When the first aliens come to Earth, it is not with altruism or malicious intent, but with profit in mind. Their arrival presents great opportunities for humanity, with the offer of miracle cures and advanced technology... for the right price What will a nation pay for exclusive rights to end cancer, or to possess the first interstellar spaceship? Only mining rights to the moon, or perhaps a few metric tons of gold-for a good faith deposit. Bids run fast and furiously among many industrialized nations, but not everyone is invited to participate, seeding greater global tensions. As the nations of the planet sell the solar system's resources for a shot at tomorrow, there remain those few individuals with suspicions, but still others with almost religious devotion toward "the Visitors." Stuck in the middle is Michael Baldwin, Special Assistant Advisor to the President for Alien/Human Policy Affairs. Sometimes feeling in over his head, he is afforded opportunities few humans could have ever dreamed of, but at what price? The answer will lead him to the truth of Earth's alien benefactors, and an unlikely meeting of madmen at the crux of a madcap investigation. Snake Oil is a cynical sci-fi story of humanity's First Contact with an alien race. Full of comic relief and zany characters, it is a compelling exploration of what could happen if Earth's first alien visitors turn out to be a bit more like us, after all.

Featuring some of the best Science-Fiction & Fantasy stories released in 2013 by Martinus Publishing Ranging from wild time-travel adventures, alien abductions, mad curses, epic quests, and even the ruminations of an aging dragon seeking death. Discover some of the most entertaining fiction released during 2013 in this exciting volume. Featuring stories by Bruno Lombardi, JL Mo, Edmund Wells, A.C. Hall, Gerald Costlow, Shawn Cook, William R.D. Wood, Martin T. Ingham, Barbara Austin, Stacey Jaine McIntosh, Nye Joell Hardy, Chris Allinotte, Susan A. Royal, Philip Overby, and Lauren A. Forry.

Since the dawn of the modern era, mankind has dreamed about the possibility of traversing the bounds of linear time, to explore the dark mysteries of pre-history or seek out the wild possibilities of the far future in person. This collection of stories does the next best thing, allowing readers to dream of the possibilities of such a theoretical trip. The Temporal Element contains stories all about traveling through time, and not in the natural way. From spell-casting wizards, to mad scientists, and government-sanctioned time agencies, here you will find an exceptional selection of stories about people traveling beyond their native time. Explore ancient history, the distant future, and everywhere in between.