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Write a space adventure story that features a visit to an alien marketplace.

Posted in Science Fiction on May 29, 2021

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✍️ 123 stories

It’s Moonday at the Lunar Mall

Submitted to Contest #67

It’s Monday morning and I take a stroll down to the corner news agency and buy a paper. Back home I start up the coffee machine and full mug in hand, I sit on the couch, skip the bad news on page 1 and start paging through on my way to the crossword. Wow! What’s that huge ad on page 2? “It’s Moonday at the Lunar Mall Today and every Moonday. Everything at half price!” Where on earth is the Lunar Mall? Well, if it’s Lunar, it’s not on earth. It’s got to be on the moon. Very clever! If I had a store that no one could get to, I would of...

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Are We There Yet?

Submitted to Contest #67

"The whole universe supports you, even when it doesn't feel like it. All you have to do is practice courage and kindness" - Roxana Jones “Are we there yet?” Two voices asked their father at the same time.   “Not yet kids, you can see it up ahead though, look at the lights.” “Wow!” The twins (James and Jen) were bubbling with excitement. They were going to spend the day at the largest marketplace in the whole universe - the Mall of the Stars. It was so big you needed a hovercraft to go to each floor. Before tod...

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My Prize Pet

Submitted to Contest #67

Earth would be a brilliant place to hold the intergalactic market place except for a few things Humans prefer traveling for trade It’s an overpopulated planet The weather isn’t similar throughout the planet ranging from ‘freezing’ cold to ‘searing’ heat They were relatively new to the whole intergalactic trade thing ... Negyxo-erm was entranced by the human species.  For the following reasons; They are adorable They are so...dim-witted, especially the younger ones  They cried and laughed at inanimate object So when he w...

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Topaz Sky

Submitted to Contest #67

Soledad said it was safe and that we needed food.           Commander Otero stepped forward with hesitation, remembering her ancient history: Horado thought entering the chasm was safe too, and look what that got her.            “We’re almost there; I can smell it,” said Soledad with an exaggerated wrinkle of her stubby, slightly upturned nose. The astrobiologist looked eager, each step bouncing higher in the planet’s low gravity. Ot...

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One Hell of a Trip

Submitted to Contest #67

"Vosh!" Triple Shot shouted in frustration. "Who the hell keeps eating all of the klumnta fruit?""Sorry, Trip, that would be us. Well, my wife, mainly," said Ace's voice over the comlink."She does know those aren't meant for human consumption, right?" came Mort's soft, silky purr a second later."Doesn't she know those are mine?!" Triple Shot bellowed. His deep bass voice reverberated around the tiny galley and through the ship. His reptilian tail swished angrily about behind him until he smashed it into the nearby hull. Triple Shot, or Trip ...

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Blue stone

Submitted to Contest #67

The blue stone appeared in the corner of my eye as soon as I entered the shop. I continued to look around, listening to the employee rambling on and listing every single one of his new arrivals that he thought might please me.‘We have some new jewelry that arrived only yesterday from Lenam, my Lady.’ I wasn’t interest in jewelry, but I let him talk anyway while I scanned the place. The store was a combination of anything you’d possibly want, from clothes, accessories, to weapons and gadgets, from all over the galaxy. The walls – red, green, ...

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Sidereus

Submitted to Contest #67

H-4319: The Glowing Planet.  Many didn't believe that it was a real thing. Most believed that the glow was something evil. But there it was, floating against the dark expanse of space outside the window of our star-cruiser. They didn't want us to go here. But the other planets deserve to be explored and the lifeforms on those planets deserve to be contacted and befriended.   As long as they consent to it. Which the inhabitants of The Glowing Planet did.  We sent out a message and they answered us happily...

