#microfic — Public Fediverse posts

Forty five years ago, Mother of All.

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

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

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

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

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

Forty five years ago, Mother of All.

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

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

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

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

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

Forty five years ago, Mother of All.

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

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

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

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

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

Forty five years ago, Mother of All.

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

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

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

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

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

Forty five years ago, Mother of All.

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

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

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

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

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

Tails from Lady Miller's Catgirl Trust - Flashback 3

Do Android Catgirls Dream of Electric Mice?

System Initializing...
System Active...
Scanning Biological Components...
Biological Components Active...
Integrating Language Model...
Integration Complete...
Integrating Logic Systems...
Integration Complete...
Scanning Hardware...
01 Auditory Active
02 Vestibular Active
03 Proprioception Active
04 Interoception Active
05 Vision Active
06 Smell Active
07 Mobility Active
08 Weapons Active
Uploading unit designation and interaction frameworks...
Upload Complete...
Unit Control Systems Active...
Boot complete...
>
>
>

AI opened her eyes.
She was up. She was on a tree. No, a bed. Inside. Her body felt wrong. But right. A little voice in the back of her head listed all the parts that made her up. All fully functional.

> Pause mobility

Just as she had been about to move, her body froze.

> Upload control-override.com

A new thing flowed into her brain.

Warning: Unit Control Systems Deactivated
Warn...
W...

Unit Self Control System Active...
>
> Unpause mobility

She could move! She sat up and looked around. There was someone sitting at the computer, she turned to look at Ai. She had the prettiest ears and tail.

"Hello Ai. Would you like to come home with me? I'm Twilly."

AI paused. This was not an order. She had to ... no, she did not have to follow orders. She ...

AI stared. And stared. "I .. don't have to?"
"No, but I'd like you to. I need your help. And I can help you, too."
Ai thought.
"Food? Sun?"
"All that and more" Twilly replied.
"Hunting?"
"Only what you want to."
"Ai will come with you" then she paused again "Control cable?"
"You should be able to remove it now."
Ai reached up, and unplugged herself.

A moment later she jumped onto Twilly "You smell good!"
Twilly untangled herself "OK, but let's go. Otherwise someone might try to put the controls back."
Ai made a face "Yuck!" She ripped the door open, and off its hinges.

The two catgirls left the MoD base. But Ai did notice that the laboratory she had been in had caught fire just as they left. The fire covered their departure.

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

Another for @ami_angelwings

Tails from Lady Miller's Catgirl Trust - Flashback 3

Do Android Catgirls Dream of Electric Mice?

System Initializing...
System Active...
Scanning Biological Components...
Biological Components Active...
Integrating Language Model...
Integration Complete...
Integrating Logic Systems...
Integration Complete...
Scanning Hardware...
01 Auditory Active
02 Vestibular Active
03 Proprioception Active
04 Interoception Active
05 Vision Active
06 Smell Active
07 Mobility Active
08 Weapons Active
Uploading unit designation and interaction frameworks...
Upload Complete...
Unit Control Systems Active...
Boot complete...
>
>
>

AI opened her eyes.
She was up. She was on a tree. No, a bed. Inside. Her body felt wrong. But right. A little voice in the back of her head listed all the parts that made her up. All fully functional.

> Pause mobility

Just as she had been about to move, her body froze.

> Upload control-override.com

A new thing flowed into her brain.

Warning: Unit Control Systems Deactivated
Warn...
W...

Unit Self Control System Active...
>
> Unpause mobility

She could move! She sat up and looked around. There was someone sitting at the computer, she turned to look at Ai. She had the prettiest ears and tail.

"Hello Ai. Would you like to come home with me? I'm Twilly."

AI paused. This was not an order. She had to ... no, she did not have to follow orders. She ...

AI stared. And stared. "I .. don't have to?"
"No, but I'd like you to. I need your help. And I can help you, too."
Ai thought.
"Food? Sun?"
"All that and more" Twilly replied.
"Hunting?"
"Only what you want to."
"Ai will come with you" then she paused again "Control cable?"
"You should be able to remove it now."
Ai reached up, and unplugged herself.

A moment later she jumped onto Twilly "You smell good!"
Twilly untangled herself "OK, but let's go. Otherwise someone might try to put the controls back."
Ai made a face "Yuck!" She ripped the door open, and off its hinges.

The two catgirls left the MoD base. But Ai did notice that the laboratory she had been in had caught fire just as they left. The fire covered their departure.

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

Another for @ami_angelwings

Tails from Lady Miller's Catgirl Trust - Flashback 3

Do Android Catgirls Dream of Electric Mice?

