompanion.Oncehestumbledoverabodyinanalleyandgotamumbled

snarlasthepersonwoke.

Finallytheyenteredthegateofaninn.Slapblinkedatthefauxtorchesglowingat

eachsideofthearch.Wouldntrealfirebecheaper?Butthenmostofthelightinghed

seenhadntbeennatural.Heshrugged.Cityways.

Theytookaflightofcurvedstairstotheleftofthecourtyard,barelyilluminated

bysconcesdimlyflickeringwithyep,artificiallight.Slapshandranalongtherough

plasteredwalltokeephisbearingsastheyascended.Onceinsideasmallroom,theman

closedthedoorandturnedthelightonlow.HefacedSlap.Nowwecantalk.

Whywerethosementryingtokillyou?

Theywereassassins.Heranahandthroughhishair.Ithink.

Assassins?Whointheworldareyouthatassassinswouldwanttokillyou?

Nevermind.Hewalkedtothebedandgrabbedasmallsatchelfromthefootof

it.Byjumpingintohelpmeyoumighthavemadeyourselfatarget.Hestraightened

andstaredatSlap.Idadviseyoutogetasfarawayfromhereaspossible.Jumpplanet

ifyoucan.

Jumpplanet?BragosBands,Idontevenhavemoneyforaplacetosleep,or

foodhethoughtwithregretoftheliquorlostwhenhisglasshittheoneassassins

facemuchlessenoughmoneytogetaticketoffthisrock.

Themaneyedhimforafewmoments.Icanhelpwiththat.Butrightnow,lets

seeifwecangetsomethingtoeat.Herummagedinthebagandpulledoutasmall

item.Hepocketeditinhisvest,butSlapdidntseewhatitwas.Themanheadedforthe

door.Theresaboardinghousenotfarawaythathasadecentcook.

Whatswrongwiththisone?

ItsknownItookaroomhere.Toodangerous.Letsgo.

Slapwasntgoingtoargueatthementionoffood.

#

Hiscompanionatequietlyandneatly.Slaphadthechancetoreallylookhimover

intheflickerofthetorchlightrealfirethistime.Hishairwasdarkandhisskinnaturally

olivealthoughithadaspacepaletinge.Hewasaverageheight,whichmeantSlapssize



12/34

Page12

dwarfedhim.Hisbarearms,althoughnotbulky,boasteddefinedmuscle.Buthiseyes

wereunforgettable.Theypiercedlikeblackice.

Themanhadchosenatableattheoutsideofthecourtyardandsatwithhisback

tothewall.Althoughheremainedstill,hiseyesdartedhereandthere,alwaysalert.

Slapshoveledfoodinhismouthasfastashecould,wishinghecoulduntangleall

thequestionshehad.Buthehadthefeelingthequietmanacrossfromhimwouldnt

answeranyway.

Heslurpedthehotrichdrinkwhateveritwas.Thanksforthemeal.

BlackVestsonlyreplywastomeethiseyesforamoment.Great.Arealtalkative

type.

Hethoughtaboutleavingtheplanet.Naw.Hewantedtogetfarawayfromhome,

butnotthatfar.AslongashewasawayfromtheMordas,andtheruinsofwhatusedto

behishomestead.Heclosedhiseyesforasecondasimagesofcharredbodiesandthe

smokingshellofhishouseflitteredacrosshismind.Hedrankmoreofthehotbrew,

dashingthememoriesawaywithalargegulp.

Themanstood.Ivepaidyourbillfortheroomtonight.Ithinkyoullbesafe.He

tossedasmallpouchonthetable.Thatwilltakecareofgettingyouawayfromhere

onplanetoroff.Thanksagainforyourhelp.

BlackVeststrodeout.Slappickedupthepouchandopenedittofindmore

moneythanhedeverseen.Well,whaddayaknow.

#

Tristanwanderedintheshadows,listening.Thoughnewtotheplanet,andthis

portcity,heknewthesortsofplacestogotolearnwhatheneeded.Reliefwashedover

himtofindhemerelyhadabountyonhisheadfromtheleaderofalocalunderworld

factioncalledtheMordas.Hesmiled.Hemusthavemadeagoodimpressionwhenhe

hijackedboththeirincomingshipmentanditspayment.

AtleastitwasntDraysassassins.Yet.ButTristansluckandcunningwouldnt

lastforever.

HewoundhiswaythroughthebackwaystoaplaceheknewMordashenchmen

gatheredtodrinkandbrag.Thebarhadanoldstyleductedheating/coolingsystem.It

evenhadanoutsideentrancetothesublevel.Ancientarchitecturewasso

accommodating.Hewassooninsideandlisteningatoneofthevents.

Thedrunkmenventedtheirangerloudlybothattheirlossandthattheirboss

blamedthemforit.Theywerehelplessandknewit.Tristanallowedhimselfasilent

chuckle.Thesepettycrookswerenoworry.Hestartedtorisewhenheheardadoor

slamandsomeoneyell,Getup,youlazybums!Weknowwherehispartneris.Old

boardinghouseneartheshipyardgates.



13/34

Page13

Tristangroundhisteeth.Complicationsirritatedhim.Granted,heowedthathick

forsteppingin,butwhydidnthemindhisownbusinessinthefirstplace?Nowhe

owedthatlocalhislife.AndTristanalwayspaidhisdebts.Hehadtogetbackbefore

thosemengotthere.

#

Slapyawnedandstretched.Thebedwascomfortableand,surprisingly,clean.

Thatoffworlderhadgoodtaste,thatwascertain.Butwashecrazy?Assassins,danger,

havingtoleaveleavetheplanet?Yeah,OlBlackVestwasgagaallright.

Herolledupunderthecoversandtriedtosleep.Thecreaksandgroansoftheold

buildingkeptmakinghimjumpawake.Thiswasridiculous.Herosewithagrumbleand

snatchedinthedarkforhisclothes.Whatheneededwasafewstiffdrinkstohelphim

relax.Hedressed,slidthesheathforhisoldfashionedsteelknifeintothebackofhis

vest,anddonnedhishat.

Halfwaytothedoor,itslammedopenandthreemenentered.Slapcouldsee

theiroutlinesinthedimlightofthehallwaybutknewtheycouldntseehim.Hedrew

hisknifeandaimedbythethunkandgroan,heknewhehithistarget.Withagrowl,he

chargedtheothertwoandknockedthemback.Hepickedoneupbytheneckand

crotchandthrewhimacrosstheroom,thengrabbedtheotherbythethroatand

squeezedbeforetossinghimaswell.

Hefeltalongthefloorwithhisfootuntilhefoundthebodyandretrievedhis

knife.Usingthemansshirt,hewipeditclean,thenstraightened.Hereturnedtheknife

toitssheathwithasigh.BlackVestmighthavebeenright.

Iseeyoudidallrightwithoutmyhelp.

Slapspun,handonhisknife,toseetheslendersilhouetteinhisdoorway.BlackVest.He

relaxed.Iguessso.Theseyourfriendsagain?

Thelocalgangdomdoesntseemtolikeme.Oryou,nowthatweareknownto

beacquaintances.

TheMordas?

Yes.

Slapscowled.Idontlikethemeither.ButIcantakecareofmyself.