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Let me bring you my rose

Submitted to Contest #67

"Let me bring my rose You will bring your ownIf I catch a cold you cook a soupWhen you are on the downI will say, waitI will bring rope to bring you upWe kiss and laugh, hold our breathGiving a moment for the stars to loveLet me take your handsAs soon as this place come your way,” the young ambassador of Earth finished. He had turned to a poet since he got to M80-1; light years upon light years away from home.The way he was following one female Bpor, Azora, like a heating He-goat. Jesus of Nazareth.”Because you think lions should be gen...

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A Message From A Perfect Planet

Submitted to Contest #67

My Dear Friends,I do hope that you will receive this transmission. This place I have found myself in is very different to our own world, and I do not know if my message will be able to pass through the dense layer of protection that surrounds the planet. However, I will send this with the best of intentions that it will reach you, and that you will perhaps be able to join me in this wondrous place, for I do believe that it is here we can finally find the peace and understanding that we have all been searching for.I can only attempt to explai...

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Haymaker

Submitted to Contest #67

Argu had never been overly fond of public taverns. They were crowded, noisy things that made him anxious; he felt spying eyes were always watching him from hidden corners. Strangers came and went in places like these, some eating, others drinking and a few unconscious with their heads to the tables in front of them. Argu shuddered and looked down at his drink, hands cupped around the mug of steaming Yerith brew. Yerith soothed his stomach but always came out piping hot, leaving Argu to stare at it as the steam slowly receded into the cup. He...

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The Final Phase

Submitted to Contest #67

The Final Phase Kami woke up to the sound of crystals clinking. As she rose from the bed, she noticed that she was not in her own room. Staring at the strange crystal structure suspended from the ceiling, she slowly recognized her surroundings and she did not like it. She was back. This was, what, the fourth time she had been here? Tahz had told her that she would not be harmed, and she had not been, at least not in any tangible way. Of course, she had no memory of the experience when she was returned other than a feeling of being hung ove...

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The Price of Humanity

Submitted to Contest #67

“17 fingers.” Zordra stared in disbelief. “That’s entirely too high.” The Glurp stared back and Zordra wondered how many of its 55 eyes it actually used.  “17 fingers,” the Glurp repeated.  Zordra sighed. He needed this exhaust fitting for his ship or he would be completely screwed. He wouldn’t be able to finish his deliveries or be home in time for dinner. Xaendi would murder him this time for sure.  “Would you take 10 fingers and a tongue?” Zordra sifted through his utility holster.  “What tongue type?” The ...

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Welcome to Alien World

Submitted to Contest #67

I had to go away from town for a project of mine. The road was long with deserts in some parts and plains in other. There was no way I could say no to this project so I packed up my necessary things, food and water, and with a lot of advices from my parents, I left my house. The road was long, to avoid boredom I played some of my favorite songs. I was enjoying this long road-drive, accelerated the car during deserts and enjoyed the views during plains. My journey was going smooth and fine but I still had a long way to go and I did feel tired...

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Four Years to Kolfina

Submitted to Contest #67

“Rit!” Rit jolted upright, knocking the back of her head against something hard. “Ow! That was my chin you trogger!” Cain said, rubbing his face as he circled Rit’s table to take a seat. “Cain, you’re the trogger! You know I’ve been jumpy all week. You can’t just sneak up on me like that. I just can’t believe we’re actually getting off the ship today,” Rit said, looking around at everyone else in the cafeteria. “I don’t know why you’re so worried. We’ve been on this ship for four years,” Cain said as he grabbed a rehydrated strawberry of...

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The Sun of 193

Submitted to Contest #67

Inquisitor Gunk gazed out the oval windows of the shaky passenger shuttle as it seared down into the atmosphere above Vorghis 193. As it sank beneath the clouds, tiny bright lights of civilization began to punctuate the vast darkness of the planet below, starting from small towns clinging to the edge of the continent, and growing into glowing swathes as the ship careened toward the busy spaceport of Tiragun.Gunk imagined great golden cobwebs stretching across the surface of the planet, or clusters of neurons sparking on a map of a colossal b...

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