By Sixuan Wu This story was originally published both in print and online in Issue 41 of Apprentice Writer in 2023. She could never forget the look on the doctor’s face when her hologram flickered into the hospital. The sorrow was so obvious that even she—an AI assistant who had never quite grasped the delicacy … Continue reading The Long Farewell
The planet of two Suns
By Erni-Szakács Szilárd I tossed the room key card to the receptionist. He caught it swiftly. „I hope you slept well," he told me without any intention. I shot him a glare. After the morning swim, a dull ache still wandered through my bones, like an echo of the night spent in a bed harder … Continue reading The planet of two Suns
Before the Fleet
By Jesse Hamilton Somewhere in the ever-expanding Alpha Centauri, in a void boundless, coasted the freighter known as the Harpy. In the eyes of a primitive civilization, it may have been perceived as mystical in its appearance and ascent—a bird with alloy lungs and carbon fiber skin, its feathers polished chrome. Floating, seemingly still, the … Continue reading Before the Fleet
Among The Stars, He Found Home
By Justin Dingler The journey was long and silent, excluding the ship’s steady heartbeat and the occasional crackle of communication from distant command centers. Where would he go and what would he find? Barren rocks? Icy giants? Gas clouds? Whatever it was, it wasn’t Earth. War, greed, lost love, broken promises. All Earth had ever … Continue reading Among The Stars, He Found Home
2085 / Europa
By Mitchell D. Kowitz It was the year 2085. There are presently three countries that now have outposts on the Moon. The United States, China and Israel. My name is Matt and I am part of a global experimental project called “Adam”. There has been a discovery on Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. The probe … Continue reading 2085 / Europa
The Landing Day
By J. P. Rizo Richard Cadmen, professor of Holistoric Reconstruction, Third Year, guided his class through the sandy trail leading to the beach. Now and then he had to stop, annoyed, to reprehend the lingerers who were picking little shell pieces. “Focus, gentlemen. We are not on a beach day with grandma. Henry, where the … Continue reading The Landing Day
Writers Block
By Pat Spencer As a life-long author of both fiction and nonfiction, I would never admit to suffering from writer’s block. But it’s fair to say I’m stymied. It’s not that my words are cumbersome or clumsy, falling short of what my story deserves. It is that I simply have no words. I sit so … Continue reading Writers Block
Reflection
By Adam Ostaszewski The gentle hum of turbines lulled the passengers of the CW-48 space lift to sleep. One of them, Robert Smart, struggled with fatigue. He spent the first part of the journey to the Finesia space station studying the report prepared by the investigators. Torn from his comfortable bed at half past five, … Continue reading Reflection
The Chase
By Peace Nkeiruka Maduako It began to rain. The cold rain water dripped onto our heads from the leaves of the mango tree we sat under. As we gathered around for warmth, all we could hear in the surrounding bushes was the sound of the heavy rain splattering in the puddles collecting allover the place. … Continue reading The Chase
A Thousand Worlds Too Far
By Theodore Alexander Hall Spit flew against the plastic visor as a tear danced upon a slender cheek. The suit stuck firmly in the empty void, a ripple of grey in the endless black. He watched with anticipation as his palm closed, fingers gliding through the heavens. It was an odd sensation, no limit, no … Continue reading A Thousand Worlds Too Far
Academy of the Heart And Mind 