Beyond Our Horizon: The Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games

By Sophie Duncan and Natasha Duncan-Drake

A thief discovering an affinity with dragons and a university professor being forced to confront his past are just two of the short stories and novelettes in this volume.
In July 2012, Wittegen Press gave away a short story, or story part every day to their readers. Each story was only available for one day, but now the 6 science fiction and fantasy stories from The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games have been gathered here into 1 volume.

Queen of Heaven by Natasha Duncan-Drake
Karla is a princess, Karla is getting married, but first she has to sort out a teensie weensie little problem to do with her betrothed's father being poisoned.

To Life Reborn by Natasha Duncan-Drake
Tren has been on the streets all his life, but when he is plucked from a prison cell to become a Dragon Soldier, he discovers a world he has never dreamed of.

The Gift by Sophie Duncan
Ythran doesn't want to be at Zephyr Keep, his father's home, but he will not defy the magic of the ages that called him there and the magic has more in store for him than he bargained for.

The Machine by Natasha Duncan-Drake
When he is kidnapped by one of his old rivals, a retired figure skater is confonted by the fact the other skater is far more than he seems, possessing mental powers that should not exist.

Song For A Soverign By Sophie Duncan
Beriel is a thief and a minstrel on the side. She sings well, but when her master, Gaven, takes her to a place seeped in magic, she must sing for far more than her supper.

All In The Mind by Sophie Duncan
Merlin, a university professor, had his research stolen by his tutor, Professor Lawson and governmental men In black, when he was a post graduate, so he has a healthy paranoia of the Government. However, there is nothing he can do when they come asking for his help but go along with them and hope they do not discover his secret, that he can interface his mind directly with machines and the human brain.

These stories, plus all the other stories from the Wittegen Press Giveaway Games can be found in one volume:
- Myriad Imaginings: All The Stories From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games

If you would prefer to select stories by genre, they are also available in five separate anthologies:
- Book of Darkness: Horror Stories From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
- Beyond Our Horizon: Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
- Supernature: Paranormal Stories From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
- Romantics: Erotic Romance Stories From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
- Bright Young Things: Young Adult Stories From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games

Also, if you are a particular fan of Natasha Duncan-Drake, or Sophie Duncan, their stories are also available in individual anthologies:
- Half of Everything: Stories by Natasha Duncan-Drake From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games
- The Other Half of Everything: Stories by Sophie Duncan From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wittegen Press
• Release date: Jan 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781908333438

Sophie Duncan

Half my time I am a project manager developing IT solutions. The other half, you'll find me scribbling away at many a story that just won't leave me alone. I've been writing since I was a wee thing, and publishing since I discovered the internet in 1994 or so.So what do I write? Contemporary and urban fantasy have mainly been my playground, but I have done some real world settings as well. I do like mystery and have been reading (and watching) Agatha Christie since I was a child. I've also been known to do a bit of poetry.Style: I have been told I do angst well, so if you want your heartstrings twanged, or your tummy to tie in knots until the end, then I'm your gal. I am, however, a happy ending junkie, although I do throw a hint of realism in there sometimes as well. I like a few twists and turns on the way in some of my plots, although I have written my share of PWPs as well. I have to admit a small obsession with eyes: I believe they are the seat of beauty in a person, so I play with them in creature fic and use them for expression in others - personal hang up, sorry. Also, I have never met a cliché I didn't like and I am a firm believer that cliché is fine if you do it right.Writing is a passion and there's nothing better than writing for an audience. Any writer who says they don't care about feedback must have had an ego amputation :) If you life my scribbles, I'd be very glad to hear from you.

