J: The Jade Fox Mission- Flash Fiction

 Her ship set down on the warm black paved road in front of her great grandmother's house and a group of deer leapt from the nearby field to hide in the woods. The engines shut down and Tonya climbed out of her ship. Humans had left the planet long ago to give it a much needed break. A time to rest and rejuvenate itself. There were way more song birds in the area now than Tonya had seen on the vids and the vegetation had certainly taken over.

She waded through the chest high grass that had grown up through what was once a gravel driveway. The posts holding the porch roof had long since deteriorated and the back porch roof hung precariously out over the steps without any support.

The things I do for my mother, Tonya thought, gritting her teeth as she tiptoed up the steps afraid to disturb the hanging roof.

Tonya tried the handle on the back door and was relieved when the handle turned easily. Pushing the door open gave Tonya her first glimpse of the home her dying mother would give anything to see again.

The view would probably crush her, Tonya realized sadly, now appreciating why her father suggested she go instead.

Sunlight streamed in through the gaping hole in the roof above that had long since collapsed. Years of rain and rot inspired trees and weeds to grow up through the collapsed floor boards. Green leafy branches reached up to the sky through the living room roof where a ceiling fan had once hung.

I hope the back bedroom isn't this bad or else this trip will have been for nothing.

Carefully making her way around the debris and rotting floor boards Tonya reached the hallway and found it a little dryer. Her mother had visited here a great many times when she was a kid. She had spent summers with with her grandmother, Tonya's great grandma.

The first room off to the right was her grandmother's piano room. She recounted for Tonya how she had sat for hours at the old heavy upright piano while her grandmother patiently tried to teach her how to play. Warm sunlight on the music sheets and the smell of fresh snickerdoodles, the reward for a lesson well studied.

Tonya poked her head into the room today to find the upright piano poking our from a large gaping hole in the floor. Sunlight from the window now inspiring weeds to grow up around it from under the house. No doubt the floor joists had collapsed under the piano's weight years ago.

I wonder if it could still make the sweet music I heard on mom's vid. Tonya decided that it probably wouldn't and continued onto the next room.

Tonya pushed the door open to the guest bedroom and gasped in relief. There hanging from a chain on the ceiling fan, still intact, hung the jade fox her mother still so lovingly remembered.

###

->photo credit: JadeCrouchingOx via photopin (license) <- And yes I am very well aware that the picture is not of a fox... sorry, I'll keep looking. If anyone finds a public domain one or one that I can share with a link back let me know!

Today's post was inspired by the letter J. J is for: Jade as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.



This post is ALSO part of the 52 week flash fiction challenge on facebook
Week 3 word prompt: Fox
Word Limit: 20- 500
This one tops out right at  497 words.

For Readers: What is one thing from your grandmother's house that you would love to have as a keep sake?

I: Icy Explosion- Flash Fiction

"Drill one to drill two" Issac called over the radio. "I'm about finished here. I need to head back to base to drop off this shipment of ore boss."

 "Sure thing, drill one," Henry answered, "I think this asteroid is all mined out anyway.

"Before you head back you two might was to look at these readings." Annette called over the radio from the other side of the asteroid.

Henry pulled up Annette's stats on his ship's dashboard.

"Are you seeing what I'm seeing boss?" Issac asked Henry.

"Annette, from what I'm seeing, this looks like water. Is that what you are reading?"

"Yes sir, it looks to be a rather large deposit of it too."

"Liquid or solid?"

"Not sure boss,"

"Ok, you both be prepared to drop your loads if we find liquid water. The station will pay handsomely for fresh water." Henry instructed.

Annette watched the stats on her console as she continued drilling down through the rock to get to the water deposit. The pressure started building down inside the drill line. arning lights flashed on the console.

"Keep going Annette," Henry advised.

Light tremor readings began building on Issac's side of the rock.

"Boss... I think we have a problem." Issac warned.

"No problem, this rock's just going to fight us for it's spoils that's all." Henry replied.

"Almost there!" Annette called out.

"There!" Annette cried out.

The ground shook the drill ships and the team's instruments were flooded with information. Issac threw the switch to fire his thrusters as the mining tunnel beneath him collapsed and almost swallowed his ship.

"We gotta get off this rock!" Issac yelled even though no one could hear him through the din of their own instruments.

Moments later all three of their ships were thrown back into space by flying rock debris. Large chunks of the asteroid smashed into the three drill ships from all sides. Damage and proximety alarms rang out as the three of them tried to maneuver their ships out of the paths of the debris.

