THE EXPANDING UNIVERSE VOL 11 (TEU11) edited by Craig Martel

Explore the universe… with the 11th Volume of The Expanding Universe, a short-story collection to pique your interest and sharpen your mind. (My story "The Virus," is on pg 114.)
“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the universe, or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” Arthur C Clarke penned those words, and they stand true to this day. Do we want to be alone? Leave it to science fiction authors to address that question in equal measure.

Aliens can be peaceful or not. Who will emerge as the superior strain of intelligence? Humanity may be new to the game, but they aren’t new to conflict.

Fantastic races vying for dominance. A microcosm of the greater good. Battles fought for higher ideals. Battles fought just to survive.

War doesn’t care about human or alien. The soldiers fight, and they fight hard, as if their lives depend on it...Because they do.

 Join new friends as you immerse yourself in high-tech worlds scattered across the stars. Seize your copy of The Expanding Universe Volume 11 today to enjoy these compelling tales.

Here are the stories and their authors in TEU11.
The Librarian and the Pirate (pg 1)
By Lawrence M. Schoen
Just because everyone in the galactic neighborhood wants our fiction doesn't mean they're free to pirate it.
Third Platoon (pg 24)
By Todd McCaffrey
A Howe does not leave a man behind.
Just Breathe (pg 45)
By Nicky Penttila
In orbit, justice is thin as air.
Bad Decision Fallout (pg 67)
by Ray Wenck
One bad decision led to another, except this one may lead to death.
To Sail on Theseus’ Ship (pg 92)
By Jay Veloso Batista
A transit guest’s terrible past complicates an already problematic disaster…

MY STORY

The Virus (pg 114)
By Robert G. Williscroft

Is killing a sapient machine murder? Is killing them all genocide?

Andi Loves You (pg 138)
By Daniel Arenson
Can artificial life forms love?
HAMMERFALL (pg 169)
By Kevin Ikenberry
A Story of The Buzzer War—No lieutenant wants to get lost on their first combat mission… so why not sound the charge?
Athena Unshackled  (pg 193)
By Christopher D. Schmitz
When a starliner passenger, Kai Rivera, is abruptly awakened from cryosleep to make repairs, he uncovers a horrifying truth—his ship’s AI went rogue…
A Warrior’s Path  (pg 216)
By C.M. Simpson
With a city imperiled, and a world at stake, can two soldiers make a difference?
Intertwined  (pg 243)
By Jeri Shepherd
Bound by memories that aren’t their own, and amid the violent turbulence of space, the crew of the Intergalactic Space Vessel, Humanity’s Hope, must untangle their identities to begin a new life on Terra Proxima.

A Cry for Help  (pg 288)
By Eduard Meinema
A distress signal from an unknown ship and thousands of people under your care. Is helping worth the risk? 

The Colors of Space (pg 314)
By Kate Dane
Pilots need perfect pitch to navigate hyperspace—except for one.
Intent to Reclaim  (pg 334)
By Andrew P. McGregor
The warship could turn cities to ash. The repo agent was told, “Maybe it’ll talk first.”
Situation Normal: All Furballed Up  (pg 360)
By C. Gockel
A malfunctioning sexbot, a grumpy telepathic space-weasel, and an artistic, mutant wolf-girl walk into a deathmatch arena—situation is normal: all furballed up.
Skyhold Protocol: The Invitation  (pg 404)
By Marie-Hélène Lebeault
When the city went silent, they expected disaster. What they found was an invitation.
Lightyears to Oblivion  (pg 430)
By D.M. Pruden
After centuries of cosmic voyages, a solitary traveler is forced to fracture his consciousness to rescue his failing ship—risking the loss of the self that he's painstakingly preserved.
Tameshiwari  (pg 449)
By Rick Partlow
Perseverance can take many shapes. 

Gibberlink  (pg 469)
By Rachel Aukes
When a derelict ship docks at an isolated station, it carries something that could doom everyone in the station. 

Last Stand of the Talon  (pg 489)
By Jeffery H. Haskell
A crew of navy misfits must protect a distant mining colony from pirates.

