In A Time Past
By J. E. Deegan
Cleo and her beloved dog, Joe -- or at least their spirits -- visited their graves every year, remembering the lives they had led and the events that had ended their brief lives. But this year would be different...

The Homecoming
By K. A. Masters
When Larissa Macsterna found the stranded and injured merman in the tidal pool, her life would never be the same.

Dreams On The Wind
By Steele Tyler Filipek
As punishment for their crimes, working on the Atlantic Basin High-Altitude Wind Plant -- a gigantic wind turbine suspended miles above the earth -- had seemed better than the death penalty. But if Corey and Jackson couldn't fix the cables that kept the machine suspended like an enormous kite, they would ride the wreckage all the way down.

The Rebound Effect
By Roderick D. Turner
He thought he was pretty ordinary -- less than ordinary, judging by the way most people treated him. But then the girl said he had potential, and told him to meet her yesterday...

Wanderling
By Benjamin Taylor Jr.
The Captain of the Wanderling seemed to think his current assignment as skipper of a research vessel was boring after years commanding combat ships. The Chief Scientist almost agreed with him -- their mission to gather water samples from remote locales was hardly likely to produce any interesting results. The First Officer, however, found magic in the simplest things.

The Collector
By James Mascia
Jerry was a collector. He retrieved surveillance devices from their observation stations when their tasks were complete. It only looked like he was kidnapping children from their beds.

The Glass Cage
By James Lecky
Ulphia's beauty was legendary. No man could resist it. To preserve it, she would pay any price... (Originally appeared in the February 2009 issue.)

The Wellness Center
By Lee Gimenez
When humans colonized Azulation, they found the natives to be very useful, as slave labor -- and more. But when some of the Blues forget their place, Detective Erik Larson must investigate. (Originally appeared in the March 2009 issue.)

Faux Pair
By Patrick Welch
Apprentice thief Brendell was elated to be given an important assignment the moment he arrived in Perlenz. There was, of course, a catch -- no one who had attempted the job in the past had returned. (Originally appeared in the April 2009 issue.)

Virtual
By T. Richard Williams
Alexis was to participate in a total-immersion telepresence mission to Sedna. Two men thought they knew why; both were wrong. (*Contains adult situations*) (Originally appeared in the May 2009 issue.)

By Invitation Only
By Noel Carroll
Cassie and her husband wanted to see something special on their vacation in the Greek islands. They got their wish at a quaint, very out of the way restaurant... (Originally appeared in the June 2009 issue.)

Wood, Mud, Blood
By Mark Ward
The wizard Edmund Farrier had been sent to investigate trouble in the North Country -- an escalating battle between the king's soldiers and an army of ludkin -- magically animated wooden men...(Originally appeared in the July 2009 issue.)

The Sword in Zoe's Hand
By Gary W. Feather
All that Zoe had left of Michael -- her lover and her sensei -- was a sword and the skill to use it. And with zombies everywhere, it was a very good thing to have. (Originally appeared in the August 2009 issue.)

Pale Nations of the Dead
By James Lecky
In Pame Glorias, the Llorona Xalbadora wept tears of ruby crystal, and waited for one who could free her from her eternal sorrow. (Originally appeared in the September 2009 issue.)

Rad Day
By Roderick D. Turner
Most people sealed themselves in their homes on Rad Days, when radiation levels rose to dangerous levels. But intrepid reporter Kayla Foster knew that the best stories happened when the weirdos figured there were no witnesses... (Originally appeared in the October 2009 issue.)

Blood, Bears, and Canvas
By P. F. White
A two-fisted -- well, two-pawed -- tale set in the dark and dirty world of underground interspecies boxing. (Originally appeared in the November 2009 issue.)

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. (Originally appeared in the December 2009 / January 2010 issue.)

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.

Best Mare Inebrium Tales of 2009

The Door of Renown
By Jaimie L. Elliott
The games people play is as nothing when compared to what deities can get up to the the Mare Inebrium's Pantheon Room... Gods and heroes and writers- Oh my! Jaimie Elliott's first ever Mare Inebrium story! (Originally appeared in the March 2009 issue.)

Never Friday
By Greg Barozzi
When the two Captains of the Silver Moon return to the Mare Inebrium, Max isn't very glad to see them. But they buy their way into Max's good graces with a large credit chip, and a sad story. After all, in the Mare Inebrium, a story to tell is as valuable as hard currency... (Originally appeared in the September 2009 issue.)

Forever the Day
By J. Davidson Hero
An old tree, an archivist, and a rescued girl combine for a Christmas tale that still makes the Flash Editor misty every time he reads it.

The Model Maker
By Richard Tornello
The greatest lesson Mario could learn lay before him on the workbench, but it took him almost a lifetime to figure it out.

Salviati's Siren
By J. Davidson Hero
Marooned on the distant planet Salviati, botanist Sola Gardiner had to use all her skills to not be forgotten.

The Warm Equations
By Bill Wolfe
Billy's guilt consumed him. He had to save Mary, but she wasn't about to be stopped.

Masterwork
By David Alan Jones
Simon Labree: Artist, inventor, thief, and troll.

The Ghost of Christmas Past
By Casey Callaghan
An asteroid miner gets an unexpected visitor in this Campfire Ghost story.

Old Mary
By Bill Wolfe
Almost everyone thinks it's great to gather around a campfire on a chilly night. Some people know better.

The Devil in the Details
By Casey Callaghan
The Devil went to see a painter. It was a meeting neither would soon forget.