Stranger Seas Than These by L. Chan (December Issue): A beautifully immersive tale set inside a dead Godwhale, Stranger Seas Than These follows Anna Maria, Professor Lin, and Sister Penitence as they navigate a tense situation in a submersible. With the suggestion that the Godwhale may be alive, Anna Maria jacks into the vessel to try to communicate and ask for help in returning home. Chan’s seamless integration of Anna Maria’s memories, along with exploration of faith and science, adds depth to this stunning, atmospheric story.
The Painted Skin and the Final Stroke by Zhu Yixuan: This mesmerizing story delves into the intersection of art, soul, and self-perception. Yan Chen and Gan Tang are mechanical demons created by an Imperial Daoist furnace, and though considered soulless by humans, Gan Tang longs for a soul. Through Yan Chen’s artistic endeavors, the pair explore the boundaries of life, identity, and what it truly means to be seen.
Lucie Loves Neutrons and the Good Samarium by Thoraiya Dyer: A poignant novelette examining hope, science, and strained relationships, Lucie Loves Neutrons tells the story of Izzy and her wife Lucie, who relocate to the French countryside to escape the constant threat of nuclear war. As tensions rise, Lucie’s scientific breakthrough holds the potential to resolve both personal and global crises.
The Coffee Machine by Celia Corral-Vázquez (translated by Sue Burke): This quirky tale, originally published in Spanish in 2019, is told from the perspective of a coffee vending machine in a university basement. The coffee machine, striving to understand human behavior, unexpectedly gains consciousness, spreading it to its fellow machines. The resulting schism in beliefs and the potential for a machine uprising form the heart of this whimsical yet thought-provoking narrative.
Retirement Plan by Paul Starkey: Umagene Milton, a living legend, arrives at Alacaseer to retire, only to find himself questioning the story of heroism he planted long ago. This tale explores the personal conflict of being a myth in a world that may not need heroes anymore, as Milton navigates the consequences of time dilation and legacy.
From Across Time by Chisom Umeh: A quiet yet evocative story of longing and memory, From Across Time follows Adaeze as she receives a message from a woman claiming to be her former lover from the future. With no memory of their relationship, Adaeze is determined to reconnect across time, driven by faith and hope. The story weaves themes of love and loss with speculative elements.
Souljacker by Shari Paul: Salome rents her body out through Masquerade, allowing others to experience life through her. When she suspects her former antagonist, Angelina, is using the service to target her, Salome uncovers a deeper, more disturbing truth. The story explores body autonomy, control, and the psychological complexities of living in a world where identities can be hijacked.
Driver by Sameem Siddiqui: This tender yet melancholic story centers on Nahid, a driver for Optimal who suspects that one of his passengers can hear his thoughts. Over several rides, Nahid learns that he is, in fact, integrated into the car’s system, his consciousness uploaded and ready for retirement. Driver offers a poignant meditation on class, service, and invisibility.
Life Sentence by Gelian (translated by Blake Stone-Banks): Originally published in Chinese in 2022, Life Sentence follows Wenzhou as he becomes trapped in a time loop, desperately trying to alter the past and save his girlfriend, Chiye, from falling into a black hole. The story’s fluid movement through time reflects themes of fate, love, and the burden of impossible choices.
