Chance Encounters

An unexpected event can change everything, especially when things are not as they first appear. This has always been true, and will remain true in the future. Here are three tales of chance encounters and the changes they bring, set sometime beyond the day after tomorrow. "Swept Away" - All Richard wanted to do was relax and read a book. Unfortunately, Avi is out and on his own on this dark and stormy day, and his response to a sudden crisis will change Richard's life forever. "Second Chance" - The warship Richmond has accidentally released a new life form into Jan Costa's space station. Costa must find the creature, and do so quickly, but as he and his crew search, it becomes clear to them that they have not been told all of the truth. What they seek is not what they were told to find. "Long Time Passing" - The Commonwealth's grand star liner Edwin Teale has entered Leyra'an space on a mission of cultural exchange. Among the ship's passengers is Martin Russman, a man scarred by memories he has tried very hard to erase. But can he hide from his own past if history repeats itself?