Mother used to say I am a child of the river. I never understood her. I thought I would be a child of the wind, like her. | © 2024 by Oluwatomiwa Ajeigbe. Narrated by Mirron Willis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Archita Mittra, a visionary creator, takes us to 3048, where monotony reigns in a desolate landscape. She explores the haunting remains of a lost metropolis, revealing a protagonist's struggle with a job for Olympus Corporation amidst dangers from rogue machines. The narrative touches on nostalgia and loss through an abandoned diner, showcasing connections between a scavenger and a droid. Archita also delves into themes of identity and social exploitation, blending chilling encounters with humor in a fascinating examination of our future.

This month's Lightspeed Science Fiction Short Shots episode features "Resistance" by Cat Rambo (© 2024 by Cat Rambo), narrated by Stefan Rudnicki and "Under the Skin" by Deborah L. Davitt (© 2024 by Deborah L. Davitt), narrated by Nan McNamara. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dominique Dickey, an adventurer and amateur astronomer, recounts a memorable star party in Joshua Tree. She shares the magic of gathering under a vast night sky, where themes of love and faith intertwine with the cosmos. Tension rises as personal confrontations unfold, revealing struggles with identity and past trauma. Listeners also hear about the transformative power of relationships amidst celestial wonders, blending introspection with thrilling storytelling in a captivating exploration of human connections against a stellar backdrop.

Buddy and I abandoned our hydrogen nomad at the edge of the wastelands before trudging around the rusted chain-link perimeter of the abandoned fairgrounds, waiting for the blast of steam and guttural earthly moan to escape from the fractured soil, signifying that it was clear to enter the area. | © 2024 by Richard Thomas. Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This month's Lightspeed Fantasy Short Shots episode features "Mud Maidens Rise" by K.A. Wiggins (© 2024 by K.A. Wiggins), narrated by Nan McNamara and "What's in a Name" by Matthew Hughes (© 2024 by Matthew Hughes), narrated by Arthur Morey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next war, the angel decided, he was going to sit out. Before the dust settled, before hosts rose and fell depending on their actions and inclinations, he fled. Cowardice, maybe. More like pragmatism, he rationalized. | © 2024 by Carrie Vaughn. Narrated by Paul Boehmer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The simulation blossomed around Nadja Gavrić like a hypercube unpacking itself into three dimensions. | © 2024 by Filip Hajdar Drnovšek Zorko. Narrated by Susan Hanfield, with Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anything can be bought or sold at the Night Market. A dozen hummingbird tongues curled like tiny snails, basted in honey and chili oil and served on a silver tray. A mermaid’s song, caught in an antique bottle of smoked glass. | © 2024 by Vanessa Fogg. Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This month's Lightspeed Science Fiction Short Shots episode features "The Only Writing Advice You'll Ever Need to Survive Eldritch Horrors" by Aimee Picchi (© 2024 by Aimee Picchi), narrated by Susan Hanfield and "The Aliens Said They Want to Party" by Joel William David Buxton (© 2024 by Joel William David Buxton), narrated by Paul Boehmer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices