Peachy Kisses – Room 101

Well that turned out a bit different. I think its a revisit to an idea I rather like.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. Originally they were 101 words but this month I will allow myself more. M’s prompt was ‘Peach Kisses’

The first time she saw him her body reacted and she knew he was the one. Her father had always told her to ‘choose a date that would make a mate’ and he had all the makings of a fine one at that.

Physically he was tall, broad shouldered and had the kind of jaw you couldn’t help wanting to caress whilst you whispered in his ear to lose his wife and meet you upstairs. The sharp dark blue suite hung like he was born for it and as he walked across the room she noticed more than one of the lesser creatures bristle and stand that little bit closer to the pretty little thing on his arm.

She took out her the peach balm from a small black purse, lingered briefly savouring the sensation as she ran it slowly over her lips, and then put it away as she walked over to the bar where he stood.

Waiting behind him she breathed deep. He smelled like leather and musk and her pulse began to race.

“I’ll take one too” she said smiling at the barman as he ordered whisky sour.

He turned around slowly still leaning on the bar. “So a whiskey lover eh” he said flashing her a broad smile.

She was unnervingly beautiful and his cheeks flushed as she placed a hand on his arm. “A lover of many things, my tastes are varied.”

He turned to face her and extended a hand. His nails were well manicured an there was the all too familiar indentation on the ring finger of his left hand.

“Adam, my name’s Adam” he said attempting to give her his best smouldering look. She loved how they squirmed, no matter how dominant they thought they were they were little more than hormonal sacks of throbbing flesh at times.

Holding out her his hand she walked closer to him. “Adam is it? Well then that must make me Eve.”

He stood frozen for a moment before slowly releasing her hand.

“I…er…”

Placing a finger on his lips she shushed him. She did so enjoy the dramatic, playing with them and watching them melt at her touch.

“Oh come now handsome” she continued standing even closer, her breasts pressed against him. The place was filling up quickly and there were people all around them. She raised an eyebrow and giggled. “I see it’s not only speaking that’s hard is it.”

Feeling more confident he placed a hand on her waist and leaned in as the bar tender slid the drinks over. “So Eve” he said smiling “have you come to tempt me?”

He has a sense of humour she thought to herself. A little corny perhaps but he is trying and normally it was a sign of intelligence. This was getting better and better by the minute. She stared into his dark brown eyes and bit her lip and watched his pupils dilate and nostrils flare. She could almost taste the testosterone coursing through his body, almost feel his urge to taste her.

His hand slipped to the small of her back. “I think we need to be anywhere but here don’t you think?”

“Oh is that so?” She replied. “You haven’t even finished your drink.”

He looked her up and down, taking a deep breath as the sight of the red dress clinging to her curves and her wavy raven hair cascading around her shoulders.

“This drink?” He replied reaching over for it and knocking it back in one.

Oh how they loved to perform for her, once their dander was up and they felt their trousers tighten. The desperation was intoxicating and it made her want to possess them even more.

Placing a hand on his chest she could feel his heart racing beneath the hard ripples of his body. Staring into his eyes she slid her hand slowly downwards and stopped just above his waist. She needed to get him outside, away from the noise and bustle of this place. He was definitely the one and it was time.

“Follow me” she whispered into his ear as she tugged on his belt and snaked her fingertips inside.

He nodded, completely in her grip. They were just so obedient she thought to herself, little more than compliant horny little pups. Holding his hand she ld him from the room, she knew he was staring at her at her backside as walked ahead of him, she was now so in tune with his desires she was certain that she could hear every urge and thought filling him.

She headed out through the heavy front doors and out into the night. The streets were still busy and neon flooded the darkness as rain began to fall. “Down here” she urged and dragged him down an alley that ran behind the building and into a recessed doorway at the end, just out of sight of passers by.

She pushed him against the door as he tried to kiss her, and he looked shocked at how strong she was. Smiling she wrapped her slender fingers around his throat. He wasn’t the first to underestimate her and he wouldn’t be the last. She reached between his legs with her free hand.

“That all you got?” she said smiling. He grinned and tried to kiss her again and once more she shoved him against the wall.

“I’m going to F…”

She squeezed his throat, red manicured nails digging into his flesh. His heart was racing and every fibre of his being craved her. His mind swam with thoughts of pushing her up against the wall and lifting her skirt. She giggled as she stared into his eyes. Did he really think he could satisfy her? He wouldn’t last a minute.

“It’s time” she said, her face now just an inch from his.

Again he nodded and she squeezed him through his trousers.

He was ready and so was she, his body was filled with the testosterone her eggs needed to incubate. Her tongue flashed from between her peach scented lips, into his mouth and down his throat…

He would make a good mate indeed.

One Lonely Lantern – Room 101

>>>Journal_Entry_241Nantucket_Breeze_06June/2032>>>Henderson,Gill>>>_.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. Originally they were 101 words but this month I will allow myself more. M’s prompt was ‘One Lonely Lantern’

Robbie loved the hours just before sunrise the most, when the world is still and calm and the sun just the feintest of glows on the horizon. It was a great time to be alone with your thoughts and to think about the day ahead, and it was also the best time to catch fish.

As he looked out across the dark waters the line gave the briefest of tremors and he held his breath and leaned forward for the rod. There was the buzz of a mosquito and a far off siren and though he waited no bite came. It had been strangely quiet all night though and he was just about ready to head home.

Turning from the water he lifted his kerosene lantern to look around for his Dad. The lamp shot shadows across the narrow path that lead to their spot, the tall spruce trees towering above them and the light dancing on the dew that covered much of the thick undergrowth.

“Hey Dad you there?” He shouted, his voice echoing through the darkness and across the pond. No response came.

He stood to his feet and shouted again. “Dad, come on let’s go.” When he did not answer again he began to worry. Since mom had disappeared on them when he was eight he always seemed so far away. Over the years he had become more and more insulated and he seldom left the house since once Robbie had left for college. Whilst he did what he could he always felt guilty that he couldn’t spend more time with the old man.

“Oh come on” Robbie mumbled to himself putting down the lamp and leaning forward to pick up the rod and pack it away but as he placed his hand on the grip the line raced away beneath the water.

“Shit” he exclaimed lifting it up, wedging in in at his hip and grabbing hold of the reel. Whatever this was it was big.

“Hey dad, come on I could do with a hand” he shouted into the darkness, but no answer came back.

