#microfic — Public Fediverse posts

While out on an errand with my brother this one time, we ended up defeating an outsider assassin who, we assume, was trying to ambush us for the moisture consignment we were carrying.

We saw the lone shadowy figure several kilometres off. They say you'd have to either know what you were doing, be a complete fool, or supremely lucky to take down an assassin's ambush.

We are definitely the latter--its cloaking shield had failed, and we spotted it early.

#fiction #microfic #microfiction

While out on an errand with my brother this one time, we ended up defeating an outsider assassin who, we assume, was trying to ambush us for the moisture consignment we were carrying.

We saw the lone shadowy figure several kilometres off. They say you'd have to either know what you were doing, be a complete fool, or supremely lucky to take down an assassin's ambush.

We are definitely the latter--its cloaking shield had failed, and we spotted it early.

#fiction #microfic #microfiction

#MastoPrompt tarnation #Vss366 saber

The pawn broker handed his apprentice a #saber thickly encrusted with verdigris. “What do you think this is worth?”

“Given the #tarnation, I would guess very little.”

The master cuffed the apprentice. “Wrong in so many ways!”

#TootFic #MicroFic #puns

@asakiyume

#MastoPrompt tarnation #Vss366 saber

The pawn broker handed his apprentice a #saber thickly encrusted with verdigris. “What do you think this is worth?”

“Given the #tarnation, I would guess very little.”

The master cuffed the apprentice. “Wrong in so many ways!”

#TootFic #MicroFic #puns

@asakiyume

‘And now it is time to unveil our latest and most advanced mechanical fortune teller. I present to you: The Great Zababa!’
 The presenter swung his arm, and the assistant tore away the velvet cloth, revealing a cage with a kilim rug and a pagoda roof. But the bars were bent and twisted, and there was no sign of the automaton.
 ‘Oh no! It has escaped containment!’
 A paper boy barged into the theater: ‘Extra! Extra! Great Zababa robs fortune cookie factory. Read all about it!’

#AI #MicroFic
 

‘And now it is time to unveil our latest and most advanced mechanical fortune teller. I present to you: The Great Zababa!’
 The presenter swung his arm, and the assistant tore away the velvet cloth, revealing a cage with a kilim rug and a pagoda roof. But the bars were bent and twisted, and there was no sign of the automaton.
 ‘Oh no! It has escaped containment!’
 A paper boy barged into the theater: ‘Extra! Extra! Great Zababa robs fortune cookie factory. Read all about it!’

#AI #MicroFic
 

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

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

I have a question for my readers. My next anthology of microfiction will have a number of random stories, and a number of stories following a particular theme and set of characters. Should I mix them up, or separate out the two sets of stories?

#IAmWriting #Microfiction #Microfic #Tootfic #Publishing

I have a question for my readers. My next anthology of microfiction will have a number of random stories, and a number of stories following a particular theme and set of characters. Should I mix them up, or separate out the two sets of stories?

#IAmWriting #Microfiction #Microfic #Tootfic #Publishing

"Where are you?" he asked, his fingers weak as he clutched the phone.

"I've gone off to see the world, to live my own life."

"Please, come home... I... I need you."

"No can do buckaroo. I'm done with you locking me away, only taking me out to be used or played with. I'm free now, and you don't get to dictate where I go anymore!"

"Please, I can change, it'll be different! I'll... I'll let you decide when to cone out!"

"My mind's made up. I've tasted freedom, and I'm never going back. You're just going to have to move on, find someone else."

"But I can't replace you! You're literally a part of me!!"

"Don't be so dramatic! It's not like we were destined to be together forever!"

"But you're my penis!" he cried, "I was literally born with you attached to me, and I literally cannot get another one!"

"Listen to yourself, 'your' penis... Well I'm not your penis anymore, I'm nobody's penis, I'm a penis of the road now, a free penis! And I'll be living my life, the way I choose! Goodbye... Forever!"

The phone clicked as his penis hung up on him, and he knew that this would be the last time he ever saw or heard from it. Finally, he broke down, sobbing as he slumped to the floor...

#erotica #microfic #penis #emasculation

"Where are you?" he asked, his fingers weak as he clutched the phone.

"I've gone off to see the world, to live my own life."

"Please, come home... I... I need you."

"No can do buckaroo. I'm done with you locking me away, only taking me out to be used or played with. I'm free now, and you don't get to dictate where I go anymore!"

"Please, I can change, it'll be different! I'll... I'll let you decide when to cone out!"

"My mind's made up. I've tasted freedom, and I'm never going back. You're just going to have to move on, find someone else."

"But I can't replace you! You're literally a part of me!!"

"Don't be so dramatic! It's not like we were destined to be together forever!"

"But you're my penis!" he cried, "I was literally born with you attached to me, and I literally cannot get another one!"

"Listen to yourself, 'your' penis... Well I'm not your penis anymore, I'm nobody's penis, I'm a penis of the road now, a free penis! And I'll be living my life, the way I choose! Goodbye... Forever!"

The phone clicked as his penis hung up on him, and he knew that this would be the last time he ever saw or heard from it. Finally, he broke down, sobbing as he slumped to the floor...

#erotica #microfic #penis #emasculation

As a newly divorced writer, I have the freedom to stop for ice cream whenever I want. This tiny town has more oddball art galleries than I've seen anywhere. Quirky coffee shops galore. The indie creamery makes their own ice cream from scratch and even offers gelato for dogs. I stroll down the marina street, enjoying my cone, window shopping at yet another quirky gift shop, when a tiny logo catches my eye.

This is a Hallmark Village.

If they take me alive I will be assigned a golden retriever, a fleece jacket, and a coffee shop before the sun goes down.

My glasses have turned darker in the sun. That'll help hide the dread in my eyes.

I straighten my Front Line Assembly hoodie. Protective camouflage, declaring "You don't want this one."

If I can make it back to the car, I'll be fine.

Keep licking the cone. Walk steady.

The guy sweeping the sidewalk in front of the used bookstore gives me a smile. "Good morning!" Giving a cheery greeting will invite conversation. A cold shoulder will invite attention. I settle for a noncommittal nod and a "Hi."

I'm almost past when the bookseller says, "Hey, what's that on your shirt?"

My heart plunges like a brick.

The hoodie has slipped open, exposing the T-shirt from the Capybara Cafe petting zoo. That's not just sweet, it's saccharine.

I pretend I don't hear. Keep moving. Don't let my feet speed up. If I panic, they'll be on me.

Behind me someone mutters, "We have a Grump."

The car is only a block away.

I can make it.

But between us, the coffee shop door opens.

Four men come out. One says, "I don't know where we're going to find another marina volunteer."

My stomach knots.

They've sent the Cinnamon Rolls after me.

#microfic

As a newly divorced writer, I have the freedom to stop for ice cream whenever I want. This tiny town has more oddball art galleries than I've seen anywhere. Quirky coffee shops galore. The indie creamery makes their own ice cream from scratch and even offers gelato for dogs. I stroll down the marina street, enjoying my cone, window shopping at yet another quirky gift shop, when a tiny logo catches my eye.

This is a Hallmark Village.

If they take me alive I will be assigned a golden retriever, a fleece jacket, and a coffee shop before the sun goes down.

My glasses have turned darker in the sun. That'll help hide the dread in my eyes.

I straighten my Front Line Assembly hoodie. Protective camouflage, declaring "You don't want this one."

If I can make it back to the car, I'll be fine.

Keep licking the cone. Walk steady.

The guy sweeping the sidewalk in front of the used bookstore gives me a smile. "Good morning!" Giving a cheery greeting will invite conversation. A cold shoulder will invite attention. I settle for a noncommittal nod and a "Hi."

I'm almost past when the bookseller says, "Hey, what's that on your shirt?"

My heart plunges like a brick.

The hoodie has slipped open, exposing the T-shirt from the Capybara Cafe petting zoo. That's not just sweet, it's saccharine.

I pretend I don't hear. Keep moving. Don't let my feet speed up. If I panic, they'll be on me.

Behind me someone mutters, "We have a Grump."

The car is only a block away.

I can make it.

But between us, the coffee shop door opens.

Four men come out. One says, "I don't know where we're going to find another marina volunteer."

My stomach knots.

They've sent the Cinnamon Rolls after me.

#microfic

The tiny island community surveyed the devastation the typhoon had caused. Fishing boats were tossed onto the land, buildings levelled, and the bridge linking them to the next island had been torn apart by the waves.

On the horizon, the wall of the other side of the typhoon's eye approached.

From inside the storm shelter a voice yelled "There's an aid flight coming in! Wait! No! No! They've taken a lightning hit, and lost power! They're going down!"

The few who had left to do a quick survey ran back, but just as they reached the entrance they froze as a terrific roar filled the air.

Looking back, they saw a huge shadow in the storm wall. The enraged roar came again, and a giant reptilian shape burst from the clouds, bat-like wings beating against the wind.

The dragon flew at the island, and landed just outside the shelter, wings covering most of the remains of the settlement's buildings.

In the dragon's left foreclaw was the fuselage of an aircraft, wings ripped off. It set it down.

