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 21, 2023.

They want me to bring the heat? I’ll bring them the heat.

Um, actually, I think I’m overheating. I’m pretty sure I saw flames back there. I hate that these stupid implants need external lubrication and fuel to function. Being a walking gas can is really hard on the ol’ social life.

I hope someone with a fire extinguisher comes along soon. I’m not sure how much longer I can keep these flames under control. I still have a mission to finish.

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 22, 2023.

The biomes in this dome were old enough that trees actually needed pruning from time to time. My crew was ready, we were just waiting for the biologists to relocate some larger fauna for the next few hours.

I never in a million years would have imagined being an arborist on an asteroid, circling a different star.

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 20, 2023.

The troops were ready. The dropships were prepped. The only thing left to do was wait. Hurry up and wait. The story of my career.

But this time the mission was real. There was no turning back. They had made a mess of our home, and it was time to take the fight to them.

Wormulon won’t stand a chance. Tonight we feast.

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?

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 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.

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!”

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?

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.

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.