SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY
Voices of {}
Author’s note: This story was originally published in the 12-DEC-2013 issue of
Perihelion Science Fiction under the pen name Sean Eret. I made a few minor edits, but the story is mostly as it appeared originally.
Yellow-Spot-On-Cephalothorax touched her Queen’s antennae with her own, and felt the surge of {} coursing through and down her body. The two parted and stood still for long moments, enjoying the bond they’d just shared.
The Queen’s upper hands palsied about and Yellow-Spot couldn’t understand what the Queen was trying to say. She looked at one of the Nurses caring for the Queen, who said, “I think the Queen means to ask you how your stay with the gods was.”
Yellow-Spot’s heart ached, seeing her Queen in decline. When the gods had taken Yellow-Spot those many moons ago, the Queen had looked so young and vibrant. Further sorrow filled Yellow-Spot because of what she was about to do. She lied, “It was wonderful.” It was horrible, witnessing the hateful machinations of these gods. “I learned to understand their strange god-speak.” That much was true.
“Gods! They aren’t gods,” said the demon voice in her mind.
“Be quiet,” she replied back in her mind. Her hands faltered, trying to find her train of thought again. “They…
