The Fifth Di... June 2015

By J Alan Erwine

The Fifth Di..., one of the longest running on-line zines continues on with four new stories. This month we feature Tim McDaniel, Tony Cella, Eileen Maki, and Robert P. Hansen. Warning: Contains some sexual material that some readers might find offensive...but then we've never tried to be politically correct...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nomadic Delirium Press
• Release date: May 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311161161

J Alan Erwine

J Erwine was born Oct. 15, 1969 in Akron, Ohio. Early in his life he was exposed to science, and specifically astronomy. From there on, J’s passion turned to science fiction, a passion that’s never died.Due to family issues, J eventually found himself in Denver, Colorado, where he still lives (well, right outside now.)From the time he could put subject and predicate together on paper, J has been writing stories. None of those early stories exist anymore (thankfully), but that passion for writing has never waned.After several years of rejection, the story Trek for Life was eventually sold to ProMart Writing Lab editor James Baker. It wasn’t Asimov’s, but it was a start. Since that time J has sold more than forty short stories to various small press publishers. In addition ProMart also published a short story collection of J’s entitled Lowering One’s Self Before Fate, and other stories, which is still available. ProMart also published a novel from J entitled The Opium of the People, which sold a few copies before going out of print.The relevance of the novel after the events of September 11th caused J to self-publish the novel, as he felt the story had a lot to say in the new reality we now find ourselves living in. Now, this same book has been re-released by Nomadic Delirium Press.Eventually J would become an editor with ProMart. Then, after the untimely death of ProMart editor James Baker, J would move on to ProMart’s successor Sam’s Dot Publishing. J also spends most of his time working as a freelance writer and editor.J’s novel was voted a top ten finisher in the 2003 annual Preditors & Editors contest, and his short story The Galton Principle won a ProMart contest for best story over 5,000 words. In addition, a number of his stories have been voted “best of” in various issue of The Martian Wave and The Fifth DI... and have been included in Wondrous Web Worlds Vols. 2, 3, 4, and 6.In 2009, the Ephemeris Role Playing Game was released. J is the co-creator of this game, and has written numerous supplements for the game.J has now sold three novels and four short story collections, all of which are still available from various sources, including Smashwords.J currently lives with his amazing wife, three wonderful children, three cats, and a very quiet turtle.

Book preview

THE FIFTH DI…

June 2015

Edited by J Alan Erwine

Published by Nomadic Delirium Press at Smashwords

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 person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Copyright 2015 by Nomadic Delirium Press

All stories are copyrighted in the names of their respective authors

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any informational storage and retrieval system, without the written consent of the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passes in connection with a review written for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, broadcast, etc.

Nomadic Delirium Press

Aurora, Colorado

Table of Contents

On the Beaches by Tim McDaniel

Hard Earth by Tony Cella

Snow Flame by Eileen Maki

The Organizing Principle by Robert P. Hansen

On the Beaches

By Tim McDaniel

Barret P. Bungate, Director of the Parallel Project, loomed over the edge of the cubicle and stared down at Avery Gibbart, his eyes colder than those of a flatfish.

Avery swallowed, his throat dry. Sir, about last night – I would like to explain –

I do not require an explanation, Bungate said, his voice low, but threatening to erupt into a bellow. I do not wish to hear an explanation. The mere thought that if I had not come across that note – that my own daughter could have come into that hotel room – could have seen you in that bathtub, wearing nothing but that small—

But sir – Valentine’s Day – Tuffy and I’d been planning it for weeks. It was supposed to be a romantic—

Enough! Bungate’s raised voice caused others to glance up from their work. He chewed his lip for a moment, then leaned in close. Avery could smell his aftershave.

You’ve never impressed me, Gibbart, Bungate said softly. "Not as a researcher, and not as a… man. I predict that you never will impress me. And I suspect that a steady and unrelenting pressure from myself and Mrs. Bungate will eventually bring Tuffy to her senses."

Sir, I –

My advice to you, Gibbart? Stay out of my sight.

The Director straightened up, glanced down past Avery’s waist, then curled his lip and strode away. His office door slammed.

Avery looked at the computer monitor, but couldn’t focus. Tuffy was floating away – was being pulled away. The last four months of incredible happiness would fade into history, and he would sink down again.

Avery!

He raised his head. Tuffy! She peeked towards her father’s office door, and then crowded into Avery’s cubicle. She sat on the edge of his tub and pressed herself against Avery. Oh, Avery! I saw Daddy talking to you. Was he very mad?

Yeah, he was pretty mad. Tuffy, he says that we can’t –

Shhh. Shhh. Don’t talk – I know what you’re going to say. Just hold me.

Avery gathered her closer and buried his face in her neck. Her sweater, her puffy pink sweater that she imagined hid her extra pounds, tickled his nose.

You have to forgive Daddy, Tuffy murmured. He’s been under a lot of stress. She slid a finger into his water and made lazy