What Life Can Bring

What Life Can Bring is three connected science fiction stories that revolve around my fascination with time.

The first story “The Journey Home” opens with a handsome, tattooed young man who goes by the nickname “Poly” being released from jail on a beautiful August day in 1994. Poly has high hopes for a fresh start, but he’s not able to find a job. Struggling to make ends meet and keep a roof over his head, Poly can find only one option: to join up with his old crew in a bank heist. Things don’t go entirely to plan, but he manages to meet some kind people along the way.

The second story “Within Matter” is set in the present day and starts with a group of graduate students celebrating a discovery of a lifetime: a new form of matter that could potentially solve the Earth’s energy crisis. But when a sinister group of wealthy and powerful elites find out about it, the graduate students are placed in mortal danger. One of the students, Stephan, experiences a psychotic break, which he assumes is due simply to life stress. But his whole understanding of himself and the world is upended after he receives a letter.

The third story “96 Hours” refers to an attack by thousands of spaceships that kills half the world’s population. A small settlement of scientists on Mars have their communications knocked out after the attack, and they imagine another world war must have happened. Survivors on Earth believe the attack is an alien invasion. Two teenagers, a brother and sister, must try to stand up against the attackers.

What Life Can Bring was written on an antique Olympia analog typewriter. I find the analog experience helps me put thought behind every word. I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I did creating them.

© 2022 Andrew Zachman (Audiobook): 9798368906973

Release date

Audiobook: 31 December 2022