The Almost War  (pg 510)
By M.J. Fitzmaurice
How a Belt Miner Saved the Solar System.

Field Test  (pg 530)
By Casey Moores
The highly advanced GOG combat suit has revolutionized combat and helped the Kurdish Republic survive against incredible odds, but now their enemies aim to steal its secrets for themselves with little standing in their way. 

Trigger Creep  (pg 554)
By Dave Dobson
A sniper. A spotter. And a war coming to an end, but only for one of them.

No Fangs, We’re Good (pg 577)
By Patrice Fitzgerald
Spoiling for a fight… 

Border Watch  (pg 599)
By Daniel Gibbs
On his last tour of duty, Major John Wilson faces his most dangerous challenge: deploying a covert surveillance network while an enemy captain watches his every move.

The Transmission (pg 629)
By Craig Martell
When a consciousness takes on a new life…

Explore the universe… with the 10th Volume of The Expanding Universe, a short-story collection to pique your interest and sharpen your mind. (My story "The Cold Spot," is on pg 252.)
“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the universe, or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” Arthur C Clarke penned those words, and they stand true to this day. Do we want to be alone? Leave it to science fiction authors to address that question in equal measure.

Aliens can be peaceful or not. Who will emerge as the superior strain of intelligence? Humanity may be new to the game, but they aren’t new to conflict.

Fantastic races vying for dominance. A microcosm of the greater good. Battles fought for higher ideals. Battles fought just to survive.

War doesn’t care about human or alien. The soldiers fight, and they fight hard, as if their lives depend on it...Because they do.

Here are the stories and their authors in TEU10.
Extinguishing the Stars (pg 3)
By G.S. Jensen
To save his people from an alien threat, one man must face the deamons of his past.
Hard Fall (pg 24)
By Andrew P. McGregor
As if reaching for the stars weren't hard enough; the Assessors have chosen to test us.
Echoes of Exolife (pg 45)
By J.C. Gemmell
Joanna Thorne seaks the truth behind the demise of every civilization. Humanity will never accept what she discovers.
Confluence of Destinies (pg 68)
by Marie-Hélène Lebeault
Before the stars alligned, their destinies were already written.
When the Devil Drives (pg 95)
By Mark Henwick
For any merchanter, safe options are few in the depths of the lawless Frontier, very few.Ans as a female, solo merchanter being hunted by the violent criminals that she's tricked, Samsara has none.
Hope Blooms (pg 122)
By Peter J. Foote

When Liam and Rosario get blackmailed to explore the Jupiter inserstellar gate, they discover something that could upset the balance of power in Sol system.
The Plumber (pg 143)
By Steve Ruskin
Ancient pipes. A ruptured alliance. Can one man fix them both, or is the damage beyond repair?
Elysium Burning (pg 164)
By J. Rawlinson
Quinn builds the deadliest mech ever known, then witnesses its theft. Will he kiss his retirement goodbye and do the right thing?
Honey of the Hive (pg 187)
By Nicholas Licalsi
Admiral Galderman rescued Delilah and the other refugees from the hive, but is he ready for the swarm that follows?
Yginda (pg 209)
By J.A. Mortimore
The Yginda system holds secrets and danger for the crew of the Guppy.
Loneliness (pg 228)
By Jay Veloso Batista
Facing both work and interpersonal pressures, a solitary exobiologist evaluates an important specimen critical to the success of their interstellar mission, but is it more than it seems?

MY STORY

The Cold Spot (pg 254)
By Robert G. Williscroft
Just what is The Fine Structure Constant anyway?

The Little Ship of Horrors (pg 276)
By A.C. Williams
Rongo and his mercenary crew are always looking to make a quick buck, and harvesting the rare Crimson Sundew from a newly discovered world sounds like easy money. But when their ship malfunctions enroute to deliver their pilferred plant-based cargo, will they be able to regain control before they crash?
The Spear of the Unchosen (pg 300)
By John W. McIntire
When a team of Marines faces their greatest threat yet, they must rely on their skills and each other to survive.
Remora Reward (pg 324)
By Lawrence M. Schoen
The greatest mass murderer in the galaxy returns home. The whales want a word with him.
Tital's Hell (pg 342)

A Black Watch Regiment Story
By T.D. WIlson
Fighting a losing war against an alien menace may be hell, but for the Black Watch Regiment, it was only the beginning of their problems.
Six Degrees (pg 366)
By C.M. Simpson
Space rabbits, pirates, and a lost colony going to war for the first time.
First: Do no Harms (pg 392)
By Jerry Shepard
Would you sacrifice one life to save millions?