Robbie pulled back on the rod and in a quick forward and back motion took up the slack and began to reel in whatever had taken the bait.

“Dad I got one” he shouted again. There was a rustle in the undergrowth and he turned around briefly but seeing nothing again faced the water and continued to fight to land his prey.

He got to his feet and took a step closer to the waters edge, the cold dark waters lapping at the toes of his waders. Whatever it was wasn’t in the mood to give up that was for sure.

He turned around again hearing a snap of twigs somewhere in the darkness behind him. “Dad, seriously come on I could do with a hand. Grab the keep net will you I almost have it.”

There was no response and he took another step into the water. It was close now, he could feel it fighting. One more cautious step took him up to his thighs, the rocks slippery beneath his feet, and he pulled back hard on the rod in an attempt to pull the fish from the water.

With a sudden ‘ping’ the line snapped and he cascaded backwards into the cold dark waters, catching his breath cursing.

“Shit” he barked feeling the water spill inside his waders. Frantically he scrambled to regain his feet but before he could do so he felt something wrap itself around his feet.

“Dad” he screamed struggling to turn to the shore, the silhouette of his father now visible on the bank. “Dad come on help me “ he shouted panicked. “My feet are caught in something.

His father never responded, simply standing and watching.

“Dad please I nee…” he started but was unable to finish his sentence as he was dragged forcefully below the surface. Heart racing he kicked out frantically and for a moment felt freed and gasping surfaced to see his father still stood at the waterside, the kerosene lamp now in his hand and his face quite still and calm.

He tried to shout but felt a force upon his shoulders drag him back under the surface and eyes wide he felt the cold waters begin to suffocate him. He struggled and lashed out but each time he became less and less able to resist until eventually, with no strength left in him, he surrendered to the cold darkness of the lake.

With his thoughts quickly escaping him and a fog shrouding his mind he looked out one last through the water towards the river bank to where his father still stood, the old lamp in his hands. This time though he was not alone, and stood with him dressed all in white was a woman, a woman he recognised still.

Slowly she walked towards where he lay beneath the water, her eyes hollow and the skin on her face pale and hanging from her bones. It was his mother. She had come to take him home…

Nantucket Breeze – Room 101

>>>Journal_Entry_241Nantucket_Breeze_06June/2032>>>Henderson,Gill>>>_.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. Originally they were 101 words but this month I will allow myself more. M’s prompt was ‘Nantucket Breeze’

>>>Journal_Entry_241</>Nantucket_Breeze_06June/2032>>>Henderson,Gill>>>_.

I remember the first time she came through you know. It was pretty unforgettable given what happened afterwards.

It was a day like any other when it started, we set out past the breakers and beyond the nets and left the bay patrolling the western shores for any vessels trying to get through. Everything was so still, like nothing we had ever seen – really creepy I tell you. I remember ‘cap hovering about three metres above what should have been a

Things had been pretty quiet since the mines had been laid so mostly it was a pretty easy gig. There were still some desperate or stupid enough to try and it was just a case of standing our ground until they turned back. That or sinking them.

The ‘Nantucket Breeze’ was different though. When we found them they were all pretty shook up and making absolutely no sense at all waving and clamouring from the deck. Carlisle fired a shot across the bows, he loves to shoot stuff for no reason, but they didn’t seem to care at all and when we managed to raise them on one of the old frequencies the Captain insisted they were registered out of San Diego and a Californian state vessel.

Obviously we checked the subnet but there was nothing with that registration in the last forty years and Given that California had been independent for twenty years the boss was having none of it.

The Captain kept going on about a storm and that they’d been blown off course and were coming back up from Mexico but you know the ‘Cap, he’s heard it all before and everyone knows that there’s no way one of our ships would have survived in Mexican waters.

Anyway, you know how it ended – the footage of it got out onto the subnet and someone recognised the vessel and the crew from some old photos and before we knew it the rift was open and that’s when everything really went to shit.

To be honest I am not sure that it made that much of a difference that we sunk her, but what do I know eh…

>>>END<<< _ _ _

Jupiter Glow – Room 101

Incoming voice transmission…

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. Originally they were 101 words but this month I will allow myself more. M’s prompt was ‘Jupiter Glow’.

No matter how hard they try they can never prepare you for the loneliness of space. The fellows in the white coats test you and explore the extent to which your mind can be pushed but they really have no idea what true isolation will do to you.

You try to retain a degree of positivity but there comes a point when you lose all hope, and for me that point was when I flashed past Mars with my pod still accelerating. Mars was my last hope you see, my salvation. If anyone could have survived the Orion onslaught it was those tough bastards but with my emergency beacon out and navigation systems shot I simply sailed by into the inky black of space.

I doubt it mattered though because there were no signs of life on my scanners. In fact, there had been no sign in any quadrant since I jettisoned at the battle of Ceres Outpost and whilst I had enough supplies to keep me going for a few months – assuming the hydro-recycle unit on my suit keeps functioning – I doubt that I will make it through the asteroid belt to see the glow of Jupiter.

It’s a shame really because my god she is a sight to behold…

Mysterious Mounds – Room 101

It’s been a while since I did anything constructive on here. Let’s give it a try.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. Originally they were 101 words but this month I will allow myself more. M’s prompt was ‘mysterious mounds’

