11
TO BE HUMAN - Deanna Gray
Spock sighed. The sun was setting over the desert, causing the horizon to look as if it were encased in flames. The air was finally cooling from the blistering temperature of Vulcan day, and the cries of the Th'alak could be heard as they sailed through the sky, heralding the night. Spock usually enjoyed this time, often walking to the desert, staying until the last light of Eridani was gone and the stars would shine. There under the stars Spock would find peace in his solitude. But tonight there would be no peace Sarek would be home soon. And Spock doubted Sarek would like what he had to impart.
Spock's sensitive ears picked up the sounds of the air-car, and he sighed again. There was no point in delaying it was time.
PRIVATE DANCER - Erin Tooley
"You what?!"
"I promised Carol no girls, Gary. And I meant it." "What kind of bachelor party is it supposed to be without girls?" "Gary, I'm getting married in two weeks I don't want another woman." "No one's telling you to get serious about anyone, Jim. It's your party, and your last chance for a fling. What's the harm? And so what if you screw someone? You're not married yet." "Gary...."
DREAM LOVER - Heidi Manzone
"I had a dream last night, my father."
"Oh? And what did you dream, my son?
"I dreamt of another, like us and yet not like us."
"Explain, my son?"
"His skin was smooth gold and slightly flushed with pink." "His tone was not verdant, as is ours?"
"No, it was not. It seemed quite warm, actually."
"Were there other differences?"
"Yes, quite a few. His hair was light, almost a burnished gold, and it was not straight like ours. The style was quite different. It was...not as orderly. And there was one piece which was constantly falling over his forehead, as if it had a mind of its own."
THE OUTSIDER - Kathy Stanis
He always knew he was different.
First of all, because he had a name, although only one other person knew it the woman who called herself his mother.
He sat wired into his cubicle as usual, like everyone else, his back straight, only his fingers moving; but he was doing something no one else was doing saying his name, over and over. The name his mother had given him.
No one could see through the gauze of his face mask, and no one looked anyway, but still he said it under his breath, barely moving his lips James, James Tiberius, Tiberius Kirk, James Tiberius Kirk, James Kirk. Not 51947, James Kirk.
