Chantelle listened to her mother coughing. It had been going on for a week now.

She looked at the cupboard door. She was not supposed to use the night hinge. Tonight, though, she was.

Opening the door the wrong way needed some pressure, but it gave way, and opened into a hallway of quiet magnificence. Provided you ignored the mess of scuffed and filthy shoes by the door. Although, as scuffed and dirty as they were, they were of the finest construction that she had ever seen.

There was a table by the door, simple and unadorned, but constructed with absolute perfection. Upon it was a small pile of money. Unfamiliar to her, but clearly money. She left what few coins she had, and took the pile. The door gave way easily to her hand and she went out.

She had been here before, but always with her mother. It was night. The cupboard door only opened at night, and it was always night where it opened.

She walked down the streets, lit by strange yellow lights that hurt the eyes to look at. Carts rushed by at impossible speeds, with bright lamps shining ahead, and red lamps behind.

Ahead, two people walked towards her with fierce determination. A man and a woman, dressed strangely,. She dropped her head as they approached. They greeted her with a bright cheer that was at odds with their determined walk. She made a small noise. It may have been a squeak.

Just a little ahead was her destination. A shop, lit up as though it was day.

She went in. Doors opened with unseen hands.

All around her were a bewildering array of shelves and jars and boxes. Ahead was a counter, with a girl around her own age.

Swallowing, she went up. "Pardone, ma mere, elle tousse."
The girl frowned for a moment "Ma mere?" and then her eyebrows went up "Oh! Your mother! Uh, tous?"
Chantelle coughed.
"OK, your mother has a cough."

What followed was a combination of mime and two languages. The girl at the counter knew a handful of words that Chantelle spoke, but no more.

Then the girl got out a slab of black glass, and made words appear on it. And then the slab spoke! And she could understand it!

A little while later, Chantelle left the shop, carrying a small bag. Inside were some pastilles and a potion. Along with strict instructions about the potion.

She re-entered the house, and went through the cupboard door in the hallway.

Back in the room at the pension she shared with her mother, she gave her a precisely measured amount of the potion.

The cough eased, and her mother slept at last.

-----

Warwick paused on his way out to the shops, and saw that the grocery stash was about half what it should be. In amongst it were some old coins. "Hey Mum! Our ghost is back! She's nicked about thirty bucks, but she left some really neat old coins!"
He picked one up, and inspected it. "They look French!"
"We'll take them to a collector next week" his mum called back.

#SF #SFF #Scifi #TimeTravel #GhostStory #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting

Plus que jamais je recommande la lecture de Carbone & Silicium, #bd de Matthieu Balbet, ainsi que des Furtifs, #roman d'Alain Damasio.

Beaucoup de choses sont anticipées, et bien que ce soit des mecs cishet blancs, c'est de la bonne #sf contemporaine. Le rapport à l'IA, aux multinationales, au climat, aux résistances etc sont bien vus.

Today I reread "Superluminal", by the late great Vonda McIntyre. It is a stunningly good book which you should read. It has been >30 years since I last read it.
Superluminal was published in 1983. I found this on pages 37–38 of the original, hardcover edition.
Read the excerpt below, then read again what I wrote above, that this book was published *in 1983*.
My friends, science-fiction authors are future-tellers.
#SF #SFF #ScienceFiction #VondaMcIntyre #books #bookstodon

Alt...

Ever since she had left the water, her message signal had been glowing, a pinpoint of light just behind her eyes. Granting acceptance, she received the messages through her internal communicator. They scrolled across a screen she imagined in her mind, and she scanned each one quickly. A note from a friend pleased her; junk announcements broadcast to everyone on the port irritated her. She killed

Alt...

each one as soon as she had read far enough to identify it. The people who wrote them got cleverer and cleverer. Orca’s message bank contained a strong filter that was meant to discard most advertising and other solicitations. Some of the circulars had confused the program enough to make it let them through. Orca would have to rewrite it and strengthen its criteria. The escalation never ended.

[lien] Figure fait fondre ses robots F.02 dans de l'acier liquide... sous le regard du Terminator - KultureGeek #flims #bots #gik #wtf #sf #ai

Shaman Space - Epilogue

Greenfield Low Station, six months later.

"Seeker! Mailcall!" yelled Dyani.

Seeker headed to the bridge, where the gunner handed over a small packet. "It was waiting for us. There's one for Alaine, too. And some data packs for him as well."
"I'll let him know."

In her cabin, Seeker sat at the desk. She opened the packet. Inside was a data unit, and several sheets. She started to read.

That evening, in the galley, she announced "I have news from Mother of All."
The conversations around the table stopped.
"Grandmum has released to us information about the raider homeworld. They've done a scouting survey now."
Everyone was now completely focused on her "The raider base is on a moon orbiting the inhabited primary. The world below is early industrial, but has, and I quote 'some significant population anomalies'. She doesn't say what sort, but that the population is mostly human."
The Captain made a "hmm" sound, "What are they planning to do?"
"It seems that there is a degree of symbiosis between the two populations, but she does not go into details. They are still deciding on a course of action."
"So no razing the cities and salting the earth?" Diyani asked.
"That was never really on the table. Remember that some of the people there are descended from families on Mother of All."
Sparks frowned "So any idea what they might do?"
"Not really. They might set up a picket, though, and stop any ship that tries to leave the system."

