The Xenic Bureau of the Grand Ekumenical Security Directorate investigates rumors of aliens, strange disappearances and anomalous events in the star-spanning empire of this far future tale. Bureau operative Father Jonah Menard is charged with find the truth about the supposed reappearance of the long-lost battleship Enver Hoxha. An alien-killer, Golliwog, is set on Menard's trail in case the rumors are real, while cashiered starship engineer Micah Albrecht holds far more of the truth than ...

The fifth volume in the Science Fiction Megapack series collects 25 tales of high adventure through other worlds and times, including 5 Hugo and Nebula Award-winners and nominees. Featured this time are:AGAPE AMONG THE ROBOTS, by Allen SteeleTHE STARSHIP MECHANIC, by Jay Lake and Ken ScholesPEACEMAKER, by Gardner DozoisOR ALL THE SEAS WITH OYSTERS, by Avram DavidsonGRANDMA, by Carol EmshwillerTHE GIFT BEARER, by Charles L. FontenayI, ROBOT,...

Lost colony science fiction from award-winning writer Jay Lake, a tale of ancient killers and rose breeding in a forgotten world on the verge of rediscovery.

A lost colony short story from award-winning writer Jay Lake. Looking for a missing colony, Emissary lands on a planet of children working the fields and quoting literary classics. Where are the adults? What has happened? Will it happen to him?

What happens after the world has run down?A pair of deep time science fiction short stories from award-winning author Jay Lake. Includes the critically-acclaimed "The Courtesy of Guests", winner of the Soft Science Fiction Award for 2001, as well as the sequel "The Passing of Guests".

A fast-paced, critically acclaimed steampunk adventure set in an alternate Philadelphia, chronicling the intersection of ancient Russian vampires, firesetters, a mad scientist and a most unusual French secret agent. From award-winning science fiction writer Jay Lake.

What happens when the armies of Elfland lay down their swords and get jobs at the mill? "Daddy's Caliban" is a post-industrial fantasy about the price of peace, coming of age, and what it truly means to live among the promises of your history.

A brief and sordid tale of rednecks, UFOs and redemption. One of the few humor pieces from award-winning science fiction writer Jay Lake, "Hitching to Aurora" chronicles the true fate of the alien buried in Aurora, TX in 1897.

"The Soul Bottles" is a story of the City Imperishable, precursor to the novels Trail of Flowers and Madness of Flowers, as well as works ofshort fiction. At the intersection of the New Weird and steampunk, this strange and brutal short story opens up a fictional world.

"The Ninth Science Fiction Megapack" contains 27 more works spanning time and space--including 24 stories, 2 interviews, and "A Science Fiction Alphabet." Fun stuff indeed! Included are:INTERVIEW: DAN SIMMONS, conducted by Darrell SchweitzerTHE SPIRES OF DENON, by Kristine Kathryn RuschAIN'T NOTHIN' BUT A HOUND DOG, by Brenda W. CloughFOR I AM A JEALOUS PEOPLE! by Lester del ReyLUVVER, by Mack ReynoldsFROG LEVEL, by Bud WebsterCAPTAINS CONS...

"The Eighth Science Fiction Megapack" presents another stellar lineup of classic science fiction, new and old. Here are 25 stories (plus a bonus interview with best-selling author George R.R. Martin) by some of the field's greatest authors. Included are:THE TRUE DARKNESS, by Pamela SargentPERMANENT FATAL ERRORS, by Jay LakeADJUSTMENT TEAM, by Philip K. DickROBOTS DON’T CRY, by Mike ResnickNO GREAT MAGIC, by Fritz LeiberESCAPE HATCH, by Brenda W. C...

Set in the lush and dangerous world of Jay Lake's Green, Our Lady of the Islands is a vibrant, enchanting tale of political intrigue and divine mystery. "Our Lady, heal us ..." Sian Katte is a successful middle-aged businesswoman in the tropical island nation of Alizar. Her life seems comfortable and well-arranged...until a violent encounter one evening leaves her with an unwanted magical power. Arian des Chances is the wife of Alizar's ruler, with vast wealth and political influence. Yet ...