Relic (pg 417)
By Alastair Mayer
What you find may not be what you are looking for, but it might get you there. A T-Space story.

Six Degrees (pg 435)
By Craig Martell
What does a hero look like?

Join new friends as you immerse yourself in high-tech worlds scattered across the stars. Seize your copy of The Expanding Universe Volume 10 today.

Explore the universe…with the 9th Volume of The Expanding Universe (TEU9), a short-story collection edited by Craig Martell to pique your interest and sharpen your mind with seventeen authors and nearly 130,000 words. (My story "First Contact," is on pg 199.)
“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the universe, or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” Arthur C Clarke penned those words, and they stand true to this day. Do we want to be alone? Leave it to science fiction authors to address that question in equal measure.

Aliens can be peaceful or not. Who will emerge as the superior strain of intelligence? Humanity may be new to the game, but they aren’t new to conflict.

Fantastic races vying for dominance. A microcosm of the greater good. Battles fought for higher ideals. Battles fought just to survive.

War doesn’t care about human or alien. The soldiers fight, and they fight hard, as if their lives depend on it...Because they do.

Here are the stories and their authors in TEU9.
Remora of the Deep (pg 3)
By Lawrence M. Schoen
A serially immortal assassin arrives to help a planet of beings who have transcended humanity.
RECON PILOT (pg 22)
By Jonathan P. Brazee
With the Botam Army advancing and the battle lost, Pilot Sergeant Two Zuri Onai is ordered to retreat and evacuate off planet. When she spots a wounded Techno soldier behind the Botam forces is there anything she can do, does she even want to?
The Visitation (pg 46)
By Richard Cartwright
Middle Ages. Aliens. Madness.
Lemon Pegasus (pg 65)
by Mike Jack Stoumbos
Near the end of his exploration career, an aging biologist discovers a creature from Terran mythology on an alien planet, but is his find too good to be true?
Roadside Assistance (pg 87)
By Alastair Mayer
In space, simple problems can be really hard to fix. A T-Space story.
The Audition (pg 112)
A Four Horsemen Universe Story
By Chris Kennedy
Free the Beasts (pg 137)
By E.W. Barnes
Risking a mission to do the right thing? That’s a gamble worth taking.
The Pet Extractor (pg 155)
By Andrew P. McGregor
Quork risks all to infiltrate a space station and rescue two pets from their monstrous keeper.
STATUS THREE AGENT (pg 174)
By T.S. VALMOND
Nothing is ever what it seems, not even your memories.

MY STORY
First Contact (pg 199)
By Robert G. Williscroft
First contact is not always what you might expect.

Ungentle Wings (pg 221)
By Alex Bates
When swords and blasters aren’t enough to deal with scrappers, maybe a little local help can be obtained.
Old Age and Treachery (pg 232)
By LJ Dix
An aging captain and an obsolete ship are all that stand between their fleet and destruction.
THE YEARS CONDEMN (pg 252)
By Mark Henwick
A fractured humanity faces an implacable, invincible foe.
Another Bad Decision (pg 280)
By Ray Wenck
He made an art form of bad decisions – but this one might cost him his life.
The Dolos Imperative (pg 302)
By John W. McIntire
Caught between allegiances, can a former Marine make the right choice?
Survivor (pg 324)
By Todd McCaffrey
The Canaris Rift is a strange place.
The Taking of Haulus Max 5 (pg 346)
By Craig Martelle
Even if you don’t want to, sometimes you still have to do it yourself.

