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 Ficlet Promps for April
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| M1795537OCVirn |
Posted on 01-04-2025 19:23
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 Admin  Posts: 14116 Joined: 14.01.22 |
Travisina has sent the following: WHEN that Aprilis, with his showers swoot*, *sweet The drought of March hath pierced to the root, And bathed every vein in such licour, Of which virtue engender’d is the flower... then longe folk to go on pilgrimage ... (Geoffrey Chaucer, prologue to The Canterbury Tales). There was also a 1975 TV series, Trinity Tales, in which a coach load of rugby fans on their way to Wembley for a Challenge Cup Final tell each other stories to pass the time. Starred Francis (Captain Scarlet) Matthews. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity...ity_Tales So, in the years/decades/centuries following the adventures of Blake and his crew, will people make pilgrimages to the places he influenced - Cygnus Alpha, the planet of the Decimas, Destiny, Lindor, Cephlon, Horizon, Goth... And what stories could the pilgrims tell each other during their journeys? "You're not sulking, I hope?"
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| BlueyH |
Posted on 07-04-2025 00:22
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 Gamma Grade  Posts: 272 Joined: 04.02.25 |
Published here is the 21st hymn, taken from the songbook of the monks of the 42nd pilgrimage to the 52* sacred sites visited by Blake and his 7-ish** acolytes. Research shows it was sung to the tune of an even more ancient Earth folk song, pre-dating even the second calendar. Didn’t we have a lovely time The day we went to Exbar Freezing all day, uphill all the way, And all for under a Vem you know. ##Chorus## On the way back, We cuddled Orac, As we opened a bottle of Soma Singing a few of our favourite songs as we left the ground. You know they say that back in the day, Blake diddled his young cousin Inga. But he was no fool, broke no family rules, Cos he only used his proddy tool. (Repeat Chorus) Our heroes were caught and Travis was fraught, And all that could be heard, Whilst he shouted and raved till he got his own way was THE WORD! THE WORD! THE WORD! (Repeat Chorus) Blake escaped and found his way, to a polystyrene quarry, He won the day and they got all away, It was one in the eye for Servalan. And next week we go on to Aaaalllllbiiiiii-AAAAAAAAN. *Some Blakeian monks have claim to have uncovered many more, but the Orthodox followers insist that those stories outside the 52 originally documented are non-canon, and did not happen. This scholar agrees with the Orthodox view. **Scholars should be aware that the exact number has been the subject of debate for millennia now. All 52 Hymns are available in full on BlueyH's new album, "Blake, Rattle and Roll". Available now at all disreputable record stores. Edited by BlueyH on 07-04-2025 02:54 I look exactly as Avon reasoned I would.
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| M1795537OCVirn |
Posted on 07-04-2025 08:31
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Admin Posts: 14116 Joined: 14.01.22 |
As our glorious leader once said, "I've waited a long time for this". Thanks, BlueyH, for cheering me up on a day when I face the torturers (dentist appointment) again.
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
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| BlueyH |
Posted on 11-04-2025 00:22
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Gamma Grade Posts: 272 Joined: 04.02.25 |
Footnotes: Display Commentary from the exhibition “Footnotes in History, The Federation Years (second Human calendar, early period)” at the Museum of Humanity, Earth. Blake (Roj) Many scholars have studied the achievements (or lack thereof) credited to Blake and his followers in their fight against the Federation. The biggest irony however lies in his role as undoubted saviour of said administration. Historians can draw a straight line between his summoning of Federation forces to Star One to defeat the first fleet invasion, and the eventual rebuilding and expansion of the Federation under the Sleer/Servalan entity. The action of itself is understandable given the threat as perceived by Blake and his followers, and of course, he could not have foreseen the subsequent turmoil would create the perfect environment for those with higher ambitions to seize their chances at power, the aforementioned Sleer/Servalan being foremost amongst them (and the eventual ‘winner’). Separated from his crew shortly after the initial battle at ‘Star One’, reports of Blakes further actions are sketchy at best. His followers seemingly resorted to piracy and a number of failed attempts to build alliances against Sleer/Servalan, however these appear to have been motivated by more pragmatic reasons (the need to survive, find safety, personal enrichment) than for the ideological reasons of their former leader. The death of Blake and his followers is, as is so often the case, remarkable only for its apparent ordinariness. They were finally tracked down to and killed on Gauda Prime (a planet of no further historical consequence) by a squad of low-level Federation conscripts sent on a policing action a couple of human years after the first intergalactic war. Records indicate they were buried together in unmarked graves (never found) Thanks to the intervention of Blake, Humanity of course flourished again for a short but significant while, until the arrival of the second fleet to complete the subjugation, absorption of id and ego, and eventual sterilisation of humanity. This scholar’s favourite myth(?) remains the reports of Sleer/Servalan's consideration of whether to publicly thank Blake for his action in order to further discredit him amongst other contemporaneous rebellion leaders. Edited by BlueyH on 11-04-2025 03:07 I look exactly as Avon reasoned I would.