SoIsee.ButIthinkyouremistakeninyourassessment.Yourevastly

outnumbered.Yourbestbetistoleavewithme.Myshipisdockedonthesoutheast

sideoftheport.Wecanbethereandoffthisplanetbeforedawn.

Andthenwhat?Idontwanttogoanywhereelse.Thislousyrockismyhome.

Homehomewasashes,deadanddesolate.Nolaughter,nolife.Maybeanotherplanet

wouldbeafreshstart.

Butwhatdidheknowaboutthisman?Hehadassassinsafterhim,andthe

Mordas.Hehadmoney.Andaship.ButhedcomebacktohelpwhenhethoughtSlap



14/34

Page14

wasindanger.Thatwasenough.Slapgrabbedhispackfromthefloorbythebed.He

tookadeepbreathandgaveanonchalantshrug.Butwhosaysfolkscantleavehome

foranadventureortwo?Letsgo.

#

Thisway,thelocalsaidwhentheygottothebottomofthestairs.Tristan

followedhim,thenstoppedinthedoorwayandhissed,Thekitchen?

Mybreakfastispaidforandfightingmakesmehungry.

Tristansighedandleanedagainstthewallwhilethehickgulpeddownfood.

Youngthisonewas,barelyaman.HewasverytallafullheadhigherthanTristanand

muscular,broadshouldered,butlean.Physicallaborer,definitely.Probablyafarmhand

fromhisoldstyledenimpantsandthefelt,opencrowncowboyhat.Hecertainlycould

throwbodiesaround.WhatplanetcouldTristansafelyleavehimon?

Areyoudoneyet?Tristanaskedashisunwantedcompanionwipedtheplate

withapieceofbread.TheMordascouldsendmoremen.

Mouthfull,themanstood,nodding.Ready,hemumbled.

Resistingtheurgetorollhiseyes,Tristanheadedforthebackdoor.

Hey,wait.

Tristanpivotedbackaround.Whatnow?

Whatsyourname?

Hepeeredatthetallmanintheglowfromthenichelights.Itcouldnthurtto

sharethealiasheusednow.Tristan.

Themannodded,andstood,asifwaitingforsomething.Tristanturnedtoleave

andfeltatouchonhisshoulder.FolkscallmeSlap.

Tristanstoppedandtwistedtolookupintohisface.Slap?Thatsit?

Slapshrugged.ItsallIneed.

Tristansighedandcontinuedtowardthebackdoor.Itcouldbeworse.Hisname

couldbeLennie.

#

Slapfollowedquietly.Hedidnttrytotalk,whichrelievedTristan.Theywound

throughthestreetstowardthespaceport,pastopenairmarkets,butthevendorswere

closedandbeggarssleptinthestreet.

Whichoneisyours?Slapaskedastheynearedthegateforprivateships.

Tristanpointedthroughthefencetoasmallcraftatthefarsideofthedockyard.

BeyondtheFalchion,betweenthetwoyachts.Notthebesthedeverowned,butit

wasagoodship.

Slapwhistledthroughhisteeth.Cutlasclass?Sweet.



15/34

Page15

Tristannodded,butbeforehecouldsayanythingaflashmadehimclosehiseyes.

Anexplosionthunderedinhisears.Abodyknockedhimtotheground,andhegasped

forbreath.Moreexplosionsshatteredtheair.

Getoffme,youlug!TristanshovedatSlapwhorolledoverandsatup.

Justtryingtoprotectyou.

Idontneedit.Tristanbrushedthedustoffhisclothesandrose.

BragosBands,Slapsaidinahush.

TristanlookedthroughthefencetowhereSlapgapedandbitbackagroan.He

staredattheflamingwreckagethathadbeenhisship.Allthesupplieshedstolenfrom

theMordas,andhiswayoffthisplanetgone.Youknow,Tristanrubbedhis

foreheadsinceIfirstlaideyesonyou,itsbeenonethingoranother.

Slapsnorted.IfIhadntwantedtostopandeat,wedabeenaboardher.He

turned,hiseyesnarrowed.TheMordasreallymustwantyoubad.

Tristan

gave

him

a

grim

smile.

Not

as

badly

as

I

want

them,

now.

#

Sowhatareyougoingtodo?Slapaskedastheyhurriedawayfromthegate.

Nevermind.Justfollowme.

Slaphunchedhispackhigherontohisshoulder.Youknow,thatsgetting

irritating.

Whatis?

YoutreatingmelikeImakidanddontknownothing.Iminthiswithyou,likeit

ornot.Whycantyoutellmewhatsgoingon?

Tristanstoppedandstaredwiththosepenetratingblackeyes.Slapglaredback,

notwillingtoletthismangetthebestofhim.

FinallyTristanturnedandcontinuedwalking,sayingoverhisshoulder,Whenwe

getthere.Iwanttomovefast,andtalkingwouldslowusdown.

Slapmadesurehisansweringsighwasloud.

Theyleftthespaceportandwovethroughthestreets.Thewaygrewdirtierif

onewentbythereekofsewage,andthebuildings,fromwhathecouldtellinthefaint

lightofthenearlyfullmoon,older.

Finallytheyarrivedattheedgeofapropertythatcontainedtheburnedout

remainsofafactory.Severaloutbuildingremainedonthelot.Theycreptcloserand

hunkeredbehindapileofcharredtimber.

Whatsyourplan?Slapwhispered,squintingoverathisnewfriend.

SinceIstolethatoneshipment,theyvegottenparanoidandmovedtheir

suppliesouthere.Tristannoddedtowardastructureontheirfarleftashepulledon



16/34

Page16

glovesandflexedthefingers.Imgoingtotakecareoftherestoftheirinventory.That

shouldhamstringthemlongenoughtosuitme.

Sowhatarethesesuppliesthataresoallfiredimportant?

Munitions.

Munitions?Slapscratchedhischin.TheMordasarethugs,Iknow,butwhat

wouldtheyneedtostockpilemunitionsfor?

Theyhavebuyersoffworld.Oneofthemisanastygroupofmercenaries.Makes

theMordasseemlikepeacemakers.

Slapfrowned.Sowhatareyou,somesortofspacecop?

TristanstaredatSlapforamomentwithalookofastonishmentandgaveasilent

chuckle.No.Ijustdontlikethebuyers.Tristanroseslightlyandpeeredoverthetop

ofthelumber.Keeponthelookout.Imgoingtosneakpasttheguards.

Slapliftedhiseyebrowsattheboldbutinsaneplan.Thateasy?Whatdoyou

have,

some

invisibility

screen?

DontIwish.Tristanseyescrinkledinaslightsmile.Ihavetouseamoreold

fashionedmethod.Stealth.

Slapwatchedinaweashisnewbuddyfadedintothenight,hisdarkclothesand

hairmakinghimalmostunseen.Heheldhisbreathandchewedaraggednailwhile

waiting.

#

Thefewguardswereeasytoslippast.Thepropertyhadenoughpilesofrubbish

tocovermuchofTristansmovement.Ifonlythatdrattedmoonwouldgobehind

clouds.Heglancedup.Clearskyscatteredwithstars.Notevenawispofhaze.Hecrept

aroundtowardthebackofthetargetedoutbuilding.Brokenwindowsbadlyboardedup,

thegratehangingbyonehingeoffanexhaustventtheymightbetrapsinsteadofeasy

entrances,butTristanwasntgoingin.