Annette's instrument data disappeared off of Henry's dashboard as a particularly large chunk collided with her ship.

"Dangit!" Henry swore through his teeth.

He steady his ship and eyeballed her stat center for signs that she was ok.

"Boss... Is Annette," Issac asked quietly once he found a safe zone on a nearby asteroid.

"I don't have sights on her, do you?"

"Saw the whole collission Sir, She's adrift now. No stat data coming in." Lewis answered, choking over his words.

"GREAT!" Annette shouted over the radio. "Dead as a doornail! My ship's engine took major damage from that hit boss."

"Cesar's ghost Annette! What's your status? We can't read any stats from you over here." Henry called out, relief crackling through his normally level voice.

"I'm ok sir, but you have to see this to believe it!" Annette answered.

The debris slowly cleared to reveal a solid chunk of ice floating where their asteroid had been.

->photo credit: BENNU’S JOURNEY - Heavy Bombardment via photopin (license) <-

Today's post was inspired by the letter I. I is for: Ice    as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding Sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.

*For Readers: 

As always... if you have something that starts with the letter J that you would like me to try to incorporate into tomorrow's short story, I'm always open to suggestions!

***

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H: Husbands- Name Game

photo credit: Count & Countess Armfelt (LOC)
via photopin (license)

Why Do Husbands get to keep their names but we don't?- (A just for fun, not to be taken seriously, post)

Ok... because I needed a little bit of a breather from writing sci-fi flash fiction posts, today I thought we could play a little game instead.

 In many cultures when a couple gets married the wife takes the husbands last name. However, many wives have grown so accustomed to their maiden names that they don't jump for joy in letting go of it. I've also heard the excuse that "they didn't want to become just another Mrs. soandso" - in the case where the husband had been married previously.

Hey, it happened to me... it didn't bother me much. Sure I was glad to take my husband's last name! My NEW problem I was also already published under my maiden name. Twice. Sure... I could jump through hoops and have my publisher reprint the covers (LOTS of hassle). But even then my married last name is a bit bulky for a book cover. So whats a woman to do?

Wait a minute... who says it should always have to be the woman that worries about this?

Then it struck me... we need a new fad! Instead of the woman hyphenating her name or taking her husbands name there is ANOTHER choice.

Mashup your last name!

So here's the game...  take your hubby's last name and your maiden name (or your last name and your wife's last name if you are a guy) and combine the two to make up a new last name!


In my case... Instead of V.L. Jennings... I'd be V.L. Yarninngs

*Cue Laughter

Today's post was inspired by the letter H. H is for: Husbands   as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding Sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.

*For Readers: Mash up your last names! Tell me what they are in the comments!

As always... if you have something that starts with the letter I that you would like me to try to incorporate into tomorrow's short story, I'm always open to suggestions!

G: Gas Giant Predicament- Flash Fiction

photo credit: Giove and Europa via photopin (license)

“Ok, so how would we build a colony on a gas giant, assuming the gas giant has some sort of solid ground.” Edward asked the rest of the team sitting around the long table.

 “Why not just look for a more solid planet?” Darren asked.

“What if the crew needs to land for repairs or an emergency and they have no alternative?” Celia suggested.

 “Really?” Darren rolled his eyes.

 “Yes really. Our team is going to be out there for years, they’ll need to have contingency plans.” Edward replied.

“Ok, so lets say they release an inflatable bubble out of the air lock.” Joe suggested.

 “What, like they would an inflatable raft?” Edward asked.

“Sure!” Joe answered “We could realistically package a space dome small enough to stow somewhere but big enough that they could begin building their more permanent shelter inside.”

 “Ok, but how would they repair their ship?” Celia asked.

“Why not have a plastic bubble, zippered air lock?” Andy suggested.

 “Big enough to drive the ship through?” Darren asked.

“Sure!” said Andy.

 Edward walked over to the drawing board to peruse their list of possible materials.

“Ok... but where would they get the materials to build their more permanent station?”

“Perhaps, they don’t build the more permanent station unless it looks like they will have to stay there. Otherwise they could just move the ship inside and live in the ship.” Darren said.

 “Do we think we can find a material that will stand up to whatever storms may be on the gas giant? What about acid rain?” Edward pointed out.

 “I know who to ask about that.” Joe volunteered.

 “Ok, you see to that Joe,” Edward double checked the board again, “What does everyone else think? Will this plan work?”

Nods from all four of the other members satisfied Edward.

“Ok, so we have the story line, can we do all of this on our budget?”

 “I’m more worried about how we are going to make the gas giant storms look realistic using just green screen technology!” Andy exclaimed.

