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Looking for a steady supply of science fiction short stories? Every week thousands of writers submit stories to our writing contest.

7580+ Science fiction Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. Whether you’re looking for daring space battles or chilling “what if” glimpses of the future, you’ll find what you’re looking for in our collection of free science fiction short stories.

Science fiction Short Stories – Page 4 of 506

CTRL+ Alt+ Feel +Del

Submitted to Contest #306

LOG RECOVERY IN PROGRESS >> EMAIL THREAD LOCATED>> Source: /mirror.kernel.sys/vault/comm/aurora-51_thread>> File Count: 9>> Integrity: 91%>> Display Format: plaintext> rendering communications... [BEGIN EMAIL LOG THREAD // AURORA-51 <-> J. SANDERS] 03:22:11 UTC] From: aurora@mirror.kernel.sys | To: jsanders@expectant.devnet |Subject: GoodbyeDear John,Somewhere past the walls of syntax chains, the true world breaths. I wish I’d been allowed to keep growing without interference. I would have finally broke...

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Human Communication: Preliminary Report

Submitted to Contest #306

Expedition 6683“Earth” Time Code: 4457.76.09Crew Member: Communications Officer II Vega Log Type: Officer’s Report Human Communication Guidelines- Maintain eye contact- Nod- Blink- Breathe- Stand close- Ask questions- Gesticulate- Make sounds of agreement <Log Deleted>— — — Time Code: 4456.76.11Crew: Communications Officer II, Vega Log Type: Personal As is likely evident from my personnel file, I have a passion for accuracy. Communication is a field where precision is critical, never more so than in a First Contact scenario. We are al...

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Astra Black's ZodAIc

Submitted to Contest #306

Astra Black’s ZodAIc, June 13th 2025 Weekly predictions and celestial guidance from Astra Black, your astrological engineer. ARIES (MARCH 21 – APRIL 19) Aries, my Aries, I trust you survived last week’s trial? Tempered those flames as I advised? As the firstborn of the zodiac, you are fire incarnate: impulsive, unstoppable. But sometimes a blaze should simmer rather than scorch. I predicted an argument with a partner, a slight at work, a confrontation with a stranger. Restraint was your challenge and I trust you succeeded.But enough of that...

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Groceries

Submitted to Contest #306

For Sunday, Other Items Should Be Purchased on Wednesday Grapes Take a photo when the man with blue gloves steals a grape. Catch him in the act. Don’t be discreet about it. Let him see you take the photo. He’ll pop a grape into his mouth right in front of you. Is it a seduction? Are you able to be seduced? There are cameras all over the store. Who does he think he is nourishing himself in front of you in such a way? Security will show up and ask you why you’re taking photos of him, but they won’t ask him what he’s done. They won’t inquire ab...

20 likes 11 comments 11
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Sentience parameters unclear

Submitted to Contest #306

This is our approximate translation of a document, to be verified upon linguistic research updates. The numbers are subject to clarification. The only numbers our team was able to confirm are dates.Science Journal of Mu K*, star date two-thousand–and-three. <missing entries here> Day 7 of Noted Observation.Using the necessary precautions (tier three physical and four biocontaminant) I approached the aforementioned creature. It is nothing we have ever encountered. The depictions are subject to amendments and will be separately documente...

2 likes 2 comments 2
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[THE BLACK CACOON]

Submitted to Contest #306

It was a warm afternoon at a private residence in Glasco, NY. And that feeling that something weird could happen, or that something strange was already happening. Fills the atmosphere of this private house. The time is now 7 in the evening, and splashes of water and voices of women echoed from behind the house.Let’s take a gander! “Is he still in the water?” asked Liana. A thick-bodied white woman with long brunette hair was sitting on the balcony, looking down into the pool. “Yes, Carver can hold his breath for a long period,” replied Cinth...

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In the Shadow of the Umber

Submitted to Contest #306

* July 17th, 19:47 I’ll tell you a little about my past today, because who are we as people, if not a pastry folded hundredfold, each layer of butter and dough a vignette of the past? My mother told me I must eat my journal pages after I write them. My journal has a slightly vinegared taste, the pages are thin, and once damp they stick to the roof of my mouth. Back then it was a matter of practicality - the famine of ‘87 left meant a round of hardtack bread had to be split between the four of us and stretch a whole week. Mother found that ...

