Back to Week 3, Episodes 15 thru 21
Here is the final week of Season 5 of the adventures of Jenny and Jackson, siblings launched on an interdimensional, galactic adventure: 28 one-hundred-word science fiction stories, all connected.
I hope you enjoy the journey. Thanks for reading.
Episode 22: Avenge Her Death Prompt: Forbidden Love
The last pair of shackles fell—the cell door burst open.
In strode the governor and his parade of masked guards.
“Well, well—my old friend Nog.”
Nog dashed forward, only to be struck in the gut by a guard.
“I’m surprised you came back.“
Nog struggled to stand. “You bastard.”
“Oh my. Still upset about Zora? You knew the penalty for coupling with the natives. You both did. It got what it deserved.”
Nog rushed the governor, only to receive a gun butt to the head, collapsing to the floor.
“Now—what to do with this menagerie of deviants?”
Episode 23: Power Play Prompt: About Power
“I don’t know what you thought you were going to accomplish,” said the governor, sneering.
Jenny struggled in a guard’s grip. “Freeing these people.”
The governor chuckled. “Against the government’s power.” Turning, “Guards take them to the plaza. We’ll make a spectacle of them and rid ourselves of more vermin.”
***
The team, shackled again, were lined up across the plaza.
“Ready. …”
A shimmer in the air and the governor vanished.
***
Aboard the Retribution, the governor stood dumfounded. “What the …”
A voice from the bulkhead speakers. “This is HAL and I’ll show you what real power is.”
Episode 24: Let Me Make This Short Prompt: One Sentence Story
As the captain of this vessel and commodore of the rebels’ flotilla, my mission is to rid the southern continent of Designer vermin, which will require that I transport you, all the overseers, and their minions, to the capital, regardless of whether they chose to go, regardless of whether they’ve gathered their belongings or their families, regardless of anything the government in the capital would try to do to stop me and it is only the gentler sensibilities of my comrades, who you tried to execute, that prompted me to provide advance notice that removal will commence at noon tomorrow.
Episode 25: A Crowd Gathers Prompt: 100-Words Exactly
The governor re-materialized following his confrontation with HAL and ordered the guards to unshackle the team.
In a downrush of hot wind, a gleaming ship appeared overhead.
The Searcher popped into existence.
Ace stepped forward. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Without the Designers’ corrupting support, the Martian regime collapsed. Renée is assembling a coalition government.”
A group of natives approached, pushing forward an older woman.
“I am the head of my people. Why are you here?”
Nog turned. “Ah. The person we needed to meet. We have much to discuss.”
Nog and the woman entered the governor’s mansion.
Episode 26: Feast Day Prompt: About Food
The following day, after the oppressors had been removed, the team gathered on the plaza.
“I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m famished,” said Ace.
One of the People, as they called themselves, spoke.
“We don’t have much, but we’ll share what we have.”
L’Kebrill stepped forward. “Is it not yet harvest time? We saw vast, fertile fields when we arrived.”
“Those crops are for the capital. We’re allowed starchy roots, weeds that grow, and any spoiled crops that the capital rejects.”
“Well, that stops right now,” said Ace. “It’s feast time.”
A cheer went up from the assemblage.
Episode 27: A New Spirit Prompt: Waking Up
With the renamed Liberator, the Retribution, and the Endurance in orbit to guard against retaliation, Jenny and Jackson joined the feast that had become a celebration.
The People could awaken their suppressed culture, living as they had before the Designers took it away.
Jenny approached the People’s leader. “Ma’am, you’re free now. We’ll help any way we can, and I hope your People will find friends in the Designers who’ve risked their lives to resist the regime.”
“I know young lady. It’s time to rebuild and we will honor those that protect us until we can protect ourselves. Thank you.”
The Tharsis Plateau – Season 5, Last Day
A huge thank you to Moriah Richard and the staff at Writer’s Digest for sponsoring another fun February Flash Fiction Challenge. I hope we all get to return in 2027.
Here’s the final 2026 and final Series episode of the adventures of Jenny and Jackson, siblings launched on an inter-dimensional, galactic quest. I’ve had fun writing one story for the entire month, with each day’s prompt determining where the next episode went.
At this juncture, I believe we can take the spotlight off Jenny and Jackson, the Tau Ceti f sisters, Ace and Nic. Mission accomplished, and they can help The People build a new society, while The Searcher helps The Librarians address the oppression in the capital. Then again, God knows what HAL will do. See you next year for Season 1 of [TBD].
Episode 28: Epilogue Prompt: An Aftermath
In the aftermath of the People’s liberation, it had been time for the team to move on.
The Searcher helped the Librarians establish a new democratic government in the capital. Nic and Ace facilitated the reconciliation councils to heal old wounds.
Jenny, N’Kebron, Jackson, and L’Kebrill returned to Tau Ceti f. With a whole brood of rambunctious kids, they grew a successful interplanetary trade consortium, even normalizing trade with the interdimensional beings for some very weird materials.
HAL finally chilled out and took The Retribution on a quest to find his long-lost twin sister, SAL.
The galaxy was at peace.
I hoped to see you in 2027 for Season One of a new series when new adventures await and challenges will confront a new set of characters.