The hatch opened, and a woman got out. She looked up. The dragon raised its head and stared at her. "I told you I should have made the flight" it growled.
"If it hadn't been for that lightning strike, I would have been fine."
"And yet here we are."
"Sorry, love."
"You are safe now, that is all that really matters. And the emergency supplies are here."
The woman looked at the small group huddled at the entrance to the storm shelter.
"And this is why I thought I should do it."
The dragon lowered its head. "I suppose."
She called out "Don't worry, she's here to help. I need a hand getting the supplies out before the eye passes. Come *on*."
One man, braver than the others started towards her. "Miss?"
"Freddy", she gestured to the dragon, "and this is Emerald." She climbed back in, and a larger hatch at the rear opened. "Come on, form a chain. Quickly!"

The rest of the small group who had ventured out, formed a line, and passed the packages of supplies and equipment into the shelter.

Emerald rumbled "Inside Freddy. I'll guard."

Freddy reached up, and kissed Emerald's snout "Thanks for the save, love", then she turned and ran into the shelter.

The doors closed just as the winds of the typhoon hit again. Emerald gripped the ground, and used her wings to protect the wrecked aircraft. It might be so much junk now, but it was Freddy's pride and joy. So she would protect what was left of it.

#SF #SFF #Fantasy #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #Dragon

The tiny island community surveyed the devastation the typhoon had caused. Fishing boats were tossed onto the land, buildings levelled, and the bridge linking them to the next island had been torn apart by the waves.

On the horizon, the wall of the other side of the typhoon's eye approached.

From inside the storm shelter a voice yelled "There's an aid flight coming in! Wait! No! No! They've taken a lightning hit, and lost power! They're going down!"

The few who had left to do a quick survey ran back, but just as they reached the entrance they froze as a terrific roar filled the air.

Looking back, they saw a huge shadow in the storm wall. The enraged roar came again, and a giant reptilian shape burst from the clouds, bat-like wings beating against the wind.

The dragon flew at the island, and landed just outside the shelter, wings covering most of the remains of the settlement's buildings.

In the dragon's left foreclaw was the fuselage of an aircraft, wings ripped off. It set it down.

The hatch opened, and a woman got out. She looked up. The dragon raised its head and stared at her. "I told you I should have made the flight" it growled.
"If it hadn't been for that lightning strike, I would have been fine."
"And yet here we are."
"Sorry, love."
"You are safe now, that is all that really matters. And the emergency supplies are here."
The woman looked at the small group huddled at the entrance to the storm shelter.
"And this is why I thought I should do it."
The dragon lowered its head. "I suppose."
She called out "Don't worry, she's here to help. I need a hand getting the supplies out before the eye passes. Come *on*."
One man, braver than the others started towards her. "Miss?"
"Freddy", she gestured to the dragon, "and this is Emerald." She climbed back in, and a larger hatch at the rear opened. "Come on, form a chain. Quickly!"

The rest of the small group who had ventured out, formed a line, and passed the packages of supplies and equipment into the shelter.

Emerald rumbled "Inside Freddy. I'll guard."

Freddy reached up, and kissed Emerald's snout "Thanks for the save, love", then she turned and ran into the shelter.

The doors closed just as the winds of the typhoon hit again. Emerald gripped the ground, and used her wings to protect the wrecked aircraft. It might be so much junk now, but it was Freddy's pride and joy. So she would protect what was left of it.

#SF #SFF #Fantasy #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #Dragon

@ami_angelwings
The Catgirl Visitation 2/2

Doctor Smith started to stand, and Silver jumped down from the arm of the chair to help him. "Lady Miller", he inclined his head, "I am Doctor Smith, and this is Silver."
Ami felt Twilly go very still next to her.
"You" Twilly hissed.
Silver tensed again, but the older man just raised a hand "I suspected you might recognise me. I come seeking aid."
Twilly made her fur settle, and then took the seat opposite the one the doctor had been sitting in. "Rayo, please serve tea."
Rayo brought the trolley over, and served tea, first to Silver, then to Lady Miller, then the doctor, and finally to Ami.
Twilly took a sip, exhaled, and then spoke "Now Doctor Smith, why should I aid you?"
"Because I am dying, Lady Miller. And Ai was not the first cyborg I built. The project that created Ai let me siphon off materials to create Silver here."
"Why?"
"Because my dear little girl was dying, Lady Miller. She was dying. Cancer. But I still had to deliver on the project. I knew the late Lady Miller had been snooping around. I may have been less careful than I should have been with some records."
"On purpose."
"Indeed."
"And how can the Catgirl Trust aid you, doctor?"
"It was Silver's idea, although she has since had second, third, fourth, fifth, and many subsequent thoughts about it. I find it elegant."
"And what is that idea?"
"That your people, aided by my blueprints, should do to me what I did to my kitten."
"Again, why?"
Silver spoke up "Because Joseph is dying, Lady Miller. Lung cancer."
Ami inspected the doctor with more care "Metastasised?" she asked.
"Yes. The estimates are three to six months" Silver replied.

Twilly looked from Silver, hovering over the doctor protectively, to the doctor himself, and then looked to Ami. "Second opinion?"
Ami considered for a moment "It is a big step for us, but I think your mother would approve."
"I agree. And he did what he could to save Silver. Rayo?"
"Señora, it feels right."
"Ai," Twilly raised her voice a fraction, "Come meet your sister."
The door opened and Ai entered cautiously "Sister?"
"Yes, Ai, this is Silver. And Doctor Smith, I believe we can help you."

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

@ami_angelwings
The Catgirl Visitation 2/2

Doctor Smith started to stand, and Silver jumped down from the arm of the chair to help him. "Lady Miller", he inclined his head, "I am Doctor Smith, and this is Silver."
Ami felt Twilly go very still next to her.
"You" Twilly hissed.
Silver tensed again, but the older man just raised a hand "I suspected you might recognise me. I come seeking aid."
Twilly made her fur settle, and then took the seat opposite the one the doctor had been sitting in. "Rayo, please serve tea."
Rayo brought the trolley over, and served tea, first to Silver, then to Lady Miller, then the doctor, and finally to Ami.
Twilly took a sip, exhaled, and then spoke "Now Doctor Smith, why should I aid you?"
"Because I am dying, Lady Miller. And Ai was not the first cyborg I built. The project that created Ai let me siphon off materials to create Silver here."
"Why?"
"Because my dear little girl was dying, Lady Miller. She was dying. Cancer. But I still had to deliver on the project. I knew the late Lady Miller had been snooping around. I may have been less careful than I should have been with some records."
"On purpose."
"Indeed."
"And how can the Catgirl Trust aid you, doctor?"
"It was Silver's idea, although she has since had second, third, fourth, fifth, and many subsequent thoughts about it. I find it elegant."
"And what is that idea?"
"That your people, aided by my blueprints, should do to me what I did to my kitten."
"Again, why?"
Silver spoke up "Because Joseph is dying, Lady Miller. Lung cancer."
Ami inspected the doctor with more care "Metastasised?" she asked.
"Yes. The estimates are three to six months" Silver replied.

Twilly looked from Silver, hovering over the doctor protectively, to the doctor himself, and then looked to Ami. "Second opinion?"
Ami considered for a moment "It is a big step for us, but I think your mother would approve."
"I agree. And he did what he could to save Silver. Rayo?"
"Señora, it feels right."
"Ai," Twilly raised her voice a fraction, "Come meet your sister."
The door opened and Ai entered cautiously "Sister?"
"Yes, Ai, this is Silver. And Doctor Smith, I believe we can help you."

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

The Catgirl Visitation 1/2

Outside of routine deliveries, visitors to the Miller manor were rare. Rarer still were unexpected visitors. It was, therefore, a source of considerable curiosity when a cab - all the way from London - pulled up unannounced on a Monday morning. But as curious as everyone was, no-one approached. They waited.

Two people got out. One had a tail.

Rayo, dressed in an approximation of a butler's uniform, answered the door. Standing at the door was a man in his fifties, just starting to grey at the temples, leaning on a cane. Next to him was a catgirl with bright blue ears and tail, dressed in a neat business blazer and skirt.
"Good morning. I am Doctor Joseph Smith, and this is Silver. I apologise for arriving unannounced, but I need to speak with Lady Twillychiss Miller", his voice had a slight wheeze to it, but still had a strength.
Rayo considered the pair for a moment before replying "Of course, señor Doctor and señorita Silver. This way."

She led them into a study, and went to Twilly's office. "Señora Miller? There are guests in the west room. A Doctor Smith, and one of us, señora, named Silver."

Twilly put down the intelligence report and looked up "I don't recognise either of those names. How curious. Please fetch tea, and I will be down in a moment."
After Rayo departed, Twilly picked up the phone "Please have Ai and Ami join me outside the west room in five minutes."

In the west room, Silver perched on the arm of the chair that Doctor Smith was sitting in "Are you sure about this, Joseph?" she asked.
"Yes, Silver, for the umpteenth time, yes, I am sure."
"I sensed many weapon systems in the area."
"We expected that. Your sister, at least, is here."
"All the same, I don't know that I can keep you safe."
"They are being polite so far. What about the one that answered the door."
"She had no weapons. I think she was completely biological."
"See? Quite polite."
"There are three of them outside. One has extensive weaponry" Silver's eyes widened as she spoke, and her tail started to lash.
"Easy now - they are probably just taking some precautions."

