Gone, Not Forgotten

by Mary E. Lowd

Originally published in Red Setter Medic, May 2026

“The serum was a quantumly entangled dead virus, designed to inoculate against any variation of that virus across all possible multiverses.  Dr. Keller’s plan had been to devise the ultimate vaccine.  But it hadn’t been ready for testing.”

The starship Initiative was docked at a space station close to the border between Tri-Galactic Union and Reptassan space.  There had been a lot of turmoil along the border lately, skirmishes between independent worlds and the Reptassan Empire.  Sometimes, Dr. Keller felt like it’d be easier if everyone was uplifted dogs like her and her daughter Leslie.  Dogs are pack animals, friendly, gregarious, and outgoing; they naturally want to get along with each other.

In fact, the red setter’s daughter had immediately struck up a friendship with the daughter of a Lupinian diplomat who’d be traveling on the Initiative from this station to the next.  Lupinians weren’t uplifted dogs, but they were canines — wolf-like and wild-grown.  The Lupinians had developed sentience all on their own on their small world, right at the border of Reptassan space, and Lakoina was traveling with her daughter Tava on a mission to speak on behalf of her people and the fate of their world to the Tri-Galactic Union. Continue reading “Gone, Not Forgotten”

I, Hive

by Mary E. Lowd

Originally published in Red Setter Medic, May 2026

“I think you should have a name!” Leslie suggested, excitedly.  “We could help you pick one.  What would you like?  Something fancy and pretty?  Something short and cute?”

Most of the dogs and cats who crewed the starship Initiative spoke very fondly of away missions.  They liked getting their paws on the solid surfaces of real planets or asteroids, feeling fresh air in their whiskers, and enjoying the view of an unobscured sky.  Doctor Waverly Keller heard them speak with excitement about visiting strange new places on their missions, meeting weird new kinds of animals, and just basically broadening their horizons.

The red setter doctor, though, didn’t feel the same way.  Sure, she enjoyed taking shore leave to a beautiful world for her vacation as much as the next canine, but she did not look forward to away missions.  As the ship’s chief medical officer, Dr. Keller was rarely called on to join an away mission if it didn’t involve assessing casualties or providing emergency resuscitations. Continue reading “I, Hive”

Randomosity

I’ve been invited to turn my book universe into a game for Hidden Door. So, as a first step, I’m having Claude write a series bible for the Otters In Space series, and it has the loveliest things to say…

“Warm, witty, accessible … wry humor and genuine affection for all its characters — even the villains are understandable. There’s real danger and real stakes, but the tone stays fundamentally hopeful. Think: the warmth of a Pixar film with the political texture of Ursula K. Le Guin.” Continue reading “Randomosity”

Insipid Liner Notes: Paw Prints Beyond the Moon

“Paw Prints Beyond the Moon” was a really fun collection to create a soundtrack for, because it required so many different musical styles. And also, the whole book is furry, and it’s just really fun to have an entire album of furry music.

That’s right — before “Fetching Asteroids” was an addictive video game, it was a flash fiction. And then, it was one of the first doo-wop songs I managed to make. Continue reading “Insipid Liner Notes: Paw Prints Beyond the Moon”

Insipid Liner Notes: The Doo-Wop of Stephen Crane

It’s out now, in all its glorious wrongness! A true abomination of art — THE DOO-WOP OF STEPHEN CRANE.

That’s right. I took Stephen Crane poems, converted them into doo-wop songs, and now you can listen to them in all their catchy irony.

If I was going to turn the poetry of Stephen Crane into doo-wop, it absolutely had to include the creature in the desert eating its own bitter heart. Continue reading “Insipid Liner Notes: The Doo-Wop of Stephen Crane”

Insipid Liner Notes: The Event Horizons on Loop

I think this is my favorite of the 32 albums I’ve made in the last half year since discovering AI music. I mean, I love them all and can happily listen to each album over and over again. But this one speaks directly to me.

“Fresh Every Day” was inspired by an Ursula K. LeGuin quote comparing love to bread, but in this case, it’s also about music and how I can now make a new album for myself every few days if I want. Continue reading “Insipid Liner Notes: The Event Horizons on Loop”

Toast, Asteroids, Oxygen, Rooster, and The Comeback

Okay, I just tried the dark chocolate sprinkles on buttered toast trick that I’ve heard is normal in other parts of the world and wow, that’s a super tasty snack.

Fetching Asteroids is officially in Beta!!

Meaning you can try out the first game set in the Otters In Space universe—fly around as Jordan the Labrador retriever, fetching asteroids! Continue reading “Toast, Asteroids, Oxygen, Rooster, and The Comeback”

Insipid Liner Notes: The Event Horizons on Mount Olympus

“The Event Horizons on Mount Olympus” is a Greek mythology and space opera fusion album, executed in a musical style inspired by ‘80s weird synth pop and ‘60s California surf rock.

“I Knew the Eagle” is a song inspired by Prometheus, taking the position that he’d have still stolen fire from the gods, even if he’d known the punishment it would lead him to endure. Continue reading “Insipid Liner Notes: The Event Horizons on Mount Olympus”