Today is National Science Fiction Day. Here are 10 quotes about the genre:
Science fiction is no more written for scientists that ghost stories are written for ghosts. Brian Aldiss
Science fiction encourages us to explore... all the futures, good and bad, that the human mind can envision. Marion Zimmer Bradley
Everything's science fiction until someone makes it science fact. Marie Lu Warcross
Science fiction is something that could happen – but usually you wouldn't want it to. Fantasy is something that couldn't happen – though often you only wish that it could. Arthur C. Clarke
If you think this Universe is bad, you should see some of the others. Philip K. Dick
Here's a quick rule of thumb" Don't annoy science fiction writers. These are people who destroy entire planets before lunch. Think of what they'll do to you. John Scalzi
Everything is becoming science fiction. From the margins of an almost invisible literature has sprung the intact reality of the 20th century. J. G. Ballard
Joy is the essential and final ingredient of science fiction, the joy of discovery of newness. Philip K. Dick
Science fiction frees you to go anyplace and examine anything. Octavia E. Butler
Reality is a crutch for people who can't handle science fiction. Gene Wolfe
Beta
(Combat Team Series #2)
Steff was abducted by an evil alien race, the Orbs, at fourteen. Used as a weapon for years, he eventually escapes, but his problems are just beginning. How does a man support himself when his only work experience is a paper round and using an Orb bio-integrated gun?
Warlord is an alien soldier who knows little but war. When the centuries-old conflict which ravaged his planet ends, he seeks out another world where his skills are still relevant. There are always wars on Earth, it seems. However, none of Earth's powerful armies want him.
Natalie has always wanted to visit England and sees a chance to do so while using her martial arts skills, but there are sacrifices she must make in order to fulfil her dream.
Maggie resorted to crime to fund her sister's medical care. She uses her genetic variant abilities to gain access to the rooms of wealthy hotel guests. The Ballards look like rich pickings, but they are not what they seem. When Maggie targets them, little does she know that she is walking into a trap.
Hotel owner Hamilton Lonsdale puts together a combat team to pit against those of other multi-millionaires. He recruits Warlord, Natalie, Maggie and Steff along with a trained gorilla, a probability-altering alien, a stockbroker whose work of art proved to be much more than he'd bargained for, a marketing officer who can create psionic forcefields, a teleporting member of the landed gentry, and a socially awkward fixer. This is Combat Team Beta.
Steff never talks about his time with the Orbs, until he finds a woman who lived through it, too. Steff believes he has finally found happiness, but it is destined to be short-lived. He is left with an unusual legacy which he and Team Beta struggle to comprehend; including why something out there seems determined to destroy it.
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