Heliftedthevesttorevealtheretooledammobeltaroundhiswaistandsetthe

timersforallthedetonators.Fifteenminutesshouldbeenough.Hecreptclosetothe

wall.Onethroughacrackbetweentwoboardsatonewindow,anothershovedpasta

brokenpaneofglassonTristanwent,crouchingandrunningfromplacetoplace,

insertinghislittledevices.

Threetogo.

Ascrapeabootongravel.Tristanfroze.

Dontmove,avoicefrombehindsaid.

TheironythatTristanhadalreadystoppedanymotionfadedintoachagrined

grindingofteeththatsomuchkeptgoingwrong.Wasitbadluck?Thisplanet?That

yokel?



17/34

Page17

FireboltedthroughTristansbodypainrippedthroughconvulsingmuscles.He

droppedtotheground,unabletoevenscream.Thenallwentblack.

#

Hisbodythuddedonahardfloor.Trembling.Nausea.Tristanopenedhiseyes.At

thesightofSlapsfaceheclosedthemandshuddered.Anightmare.

Afootproddedhisside.

Isheawake?askedagravellyvoice.

Thedetonators!Tristanseyesflewopen.Howlonghadhebeenunconscious?

Yeah,asecondvoicesaid.

Gethimup.Theotheronetoo.Searchthemforweaponsandgetsomethingto

tiethemupwith.Youothers,shootthemiftheytryanything.

HandshauledTristantohisfeet,andhesawtheywereinsideadimlylitbuilding.

Fromthesize,probablytheoneswherethemunitionswerestored.Great.Morebad

luck.

Slapstood,facepale,eyesunfocused.Tristanglanceddownandsawthebeltstill

aroundhiswaist.Notmuchtimehadpassed,ornoonewouldbehere.Whatnow?

Handspawedhim,removinghishiddenstimbladeandtheammobelt.

Slapscowledashewassearched,andhissteelknifetakenaway.Heshookhis

headasiftoclearit.

Well,ifitisntouroldfriend,thehomesteader.So,cowboy,wemeetagain.

Slapsheadjerkedup,andhespuntofaceapale,slightlyoverweightman.

Lyssel!Youmurderinglizard!Illkillyou!IswearIllkillyou!

Twomengrabbedhisarmsbutbarelyheldhimback.Theonesholdingweapons

onhimjabbedtheair,yellingforhimtobestillashelungedtowardtheirboss.

Tristantookinthesneeringmanssheenedtrousersandmatchingjacketno

standardpackvest,theusualgarbonthiswarmclimedplanet.HewatchedSlapwith

interest,yetpartofhisbraintriedfranticallytofigureoutthetime.

Now,now,myoafishfriend.Lysselpulledaslenderfilefrominsidehisjacket.

HepointeditatSlapthenbegantocleanunderhisnails.Youcantblamemethatyou

lostyourranchandfamily.Iofferedyouachancetoleavepeaceablyandyouchoseto

stay.

Itwasmyhome!Slapyelled,tearsstreamingdownhischeeks.Youburnedit

down.Youmademewatchthemdie,youmurdering

OnelackeypunchedSlapinthestomachwiththebuttofhisweapon,makinghim

doubleover.AngerboiledupinTristan.ThesemenhadtakeneverythingfromSlap.His

ownlosseswerenothingincomparison.Ifonlyhehadachancetobreakfree



18/34

Page18

AlowgrowlgrewintoaroarandSlapstraightened,fistssmashingouttothe

sides.Themenholdinghisarmshittheground.Heswungaroundandknockedone

guarddownTristandidntwaittoseemore.Hesmashedthekneecapofthemanto

hisrightwithhisheel.Hisleftarmsnakedaroundhiscaptors,andhetwistedtobring

theelbowoverhisshoulder.Heyankeddownwardandthemanscreamed.

Tristandroppedtoasquatasabodyflewoverhead,thenjumpedintotheairandshotafootouttocatchaguardaimingatSlap.Themantumbled,andTristanscooped

upthegun.Hefiredquickly,takingouttherestofthemen.

HisweaponandSlapslayonthefloornearanunconsciousman.Hesheathedhisstim

bladeandgrabbedthesteelknife,thentooktheammobeltandslungitbacktoward

stacksofboxesfurtherinside.

Lyssellayonthefloor,trappedunderabody,moaninginpain.

Slapstood,silentandshaking,facewet,gazingabouthimasiflost.Tristanhadtoget

themaway.Iftheydidntleavenow,theydbeinorbitwithoutaship.Hecalledthetall

cowboysname.

Slapturned,andTristanpointedatthedoor.Getout!Hurry!

Hisfriendgrabbedhispackfromthegroundandjoinedhimrunningfortheexit.

Dontstop,Tristancalled.

Theyracedacrosstheproperty,onlyabletodistinguishoutlinesbecauseofthe

moon.Tristanexpectedguardsortheblasttoknockthemdown,butnothinghappened.

HadLysselcalledallhismeninsidewhenhecaughtthetrespassers,ordidthedark

covertheirescape?Aroversatnearagate;Tristanveeredtowarditandjumped

aboard.SlapdoveinsideasTristanpressedtheignition.

Theexplosionrockedtheroverasitrose,lightingupthesky.Tristangrippedthe

controlsandfoughttostabilizethecraft.Hislipsthinnedandhisknucklesturnedwhite.

Thevehiclerespondedandhesighedwithrelief.Aglanceatthenavigationconsole

almostmadehimchuckle.HelookedoverhisshouldertoseeSlapwipinghisfaceonhis

sleeve.Heheldoutthesteelknife,hiltfirst.Slaptookitwithanod.

Ifoundourwayofftheplanet.Tristanpointedattheconsole.Thishasanauto

directtoaprivatepadatthespaceport.Idontthinkwellhavemuchtroubleacquiring

Lysselsyacht.Whatdoyouthink?

Slapgaveashakysighandaslightsmile.



19/34

Page19

L. S. King

AsciencefictionfansincechildhoodreadingHeinlein,Asimov,Clarke,Dick,Bradley,

Pohl,Vonnegut,AnthonyandmanyothersL.S.Kinghasbeenwritingstoriessinceher

youth.Now,withallbutoneofherchildrengrown,sheiswritingfulltime.Forthelast

fouryears,shehasworkedondevelopingaswordandplanetseriestentativelycalled

TheAncients.Thefirstbookisfinished,andshehascompletedaroughdraftofseveral

morenovelsaswell.

SheservesontheeditorialstaffofTheSwordReview,isalsotheirColumnsEditor,and

writesacolumnforthatmagazineentitledWriter'sCrampsaswell.Sheisalsooneof

theOverlords,afoundingeditor,hereatRayGunRevival.

Shebeganmartialartstrainingoverthirtyyearsago,andownedakarateschoolfora

decade.AmotherandgrandmotherwholivesinDelawarewithherhusband,Steve,and

theiryoungestchild,shealsoenjoysgardening,soapmaking,andreading.Shehas

homeschooledherchildrenforoverfifteenyears,andmaintainstwohomeschooling

websites.ShealsolikesLooneyTunes,thecolorpurple,andisaZorroaficionado,which

mightexplainherloveofswordsandcloaks.