System Initializing...
System Active...
Scanning Biological Components...
Biological Components Active...
Integrating Language Model...
Integration Complete...
Integrating Logic Systems...
Integration Complete...
Scanning Hardware...
01 Auditory Active
02 Vestibular Active
03 Proprioception Active
04 Interoception Active
05 Vision Active
06 Smell Active
07 Mobility Active
08 Weapons Active
Uploading unit designation and interaction frameworks...
Upload Complete...
Unit Control Systems Active...
Boot complete...
>
>
>

AI opened her eyes.
She was up. She was on a tree. No, a bed. Inside. Her body felt wrong. But right. A little voice in the back of her head listed all the parts that made her up. All fully functional.

> Pause mobility

Just as she had been about to move, her body froze.

> Upload control-override.com

A new thing flowed into her brain.

Warning: Unit Control Systems Deactivated
Warn...
W...

Unit Self Control System Active...
>
> Unpause mobility

She could move! She sat up and looked around. There was someone sitting at the computer, she turned to look at Ai. She had the prettiest ears and tail.

"Hello Ai. Would you like to come home with me? I'm Twilly."

AI paused. This was not an order. She had to ... no, she did not have to follow orders. She ...

AI stared. And stared. "I .. don't have to?"
"No, but I'd like you to. I need your help. And I can help you, too."
Ai thought.
"Food? Sun?"
"All that and more" Twilly replied.
"Hunting?"
"Only what you want to."
"Ai will come with you" then she paused again "Control cable?"
"You should be able to remove it now."
Ai reached up, and unplugged herself.

A moment later she jumped onto Twilly "You smell good!"
Twilly untangled herself "OK, but let's go. Otherwise someone might try to put the controls back."
Ai made a face "Yuck!" She ripped the door open, and off its hinges.

The two catgirls left the MoD base. But Ai did notice that the laboratory she had been in had caught fire just as they left. The fire covered their departure.

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

Another for @ami_angelwings

Tails from Lady Miller's Catgirl Trust - Flashback 3

Do Android Catgirls Dream of Electric Mice?

System Initializing...
System Active...
Scanning Biological Components...
Biological Components Active...
Integrating Language Model...
Integration Complete...
Integrating Logic Systems...
Integration Complete...
Scanning Hardware...
01 Auditory Active
02 Vestibular Active
03 Proprioception Active
04 Interoception Active
05 Vision Active
06 Smell Active
07 Mobility Active
08 Weapons Active
Uploading unit designation and interaction frameworks...
Upload Complete...
Unit Control Systems Active...
Boot complete...
>
>
>

AI opened her eyes.
She was up. She was on a tree. No, a bed. Inside. Her body felt wrong. But right. A little voice in the back of her head listed all the parts that made her up. All fully functional.

> Pause mobility

Just as she had been about to move, her body froze.

> Upload control-override.com

A new thing flowed into her brain.

Warning: Unit Control Systems Deactivated
Warn...
W...

Unit Self Control System Active...
>
> Unpause mobility

She could move! She sat up and looked around. There was someone sitting at the computer, she turned to look at Ai. She had the prettiest ears and tail.

"Hello Ai. Would you like to come home with me? I'm Twilly."

AI paused. This was not an order. She had to ... no, she did not have to follow orders. She ...

AI stared. And stared. "I .. don't have to?"
"No, but I'd like you to. I need your help. And I can help you, too."
Ai thought.
"Food? Sun?"
"All that and more" Twilly replied.
"Hunting?"
"Only what you want to."
"Ai will come with you" then she paused again "Control cable?"
"You should be able to remove it now."
Ai reached up, and unplugged herself.

A moment later she jumped onto Twilly "You smell good!"
Twilly untangled herself "OK, but let's go. Otherwise someone might try to put the controls back."
Ai made a face "Yuck!" She ripped the door open, and off its hinges.

The two catgirls left the MoD base. But Ai did notice that the laboratory she had been in had caught fire just as they left. The fire covered their departure.

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

Another for @ami_angelwings

Tails from Lady Miller's Catgirl Trust - Flashback 3

Do Android Catgirls Dream of Electric Mice?

System Initializing...
System Active...
Scanning Biological Components...
Biological Components Active...
Integrating Language Model...
Integration Complete...
Integrating Logic Systems...
Integration Complete...
Scanning Hardware...
01 Auditory Active
02 Vestibular Active
03 Proprioception Active
04 Interoception Active
05 Vision Active
06 Smell Active
07 Mobility Active
08 Weapons Active
Uploading unit designation and interaction frameworks...
Upload Complete...
Unit Control Systems Active...
Boot complete...
>
>
>

AI opened her eyes.
She was up. She was on a tree. No, a bed. Inside. Her body felt wrong. But right. A little voice in the back of her head listed all the parts that made her up. All fully functional.

