Mars McCoy and the Curse of the Star Lance — James Palmer

A daring young space ace confronts a cosmic mystery aboard a derelict starship.From James Palmer (Monster Earth) comes this award-nominated strange space tale.Marshall Mars McCoy and his beautiful android co-pilot Betty-12 are finishing up a routine patrol when they encounter the impossible: The Star Lance, a top secret military vessel with classified weapons and drive that disappeared on its maiden voyage. Chased by space pirates who want the Star Lance's secrets, McCoy and Betty-12 board the derelict ship, and confront a cosmic mystery that will defy everything they know about time and space! Will they discover the secret of the Star Lance before every space pirate and rogue in the galaxy can get their hands on it? Find out in this rollicking pulp sci-fi adventure that was nominated for the 2014 New Pulp Award for Best Short Story!