Book preview

Beyond Our Horizon

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games

by

Sophie Duncan and Natasha Duncan-Drake

Published by Wittegen Press

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Wittegen Press Giveaway Games 2012

http://www.wittegenpress.com/

Copyright © 2012 by Sophie Duncan

http://www.wittegenpress.com/sophieduncan

Copyright © 2012 by Natasha Duncan-Drake

http://www.wittegenpress.com/natashaduncandrake

Artwork by Sophie Duncan and Natasha Duncan-Drake

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

ISBN: 978-1-908333-43-8

Table Of Contents

Queen of Heaven by Natasha Duncan-Drake

To Life Reborn by Natasha Duncan-Drake

The Gift by Sophie Duncan

The Machine by Natasha Duncan-Drake

Song for a Sovereign by Sophie Duncan

All In The Mind by Sophie Duncan

Afterword

Also by Sophie Duncan: Death In The Family

Also by Natasha Duncan-Drake: The Chronicles of Charlie Waterman

Also from Wittegen Press

Wittegen Press Giveaway Games 2012

During July of 2012 Wittegen Press gave away one short story, or story part per day.

Every morning a new short story was available at:

http://www.wittegenpress.com/giveawaygames

Each title was available for download for one day only.

These titles have now been compiled into a selection of anthologies. This anthology contains all the science fiction and fantasy stories written for the games.

The anthologies available are:

Myriad Imaginings: All The Stories From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games

Half Of Everything: Stories By Natasha Duncan-Drake From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games

The Other Half Of Everything: Stories By Sophie Duncan From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games

Book Of Darkness: The Horror Stories From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games

Supernature: The Paranormal Stories From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games

Romantics: The Erotic Romance Stories Fromt The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games

Beyond Our Horizon: The Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games

Bright Young Things: The Young Adult Stories From The Wittegen Press Giveaway Games

~*~

Queen of Heaven

by

Natasha Duncan-Drake

This story is science fiction.

Authors Note

Queen of Heaven was the first story to be published in the games, 1st July 2012.

Queen of Heaven may have been the first published story in the games, but it wasn't the first I started writing, just the first that I finished. I actually began Sleep of the Damned originally, but it turned out so much longer than this one that this was completed first.

The only aim of this story is humour and the plot stemmed from one mental image. I was watching one of the music channels on TV and I saw a video where there were human cyborgs in pieces with these long metal tentacles coming from the bits (I forget the song entirely). This gave the mental image of Karla reattaching her arm and the whole story grew from that.

The whole space princess going off to be married just kind of happened as I wrote and I really enjoyed the vaguely ridiculous situation I created. I hope very much that you gain as much fun from reading the story as I had writing it.

~*~

Throwing the gun into an air vent, Karla pushed her ruined hand into her pocket and arranged herself in the corner on the floor, as if she'd fallen there. It was ridiculously over the top and melodramatic, but she had to look as if someone had just tried to assassinate her. How these idiots thought they were going to succeed when they couldn't hit the broad side of a space freighter she would never know.

It was only a few moments before she heard footsteps hurrying down the corridor and her rescuing hero appeared. Captain Narine was tall, handsome and highly intelligent, but luckily he seemed as susceptible to her beautiful-princess-in-need-of-protecting act as every other man she had ever met.

Is it over? she asked, making sure to over play the fear as much as physically possible.

Thank god, Captain Narine said, falling for it hook, line and sinker. Yes, it's over. Are you hurt?

She shook her head.

I don't think so, she replied and batted her eyelashes. What happened to that nasty fellow?

He somehow managed to shoot himself in the head, the captain replied and at least looked confused about it.

Oh, she replied and produced a 'that is so terrible' face while making sure to tear up.

Any questions the good captain might have had instantly vanished from his expression and she let him help her to her feet, at which point she did her best impression of a swoon.

Oh dear, she said, everything's gone all wobbly.

I think we should take you to sickbay, Narine said, with a kind, but rather patronising smile.

Since it was the reaction she had been going for she couldn't exactly hold it against him.

I'm so sorry to be this much trouble, she said and let the man help her walk down the corridor.

With the captain treating her as if she was as delicate as one of the ice sculptures of Dienar XII it took them a while to traverse the distance. It was a relatively large ship and had been one of the Star League's cruisers before the cutbacks. By all accounts Captain Narine had been one of their finest commanders until he'd opted to buy his own ship and become an entrepreneur.

Dr Maron, Captain Narine said as soon as they walked into sickbay, Princess Karla has had a nasty shock and needs some of your tender loving care.

Dr Maron was a short woman somewhere in middle age with the bedside manner of a computer and gave Karla and the captain an unenthusiastic smile. Dr Maron was the only person on the ship apart from Karla's personal attendants that knew she was anything but an airheaded princess.

I'll get the anti-anxiety medication, Dr Maron said, pick any bed. Then you can go, Captain, I'm sure they'll be someone else for you to shoot at soon.

Karla had learned pretty quickly after coming on board the Queen of Heaven that not even the captain was stupid enough to argue with the ship's doctor. She had heard some rumour about passion killers in the coffee and decided it was best not to ask. 'Couldn't get it up for a week' had been one phrase that she had overheard.

Karla gave Captain Narine a brilliant, grateful smile as he left her sitting on one of the beds. She even gave him a wave with her good hand as well.

Is he gone? Dr Maron asked after the sound of the doors.

Totally, she replied and pulled her hand out of her pocket.

Dr Maron took one look at the mess of wires and lubricating fluid and didn't even comment.

Is it a hobby, Dr Maron asked in a mild tone as she pulled out a large box from one of the medical storage cabinets.

Assassination attempts you mean? It does happen rather a lot, Karla agreed and held out her arm as Dr Maron placed the box on the bed next to where she was sitting.

This is the third time someone had tried to assassinate you on this trip, Dr Maron said, taking hold of her arm and giving it a swift twist and pull.

It is a bit excessive, she agreed.

There was a click and her hand and lower forearm came away leaving metal and plastic tendrils waving in its wake.

Some factions really don't want me marrying Prince Daken, she said with a shrug.

She wasn't overly impressed with the idea herself, but that's what came of being a princess. The marriage would bring together their planets and give them something to celebrate, while the governments cemented trade agreements that would benefit both peoples. The intergalactic press were being fed all sorts of rubbish about it being a love match, but, in fact, Karla had only met her intended once. They had barely said two words to each other.

It was an assassination attempt that made me a cyborg, she said, chatting away, since she knew Dr Maron was not the talkative type. I was twelve and they blew up my shuttle. Mother was the one who insisted no one be told, said it would help me stay safe. Seems she was right. Of course they seem to be trying really hard at the moment. That's why Father hired Captain Narine; normally I'd have just taken the flag ship to Ballan, but old Captain Varn is a dear, but totally not up to assassination attempts.

Yes, Dr Maron said and picked up the correct spare arm from the box, you've mentioned that before.

Karla took that as her cue to shut up and just held out her arm. As soon as the spare hand was within a few centimetres of her it picked up the signals from the rest of her arm and the connections began to wave back at the ones still attached to her. She wasn't really sure how it worked, nanites or something that had never made a lot of sense even when she had looked it up, but the two sets of cables came together, merged and then pulled the new limb onto her old one. In a few seconds the skin had meshed together over the join and she could wiggle her fingers.

Well, she said, bouncing to her feet, thank you, Dr Maron. There's only one day left to Ballan so I hope this is the last time I will be in need of your services.

We can but hope, the other woman replied dryly.

~*~

The wedding would be in a few days, a huge grand affair, but since they were supposed to be so in love it had been arranged that Karla would arrive a few days early. Originally the wedding was supposed to have been on Trynos, but the king of Ballan was far too ill to travel, so all the arrangements had been shifted. The likelihood was that they'd be having a royal funeral pretty sharpish after the royal wedding, which would save on the price of flowers at least.

Karla smiled politely at everyone who curtsied or bowed and shook her hand as she was taken from the shuttle to Prince Daken's private suite. She just hoped he wasn't boring, because she could put up with a lot of things but boredom wasn't one of them. Her guard joined the two palace guards outside Daken's rooms and she was shown in and offered a seat on a very nice chaise long.