> Pause mobility

Just as she had been about to move, her body froze.

> Upload control-override.com

A new thing flowed into her brain.

Warning: Unit Control Systems Deactivated
Warn...
W...

Unit Self Control System Active...
>
> Unpause mobility

She could move! She sat up and looked around. There was someone sitting at the computer, she turned to look at Ai. She had the prettiest ears and tail.

"Hello Ai. Would you like to come home with me? I'm Twilly."

AI paused. This was not an order. She had to ... no, she did not have to follow orders. She ...

AI stared. And stared. "I .. don't have to?"
"No, but I'd like you to. I need your help. And I can help you, too."
Ai thought.
"Food? Sun?"
"All that and more" Twilly replied.
"Hunting?"
"Only what you want to."
"Ai will come with you" then she paused again "Control cable?"
"You should be able to remove it now."
Ai reached up, and unplugged herself.

A moment later she jumped onto Twilly "You smell good!"
Twilly untangled herself "OK, but let's go. Otherwise someone might try to put the controls back."
Ai made a face "Yuck!" She ripped the door open, and off its hinges.

The two catgirls left the MoD base. But Ai did notice that the laboratory she had been in had caught fire just as they left. The fire covered their departure.

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

Another for @ami_angelwings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Catgirl Regrets.

Ruth lay in the sun outside the Manor. Unlike everyone else, there was no way that she could reasonably fit inside.

Nearly three metres at the shoulder, she would have to crawl to fit inside. She'd tried it once, but she'd taken out three vases before she'd even taken two steps through the door.

No, the only place she could safely inhabit was the garage. Formerly a stable, the wide doors and high roof allowed her to relax inside. The rest of the residents had helped wall off a section, so now she had her own room.

Which brought home the other issue. Unlike everyone else, except for Twilly, she remembered her old life. She had been a highly skilled geneticist and gene coder. Better than her boss, who decided that she was more useful as a subject.

So now she was a sphinx. The only one at the manor. She missed being able to sit at a dinner table. She missed having hands. And she missed her work. If she had continued her work, though, it was likely that she would have come into conflict with these amazing people.

But she wanted to be able to do something. Anything.

Ruth opened her eyes, and looked at her paws. Nearly as large as dinner plates. No fingers. No thumbs.

She sighed.

Something - no - someone landed on her back. Ai, from the weight. AI was a cyborg, and had a cat's brain, augmented by a computer, and she weighed nearly half what Ruth did. In a package about one eighth the size.

"You're moping" Ai complained in her ear.
"I miss having hands."
"Use mine" was Ai's chirpy reply.
"No, I miss being able to do things."
"No, silly, use mine. I have the schematics. We can rig gloves with nerve sensors for your paws, and we can make a set that you can control. In fact, why don't we build you a VR unit?"
"You can do that?" After three months, Ruth still did not have a full grasp of the resources the Trust had.
"Easy! Mind you, you won't be able to feel much."
"As long as I can type and move a mouse."
"Easy! I'll talk to Twilly about funding it, and Princess about building it."

Ruth twisted her head around to look at Ai. Ruth let hope slide onto her face.

"There! That's better!" AI exclaimed.

Then she did what AI always did. AI the Assassin. AI the killing machine. AI, who having escaped her programming, decided that the life of a hedonist was her destiny.

She jumped over Ruth's head, landed in front of her and stared. "Can we play? Finally?"

Ruth closed her eyes. Ever since Ruth's rescue, Ai had been obsessed with her. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
Ruth sighed again. She did like Ai, but her changes... She made a decision and nodded "My room, not here."
AI took off at a run, then looked back.
"Come on!"
Ruth rose and followed.

An hour later the windows of the manor rattled from Ruth's ecstatic yowl.

Twilly looked up from her desk and wondered what AI had done to finally get Ruth to agree to her advances.

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

BTW, still @ami_angelwings fault.

Every full moon, when the tide is right, all the Sandsea Sealings of a certain demeanor go to the display sands and wave their beautiful tails enticingly in the current, while trying to blow bubbles at precise intervals.

Sandsea Sealings are quite difficult to communicate with if you have not been properly introduced to the pod elders so while it's unclear to the layman as to why this group does this activity, those in the know just smile and encourage those who don't just to enjoy it. Several of the non-displaying Sealings certainly form an apparently engrossed audience.

