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    The Time It Happened
    The Time It Happened
    The Time It Happened
    Ebook145 pages1 hour

    The Time It Happened

    By Third Flatiron Publishing

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    About this ebook

    Time. We feel it march by, seeming to gain momentum with each passing
    year. Some physicists argue that it might not actually exist. We have
    only our recollections to depend on, and sometimes those can fool us,
    becoming fogged, like overexposed film.

    "The Time It Happened" from Third Flatiron Anthologies contains 15
    short science fiction adventures and flash humor pieces that explore
    world-altering events, both real and imagined, ranging from alien
    invasion and space wars to fantastically unpredictable science
    experiments. Seemingly minor crises, such as missing your morning cup
    of coffee, or a network glitch, can ruin your whole day, but what
    about forever? Historical events, like Lincoln's death, the Apollo 11
    mission, or Sputnik, may not have happened quite like we remember. Yet
    surely the most important memories, like love, are permanently etched
    on the walls of time.

    "The Time It Happened" proudly showcases an international group of new
    and established speculative fiction authors. Contributors include:
    Martin Clark, Atar Hadari, Dan Koboldt, Ellen Denton, Jason Lairamore,
    Larry C. Kay, Richard Mark Ankers, Thomas Canfield, Wendy Nikel, Evan
    Henry, Elliotte Rusty Harold, Neil James Hudson, Dana Schellings, Mark
    Hill, and Amanda C. Davis.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThird Flatiron Publishing
    Release dateFeb 28, 2015
    ISBN9781311596758
    The Time It Happened
    Author

    Third Flatiron Publishing

    Juli Rew is a former science writer/editor for the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, and is a software engineer by training. She is a believer in the scientific evidence for global warming. She also publishes fantasy and science fiction stories by other authors at Third Flatiron Publishing.

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      Book preview

      The Time It Happened - Third Flatiron Publishing

      The Time It Happened

      Third Flatiron Anthologies

      Volume 4, Spring 2015

      Published by Third Flatiron Publishing

      Juliana Rew, Editor

      Copyright 2015 Third Flatiron Publishing

      Boulder, Colorado

      Discover other titles by Third Flatiron:

      (1) Over the Brink: Tales of Environmental Disaster

      https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/163855

      (2) A High Shrill Thump: War Stories

      https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/218304

      (3) Origins: Colliding Causalities

      https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/257367

      (4) Universe Horribilis

      https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/288540

      (5) Playing with Fire

      https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/321325

      (6) Lost Worlds, Retraced

      https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/351622

      (7) Redshifted: Martian Stories

      https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/381618

      (8) Astronomical Odds

      https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/417022

      (9) Master Minds

      https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/446292

      (10) Abbreviated Epics

      https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/478247

      Click here to receive announcements of our new releases!

      We always appreciate your reviews too.

      *****~~~~~*****

      Back to Contents

      License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of these authors.

      *****~~~~~*****

      Contents

      Editor's Note by Juliana Rew

      False Footfall by Martin Clark

      Lincoln's Watch by Atar Hatari

      Going Viral by Dan Koboldt

      Stilled Life by Ellen Denton

      Kin Carriers by Jason Lairamore

      What Was Lost by Larry C. Kay

      Armada of Snow by Richard Mark Ankers

      Puppy Love by Thomas Canfield

      Good to the Last Drop by Wendy Nikel

      With Gilded Wings by Evan Henry

      Net War I by Elliotte Rusty Harold

      A Rock in the Air by Neil James Hudson

      Grins and Gurgles: Flash Fiction

      Blargnorff Industries New Employee Handbook Human Edition by Dana Schellings

      The Zzzombie Apocalypse by Mark Hill

      Xenofabulous by Amanda C. Davis

      Credits and Acknowledgments

      *****~~~~~*****

      Editor's Note

      by Juliana Rew

      Our previous anthology skewed heavily toward fantasy and epic themes. In contrast, this edition, which calls upon the theme, The Time It Happened, is almost entirely hard science fiction. We asked for tales that evoke an event that everyone remembers, or certainly would remember if it were to actually happen.

      In reading submissions we were pleased to receive a number of time-tinkering stories, including a return of favorite character Dr. Leon Prinz in Martin Clark's intriguing alternate history recounting of the Apollo 11 mission in False Footfall.

      As every writer knows, it's well nigh impossible to get a tin foil hat story published, but you'll be glad to know we're publishing not one, but two! Ellen Denton's Stilled Life nicely complements Clark's offering.

      Humans may have some exciting future events to look forward to as they reach for the stars, as in Richard Mark Ankers' Armada of Snow, Evan Henry's With Gilded Wings, and Jason Lairamore's Kin Carriers.

      We couldn't leave out Sputnik, of course. Thomas Canfield spins an engaging tale about who really won the space race in Puppy Love.

      There's a healthy helping of sobering what-if scenarios, including Net War I by Elliotte Rusty Harold, Going Viral by Dan Koboldt, and Good to the Last Drop by Wendy Nikel.

      With the passage of time comes memories, which can be either heartbreaking, as in Atar Hadari's Lincoln's Watch, or heartening, as in Larry C. Kay's What Was Lost.

      Anchoring the collection is A Rock in the Air, an affecting tale about a man who is thrown forward in time by the explosion in Hiroshima and his ultimate decision to return home to be with his people.

