#iamwriting — Public Fediverse posts

Now we're at Stuart Island. My clients are off taking a hike to the lighthouse. I'm handing out at a picnic table on the dock, writing my Morning Pages. Last photo shows my view. #boating #PNW #IAmWriting

Now we're at Stuart Island. My clients are off taking a hike to the lighthouse. I'm handing out at a picnic table on the dock, writing my Morning Pages. Last photo shows my view. #boating #PNW #IAmWriting

Now we're at Stuart Island. My clients are off taking a hike to the lighthouse. I'm handing out at a picnic table on the dock, writing my Morning Pages. Last photo shows my view. #boating #PNW #IAmWriting

Now we're at Stuart Island. My clients are off taking a hike to the lighthouse. I'm handing out at a picnic table on the dock, writing my Morning Pages. Last photo shows my view. #boating #PNW #IAmWriting

Now we're at Stuart Island. My clients are off taking a hike to the lighthouse. I'm handing out at a picnic table on the dock, writing my Morning Pages. Last photo shows my view. #boating #PNW #IAmWriting

62 Years ago, Mother of All, Horsebreeder Clan lands

Joy had fifteen summers to her name. The following year she would be expected to commit to a path of learning. One that would lead to the sort of life she wished to live. Most of her friends would continue in the Horsebreeder Clan.

Far above, she could feel Dives Swiftly. She had spotted a large waterbird. It would make a fine dinner for the family. And a good feed for Dives Swiftly as well. Joy sent approval, and the hunting bird, true to her name, dove on the unsuspecting bird, breaking its neck with the impact, and then steered the limp body to the ground near Joyful Finder.

"Good strike" Joy said, as Dives looked at her. She took out her knife, and neatly cut the belly of the bird open, and Dives started to feed.

"I am thinking of leaving."
Dives paused, and looked at her, whistling a query.
"Next year a Scout will visit. I think I will go with them."
Dives whistled again.
"There probably will be little chance to hunt."
Another whistle.
"I know better than to try and talk you out of it."
Dives went back to eating.
"Now I have to tell Dad and Father."

After Dives finished her meal, Joy finished bleeding the bird, and then carried it home, sending an image of a roast ahead.
She felt Father's excitement at the idea.

At dinner, late that evening, her parents paused in their eating, and looked at her. Dad spoke first "Joy, is there something on your mind? You feel, well, a bit off."
Joy sighed.
"It isn't that Copper Digger kid again is it?"
"No, Dad, it isn't that. I think she's learned her lesson."
"Then what?"
"I know what I need to do."
"Great!" her Dad exclaimed.
"What is it, Joy?" asked her Father.

Joy poked her plate.

"Oh no! She wants to join the Sailmakers! Shipping will be doomed!" her Father cried out. Joy's lack of skill with a needle and thread was infamous, even now.
"No", Joy smiled sadly, "But you might wish it was."
Her Father grew serious "What then?"
Dad spoke up "You know that we will always support you. No matter what."
"I intend to go with the Scout that will visit next year."

There was a stunned silence.

Her Dad reacted first "You mean to go to the stars?"
"Yes. I want to be what Lorn was. To learn the ways of the Stars, so we can be enough to end the Raiders for good."
"You will have to tell the Council."
Joy nodded "But they cannot deny me."
"No, they cannot. The treaty says as much."
"We will miss you, Joy" her Father said softly.
"And I'll miss everyone here. Except Dives."
Both her parents looked surprised at this, and she shrugged. "Dives inists that she'll come along."
Shaking his head, her Father gave a wry smile "I swear, she thinks you are chick that still needs to fledge."
"Maybe she's right, if this is what Joy means to do" Dad replied.

The following day, her parents started to make arrangements to take a message to the Council. And showed Joy how to read Lorn's diaries.

#SF #SciFi #SFF #SpaceOpera #microfic #tootfic #MicroFiction #ShamanSpace #IAmWriting

Mother of All, Divesen Station, ten minutes after Athena's docking.

Alaine was shutting down the systems, when an STC broadcast came in. He monitored it, and then called out "Captain? You'll want to hear this!"
Engel twitched a little, and then gestured to Alaine, who rewound the message and played it back over a speaker.
"Bright Sky, Bright Sky, we have new approach data for you. Proceed to planetary coordinates attached, and make planetfall. Flight patch attached, you are cleared to enter restricted airspace."
Then came the reply "Divesen Control, please confirm planetfall."
"Bright Sky, confirmed. Rerouting ordered by Scout Commander Finder."
At that, Seeker, who had also been listening, gasped.
Engel turned "Seeker?"
"Uh, Captain, that is my grandmother. Only she retired from the Scouts over forty years ago. And she was just an ordinary Scout."
"Do you know why Bright Sky is being ordered planetside?"
"No, no idea at all."
"Sir?" Alaine cut in.
"Alaine?"
"Sir, I've heard of this before, surely you have too?"
"What do you -" he paused "Reactivation? Of course, but Scout Commander? They only -"
Alaine finished his sentence "are found at Scout bases. So they have a base here now."
Seeker took over "But that means the treaty has been rewritten. Scouts were forbidden to be on planet unless they were part of a clan. What..." and she broke off.
"Seeker?" Alaine looked worried.
"Uh, I have been summoned to the Council Chambers. We all have. Now." Seeker reached for the intercom.
"Hold!" Engel commanded.
Seeker stopped and looked at him.
"I am, apparently, the Captain."
"Sorry Captain. Permission to summon the crew?"
Engel shook his head and stepped over, taking the intercom "All hands, secure your stations, and proceed to the bridge immediately."
Seeker nodded.
A few minutes later everyone aboard was in the bridge.
"Right, we are being summoned to the Council. Best behaviour. Meantime the Captain is heading planetside," Engel announced, "Dyani, lock safe?"
"Inner and outer green, sir!" she replied.
"Very good, break seals."

The crew moved out into the station. There was no-one waiting.

Seeker took the lead "Follow me.""

#SF #SciFi #SFF #SpaceOpera #microfic #tootfic #MicroFiction #ShamanSpace #IAmWriting

3 Months ago, Council Offices, Divesen Station.

Joy looked across her desk at the Scout. They were not human, but one of the many species that had been derived from Earth-species stock in the distant, distant past. Probably by the same unknown race that delivered Joy's ancestors to Mother of All.

"Well Scout Instructor you certainly are an unexpected reply to my request."
The vocoder on the Scout's chest translated the burst of colours that surged across their skin. "Arriving with the answer seemed an efficient solution to the restrictions limitations of travel times."
"You did cause something of a stir when you emerged. The biggest thing we've seen here before was a depot ship, and that was back in Lorn's day."
"Are apologies compensations regrets required?"
Joy smiled, and made a complex sign with her fingers, indicating a matter of little import "No, just a surprise."
"We sign now?"
"Yes, I have been authorised by the Council of Elders to sign this modification of the treaty."

The Scout Instructor picked up the papers with one tentacle and looked through them. "All is in order correct." And it took a small box out of a harness, pressed the tip of a free tentacle into it, and then at the bottom of each page.

Joy took them back, and pressed her inked thumb against each page, and then signed her name.