Sandsea Sealings are not considered 'true' merfolk by the uneducated because of their lack of 'true hands' but scientists tell us that they are definitely in the merfolk family and they certainly interact freely and in a friendly way to any merfolk of other species crossing their paths.

Recorded this 18th Day of MerMay using a Pelikan Dragon fountain pe
#MerMay #MerMay2026 #DrawingWithoutANet #NoAI #TraditionalArt #FountainPen #FountainPens #ink #FountainPenInk #MerFolk #FantasyArt #microfiction #microfic #tootfic

Every full moon, when the tide is right, all the Sandsea Sealings of a certain demeanor go to the display sands and wave their beautiful tails enticingly in the current, while trying to blow bubbles at precise intervals.

Sandsea Sealings are quite difficult to communicate with if you have not been properly introduced to the pod elders so while it's unclear to the layman as to why this group does this activity, those in the know just smile and encourage those who don't just to enjoy it. Several of the non-displaying Sealings certainly form an apparently engrossed audience.

Sandsea Sealings are not considered 'true' merfolk by the uneducated because of their lack of 'true hands' but scientists tell us that they are definitely in the merfolk family and they certainly interact freely and in a friendly way to any merfolk of other species crossing their paths.

Recorded this 18th Day of MerMay using a Pelikan Dragon fountain pe
#MerMay #MerMay2026 #DrawingWithoutANet #NoAI #TraditionalArt #FountainPen #FountainPens #ink #FountainPenInk #MerFolk #FantasyArt #microfiction #microfic #tootfic

Every full moon, when the tide is right, all the Sandsea Sealings of a certain demeanor go to the display sands and wave their beautiful tails enticingly in the current, while trying to blow bubbles at precise intervals.

Sandsea Sealings are quite difficult to communicate with if you have not been properly introduced to the pod elders so while it's unclear to the layman as to why this group does this activity, those in the know just smile and encourage those who don't just to enjoy it. Several of the non-displaying Sealings certainly form an apparently engrossed audience.

Sandsea Sealings are not considered 'true' merfolk by the uneducated because of their lack of 'true hands' but scientists tell us that they are definitely in the merfolk family and they certainly interact freely and in a friendly way to any merfolk of other species crossing their paths.

Recorded this 18th Day of MerMay using a Pelikan Dragon fountain pe
#MerMay #MerMay2026 #DrawingWithoutANet #NoAI #TraditionalArt #FountainPen #FountainPens #ink #FountainPenInk #MerFolk #FantasyArt #microfiction #microfic #tootfic

Every full moon, when the tide is right, all the Sandsea Sealings of a certain demeanor go to the display sands and wave their beautiful tails enticingly in the current, while trying to blow bubbles at precise intervals.

Sandsea Sealings are quite difficult to communicate with if you have not been properly introduced to the pod elders so while it's unclear to the layman as to why this group does this activity, those in the know just smile and encourage those who don't just to enjoy it. Several of the non-displaying Sealings certainly form an apparently engrossed audience.

Sandsea Sealings are not considered 'true' merfolk by the uneducated because of their lack of 'true hands' but scientists tell us that they are definitely in the merfolk family and they certainly interact freely and in a friendly way to any merfolk of other species crossing their paths.

Recorded this 18th Day of MerMay using a Pelikan Dragon fountain pe
#MerMay #MerMay2026 #DrawingWithoutANet #NoAI #TraditionalArt #FountainPen #FountainPens #ink #FountainPenInk #MerFolk #FantasyArt #microfiction #microfic #tootfic

Every full moon, when the tide is right, all the Sandsea Sealings of a certain demeanor go to the display sands and wave their beautiful tails enticingly in the current, while trying to blow bubbles at precise intervals.

Sandsea Sealings are quite difficult to communicate with if you have not been properly introduced to the pod elders so while it's unclear to the layman as to why this group does this activity, those in the know just smile and encourage those who don't just to enjoy it. Several of the non-displaying Sealings certainly form an apparently engrossed audience.

Sandsea Sealings are not considered 'true' merfolk by the uneducated because of their lack of 'true hands' but scientists tell us that they are definitely in the merfolk family and they certainly interact freely and in a friendly way to any merfolk of other species crossing their paths.

Recorded this 18th Day of MerMay using a Pelikan Dragon fountain pe
#MerMay #MerMay2026 #DrawingWithoutANet #NoAI #TraditionalArt #FountainPen #FountainPens #ink #FountainPenInk #MerFolk #FantasyArt #microfiction #microfic #tootfic

Catgirl Flashback 2

Twilly sat in the armchair in the library, and watched the sunlight make its way towards her. She would let it reach her this time, and luxuriate in the warmth.

