The Bird of Paradise Tree & Other Stories : Zygol Press : 9780648700852 : 0648700852 : 28 Aug 2023 : Ian Aisch, author of the acclaimed sci-fi novel, Lost and Plooglitless, presents this intriguing collection of three sci-fi stories and two pieces of fiction. On a distant planet, earmarked for mining, sentient and highly sensitive 'trees' greet each dawn with a joyful and breathtaking display of spectacular colour in The Bird of Paradise Tree. The earthmoving machinery at the base camp emit noise and vibrations which inflict a terrible pain on the trees, threatening their very existence. Botanist Ben Starkey faces the daunting task of acting as a mediator between the trees and his fellow humans. Dark humour permeates Popsicle, a story about Spike, a wily manager of a drug-crazed rock star. Spike is single-minded in his determination to get rich while concealing, for as long as he can, a dark secret that resides in the rock-star's pantry. John and Deborah Challen invent a devi