A sign indicating an important query, "Are the lands territories properties clear for us to land arrive?"
"Yes, and airspace restrictions have been agreed to."
"Good pleasing efficient."
"It is for our benefit that we asked you to establish a Scout school here. Will the Maui be here long?"
"Apologies error, we understood thought you had knowledge. The Maui is permanently assigned to this station. In case of dramatic major intervention."

Joy sat back in surprise. "They've assigned us a Frontier Class cruiser? In case we need to do a full interdiction?"
"Correct."
"I see. Well, thank-you instructor, I'll let you return to your ship and your duties."
"Very good yes Scout Commander."
"What?"

A burst of bright colours washed across the sophonts skin and it handed an envelope to Joy "Your orders Scout Commander. You have been reactivated."
Before she could answer, it flowed out of her office.

After a few minutes, Joy opened the envelope. Inside was a new Scout ID card, and her orders to establish a new Scout Base on Mother of All. Starting with a locally-based school.

So much for retiring.

#ShamanSpace #SF #SFF #SciFi #SpaceOpera #Microfiction #Microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting

Mother of All.
On approach to Divesen Station, two hours out.

"Captain to the bridge" Engel opened his eyes, confused for a couple of seconds. Even after nine days, he was not used to being called 'Captain'. After a few moments, he got up and went forward. They were still at least two hours out, what was going on? Opening the bridge door, the rest of the skeleton crew were clustered around the sensor station. "Captain, over here!" called Alaine.

He came over and looked at the radar display. There, in orbit above Mother of All, was a massive ship, easily over a hundred times the size of their tradeship. And the profile the radar returned said 'warship'. Not a piddly little raider, not even one that could overpower Athena twice. This was huge and deadly.

"Do we have a beacon ping from it?" he asked.
"Yessir" Alaine replied "She's a Scout Service cruiser. The Maui. We'd fit inside her main gun like a pea in a straw."
"Any word from the station?"
"Yes, we have an approach, but they are directing us to the low port. And there is a Notice to Spacers with a traffic exclusion between the cruiser and the planetary surface."
Engel turned "Seeker? What do you make of this?"
She frowned "I don't know. They must be here at the Council's request, unless they had some sort of catastrophic failure."

He shook his head. This was like finding a friendly 400kg ridgehorn in your garden.

"OK, follow the approach they've given us. They know about Bright Sky?"
"Yes, we've flagged it as a prize vessel captured from raiders" Dyani supplied.
"Good. Give me a call when we are fifteen out from the atmosphere."
"Yessir."

Back in his cabin, he called the engine room.
"Sparks. Go" was the prompt reply.
"Sparks? Just a heads up, there's a scout cruiser in orbit."
"Which one?"
"The Maui. Does it matter?"
"Just asking. Did Seeker offer anything up?"
"No, she's as clueless as the rest of us."
Sparks hummed. "I guess we find out when we make planetfall."
"I guess so. Out."

Engel lay back down, and failed to get back to sleep. He lay there wondering what was going on for the next hour and a half.

"Captain, Bridge. We are fifteen minutes out."
"Thank-you." He scrubbed his face, and went forward again. Maybe they would have answers soon.

#SF #SFF #SciFi #SpaceOpera #Microfiction #Microfic #tootfic #ShamanSpace #IAmWriting

9 Months ago, Council Chambers, Horsebreeder Clan lands.

Joyful Finder stood after the immediate business had been dealt with. Since taking to space Clan Council meetings had become longer, and she knew everyone was tired. But this had to be raised, and if not now, then at the end of another meeting - when again, everyone would be tired.

"The Council hears Joyful Finder of the Horsebreeders" the chair announced.
"Thank-you", she paused and straightened before continuing "Although it is unlikely that Seeker will obtain the information she has been tasked with locating in this first tour, we must make plans for what we will do when the home of the raiders is found."
One of the elders from the Fisher Clan spoke up "I presume you have ideas, Joyful?"
She shook her head "Unfortunately, no. I have been studying the histories brought back from the Scouts' archives. They are extensive, and go back to before humans took to the stars. There are even hints of when our ancestors were taken from the human homeworld."
The same elder asked "But?"
Joy sighed. "But in all that time they have recorded only two instances where an invader successfully replaced the rulers of a land without causing resentment that took generations to resolve. And frequently never did."
The Forester Clan elder cleared his throat "So we do what they did."
"If only it were that simple. In both cases the lands in question had made open war against a coalition of other nations. After initial successes, they were beaten back, and then crushed absolutely. The coalitions then spent vast sums rebuilding the nations they had just defeated."
The Forester elder grunted "Seems simple enough then. It seems that things mostly match our circumstances."
"Except for one thing. In both cases the lands were subject to totalitarian and authoritarian rulers. We know nothing of how the raiders are ruled or the structure of their society."
"So why are you raising this?" that was the Fisher elder again.
"I am hoping the Council is wiser than a single ex-Scout, and can find a solution."

There was silence.

Several minutes passed, and various elders whispered to each other. Then one of the elders of Weaver Clan stood. "You present a problem to us, but you have already given us the solution."
Joy frowned in puzzlement "I have?"
"Indeed. Our first course of action is to learn what their society is. And you are our best resource there."
"I am?"
"I move to the council that Joyful Finder be charged with recruiting and training a Scout force, whose task will be to learn all there is about the raider society."

Around the chamber was a sound of agreement.

Joy swayed a little in shock, and then asked "May I seek aid from the Scouts themselves in this?"
The chair stood "That would be prudent. Despite the treaty."

Joy sat heavily, feeling her years. There was a mail ship expected in a few weeks. She'd have to write to the sector commander. Convincingly.

#SFF #SF #SciFi #microfic #tootfic #microfiction #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Shaman Space Part 5
14 months after leaving Mother of All. In final jump to Mother of All.

Sparks and Alaine were in the engine room checking over the engines before exiting jump. It had been a much busier jump than usual, as the Captain and Suri, the navigator, were bringing in the captured raider ship. At least, the crew hoped they were. Once they entered jump, there was no way of communicating or even locating the other ship.

"How are you and Seeker holding up?" Sparks asked, without looking up from the diagnostics display.
"One point five seven - what?"
"How are you and Seeker holding up? It was a pretty intense thing with that raider ship."
"We're" Alaine paused and started again "I'm still having some rough nights. I'm looking forward to meeting with a counsellor at Mother of All. Seeker says they are very good at dealing with trauma."
"And Seeker?"
"She's not as shaken up as the first time. Partly because of the first time, and partly because those people were her ancestral nemesis. But I think she's looking forward to some counselling as well."
"Good. How's that coil looking?"
"Uh, one point five seven above spec. Within acceptable limits."
"One point five seven? That's about as close to perfect as you could hope for."

The intercom chimed "Bridge to Engineering. Are we clear?" the voice of Engel the First Mate came from the grill next to the diagnostic station. Alaine glanced at Sparks who nodded.
"All clear bridge" he replied.
"All hands, all hands, stand by for re-entry into normal space."

Alaine watched as the jump engines collapsed their private universe around them, and dropped them back into normal space.
Engel's voice came over the intercom again "We are now in normal space. Resume duties."
"Reaction drives active" Alaine reported after checking his instruments.
"Confirmed. All systems online" Sparks responded as she did her own checks.
"Confirmed" Alaine replied.
"OK, off to the bridge with you, Alaine. I've got things here."

He nodded, and started to head forward. He paused at the hatch "Sparks?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for asking."
"No problem. We're as good as family on this ship. We look after each other."
"I know, but still, thanks."