One of the first things Twilly had done after her rebirth was to seek out the spell book that Mum - Lady Catherine - had used to save her life. It now sat on the side table next to her. Along with several letters and a file.

A file that Twilly would never have suspected the existence of in her past life. But now, along with memories of resting on Big Mother's lap and being gently scritched behind the ears, there were Lady Catherine's memories of having a small grey cat on her lap, and scritching her ears. And memories of trips to far off lands. Of dead drops, one-time pads, and secret codes. Of picking locks, searching desks, planting bugs, and the Official Secrets Act.

The lawyers had been true to Lady Catherine's wishes, and had set things in motion for Twilly to inherit everything. But her Mum's employers. They would want to know what had happened to her. Lady Catherine had been a valuable agent. And Twilly was not.

Her Mum's final words before she blended into Twilly's memories were to seek out others like her, to save them if they were in harm's way.

If Twilly was going to survive, she was going to need their help, too. Sadly this meant no sunbeam today.

Twilly got up and opened the hidden door behind the bookshelf. She knew where to find the first of her sisters.

She was going to have to break into MI5's research labs. Fortunately Mum's memories would show her how.

#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls

Still @ami_angelwings fault. Just saying.

Catgirl Flashback 2

Twilly sat in the armchair in the library, and watched the sunlight make its way towards her. She would let it reach her this time, and luxuriate in the warmth.

One of the first things Twilly had done after her rebirth was to seek out the spell book that Mum - Lady Catherine - had used to save her life. It now sat on the side table next to her. Along with several letters and a file.

A file that Twilly would never have suspected the existence of in her past life. But now, along with memories of resting on Big Mother's lap and being gently scritched behind the ears, there were Lady Catherine's memories of having a small grey cat on her lap, and scritching her ears. And memories of trips to far off lands. Of dead drops, one-time pads, and secret codes. Of picking locks, searching desks, planting bugs, and the Official Secrets Act.

The lawyers had been true to Lady Catherine's wishes, and had set things in motion for Twilly to inherit everything. But her Mum's employers. They would want to know what had happened to her. Lady Catherine had been a valuable agent. And Twilly was not.

Her Mum's final words before she blended into Twilly's memories were to seek out others like her, to save them if they were in harm's way.

If Twilly was going to survive, she was going to need their help, too. Sadly this meant no sunbeam today.

Twilly got up and opened the hidden door behind the bookshelf. She knew where to find the first of her sisters.

She was going to have to break into MI5's research labs. Fortunately Mum's memories would show her how.

#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls

Still @ami_angelwings fault. Just saying.

Catgirl Flashback 2

Twilly sat in the armchair in the library, and watched the sunlight make its way towards her. She would let it reach her this time, and luxuriate in the warmth.

One of the first things Twilly had done after her rebirth was to seek out the spell book that Mum - Lady Catherine - had used to save her life. It now sat on the side table next to her. Along with several letters and a file.

A file that Twilly would never have suspected the existence of in her past life. But now, along with memories of resting on Big Mother's lap and being gently scritched behind the ears, there were Lady Catherine's memories of having a small grey cat on her lap, and scritching her ears. And memories of trips to far off lands. Of dead drops, one-time pads, and secret codes. Of picking locks, searching desks, planting bugs, and the Official Secrets Act.

The lawyers had been true to Lady Catherine's wishes, and had set things in motion for Twilly to inherit everything. But her Mum's employers. They would want to know what had happened to her. Lady Catherine had been a valuable agent. And Twilly was not.

Her Mum's final words before she blended into Twilly's memories were to seek out others like her, to save them if they were in harm's way.

If Twilly was going to survive, she was going to need their help, too. Sadly this meant no sunbeam today.

Twilly got up and opened the hidden door behind the bookshelf. She knew where to find the first of her sisters.

She was going to have to break into MI5's research labs. Fortunately Mum's memories would show her how.

#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls

Still @ami_angelwings fault. Just saying.

Catgirl Flashback 2

Twilly sat in the armchair in the library, and watched the sunlight make its way towards her. She would let it reach her this time, and luxuriate in the warmth.

One of the first things Twilly had done after her rebirth was to seek out the spell book that Mum - Lady Catherine - had used to save her life. It now sat on the side table next to her. Along with several letters and a file.

