"To Rachel it was no sacrifice; with no regrets she traded a possible forty years of life on Venus for two years of heaven on Earth."

Today's story is "The Last Two Ships," a story written by Fred Samuels and published in issue 5 of Universe Science Fiction.

"The Last Two Ships" is the only story written by Fred Samuels listed at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database. If you know more about Fred Samuels, drop me a note on Twitter at @SciFiShortsPod. All issues of Universe Science Fiction are available on the Internet Archive at archive.org.

"They were gathered in secret to determine the fate of a world; for their decision would mean life or death to an alien people."

Today's story is "Death Sentence," a story written by William C. Hoch and published in issue 10 of Universe Science Fiction.

"Death Sentence" is one of just two stories William C. Hoch wrote and had published. I could find very little about him — so if you know more, drop me a note on Twitter at @SciFiShortsPod. All issues of Universe Science Fiction are available on the Internet Archive at archive.org.

"Some people say Alexander Graham Bell wasn’t really the inventor of the telephone. Here is a story of the first man to reach Mars — and who, like Bell’s unknown rival, didn’t get the credit — until he came back from the dead!"

Today's story is "On Mars We Trod," a story written by Otto Binder and published in Issue 3 of Universe Science Fiction.

This story was published under the pen name Eando Binder, used at the time by Otto Binder. Otto shared the pen name with his brother, Earl Andrew Binder. Otto later went on to create Supergirl and wrote early issues of Captain America, among other contributions to the world of comics.

"On Mars We Trod" was published in Issue 3 of Universe Science Fiction. All issues of Universe Science Fiction are available on the Internet Archive at archive.org.

"When you have a door bell that goes ting ting thunk instead of ringing properly, you get accustomed to unusual visitors. At least, it seemed to Henry Mason that since his doorbell had taken to misbehaving his visitors had been anything but run of the mill."

Today's story is "MCMLV," a story written by Wilson Tucker and published in Issue 8 of Universe Science Fiction.

Wilson Tucker, the author of "MCMLV," lived from 1914 to 2006. In addition to his fiction writing, he also wrote about science fiction as a prominent fan, and he even coined the immortal term "space opera."

"MCMLV" was published in Issue 8 of Universe Science Fiction. All issues of Universe Science Fiction are available on the Internet Archive at archive.org.

"Renwick, with too much time on his hands, was bored. He turned to Mead, in his discontent, only to discover some frightening aspects of his friend's hobby of collecting children's games and rhymes."

Today's story is "Before the Fact," a story written by Zenna Henderson and published in Issue 9 of Universe Science Fiction.

Zenna Henderson, the author of "Before the Fact," was born in 1917 and died in 1983. She was best known for her series of novels about "The People," in addition to over 30 years of work published in various science fiction magazines. She was nominated for a Hugo award in 1959 for her novelette "Captivity."

"Before the Fact" was published in Issue 9 of Universe Science Fiction. All issues of Universe Science Fiction are available on the Internet Archive at archive.org.