December 25, 3491 Whitey was a wreck. Born a thousand years earlier on a planet a thousand light years away, the ancient freighter had made a thousand long forgotten runs for hundreds of years, no doubt providing a living for long forgotten crews. Somewhere in its dim history something had happened, and the ship had…
Wednesday, December 25, 2390 Martian Date: Tudec 25, 181 “Gotta bio, Sarge!” Hagan called out, snapping everyone’s attention to him instantly. Fear that death could still reach them, especially now, so close to the end, was a constant companion. “Where?” Sargeant Portyansky hollered back. His platoon of forty marines were the last living souls remaining…
Tuesday, September 10, 2080 Mars Date: Tudec 24, year 16 Notes: Ages have been converted into Terran years. Tudec is the second December of the Martian year. I sat down in the rocker beside my kids’ bunk beds. David had the top bunk, but for reading time he always cuddled under the blankets with Erica…
Christmas Eve, 1995 “Look, Mom, I’m really sorry, but we can’t make it.” Barry’s voice carried regret, but I had long since known it wasn’t the regret of being unable to visit but rather regret he had to call. “Margie’s still wrapping presents and getting the house ready for our party tomorrow. And April is…