Here’s a snippet from “Dog Star,” one of the stories in OTHER EARTH, OTHER STARS, my science fiction short story collection. This story was inspired by Joe Barkson’s awesomesauce recipezine, Worldwide Recipes. Check it out!
The time is now. The place is the woods and home of science-fiction fans. Fiona and the narrative character, Cyrano, are dogs. Hence, the title.
It Came From Outer Space
excerpt from “Dog Star,” OTHER EARTH, OTHER STARS
by Marian Allen
Fiona and I trotted up to the patio, drawn by the scents of breakfast and our Lady’s menthol filter-tip. She was wearing stay-at-home clothes–jeans and a shirt that read “My husband went to Alpha Centauri and all he brought me was this lousy t-shirt.”
She greeted us as she usually did, with a jocular, “About time you dragged your lazy butts up here. Wore yourselves out barking all–What the hell is that?” That last bit, needless to say, was not usual.
I felt Orton’s weight shift, and felt the clutch of one three-fingered hand release.
Our Lady squatted near me and peered at my passenger.
“It’s an alien from outer space,” she said. “YES!” She jacked herself up and slid the door open, yelling, “Andy! Andy! You gotta see this!”
Mister came thumping out, his comfortingly hairy legs and chest bare, his Wile E. Coyote boxers bright and amusing in the early morning light. “This better be good, Kath.”
“Look at this,” our Lady said. “Look at what Cyrano brought up.” She gestured at Orton, cigarette ash dusting the breeze.
He looked. “What is it?”
“Blink at him,” our Lady told my rider.
“Damn!” said Mister.
My name is Orton Scarro, Orton “said.” Take me to your leader.
“I think not,” said our Lady, and took a drag on her smoke. “If you knew any better, you wouldn’t ask that. Proof positive you’re from out of town.”
“Right,” Mister agreed. “They’d vivisect you till there wasn’t any viv anymore. Then they’d ship what was left off to Area 51 and return all your mail marked ‘no such person at this address.'”
“We have to help the little guy. I mean, what would Data do?”
~*~
OTHER EARTH, OTHER STARS is available in print and for electronic reading devices.
A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: A dog drags up something unexpected.
MA
Jane
April 17, 2016 at 8:51amA couple of fine dogs and their alien. Nice excerpt!
Once, when it hit 20 below zero, Tar Baby brought home a lovely little Siamese lady to shelter from the extraordinary cold. The next day or so, we heard a couple meows from the basement, right when Tar Baby was walking past us, and went to investigate. There she was, coyly nibbling from his bowl. She was extremely unnerved by a house full of kids, so we kindly found her a new home.
Marian Allen
April 17, 2016 at 9:23amWhat a good, generous boy he was! I wonder if she liked her new home; do you know?
Jane
April 18, 2016 at 9:21amIt was an adult arrangement, so sadly I do not know how she did. I think I was told they liked her.
Marian Allen
April 18, 2016 at 10:58amWell, o’ COURSE they liked her. 🙂 Good to know!
Dan Antion
April 17, 2016 at 9:46am“what would Data do?” Perfect question 🙂