Jim Baen's Universe

Treasure in the Sand Full Story

by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

"When the last worm dies and the last melange is harvested upon our sands, these deep treasures will spring up throughout our universe. As the power of the spice monopoly fades and the hidden stockpiles make their mark, new powers will appear throughout our realm."

—Leto Atreides II, the God Emperor of Dune

Dog Soldier Full Story

by Garth Nix

"The seven rings of Syrene shine

Like glowing disks in a nazdra mine

Burning brighter than fusion fire . . ."

"How long is this bullshit going to last?" Assault Sergeant Gillies whispered to his neighbour, Base Sergeant Major Traut.

"Long as it wants to," Traut muttered back. "It"s the CG's poem. Lukas is just reading it."

When Sysadmins Ruled the Earth Full Story

by Cory Doctorow

When Felix's special phone rang at two in the morning, Kelly rolled over and punched him in the shoulder and hissed, "Why didn't you turn that fucking thing off before bed?"

The Ruby Dice Full Story

by Catherine Asaro

The night mourned with silence, as if it were a concert with no musicians left to play the notes. Kelric sat on the bed, in the dim light, and watched the woman sleep. White hair curled around her face. Her skin was smooth, with only a few wrinkles, but it had a translucent quality. Her torso barely rose and fell with her shallow breaths. The crook of her nose, broken decades ago, shadowed her cheek. She had never wanted it fixed, though Kelric could have given her anything, anything at all, any riches or wealth or lands or gifts.

Anything except her life.