Justin’s Comments (group member since Mar 13, 2016)

Justin’s comments from the Science Fiction Microstory Contest group.

Another great story Tom! You're on a roll! Loved how the Denebian was a friendly.

Yes, another fantastic story Tom!! Great work!

Fantastic news Jot!

Since I did not write a story, I am not voting.

I hope you all have a very blessed Thanksgiving!

That's great to hear Jot! Nice to have choices. Good luck!

Well, I'm disappointed to say I do not have an entry this month - which is a first for me. I'd like to say it was all the voiceover I was doing, but really, I kept procrastinating. I think you all put in some great stories this month. I'm thankful for all the stories you've created over the years! I hope you all have a wonderful, safe, and family/friend-filled Thanksgiving!! Best wishes to all!

Loved your story Jack! Outstanding!

Seeds of Dissent

David H. Atfield stood on the dilapidated porch of his farm, hands on hips, and surveyed the damage to his crops. As far as the eye could see and beyond, Red Blight covered the once green corn stalks. The static-filled video feed from the harvester displayed no better news.
“Damn it…” he muttered to himself, and spat his chewing tobacco onto an exposed patch of Martian soil. He’d almost forgotten it was even there. A tiny halo of red dust rose into the thin air and quickly dissipated. Inhaling deeply from his oxygen enhancer, he was about to turn and go inside when he noticed a thin figure walking slowly along the road and fence line that marked the westernmost edge of his homestead.
It was a Local.
Even though he could not yet see its green-hued skin, he knew exactly what it was by its loping gait, ovoid head and extra set of arms. Sometimes, in an effort to be less conspicuous, they kept their second set hidden within their loose clothing, but this one did not. No, it casually ran its two left hands along the fence, tempting Atfield to electrify it. To his surprise, it turned onto the broad path that led up to the farmhouse proper – and waved to him in a most human fashion.
Atfield wondered if he should grab his stunner, but then dismissed the thought. He simply stood up straighter, gave a slight wave back, and wondered what this encounter would bring.

***
The Locals were discovered shortly after humans had colonized Mars and begun terraforming it in earnest. Finally free to leave their domed cities and roam (with oxygen enhancers) across the Martian landscape, Humanity’s first contact did not go well. Already a declining species with a crumbling civilization, the Locals did not take kindly to being hurried down the road to extinction by their new neighbors. Ultimately, as Earth’s flora began recoloring the Martian landscape from red to green, there was no need to forcibly relocate the Locals to habitation zones. They moved away from the spreading alien plants on their own. Eventually, interactions between humans and Locals dwindled to uneventful rarities. Yet it was on this particular warm Martian evening that one of the most important encounters took place…

***
“Greetings Earther, I speak to you in peace,” said the Local – with surprisingly good English.
Atfield shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, unsure of what to say and how to say it. He had read the government issued guide on how to interact with Locals, but that was a long time ago and did not seem important at the time.
“And…you…may speak it,” he said hesitatingly, and gestured with his hand in an arching motion away from his mouth.
“Ah! You know our ways.” The Local’s small mouth made a small smile.
“Only a little.” Atfield admitted.
“I am known as M’Coy and I wish to help you. All farmers in this area suffer from Blight. I help with these.”
The Local opened two of his large, spindly hands to reveal glistening black seeds.
“What are those?” Atfield asked suspiciously.
“They seeds. Make plants to kill Blight. Fix soil. Make Earth plants grow again.”
“But don’t all you Locals hate green Earth plants?”
“M’Coy just want to help neighbors. I show? Need little water. Please?”
The Local seemed sincere, so Atfield relented and motioned to the small pumping station.
“Seeds help. You see. You see.”
M’Coy dropped a few seeds on the ground near the pump auxiliary access port and proceeded to release a few liters of water. Almost instantaneously, a small carpet of pulsing, thin green tendrils began writhing out of the ground. They grew up, around and into the withered corn. The Blight spores, sensing new greenery, jumped onto their new prey – and were dissolved in a screeching hiss.
Atfield’s eyes grew almost as big as the Local’s.
“Seeds kill Blight like M’Coy say. More?”
The Local held out a small pouch in his lower right hand.
“What do you want for it?” asked Atfield.
“Seeds cost M’Coy nothing. Seeds cost you nothing.”
“Well, uh, I guess I’ll take them then. Thank you M’Coy,” said Atfield, not believing his luck.
“M’Coy leave in peace then.”
“May peace go with you M’Coy.”
The Local ambled back down the path, turned to wave, then disappeared down the road.
Atfield turned to begin spreading the seeds, then noticed the formerly green tendrils were now massive, writhing, red vines.

(749 words in story) Justin Sewall © 2021
Reviews/critiques welcome

How did it go with the interview Jot? Regardless of the outcome, which of course I hope is good, every interview is a chance to practice.

Yes, great work Thaddeus! Nicely done!

Jot wrote: "The architecture job was not what I was expecting. More learning how to utilize other systems than designing microsystems from scratch to act as one. For me, I'm a coder. Had to resign the second d..."

