View Thread
 Ficlet Challenge: September 2022
|
|
| purplecleric |
Posted on 01-09-2022 15:25
|
 Delta Grade  Posts: 25 Joined: 17.01.22 |
The phrase prompt this month is ... THIN RED LINE And for the second challenge: A miracle happens — or everyone thinks it did. Happy writing! |
|
|
|
| littlesue |
Posted on 26-09-2022 08:45
|
 Alpha Grade  Posts: 1759 Joined: 17.01.22 |
Sorry about the delay, but here goes with the first prompt. A bit dark this one with a piccie by Lurena. A Thin Red Line “She should have run.” “There was no other way.” “I know…” Blake allowed his voice to trail off and looked at the man standing opposite him. “Deva, are you sure?” “Blake, her ship self destructed. She hit the button, but at least it has given us time. With those gunships out of the way, we can plan our next move.” “To Gauda Prime?” “Exactly. Once there we can work to destroy the Federation and its jurisdiction from within.” Blake sighed. “You know, the thin red line is getting thinner.” “I don’t understand.” “The Liberator was all that stood between the Alien Fleet and what thanks did we get? We held out until the last possible moment and then even Jenna and I had to leave.” “But the Liberator survived; we know that much. But why haven’t the rest of the crew made any attempt to contact you?” “Avon has his reasons. I expect he’s trying to prove something.” “To you?” “No, to himself.” “That he’s a better man than you?” “Maybe.” “He sounds interesting…” “And very complicated.” Deva turned to the screen behind him, his attention caught by the sudden static and excitable chatter coming across the Federation airwaves. “I don’t know if now is the time, but it seems that the Liberator has lost its final battle.” Blake stared at him. “There is a report, as yet unverified, that the Liberator has been destroyed…” “Where?” “It’s unclear.” “And the crew?” “It doesn’t mention them. Blake, they may be dead.” “No…” “You must face facts. The Liberator is destroyed and the man who you say you trusted is no doubt just a few atoms scattered in that part of the Galaxy.” Blake sighed. “Then it’s up to me isn’t it? I have to become the last bulwark of the thin red line.” “And me. Between us we can build up a resistance.” “We mustn’t attract too much attention, just enough to let the Federation know that the resistance is still alive.” +Everything has an effect on everything around it+ Orac intoned + It is not easy to trace one line through the pattern of infinity, but in this case, I have. Blake is on Gauda Prime. + “How long have you known? Tarrant asked. “Long enough,” Avon replied. “Before Zukan?” Dayna murmured. “Oh yes….” It worried Deva. Something or someone had been scanning his computer systems. Not enough to warrant an alarm, but enough to make him think that someone had been showing an interest in Blake’s activities… The Federation Guard Commander looked down at the scene in the tracking gallery on Gauda Prime. It wasn’t a pretty sight; massacres generally weren’t, but at least this nest of rebels had been eradicated. And as he watched, a thin red line slowly oozed its way across the floor until it finally petered out…  . 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 |
|
|
|
| littlesue |
Posted on 26-09-2022 08:49
|
|
Alpha Grade Posts: 1759 Joined: 17.01.22 |
And now for the second prompt. This one is a lot brighter and Lurena has worked her magic despite not having any internet for a lonnnnnng while! A Miracle in Our Time “It’s a miracle!” Vila declared. “What is?” asked Gan. “I’ve won the Galactic Lottery. Over 5 Million Credits. Yes, finally, I can live the dream I’ve always wanted.” “Which one?” Jenna enquired. “Well, you know, THAT one.” Avon was pensive, “Tell us; just how did you manage to win this lottery when you have not been able to purchase a ticket from any of the Ticket outlets? That is a miracle in itself.” “You always have to put a dampener on things don’t you Avon? I’ll have you know that I brought a ticket ages ago and kept up the payments to enter the numbers every week.” “Don’t you need an account to do that?” Blake asked. “Yes, you do, and I have an account. All right the balance might not too good, but it won me the jackpot. That’s all that counts.” “And you don’t find it just a bit worrying that the organisers have managed to track you down and let you know of your success?” Cally wondered. “Not in the slightest, Orac made sure they would know how to contact me should my numbers come up; and they have. Let’s celebrate…” Vila was pacing up and down the guest room. “What are they waiting for? Just hand over the money. Care to join me Gan, by the Lakeside with…no perhaps not.” “It does seem to be taking a long time. Perhaps they have to set up the cameras…” “Cameras? What cameras?? I don’t want this broadcast all over the galaxy. I’ll have relatives coming out of the woodwork!” “Didn’t you tick the anonymous box when you entered?” Blake asked. “Well, no. I thought I’d never win. Not in a million years.” Avon entered the guest room,” I can’t see any obvious traps. It is what it is. They are handing over all that money to Vila, but what he intends to do with it…” “No imagination, Avon, that’s your problem. I’ve got plenty of ideas.” Gan smiled, “I’m sure you have.” One of the stage crew popped his head round the door, “Oh, Mr Restal, they’re ready for you now.” “Mr,” Vila beamed at the others, “See, they know how to address me. Right, here goes. I’ll see you later.” The glaring lights dazzled Vila as he approached the raised dais. He smiled nervously at the crowd, but he was absolutely filled with delight when the young lady handed over the cheque. Cheque? He was about to mention that he’d prefer the actual money when the crowd surged forward... “Oh, it’s me little nephew Ven…Vilette…It’s me!” “And me!!” said another family member as their clawing hands tried to wrench the cheque from his hand… “No! Go away, leave me alone, get off. Help…help…” “Vila!” “Go away,” he cried out as both Blake and Avon wrestled him to the deck. “Vila, “Blake roared, “You’re having a nightmare…wake up!” Vila opened his eyes, “What…no money?” “No.” Avon informed him. “So it wasn’t a miracle?” “No, fortunately,” Avon replied, getting to his feet,” You staying awake during your watch…” Blake smiled,”…now THAT would be a miracle!” 
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 |
|
|
|
| Anniew |
Posted on 30-09-2022 19:03
|
|
Delta Grade Posts: 91 Joined: 16.01.22 |
Oooh those are GOOD! The first so dark and the second- well I expected Servalan but rapacious relatives are much more scary! Lovely illustration too Play the hand fate deals you.
|
|
|
|
| littlesue |
Posted on 01-10-2022 20:25
|
|
Alpha Grade Posts: 1759 Joined: 17.01.22 |
Oooh those are GOOD! The first so dark and the second- well I expected Servalan but rapacious relatives are much more scary! Lovely illustration too Thank you Annie for your kind words. Now PC has set me another challenge with the October prompt...more walking round the house talking to myself! (Well it's better than walking round the supermarket talking to myself...just!) 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 |
|
|
|
| Jump to Forum |