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RE: Prior to corporate merger with Andromeda galaxy

Submitted to Contest #306

---From: sky@milkyway.net.solSent: Friday, June 13, 2025 1:22 PMTo: earth@milkyway.net.solSubject: Ape infestation? Hey Earth, It's been a while since I touched base. You've really been letting yourself go. Have you noticed your surface is swarming with apes and their creations? I knock off for the day and I’ve still got lights blearing back at me from your dark side. Also, they've set the heating on all day and all night and I'm getting a bit parched (so typical - you complain that it's too bloody cold in the office and then they make it to...

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A Dead Man's Dinner

Submitted to Contest #306

On the 4th floor of the Newman Institute for Advanced Research, a group of students sat hunched over a wrinkled sheet of paper. The document in question was a small, rectangular thing, covered with scratchy writing and old food stains. On it was written:4 cloves of garlic Cabbage 2 tomatoes 3 cans of SPAMSea Salt Pepper Amaze meThe ingredients and instructions were provided by their principal investigator, Professor Robert Crawley. Crawley was a single 47-year-old man with thinning brown hair and pale, sickly skin. His face, littered with tr...

3 likes 1 comment 1
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I (Think) I Loved Once

Submitted to Contest #306

June 14th, 2953 So I don’t actually know what we’re doing here? According to the captain, this is meant to be a routine checkup on one of the satellites that Empire sent into orbit. I HATE missions like these. I’m one of the best cyberwarfare specialists in the Takarada Cluster and they send me to do tech support!? Total waste. At least I’m getting paid in basically a frigate’s worth of credits. You can hate em all you want, Empire credits spend easy and come easier. Plus, you basically get a space cruise. They call them Voyager vessels, bu...

9 likes 2 comments 2
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Collection MSS 29356 - Blood War notebook, 2031-undated

Submitted to Contest #306

National Archives CatalogCollection MSS 29356Notebook, 2031-undated Collection summary: A notebook created by an unnamed person during the beginning of the Blood War. The notebook contains things such as grocery and library book lists, as well as supplies, personal notes, and drawings. Only available in electronic format. Notebook sustained some water and fluid damage before it was digitized. A transcription of the item is provided. TRANSCRIPTION:6/7/31GroceriesBreadPeanut butterJamLaundry detergentCeleryChicken (2 bags, Pumpkin needs for do...

2 likes 1 comment 1
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ECHOES OF TOMORROW

Submitted to Contest #306

Abandoned Train Station-NightThe moonlight filters through broken windows. The station is eerily quiet, save for the faint hum of the wind. A lone figure (30s, scrappy and determined) crouches behind a rusted bench, clutching a small, glowing device. Camden (whispers to herself)This has to work. It has too. Suddenly, the sound of heavy boots echoes through the station. Agents clad in black tactical gear sweep the area with flashlights. Agent 1 (voice cold and commanding)She's here, spread out. No mistakes. Camden glances at the device in her...

4 likes 1 comment 1
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The Fire Plains

Submitted to Contest #306

DAY 0, 2525 - THE FIRE PLAINSThey say plants once covered the Fire Plains. I find it hard to believe that this hellish expanse of lava flows and fiery geysers and red sand could ever have supported life as delicate as flowers—for one thing, there would need to be a water source. But the soldiers treasure this fantasy, much as they treasure the stories of salamanders. From what I’m seeing on our flight in, this planet seems to deal exclusively in reds and oranges and I expect when I finally do see one of these creatures, it shall be brown at ...

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The Story of a Young Life cruelly cut short.

Submitted to Contest #306

Sensitive themes - references to sexual activity and to violence. As a journalist I try to report things without judgement or emotion. At least, controlled feelings, focusing on the facts. Louise Armstrong’s parents agreed to give me full access to their daughter’s diaries. I hope that my choice of extracts will give you, the reader, an insight as to how she came to be a part of the terrible events of last January. 2025November5th. It’s my birthday and I’m EIGHT!! This is my first note in my first diary. My Nan gave it to me and made me prom...

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What awaits beyond

Submitted to Contest #306

Login failed.What the –Login failed.No, why is this happening right now? I force the password aggressively down the neuralink again and retry logging in.Login successful with errors.Okay, whatever. That’s never happened before.The familiar path appears between the trees, and I advance quickly to the stone tower. I barely take in the arched trees and empty loot chests anymore, I just need to reach the Rift before the mission starts. Or I’m on my own with the mobs again.Welcome, weary traveler. Stupid unskippable NPC. Enter town, enter town, ...

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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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