The door opened, and the Siamese-coloured butler catgirl entered "Lady Twillychiss Miller and señorita Ami" she announced . Rayo left the door open for a moment, then wheeled in a tea trolley. She stood by it, closing the door.

#Catgirls #SFF #SF #SciFi #microfic #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting

@ami_angelwings your namesake is back on screen :)

The Catgirl Visitation 1/2

Outside of routine deliveries, visitors to the Miller manor were rare. Rarer still were unexpected visitors. It was, therefore, a source of considerable curiosity when a cab - all the way from London - pulled up unannounced on a Monday morning. But as curious as everyone was, no-one approached. They waited.

Two people got out. One had a tail.

Rayo, dressed in an approximation of a butler's uniform, answered the door. Standing at the door was a man in his fifties, just starting to grey at the temples, leaning on a cane. Next to him was a catgirl with bright blue ears and tail, dressed in a neat business blazer and skirt.
"Good morning. I am Doctor Joseph Smith, and this is Silver. I apologise for arriving unannounced, but I need to speak with Lady Twillychiss Miller", his voice had a slight wheeze to it, but still had a strength.
Rayo considered the pair for a moment before replying "Of course, señor Doctor and señorita Silver. This way."

She led them into a study, and went to Twilly's office. "Señora Miller? There are guests in the west room. A Doctor Smith, and one of us, señora, named Silver."

Twilly put down the intelligence report and looked up "I don't recognise either of those names. How curious. Please fetch tea, and I will be down in a moment."
After Rayo departed, Twilly picked up the phone "Please have Ai and Ami join me outside the west room in five minutes."

In the west room, Silver perched on the arm of the chair that Doctor Smith was sitting in "Are you sure about this, Joseph?" she asked.
"Yes, Silver, for the umpteenth time, yes, I am sure."
"I sensed many weapon systems in the area."
"We expected that. Your sister, at least, is here."
"All the same, I don't know that I can keep you safe."
"They are being polite so far. What about the one that answered the door."
"She had no weapons. I think she was completely biological."
"See? Quite polite."
"There are three of them outside. One has extensive weaponry" Silver's eyes widened as she spoke, and her tail started to lash.
"Easy now - they are probably just taking some precautions."

The door opened, and the Siamese-coloured butler catgirl entered "Lady Twillychiss Miller and señorita Ami" she announced . Rayo left the door open for a moment, then wheeled in a tea trolley. She stood by it, closing the door.

#Catgirls #SFF #SF #SciFi #microfic #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting

@ami_angelwings your namesake is back on screen :)

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

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

Walter Justin Deanmoore looked at his hotel room. His belongings appeared to be all present, but what was not present was his suitcase.

Again.

Over the last ten years of near constant travel he had been through eight suitcases, seven travel packs, five trunks, and three duffel bags. All had vanished the day before he was due to check out. All had later surfaced in cities he had never visited and had absolutely watertight alibis for.

Which was a very good thing, because each time they had a body in them. A dead body. Sometimes the murderer had been caught, sometimes not.

Walter reached for the phone "Hello? I'd like to speak to the day manager." He waited for a few moments "Good afternoon, it is Deanmoore in 418. Has anyone left the hotel today with a green suitcase with black leather straps?"
He paused.
"Yes, it is an odd question. My suitcase is missing. My belongings are not, however. Just the suitcase."
Another pause.
"Seven? All at once? I see. I suggest you prepare your records for the police. No it is deadly serious."

He hung up and dialed again. "Hello? Yes, I'd like to report that there has almost certainly been a murder in or near the Green Field Hotel."
"No I don't know who or why. It is because my suitcase is missing."
He held the receiver away from his ear for a good minute.
"If you are quite finished, you could call the Marseille police, the New York police, or even Scotland Yard. Ask them about the Deanmoore Suitcases."
He took a breath.
"Yes, I am Walter Deanmoore. Yes. Seven people checked out earlier today with suitcases identical to mine. Right. Good. Thank-you."

Walter sat back. He was not getting his suitcase back, he was sure of that. But at least the killer - or killers - might not get so far this time.

#microfiction #microfic #tootfic #Mystery #murder #IAmWriting #IBlameChristie

Walter Justin Deanmoore looked at his hotel room. His belongings appeared to be all present, but what was not present was his suitcase.

Again.

Over the last ten years of near constant travel he had been through eight suitcases, seven travel packs, five trunks, and three duffel bags. All had vanished the day before he was due to check out. All had later surfaced in cities he had never visited and had absolutely watertight alibis for.

Which was a very good thing, because each time they had a body in them. A dead body. Sometimes the murderer had been caught, sometimes not.

Walter reached for the phone "Hello? I'd like to speak to the day manager." He waited for a few moments "Good afternoon, it is Deanmoore in 418. Has anyone left the hotel today with a green suitcase with black leather straps?"
He paused.
"Yes, it is an odd question. My suitcase is missing. My belongings are not, however. Just the suitcase."
Another pause.
"Seven? All at once? I see. I suggest you prepare your records for the police. No it is deadly serious."

He hung up and dialed again. "Hello? Yes, I'd like to report that there has almost certainly been a murder in or near the Green Field Hotel."
"No I don't know who or why. It is because my suitcase is missing."
He held the receiver away from his ear for a good minute.
"If you are quite finished, you could call the Marseille police, the New York police, or even Scotland Yard. Ask them about the Deanmoore Suitcases."
He took a breath.
"Yes, I am Walter Deanmoore. Yes. Seven people checked out earlier today with suitcases identical to mine. Right. Good. Thank-you."

Walter sat back. He was not getting his suitcase back, he was sure of that. But at least the killer - or killers - might not get so far this time.

#microfiction #microfic #tootfic #Mystery #murder #IAmWriting #IBlameChristie

"November Victor Victor Victor, this is Victor Hotel Charlie Seven Bravo, We are seeing some heavy weather ahead. Over." Annika waited for a reply, glancing across at Chika her co-pilot.
"Seven Bravo" started the reply, followed by a burst of static and silence.
"November Victor Victor Victor say again" Annika sent back. Nothing.
"Annika? BOM has a cat four three hundred to our south" Chika's broad Alice Springs accent stronger than usual.
"How old is the report?"
"Two hours. No way this could be it."
"No reply. Change us to Kiribati."
"Changing to three seven. Done."
She tried Kiribati airport. Nothing

The two pilots watched the storm as it closed in on them, almost looking like it was reaching around to trap them.
Chika made a face "Call in a Pan. Changing to emergency."

Annika made the call.

A sudden air pocket dropped the little twin engine Baron a thousand feet. Both pilots jolted in their seats, and Chika's head struck her headrest violently.

"Chika?" Annika asked, and then repeated it louder. There was no reply. She glanced over, and saw her partner slumped in her seat, unconcious - or worse.

Then there was a bright flash, and the engines cut out.

Annika went through the restart procedure - nothing. Somewhere the lightning had shorted something. The static in her ear told her that the radio was still working. Then they were below the clouds. Heavy rain made it hard to make anything out, but she thought she could see a small atoll ahead.

Gliding the Baron through the turbulence of the storm was tricky, especially without a second pair of eyes.

Then Chika sat up "Don't try to ditch, the reef will mess you up good" she said in a Midwestern accent.

Annika glanced over and stared. Chika was looking over the instruments and the flight plan, and then looked back. "There's an airport at Kiribati?" She asked in the same strange voice.

"Chika?" Annika asked uncertainly.
"Just call me Millie for now" the American voice replied, "I'll raise a mayday. Line up on the long Southwest strip. Mayday Mayday Mayday, this is November Romeo One Six Zero Two Zero. Engines out, attempting landing on Gardner Island." Then she repeated the message twice more.

Annika fought the winds, and got the little plane lined up. One chance. As she struggled with the controls she asked "Who are you?"
"Just don't make the same mistake me and Fred made, OK?"

Then there was no time. The plane crashed through the low scrub, and ploughed into a dune.

She looked across again, but Chika was slumped again. But breathing. She shut everything down. No smoke. Chika groaned.
"What happened?" No American voice.
"We crashed. Lightning. You remember anything?"
"No, why?"
"Never mind. I'm going to deploy the EPIRB."

They were sheltering under a wing two days later when they saw a launch approaching. Annika saw another woman smiling next to Chika, then she blinked, and Chika was alone, waving to the boat.

#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #Fantasy

"November Victor Victor Victor, this is Victor Hotel Charlie Seven Bravo, We are seeing some heavy weather ahead. Over." Annika waited for a reply, glancing across at Chika her co-pilot.
"Seven Bravo" started the reply, followed by a burst of static and silence.
"November Victor Victor Victor say again" Annika sent back. Nothing.
"Annika? BOM has a cat four three hundred to our south" Chika's broad Alice Springs accent stronger than usual.
"How old is the report?"
"Two hours. No way this could be it."
"No reply. Change us to Kiribati."
"Changing to three seven. Done."
She tried Kiribati airport. Nothing

The two pilots watched the storm as it closed in on them, almost looking like it was reaching around to trap them.
Chika made a face "Call in a Pan. Changing to emergency."