The Prince will be with you in one moment, Lord Ran, the master of ceremonies, told her. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to use the summoner. This one has been coded to your fingerprints.

He pointed at a small box on the table that had a gold biometric scanner embedded in the top.

Thank you, she said, still smiling in her best inane way and batting her eyelashes at the lord, you're too kind.

The man bowed and smiled back before hurrying out.

The first thing Karla noticed once she was alone was some hushed whispering coming from the next room. The fact that one of her ears was a cybernetic implant made it very easy to eavesdrop. Unfortunately she only picked up the final words of what had to have been a conversation and they told her nothing. However, it wasn't a shock when a nervous looking young man appeared through the doorway.

Forgive me, the young man said, I am Prince Daken.

What she totally did not expect next was for him to produce a small pistol from behind his back and shoot straight at her. The fact he closed his eyes tight shut as he pulled the trigger gave her a clue he wasn't used to firing anything. A dart hit her in the arm as she stood up.

Oh you have to be kidding, Karla said and rolled her eyes.

She plucked the dart out of her bicep and flicked it away.

You've been behind all these assassination attempts, really? she could hardly believe it.

Her fiancé was standing there looking like a fish out of water as his mouth opened and closed.

How ... you should be ... that's not possible ...

Cyborg, she said and plucked the gun out of his hands, one of the things I was going to discuss with you today.

Daken kept on doing his impression of a fish.

Why exactly all the theatrics? she asked. You could just have said no to the wedding.

And have the trade negotiations fail? Daken finally found his voice. I could never do that to my people.

But you could kill me, she replied, unimpressed.

Um ...

She rolled her eyes again and sat down. Daken actually looked embarrassed now.

It seemed like such a good plan when Phlyn suggested it, the young man said somewhat helplessly.

Who's Phlyn?

My father's right hand man, Daken said and sat down as well.

All in all he looked rather dejected.

Did he give you the gun? she asked, spotting a plot a mile away.

Daken nodded.

Then he's setting you up. Your Dad's going to abdicate in favour of you because of ill health, correct?

Another nod.

Has anyone checked for poison?

Daken looked utterly horrified and Karla just sighed. Some people just didn't have the sense they were born with. Never had she been more glad for all the training she had received as a child. Now her mother's insistence on the lessons was looking more and more reasonable and less like obsessive paranoia.

Why don't you want to marry me? she decided to find out all the facts.

I'm gay, was the instant response.

Karla waited for more.

That's it? You're gay and you think that's a good reason to kill me?

Possibly she was just a little irate at that.

Phlyn said you would insist on all sorts of things and if your advisors found out they would do terrible things to those I have had relations with because there were laws on Trynos and ...

Karla held up her hand to stop him.

Just assume everything Phlyn said was a lie.

She also read between the lines.

You're also in love with someone else, am I right?

Daken appeared even more nervous all of a sudden.

All lies, remember, she added when Daken remained silent, I'm not going to do anything to him.

Suddenly the door at the back of the room burst in and a young man brandishing what looked like a hairdryer barrelled out.

Don't you dare hurt him, was the screamed ultimatum.

It was really hard to resist the urge to bang her head on the table. Daken's people were clearly prone to melodrama.

I'm not hurting anyone, she said, now put that down before you accidentally give yourself a blow job.

Daken's friend looked utterly stunned by her words.

I'll shoot you, he managed to stutter.

With a Harrington 4001, I think not, she said and rolled her eyes again. She was going to give herself a headache if she wasn't careful.

The young man kind of sagged and looked so incredibly sad that Karla actually felt sorry for him.

Please don't hurt him, he said in such a plaintive tone any move on her part would have been like kicking a puppy.

Furthest thing from my mind, she promised, and it was, because the whole situation was utterly ridiculous.

Daken reached out and the other man went to him instantly and it was kind of adorable how the prince pulled his friend into his lap and petted him to make sure he was alright.