Bort slammed an angry fist on the console, lights blinking blue and red as his antennae turning a deep crimson.
“Dexlar, get me a target now” he barked, “and can someone get me a sit-rep on the other advance vessels. We didn’t cross seven galaxies and spend all that time in stasis in search of a new home to fail when we are so close. There is no going back so someone needs to get this vessel online right now and we need to take down their defences.”
“All comms offline Captain, negative on the advance vessels at present. We seem to have emerged from slip stream but all signals are dark.”
Bort turned on the junior offices monitoring the display, two rows of sharp teeth bared in a `snarl. “I swear by the seven moons of Tarl your ancestors will remember my name and shit their pants if you don’t find me those vessels now!”
Dexlar swallowed nervously and punched frantically at the nav console, scanning the low band frequencies for any evidence of the advance party. The thought of his great grandchildren quivering with soiled britches was not something he liked to consider.
“Have I got a target yet” Bort yelled pacing the command deck. The large array of screens before him unusually empty. “Can someone tell me why I’m not seeing anything? Anyone?”
“Sir it looks like something is jamming all signals both inbound and outbound.” Said Dexlar.
Bort stopped his pacing and once again turned on him. “I did mention the pant shitting did I not?” he asked nostrils flaring and yellow eyes narrowed. “I very much think I was quite specific on that matter”
“Sir you did sir” Drexlar replied, his mouth dry and the scales on his neck flushing green then yellow. “I’ve dispatched team alpha to attempt external reconnaissance as all sensors remain offline and auxiliary sensors are unresponsive.”
“Patch me through shit britches” Bort demanded resuming his pacing. “Alpha come in do you copy?” He paused for a moment before receiving a response.
Drexlar tried to patch the comms through to his own station but the captain’s security protocol prevented him.
“Alpha repeat” Bort snapped, “I don’t think I heard you right.”
The purple drained from his face. “…Faecal matter? You mean shit?” he asked quizically. “What the hell is big enough to completely encase a class one destroyer Alpha, make sense damn it or I will have your….”
Drexlar stared at the Captain and then looked quickly away as he turned in his direction.
“Alpha repeat” he continued his tone now wholly less confident. He listened and shook his head. “Are you absolutely certain, without doubt?”
Drexlar and the other junior offices had stopped what they were doing, threat of soiled ancestors or not, and stared at the Captain. The look on his face told them it was not good. They waited for an eternity before Bort spoke again.
“Copy that Alpha, confirming scale estimate irregularities. Can you be certain of the dimension differences?”
The Junior officers slowly encircled Bort.
“One five hundredth? Are you sure?” His tone was barely a whisper now. “Okay copy Alpha leader.”
Drexlar spoke first as the Captain looked up to see the faces of the pfficers around him. “What is is Sir?” He asked. “What’s happened?”
Bort licked his lips, his mouth dry. “Shit…”

The Secret Doors on 75th – Room 101

It’s been a while since I did anything constructive on here. Let’s give it a try.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. Originally they were 101 words but this month I will allow myself more. M’s prompt was ‘The secret doors on 75th’.

If Sam was anything he was brave. Or perhaps he was stupid, being as similar as they are when it comes to young men, but either way he was not one for backing down from a challenge. His eyes twinkled and he flashed a broad smile and with the other boys encouraging him he brushed the mop of thick brown hair from his eyes and put his shoulder to the door.

“Sam, you’re going to get us into trouble” said Tom looking about nervously. Being a few years younger but considerably wiser Tom was often the voice of reason. That said, it was pretty obvious that he was not going to be listened to today.

“Relax Tom” Sam grinned, “the place is abandoned no one cares.”

“Come on Sam” shouted one of the older boys. “Leave him be Tom.”

Tom stood back as Sam threw himself at the old door with its peeling paint and tarnished lion’s head knocker. A once brilliant number 7 now hung crooked and swung each time Sam barged into the old wooden panels. Wiping his brow he gave it all he had and with a loud splintering of wood the door gave way, the lock ripping free.

The boys exploded in unison cheering and shouting with the exception of Thomas who looked up and down the street nervously. Fortunately there was no one around to see.

“What you waiting for Sam, go inside” shouted the older boy. “You don’t believe the old stories do you?”

Sam dusted himself off and turned to the group of boys, his face a broad smile and a glint in his eye. “I ain’t afraid of anything” he said folding his arms. “I’m going to be the first person to go in here since…” He paused. Actually no one had lived there for as long as any of them could remember and none of the adults could remember a time when anyone had come and gone from the building.

“Be careful Sam” said Tom walking up the steps to where Sam stood. Sam ruffled his brothers hair and put a reassuring arm on his shoulder. “It’ll be fine, I’ll bring you something back” and with that he pushed through the door and stepped inside.

He turned to wave to th boys outside but the sliver of light from the door suddenly disappeared and he found himself in complete darkness. Suddenly he didn’t feel so brave and he reached out into the inly blackness to try and make his way back to the door but could find nothing. “Tom” he shouted, his heart racing. “Tom, can you hear me?” He paused waiting for a response but there was nothing until he picked up the feint sound of running water followed by a deep booming voice.

“Who dares to enter my halls?”

Sam placed his hands over his ears closed his eyes.

“Who are you boy” came the voice for a second time. “What are you doing here? How did you get in?”

Sam opened his eyes and stammered am response. “Th-the door “ he said. “I came through the door.”

“The door? My kingdom has no door. Tell the truth now boy. Did he send you?”

“Me?” answered Sam confused. “No Sir, I came through the door. The one on 75^th.”

“75th? Hmm I don’t recall any doors” he replied. “Are you sure he didn’t snd you, he really is most persistent.”

“No really, I just came through the door and now I am here.”

The voice seemed to sigh and mumble to itself.

“Do you plan to stay?”

“No Sir, I need to get home. My mum be worried sick and Tom will get into so much trouble if I don’t go back.”

“Hmm. I would so like some company though. It has been a very long time since anyone visited. No one seems to want to come over. Are you sure I couldn’t convince you it really is rather nice here if you just give it a chance. You and my son would get on famously I’m sure.”

“No really, I should be going.” Sam answered turning back towards where he thought the door might be.

“That’s a real shame, a real shame indeed. I’ve been waiting so long for someone to come over but…” the voice trailed away.

“Yes?” prompted Sam.

“Did I mention we have eternal life?”

Sam shook his head.

“Oh yes” he continued. “and the roads are paved with gold you know.”

Sam continued to inch backwards away from the voice until he felt what could be the door behind him. His hands felt around in the darkness until he found what he was certain was a door handle.

“Sounds great” Sam said as politely as he could with his hear pounding and a tremor in his voice. “If I am not home for tea there will be hell to pay.”

The voice let out a raucous laugh. “Now you see, another thing you don’t have to worry about here. He can’t get in so no worries on that front.” He sounded rather proud. “So how about it Sam, fancy it? There’s loads of room you can stay in my house. There are loads of rooms.”

“Thanks but like I said I need to get going” Sam said and with one movement he pulled open the door and threw himself outside with final desperate words ringing in his ears…”We have ice cream and wifi.”

Fragrant Fog – Room 101

It’s been a while since I did anything constructive on here. Let’s give it a try.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. Originally they were 101 words but this month I will allow myself more. M’s prompt was ‘Fragrant Fog’.

James pulled his coat collar high up around his ears as he left the tube station and crossed the road towards the bus terminal. It was cold for the time of year and the night was still, unusually so.

“God I can’t wait for spring” he mumbled to himself as a thick fog wound it’s way across the Thames and crawled through the cold wet streets. He looked at his watch as the white blanket muffled the noise of the traffic and the distant chimes of St Clements as they struck ten.