Alaine continued forward to the bridge. Engel, Dyani, and Seeker were there.
"Any word from Bright Sky?" he asked as he entered.
Seeker looked up from the comms panel "Not yet, but they could be a few minutes away."
"I'm not picking up any other ships in the immediate area" Dyani added.

Seeker frowned "Hold on" she tweaked the gain control, and listened. There was a pause. "I have Bright Sky. She's about fifteen light minutes away. She came out just before us. Sending our position."
Engel looked back at Seeker "Are they OK?"
"Yes, yes, all systems nominal."
"OK, Alaine, calculate a rendezvous that we can make into an approach to Divesen Station. Dyani, stay on the scope for any trouble."
"On it" they both replied.

Seeker looked towards the distant sun. She was almost home. She had news.

#SFF #SF #SciFi #microfic #tootfic #microfiction #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Happy International Cat Day! Just received my first bad review on my book GOOSE CREEK HOLLER. Pretty harsh, and while I get where the reviewer is coming from, did he actually read the part about the other Southern delicacies consumed by the Appalachian family of Buchnells? It also starts with a "G". I think not, or he might have given a more favorable review and at least a one paw up. And it's hollar, not holler, Mr. Harrison. Sheesh, reviewers. #cats #cat #bookReview #reviews #review #mastodon #fediverse #books #booksky #bookstodon #book #humor #fun #caturday #saturday #goose #goosecreekholler #sophiajanehayden #novels #novel #Southern #Appalachia #Appalachian #mysteryThriller #mystery #writingCommunity #writing #writer #writers #scribesAndMakers #writingCommunity #reading #read #readersofmastodon #readingCommunity #readin2026 #felines #harrison #catskills #words #iamwriting

Six hundred years ago. Mother of All, Ironworker Clan lands.

The oldest of the histories talked of sky gods who could command up and down as easily as one could lift a hand. They flew in arrows of steel across the stars, and had brought people to this world.

Why? The histories did not say. Nor from where.

But today, steel arrows came from the sky. Within were not gods, but devils. More accurately, men, but they had the souls of devils.

They had ransacked the storehouses, taking food and pig iron. They had also raided families, taking the very youngest children with them.

There had been one attempt to stop them, but that had been met with a beam of fire from one of the arrows. Three houses were simply gone, nothing but a glowing pit remained.

Then the devils had returned to their arrows, and taken back to the skies. From there, they sent pillars of smoke that destroyed tracks and roads, cutting their valley off from aid.

And they were gone. Leaving loss and destruction behind them.

The speakers sent for help and warning to the other clans. And help would arrive quickly. They would need to excavate and hide shelters so that none would be stolen again. They would need food to get through the winter. And burnstone to restart the forges.

The speakers shared what they had learned from the minds of the raiders. They knew that their numbers were few. Which was why they stole children. There were too few of them for them to make families safely.

But strangest of all was the devils' language. A curious chaotic mess of a language. One that had no resemblance to the tongue of the people of the Mother of All.

The speakers would need to study it so that the devils could be understood.

But there was one thing that was understood: The devils would be back. And soon. But not to the Ironworkers Clan. Somewhere else.

So for now, preparation. Planning. And mourning those lost in fire, and those lost to the sky. For when those children returned - or more likely the children of those children, they would come as devils.

There was one final tragedy for the Ironworker Clan - least two of the taken were potentially speakers.

#SF #SFF #SciFi #SpaceOpera #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #ShamanSpace #IAmWriting

One hour after the disabling of Athena's launch. Aboard the raider controlled trade ship "Bright Sky".

Alaine checked over his shoulder as he approached the hatch leading to the crew compartment and the bridge. The wrecked launch hid the hatch leading to engineering. He hit the release, and it irised open. Ducking through he scanned the crew common area - no-one.

He checked the crew quarters. No-one.

Seeker was expecting someone in the engineering area, so that meant two or three people on the bridge. He swapped back to the two machine pistols.

The iris hatch to the bridge was closed, but still not locked. Their deception had worked. He pressed the hatch release, and it spun open.

Both people inside were standing, looking at a display. As they started to turn, he fired two long bursts. The plastic bullets shattered against the consoles, and against bones inside the two raiders.

They both dropped.

Alaine stood there, frozen. He had just killed four people. They had been trying to kill Joy and him. They had thought they had killed them.

But he had gunned them down without giving them any chance surrender.

He suddenly rushed to the nearest cabin and threw up from an empty stomach. Painfully, repeatedly.

He was still heaving into the head when he felt a hand on his back. And a touch in his mind. Seeker. Steadying him.

"We need to contact Athena, Alaine" she said softly.

He nodded. Gulped air, and flushed the head. She handed him some water, and he rinsed his mouth.

"Thank-you" he whispered.

Together they re-entered the bridge. Seeker crossed to the navigator's station, and after a moment Alaine took the pilot's seat.

Setting the frequency, he pressed the mic button "Athena, Athena, this is Athena Launch Actual. Launch fired on by rendezvous. Rendezvous now under our command. Over."
Several seconds passed.
"Athena Launch we registered two emergency beacons for a few seconds. Casualties? Over."
"Athena, no friendly casualties," he glanced at Seeker, who shook her head, "no hostile survivors. Over."
Again a pause.
"Activate beacon, and we will come alongside. ETA three hours. Over."
"Understood. Clear."

Seeker looked over at Alaine as he slumped back "Are the computers locked?"
He checked "No. Wide open."
"Can you get the coordinates of their next destination?"
Alaine frowned "Um, let's see.... Here they are."
"Please read them to me. Then save them somewhere."
Now very confused, he read them off. Then he saw her writing them down in a paper notebook. "Insurance" she explained.
He made a copy on his PDU as well.

What followed was a long three hours.

#SF #SFF #SciFi #SpaceOpera #microfic #microfiction #tootfic #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Six months prior to the disabling of Athena's launch, seven months out of Mother of All. In jump.

The ship's intercom pinged "Seeker to the Captain's cabin."
Seeker looked up from her PDU and over to Engle, the First Mate.
"Go", he nodded towards the hatch out of the hold.
Two minutes later Seeker knocked on the Captain's door.
"Come."
"Captain? You wanted to see me?" Seeker asked, her puzzlement clear.
"Sit," the Captain pointed to a chair and Seeker followed her order "Now," she continued "Engle and Sparks tell me that you have been neglecting your training.
"Captain!" Seeker protested "I have not! I've even started on Level 1 Navigation studies!"
"Seeker" the Captain cautioned, "you know what I mean. Your weapons training."
Seeker closed her eyes "Captain, I..." she started.
"You will report to Sparks at the start of each shift for thirty minutes target practice. That is an order."
It was a very subdued Joy that replied "Yes, Captain."
"Seeker, you know you have to get back on the beast. There will be simulated attackers. And innocents to protect. Thirty minutes a day. Understand?"
Seeker nodded.
"Dismissed. Back to cargo handling."
Seeker stood, nodded, and went out.

Alaine was standing in the passage at the far end. "Engle said you have the rest of the shift free now. Told me that you might need to talk."
Seeker stared for a moment, and then shook herself "Is the forward turret free?"
"I think so."
"Let's go there."