20/34

Page20

Featured Artist - Sidharth ChaturvediName:SidharthChaturvedi

Age:20

Residence:Miamiformostoftheyear,NewJerseyduringholidays

Hobbies:Drawing,Writing,Reading,Swimming,

whateverstrikesthemood.

FavoriteBook/Author:Nowthere'salist.Tops

wouldbeJonathanStrange&Mr.Norrellby

SusannaClarke,DunebyFrankHerbert,and

TheSandmanbyNeilGaiman.

FavoriteArtist:Icouldn'ttellyouwhomyfavorite

worldrenownedartistis toomanyofthose.In

comics,IparticularlylikeJohnCassaday's

pencils.Alsoseensomemindblowingworkby

peopleonDeviantArt,mostofallbyArmin

Mersmann.

Startedcreatingart:WhenIwastwoyearsoldmaybe,butIonlygotserious

aboutitandstartedtakingclasseslateinhighschool.Otherwiseit'sjust

beenconstantpractice.Nothingbetterthandoodlingeverysecond.



21/34

Page21

Mediayouworkin:Mainlypencils,butalotof

digitalaswell.

Whereyourworkhasbeenfeatured:

http://chagan.deviantart.com/

Wheresomeonecanbuyyourworkorcontact

youprofessionally:

[email protected].

Howdidyoubecomeanartist?:I'veactually

beenonthepremedicinetrackforaslongasI

canrecall.Artwasonlyahobbyuntilmy

sophomoreyearatcollege.GuessIfigureditstheonethingItrulyenjoydoing,Ikindof

lostinterestinbeingadoctorasafreshmanwithoutrealizingit.

Whatareyourinfluences?:Artistically?Anythingthatblowsmeaway.It's

neveraquestionofmysayingIcouldneverdothat,Ijustkeepworking

sothatonedayIcandoitbetter.

Whatinspiredthepieceonthecover?:I'doriginallydoneitforaCGNetworkscontest

entryasascenefromastoryIwaswritingatthe

time.

Whatdoyoudreamofaccomplishingwithyourart

duringyourlifetime?:

Becomingagreatcomicbookartist.Probablynot

possibletobecomeadeptinallkindsoftraditional

art,butI'ddefinitelyliketotouchonasmanyof

themaspossible.

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


22/34

Page22

Ray Gun Revival Serial: Jasper SquadEpisode1:Exile!

ByPaulChristianGlenn

Spillwipedthecoldblackcondensationfromhisvisorandsquintedintothe

darkness.Itwasimpossibletoseemorethanafewpacesinfrontofhim,andhe

expressedhisfrustrationwithaseethingsigh.

Melendez'voicecrackledinhisrightear.Iheardthat,sir.

Mineswereabadidea,hegrowled.Can'tseeathingdownhere.

Wedidn'tchoosethelocation,Captain.Thebadguysdid.

Spillgruntedandshuffledforward.Thirtyyearssincethemineshadbeen

abandoned,andtheairwasstillthickwithblackquordust.Perfectkindofratholefor

theverminhewaschasing.

Theradiocrackledtolifeagain.Youshouldbecominguponacrossline,said

Melendez.Takealeft,thengoallthewaytotheend.Andbecareful.Therewasa

collapseonthislineabouttenyearsago.Itwasclearedout,butthesupportsmaybe...

fragile.

Spillreachedoutwithhisleftarmandranhisglovedfingersalongtheroughly

hewnwall.Yougoingtobeabletofindmedownhere,Lieutenant?heasked.

Don'tfret,Captain,shesaid.Iknowthesetunnelsbetterthananyone

breathing.

Yeah,youwould,wouldn'tyou?

Silence.

Spillsmirkedtohimself.Hefiguredthatwouldshutherup.

Thewallvanishedfrombeneathhisfingersandherealizedhe'dreachedthecross

line.Asquietlyaspossible,hesteppedforwardandpeeredaroundthecorner.Atthe

endofthetunnel,nomorethanfiftypacesahead,asmalllanterndangledfromahook

intheceiling.Quordustfoggedthefluorescentbluelightemanatingfromtheorb,but

thereintheeerieglowstoodthreedistinctsilhouettes.Theywerehulkingfigures,

wrappedfromheadtotoeinprotectiveairsuits,andtheirhelmetsborethefamiliar

blackroseinsigniaoftheHissencrimefamily.

Lieutenant,whisperedSpill,Standready.I'mgoingin.

Roger.

Spillfingeredtheshooteronhisbelt.Itmadehimnervous.Hisownpiececouldn't

beclippedtotheselousyairsuits,sohewasmakingduewithastandardPatrolForce

shooter.Itwasapowerfulweapon,butclunkyforanexperiencedmarksman.Hemuch

preferredthefinesseofhisoldEMBlaster.



23/34

Page23

Ashepassedbeneaththetunnel'smakeshiftsupportbeams,thethreefigures

noticedhimapproaching.Theyturnedtofacehimbutdidn'traiseahandingreeting.

Theydon'ttrustmeanymorethanItrustthem,thoughtSpill.

Hesteppedintothecircleoflight,andthemaninthemiddleofthetriumvirate

heldupthreefingers.Spillreachedforthewristpadonhisairsuit,tappedthenumber

threeandheardaclickinhisleftearashelockedintotheircomchannel.

AsecondlaterheheardMelendez'voiceinhisotherear.Gotit.Recording...

now.

Themanwhohadsignaledsteppedforward.Where'stheshock?heasked,

dispensingwithformality.

Stashedinacrosslineaboutahundredpacesback,repliedSpill.Threecrates.I

canleadyoutoitaslongyou'vegotmymoney.

Oneoftheothermentookastepforwardandspokeinaquiet,deliberatevoice.

Itain'tyourmoneyuntilweseethegoodies,MisterBoulder.Youknowhowitworks.

Hetiltedhisheadback,allowingthepalebluelighttoilluminatehisuglyfacebehindthe

visor.Hewassmiling.

Spill'sstomachtwisted.Heknewthisman.Moretothepoint,thismanknewhim.

Withoutbreakingeyecontact,hereplied,Justwanttomakesurewe'reagreedonthe

amount.Keepthingsequitable.Hestressedthelastword,andinstantlyheard

Melendez'voiceinhisear.

Rogerthat,shesaid.Onourway.

TheuglymantookanothersteptowardSpill.Equitable,heechoed.Nowthat's

kindofanunusualword,ain'tit?Equitable?

Spillstoodhisgroundandsaid,You'regettingalittlecloserthanIgenerallylike.

Theringleadersteppedforward,hishandrisingtowardtheshooteronhisbelt.

Stamp,what'sgoingon?heasked.

TheuglymancalledStampdidn'ttakehiseyesoffSpill.Ihaveafeelingthis

tunnel'sabouttogetalittlemorecrowded,hesaid.ButifIknowourbuddy'Mister

Boulder,'Ithinkwecanwork

AbrilliantredlaserblasteruptedfromSpill'sshooterandhitStampsquarelyin

thechest,knockinghimbackwardintothedarkness.Theothertwogangsters

immediatelydrewtheirweaponsandfiredwildly,butSpillhadalreadyrolledoutofthe

lightandtakenpositionbehindaslightjutinthetunnelwall.Hejumpeduptooneknee

andtrainedhisshooterontheringleader.Hefired,butthekickknockedhisshotwide

andhistargetjumpedclear.Thetworemaininggangstersdroppedtothegroundand

beganfiringinSpillsgeneraldirection.Inthedarknessofthetunnel,heknewthey

couldn'tseehim,buthefelttheheatofthedeadlyboltsastheyflashedoverhead.