“Shit” he said angrily realising he’d just missed his bus. He would have to wait another half an hour for the next one.

“Hey mate” came a voice as he crossed into the bus station. “Can you spare any change?”

He rummaged in his pockets.

“Sorry no, got nothing pal” he said looking down at the dishevelled man sat next to the terminal entrance.

“What about brains? Got any of them?”

James stopped in his tracks cocking his head, a quizzical look on his face.

“Brains? What you on about mate? You might want to stay off the booze.”

“Not sure really, just fancied some brains you know.” He got to his feet slowly and took a step towards where he stood. “Go on, just a little.”

“Jesus, no” James shouted stepping back. “Back off man or I’ll call the police.”

“Please mate, I’m gagging” the man continued, his arms outstretched and blood shot eyes wide and wild. He licked his lips, eyes fixed on James. “I’ll only eat a little, I’m just so hungry.”

Panicked by the look on the man’s face he darted past him and raced into the main concourse of the station. A few people were huddled from the cold and the fog and buses stood parked up for the night.

“Mate please” came a desperate shout. “Don’t run it’ll be okay I promise and all over in no time.”

James Turned to see the man shuffling towards him as the for swirled around his feet, arms outstretched and teeth bared.

“Shit, shit, shit” he shouted and turned to run, his heart pounding and his heart racing.

As he ran across the road towards the main ticket office he heard another voice call out to him.

“Hey pal is everything alright?”

James looked around frantically, picking out a figure stood in the doorway to what looked to be an admin block.

“Please, I need your help” he exclaimed pointing across to where the beggar was slowly shuffling through the fog. “That crazy bugger is after me and says he wants my brains.”

The man laughed and emerged slowly from the fog that now filled the air about them. “Brains you say? Have you been drinking?”

James suddenly felt less panicked as he picked out the familiar uniform of the transport police.

“ No I swear” he insisted, “reckons he wants to eat them.”

The officer smiled and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“You know, I could go for some brains myself…”

Catastrophic Calamaties – Room 101

Clarella folder her arms and turned to look out of the window of the ship. There was nothing in particular to look at, a few stars blinked and twinkled in the inky blackness of space, but that aside it was simply preferable to looking at his face.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. They are, this month at least, just 101 words only (apart from this one). They dont always finish, I just like to try and evoke a certain feeling or scene. I also decided to combine this with M’s prompts. Today it was ‘Catastrophic Calamities’.

“You must have pressed it” Gard insisted. “I certainly didn’t, I would never do something like that by mistake.”

Clarella’s jaw tightened and she remained defiantly quiet.

“It’s okay” Gard continued placing a hand on her shoulder. “It’s done now, it can’t be helped.”

She shrugged and brushed his hand away continuing to stare blankly out into the darkness. The silence was making Gard wholly uncomfortable.

“Look…just…” He started but then stopped as Clarella turned towards him. Her eyes narrowed and her nostrils flared.

“Do you really think I pressed it?” she asked, her head tilting menacingly to one side. Gard couldn’t decide if she was going to gouge his eyes out or savage his throat.

“It..I just…” his voice trailed away as she turned again to look out of the window.

“you know what this is like don’t you?” she asked.

Gard mumbled a response that she really was not interested in hearing.

“This is just like that time at your mothers.”

Gard’s already cool reptilian blood ran colder still. “Babe please.” He pleaded but she was not one for listening once it got to this point.

“You know quite well that I was not at fault then but you chose to side with her.”

“Clar please” he said leaning in to try and let her see how very sorry he was.

The ship shuddered, tilted to starboard and then righted itself again as a large piece of planet collided with her hull.

“No Gard” she replied. Her scales flushed and shimmered a light blue indicating her heightened emotional state. “It’s always the same with you isn’t it. You never believe me one. If it was your mother I am sure you’d believe her.”

Gard checked the console. Damage was minimal, the bulk of the impact absorbed by the vessels shields.

“Babe” he replied desperately, his attention again focussed on Clarella. “I’m sorry okay, it must have been me. I must have done it. Let’s just get back en route, they’re waiting for us.”

“What? You really think I’m going there with you after how you’ve treatd me?” She shouted flashing him a vicious look. “Just take me home I am going nowhere with you.”

Gard winced. He knew she was not for changing her mind.

He brought up the control holo panel and reaching up punched in the coordinates for home.

“Clar, are you sure we…” he started but she cut him short.

“Just take me home” she said, her voice now quiet yet still quite menacing. “You can tell them I have a really bad headache, which incidentally I now do so thank you for that also.”

Gard fired up the light drives and confirmed the coordinates, the Aspartila turning slowly on her axis as the navcomp plotted the best route home.

“Course confirmed” the ship’s navcomp said as she began to move slowly through the belt of debris that surrounded her. “Once we have cleared the remains of the planet the estimated journey time at warp 3 will be in the region of 3 quintells.”

Clarella pulled on her safety harness and refolded her arms.

Straightening his seat Gard pulled on his own harness saying nothing. He was still pretty sure she had hit the button and accidentally discharged the ship’s ion cannon and vaporised the planet but it really wasn’t worth getting into an even bigger fight over.

It’s wasn’t as if Earth mattered really.

Downtown – Part 1 of 6 – Room 101

Entering my office the first thing I noticed was her legs were as long as the days were hot.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. They are, this month at least, just 101 words only. They dont always finish, I just like to try and evoke a certain feeling or scene. I also decided to combine this with M’s prompts. Today it was ‘Jet Lagged and Jilted’. I am going to try tell a short tale in 6 one hundred and one word pieces. To be honest this was rather rushed and it might end at 1 of 6. Just trying something different.

Entering my office the first thing I noticed was her legs were as long as the days were hot. Or was it that she was as hot as the days were long? Either way I knew she was going to be trouble.

I watched as she lit a cigarette and used my favourite cup as an ashtray. She smiled in a way that told me that this was going to be cost me no matter what I charged her, and as smoke curled from her dark red lips she spoke, her voice like syrup.

“I need you to find my husband”

Spasmodic Juice

Jillfax shuddered as Vor caressed his brunther with her blood red claws, his trill turning a vibrant shade of purple and his moistening mandalor quivering with delight.

This is in response to M’s prompts. Today it was ‘Spasmodic Juice’

Jillfax shuddered as Vor caressed his brunther with her blood red claws, his trill turning a vibrant shade of purple and his moistening mandalor quivering with delight.

