NOTE: We have 20 stories this issue, ranging in length from under 1,000 words to about 6,000 words. For those who prefer particular genres within the rather elastic Aphelion range, I have tried to categorize the stories into 4 categories: Science Fiction (no "magic", and at least some semi-plausible technology or scientific elements); Fantasy (almost anything goes!); Heroic Fantasy, a.k.a. "Swords and Sorcery"; and Horror (somewhat overlapping with Fantasy, but tending toward the grim and sometimes gory). If this seems like a good idea, let me know...

Science Fiction

Thy Kingdom Come, My Will Be Done
By Frederick Rustam
The starship TerraNav carried scholars for every major discipline on a mission of exploration. Unfortunately, it also carried a frustrated Chaplain and an A.I. that was eager to hear The Word.

In God's Image
By DoA Worrell
Leonardo Toure found the key to immortality. His discovery would change the world in ways that no one could have anticipated.

Antimatter Dreams
By David Wright
Ayesha was a psychologist, a family therapist on her way to her dream job on board the planet-girdling International Antimatter Collector station. It was too bad that she couldn't connect with her own teenage son.

Scimitar of God
By E. S. Strout
The terrorist group Scimitar of God has unleashed a lethal plague. Millions have died, included most of the population of Europe and North America. All Eli Morrison can do is try to survive -- and plan his revenge.

Imprint
By Jack Skelter
Ethan Laurence used an old typewriter to write because he thought computers had no soul. His old friend Bill had other ideas...

UnHistory
By Lee Gimenez
Insurance investigator Sam McCall had seen every kind of fraud ever attempted by people trying to pry money out of the companies he worked for. Or so he thought.

Starport
By Joe Pezzula
Allison was frustrated. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't make an emotional connection with her exotic (and artificial) pets.

Dust Mote
By T. N. Dockrey
Kate had something in her eye, something that gave the term "foreign object" a whole new meaning.

Fantasy

All That He Plants Takes Root
By Michael Hitchcock
Martin of Do'aash couldn't go home until he learned the meaning of the riddle-song given to him by his Teacher. In the meantime, living in the barren wilderness gave him plenty of time to think.

Receipt for a Dragon
By Stuart Sharp
Brian was between jobs, and about to be between girlfriends, thanks to his love of reptiles. Investigating the odd receipt he found in an old book would at least occupy his time.

Hermesian Parameters
By Kim Rush
Archibald Hermes, harried medical equipment sales representative, asked for peace, and got it -- sort of.

The Deeper the Lust, the Sweeter the Flesh
By Kimberly Grenfell
The reward for the heart of Legendfire was too good to pass up, even if adventurer Orrin had a really bad feeling about the whole business. Dragons were not known for surrendering their hearts without a fight...

Perchance To Dream
By Bruce Memblatt
The doctors didn't know why John Stewart kept having heart attack after heart attack without regaining consciousness -- but somehow refused to die. But while his body was failing, his mind was lost in dreams -- or nightmares.

History Lesson
By Shane McKenzie
Gabe hated detention, but the substitute teacher "Mr. E" made it interesting. Too interesting.

Heroic Fantasy (a.k.a. "Swords and Sorcery")

Near Neighbor, Far Brother
By Kristen Lee Knapp
Riccor would fight for his fiefdom, his honor, and his daughter's life, even against a man he thought of as a brother.

No More Heroes
By Mark Ward
From the beginning of time, men have called upon the gods and the spirits of past heroes to help them in battle. Depending on that help has never been a good idea.

Horror

Zombies and Demons and Feds (Oh My)
By Franchot Lewis
Ray's demon lover had turned him into a zombie of sorts -- almost mindless, hungry for flesh. Ray's Homeland Security bosses would have put him down if they knew -- but his mother, brother, and ex-partner all had other plans.

Loneliness Or A Warm Gun
By Dwayne Bunney
All John and Dylan wanted was a drink or two and a willing woman before they set sail on the long journey back to England. They found something much darker in Port Arthur.

On the 6th
By Philip Roberts
Sara was a nurse. She had seen death often enough before. But there was something different about the homeless man who had died tonight. For one thing, he had been killed by the car Sara was in.

The Last Wonder in the World
By T. N. Dockrey
Cala knew the strange plant she found in her yard was special. Her new neighbor just didn't understand...