Melendez'voicecrackledfromhisearpiece.Situation?



24/34

Page24

Spillignoredherandinsteadfocusedonfindinganewhidingplace.Hefiredtwice

atthegangsterstogiveawayhiscurrentposition,thenleaptbackwards.Thegangsters

firedathisabandonedpositionandSpillusedthosesecondstoscrambletotheopposite

sideofthetunnel.

Captain!shoutedMelendez.What'shappening?

It'saparty,hebarkedback.Tellthecadetstoholdpositionatthecross

section.YouandIcanhandlethis.

Ashooterblastexplodedoverhisshoulderandkickedupdirtinchesinfrontof

thetwogangsters.

Toolate,saidMelendez.We'realreadyhere.

SpilltwistedaroundtofindMelendezstandingonlyafewfeetbehindhim.The

twocadetsflankedeithersideofher,theirshootersdrawn.

Youtwo,fallback,saidSpill.KeepyoureyesopenandforGod'ssake,don't

shootunlessItellyou.Thecadetsreactedimmediately,droppingbackfurtherintothe

tunnel.

Thetworemaininggangstershadtakentotheirfeetandwerewarilyadvancing.

SpillmotionedtoMelendezandsheranfortheoppositesideofthetunnel.Ifthebad

guyswerefoolishenoughtostartfiringagain,they'dfindthemselvescaughtina

crossfire.

Melendeztookpositionandaddressedthecriminalsfromthedarkness.Youare

herebydetainedbytheauthorityoftheGalacticPatrolForce.Abdicateyourweapons

andstanddown.

Spillaimedhisshooterattheapproachingringleaderandwaited.

Abdicateyourweapons,repeatedMelendez.

ThegangsterssuddenlyboltedpastSpillandMelendezandrushedheadlonginto

thedarkness,hopingtomakeanescape.Theywereheadingstraighttowardthecadets.

Rey!Jackaby!shoutedSpill.Takecover!

Toolate.FiveburstsoflightflashedthroughthemurkydarknessandRey'svoice

echoedoverthecomchannel,Jackaby'sdown!

SpillandMelendezchargedtowardthefray.Rey,saidSpill,Givemeaflare.

Now!

Secondslaterahazylightilluminatedthetunnel.Thedustwasthick,butthe

silhouetteswereclearenough.SpillandMelendezsimultaneouslyopenedfireandthe

twomenacingfigurescrumpledtotheground.

Theflareslowlyfaded,andSpillturnedtoseeMelendezcrouchedinthelantern

lightbehindhim.Captain,shesaid,Thisoneisstillbreathing.

I'llhandleit,hereplied.GoseetoJackaby.



25/34

Page25

Melendeznoddedanddisappearedintothedarkness.Spillwalkedslowlybackto

thelanternlight,kneltdownandregardedthewoundedman.TannenStamp,hesaid.

Whatareyoudoingsofarfromhome?

Stamphadbeenwearingamercvest,sothechestwoundwassuperficial.Of

greaterconcernwastheraggedholeinhisairsuit.Stampwasdoinghisbesttoclutch

thefabrictogether,buttoomuchofthematerialhadburnedaway,andthepoisonoussubterraneanatmospherewasslowlychokinghim.Gaspingandretching,heglaredat

Spill.

We'lljustwaithereamoment,saidSpill.Letnaturerunitscourse.

Adeepgroanechoedfromtheearthabovethem.Spilllookedupintimetoseea

largechunkofchalkyblackquorplummetfromtheceilingandsmashintojaggedshards

onthetunnelfloor.

Youknow,onsecondthought,saidSpill,Idon'tfeellikewaiting.Sleeptight,

Stamp.

Melendezmaterializedoutofthedarkness.Thecadetsareontheirwaybackto

theJasper,shesaid.I'llhelpyoucarrythisman.Shesquattedtogetherarmsunder

Stamp'slegs.

Leavehim,saidSpill.He'snotgoingtomakeit.

Melendezlookedupandfixedhereyesonhis.Withallduerespect,Captain,that

wouldbeaviolation

LieutenantinterruptedSpill.Theearthgroanedagainandthesupportbeams

madeominouscreakingnoises.

Welivebyandforthelaw,sir,saidMelendez,quotingtheOfficer'sOath.

Whereareyou?askedReyoverthecom.What'sgoingon?

SpillstaredatMelendez,butshedidn'tflinch.Heshouldhaveknown.We'reon

ourwayup,hesaid.

Withadisgustedgrunt,heswitchedonhisheadlamp.Melendezdidthesame,

andtogethertheyliftedStamp'sbodyandstumbledoutofthelanternlight,intothe

darknessofthetunnel.Inthebeamsoftheirheadlamps,hundredsoftinyquorchunks

droppedfromtheceiling.Amonstroussnapechoedthroughthetunnelandthecentral

supportbeamcrasheddownintosplintersbehindthem.Inquicksuccessionthe

supplementarybeamsgaveway,andcrushingbouldersraineddownaroundthem.

Faster!shoutedSpill.Melendezwasstrainingagainstthemassiveweightof

Stamp'sbody,andSpillrealizedtheywouldntmakethecrosssectionbeforethetunnel

collapsed.Inaquickmotionhespunaround,grabbedStamp'sfeetfromMelendezand

swungthedyingman'sbodyupoverhisshoulders.Go!hesaid.

Melendezranforward,dodgingcertaindeathwitheverystep.Shereachedthe

crosssectionandturnedintothemorestabletunnel.AninstantlaterSpillappeared,



26/34

Page26

Stampslifelesshulkdanglingaroundhisneck.Heshotheralookofexasperationasthe

tunnelbehindhimcollapsedwithdeafeningthunder.

Let'sgetbacktotheJasper,hesaid.

#

TheGPSJasperwasasmall,fast,stateoftheartpatrolshipthathadjustcome

outofprototypeandintoactiveuse.Thedesignwasbasedontheantiquateddouble

cookiemodels,socalledbecauseoftheirsimple,circulartwoleveldesign.Thebottom

cookiehousedtheship'sengines,whiletheuppercookiehousedbunks,holdingcells

andaconferencetableallinanopenareanomorethanfiftypacesacross.

Spill'sfavoriteinnovationintheJasperwasthecockpit.Intheoriginalcookies,a

helmwasbuiltintoonesideoftheupperdeck,makingthatthefrontendoftheship.

TheJasper'scockpitwasbuiltonahydraulicrailsystem,whichcircledtheexteriorofthe

uppercookie,allowingthepilotcompletefreedomtoslidebackandfortharoundthe

perimeter

of

the

ship.

The

freedom

to

pilot

from

any

vantage

point,

coupled

with

the

thrustersuniqueabilitytoinstantlyshiftinanydirection,madetheJasperoneofthe

mostmaneuverableshipsinthegalaxy.

ThankstohismanyyearsofserviceontheForce,CaptainSpillwasthefirstsquad

leaderentrustedwiththisflashynewmodel.Mostofficerswithtwentyfiveyearsof

patrolundertheirbeltwerepunchingperpcodesbehindadesksomewhere,butSpill

preferredactiveassignment.