That was very brave, Cas, Daken said, even as the prince took the hairdryer away.

Karla thought she might be ill, it was so sweet.

Okay, she said, snapping both their attentions back to her, not to break up this delightful scene, but we need a plan.

Daken brightened at her words.

You mean you're not just going to turn me in? he asked.

It's obvious Phlyn wants to usurp your throne and scupper the trade agreements in one blow, she replied, so of course not.

The look Daken gave her said that maybe it wasn't so obvious to him.

The trick will be making sure he doesn't have a chance to do anything to your father before we have him in custody, she mused, ignoring the blank look Cas was giving her.

She tapped her chin as she thought it through. There was the option of having Daken bluff it out with Phlyn, but then she looked at her fiancé and completely ruled that out. Daken was about as likely to pull that off as Cas was to suddenly declare he was straight.

Okay, she said, well we'll definitely have to go through with it, our planets would never understand if we don't ...

Daken opened his mouth to object.

... but, she added before he could say anything, we can come to some arrangement. You're pretty, but frankly I prefer my men a little more butch.

The expression on the prince's face said he clearly wasn't sure if he should be offended by that.

It's not as if we even ever have to have sex, she said as she thought about it, all offspring will be dealt with via artificial insemination anyway. You can keep Cas and I have a certain captain who has been incredibly gallant so far, but I'm sure I can corrupt him. We'll need a ship to do a tour of all the colonies anyway.

She smiled to herself as the plan formed in her mind; she was beginning to think everything was not such a disaster after all.

Hmmm, of course that didn't solve the issue of Daken's father, I think I'm about to insist on a royal audience and of course you're coming with me.

What about Phlyn? Daken asked, sensible enough not to question anything she said.

Just look incredibly worried and inept as if you couldn't manage to do what he told you to do and he won't do anything rash.

It wasn't going to be hard to convince Phlyn that Daken was incompetent, after all the man thought the Prince was an idiot. On that one point Phlyn might have been right, but at least Daken seemed like a loyal idiot. The way the Prince looked at Cas was very telling.

We'll need some backup, she decided and then smiled, and I know just the way to get it.

A couple of minutes later she was in contact with the Queen of Heaven. Of course the call would be being monitored, but she could work with that.

Captain Narine, she said, giving him her best princess smile on the monitor, I'm going to see the king. I will need my personal stylist down here immediately, I can't possibly meet him in the same dress in which I greeted my fiancé. It wouldn't be seemly.

Personal stylist? the captain asked, looking perplexed.

Yes, right away.

But...

It can't wait, Captain, she interrupted him. What with these assassination attempts I'm just not looking my best. In case you were wondering he's the big one, looks a lot like you come to think of it.

She saw the moment the captain caught on since she didn't actually have a personal stylist with her. She had a PA and a guard, but since her wedding dress and regalia had been sent on another ship her wedding planner and stylist were with them.

Of course, Princess Karla, Captain Narine said with a smile; I'll have him sent right down. I'll have some of my crew carry the luggage for him.

Thank you so much, Captain, she said and air clapped just to complete the image.

She switched off the viewer and turned back to Daken and Cas.

Is your personal stylist a bodyguard or something? Cas asked in all innocence and Karla had to remind herself that not everyone was gifted with brains.

I don't have a personal stylist, she said and gave him a smile rather than rolling her eyes. Captain Narine will be here soon, with armed backup, pretending to be my stylist.

Oh, Daken said and then smiled as well, that's awfully clever.

~*~

When Captain Narine arrived Karla was impressed. Gone was the star ship captain and in his place was a snappily dressed hunk with purple hair and designer glasses. Karla had absolutely no idea how the man had managed it.

Princess, Narine greeted with an over exuberant bow, taking her hand and kissing it; of course I am at your service.

They were being watched by two of the palace guards and the performance was perfect.

Thank the lords of heaven, she said and ushered him and his retinue in. I have to look my best.

"Of course you do, Your