The first victims died on the fourteenth of June and before the month was out every human female, young boy and non-virile male was dead. Five billion people in all. In the wake of the tragedy came unbridled grief, disease and chaos…and finally Martial Law. Extinction was staring Mankind in the face. It took over a year to stabilize what was left of society, and then another full year before the first test tube baby girl was born. The entire world rejoiced! The Laws of Nature bent to the brilliance of the human mind. Mankind, that bizarre species of primate, had somehow managed to cheat death and endure…and then the aliens fell upon the planet in force.
Countless hordes of enemy soldiers poured down from the heavens. The invaders attacked and killed without hesitation, but they also died by the millions. The remaining human beings fought back desperately, but the enemy came in endless waves, relentlessly killing and destroying everything that was human. For five long years the battle raged on, until once again humanity was threatened with extinction. All appeared to be lost. Less than a thousand human beings lingered on earth, when a strange and bizarre solution presented itself. Discovered deep within the alien technology was the key to life, the key to time and the key to victory. The last of Mankind would move back through the ages to the year 893, to England, during the reign of King Alfred the Great. There, they would drag the dark ages into the light, speed up the process of enlightenment, and prepare Mankind for the coming battle. With luck, they would truly be ready when the alien invaders finally came again.
Those still alive would risk everything and cross over; it was that, or oblivion.
“We’re like Twain’s Yankee,” Major Thane commented.
“Who?”
“You know, Twain’s Yankee, ‘The Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.’ If we succeed in going back, our situation will be very similar.” Thane explained.
Colonel Lemay grunted. “Yes, but this time we’ll be bringing along machine guns and hand grenades.”
“And don’t forget the flamethrowers,” Moore added with a laugh.

Henrik Harlacker, an unassuming Earthling, discovers a startling truth—

He's the rightful heir to the fabled Andromeda galaxy. But this coveted throne has fallen into the clutches of a malevolent usurper, determined to maintain his iron grip on power. Venture into boundless space as Henrik rallies diverse allies against unimaginable odds. Struggling with self-doubt and inexperience, he embarks on a profound journey of self-discovery, embracing his cosmic legacy to become the leader the galaxy needs.Witness an epic clash of good and evil as Henrik battles external forces and confronts an internal war. The fate of an entire intergalactic civilization rests on his shoulders—can he muster the strength to protect a way of life he barely comprehends?Answer the cosmic call, traverse uncharted galaxies, and experience the indomitable spirit of a reluctant hero. Can Henrik rise to claim his birthright and save the Andromeda galaxy from darkness?_______________

"Everything about this novel is fantastic, and I hope to read more by this author. Terrific work." - Alex Ndirangu for Readers' Favorite

"This book is a remarkable work of science fiction” - Jose Cortes, OnlineBookClub.org

Christoffer's lifelong interest in technology, a degree in mechanical and electrical engineering, and a love of fast-paced adventures and cutting-edge technology are the ingredients that went into the creation of ORIGIN ANDROMEDA.

He lives in Stockholm with his wife, Joanna, and is always looking for new tech and science fiction adventure stories to read.Origin Andromeda: The Beginning is Book 1 in the Origin Trilogy

AJ’s podcast, named #EOTW, is really starting to take off.
Granted, she still does most of her recording in her closet, but still—she’s discussing interesting things and getting a few listeners, and that’s what matters to her.
EOTW stands for End of the World, and that’s what she talks about on her podcast.
She speaks with military experts who believe WWIII is right around the corner, with epidemiologists who believe a plague is coming, and astrophysicists who believe the asteroid that ended the dinosaurs might be a fly on the windshield compared to what can really happen.
Despite the apocalyptic themes, AJ’s podcast is fun. There’s no doom or gloom—instead, her guests and her audience have a good time speculating about what might happen, and try to figure out what steps we can take to avoid our own destruction.
But then AJ’s boyfriend disappears, and strange things start happening to her.
Strange, unexplainable things that portend a real #EOTW is right around the corner.
She soon realizes that whatever is happening, it’s not just speculation. It’s real, it’s powerful, and it might already be here.

From the editor:
“I loved this SciFi Podcast tale from Jonathan Maas, and read it in one sitting. It might be two or three sittings for you, but I don’t believe you’ll be able to put it down. In true Jonathan Maas fashion it takes on some grandiose themes, but it finds a way to be a bit more uplifting than his usual fare.
Check it out! I loved it, and I believe you will as well.”
- J. Shaw, Editor, Cynical Optimist Press

For fans of: Podcasting in Fiction, Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer, Split Second by Douglas Richards, Blake Crouch, Avery Trufelman, Roman Mars, 99% Invisible, and dark tales that find a way to be fun.

Travel farther than you've ever dreamed

Man has mused about the nature of our universe since he first gazed up in wonder at the stars. Now some of the most fertile imaginations in speculative fiction offer bold and breathtaking visions of "what's out there" and "what's next" in the eleventh annual celebration of the very best short SF to appear over the past year.

Once again, acclaimed editors and anthologists David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer have compiled an extraordinary collection featuring stunning works from modern masters as well as dazzling gems from brilliant new talents -- tales that carry the reader to the far corners of the galaxy and beyond, into hitherto unexplored regions. Get ready to take glorious flight on a journey to the miraculous.