Lacerant Plainer’s new short story is set in the near future, and with its fast-paced action, dystopian world and warring humans and aliens it ticks all the boxes for a near-perfect first contact tale.Dylan crouched against the wall. He listened carefully for any further sound. His alertness was vindicated by the whoosh of a vehicle passing by, its air cushion blowing out an immense amount of dust and debris.Making himself as small as possible, he froze into a ball, waiting for the vehicle to pass. The sound continued and then there was an explosion, as someone fired at the wall where he had been hiding. He managed to somersault away from the wall as he smelt the ozone an instant before the blast. He crawled away slowly, moving an inch at a time. The commander of the flying vehicle scanned the area again. The psi-scan showed a human in close proximity, but it seemed to be wounded.Lacerant Plainer’s new short story is set in the near future, and with its fast-paced action, dystopian world and warring humans and aliens it ticks all the boxes for a near-perfect first contact tale. But is it? Or is there another point of view to the destruction of Earth, the concept of war and the perspective of aliens? Read this cracking account of the interaction between humans and Xylex, and the implications of greed, short-sightedness, violence and judgments.

The first book of the definitive three-volume collection of short stories by the prolific Isaac Asimov, whose tales have delighted countless fans for over half a century--a must for every science fiction bookshelf. The first book of the definitive three-volume collection of short stories by the prolific Isaac Asimov, whose tales have delighted countless fans for over half a century--a must for every science fiction bookshelf.

This collection of literature attempts to compile many classics that have stood the test of time and offer them at a reduced, affordable price in an attractive volume so that everyone can enjoy them.

Lucky Starr and the Big Sun of Mercury is the fourth novel in the Lucky Starr series, six juvenile science fiction novels by Isaac Asimov that originally appeared under the pseudonym Paul French. The novel was first published by Doubleday & Company in March 1956. Since 1972, reprints have included a foreword by Asimov explaining that advancing knowledge of conditions on Mercury have rendered some of the novel's descriptions of that world inaccurate.

A young man runs away from parents he believes do not love or want him. An elderly couple, whose own son has run away, take him in, but he decides that he must help them find their own son. In his quest he is joined by another man who is trying to sort out his own life. In this story three young men learn much about themselves, life, and what love really means.The story begins when a young man, Adam, runs away from home because he believes his impoverished parents do not love him. He is taken in by an elderly couple whose own son, Robin, has run away to seek his fortune. Adam decides that he must try to locate their lost son and convince him to come home. In his quest, he is joined by another young man, David, who has left his own dysfunctional family. Along the way, Adam and David are given guidance in two magical encounters in forests and from a magic mirror. As the quest continues and is eventually resolved, all involved learn much about themselves, society, and, most of all, the meaning of love.

A selection of short stories by Michael Bryson, showcasing the author's disparate reach and contemporary voice.After reading a newspaper article about his viciously murdered neighbor, Businessman Carter Lowe becomes inexplicably paranoid that something similar could happen to him or his wife, Tracy. After seeing a masked man armed with a knife frequently across town, he comes face to face with his worst nightmare, and it too, is in a mask.

VOLUME #3 IN A STERLING COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM LEGENDARY HARD SCIENCE FICTION MASTER BEN BOVA. Selected stories from Bova's amazing career at the center of science fiction and space advocacy. He is the creator of the New York Times best-selling Grand Tour science fiction series, a six time Hugo award winner, and past president of the National Space Society. Volume #3 of 3 of the very best of Ben Bova, a grandmaster of science fiction storytelling. These stories span the five decades of Bova's incandescent career. Here are tales of star-faring adventure, peril, and drama. Here are journeys into the mind-bending landscapes of virtual worlds and alternate realities. Here you'll also find stories of humanity's astounding future on Earth, on Mars and in the Solar System beyond—stories that always get the science right.  And Bova's gathering of deeply realized, totally human characters are the heroic, brave, tricky, sometimes dastardly engineers, astronauts, corporate magnates, politicians, and scientists who will make these futures possible—and those who often find that the problems of tomorrow are always linked to human values, and human failings, that are as timeless as the stars. About *The Best of Bova Volume III: “Ben Bova is a living legend. . . .The hallmarks of Bova’s fiction . . . are believable human characters and complete rationality. He adheres to the philosophy articulated by John W. Campbell, Jr. . . . that the best science fiction involves not just science and technology, but their impact on people. . . . [I]f you care about the history of science fiction, or if you just want to read some good stories, you’ll be happy with this one.”—Analog* About the award-winning stories and novels of Ben Bova: “Technically accurate and absorbing. . .”—Kirkus “[Bova is] the science fiction author who will have the greatest effect on the world.”—Ray Bradbury “A masterful storyteller”—Vector “Gives a good read while turning your eyes to what might be in the not so distant future, just like Clarke and Asimov used to do so well.”—SFX About Mars, Inc., by Ben Bova.: “. . .perfectly enjoyable as an SF book (could Bova write anything that wasn’t enjoyable?), Mars, Inc. has that torn-from-the-headline vibe that’s obviously intended for a larger audience. . . . the bottom line? Mars, Inc. has inspiration, excitement, thrills, romance, a dash of satire—and is a good, fun read . . . .”—Analog  “The Hugo winner returns to his most popular subject: the quest for Mars.”—Publishers Weekly “. . . escapist fantasy for rocket scientists and space engineers, those dreaming of these kinds of missions. Yet Bova’s story is rigorously realistic. . . . a fun read showing you do not need car chases or shootouts to deliver a fast-paced and exciting story.”—Daily News of Galveston County **

It is time to start the colonizing the solar system. Ex-astronaut, current space advisor, and all-out trouble shooter for the President, Jake Ross, is determined to make it happen. And what better way to return to America's glory than by returning to the moon and setting up a permanent moon-base which can then serve as the launching pad for Mars and beyond. But as usual, political intrigue and conflicting priorities are threatening the whole program. Add to that a President who is about to die, a strong contingent in the legislative body which thinks that money spent on a moon-base is money wasted and the general apathy of the public, and you have an almost impossible task. Even NASA, natural enthusiasts of a project like this, are dragging their feet because they have lost control of the top spot in the project. However, none of those opposing forces have contended with the resolve and the skill of Jake Ross. He will create the base on the moon. He will send humans out to many worlds.

From the second collection of 17 stories in My Other Shorts & Formal Tales. A Sunday country market is livened up by a gate-crashing, old lady. A fiercely independent migrant, Polish WW2 survivor from out of town. She wants to set up to sell a range of memorabilia, home cooking and sweets. Immediately charming the regular stall-holders with stories and skills. She has other skills; unrevealed.A story from the second collection of 17 stories in My Other Shorts & Formal Tales. The Sunday country market stalls are livened up by the gate crashing of an out-of-towner. The aged old lady, a Polish migrant and surviving veteran of WW2, wants to set up her own stall to sell a wide range of Polish memorabilia, bric-a-brac, home cooking and home made sweets. She immediately charms the other regular stall holders with her wonderful cooking, skills and many stories. She has other skills, unrevealed.