Search Worlds Without End

This short story originally appeared in Century, Number 4, January-February 1996. It can also be found in the anthology The Year's Best Science Fiction: Fourteenth Annual Collection (1997), edited by Gardner Dozois.

Philip José Farmer, the wildly creative author of the bestselling Riverworld series, here delights his wide readership with a compelling new novel. All the skills and the soaring imagination which have won Farmer over a million dedicated fans are abundant in this highly charged, far-future, space adventure story.

The Unreasoning Mask is the story of Ramstan, captain of al-Buraq, a rare model starship. It is capable of alaraf drive: instantaneous travel between two points of space. Three of these special ships were built to explore and make contact with the many sentient races inhabiting the universe. Suddenly, one of the ships mysteriously disappears. And then it is discovered that an unidentifiable "creature" is marauding through the universe, totally annihilating intelligent life on planet after planet.

Ranstan, a thoughtful and moral man, becomes a fascinated yet reluctant pawn in the hands of the strange forces which arise to fight the deadly destroyer. Ultimately, he is the one man who, in a fearful race against time, can stop the destruction. But what price must he pay for becoming the savior of intelligent-kind?

The Unreasoning Mask is Farmer at his best--fast-paced, complex, slightly mystical, high-action adventure.

This short story originally appeared in Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, #25, April 2010, and was reprinted in Lightspeed, December 2015.

Read the full story for free at Lightspeed.

The Mind Stealers

They told Jim Carroll that he had been the most brilliant physicist in the world. But he didn't remember that--or anything else. His memory had been totally wiped out.

Carroll accepted the explanation that it had been strain or overwork--until he saw top-secret papers being stolen openly, and abductions that nobody seemed to notice... or even believe when he reported them.

Something was clouding men's minds--something that had blotted his own memory. No human had that power. So...

He had got that far in his reasoning... then the aliens kidnapped him!

On Midsummer's Eve, as everybody knows, you should leave a bowl of milk out for the fairies. Unfortunately - or fortunately - Fred Barber, an American diplomat convalescing in Yorkshire, didn't take the obligation with proper seriousness. He swapped the milk for a stiff dose of Scotch. So he had only himself to blame if the fairies got a bit muddled. Barber found himself in an Old English Fairyland. At the Court of King Oberon, to be precise. The natural - or supernatural - laws there were, to say the least of it, distinctly odd. Things kept changing. This made the mssion with which he was entrusted, as the price of his return to the normal world, even harder than he expected. He had to penetrate the Kobold Hills, where it was said that swords were being made, and discover if an ancient enemy had returned. He was given a magic wand - but not told how to use it. Through the fields and forests he went, meeting dryads and sprites, ogres and two-headed eagles, on the way. Danger, seduction and magic lay all around him. And, as the adventure continued, somehow it darkened and became more seriousness. At the end of Fred Barber's quest lay a shattering revelation.

The latest in a long line of suicide attempts sees Caroline 'Laska' Darnell admitted to the Retreat, a groundbreaking medical center surrounded by woodland. To her horror, she recognizes the Retreat from her recent nightmares of an old building haunted by ghostly dogs with glowing eyes. But who will believe her stories of an evil from the past that has already made one attempt to destroy the building and all its inhabitants? The mysterious Dr. Smith seems curiously aware of the Retreat's past, and is utterly fascinated by Laska's waking dreams and prophetic nightmares. But if Laska is unable to trust her own perceptions, can she trust Dr. Smith?

Since the dawn of consciousness, a secret war has been fought between the forces of magic and religious fanaticism, and the cause of reason, understanding, and technology. On one side are the Old Ones, malign entities that feed on the suffering of mankind. On the other are the Lumina, an ancient order dedicated the liberation of the human spirit.

Officer Richard Oort of the Albuquerque Police Department is caught in the middle of this primal battle when he rescues a mysterious teenage girl from a trio of inhuman hunters. Recruited by the Lumina to serve as their latest paladin, Richard ends up fighting beside a handful of unlikely allies, including an adolescent sorceress, an enigmatic philanthropist, a sexy coroner, and a homeless god with multiple personalities.

The Old Ones and their mortal pawns are determined to destroy Richard–or subvert him to their cause. And they have all powers of magic and organized religion at their disposal. As the gates between the universes shred apart, it may be up to Richard to save humanity from the endless horror of a new Dark Age.

Provocative as The Golden Compass or the Illuminatus! trilogy, The Edge of Reason dramatizes the fundamental conflict behind the hot-button issues of today...and the future of the human race.

It ain't easy being a genius...

Prince Wein is ready to commit treason. And who can blame him? Faced with the impossible task of ruling his pathetic little kingdom, this poor guy just can't catch a break! But with his brilliant idea of auctioning off his country, this lazy prince should be able to retire once and for all. Or that was the plan... until his treasonous schemes lead to disastrous consequences-namely, accidental victories and the favor of his people!