In the cramped space of the turret, with the blast doors open, looking out at the shifting colours of jumpspace, Seeker looked at Alaine. "The Captain has ordered me to start target practice. Says I have to get back on the horse."
"What would the counsellor have said?" Alaine asked in a low voice.
Joy paused in thought "She...she would have said the same thing, I think."
"So?"
"I guess they are right."
"Seeker, um," Alaine held out his arms, "May I?"
Seeker nodded, and Alaine hugged her lightly. After a few moments, her arms went around him tightly.
They stayed that way for some minutes.
"Thank-you Alaine" Seeker murmured over his shoulder.
"Any time."

The next morning, Sparks had a simple range set up with ring targets. Alaine was there too. Practicing with a survival pistol.

A week later, it was human silhouettes. Then they started moving.

Alaine was there every time. Just quietly practicing alongside her.

#SF #SFF #SciFi #SpaceOpera #microfic #microfiction #tootfic #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Twenty-five minutes after the disabling of Athena's launch. Two jumps out from Mother of All. Three hours from Athena.

Ten minutes before, they had pushed a pair of spare suits out the hole, emergency beacons running. Moments later the approaching raider had vapourised both.

Seeker and Alaine were now hiding under the floorplates of the tiny hold. They felt two thumps. Crew landing on the hull. A few minutes later there was a slight acceleration. Grappling lines pulling them aboard the raider. Gravity returned. They were aboard. Another few minutes, and they felt their suits slacken as the area they were in pressurised.

Seeker tapped Alaine's arm five times. And then twice. Seven crew. And two of them.

Footsteps. Seeker tapped three times. They listened as the three men discussed the crates, and then start shifting them. The footsteps receded.

Alaine slid the decking aside, they climbed out of the crawlspace, and then ducked behind the remaining crates.

The footsteps returned. Three figures entered the hold, headlamps illuminating the space. And providing targets.

Seeker fired her tiny crossbow first - the bolt striking the man in the throat. Alaine fired the survival pistol twice. Each time there was no bang, just a tiny hiss as the rocket propelled bullet flew across the space. As each hit there was a muffled pop as a second charge propelled a spray of metal shards into the chests of the other two men.

All three collapsed.

Seeker pointed at their side-arms, her face grim behind her faceplate. Alaine took two of the machine pistols and holstered his survival pistols. Seeker retrieved the third. But still reloaded her crossbow.

They exited the launch's hold into a large hold space. From the shape of it they could tell this was a fairly standard short-range trader.

Seeker went aft, towards the engineering space.

Alaine headed forward towards the bridge. As he did, he tucked one machine pistol into his belt, and drew one of the survival pistols. He had to get into the bridge before anyone knew what was happening. Or he would end up like the pirates who had tried to take the Athena.

#SF #SFF #SciFi #SpaceOpera #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Forty five years ago, Mother of All.

"Joyful Finder, please present your findings to the Council" the Council Herald instructed her.
Joy looked around the Council Chamber. Representative elders from all the clans were present. She handed a data unit to the Herald "Here is the full report."
"Do you have a summary to present?" the question was more an order.
"Yes, I do. Elders, I have been reviewing our records of the raiders, and reached some important conclusions. My processes and the full details are in my report, but here is my summary." She paused and took a deep breath.
"I believe from my review that there is little point in building warships to take on the raiders at this time - or a least not as a priority."
She could feel the frowns from around the chamber.
"The reason is simple - we are no longer regarded as a soft target. They will not come here. But cannot go to them either. And the reason for that is that we have never identified the location of their base planet. We know that it is within eight jumps - but that covers many systems, and many, many planets. And even finding a planet, it would be hard to find a hidden base."

A voice came from the darkness - Weaver Clan, maybe? "So we do nothing?"
"No, we continue to build in-system capability. But at some point, we send out scouts of our own. Not in their own ships, but with others, to collect stories and rumours. And maybe actual navigation data."
"That may take years."
"It will take us years to build the in-system capacity to justify visitors to take them."

A different voice - the Coal Digger representative - "And then?"
"Then we take ships we have kept ready and secret, and take the fight to them."

A third voice "And our people who have been raised by them? And their families?"
"That" Joy's tone was muted "Is a decision for the Council."
"You might be on the Council by then."
"Then I hope to be wise enough to make the right choice then."

#SF #SFF #SciFi #SpaceOpera #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Shaman Space Part 4
13 months after leaving Mother of All, two jumps out from returning.

Alaine was in the pilot's seat of the tiny launch as it flew towards the cargo handover. In the hold behind him they had stripped out the seating, and it was filled with cargo pods. In them was an assortment of drive parts and agricultural equipment.

Next to him was Seeker, who had been assigned to collect the payment.

He looked over the instruments and then turned to Seeker "We're thirty minutes out. Looking forward to visiting home?"
She grinned back - it was good to see her smile, there had been a few months where those had been few and far between - and made a 'so-so' gesture "Kind of? I miss my family, but there is something special about being out here. I - ".

A light blinked "Hold on to that thought." he interrupted, "Athena Bravo, go."
There was no reply.
He frowned "That's odd. I had a call ping, but they haven't responded. Bright Sky, this is Athena Bravo, go ahead."

Seeker cut in, her voice low "Turn, turn now!" As she spoke, she slid the helmet onto her shipsuit.

Alaine did not ask why. He hit the roll and yaw controls, and swung the little boat around. As he did so, there was a roaring sound from the rear of the boat, and the lights went out.

As soon as they lost power, he rammed his helmet into place. Through it he could hear air hissing out from some damaged part of the launch.

He rested his helmet against Seeker's "OK, what happened?" he asked.
"I felt a probe - like someone was trying to see who was here. And if Bright Sky was not from Mother of All, the only other people it could be was the raiders."

"So now they know you're here?"
"No, I know how to shield myself. But they would know you were here."

Alaine thought for a moment "Give me a sec - I'll tank what air we have left. Then blow the cargo hatch. They'll think it is a secondary explosion."

Seeker unstrapped, moved over to the cargo controls, and hooked herself in. A couple of minutes later Alaine gave a thumbs up, and she hit the emergency release. They both felt a small thump, and the door sailed off into space.

Alaine grabbed the two survival pistols from the seat-packs before floating over, hooking in, and looking out. As the wreck tumbled slowly he caught a look at the other ship, which had clearly been manoeuvring towards them. It looked like a standard short-range trader - half the size of Athena. Normal crew was less than a half dozen.

He rested his helmet against hers again "Normal crew is 4-5, but they may have up to 10. What's the plan?"
"Do you remember my lessons about hiding your thoughts?" her voice echoed oddly.
"Yeah, I'm not that great at it, remember?"
"Do it well now. We are going to have to take that ship. Intact."
He stared at her "The two of us?"
"Yes. They will have nav records. We can find the raiders' base. Hide your thoughts. We hide for now."

#SF #SFF #SciFi #SpaceOpera #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Four months and eight days after leaving "Mother of All". At Hiiliteräs High Port.

The Captain had called everyone into the mess for a meeting. It was a little cramped, but they all fit.

