Epitaph — John Barber

A short science fiction story about the first deep-space mission to find a planet suitable for colonization. The explorers are hoping to be the ones to make First Contact but are disappointed when they realize they have missed their chance by the blink of the cosmic eye. They discover proof that they are not alone but their discovery will haunt them as they struggle to solve the mystery of the enigmatic artifact they find. Written in the style of the 'hard science fiction' of the Golden Age, this story is 10,615 words and the number of pages will vary according to your device. This selection also includes a preview consisting of the first six chapters of the novel 'Gods in the Mirror', a post-apocalyptic tale of four friends on a journey of discovery in a world that has regressed and lost hope. They battle apathy, the control of ruthless priests, and the power of the mysterious 'gods' to fan the flame of a civilization that is now a dying ember.