Sorry the job didn't work out Jot. Frustrating to have to start and stop. Good luck with the continued hunt.

Thaddeus wrote: "Justin: I just finished your story and wondered why you added the last sentence. Until that moment, your story was beautiful and terrifying all at the same time. I wasn't sure who the last person w..."

Ah Thaddeus, thank you. But I leave it to you, dear reader, to discern what is real - and what isn't. :)

Orbistar One

It was the last few dismal days of summer, but autumn was clearly moving in early. The detritus of needles, leaves and branches was already beginning to accumulate in the nooks and crannies where summer had given up. Soon the retreat would become a route as the cold, dark and wet took over, relentless in its efforts to wash away memories of warmth and light. Suffice it to say, this depressed me to no good end. That, and the seemingly constant stream of bad news – be it politics, climate change, unemployment, immigration and poverty, weighed heavily on my mind. It made it exceedingly difficult to focus on the upcoming mission. After all, what point was there in going up there, if down here was such a dumpster fire?

I didn’t need to be reminded of the importance of this particular mission. If successful, it had the potential to alleviate a great deal of suffering throughout the world with unlimited energy. Yet doubts nagged at the corners of my mind. The cynic in me mocked. I’d served two tours in the Cauldron and come home with a raging case of post-traumatic stress disorder. Did anyone really think deploying the array was going to be the panacea for all terrestrial ills? Besides, the true nature of our international mission was so classified that almost everyone thought this was another scientific milk run – growing plants in space, recording the effects of zero-gee on rodents, all that nonsense.

A soft chime sounded on my mobile. It was time for my next pill. I dutifully swallowed it dry. I didn’t need the shakes coming on during pre-flight, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to let the flight surgeon scrub me for something so petty as withdrawal symptoms. Besides, I wasn’t going to give my Chinese and Russian alternates the satisfaction and international prestige of leading the mission. Almost instantly I felt more focused, confident and alert. Yeah, that was much better. I pivoted and headed directly to Main Mission to start suiting up. It was time to get to work.
***
Orbistar One was the largest orbiting solar array ever created by Man. You could see it from the ground – even during the daytime. Its sole purpose was to collect the Sun’s energy and send it down to twelve roughly equidistant collection stations. Like a giant magnifying glass, it would briefly focus the Sun on each one as it sat in a high geosynchronous position. It was safely out of the way of almost all the low orbit debris, and far out of range of any ground-based antisatellite systems. Yeah, there were still countries out there that wanted to see the world burn just for the hell of it.

As countdown commenced, I pondered the fact that I was also sitting on top of the most powerful rocket built to date. Three times taller than the Saturn V, with ten times more thrust, it packed a wallop and carried an immense payload. With this last mission, Orbistar One would be completed and come online. When the countdown finally hit zero, I couldn’t tell if I was shaking, if it was simply the raw power of the rocket, or both. I really needed another pill, but my helmet prevented it…damn…
***
With great pomp and circumstance, my international companions and I drove the ceremonial “last spike” that connected the final Orbistar components. Ground control immediately took over and deployed the massive solar arrays. They unfurled gracefully like lotus petals, angled towards the Sun, and began collecting energy for all mankind. That’s when I cut the tethers holding the cosmonaut and taikonaut to the station, overrode their suit thrusters, and sent them tumbling towards Mother Earth.

I scrambled back inside and quickly initiated the targeting sequence. You see, not only could Orbistar send power down to the collection stations, but it could also hit anywhere on the planet with the power of the Sun. With the flip of a switch, I instantly made every nuclear and conventional arsenal in the world obsolete. As Orbistar travelled around the globe, I targeted every major capital in its path. I cut large swaths of destruction across the surface of the Earth – and no one could stop me. The light was so bright I had to look away, as even my visor could not reduce the vaporizing flash…
***
The doctor flashed a small light in the patient’s eyes for a response. They barely dilated as the man drooled uncontrollably.

(750 words in story) Justin Sewall © 2021
Reviews/critiques welcome

Jot wrote: "Yup, accepted an offer from InfoSys as a Technology Architect. Has me a little nervous."

Congrats on the new job! I'm sure you will do great!

Nicely done!

Paula wrote: "Great news, Justin!"

Thanks Paula!

Jot wrote: "Congrats dude!"

Thanks Jot!!

Thaddeus wrote: "Congratulations, Justin."

Thank you Thaddeus!

Thanks for the feedback J.F.!

Hey everyone!

I am proud and pleased to announce the release of the audiobook version of Cerulean Rising, Part II: Evolutions. Now available on Audible, Amazon and coming soon to iTunes, listen at the link below as UNSA forces begin their assault on a deadly enemy.
If you'd like a copy I'm happy to send you a promo code while supplies last. Please share this with your own networks and thanks for listening!

https://soundcloud.com/user-368674090...

Paula wrote: "Justin wrote: "Greg, loved your story! Fantastic!

Paula, the way you string words and phrases together continues to astound me. It is so unique from anything else I've ever read, anywhere. Mystica..."

Yes, I'm very happy I got my account back. I really did not want to have to start from scratch. It's funny how possessive you become of a free service you've become invested in!