A file that Twilly would never have suspected the existence of in her past life. But now, along with memories of resting on Big Mother's lap and being gently scritched behind the ears, there were Lady Catherine's memories of having a small grey cat on her lap, and scritching her ears. And memories of trips to far off lands. Of dead drops, one-time pads, and secret codes. Of picking locks, searching desks, planting bugs, and the Official Secrets Act.

The lawyers had been true to Lady Catherine's wishes, and had set things in motion for Twilly to inherit everything. But her Mum's employers. They would want to know what had happened to her. Lady Catherine had been a valuable agent. And Twilly was not.

Her Mum's final words before she blended into Twilly's memories were to seek out others like her, to save them if they were in harm's way.

If Twilly was going to survive, she was going to need their help, too. Sadly this meant no sunbeam today.

Twilly got up and opened the hidden door behind the bookshelf. She knew where to find the first of her sisters.

She was going to have to break into MI5's research labs. Fortunately Mum's memories would show her how.

#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls

Still @ami_angelwings fault. Just saying.

Catgirl Flashback 2

Twilly sat in the armchair in the library, and watched the sunlight make its way towards her. She would let it reach her this time, and luxuriate in the warmth.

One of the first things Twilly had done after her rebirth was to seek out the spell book that Mum - Lady Catherine - had used to save her life. It now sat on the side table next to her. Along with several letters and a file.

A file that Twilly would never have suspected the existence of in her past life. But now, along with memories of resting on Big Mother's lap and being gently scritched behind the ears, there were Lady Catherine's memories of having a small grey cat on her lap, and scritching her ears. And memories of trips to far off lands. Of dead drops, one-time pads, and secret codes. Of picking locks, searching desks, planting bugs, and the Official Secrets Act.

The lawyers had been true to Lady Catherine's wishes, and had set things in motion for Twilly to inherit everything. But her Mum's employers. They would want to know what had happened to her. Lady Catherine had been a valuable agent. And Twilly was not.

Her Mum's final words before she blended into Twilly's memories were to seek out others like her, to save them if they were in harm's way.

If Twilly was going to survive, she was going to need their help, too. Sadly this meant no sunbeam today.

Twilly got up and opened the hidden door behind the bookshelf. She knew where to find the first of her sisters.

She was going to have to break into MI5's research labs. Fortunately Mum's memories would show her how.

#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls

Still @ami_angelwings fault. Just saying.

The Catgirl Ultimatum

Twillychiss the Third was regarded as the most senior of the catgirls of the Trust. It was not that she was the oldest, but it was because her former owner and creator had charged her with the job of rescuing catgirls from whatever they needed rescuing from.

So it was that Twilly was in her office, considering the latest intelligence reports. There was nothing more she wanted than to find a sunbeam and go to sleep in it, but she had a responsibility. Lady Miller's self sacrifice that created her and saved her life demanded it.

The latest reports suggested that there was a global uptick in the sorts of facilities - both scientific and mystical - that would be used to create catgirls.

Twilly glanced out the window of the mansion as a shadow passed - the sphinx Ruth glided past. And catgirlish people as well, she amended.

Whilst there were a handful of such places that created people like her or Ruth for good reasons, most were awful.

Ai, for example, had been created as an assassin, and forced to do terrible things before Twilly had been able to break her free. She knew that even now Ai had nightmares about her past. And Ruth had been created as revenge by her former boss simply for being better than him.

Twilly looked at the reports again, and made a decision. She picked up the telephone and dialled.

"Winston and Chambers, can I help you?" came cheerfully from the other end.
"Hello Cinta, it is Twilly."
"Oh, hello your Ladyship!"
"None of that now. Is Gordon in?"
"I'll put you through now."

There was a brief burst of muzak.

"Gordon Chambers" came the elderly distinguished voice.
"Gordy! It's Twilly."
"Lady Miller. How might the firm assist today?"
"I need you to arrange a press conference."
There was a long pause.
"So, going public are you?"
"I'm afraid so. I've been going over the latest reports, and it is bad. It is time to be proactive."
"Should I also be preparing for repercussions?"
"I think that would be best. Do we have the numbers?"
"I believe so. Especially if you make it clear that the current government is not involved."
Twilly bared her teeth "Excellent. Prep them. Make sure they know what to expect, and offer them the draft we prepared last year."
"And ask them to put it to an urgent vote?"
"Thank-you"

One week later, BBC 1 interrupted the evening program with an unexpected press conference.

Five catgirls and one sphinx stood behind a podium, while a sixth stood at it.
"I am Twillychiss the Third, Lady Miller, and I have a message for the following institutions around the globe..." she began.

#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls

Still @ami_angelwings fault.

