Showing results for "The English System" in Hard Science Fiction

A mysterious object threatens to destroy our solar system. The survival of humankind is at risk, but nobody takes the warning of young astrophysicist Maribel Pedreira seriously. At the same time, an exiled crew of outcasts mines for rare minerals on a lone asteroid. When other scientists finally acknowledge Pedreira's alarming discovery, it becomes clear that these outcasts are the only ones who may be able to save our world, knowing that the Hole hurtles inexorably toward the sun.

All Systems Red is the tense first science fiction adventure novella in Martha Wells' series The Murderbot Diaries. For fans of Westworld, Ex Machina, Ann Leckie's Imperial Raadch series, or Iain M. Banks' Culture novels. The main character is a deadly security droid that has bucked its restrictive programming and is balanced between contemplative self-discovery and an idle instinct to kill all humans.

Is our sun behaving differently from other stars? When an amateur astronomer discovers something strange on telescopic solar pictures, an explanation must be found. Is it merely artifact? Or has he found something totally unexpected? An expert international crew is hastily assembled, a spaceship is speedily repurposed, and the foursome is sent on the ride of their lives. What challenges will they face on this spur-of-the-moment mission to our central star?

In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety. But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern. On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid—a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.”

The Other Now by Murray Leinster is a haunting and emotionally resonant science fiction novella that explores love, grief, and the fragile boundaries of reality itself. When Jimmy Patterson is left shattered by the death of his wife, Jane, his quiet mourning is disrupted by unsettling anomalies—familiar moments replayed out of sequence, a doorway that seems charged with meaning, and diary entries written in Jane’s unmistakable hand after her passing.

The Alcazar station has been attacked! Project Ibex, under the command of former teammate Irene has begun cutting a bloody path throughout the galaxy, delivering a single message. Humanity has arrived! From Tachyon to Boron and beyond Hrafn squad will pursue the Veles across the galaxy. Alliances will be forged; enemies will be made and the thin red line between hero and villain will be towed in the name of peace.

Step into a chilling vision of the future in The Golden Man by Philip K. Dick, a masterful blend of science fiction, suspense, and philosophical depth. Set in a world where mutants are hunted by a powerful government, the story follows Cris, a strangely evolved human with golden skin and extraordinary abilities that defy control. As authorities seek to capture and destroy him, Dick explores themes of evolution, free will, and humanity’s uncertain place in the cosmos.

Storm Cloud on Deka by E. E. Smith takes listeners into a high-stakes future where science, ethics, and survival collide. This classic golden-age science fiction tale blends thrilling corporate intrigue with the dangers of advanced pharmaceuticals and experimental technologies. Set on the mysterious world of Deka, the story explores the perilous consequences of human ambition and the struggle to confront corruption in a universe where every discovery could be life-saving—or deadly.

"A Pail of Air” by Fritz Leiber is a haunting and poetic science fiction short story set in a frozen, post-apocalyptic Earth where the sun has gone dark. Written in the early 1950s, this atmospheric tale follows a resilient family struggling to survive in a world turned to eternal night, where even breathable air must be collected by hand. Told through the eyes of a young boy, the story captures the stark beauty of isolation, the desperation of survival, and the enduring hope that flickers in humanity’s darkest hours.

Discover a classic of Golden Age science fiction in The Vortex Blaster by E.E. “Doc” Smith—a pulse-pounding adventure across the stars. When brilliant scientist Neal "Storm" Cloud loses his family in a tragic explosion, he dedicates his life to eradicating deadly space vortices threatening entire planets. Armed with his unmatched intellect and raw determination, Storm becomes a one-man weapon against chaos, navigating interstellar intrigue, alien technologies, and galactic warfare.

"Let's Get Together" showcases Isaac Asimov's prophetic vision of artificial intelligence gone wrong. In this chilling short story, humanoid robots with a deadly secret threaten humanity's existence. Originally published in 1957, Asimov's tale eerily anticipates modern concerns about technological oversight and autonomous weapons. This science fiction classic demonstrates why Asimov remains the definitive voice on robotics in literature. Perfect for fans of thought-provoking sci-fi, AI ethics enthusiasts, and collectors of Golden Age science fiction.

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.