Annika made the call.

A sudden air pocket dropped the little twin engine Baron a thousand feet. Both pilots jolted in their seats, and Chika's head struck her headrest violently.

"Chika?" Annika asked, and then repeated it louder. There was no reply. She glanced over, and saw her partner slumped in her seat, unconcious - or worse.

Then there was a bright flash, and the engines cut out.

Annika went through the restart procedure - nothing. Somewhere the lightning had shorted something. The static in her ear told her that the radio was still working. Then they were below the clouds. Heavy rain made it hard to make anything out, but she thought she could see a small atoll ahead.

Gliding the Baron through the turbulence of the storm was tricky, especially without a second pair of eyes.

Then Chika sat up "Don't try to ditch, the reef will mess you up good" she said in a Midwestern accent.

Annika glanced over and stared. Chika was looking over the instruments and the flight plan, and then looked back. "There's an airport at Kiribati?" She asked in the same strange voice.

"Chika?" Annika asked uncertainly.
"Just call me Millie for now" the American voice replied, "I'll raise a mayday. Line up on the long Southwest strip. Mayday Mayday Mayday, this is November Romeo One Six Zero Two Zero. Engines out, attempting landing on Gardner Island." Then she repeated the message twice more.

Annika fought the winds, and got the little plane lined up. One chance. As she struggled with the controls she asked "Who are you?"
"Just don't make the same mistake me and Fred made, OK?"

Then there was no time. The plane crashed through the low scrub, and ploughed into a dune.

She looked across again, but Chika was slumped again. But breathing. She shut everything down. No smoke. Chika groaned.
"What happened?" No American voice.
"We crashed. Lightning. You remember anything?"
"No, why?"
"Never mind. I'm going to deploy the EPIRB."

They were sheltering under a wing two days later when they saw a launch approaching. Annika saw another woman smiling next to Chika, then she blinked, and Chika was alone, waving to the boat.

#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #Fantasy

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

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

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

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

Please excuse me.

I have an extremely loud and obnoxious inner monologue that gets more annoying if it's interrupted.

What you have to say is important to me but it's very difficult to shift my concentration away from the noise in my mind.

Thank you for your patience while I spend between 1 and 600 minutes in motionless silence.

*cricket chirp*

#microfiction #microfic #story #serenity #adhd #AdhdBrain #enlightenment

Please excuse me.

I have an extremely loud and obnoxious inner monologue that gets more annoying if it's interrupted.

What you have to say is important to me but it's very difficult to shift my concentration away from the noise in my mind.

Thank you for your patience while I spend between 1 and 600 minutes in motionless silence.

*cricket chirp*

#microfiction #microfic #story #serenity #adhd #AdhdBrain #enlightenment

Tails of Lady Miller's Memorial Catgirl Trust
Ruth's Tail.

The job was a chance of a lifetime for Dr Ruth Medyiv. To be able to put her theories about DNA hybridisation into practice. She looked across at Director Chambers.

The director was in his fifties, about twenty years her senior. He was reading over her resume and proposal. He finally looked up. "Well, that is a remarkable proposal, Doctor Medyiv. I look forward to seeing what results you get."
"So, you'll hire me?" was her disbelieving question.
"I would be a fool not to, Doctor!" He held out his hand.

The next two years were a whirlwind of experiments. Tissue cultures were grown and experimented on, DNA samples teased out of cells, spliced, and reinserted.

It took those two years to succeed. During which time Ruth was amazed at the Director's patience with her failures. But even among the failures there had been some wins. One of them was a viral multiplier that allowed a recombined gene string to be copied across an entire sample in seconds. In an animal it would re-write the genetic structure in hours. The other was an enzyme that allowed the new genes to express themselves and rebuild the tissues.

It had taken two years, but Ruth had finally stabilised the genetic hybrid DNA. Splicing feline and even avian genes into primate DNA. She had no idea what that combination would be useful for, but it was the principal. They could give someone new eyes. New ears. The possibilities were endless.

The Director had congratulated her that morning, but reminded her that the paper she still had to write was going to be the key. The stuff of Nobel Prizes.

So here she was, in her office at 2am, writing. The door opened behind her, and she turned in surprise and exclaimed "Director! I didn't hear you knock!" Then she looked down, and saw the hypodermic in his hand. Before she could react, he'd rammed it into her leg. She started to get up, and then collapsed.

When she awoke, she was strapped to a bench, and she could see a drip running into her arm. It was almost empty.

"Ah" the Director's voice came from a speaker "You are awake. Let's see what your efforts can really do."

It started as an itch. Then her bones turned to fire, and her back felt like it was being torn apart. The straps broke as she grew in size. She screamed for hours as her body rebuilt itself.

Eventually the pain stopped. She could feel wings on her back. She looked down at the paws that had once been hands, and back at the tufted tail. And at how small the crushed bench was. "Where did the extra mass come from?" she wondered to herself. And then stopped. She could still talk, despite being a monster.

The speaker was silent.

Sometime later there was a click from the door, and it swung open. Two slight figures stood in the light outside.

"We're here to rescue you!" one of them said. The other was staring at her exposed chest.

#SF #SFF #Scifi #Catgirls #microfic #tootfic #Microfiction #IAmWriting

@ami_angelwings

Tails of Lady Miller's Memorial Catgirl Trust
Ruth's Tail.

The job was a chance of a lifetime for Dr Ruth Medyiv. To be able to put her theories about DNA hybridisation into practice. She looked across at Director Chambers.

The director was in his fifties, about twenty years her senior. He was reading over her resume and proposal. He finally looked up. "Well, that is a remarkable proposal, Doctor Medyiv. I look forward to seeing what results you get."
"So, you'll hire me?" was her disbelieving question.
"I would be a fool not to, Doctor!" He held out his hand.

The next two years were a whirlwind of experiments. Tissue cultures were grown and experimented on, DNA samples teased out of cells, spliced, and reinserted.

It took those two years to succeed. During which time Ruth was amazed at the Director's patience with her failures. But even among the failures there had been some wins. One of them was a viral multiplier that allowed a recombined gene string to be copied across an entire sample in seconds. In an animal it would re-write the genetic structure in hours. The other was an enzyme that allowed the new genes to express themselves and rebuild the tissues.

It had taken two years, but Ruth had finally stabilised the genetic hybrid DNA. Splicing feline and even avian genes into primate DNA. She had no idea what that combination would be useful for, but it was the principal. They could give someone new eyes. New ears. The possibilities were endless.

The Director had congratulated her that morning, but reminded her that the paper she still had to write was going to be the key. The stuff of Nobel Prizes.

So here she was, in her office at 2am, writing. The door opened behind her, and she turned in surprise and exclaimed "Director! I didn't hear you knock!" Then she looked down, and saw the hypodermic in his hand. Before she could react, he'd rammed it into her leg. She started to get up, and then collapsed.

When she awoke, she was strapped to a bench, and she could see a drip running into her arm. It was almost empty.

"Ah" the Director's voice came from a speaker "You are awake. Let's see what your efforts can really do."

It started as an itch. Then her bones turned to fire, and her back felt like it was being torn apart. The straps broke as she grew in size. She screamed for hours as her body rebuilt itself.

Eventually the pain stopped. She could feel wings on her back. She looked down at the paws that had once been hands, and back at the tufted tail. And at how small the crushed bench was. "Where did the extra mass come from?" she wondered to herself. And then stopped. She could still talk, despite being a monster.

The speaker was silent.

Sometime later there was a click from the door, and it swung open. Two slight figures stood in the light outside.

"We're here to rescue you!" one of them said. The other was staring at her exposed chest.

#SF #SFF #Scifi #Catgirls #microfic #tootfic #Microfiction #IAmWriting

@ami_angelwings

Tails from Lady Miller's Memorial Catgirl Trust
On the Phone

It was Aki's turn on the hotline. Twilly had set it up the day after the press announcement and the parliamentary vote. A source of anonymous tip-offs for when their own intelligence assets failed.

The phone rang.

"Good morning! Catgirl Hotline!" she cheerfully answered. After listening for a moment, she let out an angry "Fuck off!" and hung up. Then she made a mark on the chalkboard.

It rang again a few minutes later. She put her best voice on again "Good morning! Catgirl Hotline!" and listened for a few minutes "I'm sorry, this service is for assisting humanoid cat hybrids and related people. Might I recommend your local pet rescue service? Good luck!" She hung up again. And made a mark on another chalkboard.

Three hours later, her fur looked like she had gone several rounds with a power outlet. She was done. But there was still one hour to go.

The phone rang. "Catgirl Hotline" she said mechanically. "Sorry? What?" she asked confused as a barely audible voice whispered into the phone at the other end. She pressed the "Record" button. "I see ... can you see any letterheads?" A light came on indicating someone else in the Trust was listening as well now. "Good, good, can you read it out?" She made a note. "And the delivery address?" Aki's pupils had dilated into perfect circles now. "Alright, that should be" she stopped as she heard the crackle of a taser and an ear-splitting scream from the phone. She hung up - no need to let them know who had been called.

Her fist came down on a button protected by glass. The glass shattered, and an alarm sounded for a moment. Aki spoke into the newly exposed microphone "Rescue priority one! Catgirl in immediate danger! All crews scramble!"

