Challenge 534

A Canticle for Argos

In Bill Kowaleski’s “Critical Mass,” bonus questions: which character name is a tribute to the author of what all-time classic novel of science fiction? There are more tributes, but one will do. Answer here.
In Elana Gomel’s “The Emissary of Shadows,” what might indicate that the text is a chapter or excerpt from a larger work?
In Sophia Boettcher’s “Killer App”:
1. Does the ending overstep Bewildering Stories’ guideline against stories that conclude “But it was all a dream” or the equivalent?
2. Are the comic elements sinister or are the sinister elements comic?
in C. E. Gee’s “Souled Out”:
1. At what point should the reader realize that the story is a comedy?
2. Cite at least three examples of comical sentence structure. Hint: does the author use “Tom Swifties” at any point?
3. Does the story parody or pay tribute to one of the best-known authors of science fiction?