It ain't easy being a foreign guest...

After narrowly dodging a marriage proposal, Prince Wein is accosted by a messenger from the Kingdom of Cavarin, which can only mean bad news... and unfortunately, he's absolutely right! The messenger cordially invites him to the Festival of the Spirit to celebrate the biggest religion in the western side of the continent: the Teachings of Levetia. Oh, and this event just happens to coincide with a gathering for the most influential group in the West, which is also in Cavarin. Either way, it's not an invitation Wein can turn down easily, even though he knows he's just begging for more trouble...!

IT AIN'T EASY BEING A GOOD BROTHER!

It's time for the three Imperial princes to meet and argue their way to the throne in the city of merchants, Mealtars. Sounds like a good opportunity for Wein to take a breather since this gathering obviously has nothing to do with him... until Imperial Princess Lowellmina goes out of her way to invite him to Mealtars, too. But Wein's already learned that it's always better to decline her offers. Turns out, things would have gone smoother if he'd just attended, because now he has to deal with a whole new problem: his sister, Falanya, going in his stead!

IT AIN'T EASY BEING A DIPLOMAT!

After the debacle in Mealtars, all eyes are on the small kingdom of Natra. The citizens are partying it up! Meanwhile, Prince Wein is busy fretting over Marden, a newly acquired territory basking in good fortune, much to the envy of his loyal subjects. To prevent the scales from tipping too much in Marden's favor, he's starting to think it might be necessary to form some kind of alliance with King Gruyere from Soljest. As if answering his prayers, an invitation lands in his lap-from the great king himself!

IN THE UNEXPLORED REACHES OF THE OCEAN

Clear skies. Deep-blue sea. Tropical sun baking the sandy beach. Wein finds himself whisked away to the Patura islands in the tropical south, trying to make the best use of his access to the port in Soljest. These islands are at the top of his list of potential trade partners, and if he doesn't come back to Natra with a deal in hand... let's just say his monthly expenses might run him completely dry. It seems, however, that the gods are not on his side: One little slip-up lands him behind bars in the island nation. The only silver lining, it seems, is that his neighbor the next cell over seems like an interesting guy... who might have some-thing to do with the hunt for the Rainbow Crown, a piece of treasure housing magic that can control all of Patura!

Imperial Prince Demetrio and his advisers are stumped. And for good reason, too. Wein, the Crown Prince of Natra, has joined their meeting, and he wasn't really invited. Wein is technically only here to return a favor to Imperial Princess Lowellmina, who can't stand to watch her three brothers rip each other apart for the throne. Somehow or other, he finds himself teamed up with Demetrio, who seems like he's the least likely of the three to become the next emperor...

TROUBLE AHEAD

The Gathering of the Chosen. Prince Wein inexplicably lands himself an invitation to the conference featuring some of the most influential figures from the western side of the continent. Obviously, it has to be a ploy to make him sever ties with the Empire in the East, and it wouldn't be advisable to walk into a trap when he wants to remain neutral...

The prince, however, has never been one to heed sound advice! Waltzing headlong into danger, no sooner has Wein set foot in the host city of Lushan than he finds himself framed for the murder of a Holy Elite--and that's just the beginning of his troubles...!

TURNING TRADITIONS ON THEIR HEAD

At the behest of Holy Elite Agata, Wein visits the Ulbeth Alliance, a nation made of four city-states perpetually locked in a power struggle. While Agata asks for assistance unifying the nation, Wein suspects the man is after something a little less altruistic. Still, he goes along with it and launches a campaign that will disrupt long-standing traditions and upset the delicate balance of power in Ulbeth. But when have such paltry concerns ever stopped the prince of Natra?

A PARTY TURNS TO PERIL

The Delunio Kingdom has called for a meeting with Natra and Soljest to strengthen their three-way alliance. Wein is still dealing with the fallout from his latest escapade, so his sister Falanya attends in his place. And it doesn't take long for her to notice that something is amiss. This ceremony has become the site of multiple political plots concerning the East and West! Does Natra's princess have what it takes to end the schemes before it's too late?

THE WAR FOR SUCCESSION!

The fight for control of the Earthworld Empire is nearing its climax, and although Lowellmina is the clear front-runner, there's concern about a future with her at the helm. The nation has never known an Empress before, and some aren't so eager for change. Worse yet, her old friends Glen and Strang have each allied with one of her brothers. Amid mounting tensions and intrigue, Wein is called to meet with the Leader of Eastern Levetia, but is that the only reason he's heading to the Empire? Perhaps the genius prince has his own designs for the throne!

The Treason of Isengard is the seventh volume in Christopher Tolkien's History of Middle-earth and the second in his account of the evolution of The Lord of the Rings. In this book, following the long halt in the darkness of the Mines of Moria with which The Return of the Shadow ended, is traced the great expansion of the tale into new lands and new peoples south and east of the Misty Mountains; the emergence of Lothlorien, of Ents, of the Riders of Rohan, and of Saruman the White in the fortress of Isengard.