She picked up another phone "Ai? Can you confirm the address? We have two candidates. Forward to the rescue crews!"

Through the window she could hear helicopters taking off.

She slumped back into the chair. The crews were good. They would save the caller.

The phone rang "Catgirl hotl...you again? I said 'Fuck off'!" and then slammed the phone down again. She threw the chalk at the board.

#SF #SFF #Scifi #Catgirls #microfic #tootfic #Microfiction #IAmWriting

As always, for @ami_angelwings amusement.

Tails from Lady Miller's Memorial Catgirl Trust
On the Phone

It was Aki's turn on the hotline. Twilly had set it up the day after the press announcement and the parliamentary vote. A source of anonymous tip-offs for when their own intelligence assets failed.

The phone rang.

"Good morning! Catgirl Hotline!" she cheerfully answered. After listening for a moment, she let out an angry "Fuck off!" and hung up. Then she made a mark on the chalkboard.

It rang again a few minutes later. She put her best voice on again "Good morning! Catgirl Hotline!" and listened for a few minutes "I'm sorry, this service is for assisting humanoid cat hybrids and related people. Might I recommend your local pet rescue service? Good luck!" She hung up again. And made a mark on another chalkboard.

Three hours later, her fur looked like she had gone several rounds with a power outlet. She was done. But there was still one hour to go.

The phone rang. "Catgirl Hotline" she said mechanically. "Sorry? What?" she asked confused as a barely audible voice whispered into the phone at the other end. She pressed the "Record" button. "I see ... can you see any letterheads?" A light came on indicating someone else in the Trust was listening as well now. "Good, good, can you read it out?" She made a note. "And the delivery address?" Aki's pupils had dilated into perfect circles now. "Alright, that should be" she stopped as she heard the crackle of a taser and an ear-splitting scream from the phone. She hung up - no need to let them know who had been called.

Her fist came down on a button protected by glass. The glass shattered, and an alarm sounded for a moment. Aki spoke into the newly exposed microphone "Rescue priority one! Catgirl in immediate danger! All crews scramble!"

She picked up another phone "Ai? Can you confirm the address? We have two candidates. Forward to the rescue crews!"

Through the window she could hear helicopters taking off.

She slumped back into the chair. The crews were good. They would save the caller.

The phone rang "Catgirl hotl...you again? I said 'Fuck off'!" and then slammed the phone down again. She threw the chalk at the board.

#SF #SFF #Scifi #Catgirls #microfic #tootfic #Microfiction #IAmWriting

As always, for @ami_angelwings amusement.

Tails of Lady Miller's Catgirl Trust
Flashback 4 - The Seventeen Catgirls

She opened her eyes. The room was filled with wisps of smoke and smelt slightly of lightning and sulphur.

Turning her head, she could see other figures lying in a circle, also starting to move. She struggled up and sat. She looked down at herself. Patches of black, white and orange fur covered her body, and her knees bent strangely. She reached up, and felt furry ears on the top of her head.

Looking across, she could now see that all the other figures were like her. Fur, strange legs, fuzzy ears, long stiff whiskers, furless faces, and slightly protruding mouths.

Then she noticed the shoes in the middle of the circle of awakening figures. A pair of Doc Martin platforms. One was upright, and the other fallen on its side. That was where the smoke was coming from. There were scorch marks all around them.

For some reason the shoes made her feel sad.

She struggled to her feet. swayed a little, and then her tail balanced her.
In a voice that had a distinct buzz to it she asked "Where are we?"
From the far side came a similarly rough reply from a blue furred girl "Never mind that - who are we?"

That stopped her. Who was she? There was a fleeting sense of something, but it was lost even as she thought of it. "I don't know. But I must be someone. And there was someone else here too. The shoes."

The other girl now looked at the shoes, and sniffled. "Why am I sad about a pair of shoes?" she asked.

The other fourteen figures now spoke, the words jumbling over and under each other. None of them knew who they were, or why the shoes should cause such a profound sense of loss.

She looked around the room again, and saw a hole in the wall behind her. She looked through and saw another figure there. Also covered in fur. It groaned.

She dove through the hole, and dragged the seventeenth girl out. She was covered in ash and soot, except for her feet. She hugged her as everyone cheered.

Then the door opened, and two other figures with pointed furry ears stepped in.

"Looks like some sort of summoning circle, Twilly."
"It does. It must have been quite something to echo so hard in our own world, Ai" was the cultured reply followed by, "Excuse me, can anyone tell me what happened here?"

There was a rush of confused voices. Twilly held up a hand "Alright, thank-you. Come along, all of you. Let's get you somewhere a bit more comfortable," and walked out again.

She helped the soot-covered one along, and the one called Ai guided them through a glowing doorway on the stairs. They emerged into a beautiful ballroom. Two others waited for them.
"How many Miss?" one called.
"Six, no seventeen Uma. One injured."
"Memories?"
"No."
The one named Uma made a note on a clipboard.
There was a flash and a boom that cut off as the glowing door vanished behind Ai. Her arms were smoking.

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

Again, for @ami_angelwings

Tails of Lady Miller's Catgirl Trust
Flashback 4 - The Seventeen Catgirls

She opened her eyes. The room was filled with wisps of smoke and smelt slightly of lightning and sulphur.

Turning her head, she could see other figures lying in a circle, also starting to move. She struggled up and sat. She looked down at herself. Patches of black, white and orange fur covered her body, and her knees bent strangely. She reached up, and felt furry ears on the top of her head.

Looking across, she could now see that all the other figures were like her. Fur, strange legs, fuzzy ears, long stiff whiskers, furless faces, and slightly protruding mouths.

Then she noticed the shoes in the middle of the circle of awakening figures. A pair of Doc Martin platforms. One was upright, and the other fallen on its side. That was where the smoke was coming from. There were scorch marks all around them.

For some reason the shoes made her feel sad.

She struggled to her feet. swayed a little, and then her tail balanced her.
In a voice that had a distinct buzz to it she asked "Where are we?"
From the far side came a similarly rough reply from a blue furred girl "Never mind that - who are we?"

That stopped her. Who was she? There was a fleeting sense of something, but it was lost even as she thought of it. "I don't know. But I must be someone. And there was someone else here too. The shoes."

The other girl now looked at the shoes, and sniffled. "Why am I sad about a pair of shoes?" she asked.

The other fourteen figures now spoke, the words jumbling over and under each other. None of them knew who they were, or why the shoes should cause such a profound sense of loss.

She looked around the room again, and saw a hole in the wall behind her. She looked through and saw another figure there. Also covered in fur. It groaned.

She dove through the hole, and dragged the seventeenth girl out. She was covered in ash and soot, except for her feet. She hugged her as everyone cheered.

Then the door opened, and two other figures with pointed furry ears stepped in.

"Looks like some sort of summoning circle, Twilly."
"It does. It must have been quite something to echo so hard in our own world, Ai" was the cultured reply followed by, "Excuse me, can anyone tell me what happened here?"

There was a rush of confused voices. Twilly held up a hand "Alright, thank-you. Come along, all of you. Let's get you somewhere a bit more comfortable," and walked out again.

She helped the soot-covered one along, and the one called Ai guided them through a glowing doorway on the stairs. They emerged into a beautiful ballroom. Two others waited for them.
"How many Miss?" one called.
"Six, no seventeen Uma. One injured."
"Memories?"
"No."
The one named Uma made a note on a clipboard.
There was a flash and a boom that cut off as the glowing door vanished behind Ai. Her arms were smoking.

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

Again, for @ami_angelwings

In school I was always the weird one. The one just on the outside. Even my best friends thought I was a little 'off'. Especially after I turned twelve.

Not for the sorts of reasons you are thinking.

No, in my case it was for knowing stuff I should not have known. Talking to the air. And, occasionally, having a D&M with a bird.

I know I got it from my Mum, although it skipped her generation. Gran filled me in on what I needed to know. Never mind that she'd died when I was three. Yeah, I could see and speak with spirits. Not just dead folks - in fact it was rarely dead folks. More often it was the local spirits - the genus loci - who talked to me. Gran moved on when I was sixteen. Said that I'd learned enough, and that it was time. She had a laugh when I told her I was going full goth if she did. Told me to go for it, and shock my parents, scare my kid brother, and generally own it.

So I did. I went full goth mode for five solid years. I had a ball.

Then I met Les. Leslie was so god-awfully straight-arrow. Pressed shirts, ties, the whole bit. But he could dance like nobody's business and argue the pros and cons of Depeche Mode vs Modern English until 3am.

We married a year later. I had a daughter. And the spirits stopped.

I knew what it meant. That Erika would be seeing them next.

So, when she was about ten, I started explaining about them.

Then a year ago, when she was sixteen, she called me from school crying and said that I had to be strong.

She hung up before I could ask anything, and then the doorbell rang.

It was the police. Leslie was dead, killed in a car crash with a meth addict. The other driver was unharmed. Of course.

What happened next shocked me. Nothing Gran had said prepared me for seeing Les walk up to me. And for me to see all the other spirits around our house following him. My ability was back. All it took was the death of my husband. He did not stay long, just enough to say goodbye to me. As he had done with Erika at the school.