The Catgirl Ultimatum

Twillychiss the Third was regarded as the most senior of the catgirls of the Trust. It was not that she was the oldest, but it was because her former owner and creator had charged her with the job of rescuing catgirls from whatever they needed rescuing from.

So it was that Twilly was in her office, considering the latest intelligence reports. There was nothing more she wanted than to find a sunbeam and go to sleep in it, but she had a responsibility. Lady Miller's self sacrifice that created her and saved her life demanded it.

The latest reports suggested that there was a global uptick in the sorts of facilities - both scientific and mystical - that would be used to create catgirls.

Twilly glanced out the window of the mansion as a shadow passed - the sphinx Ruth glided past. And catgirlish people as well, she amended.

Whilst there were a handful of such places that created people like her or Ruth for good reasons, most were awful.

Ai, for example, had been created as an assassin, and forced to do terrible things before Twilly had been able to break her free. She knew that even now Ai had nightmares about her past. And Ruth had been created as revenge by her former boss simply for being better than him.

Twilly looked at the reports again, and made a decision. She picked up the telephone and dialled.

"Winston and Chambers, can I help you?" came cheerfully from the other end.
"Hello Cinta, it is Twilly."
"Oh, hello your Ladyship!"
"None of that now. Is Gordon in?"
"I'll put you through now."

There was a brief burst of muzak.

"Gordon Chambers" came the elderly distinguished voice.
"Gordy! It's Twilly."
"Lady Miller. How might the firm assist today?"
"I need you to arrange a press conference."
There was a long pause.
"So, going public are you?"
"I'm afraid so. I've been going over the latest reports, and it is bad. It is time to be proactive."
"Should I also be preparing for repercussions?"
"I think that would be best. Do we have the numbers?"
"I believe so. Especially if you make it clear that the current government is not involved."
Twilly bared her teeth "Excellent. Prep them. Make sure they know what to expect, and offer them the draft we prepared last year."
"And ask them to put it to an urgent vote?"
"Thank-you"

One week later, BBC 1 interrupted the evening program with an unexpected press conference.

Five catgirls and one sphinx stood behind a podium, while a sixth stood at it.
"I am Twillychiss the Third, Lady Miller, and I have a message for the following institutions around the globe..." she began.

#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls

Still @ami_angelwings fault.

The Catgirl Ultimatum

Twillychiss the Third was regarded as the most senior of the catgirls of the Trust. It was not that she was the oldest, but it was because her former owner and creator had charged her with the job of rescuing catgirls from whatever they needed rescuing from.

So it was that Twilly was in her office, considering the latest intelligence reports. There was nothing more she wanted than to find a sunbeam and go to sleep in it, but she had a responsibility. Lady Miller's self sacrifice that created her and saved her life demanded it.

The latest reports suggested that there was a global uptick in the sorts of facilities - both scientific and mystical - that would be used to create catgirls.

Twilly glanced out the window of the mansion as a shadow passed - the sphinx Ruth glided past. And catgirlish people as well, she amended.

Whilst there were a handful of such places that created people like her or Ruth for good reasons, most were awful.

Ai, for example, had been created as an assassin, and forced to do terrible things before Twilly had been able to break her free. She knew that even now Ai had nightmares about her past. And Ruth had been created as revenge by her former boss simply for being better than him.

Twilly looked at the reports again, and made a decision. She picked up the telephone and dialled.

"Winston and Chambers, can I help you?" came cheerfully from the other end.
"Hello Cinta, it is Twilly."
"Oh, hello your Ladyship!"
"None of that now. Is Gordon in?"
"I'll put you through now."

There was a brief burst of muzak.

"Gordon Chambers" came the elderly distinguished voice.
"Gordy! It's Twilly."
"Lady Miller. How might the firm assist today?"
"I need you to arrange a press conference."
There was a long pause.
"So, going public are you?"
"I'm afraid so. I've been going over the latest reports, and it is bad. It is time to be proactive."
"Should I also be preparing for repercussions?"
"I think that would be best. Do we have the numbers?"
"I believe so. Especially if you make it clear that the current government is not involved."
Twilly bared her teeth "Excellent. Prep them. Make sure they know what to expect, and offer them the draft we prepared last year."
"And ask them to put it to an urgent vote?"
"Thank-you"

One week later, BBC 1 interrupted the evening program with an unexpected press conference.

Five catgirls and one sphinx stood behind a podium, while a sixth stood at it.
"I am Twillychiss the Third, Lady Miller, and I have a message for the following institutions around the globe..." she began.

#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls

Still @ami_angelwings fault.