"Alright everyone, I'm back from the inquest. They are accepting our version of events, and the surviving hijacker is being charged with attempted piracy. In this system that is 25 years, no parole."
There were nods around the room at that.
"Further," she continued, "the system has sent word back to Silver notifying them, and sending an invoice for repatriation of the other hijacker. Seeker?"
"Yes, Captain?" Seeker's voice was unusually subdued.
"The inquest has found you acted appropriately. I am adding a note to your file that you have been combat tested, and reacted with appropriate force. On a personal note, you almost certainly saved lives. Thank-you."
"Captain - "
"I am recommending you for a one week post-combat counselling course here on-station. The ship will cover it."
"Yes Captain," she spoke softly, and started to retreat to the back of the mess, head held low.
"One question, Seeker."
"Yes Captain?"
"I know you've been scanning everyone who comes aboard. How did they get past you?"
"There are some people, Captain, who can just block a casual scan. But in this case they had a device. Our scientists have discussed the possibility of one, but this is the first I've actually seen that can block a scan completely."
"How did you find it?"
"Dyani did. When she took everything from the", her voice hitched, "the survivor, it included a hair ornament. As soon as it was taken, I could hear him. I thought she told you."
The Captain turned, "Dyani?"
"I thought Seeker had told you" the gunner replied.

The Captain shook her head, "Always double check who has passed on what, OK?"
"Yes Captain" the three junior members of the crew said together.

"Now, do we have two of them?"
"Yes Captain" Dyani replied.
"Good. Hand one over to Sparks. Sparks?"
"Yes, Captain?"
"Figure out how to make more. I am certain that the folks back on Mother of All will want to know how to make one."
"Aye!"
"Back to your duties. Alaine, Seeker stay put."

The crew dispersed to their duties. Alaine and Seeker waited.

The Captain looked at them both. "Seeker, you are relieved of duties until you have completed the counselling." She started to object, but the Captain rolled over her, "Alaine? Your job is to make sure she goes. You will escort her to the session, and escort her back."
"Yes, Captain."
The Captain turned back to Seeker "It is not that I don't trust you, but things like this get under your skin, and make you think of doing all sorts of stupid things. After your first couple of sessions, have a talk to Sparks. She knows."
Alaine straightened up "I'll make sure, Captain."
The Captain looked them over "I'm certain you will. You've both got a map on your PDUs. The first appointment is in one hour."

#SF #SFF #SciFi #Tootfic #Microfiction #Microfic #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Two hundred and fifty five years ago:

Lorn looked out at the conclave of clan elders, all in their distinctive clan finery. And the scattered shamans amongst them, all in black.

Finder detached herself from the mass, and leaned against Lorn "A sight isn't it?"
"You have no conflicts between the clans?"
"Many! All the time!" Finder grinned at the stranded explorer "But that is what we are for. We are members of our clans, but we also mediate between the clans. It can be a bit tiring sometimes."
"But what about conflicts of interests?"
"Simple! If the conflict is between the Copper Diggers and the Horse Clans, a sender and listener from maybe the River Clan would mediate."
"So the clans never fight?"
"Some clan members might fight, until a sender puts them in their place, but no, the clans do not fight."
Lorn looked at her friend, "So you are pacifists?"
"Amongst ourselves," Finder paused "But if we have the chance to strike at the raiders, we take it. That is a rare event, and their weapons can be a devastating reprisal."

"Crime?"
"Oh, it happens. Jealousy, greed, all the rest, we have them all. And there are not so many of us that we can be everywhere."
"But you hunt them down."
"Hence my name. Finder of Unnoticed Details."
"One part diplomat, one part detective?"
"And one part psychologist. And a bit of relationship councillor as well," Finder added.
"But what happens when one of you has the problem?" Lorn wondered.
"Then we find them, and do what we can to heal them. But, as with all people, sometimes that can be hard. Even with our gifts."

Lorn looked out at the conclave again.

Finder gave her a hug from the side, grabbed her hand and dragged her forward "Come, let me introduce you! You can tell us of your people,."

#SF #SFF #SciFi #Tootfic #Microfiction #Microfic #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Two months after leaving "Mother of All", in jump.

Seeker was in the mess when Alaine got off duty from the engine room. She was hunched over her PDU, with an actual paper notebook next to her.

"Hi there" he greeted her.
"Mmmph" was the distracted reply.

He shrugged, and grabbed a tray from the rack, and added hot water to it. Waiting for the meal to rehydrate, he tried again. "How is it going, Seeker?"
"Mmm"
OK, time for the big guns "There's a space whale looking for the telepath making all the noise."
"Mmm? They can sod off."

OK, she was well and truely gone. He stuck the tray onto the induction element, and brought it back up to full heat, and then carefully carried it over and started eating. Some sort of noodle sheet interleaved with a sauce. Not bad.

He was about half way through when Seeker suddenly looked up.
"Alaine? Who enforces contracts that span systems?"
"Ah. You're studying trader contracts?"
"Yes. And nowhere does it say anything about what happens if you break a contract, it makes no sense!" she complained.
"Right. Well. It depends. If the contract is with one of the interstellar banks or one of the big conglomerates, they will enforce it themselves by sending breach notices to any system in range, along with a bounty. Further, they will notify the Trade Board, who will issue a blackball notice against the ship and crew."
"What is to stop one of them just doing that to someone they don't like?"
"That's the second level of things. Any trader, big or small, lives by their reputation. If you break a contract, the person or group you cheated will tell everyone about your despicable behaviour, and very quickly no-one will let you trade. Sometimes even down to not selling fuel."
"So a big conglomerate picking on someone?"
"Word would get out that it was a setup or tarjob, and the big boy would be out of business very fast."
"So it all just runs on reputation?"
"Pretty much. Naturally there are still con men out there, but eventually they get caught."
"So is there an actual government?"
"Kind of. There is a thing called the Confederation, that many systems belong to, but it has no real power, and mainly offers individual planets something to blame for whatever. The Scouts, the Trade Board, the other bureaucracies, they all run independently of the Confederation."

Seeker shook her head slowly "Smoke and mirrors. It is all just smoke and mirrors."
Alaine grinned "Yep, but as long as everyone pretends not to look behind the curtain, it works."

#SF #SFF #SciFi #Tootfic #Microfiction #Microfic #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Three months, two weeks and one hour after departing "Mother of All". Low port, planet "Brass".

The crew were making the most of the banquet that the Captain had put on.

Being stuck in a closed environment for over a week at a time, and often not being able to obtain fresh food at the ports - especially the high ports in orbit - meant that they had a somewhat different view of what constituted a banquet to planet dwellers.

Plates of exotic fresh vegetables accompanied by dips were a popular starting point. The crunch of the sticks of green, red, and purple was suddenly interrupted by gasps of surprise as the rich umami flavours of the vegetables washed across the crew's mouths.

Dyani looked at the purple stick in her hand and sniffed it. A faint earthiness greeted her nose. She bit into it again, and the snap of the vegetable gave way to a bold meatiness. She looked over at Engel "Sir? How well do these preserve?"

He grinned "Sadly, not very well at all. Not even flash freezing. It does mean that Brass makes a pretty penny out of food tourism, though."

Everyone started sampling all the other offerings - the meat filled pastries, redolent with a spice that seemed to combine cinnamon with pepper proved to be sweet, like spiced tarts.

The bowls of berries, to the surprise of all, tasted just as they appeared - like small sharp, sweet, fruit.

The breads had a trick hidden under their crusts, though. Although they steamed and broke like a normal bread, in the mouth they cooled and dissolved like mist, with even the crust disintegrating before it could be chewed, leaving a cool creamy taste behind.