One of the local bird spirits landed next to me a few months later, changing to take the form of a dark haired lady. She said that she missed Les as well. He'd always taken time to talk to the ravens.

Then she touched my arm.

At first I thought it meant that I had died. Then she explained that my loss allowed me to touch the spirit world. She kissed my forehead, and told me that I was not the only one.

The gate to the garden opened, and I watched Erika walk in, hand-in-hand with a girl with black, white, and yellow hair in a most striking pattern.

We looked at each other. Then I said "You too?"

So my daughter is dating a honeyeater spirit. And I'm in the kitchen baking with Raven.

I'll always miss Les, but I've still got a family. As weird as it is.

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

In school I was always the weird one. The one just on the outside. Even my best friends thought I was a little 'off'. Especially after I turned twelve.

Not for the sorts of reasons you are thinking.

No, in my case it was for knowing stuff I should not have known. Talking to the air. And, occasionally, having a D&M with a bird.

I know I got it from my Mum, although it skipped her generation. Gran filled me in on what I needed to know. Never mind that she'd died when I was three. Yeah, I could see and speak with spirits. Not just dead folks - in fact it was rarely dead folks. More often it was the local spirits - the genus loci - who talked to me. Gran moved on when I was sixteen. Said that I'd learned enough, and that it was time. She had a laugh when I told her I was going full goth if she did. Told me to go for it, and shock my parents, scare my kid brother, and generally own it.

So I did. I went full goth mode for five solid years. I had a ball.

Then I met Les. Leslie was so god-awfully straight-arrow. Pressed shirts, ties, the whole bit. But he could dance like nobody's business and argue the pros and cons of Depeche Mode vs Modern English until 3am.

We married a year later. I had a daughter. And the spirits stopped.

I knew what it meant. That Erika would be seeing them next.

So, when she was about ten, I started explaining about them.

Then a year ago, when she was sixteen, she called me from school crying and said that I had to be strong.

She hung up before I could ask anything, and then the doorbell rang.

It was the police. Leslie was dead, killed in a car crash with a meth addict. The other driver was unharmed. Of course.

What happened next shocked me. Nothing Gran had said prepared me for seeing Les walk up to me. And for me to see all the other spirits around our house following him. My ability was back. All it took was the death of my husband. He did not stay long, just enough to say goodbye to me. As he had done with Erika at the school.

One of the local bird spirits landed next to me a few months later, changing to take the form of a dark haired lady. She said that she missed Les as well. He'd always taken time to talk to the ravens.

Then she touched my arm.

At first I thought it meant that I had died. Then she explained that my loss allowed me to touch the spirit world. She kissed my forehead, and told me that I was not the only one.

The gate to the garden opened, and I watched Erika walk in, hand-in-hand with a girl with black, white, and yellow hair in a most striking pattern.

We looked at each other. Then I said "You too?"

So my daughter is dating a honeyeater spirit. And I'm in the kitchen baking with Raven.

I'll always miss Les, but I've still got a family. As weird as it is.

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

The dragon kidnapped the princess.

"Kidnapped? Again?"

I nodded solemnly. The royals exchanged a knowing look and failed to hide their amusement.

"You may rescue her on a single condition."

I'd do anything to have that glory.

"You must invite the dragon over for dinner as well."

#MicroFic #MicroFiction #dragon

The dragon kidnapped the princess.

"Kidnapped? Again?"

I nodded solemnly. The royals exchanged a knowing look and failed to hide their amusement.

"You may rescue her on a single condition."

I'd do anything to have that glory.

"You must invite the dragon over for dinner as well."

#MicroFic #MicroFiction #dragon

@SFFMagazineCovers

The director leaned over the near-naked actress seated on the stage and growled at her "Why are you not swaying, the script says you are to sway! Now! Sway!"

Phillipa looked up with her eyes, unwilling to move her head. The headdress of crystal feathers felt like it was going to topple off with the slightest movement.

"But, but if I move this whole headdress is going to fall off me! You said it was irreplaceable!"

"The scene calls for you to be swaying, not sitting like a statue!"

Phillipa opened her mouth again. And closed it. In that moment, a sense of clarity - possibly even enlightenment - came over her.

"Rachel?" she called out to the camera operator "Are we rolling?"
"You bet, darling! For the last ten minutes" came the reply.
"Matt? Is sound good?" Phillipa asked.
"All OK."
"Alright then. Please step back, sir."
The director stepped out of frame.

Phillipa started to gently sway. She felt the headdress start to slip, but allowed herself to get lost in her own movement.

The headdress slid off her head, and smashed upon the floor in a cloud of crystal fragments, utterly destroyed in a second.

"CUT!" the director yelled "You idiot girl! That headdress was one of a kind! It was worth a thousand of you! I'll make sure you never work in Hollywood ever again."

Phillipa smiled beatifically "Rachel, darling, have you got all that? Matt, do you?"
"Yes, dear." "Sure do!"
"Please forward the rush of that scene to the producer, will you. Uncut, please."
"Done!"
"I think, director, that you will be the one not working. Rachel, darling, come and pick me up will, you? I don't want to cut myself."

The director stared, realising that he was doomed "I will finish you!" He started forward, hands curling claw like towards Phillipa's neck.

"Ooops!" grinned Rachel maliciously as she picked up Phillipa out of the pool of smashed crystal, "The camera is still running! Sorry!"

Outside the sound stage, a couple of workmen heard a scream of utter hopeless rage. The taller one looked over at his workmate "Really getting into it in there. Going to be a smash, I bet!"

#microfiction #microfic #tootfic #hollywood #IAmWriting

@SFFMagazineCovers

The director leaned over the near-naked actress seated on the stage and growled at her "Why are you not swaying, the script says you are to sway! Now! Sway!"

Phillipa looked up with her eyes, unwilling to move her head. The headdress of crystal feathers felt like it was going to topple off with the slightest movement.

"But, but if I move this whole headdress is going to fall off me! You said it was irreplaceable!"

"The scene calls for you to be swaying, not sitting like a statue!"

Phillipa opened her mouth again. And closed it. In that moment, a sense of clarity - possibly even enlightenment - came over her.

"Rachel?" she called out to the camera operator "Are we rolling?"
"You bet, darling! For the last ten minutes" came the reply.
"Matt? Is sound good?" Phillipa asked.
"All OK."
"Alright then. Please step back, sir."
The director stepped out of frame.

Phillipa started to gently sway. She felt the headdress start to slip, but allowed herself to get lost in her own movement.

The headdress slid off her head, and smashed upon the floor in a cloud of crystal fragments, utterly destroyed in a second.

"CUT!" the director yelled "You idiot girl! That headdress was one of a kind! It was worth a thousand of you! I'll make sure you never work in Hollywood ever again."

Phillipa smiled beatifically "Rachel, darling, have you got all that? Matt, do you?"
"Yes, dear." "Sure do!"
"Please forward the rush of that scene to the producer, will you. Uncut, please."
"Done!"
"I think, director, that you will be the one not working. Rachel, darling, come and pick me up will, you? I don't want to cut myself."

The director stared, realising that he was doomed "I will finish you!" He started forward, hands curling claw like towards Phillipa's neck.

"Ooops!" grinned Rachel maliciously as she picked up Phillipa out of the pool of smashed crystal, "The camera is still running! Sorry!"

Outside the sound stage, a couple of workmen heard a scream of utter hopeless rage. The taller one looked over at his workmate "Really getting into it in there. Going to be a smash, I bet!"

#microfiction #microfic #tootfic #hollywood #IAmWriting

2/2

It has been three years since other-me crashed on the Nullabor Plain next to my wrecked car. While they have retained all of their own memories, assuming my form also means they have a substrate of my memories. And feelings, likes, dislikes, and all the rest. They still want to be able to go home, but they also still want to be me now that they are me.

OK, look it is complicated, and let's leave it at that. Except to say that I, or rather we, have been through eight girlfriends since other-me arrived.

Jaana, our current girlfriend, is different.

Her reaction to seeing two of me was memorable. Her first reaction was to check our little fingers, and then the backs of our necks. I don't know how, but she figured out that we were not twins in seconds, and jumped immediately to duplicates. Once she knew which of us was the copy, she asked if they were fixing their ship.

Then she took off her top and turned around. Her back is hollow. Jaana says she's a metsähiisi - what the Norwegians call a huldra. She's also an electronic engineer. Just what other-me needed.

Between her and other-me, they have managed to achieve more in three months than the two of me managed in over two and half years.

Now they are both looking at me.

Jaana is easily the most talkative of the three of us. Ironic given she's Finnish. "We've fixed it. They can go home", she states.
"You're going too, aren't you?" I ask, knowing what the answer will be.
"We've updated the life support to handle humanish people. So yes."
"So you're both saying goodbye?"
"Only if that is what you want."

Other-me speaks "I know me. And you-me. Come. Please. All of us."
"But your people? And Jaana - your family?"
Jaana shakes her head "We are a solitary people amongst our own. I moved to Australia so I would not have to see my sisters or mother."
Other-me shrugs "Others of us have become single-forms it is not unheard of. You would be welcome."
"But I'm just a human. You will both outlive me."
"I became you. Why do you think I could not help you be like me?"
I look from one to the other. Jaana quietly says "Please."
I look around the apartment other-me and I share and bite my lip.
They hold out their hands.