Join new friends as you immerse yourself in high-tech worlds scattered across the stars. Seize your copy of The Expanding Universe Volume 9 today.xplore the universe… with the 10th Volume of The Expanding Universe, a short-story collection to pique your interest and sharpen your mind. (My story "The Cold Spot," is on pg 252.)
“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the universe, or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” Arthur C Clarke penned those words, and they stand true to this day. Do we want to be alone? Leave it to science fiction authors to address that question in equal measure.

Aliens can be peaceful or not. Who will emerge as the superior strain of intelligence? Humanity may be new to the game, but they aren’t new to conflict.

Fantastic races vying for dominance. A microcosm of the greater good. Battles fought for higher ideals. Battles fought just to survive.

War doesn’t care about human or alien. The soldiers fight, and they fight hard, as if their lives depend on it...Because they do.

Here are the stories and their authors in TEU9.
Extinguishing the Stars (pg 3)
By G.S. Jensen
To save his people from an alien threat, one man must face the deamons of his past.
Hard Fall (pg 24)
By Andrew P. McGregor
As if reaching for the stars weren't hard enough; the Assessors have chosen to test  us.
Echoes of Exolife (pg 45)
By J.C. Gemmell
Joanna Thorne seaks the truth behind the demise of every civilization. Humanity will never accept what she discovers.
Confluence of Destinies (pg 68)
by Marie-Hélène Lebeault
Before the stars alligned, their destinies were already written.
When the Devil Drives (pg 95)
By Mark Henwick
For any merchanter, safe options are few in the depths of the lawless Frontier, very few.Ans as a female, solo merchanter being hunted by the violent criminals that she's tricked, Samsara has none.
Hope Blooms (pg 122)
By Peter J. Foote

When Liam and Rosario get blackmailed to explore the Jupiter inserstellar gate, they discover something that could upset the balance of power in Sol system.
The Plumber (pg 143)
By Steve Ruskin
Ancient pipes. A ruptured alliance. Can one man fix them both, or is the damage beyond repair?
Elysium Burning (pg 164)
By J. Rawlinson
Quinn builds the deadliest mech ever known, then witnesses its theft. Will he kiss his retirement goodbye and do the right thing?
Honey of the Hive (pg 187)
By Nicholas Licalsi
Admiral Galderman rescued Delilah and the other refugees from the hive, but is he ready for the swarm that follows?
Yginda (pg 209)
By J.A. Mortimore
The Yginda system holds secrets and danger for the crew of the Guppy.
Loneliness (pg 228)
By Jay Veloso Batista
Facing both work and interpersonal pressures, a solitary exobiologist evaluates an important specimen critical to the success of their interstellar mission, but is it more than it seems?
The Cold Spot (pg 254)
By Robert G. Williscroft
Just what is The Fine Structure Constant anyway?.
The Little Ship of Horrors (pg 276)
By A.C. Williams
Rongo and his mercenary crew are always looking to make a quick buck, and harvesting the rare Crimson Sundew from a newly discovered world sounds like easy money. But when their ship malfunctions enroute to deliver their pilferred plant-based cargo, will they be able to regain control before they crash?
The Spear of the Unchosen (pg 300)
By John W. McIntire
When a team of Marines faces their greatest threat yet, they must rely on their skills and each other to survive.
Remora Reward (pg 324)
By Lawrence M. Schoen
The greatest mass murderer in the galaxy returns home. The whales want a word with him.
Tital's Hell (pg 342)

A Black Watch Regiment Story
By T.D. WIlson
Fighting a losing war against an alien menace may be hell, but for the Black Watch Regiment, it was only the beginning of their problems.
Six Degrees (pg 366)
By C.M. Simpson
Space rabbits, pirates, and a lost colony going to war for the first time.
First: Do no Harms (pg 392)
By Jerry Shepard
Would you sacrifice one life to save millions?

Relic (pg 417)
By Alastair Mayer
What you find may not be what you are looking for, but it might get you there. A T-Space story.

Six Degrees (pg 435)
By Craig Martell
What does a hero look like?

Join new friends as you immerse yourself in high-tech worlds scattered across the stars. Seize your copy of The Expanding Universe Volume 10 today.