7

A WEEPING RAIN - Cyd Bascom

Hot, it was so hot in the ancient caverns of G'Hanar. The pressing darkness all around held terrifying secrets that the human had no time to contemplate, intent on his goal. Nothing more nor less than escape and freedom for a mere slave. A lowly acolyte to the great Lord Spock, Chief Watchman of the G'Hanar.

SECOND TIME - Kitty Berman

"Explain, my wife, how visiting your school-friend will be an educational experience for our son."

A quizzical eyebrow raised. Sarek of Vulcan believed himself to be well aware of his wife's reasons for preferring to spend her time on Terra at her friend's farm rather than accompanying her husband to the Intergalactic Science Conference which was being held in Harare, Africa.

First, the climate was far too similar to that of Vulcan at this time of year and secondly, she would be bored.

He fully intended to allow her and their young son to visit the farm but found, though he would walk through the desert barefoot rather than admit it, teasing his pretty, young wife enjoyable.

THE AWAKENING - Ellen Fletcher

Somewhere in the City of New York a tale of surprise, of excitement and love begins . . . .

The office was very busy as young girls passed a sheaf of paper to the waiting typists.

Fingers seemed to dance off keys. One gazed up at the clock on the wall, it would soon be 5 o'clock; soon she could tidy up and get ready to visit her family for the week-end. Time was running out . . . her plan must work this time. From the inner office a voice called . . . .

IN ANY REALITY - Brianna Falken

"Damn," Kirk whispered, as the bleak, worn countenance of Admiral Komack faded from the screen. Dutifully flicking on his comlink, he called the bridge communications officer.

"Lieutenant Uhura, schedule a senior staff meeting for fourteen hundred hours in briefing room three, please." Without waiting for a reply, James T. Kirk, captain of the heavy cruiser Peregrine, thumbed the off switch and slumped dejectedly back in his seat. Rubbing wearily at tired, red- rimmed eyes, he mentally reviewed the priority one message just received. Unbidden, in a line from an ancient Earth poem rose and began to weave itself insidiously into his consciousness.

Into the valley of death rode the six hundred . . . .

POETRY by H.R. Radei

COVERS (hand-colored) by DEEB, DEW.

ART by Chris Soto, DEW, Brianna Falken

March 1995