Running her rough tongue the length of his thrombus, she placed a talon inside the entrance to his bare gaping bartex. He gasped as she moved her claw in a clockwise direction, her full green lips revealing two rows of sharp white teeth in her warm wet mouth before pulling it out and licking the oozing fripple from it hungrily.

“Oh sweet snarx” Jillfax groaned as she wrapped her claws tight around his throat and pushed her body against him, her scales bristling with desire. “Don’t stop…”

Her face mere millimetres from his she hissed in pleasure as her grampus began to swell and both of her zizz throbbed alternating greens and yellows.

“Do it” she urged him, “you know you want to.”

Jillfax rose to his full height, his thrombus now fully wet and glistening in the low light of the lair. He took it in his hand, running it between his claws. Vor looked up at him in desperation, her flictus now dripping and her scales in a full purple flush.

“Do it now” she begged rubbing her grampus frantically against her splosh as a sweet syrup leaked from her zizz and ran down her stomach, pooling in the creases of her charnock.

Jillfax took her by the hand and pulled her to her feet, spinning her around and forcing her to bend before him. Vor looked back at him, her eye wide and her body shaking with pleasure.

“Do me like one of your earth girls” she begged.

Inside – Part 6 of 6 – Room 101

“I’m sorry” he repeated, “I…” He paused. How could he explain that he had no idea who she was or why he had wanted to strangle her moments before.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. They are, this month at least, just 101 words only. They dont always finish, I just like to try and evoke a certain feeling or scene. I also decided to combine this with M’s prompts. Today it was ‘Orbital Orangutans’. I am going to try tell a short tale in 6 one hundred and one word pieces and publish them all today.

Orbital Orangutans

Henderson felt instantly clear headed as he followed her outside to the balcony.

“I’m sorry” he repeated, “I…” He paused. How could he explain that he had no idea who she was or why he had wanted to strangle her moments before.

She didn’t respond. He placed a hand on her arm. “ I said …”

Wide eyed she spun around, and before he could finish she grabbed him and dragged him over the rail and into the blackness of night.

Cal watched their vitals peak then flatlined, ‘Nanites Offline’ flashing across his screen.

“Mission accomplished” he said smiling to himself.

Inside – Part 5 of 6 – Room 101

Henderson’s mind was foggy, he was already losing control again and his head was pounding.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. They are, this month at least, just 101 words only. They dont always finish, I just like to try and evoke a certain feeling or scene. I also decided to combine this with M’s prompts. Today it was ‘Space Jam on Toast’. I am going to try tell a short tale in 6 one hundred and one word pieces and publish them all today. The prompt reminded me of a joke I once heard but I can’t tell it because it would give things away…

“What’s wrong?” she asked sitting up on the bed breathing heavily.

Henderson’s mind was foggy, he was already losing control again and his head was pounding.

“I…don’t…” he stammered placing his head in his hands and repeating “this isn’t me”.

She leaned across and lowered her head until it was an inch from his.

“It’s okay” she said placing her hand on his cheek.

“It’s not…” he began before again losing control.

“I understand” she said kissing him gently. She then climbed from the bed pulling on her gown just as a large “Nanite Transfer Complete” confirmation flashed across Cal’s screen.

Inside – Part 4 of 6 – Room 101

“Oh god yes” she groaned, eyes closed in pleasure and her body pressed against him.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. They are, this month at least, just 101 words only. They dont always finish, I just like to try and evoke a certain feeling or scene. I also decided to combine this with M’s prompts. Today it was ‘A measure of improbability’. I am going to try tell a short tale in 6 one hundred and one word pieces and publish them all today.

Cal’s screen flashed amber as Gill fought the impulses sent to his cortex.

“Well you are a good boy” he said to himself as he instructed Gill to tighten his grip around her throat.

“Oh god yes” she groaned, eyes closed in pleasure and her body pressed against him.

The screen flashed again, this time red and with it Gill’s grip relaxing as he fought the almost irresistible urge to strangle her.

“Fuck no” he said pushing her off breathing heavily and his eyes wild with fear. “This isn’t me.”

Cal typed frantically, code streaming across the screen and hit ‘/Send’.

Inside – Part 3 of 6 – Room 101

Cal whispered words that were like warm chocolate as they spilled from Gill’s mouth, and she had a sweet tooth.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. They are, this month at least, just 101 words only. They dont always finish, I just like to try and evoke a certain feeling or scene. I also decided to combine this with M’s prompts. Today it was ‘Platinum Plutonium’. I am going to try tell a short tale in 6 one hundred and one word pieces and publish them all today.

Cal whispered words that were like warm chocolate as they spilled from Gill’s mouth, and she had a sweet tooth. The nanites coursing through Henderson’s body made him a puppet and though he fought every instruction he was powerless to resist as they left the Platinum Plutonium and caught a sky cab to hers.

He watched her undress, soft curves silhouetted against the moonlight streaming through the 200^th floor windows and his body instinctively responding to her touch.

He thought of his wife at home as she closed her eyes and kissed him, her lips soft and warm, unable to resist.

Inside – Part 2 of 6 – Room 101

Henderson watched her closely from the shadows as she sat alone at the bar.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. They are, this month at least, just 101 words only. They dont always finish, I just like to try and evoke a certain feeling or scene. I also decided to combine this with M’s prompts. Today it was ‘Galactic Garble Blasters’. I am going to try tell a short tale in 6 one hundred and one word pieces and publish them all today.

Henderson watched her closely from the shadows as she sat alone at the bar. Somewhere in the depths of his mind he knew he needed to be somewhere else but still he found himself walking across to her.

He watched himself in the mirrors behind them, everything surreal and seemingly detached yet he knew it was no dream. She smiled at him and placed her hand on his arm as words spilled from his mouth that weren’t his.

Laughing she stood and whispered in his ear, a passenger in his own body and the smell of her perfume filling his senses.

Day 1 – Part 3 of 3 – Room 101

After that first winter we thought the worse of it might be over, and with some of the other farmers in the area we started to try and rebuild some semblance of society again.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. They are, this month at least, just 101 words only. They dont always finish, I just like to try and evoke a certain feeling or scene. I also decided to combine this with M’s prompts. Today it was ‘Hyroglyphic hineys’. I am going to try tell a short tale in 3 one hundred and one word pieces. Why? Why not.

