Clarkesworld Magazine Between Here and Everywhere by Robert Reed (audio)
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Dec 22, 2025 A tale of adventure unfolds as Kingfisher and his panware roommate Quirk embark on a mission across the cosmos. With a fragmented memory, Kingfisher grapples with his past and unexpected summons. They navigate the mysteries of a ship named Glory while encountering ominous secrets and alien visitors. Themes of curiosity, loyalty, and hidden truths resonate as Kingfisher's damaged mind becomes key to understanding the universe. The journey is fraught with tension and deep connections as they face the unknown.
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Waking With Quirk
- Kingfisher wakes beside his shapeshifting roommate Quirk and struggles with fragmented memories while preparing to be summoned for a mission.
- The panware lover shifts forms, comforts him, and their intimacy mixes with his confused drive to resume searching for a lost associate.
Gifts As Obligation
- The master of the city gives Kingfisher an emerald skimmer and a renewed purpose tied to a missing associate and duty.
- Leadership in the city wields gifts and orders to bind wandering individuals back into mission-driven roles.
Meeting Jason In The Café
- Kingfisher meets a humanlike stranger named Jason in a café who claims Terran ancestry and shares an origin tale about survival aboard an ark.
- The encounter sparks camaraderie and wonder about authentic human lineage aboard ancient ships.