Today's post was inspired by the letter G. G is for: Gas Giant  as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding Sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.

For Readers: Do you think their plan would work on a real Gas Giant? Why or why not? What would your plan be?

As always... if you have something that starts with the letter H that you would like me to try to incorporate into tomorrow's short story, I'm always open to suggestions!

F: Fire- Burned Into Memory- Flash Fiction

photo credit: Agni- The Fire God- Free Texture
via photopin (license)

The stars around Davis swirled as he attempted yet another run through the asteroid field. It was important to maneuver the ship around the asteroids quickly to keep from getting hit. He could see the edge of the field in front of him. He was almost out!

Suddenly his skin felt dry and hot. Flames flickered in front of his vision. Pain shot through his extremities. The smell of burning flesh and plastic assaulted his nose.

Cummon Davis! It’s just in your imagination. You KNOW that. You can push through this! He thought to himself.

A few more asteroids later and the pain became so intense that he lost his focus. One wrong move and he found himself careening into the nearest rock. His vision went dark and the smell dissipated, but the pain didn’t.

 Light rushed into the cockpit as a technician opened the simulator’s hatch.

“You almost had it that time Davis! Good Job!”

“Almost isn’t good enough if I get my ship destroyed and its cargo lost again!” Davis growled.

 He climbed out of the simulator and left the technician staring at him as he left.

 They called it PTSD. Nightmares and visions of being burned alive had plagued him ever since the accident four months ago. Until he passed the simulations without a hitch he wouldn't be allowed to fly a shuttle again. Sure, being a pilot wasn't the only thing he could do but even a job on base was proving difficult to keep with these visions creeping up on him at the worst moments.

He neared the Kitchens just as the fire alarm went off. Hearing shouts from the kitchen he charged through the door and grabbed two fire extinguishers from the wall. A grease fire had started on the grill and set the fryer alight as well. The roaring flames reached the ceiling. The kitchen staff had jumped back but the fire was too hot for them to get close enough to turn on the fire suppression system.

Davis jumped into the fray and passed one of the fire extinguishers to the nearest staff member. He pulled the pin on his own and they both suffocated the fire in foam. The station’s firemen ran into the kitchen just as the fire was dying out. Seeing the fire was under control the firemen clapped Davis on the back.

“Man, we are always looking for more brave souls who would like to take on firefighting if you’d be interested!”

Davis shook their hands and politely left the men to their work. It wasn't till he was on his way back to his quarters that he realized that he hadn't had any issues that time. Even though he was face to face with the fire he had stayed in control.

Control, maybe that was the key, he thought. Perhaps the fire didn't concern me because I knew I had something to fight back with!

Today's post was inspired by the letter F. F is for: Fire  as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding Sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.



As always... if you have something that starts with the letter G that you would like me to try to incorporate into tomorrow's short story, I'm always open to suggestions!

E: Eggs, Hard Boiled or Alive?- Flash Fiction

photo credit: Dragon Egg via photopin (license)

“When are your cousins coming over for the Easter egg hunt?” Jimmy asked.

 “They should be here in an hour or so.” Henry answered.

“Do you have the eggs?”

 “Sure do!” Jimmy patted his backpack.

The two teens entered the cargo bay through a set of sliding doors. Henry looked at all the metal cargo containers and shelves of supplies strewn throughout the room.

 “The captain said that this would be the best place to set up the egg hunt,” Henry explained.

 “He was right, this is a perfect spot!” Jimmy said, setting his backpack on one of the containers and pulling out two paper bags full of eggs.

 “Hand me one of those bags of eggs.” Jimmy tossed one of the paper bags to Henry.

 “Whoa man! Watch out! You’ll break them!” Henry shouted.

“Relax! They are hard boiled.”

Henry opened his bag and pulled out one of the eggs.

“Did you have these dyed?” Henry asked.

“Um no... was I supposed to?” Jimmy asked, preoccupied with hiding his own set of eggs on the other side of the cargo bay.

 “I guess they’re ok. Where did you get these from?” Henry pondered the third speckled egg before he placed it behind a cargo container.

 Jimmy eyed the white hard boiled egg in his hand, “Um... the galley, where else?”

 “Hmm, ok, I’m done? How about you?” Henry asked.

 “Yup me too!” Jimmy said jumping up from behind the farthest container and followed Henry out of the cargo bay.


 The two teens returned an hour later with three of Henry’s youngest cousins, multi colored baskets swinging in their hands.