Part 1 is here

Part 2 is here

After that first winter we thought the worse of it might be over, and with some of the other farmers in the area we started to try and rebuild some semblance of society again.

Stories of how bad things were in the cities filtered through from time to time but for us, until they arrived at least, things did start to get better. Their pyramid ships brought supplies and power and a promise of peace, but we quickly realised that their offer would come at a massive cost to us all, and that they had been behind everything from the outset.

That is kind of that really. I hadn’t done much in the first person before and was just a wee experiment. I might try it again.

Day 1 – Part 2 of 3 – Room 101

The first thing I remember afterwards were the stars. It was like seeing them for the first time and despite the chaos around me each night I would head to the block roof top to watch them.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. They are, this month at least, just 101 words only. They dont always finish, I just like to try and evoke a certain feeling or scene. I also decided to combine this with M’s prompts. Today it was ‘Filaments of Frustration’. I am going to try tell a short tale in 3 one hundred and one word pieces. Why? Why not.

Part 1 is here

The first thing I remember afterwards were the stars. It was like seeing them for the first time and despite the chaos around me each night I would head to the block roof top to watch them.

Down below fires illuminated the darkness, gun shots and screams echoing through the night but up here the stars burned bright.

At the time I had no idea if we’d make it through winter, and many times I wanted to give up but somehow there was something in the stars that spoke to me, bringing hope that things would be okay.

I was wrong.

Day 1 – Part 1 of 3 – Room 101

The first we knew was when the lights went out. We thought it was just a power cut but it wasn’t.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. They are, this month at least, just 101 words only. They dont always finish, I just like to try and evoke a certain feeling or scene. I also decided to combine this with M’s prompts. Today it was ‘Filaments of Frustration’. I am going to try tell a short tale in 3 one hundred and one word pieces. Why? Why not.

The first we knew was when the lights went out. We thought it was just a power cut but it wasn’t. They never came back on, but it wasn’t just the lights, everything stopped.

In the blink of an eye we were thrown back in time nearly two hundred years, and people being people things got bad real fast. Cities had it worse, people turned on each other and millions starved that first winter.

Dad said we were the lucky ones, that living on the farms we were better prepared, but even out here things were pretty bad that first winter.

Mission Primary – Part 7

Seems a nice day for it.

These things tend to be short pieces that may or may not be the beginning of something else. Originally they were 101 words only. I’m less strict about that now. They dont always finish, I just like to try and evoke a certain feeling or scene.

I’m going to tie them to M’s prompts this month. The prompt was “It went off with a bang and a hiss”. What followed was this.

Part 1 can be found here.

Part 2 can be found here.

Part 3 can be found here.

Part 4 can be found here.

Part 5 can be found here.

Part 6 can be found here.

Sylvester sat in his favourite chair and watched, mouth wide and bowels churning as the end of the world arrived. His first thoughts as he watched events on the television unfold was that it was a Tuesday, and if Armageddon was going to arrive on any day his money would not have been on a Tuesday. If he was a gambling man, which he was not, he would likely have plumped for a Friday afternoon because Friday was wholly more interesting as a day than a Tuesday and far more likely to deliver events of interest. Even a Monday would have been worth a few dollars as a side bet given its position as one of the least favourite days but no, he would most definitely not have picked a Tuesday.

“Charlotte” he called shifting uncomfortably in his chair, “Charlotte I think you might want to come through and take a look at this.”

“Must I really” his wife replied from the kitchen sounding a little flustered. “I really want to get these pies in the oven. Can’t it wait?” She was a patient woman for the most part but his constant hollering from the comfort of his chair made her want to smother him in his sleep.

Sylvester continued to watch the television and turned up the volume.

“That’s a bit loud” Charlotte shouted. He really needed to wear his hearing aid more often. She paused for a moment listening. “Did they just say something about an attack?” She asked. Sylvester did not reply. “Sylvester, what’s going on?” she shouted. “Sylvester?”

“Confound it woman” he snapped turning in his chair and shouting back across to the kitchen , “you need to come and look damn it. The pies can wait.”

He heard the oven close and his silver haired wife shuffled through from the kitchen, her ‘Grandma Knows Best’ apron covered in flour and wiping her hands on a dish cloth.

“Oh my” she said looking at the screen as she approached, her face a mix of shock and confusion. “Is that a…?” Her voice trailed off. She sat forward and then spoke again. “Are they..?” she continued but again she didn’t quite have the words and they were left hanging in the air more in hope more than expectation

“Ahuh” Sylvester replied as Charlotte sat down slowly in the chair next to him.

“And what are all those red dots on the map?” she asked pointing to the screen as a graphic flashed across it.

“Same thing all across the planet” Sylvester answered quite matter of fact. “Looks like this is it Lottie…”

Charlotte picked up the Bible from the small table next to her chair, placed in it her lap and folded her hands together on tip of it. “I don’t think this is in the Good Book.” She said without turning towards Sylvester, her eyes fixed on the screen. “What’s going on Sylvester?” She asked.

“End of the world, that’s what it is” He answered standing up and heading over to the drinks cabinet.

“On a Tuesday?” she asked shaking her head. “Make mine a double.”

Mission Primary – Part 6

Beyond the moon.

I’m going to tie them to M’s prompts this month. The prompt was “Time blossomed then shrivelled”. The idea filled head with thoughts of time passing and age and forgetting the important things that have gone before.

Part 1 can be found here.

Part 2 can be found here.

Part 3 can be found here.

Part 4 can be found here.

Part 5 can be found here.

Henderson looked out into the void of space, the moon now disappearing into the distance as the Callista prepped for her faster than light jump.

“FTL Jump in twenty” barked the Comms, the service deck eerily quiet save for the odd scurry of activity in prep for her first leg on the journey back home.

“We had to, you know that right” came a voice, causing him to start. It was one he recognised and one that made his stomach churn and his fists clench. “Marcus told me you’d were down here.”

Henderson turned around and stood to attention. “Captain, yes sir” he answered, shoulders and chin up.

“Carl, at ease” Grenville said, “It’s just you and me you can drop the Captain shit.”

“You had to? Really?” Henderson snapped. “Christ on a bike James do you have any idea how many people you just fried?” He took a step towards the officer, fists still clenched.

“You think I don’t know that?” Grenville replied, “You think I did this without a thought for those that might still be alive down there? You know as well as I do that if that thing gets off planet all the colonies will suffer the same fate.”