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| Vanessa Doffenshmirtz |
Posted on 19-04-2025 02:44
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 Gamma Grade Posts: 198 Joined: 16.01.22 |
Published here is the 21st hymn, taken from the songbook of the monks of the 42nd pilgrimage to the 52* sacred sites visited by Blake and his 7-ish** acolytes. Research shows it was sung to the tune of an even more ancient Earth folk song, pre-dating even the second calendar. Didn’t we have a lovely time The day we went to Exbar Freezing all day, uphill all the way, And all for under a Vem you know. ##Chorus## On the way back, We cuddled Orac, As we opened a bottle of Soma Singing a few of our favourite songs as we left the ground. You know they say that back in the day, Blake diddled his young cousin Inga. But he was no fool, broke no family rules, Cos he only used his proddy tool. (Repeat Chorus) Our heroes were caught and Travis was fraught, And all that could be heard, Whilst he shouted and raved till he got his own way was THE WORD! THE WORD! THE WORD! (Repeat Chorus) Blake escaped and found his way, to a polystyrene quarry, He won the day and they got all away, It was one in the eye for Servalan. And next week we go on to Aaaalllllbiiiiii-AAAAAAAAN. *Some Blakeian monks have claim to have uncovered many more, but the Orthodox followers insist that those stories outside the 52 originally documented are non-canon, and did not happen. This scholar agrees with the Orthodox view. **Scholars should be aware that the exact number has been the subject of debate for millennia now. All 52 Hymns are available in full on BlueyH's new album, "Blake, Rattle and Roll". Available now at all disreputable record stores. I genuflect to your renderings of the Sacred Texts. I used to be such a sweet, sweet thing
Till they got a hold of me |
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| littlesue |
Posted on 25-04-2025 15:36
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 Alpha Grade  Posts: 3889 Joined: 17.01.22 |
Well here goes. It's taken me some time and a lot of walking around talking to myself. In fact, I was reminded of my O level English Creative writing exam back in 1969 when I turned the paper over and went completely blank!!!!! But I managed an essay and I actually passed as well!! Hooray!! So here goes my little attempt. Lurena liked it and she even drew a piccie for it, so here goes..... Pilgrimage to Destiny It was a long journey to their destination, but the passengers didn’t seem too concerned. After all, it had taken some time to find someone who was willing to take them to Gauda Prime. the scene of the Federation’s greatest triumph. Not that any of those in the confines of the ship’s passenger cabin were in any hurry to arrive at that place with the somewhat dubious distinction. As the steward came round with drinks, they began to find themselves wondering about their fellow passengers, especially the morose man seated at the rear of the cabin; his gaze firmly fixed on the scene outside. “What brings you out here?” one of the young ladies asked the young man sitting opposite her. “A pilgrimage of sorts,” he replied. “A pilgrimage?” “Yes, to see where a man I never knew died, although in a way, I did know him. It seems strange that for all my life I lived with my parents unaware of who they were. They both died and I was left on my own, but I managed to get a signal out and a ship rescued me. The strange thing is, the Captain who found me said I should change my name. It would be safer. And then I received an anonymous message suggesting I come to Gauda Prime.” The young lady pursed her lips, “That’s strange, I was told the same thing by my mother. Apparently my father, who I never knew, had gotten into trouble with the Federation and was sent to a prison planet but somehow he escaped. She told me not to speak of him, but then I received a message to visit Gauda Prime.” The other young lady turned in her seat, “I was told that my father was killed at the behest of the Federation, but then my Uncle took his place and the Federation’s plan was revealed. But like you both, I was warned not to use his name. I’ve always wondered why. And I too, had a message suggesting I visit Gauda Prime.” There was another young man listening to the conversation but finding himself looking at the morose passenger at the back. “What about you?” one of the young ladies enquired, shaking him from his perusal of their so far quiet