What’s in Issue 114

Novel	The four explorers, led by Lilit, crawl through a tunnel leading out of the mountain range. The journey’s symbolism is underscored by the tunnel’s curious effect on time: Tala Bar Gaia, chapter 8: The Valley, part I, installment 1.
Novella	Harry Stafford has become addicted to the power of the lenses. The only question now is what is where his murder spree will end. Jonathan M. Sweet, The Kestron Lenses, part 4.
Serials	Byron Bailey’s demigods conclude their standoff with a three-way brawl, after which Charon has an idea that just may change the way business is done in the “supernatural” realm: An Impasse of Arms, conclusion. Martin flies to the Elven homeworld and, as he expects, into a peck of trouble. But there’s a reward waiting for him! Michael J A Tyzuk, Through a Glass, Darkly, part 6.
Short Story	If we’re at the “oil peak,” what comes on the downslope and afterwards? Surely the world will be very different from what it is now. Won’t it? Thomas Lee Joseph Smith, The Last Oil Well.
Flash Fiction	What kind of soldier would be perfect for combat? One who can’t be killed, right? Wrong. Eric S. Brown, Unnatural Endings.
Poetry	Steven Francis Murphy extends his “one each” poems out into the Solar System: Mars, One Each. Michael Murry evokes the traditional figure of Charon, one that is deadly serious. They Also Serve. Roberto Sanhueza tucks in his vampire for the day. In sleep I Dream of Oceans.
Essay	Steven Utley describes a Relationship jolting along the rocky road of culture shock. Take heed, lest language be used for anything but communication: My Amusements, cont.

Departments

Discussion	Adam Browne and Don Webb open a discussion by asking: What adventures might await A Modern Cyrano?
Challenges	euhal allen adds to the discussion of the Challenge 108 responses. Challenge 114 asks several questions about what comes After the Ends.
Letters	Karlos Allen picks up on an editorial theme and discusses A Definition of Science Fiction.
The Reading Room	Jerry Wright reviews Jasper Fforde’s The Well of Lost Plots.
Editorial	Building Stories

In Times to Come

Unlike our counterparts in paper and ink, we can’t predict with certainty how any particular issue will shape up. More than once, something has arrived at the last minute that is so relevant that changes are required. We like thematic coherence within issues, but we don’t strive for it, particularly; we just take it when and if it comes.

“We few, we happy few...” ask Henry V what his point was. This issue points to something “blowing in the wind,” and the contributions from Byron Bailey, Thomas Lee Joseph Smith, Eric S. Brown, and Michael Murry make them, for the moment at least, a “band of brothers.”

Steven F. Murphy has suggested an interesting idea: a “Mars” issue. Challenge 114 alludes to it and makes a suggestion of its own. We could probably put together a “Mars” anthology from stories and poems that have already appeared. Of course we needn’t stop there: Steven’s idea of an official “theme issue” has merit. Meanwhile, what would you select for a retrospective “Mars anthology”? One title or several, all suggestions are welcome. And if you have an idea for another theme, we’d like to know that, too.

Readers’ reactions are always welcome.
Please write!

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