Sidekicks are used to being hidden from the spotlight shining on the hero they support. They work behind the scenes, doing their best to support their more famous companion. There are times when the sidekick becomes the hero, when they have to step up and save not only their hero, but sometimes the entire world. This anthology is about sidekicks who humbly take those chances. Not just the usual sidekicks normally associated with Superheros -- "any" kind of sidekick in a science fiction or fantasy setting. This anthology evolved from a panel at MileHiCon in Denver, Colorado, titled "So You Want To Be in an Anthology?" The stories contained within were contributed by attendees of that panel. All net proceeds are donated to support MileHiCon. Make sure you attend MileHiCon and go to the panel to be invited to the 2016 anthology.

Lost in time, big on ego, short on StimCap...can the crew of the Galaxy overcome their own shortcomings long enough to stay alive? After losing their new, unused battleship to a presumed act of piracy, the crew of the aged starcruiser Galaxy doggedly pursues those they believe responsible. Their path is far from clear as they find themselves facing unspeakable horrors in the form of an exploding sun, an invasive computer virus, a horde of pirate zombies, and incredible leaps through time. Can the crew survive long enough to bring the pirates to justice?

The notorious thief Xeno and his loyal partner Ju-Ka discover a source of high margin profits in the cloning business, but when their attempts to harness the regenerative properties of vampirism inadvertently unleashes a horde of the vicious creatures, their own demise is all but certain. Their only hope for escape is calling for help from the one starship in the universe whose crew seeks their eternal incarceration. With extreme reluctance, the captain of the starcruiser Galaxy yields to the plea for rescue when he discovers his former navigator is the unwilling prototype of the vampire clones. Can the crew of the Galaxy overcome crushing odds during a deadly rescue attempt or will they involuntarily join the ranks of those that seek to destroy them?

Christmas is a time to enjoy close friendships, a loving family, and a tree towering high above a mountain of colorful presents. Getting those presents under the tree could be a challenge, however, as Santa's ship is damaged while passing through a nebula. With his ship tumbling uncontrollably through space, and time quickly running out, Santa turns to the only hope of saving Christmas - the intrepid starcruiser Galaxy and its determined crew. As the team races to save the day, an evil force bent on stealing Christmas attacks Santa's ship. Armed only with candy canes, a generous helping of festive cheer, and a shiny string of jingling bells, the crew must find a way to repair Santa's ship while fending off the cosmic scourge. The fate of Christmas for the entire universe rests in the hands of Galaxy's crew. Will those on Santa's "nice" list receive their presents this year? Or will the forces of evil triumph and seize the holidays for their own nefarious purposes? Find out in A Very Goober Christmas.

This collection of 12 short stories is based on exhilarating personal logs recorded by the starcruiser Galaxy's valiant crew, including:- Trip to Proteus - When a crewmember forms a lively bond with strangers on a space station, his new friends bring a few unwelcome surprises back to the Galaxy.- No Access - A security system mishap locks the crew out of their own ship, and suspicious "clients" attempt to neutralize the objects of their paranoid skepticisms.- Racing Libido - The overactive libido of a crewmember forces the Galaxy to employ a unique strategy while participating in the famous Grali'k Nebulae Race.- Hit and Run - When the crew is framed for a crime they didn't commit, they must find a way to overcome ambitious law enforcement officers and clear their names. - Captive Sentience - Sentient androids are enslaved by a ruthless cartel, and it's up to the crew of the Galaxy to free them without sacrificing the potential profits from a lucrative mission. - Explosive Fanaticism - The crew is forced to choose either a healthy payday or rescuing a miner under attack by their overzealous employer. - Backstabbing Doppelganger - A seemingly humble merchant uses Captain Mintax's DNA for purposes other than payment account verification. - Double Date - A night out on the town for two crewmembers turns into an opportunity for their dates to enjoy much more than their pleasant company. - Hot Girl - Attracting someone special at a club proves to be a monumental challenge for a crewmember when an aggressive competitor has a significant advantage.- Hack Off - The infamous HACKERS group invites a crewmember to participate in an annual Cyber Intrusion Contest with potentially deadly consequences. - Slimeball Merchant - The lustful desires of a corrupt merchant threatens to transform a leisurely shopping trip for one crewmember into her last. - Stack Master - Captain Mintax faces a potentially crushing defeat by a cleverly ruthless competitor in an annual weightlifting championship event.