“There were people we could have saved, we could have helped them still.”

Grenville paused, loosened his jacket and pointed out across the deck towards where the moon. “You know I’m second generation colony Carl, you know I probably still have people down there just like you do.”

“Then why the hell couldn’t you wait?” he asked turning to face him. “I guess you’re going to tell me you were following orders.”

Grenville looked old. Older than he ought to. He was barely recognisable from the man he had known for so many years – and as a boy for as many before that – and that he had served under on the Juliana, the Aiden and now on the Callista.

He put a hand on his shoulder. “So what now James” he said turning to look back out into space. He wanted to help, to tell him it was okay but it wasn’t. They weren’t kids anymore and sometimes you needed to knwo that things weren’t going to be alright.

“We’ve burned the earth’s atmosphere, saved the colonies and now we head home to a heroes welcome?” he said sarcastically.

Grenville buttoned up his jacket again and sighed. “It’s not quite over yet Carl” he said, a new sadness in his voice.

“Command are still nervous and despite wiping out every living thing they’ve just sent new orders.”

Henderson balled his fists. “Why the hell are you telling me this James, why me? Serious don’t you have a first officer or a dozen senior officers you could tell?”

Grenville turned to walk away and then stopped, pausing before speaking again.

“Five minutes after we jump the entire store of Fed nova clusters in the bunkers just outside Berlin, Shanghai, Los Angeles and Singapore will detonate and rip the whole damn planet to pieces.”

“My god James, I don’t want to know okay.” Henderson snapped, his eyes wide and nostrils flared. “Just do what you have to okay and leave me be. Please.”

Without turning around Grenville headed off towards the service deck exit.

“Sorry Carl” Grenville said and the service deck blast door began to close and the comms confirmed 5 minutes to FTL jump. “I’m just sorry…”

Toxic – Room 101

a quick 101 words

“Woah man, try these” Driyal said offering the small packet of blue pills as he watched his otherwise perfectly green tentacles turn to a bunch of flowers. “These are out of this world.”

Corvelex stared open mouthed and shook his head as he imagined himself to be the sexual centre of the entire galaxy. His thrallus throbbed intently and his scales turned a deep shade of crimson.

“What is it man” he asked, all four of his eyes rolling back in his head.

“Sapien X” Driyal said grinning broadly.

“No way bro” he insisted, “I ain’t touching those humans, they’re toxic!”

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/toxic/

Mission Primary Part 5

Somewhere out in the dark of space

I’m going to tie them to M’s prompts this month. The prompt was “Spacing out in shadow’s doubt”. Mostly it had me thinking of confusion and consternation. The story continues for now I guess…

Part 1 can be found here.

Part 2 can be found here.

Part 3 can be found here.

Part 4 can be found here.

Cal scoured the holo screen looking for any sort of sign that there might be something still out here. The scans were picking up the moon about three hundred and eighty thousand clicks away, and it was visible through the port windows but that wasn’t what he was after. He knew earth should be here, the maps weren’t wrong. The coordinates weren’t wrong.

“It should be here Desi” he insisted. “I don’t understand where it could be.”

“Maybe it’s just a myth Cal” Desi said staring out into the darkness. “Do we really know it was ever here.”

“Hell Desi of course we do.” he said angrily. “This is where we’re from, this is our home.”

“It’s not my home” Desi replied. “And it’s not yours, you were born on Seranos just like me. Let it go Cal, let’s just go home we are already in enough trouble as it is. Dad is going to kill us when he finds out we’ve taken his ship.”

“Do you never wonder why we’re forbidden from returning Des? Why they always tell us that Earth was abandoned to protect us all but no one even knows where it is anymore.”

“Not really no” Desi replied. “It’s a myth Cal, a bed time story. ”

“Then why were dad’s maps locked away? Why has no one even been back to look in 800 years? That’s not right Des. It must still be out here somewhere.”

The screen flashed briefly and a data stream ticked across slowly. Cal stared at it for a while.

“What is it?” Desi asked not really caring. She just wanted to go home before Dad found out they were gone. Cal was always getting them into trouble, and despite him being a year younger she always found herself drawn to whatever wild plan he had in his head. Once Cal had found the Maps in his father’s unlocked safe a few months ago he had become obsessed with the idea of Earth.

“Just what looks like an asteroid belt, nothing major” Cal answered. “We could go take a look I suppose.”

“Cal come on” Desi said turning off the screen. “Let’s just go home Cal there’s nothing out here.”

“Then why the Moon?” He snapped bringing the screen back up. “If the moon is here the earth must be here.”

“Cal let’s just…” She began and then stopped and pointed slowly out into the darkness. “What’s that?”

Mission Primary Part 4

Somewhere out in the dark of space

I’m going to tie them to M’s prompts this month. The prompt was “Jumping Jupiter can’t get stupider”. I didn’t get much further than the idea of Jupiter. Let’s see if I can continue the story with it.

Part 1 can be found here.

Part 2 can be found here.

Part 3 can be found here.

The Callista’s comms crackled into life as the roar of her huge primary engines fought to steady her descent into orbit around Ganymede. Saturn’s gravitational pull was massive but if they could land on the moon it would give them the protection they needed to work on replenishing their hydrogen supplies.

“All crew standby for important comms” it ordered.

Henderson sat up in his bunk and reached for his chewing tobacco. Stuffing a wad into his cheek he banged a fist against the bottom of the bunk above.

“Marcus, wake up” he shouted. “You’re going to want to hear this.”

Marcus stirred, mumbling incomprehensibly.

“Serious man, wake up.” Henderson barked.

“Okay, okay” Marcus said throwing back his blanket and swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. “I’m awake see. God man how serious can it be after what we just witnessed?”

Henderson chewed slowly before responding. There are some things you’re never going to forget seeing and what the Callista had just done was one of them.

“They’re going to say it was for the best, you’ll see. They will have some excuse for what they did but there is no justification for it. None at all. You don’t do that to an entire planet you just don’t.”

Marcus jumped down from the top bunk and walked over to the small sink in the corner of the room.

“What do we know man” he said filling a cup with water. “Things have been messed up for so long now.

“Messed up?” Henderson snapped. “My god Marcus what we just did goes way beyond just ‘messed up’ surely you see that.”

“Honestly?” said Marcus taking a drink.

“That a question?” Henderson asked.

Marcus put the cup down on the edge of the sink. He was a tall lean man, about 6 foot 2 with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. A large green and black tattoo of a snake across his right shoulder seemed to writhe as he moved.

