A review copy dropped through my letter-box earlier in the week, envelope smothered in stamps, and with a most eye-catching cover by one John Hancock. Reading time being in shorter supply than normal, due to spending less time commuting on the train, I've only been able to read one of the stories, but thought I'd put this page up with a mention of that story and the other content, and link you through to the Challenging Destiny Website.

The story I read was A.R. Morlan's 'Robin Williams, Speaking Spanish', which I chose on account of the intriguing title, and the fact that the main character was a social worker, and social work is my line of business.

The story is a claustrophobic one, set on a small asteroid-tracking, with a small crew whose delicately balanced working and social relationships is knocked out of kilter by a visit from a social worker.

Kenward is on the ship to check the well-being of the ship's 'Savant Contingent'. Spaceships are regularly using adult 'idiot savants' whose mathematical prowess provide a backup to computer systems when computing courses and rendezvous with asteroids. The savants typically have a solitary existence on the ships, and Kenward attempts to draw Dalton Durwen out of his shell, as he spends most of his time watching old movies (including Flubber, starring Robin Williams).

Author Morlan has obviously had contact with social workers, portraying Kenward at times as obtuse, humourless and with well-meaning intentions. Those intentions see Durwen beginning to socialise with the rest of the crew, but his 'socialisation' with a gay crewmember causes the delicate set of relationships on the ship to implode.

It transpires that Kenward has overcome a mild autistic spectrum disorder in her childhood, and as her career is ruined she begins to withdraw into her shell.

All in all an impressive story with a set of mostly three-dimensional characters and intriguing interplay.

Other stories in this issue : 'Dark Thread' by Marissa K. Lingen, 'Jack Be Nimble' by Fraser Sherman, 'Faller' by William McIntosh, 'Frank Among the Franks' by Brian N. Pacula.

Conclusion.

Morlan's story is of a standard you would expect to see in the 'bigger' mags, although it should be noted that it is the longest in the issue, and from skimming the other stories I would reckon on my having chosen the strongest story in the issue.