SpillandMelendezemergedfromthemouthofthemineshaftandontotherocky

desertplain.Thesunwassetting,andthewickednocturnalsandstormsforwhich

Candlevarwasinfamouswerebeginningtostir.Smallwhirlwindsofsharpsandwhipped

aroundthem,pepperingtheirairsuitsintinytorrents.TheJasperhoveredthirtypaces

away,itstubularboardingliftloweredandwaiting.

Jackaby,prepfortakeoff,saidMelendez.We'llbeupinlessthanaminute.

SpillheavedStamp'slimpbodyfurtheruponhisshoulders,andtheyranforit.

Withinsecondstheywereundertheship.TheyreachedtheliftandMelendezpunched

intheboardingcode.Thedoorhissedup,andtheytumbledinside.Spillcarelessly

tossedStamp'sbodytothefloorwhereitlandedwithadullthump,andhesmackedthe

'ascend'buttonwiththebuttofhispalm.Thedoorhisseddown,thepressurization

locksclicked,andmanufacturedairfilledthecompartment.Secondslaterthetube

recededintothebottomoftheship.

Insidethelift,MelendeztwistedherhelmetoffandkneltoverStamp'sbody.

He'sgoingtoneedoxygenandacoupleofjabs,shesaid.Spillsaidnothing.

Theliftslowedtoahaltandthedooropened.Spillsteppedoutintotheboarding

chamber,whichwassimplyasmallroomwithtwoexits.Onewasasolidmetaldoor



27/34

Page27

thatledintotheenginebay,theotherwasacircularstaircaseleadinguptothedeck.

Thewallswerelinedwithhooksonwhichtohangtheairsuitsandhelmets.

SpillandMelendezquicklyunzippedtheirsuitsandtossedthemaside.They

grabbedStamp'sbodyandclimbedthestaircasetogether,swingingthegangster

betweenthemlikeatwohundredpoundham.Astheyemergedontothedeck,Rey

rushedovertoassistthem.

Jasper'sreadytogo,Captain,shesaid.Lookingdownthestairwellintothe

receivingstation,shebegantoask,Theothertwosuspects...

Theyreceivedaproperburial,saidSpill.How'sJackaby?

I'mallright,calledJackaby,steppingoutofthecockpit.TheblastfriedmyO2

processorandIfelldowndizzybeforeIrealizedwhathappened.OnceIswitchedonmy

auxiliaryunit,Iwasfine.

Iswitchedonyourauxiliaryunit,correctedRey.

Ineithercase,youmadeoutbetterthanthisguy,saidMelendez.Jackaby,get

themedkit.Rey,helpmegethimtoabunk.

Spillwalkedtowardthecockpit.I'mgoingtogetusoffthisrock,hesaid.Iwant

thatscumballsecuredinaholdingcell.Donotrevivehimuntilhe'slockeddown,

understand?

Yes,sir.

Spillduckedthroughasmallaccessportinthewallandsteppedintothecockpit.

Throughtheglass,thelandscapeofCandlevarspreadoutinfrontofhim.Thesunwas

justdisappearingoverthehorizon,andsandandrockassaultedtheshipsshinynew

hull.Couldn'tgetoutofheresoonenough.

Heclosedtheaccessportbehindhimandploppeddownintothepilot'sseat.He

setthenavcoordinatesforGalacticPatrolForceHeadquartersandpressedthe

intercom.Braceyourselves,hesaid,andhitthethrusters.

WithathunderousrumbletheJasperblastedstraightupfromthesurfaceand

soaredeffortlesslytowardthestars.Astheshippreparedtobreakatmosphere,Spill

unlockedthecockpitandrelaxedasitslidfree,slowlyatfirst,thenfaster,circlingthe

outsideoftheship.Helookeddownattherecedingplanet,thedistinctmountainsand

valleyssweepingpasthim,blurringintofaintshapes,thenfadingintoformlesspatches

ofbrownandgray.Healwaysfeltasubtlemelancholyashewatchedaworlddisappear

belowhim.Everyplanetinthegalaxywasutterlyunique,adistinctandintricateplace

filledwithlifeandactivity,civilizations,wars,artandhistory.Yet,fromthecockpitof

theJasper,youcouldwatchitalldisappear,swallowedintothevastnessofspace.It

becamejustanotherspeckoflight,indistinguishableamongabillionothers.Inamatter

ofseconds,youcouldwatchthewholeworldbecomemeaningless.



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Page28

Theintercombuzzed.ItwasMelendez.Captain,thedetaineehasbeen

stabilized.He'sawake.

Berightthere,hesaid.Heenteredthereturnsequenceandthecockpitswung

backaroundtoalignitselfwiththeaccessport.Itlockedintoplace,andhewasreaching

fortheportdoorwhenitwassuddenlyopenedfromtheotherside.Melendez'face

appearedintheopening.

MayIhaveaword,sir?sheasked.

Whatisit?

Shejumpeddownintothecockpitandclosedtheportbehindher.Arewegoing

totalkaboutwhathappenedbackthere?sheasked.

Spillsighed.Notnow,Lieutenant.

Hesteppedtowardtheaccessport,butMelendezmovedtoblockhisway.

Captain,shesaid,youweregoingtoleavethatmanbehind.

A

criminal.

Yes,andapossiblewitness.Howlonghasitbeensincewe'vehadanythingsolid

onaHissen?

Hewon'ttalk,saidSpill.Theyneverdo.

Fine,shesaid.Forgetaboutthat.Hewasunarmed.Helpless.Chokingtodeath.

Howcouldyoujustlethimdie?

Whatareyou,acop?

Yes,sir,andsoareyou. Shelookedawayforamoment,thencontinuedmore

respectfully.Thosetwocadetsarewatchingus.They'reheretolearnwhatForcelife

lookslikeoutsidetheAcademywalls.Wehavearesponsibility

Areyou,ofallpeople,lecturingmeaboutthelaw?Spillsteppedforwardand

juttedhischinintoherface. Itwasn'taquestion,itwasachallenge,andhewantedto

makesureshegotthepoint.

Melendez'gazeturnedtosteel.No,sir.

Takethecontrols,then,hesaid.Navcoordisset.

Withthat,hepushedpasther,openedtheaccessport,andsteppedupontothe

deck. JackabyandReyweresittingattheconferencetableenteringreportsintotheir

workpads.Spillrememberedwhatitwaslike,thatlastmonthofAcademy.Hewonderediftheywereasnaiveashehadbeen.

OntheothersideoftheroomsatStamp.Exceptforthepallorofhisskin,you

wouldneverguesshehadbeenincriticalconditionjustmomentsbefore.Sittingonthe

edgeofhisbunk,helookedeverybitathug:muscularframe,unkempthair,features

apparentlyhewnfromstone.HesatontheedgeofhisbunkandstaredatSpillwithdark

eyes.Thesilverbraceletsonhiswristsglowedwithasoftbluelight,indicatingthatthe



29/34

Page29

holdingcellhadbeenactivated.Therewerenovisiblewallsaroundthebunk,butStamp

couldn'tmovemorethantwopacesinanydirection.

SpillsaunteredovertothecellandsatdownonthebunkbesideStamp.

Spill,raspedStamp.Ioughttowringyourworthlessoldneck.

