There were only three stories in this issue as a serial takes a lot of space. They were all pretty good ones, though.
A Pound of Flesh • novella by Robert A. Lovett
Magic potions (”nanos”) which are able to do almost anything have become commonplace. They are routinely used to enforce all sorts of contracts including apartment rentals. If you don’t pay your rent in time, a nano which was put in your bloodstream while signing the contract will cause some very uncomfortable results. As all contracts are 100% enforceable most lawyers have become unemployed. (I wonder if that would really happen – are most lawyers really enforcing contracts?) . One recently divorced tries to make the ends meet by working as a private detective. The business isn’t too good, but on one day a mysterious lady comes to visit him… She has a job offer: her business partner who has developed a new style of magic potion…[cough]..nano –machine… which is able to reveal if someone is lying or not, has disappeared with his priceless invention. He must be found. A pretty good and entertaining detective –style science fiction. An enjoyable read. ****
Kyrie Eleison • shortstory by John G. Hemry
Survivors of a space ship accident have lived on a barely habitable planet for a few generations. The bridge crew has established a religion which preached salvation from the planet for worthy – those who obey the descendants of crew in everything. And The Officers and Crew are naturally saved automatically, and the offspring of the passengers who languish with poor food and heavy labor aren’t probably worthy. But then a rescue ship lands and is able to take part of the inhabitants on board... Another good and entertaining tale. ****-
A Million Years and Counting • novelette by Rajnar Vajra
A robot has been found in a cave on the moon. Apparently, it has been there for millennia. After it has been studied for years it has been released and it lives in New York. Then on one day its head (which hasn’t been removable) drop off, and the android starts demonstrate unseen powers. A fairly good story, which was somewhat overlong. There was too far much soapboxing by the author for several things about humanity, evolution and human behavior which were very superfluous. ***+
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