Topiary: noun
The art or practice of clipping shrubs or trees into ornamental shapes.
Topiary Genetics:
A privately held research group thought to do significant business
with the United States Defense Department.

By Branwen Gillen

Author’s Note: This is based off a daydream I had during a serious depressive episode today. It includes a lot of personal introspection and recriminations. If you’re not interested in my existential angst, please don’t bother reading. If you continue, I hope it’s at least entertaining.

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Chapter 12

A Blank Page
Chapter 12
By Flummox

The Legends

Chapter 2 - The Woman Soldier

A girl dies and resurrects 80 years later, in a divided world. Each chapter is the story of a person who encountered her, in a different place and a different state. She sometimes helps other people, but nobody knows who she is.

I had several dreams during the night.
Not all of them were nightmares, but they came close as they all revolved around real people in my life. I couldn't recall anything that they said, but it was more of their expressions—the lifeless, dead expressions they had with every face that flashed in my head. My parents, teachers, Karen Anne, Dick, maybe even Elvis, I don’t know…but they all stood along a line that lead to a door and ultimately closed it on me.

Endre wants to flee his war-torn planet.
His hope lies with Captian Jespersen who smuggled refugees before.
What he didn't know was how high the price is he may have to pay.

"I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it, I just want to know that this is something you really want" Mum said sitting next to dad across from Gaby and I.

"Your mother's right. Could this be some form of PTSD?" Dad chimed.

"Exactly. You boys went through God-knows-what on that island, especially you!" Mum followed

"Mum." I said weakly

"You said you dressed like a woman the entire time and then the things that boy did to you, this could just be a way for you to cope"

My father nodded.

It must have been a demon who dreamed up a life regarded with male presumption. From the prescribed stoicism placed on a first born son, to the stifling collar of the school uniform, every moment was one of irritation. Yet I followed the path of least resistance, for no other reason than to lessen the blow. To conform was to evade conflict until such time as it was necessary.

The Final Frontier
By Mary Beth Sanford
(Expanded Version of my original: To Boldly Go):

Synopsis: The most dangerous jobs in space could only be done by men, brave men. Some would say the bravest of men. No one knowing what these men have gone through would deny them that praise. Most would shudder thinking about their sacrifice because for those men to do what they do they must first give up being men.

Key Players: