Back to Week 2, Episodes 8 thru 14
Writer’s Digest Flash Fiction Challenge February 2023: 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: Don’t Ask Permission Prompt: A List with Context
Things you do when you don’t ask permission:
Pack your stuff.
Leave a note thanking your hosts.
Transport to the shipyard at night.
Watch for security patrols.
When the coast is clear, enter the Grim Reaper.
Sit in the cockpit couches; engage the neuro-link.
Close the door, retract the entrance ramp, take off.
Execute evasive maneuver ‘Jackson Alpha-One’.
Engage rear deflectors to ward off particle beam weapons.
Try to engage the cloaking device.
Hang on as the ship shudders from a massive energy bolt.
Re-route auxiliary power to the shields.
Re-initialize the cloaking system.
Engage the cloaking device.
Jump to the parallel dimension.
Escape to a new adventure.
Episode 16: Family Reunion? Prompt: Getting What You Want
Jenny piloted the Grim Reaper across the burnt landscape; Jenny and Jackson were depressed by the hollowed-out husk of the Designers’ world.
The ship glided into the abandoned hangar; the siblings exited.
A human form approached.
“Jenny, I am here,” said their father.
Jenny collapsed to the deck, tears flowing, silent sobs wracking her shoulders.
“How is this possible?” asked Jackson.
“The Designers learned Jenny most wanted your father to make amends.”
“No. No. NO,” screamed Jenny. “This is grotesque. It just brings back the pain.”
“Please stop,” implored Jackson.
The avatar dissolved, and Jackson knelt to console his sister.
Episode 17: Search for the Truth Prompt: Hunger
A familiar, tall Designer avatar in their typical black uniform approached.
“What purpose have you here?” it asked.
Jenny stood, wiping tears from her eyes. “We need the data you erased. Why did our ship’s crew remain on Earth?”
“They chose to stay,” said the avatar.
“But why did they stay?” asked Jackson. “Why not return home?”
“I need to know,” said Jenny. “What happened so long ago?”
The avatar stood silent. “I have accessed that data. First, do you hunger for knowledge or thirst for retribution?”
“I hunger to know. You must tell me,” replied Jenny.
“Then I’ll share.”
Episode 18: Captain’s Log Prompt: Use a Flashback
“We’ve retrieved the log,” said the avatar.
Mars, ten-thousand years ago:
“Captain’s Log, final entry.
“The survey crew has decided to remain. The indigenous humanoids must be left alone to develop.
“If we return home, our government will take this new world and exterminate the native population.
“My wife and I will remain on the fourth planet. In some far future, perhaps the peoples of the third planet will find us. Until then, we’ll have each other.
Captain, out.”
Jenny stood quietly. “So, humans owe our existence to ancient Designers making the moral choice.”
“Indeed, you do,” said the avatar.
Episode 19: Moral Support Prompt: Ease of Friendship
“We need to return to Alta Campa; share this with Librarian Zog,” said Jenny.
“Why?” asked Jackson. “Don’t you think he already knows?”
Jenny headed to the ship. “Maybe. We can at least provide moral support.”
“Why do you care? We could just leave,” said Jackson, following his sister.
“He’s my friend. Don’t forget he warned us. We kind of owe him. It’s an easy choice, Jackson.”
Jackson hesitated at the bottom of the ramp. “They might just arrest us.”
“Maybe, maybe not. We should go find out.”
Jackson just shook his head and followed his sister up the ramp.
Episode 20: Lost Love Prompt: Surprising tattoo
The ship sped through inter-dimensional space.
Jenny popped into the Star Strider as Jackson was slipping on a clean tunic.
“What are those black marks on your side?” asked Jenny.
Jackson flashed a quizzical smile. “You a student of Earth’s past? You don’t recognize tattoos?”
“Where did you get them? They look like writing.”
“That one, yes. A name.”
“A girl?” asked Jenny, teasing him.
Jackson frowned and turned away to finish dressing.
Proximity alarms blared.
A transporter’s high pitch whined from the lounge.
They dashed from the Star Strider. Two Designers materialized; blasters pointed at them.
“You’re under arrest.”
Episode 21: Accused Prompt: Support Group
Jenny and Jackson sat across from Librarian Zog and another Designer.
“So, what are we accused of?” asked Jackson.
Zog shifted in his seat. “Theft of government property and sedition.”
“Sedition?” exclaimed Jenny. “I thought the Grim Reaper was ours. They left Star Strider aboard.”
“The theft is a pretense,” said Zog. “The logs are the issue. The government wants to cover up our past.”
Pointing, “Is he our attorney?” asked Jackson.
“You defend yourself. I only advise,” said the Designer.
“Great,” said Jenny. “We need a crack legal team; instead, we get a support group. We are so screwed.”