>NUCLEAR CHANNEL // 10 ENTRIES

Nuclear Apocalypse Stories

A nuclear apocalypse is an end-of-the-world scenario driven by atomic weapons, thermonuclear war, radioactive fallout, nuclear winter, or the political systems that make such destruction possible. These stories often focus on the instant terror of the blast and the longer aftermath: poisoned landscapes, ruined cities, scarcity, mutation, bunker societies, military secrecy, and the moral burden of surviving a war designed to end civilization.

Read original nuclear apocalypse short stories on this page from world-class authors, selected from the Ash Tales archive.

The Ridgeway

The Ridgeway

Four days out and running low on water, but he didn't care. He stopped at the crest of the hill to catch his breath. It was full dark, but his eyes adjusted to the low light and...

Open Entry →

The Sea Lords Script

The Sea Lords Script

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: After nearly a decade of analysis, the Linguistics Department of Gabonium University cracked the enigma that is the Sea Lords Script and presents this report...

Open Entry →

The Poppies' Secret

The Poppies' Secret

“Ada, will you sit down?” Terra gives her best impression of a scowl up at me, though to my eye she looks more like a puppy that’s about to sneeze. I shrug and make a show of in...

Open Entry →

This Is Not an Exit

This Is Not an Exit

The café is cold and blanketed masses huddle over steaming cups of weak tea. The bomb blast took out the windows, even in this hamlet miles from the target. Those of us who stil...

Open Entry →

Before the Bomb

Before the Bomb

As I study her sitting half-undressed on my cot, I realize I recognize her from before the bomb. Or I think I do. I think I recognize people all the time, as I stare into their...

Open Entry →

Mooners

Mooners

NOT EVEN AN HOUR INTO MARE IMBRIUM’S two-week-long night, Commander Gordon Gooch III was snoring through the end of the world. Yes, that Gooch: Fumbler of First Contact and curr...

Open Entry →

There Is No Happy Ending for Us

There Is No Happy Ending for Us

Micah looked up and saw the contrast of blues on the horizon. Paula was beside him, fiddling with a shell that she had found in the sand, between her fingers. They were sitting...

Open Entry →

Old World

Old World

"Grampa... Grampa...?" The old man's eyes slowly opened, revealing the misty gray remnants of a wise soldier that once was. His great grandson stood at his feet, both hands layi...

Open Entry →

Warhead Saul's Last Leg

Warhead Saul's Last Leg

Interstate 90 was a shooting gallery. The winners were the gods who lived in the mountains and fortresses on either side, gods who watched over the world night and day through t...

Open Entry →