“The Troubled Atlas” by Sander Wess

“The Troubled Atlas” by Sander Wess

This week’s story is The Troubled Atlas, an original story by Sander Wess. In it we meet a scientist in the midst of an accident in space who must make an impossible decision: risk everything to save another crewmember or ensure the survival of the few who remain. With time running out, he prepares to undertake a desperate rescue mission through the compromised corridors of the ship, knowing that even a slight misstep could doom them all.

“Security Risk” by Ed M Clinton Jr.

“Security Risk” by Ed M Clinton Jr.

This week’s story is “Security Risk” by Ed M Clinton Jr. Over the years I’ve heard a few people say that if there’s a task you don’t want to do, do it once really badly and no one will ever ask you again. Here we learn that if there’s a fight you really don’t want to get involved in, all you have to do is make both sides think they can’t trust you.

“Pen Pal” by Stephen Marlowe

“Pen Pal” by Stephen Marlowe

This week, we have “Pen Pal” by Stephen Marlowe. We meet Matilda, a young woman looking for love by submitting letters to a literary magazine. That’s something much more common when the story was published in 1951 and probably pretty close to using a dating app these days. When she thinks she’s found the love of her life, things get really strange.

“The Eternal Wall” by Raymond Gallun

“The Eternal Wall” by Raymond Gallun

This week’s story is “The Eternal Wall” by Raymond Gallun. The Eternal Wall is a story that weaves together themes of love, tragedy, and the passage of time. It reminds me of the 1973 Gene Roddenberry movie Genesis II, or Futurama. Both stories deal with people who suddenly find themselves in the far flung future. This story will tug on your heart strings a little more than either of those, though.

“Beyond Lies the Wub” by Philip K Dick

“Beyond Lies the Wub” by Philip K Dick

This week we have a story called “Beyond Lies the Wub” by Philip K Dick. This story explores themes of empathy, the ethics of survival, and the often troubling intersection between human ambition and the natural world. Through the interactions between the crew and the wub, Philip K. Dick masterfully weaves a narrative that questions the boundaries of humanity and the nature of intelligence. It’s a story that proves the old saying “You are what you eat.”