In brief outlines and pencilled drafts dashed down on scraps of paper are seen the first entry of Galadriel, the earliest ideas of the history of Gondor, the original meeting of Aragorn and Eowyn, its significance destined to be wholly transformed. Conceptions of what lay ahead are seen dissolving as the story took its own paths, as in the account of the capture of Frodo and his rescue by Sam Gmgee from Minas Morgul, written long before J.R.R. Tolkien actually came to that point in the writing of The Lord of the Rings. A chief feature of the book is a full account of the original Map, with re-drawings of successive phases, which was long the basis and accompaniment of the emerging geography of Middle-earth. An appendix to the book describes the Runic alphabets as they were at that time, with illustrations of the forms and an analysis of the Runes used in the Book of Mazarbul found beside Balin's Tomb in Moria.

Humanity joining the intergalactic community has been a disaster for Bala, the magical creatures of the galaxy: they've been exploited, enslaved and ground down for parts. Now the Century Summit is approaching, when humans will be judged by godlike aliens.

When Jenny Perata, disabled Maori shuttle captain, is contracted to take a shipment to the summit, she must enlist half-unicorn Gary Cobalt, whose horn powers faster-than-light travel. But he's just been released from prison, for murdering the wife of Jenny's co-pilot, Cowboy Jim... When the Reason regime suddenly enact laws making Bala property, Jenny's ship becomes the last hope for magic.

Reasonspace is in shambles after the disappearance of all magical creatures. Without faster-than-light travel, supply and communication routes have dried up, leaving humankind stranded and starving. Cowboy Jim and his complement of Reason soldiers search for the relocated Bala using the only surviving FTL drive. On their new utopian planet, the Bala are on the brink of civil war between those who want peace under old-fashioned unicorn rule and those who seek revenge on their human oppressors. Only Captain Jenny and her new brain parasite can stop the Reason plan to enslave the Bala again.

Ia is a precog, tormented by visions of the future where her home galaxy has been devastated. To prevent this vision from coming true, Ia enlists in the Terran United Planets military with a plan to become a soldier who will inspire generations for the next three hundred years-a soldier history will call Bloody Mary. Show More Show Less

Promoted in the fireld for courage and leadership under fire, Ia is now poised to become an officer in the space force navy - once she undertakes her Academy training. But on a trip back home to Sanctuary, she finds the heavyworld colony being torn apart by religious conflict. Now Ia must prepare her family and followers to secure the galaxy's survival. Her plan is to command a Blockade Patrol ship. Her goal, to save as many lives as she can. But at the Academy, she discovers an unexpected challenge: the one man who could disrupt those plans. The man whos future she can not foresee....

As captain, Ia must now assemble a crew that can rise to the ultimate challenge of saving the galaxy. The hardest part will be getting them to believe her, to trust her prophecies. If they don't, her own crew will end up being her biggest obstacle in her race against time.

The Salik are breaking down the Blockade, plunging the known galaxy into war. Ia can not stop it this time, nor does she want to. This is the terrible price she has seen all along - that some must pay with their lives so that others might live. Now only time itself can prove wether each member of her crew is merely a soldier or truely one of Ia's Damned.

It began with a terrible vision of the future. Compelled by her precognitive abilities, Ia must somehow save her home galaxy long after she's gone. Now Jean Johnson presents the long-awaited epic conclusion to her national bestselling military science fiction series...

Demoralized, their ship destroyed, Ia's Damned must fight their way out of a planet-bound blockade and back into space. But there is more happening here on Dabin than meets even Ia's inner eye.

Some of the Feyori, energy-based beings of vast power and arrogance, are moving to block her efforts under the direction of her counter-faction foe, Miklinn. The Terran Army Division stationed on Dabin is not cooperating with her battle plans. Events are not happening as Ia has foreseen, and too many people are now in grave danger, thanks to alien Meddling.

All these hardships are threatening to derail Ia's carefully laid plans. The Meddlers, however, have made one fatal mistake:

They're just making Bloody Mary mad.

It began with a terrible vision of the future. Compelled by her precognitive abilities, Ia must somehow save her home galaxy long after she's gone. Now Jean Johnson presents the long-awaited epic conclusion to her national bestselling military science fiction series...

With their new ship claimed and new crewmembers being collected, Ia's Damned are ready and willing to re-enter the fight against the vicious, hungry forces of their Salik foes. But shortly after they board the Damnation to return to battle, a new threat emerges. After several centuries of silence, the Greys are back, and the Alliance must now combat both a rapacious, sadistic enemy, and a terrifying, technologically superior foe.

Ia has asked nothing of her crew that she herself has not been willing to give. But with two wars to bring to an end--and time running out--Ia must make and execute the most terrible choice of all...