comrade. “Me?” he said clearing his throat, “I’ve no idea why I’m here. As far as I’m aware. my mother had nothing to do with what happened here. But that invite intrigued me.” “Invite?” the morose young man said, suddenly finding his voice, “It was more like a command.” “So why did you come?” “Because I don’t like a mystery...” Part 2 Once the ship had landed, they all disembarked and were asked to follow the trail to the underground installation. And then their ship took off... “Oh great...now we are stranded,” the morose young man declared. The others, though, weren’t so defeatist and followed the trail to their ultimate destination. “For a shrine, of sorts, it doesn’t look very appealing,” the first young man said, “It looks as though it has been taken apart.” “And so it was!” They all stopped as the owner of the voice stepped into view. He was a lot older than them, but gave the impression that he trucked no nonsense. “Please follow me and I’ll take you to the place and explain why I brought you all here.” “This is the tracking gallery where it happened, When I arrived all the bodies had been removed and disposed of....but the Federation had one more thing to find and as you can see from the distruction...they didn’t. But I found it, because it called out to me, just like it called out to you. And I found it, very cleverly hidden by a very clever man.” “I suppose you will get round to telling us what this great discovery was, eventually, or do we have to listen to another lecture.” “You don’t have time for lectures, do you?” “No I don’t.” “Very well. Its name is Orac and with its help, I tracked you all down, because in a way, you are all connected to what happened here. Let me begin with you young lady. There’s a reason why your mother told you not to mention your father’s name. He was Vila Restal and all I can say, he must have started at a very early age. And you, my dear, are the daughter of Deta Tarrant.” “And?” “He was the brother of Del Tarrant who also died here that fateful day. And you, young sir, are the son of the most beautiful pilot I have ever come across. Jenna Stannis.” “What? She didn’t die here.” “I know,. But a dream did and she was once part of it. And now to the most important 2 people here.” “My father was never here. He died on that lonely planet...and then my mother followed soon after.” “I know. She was a former slave who went there with her master and he was part of a plot, unknowingly, to trap a man called Roj Blake. The man you called father, was in fact your father, but he was a clone, made as a copy of the real Roj Blake. And it was that man who was killed here which is why that Captain told you to change your name. He knew you would be in danger.” “And now he’s in even greater danger,” the morose member of the party began, “once it gets out who he is, they’ll come after him. Part of the dream may have died here, but he could resurrect it.” “Which brings me to you. It took time, but Orac tracked you down, although your record was well concealed, I know who your father was and you are in even greater danger.” “Look, I don’t know who you are but I’m getting out of here Mister...” “My name is Del Grant and you, sir, are the son of Kerr Avon. The man who killed that dream!” 
Cold! You don't know the meaning of the word cold! Cold is when you have ice on the INSIDE of your window!! Sue's Book Shelf https://www.mediafire.com/folder/z1xg...Zine_Shelf Rebel Run Video https://youtu.be/8prqS-XZtLo |
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| Paula |
Posted on 25-04-2025 20:10
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 Moderator  Posts: 4961 Joined: 15.01.22 |
Wow, Sue. Loved it. Couldn't fathom exactly who was organizing the reunion but, it was very interesting and the ending quite satisfactory to me. The Next Generation!
Resist the Host
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| BlueyH |
Posted on 26-04-2025 03:15
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Gamma Grade Posts: 272 Joined: 04.02.25 |
Maybe Children of the Rebellion could be a future Ficlet prompt, then Sue could deliver Chapter 2!
I look exactly as Avon reasoned I would.
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| Lorna |
Posted on 26-04-2025 07:09
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 Alpha Grade Posts: 2770 Joined: 16.01.22 |
Yes great story Sue, and lovely picture Lurena
I look behind me, what do I see? A pair of golden wings seem to be attached to me.