Spillnodded.You'reprobablyright.Fortunatelyforme,you'renotinaposition

todowhatyouought.

Sowhathappensnow?askedStamp.

Spilllookedatthefloorandshrugged.Yougotojail,Tannen.Didntyouever

playcopsandrobbers?

StampsmirkedopenlyandnarrowedhiseyesatSpill.Somethingtellsmeyou

don'twantthemtosendmeup.Couldbebadforyourcareer.

Idon'twantalotofthings,Stamp,saidSpill.Idon'twanttoretire.Idon'twant

toeatanotherGPFoutpostration.AndIcertainlydon'twantyoutobekilledduringa

failed

escape

attempt.

Youdon'tscareme,lawman,saidStamp.ThatLieutenantofyoursisagoody

twoboots.Smokemy'suitandshe'dreportyoubeforethenextdock.

Thinkso?askedSpill.

I'dbetmylifeonit,saidStamp.

Theintercombuzzed,andMelendezaddressedthemfromthecockpit.

ApproachingHeadquarters,shesaid.They'llbelookingforyourAcode,Captain.

SpillstoodandwalkedawayfromStamp'sbunk.Afewpacesout,hestoppedand

turned.AboutthatLieutenantofmine,hesaid,She'sseenthingsthatwouldgiveyou

nightmares,Stamp,andmostofthemwereherownhandiwork,soyoumightwantto

hedgethatbet.

BLAM!

WithahorrifyingroartheJasperrockeduponend.Thecadetswerethrownfrom

theirtable,collidingwiththewallinatangleoflimbsandcurses.Spillfellbackwards

andslidtowardthecenteroftheroom,catchinghimselfatthestairwell.Beforehe

couldscrambletohisfeet,theshipwasthrownagain,thistimewithlouderthunderand

theunmistakableshudderofhulldamage.Spillskiddedonhishandsandkneestoward

thecockpitaccessportandstuckhisheadthroughtheopening.

Melendez,heshouted,whatthehell?

Idon'tknowwho'sfiring,shesaid,butthey'vecertainlygotbrass.We'rejust

outsideofheadquarters.

Spilljumpeddownintothecockpitandsealedtheportal.Let'sseethem,he

said.MelendezreleasedthecockpitandSpillfeltthefamiliarstomachdropasthey

swungloose.HegrabbedthecomanddialedintothesecureGPFchannel.Theboton

theotherendrespondedpromptly.



30/34

Page30

Pleaseenteryourauthorizationcode,saidthebotinitstypicalstaccato.Spill

punchedinhisAcodeanddidn'twastetimeonpleasantries.

GPSJasperrequestingassistance,hesaid.We'vegot

Hisrequestwasinterruptedbyaharshdemandfromtheother.CaptainMuriel

SpillandmembersofthePatrolSquadJasper,youareherebydetainedbytheauthority

oftheGalacticPatrolForce.Itwasn'tthebotthistime,butaliveCommander

broadcastingfromoneofthefourPatrolCruisersthathadjustcomeintoviewofthe

cockpit.

MelendezlockeddownthecockpitandSpillgazedincredulouslyattheheavily

armedcruisers.I'veenteredmyauthorizationcode,hereplied.We'rereturningfrom

assignmenton

Disarmyourweaponsystemandpreparetobeboarded,interruptedthe

unseenCommander.Youwillnotreceivethisinstructionasecondtime.

SpillswitchedoffthecomandlookedatMelendez.Doit,hesaid.Theyd

betterbebringinganengravedapology.

Melendezhitabuttonontheconsoletolowertheboardinglift,thenpowered

downtheweaponsystem.Itwasasymbolicgesture;theJasper'smoderatefirepower

waspracticallyuselessagainstthecruisers.Itstwolightcannonsweredesignedfor

disablingrunawaybugships,notbattlingcruisers.

CadetJackaby'svoicecameovertheintercom.Uh,hestammered,arewe...

okay?

Boardingpodisonitswayover,repliedSpill.Preparetostandatattention.

SpillandMelendezwaitedinsilence,watchingforapodtojettisonfromoneof

thecruisers.Afteramomentofinactivity,Melendezmurmured,What'sgoingon?

Spillwaswonderingthesamething,butwhenheswitchedthecombackonto

inquire,thesignalwouldn'tconnect.Thespeakeremanatedagarbledmixofmodulated

voicesignalsandwhitenoise.Spillcursedandmuttered,Thisisnotimeforasignal

wash.

HeturnedtoaskMelendezforanintegrityanalysis,butshewasstaringintentlyat

thecomspeaker.That'snotawash,shesaid.It'sascramble.Irecognizethe

pattern.

Can'tbeascramble,saidSpill.Howdotheyexpectustosignalcomplianceif

they'vescrambledthe...Thewordsfellfromhislipsandhisinsidesslowlysank.How

longhaditbeensincethecommandtostanddown?Thirtyseconds?Fortyfive?He

switchedthecomtointernal.Rey,Jackaby,hesaidflatly.Strapyourselvesdown.

Captain,you'renotbeganMelendez,butbeforeshecouldfinish,allfour

patrolcruisersfiredtheirmassivemulticannonsstraightattheJasper.



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Blazingblueblastsofdestructiveenergyscreamedtowardthem,butSpillwas

readyatthehelm.Withfocusedprecisionhetwistedtheship'shandlebarsinwardand

theJasperdroppedstraightdown,narrowlyavoidingannihilation.Thecruisersfired

againandbegantoreforminanattackpattern.SpillreversedthedropandtheJasper

shotstraightupintotheairspaceithadoccupiedonlysecondsbefore.Thecruisers

anticipated

the

move,

however,

and

the

shock

of

impact

was

devastating

as

a

solid

bolt

ofbluefireexplodedagainsttheJasper'slightarmor.Inthecockpit,everylightonthe

consoleflashedwildly,thenbegantoblinkout,onebyone.

That'sourmainframe,saidMelendez.Com'sgone.Navcoordisout.

Notmyfirsttimeflyingblind,saidSpill.Hehitthethrustersandspeddirectly

towardthepatrolcruisers,weavingthroughspace,dodgingwhatwasnowafullblown

assault.Intheflashingrainofmissiles,theJasper'struecapabilitiesrevealed

themselves.Thesmallsleekcraftveerednimblyinbetweenthedeadlyblasts,

exhilaratingSpillwithitsfluidresponsiveness.

Hezoomedupbeneaththeforemostcruiserandspedalongthelengthofits

underbelly.Theothercruisersceasedfire,waitingforhimtoemergefromtheother

end,andtheCommandersmusthaverealizedhewasmakingabreakforit.They

invertedtheirthrustersandpreparedtoreversedirection,butSpillwasalreadynearing

thetailendofthecruiserabovehim.Theyweren'tgoingtocatchhim.

TheJasperemergedatfullspeed.Spillreleasedthecockpitandswungaroundto

facethecruisers.HeengagedtheJasper'scannonsandfiredoffafewtokenshotsas

theyspedaway.Thecruisersreturnedfire,butSpillwasalreadyoutofrange.

They'regoingtosendoutpatrolships,saidMelendez.

Itwon'tmatter,saidSpill.Standardpatrollerswon'tcatchus.

Afteramomentofsilence,Melendezasked,Whatnow?

Spilllookedather.Wefigureoutwhat'sgoingon.

