Opium for Ezra, by T.R. Napper

[Interzone]

★★★☆☆ Honorable Mention

(Military SF) After nine months in a super tank, Ezra and his crew are barely hanging on, and they’re getting strange messages from an unknown source that seems to have nothing to do with the ongoing war. (5,792 words; Time: 19m)

Ghosts of a Neon God, by T.R. Napper

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(Dystopia) Jack and Col are petty thieves in a near-future Melbourne, Australia, when their lives are changed by an upper-class Chinese woman who begs them for help. Even though all they do is steal her shoes. (7,633 words; Time: 25m)

Rating: ★★★☆☆ Honorable Mention

The Rhyme of Grievance, by T.R. Napper

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(Robot SF) Khamla lives a meagre existence, and she's not happy that the first humanoid robot to get equal rights lives in luxury. (6,734 words; Time: 22m)

Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average

Flame Trees, by T.R. Napper

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(Near-future SF) Chi lives in a future Australia and suffers from PTSD. His doctor offers to erase the bad memories, but he refuses without explaining why. (6,040 words)

Rating: 3, Average

 

A Strange Loop, by T.R. Napper

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(SF) In a future Australia, Irving sells his memories for ready cash, hoping to put his life back together. To the extent he still remembers it. (9,600 words; Time: 32m)

Rating: ★★★★☆ Recommended

Recommended By: RHorton:4 NClarke