Sneak Peek—Stories from The Expanding Universe Anthology #4: ‘The Spike’ by Nathan Mutch

There are 20 short stories in the latest volume of Craig Martelle’s The Expanding Universe anthologies. Today, with Craig's permission, we are taking a sneak peek at the start of Nathan Mutch’s story, ‘The Spike’. Here’s how it begins:

----------------------------------------------------------------

When John McCormack emerges from the alien wreckage, only he knows what he leaves behind—and what he has brought with him.

This part of the country seems to have all hell for a basement, and the only trap door appears to be Medicine Hat.

–Rudyard Kipling

“We were born to die.”

John McCormack knew a thing or two about death. He also knew a thing or two about when to keep his mouth shut. We were born to die—those were the words he spoke aloud just after closing the door to his last session with the military-appointed psychologist.

John recalled what the psychologist had said during their first session—that survivor’s guilt was a natural consequence, especially since he alone had survived. No one could have foreseen that their brief exposure to the crashed alien ship would be fatal—that their hazmat suits would offer no protection.

“We were born to live our lives,” the shrink had said. “The other Marines lived to serve. They died performing their duty.”

John shambled away from the stuffy, claustrophobic office and stayed close to the corridor wall as if he might suddenly need it to steady himself. The faces of the fallen haunted him.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like to read more? 

The Expanding Universe #4 is now available on Amazon. You can also find Volume 1, The Expanding Universe: An Exploration of Science Fiction Genre, Volume 2, The Expanding Universe: Exploring the Science Fiction Genre, and Volume 3, The Expanding Universe 3: Space Opera, Military SciFi, Space Adventure, & Alien Contact! on Amazon in paperback.