System Fiction

After humankind fled Earth for space, they discovered one inescapable truth. People die in space. And lots of dead people means lots of ghosts. April Nguyen earns a nice living getting rid of those ghosts. People all over the Solar System clamor for her aid. April's only problem? Never actually seeing a ghost. She pretends, she feigns, she completely convinces her clients, but she fears her inevitable exposure as a fraud. And then comes Hakim, the ultimate suspicious skeptic watching her every move.

Earth is one step away from a nuclear war, and Paradigm Alpha’s solution to saving what they can of humanity is to upload their brains to The Doomsday System. But while most of the minds are being stored while they sleep, Jeff doesn’t have that option. As the only one who can be uploaded digitally and remain awake, he will be kept alive, as it were, in order to help humanity 10,000 years from now. But thanks to time compression in the system, it will only be a thousand years for him.

Mia Strong never expected to be deciding the rest of her life at age 22. Is she willing to become a human lab rat? Does she need to write a will? Does she ever want a family - and if so, with whom? She can't dodge the tough questions - not if she plans to live to see 23. With her life hanging in the balance, Mia wants nothing more than to rely on Adam Drake, but he's hurt her before.

When an alien ship crashes into the space station and diplomatic post Labyrinthe VII, the precarious balance between Harmony's High Preistess Sissy and Confederated Star System Agent Jake begins to dissolve. Suddenly they are caught in a web of deceit and intrigue as undercover agents for both the humans and the aliens vie for control not only of the space station, but of a new and unclaimed planet that may hold the answers many of them seek - or prove to be a deadly trap.

Discover the high-stakes world of fine dining in "$1,000 A Plate" by Jack McKenty—a gripping short story where luxury, ambition, and deception collide. When an elite supper club charges four figures for a single meal, every bite comes with a secret—and not everyone makes it to dessert. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers, dark satire, and culinary intrigue. Read now and find out what’s really on the menu.

Step into the future with Pygmalion’s Spectacles by Stanley G. Weinbaum—the groundbreaking 1935 sci-fi short story that predicted virtual reality decades ahead of its time. Follow Dan, a curious student, as he tests a pair of experimental goggles that transport him into a fully immersive dream world. Blending romance, technology, and visionary imagination, this forgotten gem of Golden Age science fiction explores the thrilling possibilities and ethical dilemmas of artificial experience.

Discover the timeless spiritual parable Where Love Is, There God Is Also by Leo Tolstoy—a moving tale of faith, compassion, and the presence of God in everyday acts of kindness. This short story follows the humble life of Martin the cobbler, whose simple but profound journey reveals the true meaning of Christian love. Perfect for those seeking inspiration, moral insight, and classic literature with a heartwarming message, Tolstoy’s masterpiece reminds us that God dwells wherever love is lived out.

Brace yourself for the awe and terror of The Star, H.G. Wells’ powerful short story of celestial doom and human indifference. When a mysterious star hurtles through space toward Earth, astronomers issue warnings—but the world goes on, oblivious. As the star draws nearer, global chaos erupts and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. First published in 1897, The Star is a chilling tale of cosmic forces beyond our control, a blend of science, suspense, and philosophical reflection that still resonates today.

Discover William Tenn's brilliantly satirical science fiction classic Venus is a Man's World, where gender roles are hilariously reversed. In this thought-provoking tale, Earth's male population has been decimated by war, creating a society where men are rare, pampered commodities and women hold all positions of power.

Explore one of literature’s most enduring short stories in The Lady, or the Tiger? by Frank R. Stockton. Set in a semi-barbaric kingdom, this suspenseful tale follows a young man forced to choose between two doors—one hiding a beautiful maiden, the other a deadly tiger.

Experience the bone-chilling terror of Ambrose Bierce's "The Damned Thing," a revolutionary horror tale that dares to imagine the unseen predator lurking just beyond human perception. When a man is savagely killed in the wilderness, witnesses describe an invisible force that defies explanation—a creature that exists in colors beyond the human eye's capability. Bierce's masterful blend of scientific speculation and primal fear creates an atmosphere of inescapable dread that will haunt listeners long after they finish listening.