#

Thecockpitaccessportslidopenandrevealedchaos.Everythingonthedeckhad

beenthrown,smashedorupset.Theoverheadlightswereflickeringonandoff,andthe

integrityalarmblared.JackabyandReystaggeredtowardSpill,boththeirfacesadorned

withscratchesandlacerations.

Spillreachedforanearbyaccesspanelandsilencedthealarm.

Wereweattacked?demandedJackaby.Spillnoddedashesizeduptheir

wounds.Nothingserious,thankfully.Allheneededwasanegligencechargeontopof...

whateverelsewasgoingon.

Where'sLieutenantMelendez,askedReyfearfully.



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She'sflappingourwings,saidSpill.NavsyswasfriedwhentheGPCsattacked.

We'reonmanual.

Ittookamomentforthemeaningtopenetrate,butwhenitdidthecadetseyes

grewwide.PatrolCruisers?askedReyslowly.Why

Idon'thaveanyanswers,saidSpill,butIdohaveaplan.There'sanoutpostin

CamberSystem,threehoursfromhere.We'llpatchupthereandgetthisstraightened

out.

Beforemorequestionscouldbeasked,theroomwentblack.Foroneterrifying

second,darknessengulfedthedeck,thehumoftheenginesdisappeared,andthe

Jasperwasdriftinginthesilent,uttervoidofspace.Inthespaceofabreath,thelights

flickeredbackon,theenginesthrobbedbackintoaction,andtheyweremovingagain

WemayhavetodockbeforeCamber,saidSpill,mostlytohimself.

Jackabyturnedandbeganpickingupthescatteredcontentsofthecabin.Rey

lookedatCaptainSpillasagirlmightlooktoherfatherforreassurance.Hereturnedher

gazewithanevenstare,andsheunderstood.Herbackstiffenedandshesetherpetite

jaw.WithacurtnodsheturnedandbegantohelpJackabycleanupthemess.

SpillturnedbacktowardthecockpittoseeMelendezstandingbesidehim.He

gapedather.Getbacktothehelm!heshouted.Areyoutryingtogetuskilled?

I'vegotnocontrol,Captain,shesaid.

Spillstoppedandlistened.Thrustersarefiring,hesaid.

We'redefinitelyflying,sir,shesaid.ButI'mnottheonedriving.

SpillspunaroundandlookedatStamp'sbunk.Itwasempty.

Jackaby'smouthworked,buthecouldn'tmakeitsayanything.Reyspokefor

themboth.Wemusthavelostthecontainmentfieldwhenthemainframesputtered.

SpillunlatchedtheEMBlasterfromhiship.Lookforyourweapons,hesaid.He

glancedatthearmscabinetonthefarwallandwasrelievedtoseethelockindicator

stillglowing.Lieutenant,holdthedeck.

Hecrepttothestairwellinthecenteroftheroomandpeereddown.Nothing.He

drewhisblasterandcreptslowlydownthestaircase,searchingthereceivingstation

belowforanymovement.Satisfiedthattheareawasclear,hedescendedtothebottom

andmovedswiftlytotheenginebaydoor.Withhisweaponaimedatthedoor,he

tapped thereleasebuttononthewall.Thedoorhummedforasecond,thenmadea

grindingnoiseastheinternalmechanismstrained.Whenthemechanismgaveup,Spill

openedtheaccesspanelonthewallandpulledthemanualreleaselever.Thelatch

releasedwithaloudclick,butthedoorremainedfirmlyinplace.

Spillstuckhisblasterbackinitsholsterandclimbedbackuptothedeck.

MelendezandthecadetswereseatedattheconferencestaringatJackaby'sworkpad.



33/34

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ThegoodnewsisthatStamphasevidentlyfixedthenavcoord,saidSpill.The

badnewsisthathe'shotwireditandsolderedhimselfintotheenginebay.

Captain,saidMelendez,theglowoftheworkpadsoftlyilluminatingherface.

We'vegotbiggerproblemsthanStamp.

SpillwalkedoverandtooktheworkpadfromJackaby.Thescreendisplayeda

networkbroadcastnotification.AsSpillreadtheheadline,hewasoverwhelmedbythe

sensationthathisentirelifehadjustslippedaway.

WANTED:GalacticPatrolSquadJasper,formurderandfortreasonagainstthe

UnitedGalacticSystems.CaptainMurielJ.Spill,LieutenantJanetL.Melendez,Cadet

JennaC.ReyandCadetCorelF.Jackabyrepresentaphysicalandviolentthreat.Private

citizensarenottoengagethefugitives,butarerequiredtocontacttheirlocalGPF

authorityiftheyacquireanyinformationtothefugitives'locationoractivities.This

noticeisineffectforallsystems.

Spillstaredattheworkpad,readingthenoticeoverandagain.Doesntmakeany

sense,hemuttered.

Itlookstheybroadcastitthismorning,saidJackaby,shortlybeforewelanded

atCandlevar.

Strangethattheydidn'tjustcallusback,saidMelendez.

CaptainSpilltossedtheworkpadaside,walkedtothecockpitaccessportaland

peeredthrough.Outbeyondtheglasshesawaninfinitefieldofstars.Thousandsof

planetsandyetsuddenly,hehadnoplacetogo.

Melendez,hesaid,stillstaringoutatthevastexpanse.Trytogetintothe

coordinatesgridandseeifyoucanfigureoutwhereStamp'stakingus.Whereveritis,we'llneedtobeready.

Paul Christian Glenn

PaulChristianGlennisafeaturefilmauthoranddirector,lyricist,andallaroundfiction

writer,andisabletodofarmorethanhesbeengivencreditforhere.

Hisbioreadslikethis:PaulChristianGlennhasbeenwritingforaslongashecan

remember.Itshouldbenoted,however,thathehasanotoriouslyshortmemory.



34/34

Page34

The Jolly RGRThisisthebackpage,thesternendofthemagazine. Wewillusethisspacetofeature

teasersfornextIssue'sworks. UpnextforRayGunRevivalIssue#2:

Overlord'sLaireditorial FictionshortbyScottM.Sandridge,GalaxyStore

WorkingatGalaxyStoreisnofun,sowhenJanellandWillarrive

toreplacetheirdrivesystems,Gorguthseeshisopportunityfor

freedom.

Fictionserial TheAdventuresoftheSkyPirate,byJohneCook,Episode

#1,

The

Assassin

of

Patience

Bay

CooperFlynn,anorphanonaremoteisland,meetsavisitorwho

ismorethanheappearstobe,andisthrownintoaviolent

encounterwithanothervisitorwhoisexactlywhatheappearsto

be.

FeaturedArtist Fictionserial MemoryWipeChapter1,bySeanT.M.Stiennon:

TheSilverSun

TakedaCrosterwokeupinGreendomeonthecolonyplanetBelar

withnomemoryandnothingonhimexceptapairofpantsand

anImperialcitizenshipcardwithhisnameonit. Exceptionally

strongforhissize,heworksasabouncerintheSilverSunCasino;

however,whenhedefendsaninnocentmanfromtwocorrupt

policemen,hebeginstomanifestunknownsuperhumanabilities

andattractstheattentionofpowerfulforces. Wheredoyourun

whenyoudon'tknowwhoyouareorwho'sinpursuit?

Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 01

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Transcript of Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 01