There were no leftovers.

#SF #SFF #SciFi #Tootfic #Microfiction #Microfic #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

One month after leaving "Mother of All", in jump.

Alaine finished his breakfast unexpectedly alone. Normally Seeker would be on the same shift cycle, and they would share meals. He made his way aft, heading for the engine room and another lesson from Sparks.

He reached the airlock to the main hold, checked that the telltales were double green, and opened both doors. As the second door opened, he heard Seeker call out "Hold!" and then after a moment "Clear, come on in!"

"Missed you at breakfast," he said entering the hold. Down the length of it there was a corridor between the shipping containers and pallets. Except at the far end was a wall of compressed fibre pallets, and a target.

Seeker turned around "Sorry, I really needed to get in some practice."
Alaine then saw the strange device in her left hand. It was a short framework, with a grip in the middle and a complex system of pulleys and cords at either end. Then he saw the long rod in her right hand an realized that it was some sort of bow.
"You are combat trained?"
"Grandmama and Charlie made sure of it. Plus there is a tradition in the family of archery. Lorn became an expert hunter after she was stranded."

"That looks a little clumsy in a fight shipboard," Alaine frowned.
"The arrows will go through light armour."
"Still tricky to carry around."

Seeker put the arrow back into a quiver by her hip, and opened a pocket on her ship suit. "That's what this is for." In her hand was a miniature version of the bow, barely a handspan across. "This won't go through armour, but it will take out a faceplate at ten metres.
Alaine shook his head "OK, that is scary."
Seeker grinned "Thank-you!"

They heard the far hatch open "Alaine, you out there" Sparks called.
"Yes, Sparks, coming!", he started down the corridor, and called over his shoulder "Don't shoot me in the back!"
Seeker laughed "If I do shoot you, you'll see it coming! After all, you are a friend!"

#SF #SFF #SciFi #Tootfic #Microfiction #Microfic #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Three months and two weeks after departing 'Mother of All'. Low port, planet Brass.

Alaine stepped through the main hatch into Athena, and was immediately showered with beer.
The Captain stepped forward, and shook his hand "Well done, Alaine!" she congratulated him, "you not only passed, you passed with honours! You are now a certified Class 2 Pilot! You know what that means?"
Alaine looked puzzled "No Captain, what?"
"You are now stuck with all the boat handling duties."
"Yes, Captain." Although it was going to be an extra responsibility, it was one Alaine was looking forward to. As pilot of the small shuttle, it would mean that he would be in command of it. Effectively Captain. Albeit of a tiny in-system boat, but still, it was a command of sorts.

Sparks shoved a bottle of soda water into his hand "Get ready!"
Alaine turned back to the hatch just in time to see Seeker enter. He shook his bottle and popped the lid open, spraying her with soda water.

After the shower subsided, the Captain stepped forward "Congratulations Kid! You passed both exams with honours. You are now a Class 1 Cargo Handler, and have a Class 1 Contract Drafting certificate."
"Thank-you Captain. But, please, that was soda. So why does it smell of beer in here?"
"That was for me," Alaine explained, "Soda for Class 1, Beer for Class 2 and Class 3, and sparkling wine for Class 4 and above." Sparks pressed two bottles of beer into Alaine's hands, and he handed one to Seeker.

Dyani stepped aboard, and was also showered with beer. "Congratulations Dyani!" the Captain said stepping forward "You passed your Class 2 Navigation certificate. Only just, mind, but you passed. Well done!"
"Thank-you Captain. I'll make sure I keep studying."
"Good to hear. Alright, Sparks! Engel! Clean up in here. You three piles of soggy fabric, go get cleaned up, and join us in the mess. 10 minutes."
All five chorused "Yes Captain!"

Ten minutes later the entire crew was in the mess, where the Captain had obtained some high-end fresh food from the local suppliers. "Right. I'm not going to give a speech. Dig in. Everyone is off duty until first shift tomorrow." The crew cheered, and dug in. Food prepared by actual cooks from fresh supplies was a rare treat, and one none of them was going to pass up - especially if the Captain was paying.

#SF #SFF #SciFi #Tootfic #Microfiction #Microfic #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Three days after departure from "Mother of All", in jump.

Alaine was in the crew mess working on the calculations for a piloting assignment. Yes, the computers could run them in a fraction of a second, and him doing them manually with only an offline calculator to help would take days, but if the computers were offline for some reason, it would be down to the crew.

He was part way through the jump field spread compensation, when there was a thump into the chair next to him. He looked up to see a very frazzled looking Seeker.

Seeing she had his attention, "I don't think the First Mate likes me."
Alaine frowned "What makes you say that?"
"He's had me recalculate the current load by hand twice today. And yesterday he had me shift half the cargo from the back from the hold to the front. This afternoon he wants me to move it back!"
Alaine relaxed "He doesn't hate you. He had me do that too. Just work through it."
"But why? What's the point?"
"Ask me again just before we transition out."
"Is this some sort of 'but it is good for you' thing?"
"Look at what I'm doing. I'm doing jump calculations by hand. Need to be able to do it for my Stage 3 pilot certification."
"What is that?"
"That's co-pilot on jump. Stage 4 is primary on jump. Stage 5 is solo."
"And you're Stage 2? What is that?"
"Nope, I'm only Stage 1. Co-pilot on in-system. I'm studying Stage 2. But it takes a lot to learn the jump calculations, so I'm getting a head start."
Seeker studied him for a few moments "Do any of you ever take breaks?"
"Sure! That's what sleeping is for."

Seeker looked at him in horror, then Alaine laughed "No, we do take breaks. Really."
Skeeker glared at him, and he held up his hands and continued "We get two days off each jump, plus shore leave when possible. We try to synchronise things so half the crew is off at a time."
"What do you do?"
"Well, in jump we try to fit in a movie to watch as a group. Read, play board games, argue about movies, books, actors, the usual."

Seeker glanced at the time, and Alaine checked it as well "Well, you better get some food into you. You're back in the hold in 20" he pointed to the store of prepared meals.
"And you?" she asked.
"I'm back in engineering in an hour. so I'd better get as far as I can in this calculation."

And with that he returned to his PDU.

#SF #SFF #SciFi #Microfiction #Microfic #Tootfic #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Shaman Space Part 3.

Three months after departure from "Mother of All":

Seeker announced the ship to the SPC, "Grenfeld Low this is Athena on final approach."
"Athena this is Grenfeld Low, you are clear to land, please follow beacon drone 114 to Pad D."
"Understood Grenfeld Low, locking onto beacon drone 114."
Seeker set the ship's approach lock to the beacon.
"Grenfeld Low, we are locked."
"Very good Athena." There was a pause, then Seeker heard a proximity alarm. "Athena! Grenfeld! Athena! We have an uncontrolled cargo pod intersecting your vector, break off! I say again, break off!"
Seeker cut the approach lock, and started a port turn.

There was a flash, and then blackness.

Seeker took the sim helmet off. Alaine was watching her. "Stupid cargo pod got me" she complained.
"I remember that one. You have to go right back to get past it," Alaine sympathised.
"How far?"
"When you try it again, look to your medium scans. That's all the clues I'm giving you for now."
Seeker glared at him. He grinned back. "Hey, it took me six goes for that one."
She shook her head "These training courses are cursed!"
"Yeah, they are. But they are what will save your life out here. Just like the drills."
"Funny, I always thought they would be something for the military or corporations."
"There might be some independents who don't do them. But those ones have their luck run out. Same as anyone who misses too many overhauls."
Seeker looked thoughtful. He continued "If it had not been for the drills, we would not have lasted as long as we had against that pirate ship. As it was if your patrol boat had not been there, we were not going to make it."
"Glad we could help out."

