june-2026

"You offer mere liquid as tribute to your conquerors?" The alien's lamprey mouth pulsated disdainfully at the carafe.

"This is Earth's most treasured beverage," Dr. Manjhi replied.

"Ha! A species that surrenders via doctor - a researcher! - would overindulge in liquids. No warrior's vigor."

But the research of Dr. Manjhi, allergist, might yet save Earth.

"Coffee's bitterness brings vigor," She said, like she knew. She never drank coffee; allergies.

The warlord sucked down lamprey sips.

His tentacles shuddered and coiled.

"What causes this? Poison?" The warlord spluttered.

He choked. He wheezed. He asphyxiated.

"It's the tannins," Dr. Manjhi murmured.

Gabrielle Bleu writes luminous science fiction and fantasy. Find more of Bleu's work at gabriellebleu.com.

I was so beautiful, once. I'd glistened, dripping lazily off the leaves of exotic plants. 

Now, they tear down the rainforests. 

I'd sparkled in the sunlight, frozen in the Antarctic.

But their fossil fuels are melting the glaciers.

I'd provided them ample food and drink within my pristine rivers and oceans.

And yet, they throw their garbage in me.

I should be appreciated. Protected.

I'm the key to life.

Instead, the humans just waste me, poison me. Neglect me.

But no more.

I'll teach them all a lesson. Let’s see how they fare when I retreat deep into the earth where they can’t reach me.

I’ll destroy them, they way they tried to destroy me.

Then, the Earth can begin anew.

Katie Dee is a lover of microfiction from Nashville, Tennessee.