“You know how I feel about Earth” he said, “it’s not my home and they are not my people, I’m a colonial and I’m proud of it. My allegiance is to my family and my clan and the only reason I’m on this ship is because I need the money.”

“Do you really feel nothing? ” Henderson asked. He knew Marcus was an off worlder and like so many of his people he hated Earth but even he must feel something, surely.

“Sorry no, I don’t” he said defiantly, pulling out a chair at the small metal table in the middle of the room and sitting down. The ship lurched suddenly and then, with a roar of the engines , was again steadied. “Earth have done nothing but steal from us and use us Henderson” he continued, “I almost feel relieved that it’s over. Things will have to be different now.”

Before Henderson could respond the comms sounded again.

“This is Captain Grenville” it began. After a lengthy pause it continued. “Today you witnessed the destruction of our home planet…”

Mission Primary Part 3

“You can be the moon and still be jealous of the stars.”
-Gary Allan

I’m going to tie them to M’s prompts this month. The prompt was “The stars stood on standby”. Mostly it gave me this horrible sense of foreboding so that is where I am letting it take the story which the prompts are dictating to a degree.

Part 1 can be found here.

Part 2 can be found here.

Stella rolled the smooth white pebble between her fingers as she watched the sea lapping at her feet. The sky seemed to melt into the grey of the water and it was hard to tell where one started and the other ended.

“So where to now Jess?” she asked not looking up. “What are we meant to do?” It would be dark soon and the nights were getting colder.

At 18 Jess was 5 few years older than she was, so her natural instinct was to let her make all the decisions. Jess had found her scavenging for food in one of the empty houses in the neighbourhood and helped her to bury her parents and had looked after her ever since.

“I’m not really sure Stella” she answered looking up and down the pebbled beach “we probably need somewhere to settle in for a few days to rest up and then work out how we get off planet.”

“You think we need to leave?” Stella answered throwing the pebble into the sea. “You really don’t think things are going to get better then?”

She really liked Stella, she was a good kid and had been through a lot but despite all the death and destruction things still seemed to surprise her. Stella envied that about her.

“The Transporters are all shut down and we haven’t seen any sign of Fed forces for weeks now. They’ve abandoned us for sure. There aren’t even any Fed instructions coming through on the short wave anymore.”

“But why would they leave us Jess” Stella asked looking confused. “The government are meant to be making everything better.”

“Stella…” her voice trailed away as she looked up at the sky, the clouds parting and stars already visible in the inky black of night. “Stars Stella” she said pointing. Jess looked up and smiled.

“Dad knew all about the stars” she said. “He used to take me up to the observatory in the summer and teach me all about them.”

“Do you know which they are then?” Jess asked.

Stella laughed, “No I just went because it meant I could stay up past bedtime and it was a chance to spend time with him.”

“I think it might be Sirius” Jess said smiling. “I remember from school that it was the brightest.”

They both stood quietly for a while. The idea of school and family and a normal life seemed such a distant memory now.

“Are stars supposed to move” Jess asked breaking the silence, the sky now rapidly turning dark. “Because that really does look like it’s getting bigger”

“Do you think it could be someone coming to rescue us?” Jess asked, her voice filled with hope.

“Maybe sure, why not” said Stella. “We’re not sick so why wouldn’t they want to help us.”

The light in the sky grew brighter still and was soon surrounded by others and a silhouette began to emerge high in the atmosphere. The

“That’s no star Stella, that’s a ship of some sort.” Jess said excited. It’s pretty high up but it’s definitely a Fed ship. No one else has anything that big.” It had been weeks since they had seen anything up in the sky, or on land for that matter and Jess knew a Fed battle ship when she saw one. They were always on the news a few years ago when they made first contact with the Genaris and everybody thought it was going to be the end of the world.

Jess walked forward as if to try get a better look, the waves lapping at her feet and covering her boots. “Its huge Jess” she said smiling. “They surely have room for us” and she began to wave her arms.

Stella laughed. “Jess, Jess they can’t see us from up there. They’re miles and miles up.”

“Really?”

“Yes” Jess answered. “But at least they’ve returned and that’s surely a good thing. She stepped into the shallow surf and took Stella’s hand and squeezed it gently. “Don’t worry Jess” she said, her voice calm. “It will all be over soon.”

Mission Primary Part 2 – Room 101

I’m going to tie them to M’s prompts this month. The prompt was “Chewing Chewbacco” which had me thinking about Star Wars obviously but more the type of American you see in folms that so enjoys stuffing a wad of the stuff in his cheek and chewing and spitting the vile black filth back out. This had me thinking about cowboys and then engineers and then suddenly the piece below emerged.

Part 1 can be found here.

The Callista rounded the moon slowly, the shadow of her massive bulk creeping across it’s surface as her primary engines exploded into life and propelled her towards earth. Henderson steadied himself against one of the huge fuel lines and stared out into space, wiping his hands on the rag he kept in his belt and spitting a mouth full of thick black tobacco onto the service deck.

“You boys ready for this?” he asked to anyone willing to listen. “You know what this is right?” No one looked up. Henderson was always spouting off about one conspiracy theory or another.

“This is then end boys, I’m telling you” he continued. “Rumour is that it’s now spread so far that they need to frag the whole damn planet to stop it.”

“Shut the hell up Henderson” Franks barked back looking out from under the Interceptor he was working on. “Some of us still have people down there. There is just no way the brass would do that.”

“I’m telling you” Henderson answered spitting again and wiping his mouth on his sleeve. “Last few weeks have seen all Fed troops recalled. You saw how many ships there were dark side. The whole fleet has puled back.”

Something about his words rang true. “You really think?” Franks asked sliding out and getting to his feet. He walked across to where Henderson stood.

“Afraid so man” he answered. “Seems pretty obvious to me, just look at what a mess it is down there. They can’t stop the spread and now they’re worried about it getting off world.” He paused waiting for his words to sink in, he did love an audience.

Franks rubbed his chin. “Shit man, my cousin is still in Singapore working on the docks there.”

“They already had to shut down the dimensional transporters planet wide when the Washington site was over run, there’s no way they can risk it reaching the colonies.”

Turning to look out across the deck towards where the earth could be seen through the launch bay Franks felt Henderson stood next to him. It was oddly reassuring. “You really think they’ll frag the whole thing?” he asked.

Henderson put a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll know soon enough.”