The intercom beeped "All hands, all hands, stand by for re-entry into normal space."
A moment later Seeker said "There!"
"We are now in normal space. Resume duties" and the intercom clicked off.
Alaine looked at Seeker "I don't know if you really can feel it, or if you are having me on."
"I feel something. Every time, in either direction."
"I know there are some people it makes sick. But I've never heard of someone who can just tell."
Seeker shrugged "When we get home, we'll have to ask great-grandmama. Maybe it is a thing."
"OK, my turn with the sim. I've got an exam coming up at our next port. All going well I'll get my stage two piloting cert."
"That's solo non-hyper, right?"
"Yep." Alaine's voice was muffled as the helmet slid on, and he pulled on the haptic gloves.
"Good luck," Seeker called loudly. Alaine did not respond, his ears must have already been plugged.

#SF #SFF #Microfic #Microfiction #Tootfic #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Six hours after meeting the Captain:

The ship's intercom beeped and Engel's voice announced "All hands to the mess, all hands to the mess. All crew meeting in five minutes."

Just under five minutes later everyone was in the mess. The Captain cleared her throat loudly, and everyone shut up.

"Right. As you all know, we are being required to take on an extra crew member. This is Seeker of Hidden Truths. Or simply Seeker. She will be working with the trade section mostly, and studying to get certified. She is also going to be gathering information for this world's council, in much the same way that the Scouts do for the Confederation. In return, the Council have agreed to provide annual servicing of the ship and clearance for shore leave when we visit."

Engel stepped up "Seeker has her secrets, as we all do. If she chooses to share them with someone, that is her business, and I expect you all to keep her confidences as you would for any other crew member. Seeker? Do you have anything to add?"

"Thank-you. I am not fully familiar with your customs, but I am a quick study, as my great-grand parents taught me much about being a Scout. I am not a very technical person by nature, so I expect to be studying a lot over the next few months. I look forward to being a productive member of the crew."

Engel looked around "OK. The work crews say they will be finished in two days. They are pulling out all stops to get us moving. With luck, we will still make it to the trade fair. Dismissed. " He looked over to Seeker, "Kid? You're with me."
"Yes sir!"
"Good. You understand."
"Alaine warned me."
"Don't be angry when he calls you 'Kid' as well."
Seeker nodded "Until I prove myself. Yessir."

He guided Seeker to a storeroom, and got out a PDU, and handed it to her after making a note on his own. "This is yours. You will have a bunch of coursework options listed shortly. For now, there is a bunch of administration for you to deal with. Grab a seat in the galley and get it completed."
"OK, Sir. And then?"
"Then find me in the hold. Get to it."
"Yessir!"

---- End Part 2 ----

#SFF #SF #SciFi #microfic #tootfic #microfiction #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Fifty years ago:

Joyful Finder stood in front of the council. She was still wearing her Scout uniform, rather than the traditional black, and next to her stood Charlie. They were obviously nervous - Joy was nervous too.

An elder of the Copper Diggers spoke "You have returned to us from the stars. And you have brought another."
"Respectfully, Elder, Charlie brought themselves. They had word that I was leaving the Scouts, and came after me."
The elder nodded, acknowledging the correction, "So, what news have you brought to us from the stars?"
"The confederation continues, as do the various offices and boards. There are hints of threats from outside, but the greater threats are from within."
"How long?"
"There is no urgency. It is likely to be many generations before there is a significant breakdown. And much depends on outside threats. An outside force may galvanise and stabilise the confederation."
"This is the conclusion of the Scouts?"
"It is my conclusion from the Scouts' reports," Joy wanted this to be clear. She doubted many Scouts fully understood the significance of the intelligence briefings. It was likely that even some of the people responsible for the briefings did not understand the greater significance.
"And the ships you have both arrived in?"
"They are our own, after a fashion. We remain subject to reactivation by the Scouts."

The elder turned their attention to Charlie. "And you. You intend to settle here. To become part of Joyful Finder's clan?"
"If she will have me."
"Good answer. Are your superiors aware?"
"Yes, I filled in the appropriate paperwork, and filed it before setting off. I was lucky to catch up."

Turning back to Joy "And maintenance of your ships?"
"We have sufficient here to perform it. Especially with the plans and educational materials I have brought with me. We need not ever fear raiders again. Not when we can build our own ships."
"How long?"
"I see we already have small satellites and aircraft. Less than ten years to build the first, if we have the dedication."
"And to ships that can take on the raiders?"
"Less than twenty. And starships too."

With that the audience was over.

Charlie sagged against Joy as they stepped outside. "That was intense."
"It is not over, Charlie."
"What now?" they almost whined.
"Now you get to meet my parents."

Charlie gulped, and wondered if they could go back to the Elders.
Dives Swiftly, Joy's hunting bird and (in Dive's opinion) surrogate parent, appeared from the sky, and landed with a thump on Charlie's shoulder. She started preening Charlies' hair.

"Don't worry too much - Dives approves of you. Mother and Father will like you" Joy grinned.

#SFF #SF #SciFi #microfic #tootfic #microfiction #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Two hours after meeting Seeker:

Alaine knocked on the Captain's door, "Captain, it's Alaine. I have Seeker with me."
"Is it urgent?"
"No, but it is important, Captain."
"Meet me on the bridge in thirty."
"Yes Captain"

Seeker giggled, and Alaine's head snapped around at the unexpected sound to see her composing her face into one that was innocent of any expression. She shooed him towards the bridge. Once they were there, she closed the hatch.

Alaine frowned at her "What was all that?"
Seeker suddenly grinned "Your - our - captain sounded just like great-grandmama when she is with great-grand-Charlie. We interrupted them."
Alaine blushed "And you didn't..."
"No, never amongst friends or family without permission, remember? I've heard that exact tone of voice before, that is all."
"I wonder..." Alaine began.
"None of our business, is it?" Seeker cut him off.
"I guess not," he paused, "Wait! You've interrupted your great-grand parents, but not your parents?"
"My mother raised me on her own, and has never taken a lover. My grand parents died in an air crash. So it has really only been mother and the great-grands."
"I'm sorry."
Seeker smiled sadly and shrugged "I never really knew them, but I know Mother misses them."
"Is your mother like you?"
"Yes, our family has always had at least one in a generation. According to great-grandmama the genetics are uncommonly dominant for us."

Alaine sat digesting this for a time. Then Seeker giggled again, causing him to look up. She held up her hands, explaining "Your expression, that is all. I have seen exactly that expression in old photographs of my ancestor Lorn."
"What?"
"In her private diaries, her partner, Finder, included some photographs that she had taken with Lorn's logger, and Lorn had arranged to have printed. One of the things about Lorn was that she never stopped thinking. You had exactly the same expression."

The bridge hatch opened, and the Captain stepped in. Alaine immediately stood, and Seeker copied him.

