Flash Series by W. Steve Wilson
The Tharsis Plateau – Week 3, Episodes 15 through 21
Writer’s Digest Flash Fiction Challenge February 2022: Writer’s Digest sponsored a Flash Fiction Challenge for February. Each day, Moriah Richard posted a new writing prompt and invited the Challenge participants to write a flash fiction piece based on that prompt.
I thought, why not write one story for the entire month? But each day’s prompt determines where the next episode goes. And I’ll limit each episode to 100 words. Hopefully, it will all tie together and make sense when we come out at the other end of the month.
28 one-hundred-word science fiction stories, all connected. Here’s Week 4.
Episode 22: Behind Door Number One Prompt: Phrase “The Door is Open”
Jenny sat up when the cell door opened to admit the security captain. With his hair unkempt and sporting a stubble, a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead, he looked haggard.
“Rough night, Captain?”
“Let’s just say you’re not making this easy for me or for yourself.”
“And I care why?”
“Right now, the door is open for you to help us and your brother. If you have him bring the ship back, you’ll both be set free.”
“Like I believe you. I’ll take my chances with Jackson.”
“That’s what we’re counting on. Take the offer.”
“Go to hell.”
Episode 23: Hurry Up. We Gotta Go! Prompt: Action in Less Than Ten Minutes
The tall humanoids stood silent.
Jackson stepped closer. “Please, help me.”
The avatar put a soft hand on Jackson’s cheek. “Patience. They’re reprogramming the ship.”
The humanoids stirred. “We’ve programmed a route back to Mars and then to the Designer’s new home. You can leave when the ship has refueled, and we’ve removed the two Designers. It’s our thanks to you for bringing them home.”
“I don’t have time for that. We need to leave now.”
The avatar leaned in. “We’ll be on our way in less than ten of your minutes.”
Jackson’s head drooped. “Thank god. I’m coming Jenny.”
Episode 24: Help is on the Way, v1.0 Prompt: Shortest Story You Can Write
Jackson races to Mars.
Episode 24: Help is on the Way, v2.0 (25x v1.0)
Jackson settled into the pilot’s couch and engaged the new human ship-mind link. The connection was a soothing wave.
“I can go now,” said the avatar.
Jackson glanced at his furry friend. “No. Stay. I’d rather talk.”
The avatar gave a slight nod.
Jackson jumped the ship to the parallel universe and engaged the flight controls.
Jackson put the ship on autopilot and disengaged the link. “How will we find Jenny?”
“She’s been around the ship. Close to the planet, we can detect the residue of the parallel universe.”
“Low orbit it is.”
Ten-thousand light-years, three anxiety-laden days to Mars.
Episode 25: Never Leave Me Prompt: End with a Promise
Jackson maneuvered into orbit. “Won’t they detect us?”
“It’s a research ship—cloaked, plus an inter-dimensional portal to operate unobserved.”
Jackson accessed the sensors. “Found Jenny.”
“The sliver triggers the portal. Get Jenny, hold her tight, press the circle.”
Jackson activated the sliver.
Jenny woke. “You came back. How…”
The cell door slammed open. The captain, pistol drawn, shot Jackson in the gut. Jackson collapsed. “Give me the ship, and I’ll call a medic.”
“You bastard.” Jenny ran to Jackson, pressing her hand against his bloody wound. “Oh, Jackson. Don’t leave me.”
“I promise. Never again.” Jackson pressed the circle.
Episode 26: What Happens Next? Plot Points. Prompt: Structured as a List
First: Jenny and Jackson return to the alien ship.
Second: Jenny is startled by the avatar and is wary.
Third: The avatar explains the situation and learns from Jenny his name is Joey.
Fourth: Jackson is dying, and Jenny asks about the Med Pod.
Fifth: The avatar explains the pod cannot treat humans—yet.
Sixth: Jackson rallies and tells Jenny to get the Star Strider.
Seventh: They locate the Star Strider and Jenny uses the sliver to board Jackson’s ship.
Eighth: Jenny powers up the ship and un-moors from the asteroid.
Ninth: A security corvette is waiting and pursues Jenny.
Episode 27: Close Call Prompt: Idea to Physical
Jenny drove the Star Strider hard.
The corvette’s plasma bolt grazed the Star Strider, throwing the ship into a spin. Momentum carried it forward.
The ventral shields dropped. A hatch dissolved in the hull; the Star Strider was tractored into the shuttle bay. The ship jumped to the parallel universe.
Jenny shut down the engines and ran out of the opening hatch, colliding with a tall alien avatar.
“I had an idea you might need help moving Jackson.”
“Joey?”
Nodding, Joey lifted Jackson and carried him to the Med Bed.
Jenny activated the controls. “It’s up to the nanobots now.”
Episode 28: Back Together Prompt: An ending that doesn’t end
Jackson climbed out of the Med Bed, wincing at a mild tightness where the nanobots had stitched him together.
He exited the Star Strider, finding Jenny and the avatar lounging in the forward spaces.
Jenny rushed to hug him. “Thank god you’re OK. Your wound was horrible.”
Jackson hugged her back. “I’m just glad you retrieved my ship.”
Jenny stepped back. “I couldn’t have done it without Joey.”
“You named the monkey after Dad?”
Jenny shrugged, flashing a quizzical smile.
“What now?” asked Jackson.
“To the Designers’ world. There’s more in Dad’s journal than this ship.”
“Let’s go then—together.”