The Machine

Acid Suite #3

by Craig Lea Gordon

Science-Fiction Horror that violates the laws of nature

The Machine is alive. The Machine can do anything. But with vengeance on his mind, what will Christian use it for first?

When a disgraced scientist finally completes the machine that he has spent his life perfecting, there's only one thing on his mind. Vengeance.

But this is no ordinary machine. It lives. A symbiosis of flesh and machine. An abomination. And what's more it can do anything. Anything that its creator wants. Now it is time for retribution, for the woman who used to call him protege. And there's only one question on his mind, what will be the manner of her death?

The Machine is a science fiction horror story and the third short story in Craig Lea Gordon's Acid Suite series. If you like your sci-fi to be infused with a streak of terror, then you'll love this fast-paced tale of revenge.

Genres: Horror

25 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 8, 2018

About the author

Subscribe to Craig's email list for a free copy of Hypercage, a Cyberpunk-Techno Thriller, with 4.3 stars from 33 reviews on Amazon US...

http://freestory.craigleagordon.com/h...

Craig Lea Gordon fell in love with Science Fiction at a very early age. His earliest memory is of bawling his eyes out on a Saturday morning when a shabby looking robot called Metal Mickey appeared on TV. It wasn't anything to do with the low budget production values, but instead because it had displaced Battle of the Planets, his favourite sci-fi program.

Shortly after he insisted that his parents christen their Ferguson Videostar by recording Battlestar Galactica. From the age of six, a good Christmas was defined by whether or not Star Wars was on TV. At 12 he made his Mum rent him a copy of Robocop, and he has never been the same since. Some say he has a hidden prime directive to create stories of a possible future.

Reviews

[Meenaz Lodhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to C. Lea Gordon for the ARC. My review is entirely voluntary and honest.
When Craig announced the book title I was very intrigued, making guesses, what, where, when... I admit this was totally out of my line of thought, as in, no way! I read this short story four times, to properly assimilate the concept of The Machine, the tension building has been excruciating, like only the author knows, the characters' ethics in the name of humanity. A bit Kafkanian...Superb short story! I'm enthralled with Lea Gordon's shorts and novellas!

[Rebecca Gransden · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting and tension filled sci-fi short from Craig Lea Gordon, The Machine delivers fast-paced technological horror mixed entertainingly with the disturbingly biological. From the start an atmosphere of suspense dominates as the story reveals a main character embroiled in a risky situation, possibly making dubious moral decisions, all assisted by The Machine.

A blend of the bodily with the mechanical, The Machine has some fun descriptions and pleasing plot turns. Those who like classic science fiction with a taste of the horrific will appreciate the creepiness and action, whilst those looking for bigger ideas will find the act of creation and the ethical considerations of the use of technology suggested at. An engrossing, well-paced sci-fi story.

[Anna Adler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not usually into short stories. I hardly ever read them because I prefer full length novels and I never thought I’d enjoy anything shorter, but then I came across Craig Lea Gordon’s work. By now I can say that I will read anything by this author. His short stories are dark, violent and unpredictable. I can never tell what’s going to happen in the end, except that it’s probably something bad. It's crazy addictive. The Machine is no exception with its death toll and disturbing imagery. I didn’t understand the ending, hence four stars instead of five, but I enjoyed the read. I look forward to the next gory short!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Corlan McCollum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this story is an exemplary scifi - it's gritty, at times gross, and it explores that far out 'what if?' scenario. It's unique, whereas a lot of short scifi can be ubiquitous, and it's unique despite the fact that it satisfies some of the more basic queries a reader can have. Which is one of the reasons I think it's exemplary - it captures the spirit of science fiction, and uses an idea that's been thought of before (but perhaps not written) to do so, but it's written in an entirely new perspective. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer. The characters are very deep but we don't see it all, and important details into their lives and aspects of the story are buried in amongst other details. Simply put, it's a good short story that'd make for an even better novella.

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me imagining a cross between Dr Frankenstein's lab and an old Dr Who episode where a nutty gardener was feeding people on a conveyor belt to a giant, man-eating plant that ended up taking over the rather impressively large house. Okay I was young and Dr Who was scary back then, but this story just has that creepy, dark kind of feel to it right from the start. This won't take you long to read, but you'll get a kick out of it just the same!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Five years, three hundred and ten days, seventeen hours and thirty nine seconds."
A very short short story, quick and easy to read, and dripping with gore and sinister intent, The Machine is the ultimate mad scientist tale. It is descriptively well written.
Although an horror story, presumably, it was so over the top in it's belching and squeltching, it first made me smile then laugh out loud. Ultimately predictable, it was still very enjoyable.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge Is Not Always Sweet!

The Machine - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

A brilliantly clever alternative modern version of the Frankenstein story by Master of Sci-fi Suspense, Craig Lea Gordon, The Machine is Christian's perverted monstrosity of an invention, started in tandem with his mentor scientist Erin - until she revolted (literally) against the manner of its creation.
What happens when minion turns against master?
Get The Machine today to discover the truth!

[Reads_Must · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Machine
Sci-Fi, Horror
Craig Lea Gordon
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

• ᴏʙꜱᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴ • ʀᴇᴠᴇɴɢᴇ • ɢᴏʀᴇ •

This was a good but short read.

I did find it a little difficult to imagine what The Machine actually looked like. The details were quite complicated.

The pacing was fast, it was full of suspense and I liked how Christian lived up to the "mad scientist" stereotype.

The ending was ok but it did feel sudden. I wanted to know more about Erin and the bracelet she had created

[Janeandjerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Machine

Short story about a man who tries taking control of a machine but does he and if so what happens in the end. Read this short story and find out... I want to thank Booksprout for the suggestion of this one and since it was free today 6/8/2018 thought today would be a good day to if I it up and read it since I wouldn't be losing out of I didn't like it

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. Although I wasn't surprised by the ending I still enjoyed reading it. I would have liked a bit more back story for Erin. Overall, it was worth reading and maybe Mr. Gordon could write Erin's story next?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lois Welsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the shortest short story that I have ever read.

I know that is a quick read but it had my attention from the first few words.

I do not know if it is a good thing that I think like the author because I knew what the person was going to do but I was nicely surprised by the ending---it was a good twist so the author got me on that one.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

he wants his revenge but the machine has become live and it will do whatever his creator what it wants so revenge will be had

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Machine by Craig Lea Gordon is a very short story that delivers.
Think Shelley combined with H G Wells and give it a modern twist. It's only 16 pages but delivers with style.
If Craig Developed this with a backstory and a continuation I would certainly read it.

[W · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story, is dark, in my opinion.
Maybe if it was longer, it would be better.............................................................................................................................

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donald Scoby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few books in my reading experience have an ambiance while you're reading them (ex. DUNE). The ambiance while reading The Machine was palpable, and I was impressed at how uncomfortable I was while reading this. WOW!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disgraced scientist Craig has finally finished building a machine. It seems dangerous and he’s using it for revenge. Scary for sure, loved it.

[Bob Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

​The Machine is more of a booklet. It is a short story that coud have been so much more. It has a great premise. A living machine that can give you anything you desire. A man who was told not to build it and did it anyway. The horror that it could bring is clearly shown here.

I will say it was a good story of how man can lose what he started in in the end play God.