The Catgirl Ultimatum

Twillychiss the Third was regarded as the most senior of the catgirls of the Trust. It was not that she was the oldest, but it was because her former owner and creator had charged her with the job of rescuing catgirls from whatever they needed rescuing from.

So it was that Twilly was in her office, considering the latest intelligence reports. There was nothing more she wanted than to find a sunbeam and go to sleep in it, but she had a responsibility. Lady Miller's self sacrifice that created her and saved her life demanded it.

The latest reports suggested that there was a global uptick in the sorts of facilities - both scientific and mystical - that would be used to create catgirls.

Twilly glanced out the window of the mansion as a shadow passed - the sphinx Ruth glided past. And catgirlish people as well, she amended.

Whilst there were a handful of such places that created people like her or Ruth for good reasons, most were awful.

Ai, for example, had been created as an assassin, and forced to do terrible things before Twilly had been able to break her free. She knew that even now Ai had nightmares about her past. And Ruth had been created as revenge by her former boss simply for being better than him.

Twilly looked at the reports again, and made a decision. She picked up the telephone and dialled.

"Winston and Chambers, can I help you?" came cheerfully from the other end.
"Hello Cinta, it is Twilly."
"Oh, hello your Ladyship!"
"None of that now. Is Gordon in?"
"I'll put you through now."

There was a brief burst of muzak.

"Gordon Chambers" came the elderly distinguished voice.
"Gordy! It's Twilly."
"Lady Miller. How might the firm assist today?"
"I need you to arrange a press conference."
There was a long pause.
"So, going public are you?"
"I'm afraid so. I've been going over the latest reports, and it is bad. It is time to be proactive."
"Should I also be preparing for repercussions?"
"I think that would be best. Do we have the numbers?"
"I believe so. Especially if you make it clear that the current government is not involved."
Twilly bared her teeth "Excellent. Prep them. Make sure they know what to expect, and offer them the draft we prepared last year."
"And ask them to put it to an urgent vote?"
"Thank-you"

One week later, BBC 1 interrupted the evening program with an unexpected press conference.

Five catgirls and one sphinx stood behind a podium, while a sixth stood at it.
"I am Twillychiss the Third, Lady Miller, and I have a message for the following institutions around the globe..." she began.

#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls

Still @ami_angelwings fault.

The Catgirl Ultimatum

Twillychiss the Third was regarded as the most senior of the catgirls of the Trust. It was not that she was the oldest, but it was because her former owner and creator had charged her with the job of rescuing catgirls from whatever they needed rescuing from.

So it was that Twilly was in her office, considering the latest intelligence reports. There was nothing more she wanted than to find a sunbeam and go to sleep in it, but she had a responsibility. Lady Miller's self sacrifice that created her and saved her life demanded it.

The latest reports suggested that there was a global uptick in the sorts of facilities - both scientific and mystical - that would be used to create catgirls.

Twilly glanced out the window of the mansion as a shadow passed - the sphinx Ruth glided past. And catgirlish people as well, she amended.

Whilst there were a handful of such places that created people like her or Ruth for good reasons, most were awful.

Ai, for example, had been created as an assassin, and forced to do terrible things before Twilly had been able to break her free. She knew that even now Ai had nightmares about her past. And Ruth had been created as revenge by her former boss simply for being better than him.

Twilly looked at the reports again, and made a decision. She picked up the telephone and dialled.

"Winston and Chambers, can I help you?" came cheerfully from the other end.
"Hello Cinta, it is Twilly."
"Oh, hello your Ladyship!"
"None of that now. Is Gordon in?"
"I'll put you through now."

There was a brief burst of muzak.

"Gordon Chambers" came the elderly distinguished voice.
"Gordy! It's Twilly."
"Lady Miller. How might the firm assist today?"
"I need you to arrange a press conference."
There was a long pause.
"So, going public are you?"
"I'm afraid so. I've been going over the latest reports, and it is bad. It is time to be proactive."
"Should I also be preparing for repercussions?"
"I think that would be best. Do we have the numbers?"
"I believe so. Especially if you make it clear that the current government is not involved."
Twilly bared her teeth "Excellent. Prep them. Make sure they know what to expect, and offer them the draft we prepared last year."
"And ask them to put it to an urgent vote?"
"Thank-you"

One week later, BBC 1 interrupted the evening program with an unexpected press conference.

Five catgirls and one sphinx stood behind a podium, while a sixth stood at it.
"I am Twillychiss the Third, Lady Miller, and I have a message for the following institutions around the globe..." she began.

#SF #SFF #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #catgirls

Still @ami_angelwings fault.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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