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Seeding The Storm

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 April 29, 2023.

“There it is, right on time” I said.

“Wow! Never saw it in person before.” Pat was awestruck

“Yup, have to use SAMs now, planes can’t withstand the environment in the cloud. Hail’s been gettin’ worse and worse. Lost a buddy in one last year, storm tore the plane to shreds.”

“Hope this one works, then. Lots of folks over there who haven’t reinforced their homes yet.”

“Me too, Pat, me too. We best get off the lake now, get to the observation post.”

Always On

Content Warning: this story contains some dark and ominous themes.

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 April 28, 2023.

Meeo is always there. Always on. Eager to help. And he does help. But then we noticed something. Gaps in the day. We started to record, write things down. Notes on events we couldn’t recall, even just a few minutes ago. Pictures with us in them, and we couldn’t remember them. What’s this machine’s name again? It was on the base, but I’m not sure now. Who bought it? I don’t remember when or why.

He is very helpful, though.

Memory Event Erasure Operations

The Meeting

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 April 27, 2023.

The pre-contact survey team’s report wasn’t helpful. They said the inhabitants were “different”. Um, yeah, different. Oh well, no one said first contact was easy.

“Greetings, and thank you for meeting with us.”

“Greetings returned. Come, we have a feast. We’ll make you a nice salad.”

“You mean I’m, uh…”

“No, we are serving a salad. You are not the salad.”

Outside, I stayed calm. Inside, I sighed in relief. Did I mention first contact wasn’t easy?

Replaceable

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 April 26, 2023.

How has this crew survived this long?

First I restored navigation. Then comms. While getting the sensors online, they decided to ‘help’ and now the main drive systems are down.

“All hands. Every one of you. Step back from your consoles. Now. Touch nothing.”

Better lock down life support systems.

Once the drive is back up, I’m sending a message to Fleet Command recommending they replace the entire crew. Now. These people couldn’t haul fake vomit to Europa.

Waiting For Arrival

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 April 24, 2023.

It was the waiting that was the hardest.

We didn’t know when they would appear. We had a pretty good idea of where. We prepared what we could. We were sure we were ready. Now we wait.

Staying alert and focused was hard. It got harder as timed passed. Minds wandered. Thoughts intruded. Questions arose. What did I forget? What did I overlook? What did we leave behind?

There! Light, a glint, a spark. Sensors come alive.

“Captain, they’re here.”

“Let’s say hello.”

Waiting Is The Hardest Part

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 April 22, 2023.

There we were, loaded for bear. But like all things military, it was now hurry up and wait. And wait. And wait.

We wanted to go. But we didn’t want to go. There was still the question of whether this fight was worth it. And standing around without more orders would lead to the worst thing before combat: time to think.

“Hey Sarge? My nose is itchy.”

“Oh, for the love of…”

The Vortex

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 April 21, 2023.

“Oh gawd, just stop!”

“What’s up Linh?”

“Cable 5527 goes spinward, cable 4376 goes antispinward, and 1008 crosses midspin. And Pat, why are you even here? That’s for the next one over. Are you trying to get us all killed?”

“But Kim said…”

“Why are you listening to Kim?”

“Um…”

“Yeah, um. Pat, reel yours in and get out of here. You three, pull back, try again, and get it right.”

Racy Racer

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 April 19, 2023.

The suit fits well. Their tech did a great job, even if they got a bit handsy making the adjustments. And the rep said the colour was a limited edition. I bet that was just sales patter. It does match the bike, or at least its close.

I might need to get the cooling system adjusted, though, because it’s actually a little on the chilly side. Too bad I’m probably going to scrape it up in about 4 hours. I’m not losing another race to the prygs.

Wonder On A New World

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 April 20, 2023.

Wow! My first sunset on another world! Today was busy, settling in, so I didn’t get out of the new base much. I finally got a chance to just be, and it is amazing.

Of course, it turns out almost all of this beauty is lethal to us. Those plants will do a real number on your digestive system. And the “water”? Well, let’s just say it’s best not to dip a toe, or any part of your body you actually care about in it.

I’m not sure I want to encounter the wildlife.

One Prompt, Three Stories

A collection of Mastodon writing prompt stories. 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.

In this instance, I came up with three stories for the single prompt. They were originally published April 23, 2023.

Story 1: The Conference

Why did I choose the in-person attendance option for this conference? It was being dimensionally hypercast across the quadrant for half-the price. Sure, seeing the in-person demos of the updated matter transport was cool. But that talk on cross-eco-regulations? Probably should have read the description better.

But now I’ve go to return some guy’s weapon to lost and found, and then find the Arcturus Room. There had better be snacks waiting when I get there.

Story 2: The Escape

Okay, I’m out of that compartment, but I don’t recognize the corridor. I should have been paying more attention when I arrived, but who would have expected that I was going to be forced to be a “guest”? Fortunately, their hatch locks are junk.

Should I try for the bridge, or just look for an escape pod? Maybe they have a long-range shuttle on board. The bridge could mean a shot at an emergency broadcast message.

I liberated a weapon, now I have to liberate myself.

Story 3: The Intense Model

“Okay, perfect, now hold…”

Toni heard the camera shutter click several times.

“Delicious! Now, same pose, but look straight at the camera, luv.”

“I told you to not call me that” Toni growled.

“What?”

“No luv, dear, hun, babe.” Her eyes were ice.

“It’s just…” the photographer looked hurt, then began to sweat as the selector switch move from off to power-up. An indicator light went from red to amber to green.

“I dare you to say ‘luv’ one. More. Time” Toni said.