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| Cygnus Bazza |
Posted on 26-04-2025 09:09
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 Alpha Grade Posts: 5419 Joined: 14.06.22 |
The Cant-o'-Blakey Tales would be a challenging read, I think, and by no means a short one. But mercifully unfinished. |
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| Paula |
Posted on 26-04-2025 19:24
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Moderator Posts: 4961 Joined: 15.01.22 |
Wow, Sue. Loved it. Couldn't fathom exactly who was organizing the reunion but, it was very interesting and the ending quite satisfactory to me. The Next Generation! Edit: I forgot to thank Lurena for her lovely rendition of all the characters involved in Sue's story. Well done, Lurena! Resist the Host
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| littlesue |
Posted on 28-04-2025 14:57
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Alpha Grade Posts: 3889 Joined: 17.01.22 |
Maybe Children of the Rebellion could be a future Ficlet prompt, then Sue could deliver Chapter 2! Crumbs...... Cold! You don't know the meaning of the word cold! Cold is when you have ice on the INSIDE of your window!! Sue's Book Shelf https://www.mediafire.com/folder/z1xg...Zine_Shelf Rebel Run Video https://youtu.be/8prqS-XZtLo |
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| littlesue |
Posted on 29-04-2025 08:12
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Alpha Grade Posts: 3889 Joined: 17.01.22 |
Variation on a theme, so to speak. This is another story that ran round my head. Lurena liked it and said to upload it and hopefully she would be able to draw a piccie for it. So here goes, idea two!!! In Search of Truth He had joined the group at Albian and had listened as they had discussed how Blake had freed the oppressed people there. He didn’t mind that mistake, but he knew that had the actual person responsible for that freedom actually heard that comment, then there would have been a great deal of trouble. Still, it was remarkable that these trips to places that honoured Blake were ever allowed to happen was due, in part, to people being encouraged to stand up to the very edifice that Blake opposed. So maybe what happened at Gauda Prime hadn’t been in vain. The next stop on the so called pilgrimage was the planet Horizon. Another freed planet and all because of Blake...except it was the actual people who lived there who had brought about their freedom. With some help from the actual person who had decided to go against his better judgement and launch a one man rescue mission. Another mistake on the part of the myth makers. But they didn’t know the full story, only he did. Then, of course, there was Teal and Vandor. And Blake hadn’t even been there,yet still it was attributed to him. The excited discussions had continued, with each of the ‘pilgrims’ extolling Blake’s virtues. Then Gauda Prime loomed large on the main view screen and the pilgrims became silent. There was no chance of actually visiting the place where a cause had died as the Federation had heavily radiated the entire area at the time, but not before he had managed to answer a call for assistance. It had been a dangerous mission at the time, but he had carried out the rescue before the Federation had been able to locate the individual. And now, as the pilgrims had gone forward to the flight deck to view Gauda Prime, he was able to turn to the small silver box next to him. “You know, Orac, I’m so glad that I joined one of these pilgrimages. The facts seemed to have been twisted out of recognition. Why?” +Because of what happened here. Hope was extinguished and the man responsible for that is reviled by all those who have come to honour Blake.+ “So what can we do about? To redress the misconception? For instance, it was me who helped the people of Albian in the beginning. All right Blake and the Liberator arrived in answer to the distress call, but it was me and...him who actually saved the day. We have been wiped from the record.” +Indeed you have, Del Grant, and you will find that any mention of Kerr Avon has also been removed as it suits the narrative.+ “Whose narrative?” +Those who took up the struggle in Blake’s name, It suits their purpose.+ “Well it doesn’t suit mine,” murmured Grant, “And you know the truth Orac, perhaps it’s time to put the record straight.” +It may take time.+ “I know.” +And there are those who may not want the truth, ugly as it is.+ “It’s something I have to do, Orac, before it becomes too late. I owe it to Avon.” The excited pilgrims suddenly returned to the cabin, all exalting Blake’s name and cursing the name of his killer. Orac sighed, if that was at all possible for a computer, +Maybe it is already too late.+ Cold! You don't know the meaning of the word cold! Cold is when you have ice on the INSIDE of your window!! Sue's Book Shelf https://www.mediafire.com/folder/z1xg...Zine_Shelf Rebel Run Video https://youtu.be/8prqS-XZtLo |
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| Paula |
Posted on 29-04-2025 18:55
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Moderator Posts: 4961 Joined: 15.01.22 |
Excellent, Sue. Of course, you are preaching to the choir here, but still, excellent!
Resist the Host
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