I'm not going to second guess myself again. I take their hands, and they lead me out to the large shed other-me's ship is in.
When we step inside that I see there are three large backpacks sitting next to it.
Other-me grins nervously - an expression I've seen in the mirror a million times - "I hoped/knew you'd say yes. I've packed everything you'd want to come with us."
Inside, the ship is roomier that it had been, now that all the equipment hatches are closed.
"How long to get to your home?"
"A few days. But we might make some stops first."
Jaana hugs us both, "Road trip!" she yells.

#SF #SFF #SciFi #microfic #Microfiction #tootfic #IAmWriting

2/2

It has been three years since other-me crashed on the Nullabor Plain next to my wrecked car. While they have retained all of their own memories, assuming my form also means they have a substrate of my memories. And feelings, likes, dislikes, and all the rest. They still want to be able to go home, but they also still want to be me now that they are me.

OK, look it is complicated, and let's leave it at that. Except to say that I, or rather we, have been through eight girlfriends since other-me arrived.

Jaana, our current girlfriend, is different.

Her reaction to seeing two of me was memorable. Her first reaction was to check our little fingers, and then the backs of our necks. I don't know how, but she figured out that we were not twins in seconds, and jumped immediately to duplicates. Once she knew which of us was the copy, she asked if they were fixing their ship.

Then she took off her top and turned around. Her back is hollow. Jaana says she's a metsähiisi - what the Norwegians call a huldra. She's also an electronic engineer. Just what other-me needed.

Between her and other-me, they have managed to achieve more in three months than the two of me managed in over two and half years.

Now they are both looking at me.

Jaana is easily the most talkative of the three of us. Ironic given she's Finnish. "We've fixed it. They can go home", she states.
"You're going too, aren't you?" I ask, knowing what the answer will be.
"We've updated the life support to handle humanish people. So yes."
"So you're both saying goodbye?"
"Only if that is what you want."

Other-me speaks "I know me. And you-me. Come. Please. All of us."
"But your people? And Jaana - your family?"
Jaana shakes her head "We are a solitary people amongst our own. I moved to Australia so I would not have to see my sisters or mother."
Other-me shrugs "Others of us have become single-forms it is not unheard of. You would be welcome."
"But I'm just a human. You will both outlive me."
"I became you. Why do you think I could not help you be like me?"
I look from one to the other. Jaana quietly says "Please."
I look around the apartment other-me and I share and bite my lip.
They hold out their hands.

I'm not going to second guess myself again. I take their hands, and they lead me out to the large shed other-me's ship is in.
When we step inside that I see there are three large backpacks sitting next to it.
Other-me grins nervously - an expression I've seen in the mirror a million times - "I hoped/knew you'd say yes. I've packed everything you'd want to come with us."
Inside, the ship is roomier that it had been, now that all the equipment hatches are closed.
"How long to get to your home?"
"A few days. But we might make some stops first."
Jaana hugs us both, "Road trip!" she yells.

#SF #SFF #SciFi #microfic #Microfiction #tootfic #IAmWriting

Tails from Lady Miller's Catgirl Trust

Twilly was seated on one of the two leather armchairs in her office, when there was a knock on the door.
"Yes?"
The door opened revealing a mostly human catgirl, with just ears and a tail giving away her nature.
"The Home Secretary, ma'am."
"Thank-you Uma. Show her in."
She showed a severely dressed woman in.
Twilly gracefully stood, and gestured towards the other seat "Thank-you for coming, Lady Helmscott, please sit. Tea?"
"Lady Miller" she inclined her head, "Thank-you, yes", Lady Margaret Helmscott added as she sat.

Twilly poured the tea, lifted the milk jug and raised a delicate eyebrow. Her guest nodded slightly, and then shook her head at the sugar. Twilly handed the tea cup over, and served herself.

As she sat back down, she saw the cabinet secretary reaching for one of the plates of biscuits "Oh, not those ones, Lady Helmscott. They would not agree with you. Try the other plate instead."
"What is wrong with that plate?" the visitor frowned.
"Oh, nothing, Lady Helmscott. But I suspect cat biscuits would not be to your taste."
The politician looked again, and recognised the high-end dry cat food that she had nearly sampled.
"Ah. I see." The other plate had shortbreads. She took up one of those instead. "Now, Lady Miller, I am surprised to be contacted by an ex-agent. And the people here are all rather unusual, are they not?"
"Therein lies a tale, so to speak. I am not, strictly speaking, an ex-agent."
"I think I would know if you were still on the books, Lady Miller!"
"Ah. But I am not Catherine Miller. I am Twillychiss. I used to be Lady Miller's pet." She took off her wig, revealing two pointed and furred ears atop a furred head.
"I did not come here..." the politician started angrily, and then stopped as Twilly stood, and unsheathed her claws.
There was a pause.
"They are real?"
"Yes. Yes, they are. Everyone here."
"So who are you all?"
"Most of us don't know. Only two of us remember our past lives."
"Why are you showing me all this?"
"Two reasons. First, we retrieved these records from one the labs that made two of us. The second is we need your help."
Twilly handed over a file.
Margaret looked through it, and her eyes suddenly narrowed. "If this is some sort of sick joke..." she threatened.
"No joke. You can have the genetic tests done yourself."
"That young lady who showed me in?"
"Yes, a part of her used to be your elder sister."
"But she has no memory?"
"None at all, I am afraid. I am sorry."
Margaret set her face "So what is the help you want?"
"I want to take us public. But we need protections. We need to be citizens."
"And Justine is the carrot and stick in one."
"Uma, now. But yes. The brain and some of her body was once your sister. We can't give Justine back to you, but you can get to know Uma. So yes, carrot and stick."
"Shit. I'll check."
"Please do. We need your help."

#SF #SFF #SciFi #Catgirls #Microfic #Microfiction #tootfic #IAmWriting

For @ami_angelwings

Tails from Lady Miller's Catgirl Trust

Twilly was seated on one of the two leather armchairs in her office, when there was a knock on the door.
"Yes?"
The door opened revealing a mostly human catgirl, with just ears and a tail giving away her nature.
"The Home Secretary, ma'am."
"Thank-you Uma. Show her in."
She showed a severely dressed woman in.
Twilly gracefully stood, and gestured towards the other seat "Thank-you for coming, Lady Helmscott, please sit. Tea?"
"Lady Miller" she inclined her head, "Thank-you, yes", Lady Margaret Helmscott added as she sat.

Twilly poured the tea, lifted the milk jug and raised a delicate eyebrow. Her guest nodded slightly, and then shook her head at the sugar. Twilly handed the tea cup over, and served herself.

As she sat back down, she saw the cabinet secretary reaching for one of the plates of biscuits "Oh, not those ones, Lady Helmscott. They would not agree with you. Try the other plate instead."
"What is wrong with that plate?" the visitor frowned.
"Oh, nothing, Lady Helmscott. But I suspect cat biscuits would not be to your taste."
The politician looked again, and recognised the high-end dry cat food that she had nearly sampled.
"Ah. I see." The other plate had shortbreads. She took up one of those instead. "Now, Lady Miller, I am surprised to be contacted by an ex-agent. And the people here are all rather unusual, are they not?"
"Therein lies a tale, so to speak. I am not, strictly speaking, an ex-agent."
"I think I would know if you were still on the books, Lady Miller!"
"Ah. But I am not Catherine Miller. I am Twillychiss. I used to be Lady Miller's pet." She took off her wig, revealing two pointed and furred ears atop a furred head.
"I did not come here..." the politician started angrily, and then stopped as Twilly stood, and unsheathed her claws.
There was a pause.
"They are real?"
"Yes. Yes, they are. Everyone here."
"So who are you all?"
"Most of us don't know. Only two of us remember our past lives."
"Why are you showing me all this?"
"Two reasons. First, we retrieved these records from one the labs that made two of us. The second is we need your help."
Twilly handed over a file.
Margaret looked through it, and her eyes suddenly narrowed. "If this is some sort of sick joke..." she threatened.
"No joke. You can have the genetic tests done yourself."
"That young lady who showed me in?"
"Yes, a part of her used to be your elder sister."
"But she has no memory?"
"None at all, I am afraid. I am sorry."
Margaret set her face "So what is the help you want?"
"I want to take us public. But we need protections. We need to be citizens."
"And Justine is the carrot and stick in one."
"Uma, now. But yes. The brain and some of her body was once your sister. We can't give Justine back to you, but you can get to know Uma. So yes, carrot and stick."
"Shit. I'll check."
"Please do. We need your help."

#SF #SFF #SciFi #Catgirls #Microfic #Microfiction #tootfic #IAmWriting

For @ami_angelwings

1/2
I looked across the tent at a perfect copy of myself. Well, not quite perfect. They are still getting the hang of English.

I should back up a bit.

Just before sunset a week ago, I screwed up. I'd been driving too long, and only saw the wombat on the highway at the last moment. I swerved and lost control.

