Alien Planets and You (short story)

Alien Planets and You was the fifth story in the Bernice Summerfield anthology A Life of Surprises. It was written by Dave Stone.

Plot
Benny writes an article about visiting alien planets based on her experiences. Usually, she gets involved in her adventures by being invited to a planet by a manipulative villain or by drinking in a pub and waiting for her employer to send thugs after her to begin the plot.

After that, Benny is often saved by her ex-husband, despite not needing his help, and the two of them are eventually captured and brought before the villain, who will force them to help recover or identify an important relic which is crucial to their evil plan. It is then that Benny has to do something very clever and defeat the villain, saving the day. She includes her adventure with Grand Exquisitor Gorbarobuglar Wom of the Soul-reaver Protectorates as an example.

Characters

 * Bernice Summerfield

Worldbuilding

 * Benny's stories of visiting alien planets usually include a pub or bar visit and a rescue by her ex-husband Jason Kane.

Continuity

 * Benny is often hired by villains. (PROSE: Professor Bernice Summerfield and the Doomsday Manuscript, etc.)