The man peered over the edge of the station platform. The tracks stretched far away in either direction, converging at a distant horizon, eventually dissolving into a fog which seemed more like a memory than a mist. Everything was daubed in shades of grey, as if the world was bathed in ashen light. The air had a texture, almost palpable, settling on the palate with a thin, metallic zest. The atmosphere was eerie. Peaceful, yet hummed with mystery. A train rolled by with an un

Tiny creatures wriggle beneath Bonn’s feet. Brown; deep maroon; iridescent blue that turns invisible. “Puter, how does this happen?” “Its blue sheen/scales leave your visual range. It is well seen through ultra-violet. A mechanism to survive and hunt in the soil” Puter proposes. “There is so much loss with my senses that is there for you to see” Bonn quips. “Yes, I sense night waves I know you can’t see. Solar UV and IR radiation. There are creatures roaming this

1096 ‘Sister Magdalena is not back from her rounds. We cannot lock the outer gates.’ ‘There is no-one to watch them. They must be locked.’ ‘Sister…’ ‘They must be locked.’ You breathe deeper, reigning down the cries behind your ribs. ‘I will watch them. Give me the keys.’ The whites of the Abbess’s eyes appear around the winter blue. ‘Give you the keys?’ You bow, and stay bowed, praying that Humility will speak for you, for Magdalena. After a small eternity, y

May you not know fear Nor taint your heart to outweigh The truthful feather

The philosophy of judging is to project or reflect values and limitations. Perspectives emphasise the ethical responsibility to be accurate and fair while not criticising others. It’s important that decisions are based on facts and ethics; not subjective unfounded feelings. But subjective feelings seem to be the essence of Bonn’s species. What makes them different is subjective feelings. To build a highly effective and efficient machine, an android, one that is even five

‘I am fucking interesting!’ she yelled. ‘I meant, perhaps you could adjust the topic of conversation to the audience.’ ‘It’s their business if they can’t keep up. Lazy fuckers.’ ‘Yes but they’re only in Year 3.’ ‘No time like the present to get educated. Best thing for them.’ ‘Anyway, the course co-ordinator suggested you might like to take a refresher course on child-centred learning techniques.’ ‘A what?’ ‘You know, just to make sure it’s uppermost in your co

The species is very curious. It’s easy to ‘create’ beings from silicon and plastics. Pod’s Quantum systems with replicator, can supersede a flesh being. One that can out-smart, out everything the carbon-based muscle-and-blood-bags. But doesn’t make them a ‘being’. Bonn doesn’t have a ‘friend’ and he needs one. The physics ‘essential’ to produce a replica is easy from minerals on their planet but there is something missing. How do you make a spirit, a character, a being