      Our flash humor offerings, Blargnorff Industries New Employee Handbook Human Edition by Dana Schellings, The Zzzombie Apocalypse by Mark Hill, and Xenofabulous by Amanda C. Davis," show the importance of proper behavior and attire as well as a good work ethic.

      The Time It Happened proudly showcases an international group of new and established speculative fiction authors, who help us recall events as they could only happen in the mind's eye.

      Back to Contents

      *****~~~~~*****

      False Footfall

      by Martin Clark

      He lies like an eye-witness – Russian proverb

      "But it didn't happen that way." I stared at the Google entry on my GP's laptop, conscious of the whine in my voice.

      Doctor Mathers had the rueful smile/sympathetic tone combination down pat.

      Well, I'm afraid the rest of the world would have to disagree with you there, John. The Apollo Eleven disaster is one of those iconic moments in popular culture. Everyone knows where they were when the lander crashed, plus something like one-hundred-and-twenty million people watched it live on television.

      I shook my head, unable to accept the evidence before my eyes. No, it was a success, a complete success. They all got back safely.

      "Apollo Twelve was the first successful landing, if a somewhat muted affair, and Apollo Thirteen recovered the bodies of Armstrong and Aldrin. I'm sorry, John, but that's just the way things are."

      The pain behind my eyes kicked up a notch. I rubbed my temple. I don't understand. What's wrong with me?

      My GP sat back. Well, I could schedule an MRI, or refer you to a psychologist, but I'm certain what you're suffering from is Temporal Psychosis. . . I must have blanched or something, as he quickly raised a hand, . . . which, despite the serious-sounding name, is actually quite a mild condition. I see one or two cases a month, and they've all responded to a straightforward treatment regimen.

      But you're saying that I'm mentally ill?

      Good God, man, no. You're simply part of that small group who suffer the side-effects of prolonged exposure to chronometric radiation. Once we identify the source, I'll be able to recommend appropriate lifestyle changes. He consulted my notes.

      You're a research fellow at the University of London. May I ask in what area?

      I assist Professor Rogerson at the Institute of Historical Research. We're— I broke off, my mouth open, Oh.

      Mathers brightened up appreciably. "Oh, indeed. Unfortunately, old chap, historians are four times more likely to suffer from T-P than the general population. Current thinking is that, being better informed, you're more susceptible to historical 'what if', ah, imagineering."

      At least he hadn't called it flights of fancy, but still my face burned with embarrassment. I don't see how that could have happened. I don't use the damn thing personally. I just analyse transcripts provided by the lip-readers.

      Being within a hundred yards is enough in some cases, I'm afraid. The doctor turned to his desk and began scribbling on a pad, I'm prescribing something for the anxiety and signing you off for an initial four weeks. This comes under the heading of an industrial injury, and your academic work simply has to take a back seat where your health is concerned, understand?

      Yes, but—

      But nothing. The HSE will come down like the proverbial ton of bricks on your department if the University lets you stay on. I'm afraid your esteemed Professor Rogerson will have to employ a temporary replacement or find something else to occupy his time for the next month or so. He tapped the pen on his lower lip. Now, the most effective protection against this form of radiation is a foil-lined skullcap or wig. Any decent milliner will carry a range of approved headgear, and they'll be a damn sight better quality than those provided by the NHS.

      That's it? That's all I have to do? Hide away for a few weeks and then wear an expensive foil hat?

      He handed me the prescription. Pretty much. As I said, it's a relatively mild condition and easily treated. I'll see you again in about a month's time, but that should be a mere formality.

      I stood and nodded. Thank you, Doctor. You've taken a great load off my mind.

      Don't mention it, and I hope you can enjoy the weekend. Mathers smiled, Take care.

      In the end it had all sounded so matter-of-fact, so trivial, but I was in a daze. The short distance between the consulting room and waiting area simply failed to register. I found myself standing at the desk with the pretty brunette receptionist looking up at me expectantly. Yes, Mister Banks?

      My mind stubbornly remained in neutral, and I turned away with a shake of the head. The great outdoors suddenly seemed a harsh and frightening place; people would know, they would stop and point, they would laugh. I stared at the double glass doors, breathing heavily.

      The receptionist laid her hand on my shoulder, making me start. Are you all right, sir? Would you like me to call you a cab?

      I forced my mouth into the semblance of a smile. No, no, that's quite all right, but thanks anyway. I'll walk, I need some fresh air.

      She sounded concerned. Well, if you're quite—

      But I was gone, preferring potential ridicule to certain sympathy. I wandered aimlessly, shoulders hunched against the catcalls that never came. There was a pharmacy ahead, and I fumbled in my jacket pocket for the wadded-up prescription. My fingers closed instead around a thin, oblong shape. It was a business card, on good-quality stock, for The Belmarsh Foundation, with an address in Earlsfield but no telephone number. On the reverse was a handwritten 8:30pm and beneath that, Answers.

      Answers? I wasn't even sure I understood the questions.

      …

      Earlsfield, SW18, 8:26 pm

      Despite the grandiose title, The Belmarsh Foundation turned out to be the bottom half of a partitioned terraced house in Duntshill Road, not far from the station. I watched from across the street, in the shadow of a stunted elm. There were no signs of life. The hallway behind the frosted glass fanlight was in darkness, and heavy-duty Venetian blinds covered the bay window.

      I couldn't hang about indefinitely, as someone was bound to call the police and report me for loitering, with or without intent. So, I

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