This exciting collection of 12 short stories is based on the adventures of the starcruiser Galaxy and its valiant crew, including:- Discount Dinner - A desperate financial situation forces the crew to purchase food with unforeseen side effects. - Double-Rowed Smile - The newly installed, and not so gently used, auto-navigation system threatens to tear the Galaxy apart mid-warp. - Drone Wars - An army of murderous drones attack the Tioran Federation, killing anyone that gets in their way. - Hot Lava - The Galaxy is stranded on a planet embroiled in a massive tectonic reconfiguration.- Drone Wars II - Jonn's side project to create an artificial pet takes on a life of its own. - Arms Deal - Steve's attempt to purchase a new rifle from an unscrupulous vendor unwittingly unleashes a hungry beast bent on devouring everyone aboard the Galaxy. - Stimugen - Hitch's encounter with artificial stimulants nearly destroys her relationship with the crew-and her own sanity.- Distant Discovery - The crew is hired to investigate a distant, unresponsive government space station, but their simple mission reveals a powerful enemy force that wants to keep the station's secrets all to itself.- Damage Control - A new training program that disables the Galaxy makes the stalwart ship a tempting target for ruthless salvagers. - Distant Discovery II - Technology uncovered at a secret government space station threatens to unleash a massive black hole in the heavily populated heart of the Tioran Federation. - Derelict Disaster - A mission to salvage valuable technology from the wreck of a devastated pirate carrier turns sour as the derelict ship reaches out from the grave to trap and eliminate the starcruiser Galaxy.- Deceptive Cargo - A powerful force sent by a familiar foe is unleashed aboard the Galaxy with only one mission-to eliminate the entire crew by any means necessary.

This exciting collection of 12 short stories is perfect for active individuals with limited reading time. From beginning to end, these bite-sized tales pack the robust wonders of the Starcruiser Galaxy's journeys into fun, enjoyable reading snippets that fit into anyone's busy lifestyle. Indulge your imagination in these legendary adventures that await your discovery: - Drone Wars - An army of murderous drones attack the Tioran Federation, killing anyone that gets in their way. - Hot Lava - The Galaxy is stranded on a planet embroiled in a massive tectonic reconfiguration. - Double-Rowed Smile - The newly installed, and not so gently used, auto-navigation system threatens to tear the Galaxy apart mid-warp. - Drone Wars II - Jonn's side project to create an artificial pet takes on a life of its own. - Arms Deal - Steve's attempt to purchase a new rifle from an unscrupulous vendor unwittingly unleashes a hungry beast bent on devouring everyone aboard the Galaxy. - Stimugen - Hitch's encounter with artificial stimulants nearly destroys her relationship with the crew-and her sanity. - Discount Dinner - A desperate financial situation forces the crew to purchase food with unforeseen side effects. - Distant Discovery - The crew is hired to investigate a distant, unresponsive government space station, but their simple mission reveals a powerful enemy force that wants to keep the station's secrets all to itself. - Damage Control - A new training program disables the Galaxy and makes the stalwart ship a tempting target for ruthless salvagers. - Distant Discovery II - Technology uncovered at a secret government space station threatens to unleash a massive black hole in the heavily populated heart of the Tioran Federation. - Derelict Disaster - A mission to salvage valuable technology from the wreck of a devastated pirate carrier turns sour as the derelict ship reaches out from the grave to destroy the Starcruiser Galaxy. - Deceptive Cargo - A powerful force sent by a familiar foe is unleashed aboard the Galaxy with only one mission-to eliminate the entire crew by any means necessary.

When a wereghost invades an otherwise routine delivery mission aboard the Starcruiser Galaxy, the crew of the venerable craft must find a way to eliminate it. The task proves more complicated than expected when the true origin of the creature reveals a vile secret that a powerful government will stop at nothing to keep hidden from public knowledge. Join the crew of the Galaxy on Halloween night as they encounter strange ghosts, combat powerful government battleships, struggle with past and present relationships, and contemplate which outfits to wear to the costume party.