Challenge 833

In This Handbasket

In Harrison Kim’s Cabron’s Coup, Cabron resolves “to be the most cunning and ruthless leader Mozo had ever known.” Does his story end or begin at that point?
In J. H. Zech’s Isolated Contamination, what are the murderers’ motives? Could the victims’ bodies be held for a week without showing any noticeable effects?
In M. K. McKenzie’s Bought, Sold, Delivered:
1. What is the function of the military recruiter in Mara’s illusion?
2. How does the conclusion circumvent Bewildering Stories’ guideline about stories that end with “but it was all a dream”?
In L. S. Popovich’s Epilogue:
1. Remera recognizes Gotenba, who claims to be her “old pal.” Izzalia meets Gotenba in chapter 33. Has Remera ever met him? Does either he or Omi answer directly any of Remera’s questions?
2. Remera thinks that humanity is “doomed” because “Virgil must have succeeded.” Succeeded in doing what? Why does Remera think humanity is doomed?
3. The names Virgil and Ovid are names borrowed from classical Roman literature. Does the story make any connection between fiction and the real authors?
4. Remera finally dissolves in the Celestial Plane. May readers expect that the same will happen to the other characters? Does the ending implicitly overstep Bewildering Stories’ “dream stories” guideline?
5. The synopsis implies that Riku is the central character in Echoes From Dust. Is the synopsis accurate? Does Riku have any function in the story other than as an observer?
6. What is the outcome of Izzalia’s quest to penetrate the desolate region of “Dust” in chapter 47? Are there any “echoes” from Dust? If so, what are they?

Responses welcome!