Rich Larson was born in Niger, has lived in Spain and Czech Republic, and currently writes from Canada. He’s the author of two novels and over two hundred and fifty short stories, including prior F&SF entries “The World, a Carcass,” and “Contagion’s Eve at the House Noctambulous.” He just turned thirty-three and is still terrified of dying alone – enjoy his far-future take on a “Standard Birthday Party,” and be sure to check out his new collection Changelog. Sub Rosa Zero crawls along the spiral arm for a millennium, sliding through empty space, subsisting off vapor and starlight, before it