When I came to, my car was totalled, and well out of sight of the highway, behind a low rise on the plain. I struggled out of the wreck in the dark, but had enough sense not to try wandering around. There are all sorts of sinkholes around here, and if I fell down one of them, I was a goner.

As I stood next to the remains of my car, I saw what I thought was a helicopter coming my way. I waved and shouted, but then I noticed how erratically it was flying. The lights seemed a bit off, too. I was pretty sure helicopters didn't have purple lights. So maybe it was someone's drone?

All of that went out the window, when it turned towards me, and then crashed into the ground next to my wrecked car.

What I was looking at was an actual flying saucer. About twice the size of my car. And it looked about as wrecked as my car was.

After a couple of moments, a small port opened, and a gush of purple liquid poured out, followed by a splat of something grey.

I just stared. What I didn't notice was the grey blob in the purple puddle extruding a tendril towards me. At least until it touched my leg.

I probably jumped five metres straight up at that. And about five backwards.

What followed was the grey blob contracting back into itself, and then changing. Into a perfect copy of me.

This was one shock too many, and I fainted.

When I came to, the copy was crouched next to me. Before I could move, it touched my forehead, and I was filled with a sense of worry. And it was not mine. This I found a bit reassuring, and so I stopped myself from moving, and tried to ask what it was.

It took a lot of back and forthing of mental images, but it's ship had hit an near-earth asteroid, and it had lost control. It wanted to know if it could be fixed.

I didn't know. But, between the two of us, we might be able to get one vehicle sort of working. We thought about getting a lift, but there would be questions. Too many of them.

Of course, it was now in the form of a human, so the first order was arranging food and water. Then it discovered it needed to sleep. And everything else.

Some of its ship still worked - and it knew enough to work out how create food and water for us both. And it is learning English. Which is a bit easier than trading images.

We've been here a week now.

As I watch the copy of me, it wakes up. I watch my body stretch, and then it looks at me. "We fix car. Get bigger car. Take my ship to fixing place."
"I don't know that we've got anywhere that can fix your ship."
"Can't fix it here."
"Can we fix the car?"
"Easier than ship."

I guess it has a point.

#SF #SFF #SciFi #microfic #tootfic #microtfiction #IAmWriting

1/2
I looked across the tent at a perfect copy of myself. Well, not quite perfect. They are still getting the hang of English.

I should back up a bit.

Just before sunset a week ago, I screwed up. I'd been driving too long, and only saw the wombat on the highway at the last moment. I swerved and lost control.

When I came to, my car was totalled, and well out of sight of the highway, behind a low rise on the plain. I struggled out of the wreck in the dark, but had enough sense not to try wandering around. There are all sorts of sinkholes around here, and if I fell down one of them, I was a goner.

As I stood next to the remains of my car, I saw what I thought was a helicopter coming my way. I waved and shouted, but then I noticed how erratically it was flying. The lights seemed a bit off, too. I was pretty sure helicopters didn't have purple lights. So maybe it was someone's drone?

All of that went out the window, when it turned towards me, and then crashed into the ground next to my wrecked car.

What I was looking at was an actual flying saucer. About twice the size of my car. And it looked about as wrecked as my car was.

After a couple of moments, a small port opened, and a gush of purple liquid poured out, followed by a splat of something grey.

I just stared. What I didn't notice was the grey blob in the purple puddle extruding a tendril towards me. At least until it touched my leg.

I probably jumped five metres straight up at that. And about five backwards.

What followed was the grey blob contracting back into itself, and then changing. Into a perfect copy of me.

This was one shock too many, and I fainted.

When I came to, the copy was crouched next to me. Before I could move, it touched my forehead, and I was filled with a sense of worry. And it was not mine. This I found a bit reassuring, and so I stopped myself from moving, and tried to ask what it was.

It took a lot of back and forthing of mental images, but it's ship had hit an near-earth asteroid, and it had lost control. It wanted to know if it could be fixed.

I didn't know. But, between the two of us, we might be able to get one vehicle sort of working. We thought about getting a lift, but there would be questions. Too many of them.

Of course, it was now in the form of a human, so the first order was arranging food and water. Then it discovered it needed to sleep. And everything else.

Some of its ship still worked - and it knew enough to work out how create food and water for us both. And it is learning English. Which is a bit easier than trading images.

We've been here a week now.

As I watch the copy of me, it wakes up. I watch my body stretch, and then it looks at me. "We fix car. Get bigger car. Take my ship to fixing place."
"I don't know that we've got anywhere that can fix your ship."
"Can't fix it here."
"Can we fix the car?"
"Easier than ship."

I guess it has a point.

#SF #SFF #SciFi #microfic #tootfic #microtfiction #IAmWriting

Iris Part 18

Colin thought he had decent breath control. He'd been diving in the North Sea since he'd been ten, and had had lots of practice free diving. He was not, however, foolish enough to try to keep up with Indigo. He could see the gill slits on her sides open, the way she held her mouth wide, and knew that she could stay under the water indefinitely.

The surprise had been Alice. He'd heard Indigo mention her friend often enough, but he had no idea how much of an accomplished diver she was. And she was clearly better than himself. He watched as she followed Indigo to the bottom, and then pointed something out to her before rising to the surface.

Alice broke the surface and took a deep breath "Head straight down, and Indi will introduce you to Otto."
"Otto?"
"You'll see! Otto's cool."

Colin stabilised his breathing, took a deep breath, and dived.

Beneath him he could see Indi by a dark hole in the reef. As he came near, she looked up, grinned, and reached into the hole. From within, a large tentacle emerged, followed by the largest octopus he'd ever seen, wrapping two of its tentacles around Indi's left arm. It looked at him, and flashed a series of colours.
Indigo sang. Only a few bars, but it was almost enough to make him forget to hold his breath. The octopus then flashed some more colours, and released Indigo's arm.

She turned, grabbed him by the elbow, and pulled him to the surface, her long tail propelling them at a remarkable speed. They hit the surface, and he felt himself rise halfway out of the water, before falling back.

"Are you OK, Colin?" were the first words from her mouth when their heads were above water.
He shook himself a little "I ... I think so? What was that?"
"I don't know! You looked like you were hypnotized! Otto asked why you had turned into prey!"
"I ... you started singing..."
"I was just telling Otto that you were a friend!"
"It was like the old legends about sirens", he protested.
"It has never affected Alice like that! Alice? Back me up here!" Indigo turned to the other girl.
Alice thought a moment "Nope, never. It just sounds like noise to me." There was a beat, and then she added "Just like your karaoke."
"Hey!"
"Um" Colin broke in before it could escalate "Indi, have you ever sung underwater when there was a guy around before?"
That stopped both of them, the girls looked at each other, and then both shook their heads slowly. "I've only dived with Dad, and I've never sung around him under water" Indigo slowly replied.
All three of them looked at each other, and then Alice said "Iris" at the same time as Indigo said "Mum."
They took off towards the boat, Colin trailing behind.

#SF #SFF #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #NereidIris #UrbanFantasy

Iris Part 18

Colin thought he had decent breath control. He'd been diving in the North Sea since he'd been ten, and had had lots of practice free diving. He was not, however, foolish enough to try to keep up with Indigo. He could see the gill slits on her sides open, the way she held her mouth wide, and knew that she could stay under the water indefinitely.

The surprise had been Alice. He'd heard Indigo mention her friend often enough, but he had no idea how much of an accomplished diver she was. And she was clearly better than himself. He watched as she followed Indigo to the bottom, and then pointed something out to her before rising to the surface.

Alice broke the surface and took a deep breath "Head straight down, and Indi will introduce you to Otto."
"Otto?"
"You'll see! Otto's cool."

Colin stabilised his breathing, took a deep breath, and dived.

Beneath him he could see Indi by a dark hole in the reef. As he came near, she looked up, grinned, and reached into the hole. From within, a large tentacle emerged, followed by the largest octopus he'd ever seen, wrapping two of its tentacles around Indi's left arm. It looked at him, and flashed a series of colours.
Indigo sang. Only a few bars, but it was almost enough to make him forget to hold his breath. The octopus then flashed some more colours, and released Indigo's arm.

She turned, grabbed him by the elbow, and pulled him to the surface, her long tail propelling them at a remarkable speed. They hit the surface, and he felt himself rise halfway out of the water, before falling back.

"Are you OK, Colin?" were the first words from her mouth when their heads were above water.
He shook himself a little "I ... I think so? What was that?"
"I don't know! You looked like you were hypnotized! Otto asked why you had turned into prey!"
"I ... you started singing..."
"I was just telling Otto that you were a friend!"
"It was like the old legends about sirens", he protested.
"It has never affected Alice like that! Alice? Back me up here!" Indigo turned to the other girl.
Alice thought a moment "Nope, never. It just sounds like noise to me." There was a beat, and then she added "Just like your karaoke."
"Hey!"
"Um" Colin broke in before it could escalate "Indi, have you ever sung underwater when there was a guy around before?"
That stopped both of them, the girls looked at each other, and then both shook their heads slowly. "I've only dived with Dad, and I've never sung around him under water" Indigo slowly replied.
All three of them looked at each other, and then Alice said "Iris" at the same time as Indigo said "Mum."
They took off towards the boat, Colin trailing behind.

#SF #SFF #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #NereidIris #UrbanFantasy