"Alright Alaine, what is so important?" her voice just short of scolding.
"Captain, I know why Seeker said what she said when she presented us to the Council."
"Go on," her tone shifting to one of cautious curiosity.
"Captain, you've seen some of the people here wearing all black? It is a symbol. The Scouts call them Shamans. But really, they are something else."
Seeker cut in "Captain, I can project my thoughts, and read those of others. To a certain degree. And, amongst friends or family, only with permission. Or crew mates."

The Captain looked at Alaine.
"Captain, it is all in here," he held up the book "This is the history of the Scouts' involvement here. Starting with one who was shot down by raiders. An ancestor of Seeker."
"Why tell us now, Seeker?"
"Because Alaine worked it out. Until someone did, I was bound to silence."

#SFF #SF #SciFi #microfic #tootfic #microfiction #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Two hundred and fifty four years ago:

Lorn snuggled closer to Finder. Outside their tent, there was a light snow falling, illuminated by the two moons, and visible through the open flap.

"Love, what is on your mind?" Finder whispered, not wanting to break the quiet of snow.
"The raiders, I'm afraid."
"What about them?"
"You've said that they can sense unshielded minds," Lorn was also keeping her voice low.
"Yes, They have mind workers in their number."
"How?"
"That is our greatest shame. In their early raids, they stole children from us - toddlers. Some of those were potential mind workers."
"And they raised them as their own?"
Finder nodded.
"They could not do that aboard a single ship. They must have a base somewhere."
"If they do, it is out of our reach.
"And if you do fight them, some of who you fight would be descendants of your own people."
"Sadly, yes. These are dark topics for a beautiful night."
"Sorry, Finder. My mind..."
"I know, love. It almost never stops." Finder reached over and closed the tent flap "It is nothing we can do anything about at this time. Let me bring you some quiet."
"I think quiet is going to be the very last thing in here," Lorn smiled in the dark, pushing the dark history she had just learned aside.

Three years later the raiders returned. But so did a Scout cruiser. And that had much bigger teeth.

#SFF #SF #SciFi #microfic #tootfic #microfiction #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

Six hours after:
Alaine finally put down the book, and looked back at the notes he had been taking.

Starting with Lorn two hundred and sixty odd years ago, there had been a tiny but constant immigration of Scouts to this world. Every ten or twenty years one would simply stay. Up until Joyful Finder's departure and return with her partner, Charlie. Since then, no-one.

But still he had questions. How had Finder of Unnoticed Details known about Lorn during her crash? How had Joyful Finder's hunting bird known how to pull a circuit breaker on an unfamiliar ship?

He wrote up a summary of what he had learned, and forwarded it to both the Captain and Engel. After a moment, he also sent a copy to Dyani.

Then he got up, and went looking for Seeker.

He found her in the number one turret, it had space for two people, but was usually operated remotely from the bridge. Turrets were often targets and crew were harder to replace than equipment.

Seeker had the blast armour open, with the armoured glass exposed. This was used when sighting in targeting cameras, or during weapon tests. Or when a member of the crew wanted to look at open space.

"Alaine, how nice of you to join me. It is a remarkable sight, is it not?" Seeker, as usual, seemed like she had a hidden joke going on.
"Seeker, um, yes, it is. We don't often get to look down on a planet like this."
"But that's not why you are here, is it?"
"No. It was my expression, wasn't it?" He had been trying to work out what things she was picking up on with her "deductions".
"Mostly, yes. You have a question for me?"
"A couple actually. First, though, is the black dress. The Archivist was wearing something similar, as were a few of the Council. What does it mean?"
Seeker's air of humour dropped. "That is a very deep question Mister Haughton." She had never used that name with him before. Had he gone too far? But then she continued "It is a difficult one to answer as well, as what we are does not translate well into Standard. I understand the Scouts usually translate our status as 'Shaman', although that is rather misleading. I suppose you could call us 'conduits'."

Alaine was silent for several minutes. "I think I begin to understand," he said finally, "Although it sounds insane to actually ask it."
Seeker looked back from the view of the planet, and stared at him. "Ask the second question" she commanded.
Alaine gulped, and then pressed on "Seeker, can you read minds and send your thoughts?"

She regarded him steadily for a few moments "Yes. All of our people learn how to shield our minds, but only a few can sense and send. Hence 'conduits'".
"Have you been reading our minds?"
"Not since making myself one of your crew. It is rude to pry into the mind of a friend without permission."

Alaine slumped into the gunner's couch. "So why tell me now?"
"Because you learned enough to ask. That is what I was waiting for."

#SFF #SF #SciFi #microfic #tootfic #microfiction #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace

I was sitting on the bank of a river watching the mist, when a football suddenly splashed into the water just in front of me. The spray got me, so it had clearly come from the river direction.

"Your ball's over here!" I yelled into the mist. No answer. So after a few moments I threw it back into the mist, as hard as I could.

I heard it hit the water with a splash, and then there was a much larger splash, followed by several more. A few seconds later the ball came sailing back. This time I caught it.

Studying it, it looked like it had been floating in the water a while, with a smear of algae on one side. I threw it back again. Again the splash of the ball and then other louder splashes. The ball came back again.

I kept this up for a while, but then my arm got tired, and I sat down.

Looking into the mist, I thought I saw something, but then nothing - just the curling wisps.

Then, right in front of me, a tall neck rose out of the river, a small head on top of it looked down at me, and then the neck bent down until the head was level with mine. It looked at the ball, then out to the river, and then at me. And did it again.

I shook my head. "Sorry, I'm tuckered out."

After a few moments the neck slid back into the water until just the head was showing, resting on the bank, staring at the ball.

I rolled it down the bank to it, and it headbutted it back to me. It was content to play like this for a while. Then I heard a fishing boat chugging downstream.

The creature grabbed the ball, and vanished underwater.

After a few minutes, I got up and walked back to the B&B we were staying at.

As I walked in, Charlie looked up from her book. "How was the River Ness?"

"Misty, and living up to its name."

Charlie raised an elegant eyebrow at me.

"I played fetch with the monster for a while. It has a soccer ball."

Charlie got up and sniffed me, then traced a couple of runes on my forehead.

"Huh."

"Told you."

She shook her head "Yes, you did my love. You did. But I was not going to rule out you having me on."

"Fair. How about we go into town for breakfast?"

"That sounds lovely."

#CharlieAndToby #SF #SFF #UrbanFantasy #Nessie #microfiction #tootfic #microfic #IAmWriting

Despite all the tourist literature, the original stories have the monster in the river, not the loch.

Recently, I've been writing about theoretical concepts of intelligence and IQ tests. I have a love-hate relationship with IQ scores. On the one hand, the scoring data can provide some interesting insight about a student's learning profile. But, on the other hand, the tests are so problematic. /1

#writing #IAmWriting #gtchat #GiftedEducation #IQTest #ActuallyAutistic #SYWEC

#iamwriting #AmWritng Just finished translating my short story. FREE English version available here:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/d98zrtuub3
GRATUIT Version française *La Muse* disponible ici:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/wgokioj71v

Inspiration comes in many guises. I was not happy with a particular chapter of my WIP. Locked into an MRI scanner, I finished it in my head. Now it's safely on my laptop, I am wondering where the next idea will germinate.
#AmWritng #iamwriting

Realisation that she hated him dawned slowly. If he didn't put spent matches back in the box, it might never have happened.
#writing #AmWritng #iamwriting