Delve into the twisted brilliance of "Ricardo's Virus," William Tenn's captivating sci-fi tale where scientific curiosity meets unforeseen consequences. When an ambitious researcher unleashes a pathogen with mind-altering capabilities, humanity faces an evolutionary crisis that challenges the very definition of progress. Tenn's razor-sharp satire and prophetic vision shine in this thought-provoking story that explores the ethical boundaries of manipulation and the unpredictable nature of biological tampering.

Step into the unsettling world of Philip K. Dick's "Beyond the Door," now available as an immersive audiobook experience. This haunting short story follows a peculiar cuckoo clock with an uncanny consciousness and the tense domestic drama that unfolds around it. When Larry gifts his wife Doris a charming cuckoo clock, he's unaware of the strange bond forming between them. As Larry's jealousy grows and tensions escalate, listeners will be drawn into a tale where ordinary objects harbor extraordinary sentience.

Join the U.S. Army's top-secret mission to construct a military base on the Moon—where meticulous plans meet cosmic chaos. Tenn's razor-sharp satire of military bureaucracy feels eerily relevant today as harried Colonel "Hard-Head" Harrison faces impossible deadlines, bewildered scientists, and the absurdity of applying earthbound logic to lunar challenges.

This darkly humorous short story transports listeners to an overcrowded future where anti-aging drugs have created a society where nobody dies and multiple generations are forced to cohabitate. Follow the dysfunctional Ford family as they navigate life under the iron rule of 172-year-old Gramps, whose possession of the family apartment gives him absolute power. When young Lou plots to overthrow the family hierarchy, chaos ensues.

Journey into the mind of sci-fi master Philip K. Dick with this captivating audiobook rendition of 'Tony and the Beetles.' Set against the backdrop of interstellar conflict, young Tony faces a shifting reality when Earth's dominance over beetle-like aliens suddenly crumbles. Experience Dick's profound exploration of prejudice, childhood innocence, and societal change through immersive narration that brings every nuance to life.

The gang are back in the Wolf's Den and are finally ready to put their abilities toward forces for good. The threat of Roy Lykos has finally been put to rest . . .or has it? His tentacles of power may stretch further than John had initially thought.

As events in the world continue to spin out of control and the global financial markets embark on a rollercoaster ride, Kate has to join forces with James Gold, a notorious hacker, to try and regain control of their renegade system before it's too late.

Die Flammen der Freiheit verzehren alle, Leibeigene wie Herren. John, der widerwillige Eigentümer der Siedlungen in British Columbia, stellt mit seinen Freunden die Speerspitze der Armee der Menschen an der nordamerikanischen Westküste dar. Allerdings haben seine Feinde diesen wachsenden Machtfaktor bemerkt und bringen Verstärkungen heran, um ihn und seine Verbündeten abzuschneiden, bevor sie zu stark werden. Sobald Politik und unschuldige Leben auf dem Spiel stehen, bemerkt John, dass die Ehre ein Hindernis auf dem Weg zum Sieg sein kann.

Das System kennt deinen Platz. Doch was, wenn du dich an der Seite des falschen Mannes wiederfindest? Anziehung ist gefährlich, Liebe nur Illusion und einzig das System weiß, wer zusammengehört. Darauf vertraut auch Liah, bis sie ausgerechnet Arjan – dem zukünftigen Präsidenten – als Partnerin zugeteilt wird, einem Mann, den sie verachtet. Während sie sich in ihre vorbestimmte Rolle zwingt, zieht sie der geheimnisvolle Zayne in seinen Bann und bringt ihre Loyalität ins Schwanken. Gefangen in einem Strudel aus Rache, Verrat und düsteren Geheimnissen, muss Liah herausfinden, wer sich irrt.