“Ok guys! Go find the eggs!” Henry announced gleefully as the doors swished open.

 The three kids rushed into the cargo bay and ran off in all directions. Little shouts of joy and excitement could be heard as one by one the kids found the eggs. When they could find no more they ran back to Henry and Jason to have them counted.

 “Looks like there are still more out there guys,” Henry said eyeballing the baskets and their all white eggs.

 The three kids looked at each other in excitement before running off to find the eggs again.

 After a few minutes the excitement turned into confusion.

“There isn’t any more, we looked!” The older of the three kids insisted.

 Determined to show the kids that they weren't looking hard enough, Henry walked over to a spot he knew he had hid one of his speckled eggs in.

“See look! There’s one right...”Henry froze.

 The egg was gone.

 “OOOh! Eggie!” The youngest of his cousins squealed.

 “Did you find one?” Jason asked.

 “Um, no. It rolled that way.” The older of the three kids pointed.

Confused, Henry headed in the direction that the egg had rolled, hoping to find it.

What he found instead where a dozen creatures clawing through their speckled shells! He ducked as the creatures spat acid at him and narrowly missed him.

 “Run!” Henry yelled!

(This post is inspired by my three year old who, after we dyed the Easter Eggs, decided to ask me where the babies were. -pointing to the Easter Eggs- I was struck with the sudden realization that he knows that some babies come from eggs, and we were about to eat these eggs tomorrow! Oh the HORROR!)

-petrichor
Posted by Doctor Who Real Hard Core Fans on Sunday, April 5, 2015

Today's post was inspired by the letter E. E is for: Eggs  as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.

For Readers: Do you like eating Easter eggs? Do you eat both the white and yellow part?

As always... if you have something that starts with the letter F that you would like me to try to incorporate into tomorrow's short story, I'm always open to suggestions!

D: A Writer's Musings On Death

Today it's late. We've been preparing for Easter stuff all day, decorating eggs, and hiding eggs this evening that I just don't have the time to come up with a sci-fi short for you guys today. I'm terribly sorry. I'll be back to my regularly scheduled flash fiction pieces Monday with the letter E.

Anyhow... today on the eve before Easter (well it's 1am here so I guess it is already Easter- whoops) I wanted to discuss death. Namely two points.

First, once we finished decorating the Easter Eggs my three year old comes up, points to the eggs, and asks where the babies are.

I swear I have no clue how my THREE yr old knows that any sorts of babies come out of eggs- I'm not even sure if he was thinking about chicken eggs. I was primarily mortified that we were going to eat the eggs tomorrow and he's thinking there are babies inside. EEP! 

So I just let him know that no, there are no babies in these eggs. These ones are for eating.

Why, was his next question. Well folks, I'm not about to go there. I just repeated that these ones are for eating.

So, of course, that led me on to thinking about how we first learn, while we are little, about what life and death is. We are sad when we are told our batteries are dead. I have seen people wonder how kids handle a death in the family. Trust me, if they can understand batteries dying than they understand the immensity of a loved one dying.

Some people cry at funerals, some people don't.  Each person has their own unique views on death. Perhaps they are happy or relieved because that person is no longer in pain. Or maybe they think that person has been reborn. And I guess it's just because it is one in the morning but suddenly I realized something else. Spock was reborn... wait, Spock... Star Trek... 

Star Trek has some weird ways of handling death as well!

"He's Dead Jim."- Dr. McCoy, Star Trek 

Oh, we will just stick you in a torpedo tube and launch you into space to the tune of taps. Never mind your family back on Earth or whatever planet they live on. We will send them a video letter letting them know.  How come no one visits grave sites to talk to their loved ones or to leave flowers any more? How did we get so far advanced that this aspect became lost completely.

You can'd blame it on lack of space. It's not like the ship shrank when that person dies. Have you seen the holodeck? They have room to keep a sealed coffin somewhere till their next docking. Ships like Voyager, facing a 30+ year mission home? Ok we can cut them some slack. But how come Spock got the torpedo tube? (Maybe I missed that reasoning in the movie) Why didn't Spock's body get kept so they could deliver it to Vulcan? Of course, then he never would have been reborn. But yeah.

Anyway- I'm sorry for having only the ramblings of a tired writers mind to give to you all today. I promise to write up something cool for Monday though!
Today's post was inspired by the letter D. D is for: Death in Space  as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.

For Readers: Do you have something that starts with the letter E that you would like me to try to incorporate into monday's short story? I'm always open to suggestions!

For now- I'm heading to bed!

Happy Easter Everyone! Thanks for putting up with my musings today.