A Flash Series by W. Steve Wilson
The Tharsis Plateau – Week 2, Episodes 8 through 14
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 3.
Episode 15: Enjoy Your Work Prompt: Hobby
Jenny flexed her wrists, easing the pain of the restraints. “I told you, I don’t know what Jackson did or where he’s going.”
The inquisitor pulled a dull black metal band from his bag. He leaned close, placing it around Jenny’s head. His breath reeked from the fungi bar he’d eaten. Crater-like pores marked his veined, swollen nose.
“Let’s try this little beauty. It won’t damage you—much.”
Jenny recoiled. “Why do you keep doing this? I told you what I know.”
“Let’s just call it a hobby of mine.”
He turned the probe on and smiled when she screamed.
Episode 16: Hide and Seek Prompt: Hoarder
Pain from the probe persisted, but Jenny’s thoughts had cleared. She could think today.
Guards hustled her to an interrogation room.
“Where’s your buddy with the hobby?” she asked.
The Security Captain smiled. “We found the artifacts.”
“Goody for you.”
“What did you expect to do with them? Make a big score with your lowlife brother?”
“No. I needed to keep them away from you, the ones who will turn them into weapons.”
“Well, it seems you’ve done our work for us, hoarding the dangerous pieces. Thanks for the help.”
Tired, sore, and beaten, Jenny now shared her father’s despair.
Episode 17: You Can’t Go Home Again Prompt: Word List–Key/Hammer
Jackson hammered his fists on the console. “Turn the ship around—now.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t override the return command,” said the furry avatar. “We’re going home.”
“Home. Where the hell is home? My home is Mars.”
“We both know that’s not true. We’re heading to where the Designers made us.”
“Why can’t you take me back to Mars?”
“They’ve been waiting for our team for ten thousand of your years. When you used the emergency key, you triggered the return protocol. It’s automatic.”
“But how can I save my sister?”
“I don’t know. But we’ll find the answer—together.”
Episode 18: Desperate Times Prompt: Time
Unable to pilot the ship, Jackson paced and fretted. Every day that passed was time Jenny didn’t have.
“Jenny’s going to die, while I sit here helpless,” said Jackson, to no one in particular.
“Don’t despair, Jackson. The Designers will help us.” The avatar had taken to sitting on Jackson’s shoulder and reached out with a gentle touch.
“We’re wasting time. How much longer ‘till we’re there?”
“We’re almost home. This ship is moving through a parallel universe where gravity, time, and light obey different rules. Everything will be fine.”
Jackson sat, head in hands—again. “I don’t see how.”
Episode 19: The Ghost in the Machine Prompt: Horror Trope-Abandoned Place
The ship glided to a gentle landing.
Jackson exited down the extruded ramp.
Hulks of ships and vehicles dotted the hangar’s expanse. Dust and debris filled the corners.
“We’re too late. They’ve gone,” said the avatar.
“Gone? Gone where?”
“To a new home. Escaped from the scorching sun.”
Jackson looked back through the hangar opening to a burned and desolate landscape, studded with the empty husk of a civilization.
A hot wind moaned through the chamber.
From an alcove, two tall, slender humanoids entered the hangar. “Welcome. Welcome home,” they said in unison.
“They’re not real, Jackson,” whispered the avatar.
Episode 20: Missing Persons Prompt: Something or Someone Lost
Jackson waited as the two humanoids approached. He stayed wary, unsure of how they’d react.
“We’ve been waiting for you,” said the humanoids. “We feared the team we sent to Earth had been lost.”
The avatar moved its diminutive face close to Jackson’s ear. “They are the same as I am. Constructed so you can converse with the Designers’ AI.”
“We aren’t your team,” said Jackson. “Their ship was abandoned on Mars.”
“That is unfortunate,” said the humanoids. “But other teams found suitable planets. The Designers have left.”
Jackson stepped forward, hands pleading. “I understand. But I need your help.”
Episode 21: Alone with Her Thoughts Prompt: Facing Their Fears
Jenny lay in her cell, wishing Jackson were there. She was sure he hadn’t abandoned her.
When he’d left, she’d stayed to save their father. All she could do was bury his tortured body.
Dying alone and abandoned on Luna, her mother had sent a message of despair and regret. Jenny feared it was a fate she would share.
Jenny wondered why she’d not left and searched for Jackson. And now, she’d die alone in this cell in some unknown place on Mars.
But until then, she’d cling to hope. She’d choose to believe that Jackson would come for her.