LJ Spencer

LJ Spencer

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Hazards of Ambassadorial Work

Hazards of Ambassadorial Work

"So, Gris, I think the Terran government can come to some arrangement--" The office door slammed open and a group of Caparans waddled in, chittering so fast that, initially, the translator couldn't keep up. Caparans, at least to Olivia, looked like a cross between a capybara

Brave

Bravery is always determined in retrospect. Even for superheroes.

Best Served Cold

Best Served Cold

Content Warnings: Forced feminization (of the bad guy), discussion of transphobia and genocide, solitary confinement/prison, implied rape/abuse, revenge. May be cathartic for some, scary for others.

Medical Device Upgrades

Medical Device Upgrades

The circlet of electronics came down over her head and the door to the pod closed. Fresh, cool air circulated through the pod, making Chloe feel a bit better about being in it. There was also a window, so the pod didn't feel quite so claustrophobic. Chloe was

Simple Things

"I made haricot," I said. "What?" "Stew. With beef." "Oh! That's great!" "It has beans, too." They nodded, continuing to write in their notebook, not really paying attention. "Sounds good." I left him to his work

The Chronicler

I floated in the mists, not really sure what to do. The scent in the room was meant to be soothing, but nothing was really calming me. It had been over half an hour, but I still felt... wrong. Giving up, I got out of the mist chamber, wrapped a

The Sample

Science labs are fascinating, especially labs that deal with biological samples. They can also be weird and liminal spaces. You never know exactly what you're going to get from day to day.

Diplomatic Relations

Diplomatic Relations

Apologies to my skater friends out there if I didn't get the terms quite right. I did look them up, I swear! I did get the California stuff right, though. ;)

Fairies Don't Need Apps

Fairies Don't Need Apps

"You spent how many dollars on that?" "It was for a good cause!" "Sure, she gives half her profits to social justice causes, but you bought jewelry from a fairy! Do you know what that could do to you?" She crossed her arms and

Prometheus

I nearly minored in botany in college, and honestly, plant cells are quite incredible in the way they work-- and communicate. This one's for all my biologist friends out there.

The Parachute

Those who like to read about UFOs will recognize the time and place where this story is set. For those who don't know, you can look up the Rendlesham Forest Incident.

Exodus

The rumbling rippled through the island again, making all the sensors in the lab go off at once. I'd long since traded fear for determination hours ago, but now the fear returned in full force. The island was lost. I pressed the comms button to the Minister'

The Invention Door

The Invention Door

Author's Note: There is an obscure definition for the word "invention" that is the basis for this story. And, if you'd like to hear what 31-EDO music sounds like, I invite you to listen to Zhea Rose's amazing piece "Prayer Room.

Study Session

"Patriliny," she said. "What's that?" the man sitting near her asked. "A society that traces lineage through male lines." The man looked confused. "That's an odd way to do things. Why should only the male lineage get counted?"

Crone's Watch

A thump and a clang echoed down the hallway down the hallway. "Dahlia, what was that?" Margaret asked. "I'm not sure, Margaret," the station's AI responded. "There is something attaching to the secondary habitat airlock." "Damn it, the last

The Greater Compassion

The Greater Compassion

CW: This story uses a gay slur and alludes to rape, murder, and genocide. (It is, however, an "Eat the Rich" story, so may be cathartic for some at the moment.)

The Wrong Spell

The Wrong Spell

"I've told you a million times that that guy is a quack! Why did you go see him?" She stared at her feet. Or at least where both her feet should be. "I wanted a good focusing spell. It's finals week! He said

The Assassin

When I read this to my Wife today, she said "And later you'll write this novel!" What do you think? Let me know.

Department of Wayshrine Access

Department of Wayshrine Access

I play quite a bit of Elder Scrolls Online and read a whole lot of fantasy. Today, I wondered, what if you had to get a license to access wayshrines?

The Meeting

I really like spy stories, and Zurich, Switzerland, where I used to live, always had a spy thriller feel to it. (Also, butter pretzels are my favorite!)

Communion

The two moons slowly rose above the horizon as true night set in. Neither of them were full, allowing the stars, planets, and universes to shine brightly. My limbs were curled beneath me in meditation, underneath my robes. I breathed evenly, reciting the moon prayers. The ocean breeze was cool

Grief

This story is a prequel to my forthcoming novel called "The White Queen." It's set just after the 2015 Valley Fire in Napa, CA, 10 years before the start of the novel. It is part of the Night Church/Loba Hot Springs universe.

Miracle

Alex put the donated groceries on the shelf in the food pantry, getting it ready for the next day's clients. Clients, he scoffed mentally, shaking his head. The words we try to use to make things sound better than it is... They're people, families, wanderers, others.

Mneme

mneme (n. from the Greek μνήμη): Persisting effect of memory of past events.

Home

"She has a certain parlousness, don't you think?" Marcus asked, staring at Lady Bellington. Peter eyed the woman holding court on the other end of the room. "What do you mean?" The other man put his drink down. "It's the way