12 Science Fiction Short Stories

By K. A. Williams

In this collection of 12 science fiction short stories, there are aliens, robots, a psychic child wanted by the government, the annoying practical joker who may or may not be an alien, and an amazing spaceship that opens its door. Would you step inside for a look around? 

 

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: K. A. Williams
• Release date: Jul 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201887667

K. A. Williams

North Carolinian K. A. Williams has had over 300 stories and poems published in many different magazines including SavagePlanets, The Creativity Webzine, Yellow Mama, The Blotter, Corner Bar, 5-7-5 Haiku Journal, View From Atlantis, The Sirens Call, Tigershark, and The Yard: Crime Blog. ​​ Apart from writing, K. A. enjoys music (especially classic rock), CYOA, and science fiction movies. 

Book preview

Paradise

Dust swirled in the air and made me cough, but I tightened my grip on the sweeper and kept working. I wouldn’t even be on this backward planet called Paradise, huh, if Jessica hadn’t suffered a navigational malfunction that forced me to land on this rock.

Queen Lori instituted the barter system after she inherited the throne of planetary ruler, explained Jan, the spaceport mechanic, upon my arrival. Goods or services are exchanged for other goods or services.

Then she had asked what skills or items I could trade for the work she did on Jessica. The ship contained no cargo but me and my possessions, which were mostly clothes, and they wouldn’t fit Jan. When I told her what my professional skills were, she looked me up and down and laughed. I couldn’t remember feeling quite so humiliated before in my life.

But Jan took pity on me, and although she wasn’t interested in trading my special skills for repairing Jessica, she did give me food and shelter in her hanger at the spaceport which was also her home, in exchange for me keeping the place clean.

I hate manual labor and was inspecting the new blisters forming on my hands when I heard a noise outside. Jan could fix just about anything, if you had something she wanted in exchange that is, so people often brought in broken items. That was good for Jan because no other spaceships had landed on Paradise after I had, which was not a big surprise since most pilots wanted money for their cargo instead of a trade.

The approaching hovercraft almost ran me over when it glided inside the hanger, but the driver was so beautiful I didn’t want to move. Where’s Jan? she asked, when she got out of her vehicle. I want her to fix Gray.

Gray?

She waved a hand toward the passenger seat where something metal was hunched over inspecting its feet.

"Hello, Sarah. Is Gray broken again? Jan came out of her workshop, wiping her hands on a rag. She opened the door and looked at the object inside. How are you doing, Gray?"

Not well, a male voice answered. I bent over and now I can’t straighten up. I do hope you can fix me, Jan.

Well of course I can, Gray. I always do, don’t I?

Yes.

Jan frowned at Sarah and whispered, I told you that this type of robot is not designed for garden work.

I serve my mistress however I can, Gray said.

Nothing wrong with his ears, is there? I smiled at Sarah who ignored me.

No sir, Gray answered, as though the remark was directed at him. Who are you sir, if I may ask? Your voice is unfamiliar.

Blake. 

Jan tried to extract Gray from the passenger seat, but wasn’t having any luck alone, so I decided to help. I climbed onto the driver’s seat and pushed while Jan pulled. However . . . did you . . .  get him in? Jan gasped.

Sarah just smiled and pulled out a container from the back seat. Your favorite vegetable. It’s ripe now, along with everything else in my garden. I wish Gray hadn’t broken; I need help before my vegetables overripen.

Gray finally