A Collection of Hard Science Fiction and Engineering Ethics

The opposite of love isn't hate. It's indifference.

In this thought-provoking collection of Hard Science Fiction, award-winning author Mark Niemann-Ross explores the intersection of high-stakes technology and the human spirit. From the sterile corridors of deep-space outposts to the cluttered garages of future suburban engineers, these five stories ask: What happens when our inventions begin to reflect our own souls?

Included in this Collection:

• Humanity by Proxy: 111-year-old Tiffany Stott thought she was finally free of her controlling husband, Walter. But in the world of Artificial Intelligence and Sentient Machines, death is only a temporary setback. When Walter's obsessive-compulsive personality is "programmed" into her household and a geriatric robotic assistant?a repurposed military LASSIE "Sawhorse"?Tiffany must confront the digital "ghost in the machine" that refuses to let her go.
• One Man's Dignity: Survival on a spinning space station requires more than just oxygen?it requires navigating a crushing space station bureaucracy. Follow the "blue-collar" struggle of an engineer fighting for his professional soul against corporate management in a world where engineering ethics are often sacrificed for the bottom line.
• A Cup of Dirt: In the sterile, metallic environment of a colony ship, actual "dirt" is considered a biohazard. This Solarpunk-inspired tale follows Enzo, an engineer who risks a court-martial for the ultimate act of rebellion: growing a forbidden tomato plant to restore hope and morale to a weary crew.
• Plastic Thingy: A humorous and fast-paced dive into interstellar commerce. When an alien arrives at a local hardware store looking for a specific "red part" to repair a spaceship, it's just another day on the job?unless that part is the only thing standing between Earth and a diplomatic disaster. Features the sentient alien plant, Ficus.
• The Music Teacher: An exploration of xenomusicology and the dangerous lure of the unknown. When an ancient alien artifact known as "Mr. Flat Five" begins teaching a musician complex, reality-bending compositions, the line between artistic obsession and madness begins to blur.

Why Readers Love Mark Niemann-Ross:

Perfect for fans of technical realism and "blue-collar" space stories, this collection combines military technology adaptation with deep emotional stakes. Whether it's a sentient AI mimicking a lost loved one or the struggle of space gardening against all odds, these stories celebrate the engineers, the fixers, and the dreamers of the future.

Mark Niemann-Ross is a Portland, Oregon-based author whose work spans the futuristic landscapes of science fiction and the deeply personal terrain of family memoirs. Known for his eclectic interests and analytical mind, Mark balances a professional background in R programming and Raspberry Pi tinkering with a narrative voice that is both witty and profoundly human.His writing portfolio is as varied as his hobbies. From the self-driving car murder mystery "Stupid Machine" and the tech-positive collection "Humanity by Proxy" to the juvenile western "Patches Catches the Sargo County Cattle Rustler," Mark explores complex themes with clarity and heart. In his latest work, "My Favorite Mother-In-Law", he applies this same curiosity to the realities of "aging", "assisted living", and "memory care".A hallmark of Mark's writing is his use of structured frameworks to understand human connection. In his memoirs, he famously utilizes tools like "Johari's Window" to navigate the "unknowns" of communication during stressful life transitions, such as moving a loved one into "dementia care."Beyond the keyboard, Mark is a firm believer in the power of a kind word and is known for his habit of giving compliments to strangers. An avid paddler of boats, he draws inspiration from the waters of the Pacific Northwest and the vibrant community of "angels" and characters he encounters in daily life. Whether he is decoding the high-stakes rules of Nickel Bingo or navigating the complexities of family dynamics, Mark captures life's transitions with a unique blend of humor, tolerance, and technical insight.You can follow his latest projects and insights at https://niemannross.com or connect with him on LinkedIn, GitHub, Bluesky, and Mastodon.