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A Grotesque Circus

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 18, 2023.

Oh man, not these guys again! Geez. Their show is weird, barely entertaining at all. And the kids couldn’t sleep without a parent in the room for a month.

What genius thought birthing these horrors for entertainment was a good Idea? I mean, I get that these organogrow companies have to keep their uterofactories busy with something. But this? Aren’t there other, better uses for a technology that can make custom-designed lifeforms? Something cute at least?

Hope For The Future

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 17, 2023.

“See, there it is, right there” I said, pointing to the image before us.

“Where?” Kel asked.

“That yellow section, to the left. That’s the beginning, that’s the start. We can fix it before it becomes a problem, way before it is lethal” I explained.

“You mean, before you had to wait?”

“Yup. The quantum scanner has taken diagnostics to a whole new level. We can see so many problems before they become problems. This woman can live a lot longer because of it.”

A Blind Obsession

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 16, 2023.

We hadn’t seen any sign of our quarry for months now. I was beginning to think we had lost them for good, and that no new opportunity was going to swim past us to salvage this trip.

“Cap’n, it’s gone. Time to move on.”

“Negative, it’s close, I can feel it. It will taste our harpoon, and it will be out of our lives.”

I just shook my head. This sure did sound familiar, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I still hadn’t figure out what a Pequod was.

The Effective Antique

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by Wyatt H Knott using DreamAI.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 16, 2023.

“How is thing still working?”

“Who cares, it runs, and it has ammo. Head left, down that alley.”

“Okay, heading left. But, seriously, will this actually work?”

“It emits no EM, so its invisible to the bots. They assume everything dangerous radiates something. All we radiate is heat, and some noise. And with background temps, we’re practically invisible.”

“Fine, let’s hope we can do this.”

“Hey Carl! Target, heading 113. HEAT round now!”

“HEAT up, firing. Here comes the kaboom!”

Let The Games Begin. Please.

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 15, 2023.

“When will this anthem end? It goes on forever!” I thought. I always looked forward to the Inter-Dimensional Tournament, and playing the first game of the qualifying round was extra special. But the anthems! Some dimensions just can’t seem to abide something that is pithy, upbeat, inspiring. This dirge could deflate stone. Could we just get to the game?

The Survey Begins

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 14, 2023.

The survey had begun. The bots were mapping the planet. Everything. They had a mission, and they were going to perform it, no matter what.

We saw three break from the pack and start heading our way. We had hoped that the stream might slow them down, or even stop them. No such luck. They were built for all terrains and every type of environment. Rumours swirled about some mapping seabeds.

These are relentless. No on wanted to be mapped. Time to run.

Doing The Work

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 13, 2023.

Three more hours. Just three more hours.

I can get through this. Crunching the data isn’t that hard. Then I’m out of the processing pod.

I can get a beer, maybe some real, actual noodles. That would be heaven. Real noodles, not those synthetic strings of slime. Ug.

Focus.

Enough mistakes, and they extend my shift. I. Will. Not. Be. Extended. Not today. Yesterday was bad enough. It will not be three in days a row.

Focus.

Just two hours, fifty eight minutes.

New Dimensions

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 10, 2023.

They had found a way to access the other dimensions in the universe, and she just had to try it for herself. She read the warnings about possible side effects. They didn’t mention it would accelerate plant growth, but maybe that was just her misinterpreting the effects. It felt like she was coming apart while simultaneously joining with something bigger. And there it was, the Answer, that elusive solution we all sought for. She couldn’t believe it was… no, wait!

Better Than Time Travel

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by Wyatt H Knott using DreamAI.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 9, 2023.

“See, I told you it would be fun! Roman Empire, but without all the mess of time travel and creating historical paradoxes.”

“No kidding! When are we going back?”

“Their mindnet site says there’s a flight in a week. You in?”

“I’m in!”

A Modern Speakeasy

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 9, 2023.

My buddy said look for the AR sign with the big fish, so I guess this is it. With the new restrictions on commercial fishing in place, it makes sense the modern speakeasy is all about seafood. I haven’t had real lobster or scallops in years. But Jake said he knew a place. Not sure why they’d use this freaky creature, not like it’s good to eat. But hey, whatever floats their boat I guess.

Now, what was the password today? Oh yeah, goldfish. Ah, now I get the sign.