Challenge 1045

Live Long, and Prosper

In Humphrey Price’s Temple of the Inscriptions, Chapter 8: The Prize: How are the characterizations of Karyn and Scott distinguished in this chapter?
In Tannara Young’s Beneath the Ink, part 3: What magical gift does Alaya possess that might make her valuable to the Padronelle?
In Paul Cesarini’s His Majesty’s Overhaul: Does anyone in the story actually believe that the king has undergone a magical transformation? Why do the assembled courtiers and millions of subjects pretend they do?
In J. M. Faulkner’s An Amazing Warehouse: What prevents Rajiv from accepting his father’s change of heart and offer of pay and better working conditions at his shop?
In Friedrich Wallisch’s The Portrait of Martina: Was the real artist Albrecht Dürer likely to produce such an attractive portrait as the one described in the story?
In Charles C. Cole’s The Climb Down: What does Burton consider to be of greater value than his own life?
In Shauna Checkley’s Octopus: The octopus is generally acknowledged to be a distinctive life form. What limitation prevents its intelligence from making it — from a human perspective — the equivalent of a visitor from outer space?