The first self-replicating solar panel is the hardest. After that, it's just a race against time. Herein lies the history of our programme and the challenges we now face as an isolated Kardashev Type II civilisation. You will recall that our planet-bound ancestors were not quick to realise the potential of direct solar power. We […]
Continue reading →
It took the single green pixel a total of 185 seconds to travel from India's Mars Rover back to Earth. Along its 220 Gigametre journey it passed through an orbital satellite, then the Phobos concatenator, along the Deep Space Network to the Lunar L4 relay, and then to the geostationary conduit which finally beamed it […]
Continue reading →
From the Web-Log of Doctor Nosetacular! 2032-11-28 There's no such thing as superheroes. That's why I've placed my head in a vice and am expanding my nasal cavities with a surgical drill. All my life I wanted to be special. I grew up on a diet of those glossy superhero movies and spent every birthday […]
Continue reading →
The bomb which ripped Hunter's stomach to shreds was not intended for her. It was wired up to a long-range RFID scanner and strapped inside a plastic recycling bin. The RFID scanner was tuned to the specific frequencies of passport chips and the microcontroller ingested all their data looking for patterns. When each person passed […]
Continue reading →
My parents had been desperate for a baby boy - a strong male to carry on the family name. My parents' neighbours had wanted a boy so they would have someone to support them in their old age. The family across the street wanted a boy in order to have someone take over the family […]
Continue reading →
"The CIA's special weapons trainers fed dolphins LSD, gave them hand-jobs, and told them to blow up Russian ships. Would you volunteer for that mission?" Brad thought for a moment, then piped up. "Would I be the trainer or the dolphin, sir? Because getting high and being jerked off already sounds better than basic training." […]
Continue reading →
It had been a difficult day at the animal rescue centre and I was looking forward to tucking into a delicious cat-burger. You know when you've been on your feet all day and the only thing keeping you going is the thought of a hot meal? That sesame seed bun, a few slices of salad, […]
Continue reading →
Humans often ask if it is possible to fall in love with a robot. But no one ever asks the flowers if it is possible for them to fall in love with a robot bee. Flowers, despite their innocent petals, are sexual predators. They pump out intoxicating smells which entice the male bee. As the […]
Continue reading →
You are reading "Tales of the Algorithm". A compendium of near-future sci-fi stories. Each chapter is a stand-alone adventure set a few days from now. Everything you read is possible - there's no magic, just sufficiently advanced technology. Think of them as technological campfire horror stories. Lena The Tattoo'd Lady I spend my life with […]
Continue reading →
Welcome to NaNoWriMo, where I - and thousands of other plucky souls - try to write a 50,000 word novel in a month. You are reading "Tales of the Algorithm". A compendium of near-future sci-fi stories. Each chapter is a stand-alone adventure set a few days from now. Everything you read is possible - there's […]
Continue reading →