Suri broke in, "Did they share the coordinates?"
"They confirmed the ones we already had, yes."
"And can we share that?"
"Yes, we can announce it as a hazard zone" Seeker nodded.
"I'll get onto broadcasting that."

Later that evening, Alaine and Seeker were wandering the low port together. "Seeker?"
"Hmm?"
"Down the line, if I wanted a crew from Mother of All..."
"You only have to ask."

They walked on a bit further.

"We've been through a lot, haven't we?" she said softly.
Alaine nodded.
She took his hand "I think we make a good team."

Alaine looked down, then up at her eyes, down again, firmed his grip, and nodded.

FIN (for now)

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

Good morning everyone, and welcome to the inaugural meeting of the Doggerland Restoration Project.

As you all know, Doggerland was submerged at the end of the last Ice Age, and with it enormous economic and social potential. This project exists to reverse that event, and restore Doggerland as the great link between the United Kingdom and Europe once again. With Doggerland restored, there will never again be a thought of "Brexit" because there will be a tangible link between the traditional lands of Europe and the British isles.

During the course of the next two days the induction teams will take you through the various sub-projects that will be a part of our great vision.

First there will be the CO2 reduction teams - reversing the trend of the carbonisation of our atmosphere will be a key part of this project. We need to reduce the sea levels, and the best way to do that is to increase the ice caps.

Second there will be our dyke construction teams. Initially they will be working entirely sub-surface, until we can bring the water levels down somewhat. Once the water levels have dropped sufficiently, we will activate the third leg of the project.

Initially, the pumping teams will have little to do, but as soon as the dykes start to emerge, they will be working around the clock for an estimated four years, removing water from Doggerland.

Lastly, the fourth leg is the land restoration team. Once the pumping has advanced enough, the land restoration team will move in and work in two groups. The first will be recovering archaeological materials, and the second will be desalinating, stabilising, and building up the land areas.

Again, welcome to the Doggerland Restoration Project, your Euros at work to better the world.

#SF #SFF #microfiction #tootfic #IAmWriting

Athena's galley, Divesen Station, two days after Athena's docking.

"It is really strange seeing you both in uniform" Seeker grinned as she looked over her grandparents.
"It is not something either of us expected" replied Charlie.
"The Captain said you and Mr Houghton took the raider ship by yourselves" Joy added.
Seeker looked across at Alaine "Yes, it wasn't pretty. But we did it."
"Well, Seeker, you have completed what your ancestor hoped for. Are you going to stay, or stay on?" Joy asked, looking at the both of them.
"I did sign on for a tour. So I owe them another three years."
"You're going to honour the contract?"
Seeker nodded.
"Good. And what of you, Mr Houghton?" Joy inquired, head tipped as if inspecting a curious specimen.
"I've got another two and a half years at least. But I want to stay on longer, if they'll have me."
"And?"
"One day I hope to have my own ship."
"You'll need a crew."
"I think I know a planet where I can find a good one."
Joy nodded.
"One more thing, Seeker."
"Yes?"
"Because of our reactivation, the Council has approved us for treatment, so we'll look a little different when you next come by."
Seeker considered this, and then grew a wicked smile "Does this mean I'll be getting an Uncle or Aunt?"

Alaine looked between the three of them "What?"

Joy shook her head "Seeker, you know the chances of that are tiny."

Charlie put a hand on his shoulder "You know we've got very advanced biochemistry here?"
"Well, yes" he answered, looking even more confused.
"We have a series of drugs that can, to some extent, roll back ageing. They have all sorts of side effects, and are very tightly controlled. Only three groups have ever been allowed to use them. And the two of us are the third."
"Reverse ageing? But that is supposed to be impossible!"
"To some extent, remember? And side effects. Our chance of developing various cancers increases dramatically. We will develop a number of lesser autoimmune issues. Bone density will remain a major problem. It is no free ride."

Alaine thought about this. "But you're going to do it?"
Joy nodded, "So we can deal with being active Scouts again. Even if Charlie is going to be on the Council."

After Seeker's grandparents had left, the Captain came in "How did it go?" she asked Seeker.
"They are OK with me staying aboard. And I think I'd like to sign up for a second tour, at least."

Alaine's head suddenly turned to her. This was news to him.

The Captain smiled, "Maybe deal with that once this tour is done. Meantime, back to your duties. We've got a bounty from the prize and the information, but we still need to get a cargo for the next leg."

They got to work.

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

Time travel is generally regarded as impossible.

This is wrong.

Time travel has been invented at least a hundred times since the discovery of electricity.

So why don't more people know about it?

Well, it is because there is a problem with it. And everyone who discovers it falls for the same trap.

In order to travel in time, you need to be able to detach yourself from your local frame of reference. This is easier to achieve than you might think.

Once detached, you can travel back and forth in time freely, safely contained in whatever life support system you have devised. You can even snatch small items from the static times, and collect air and water - all without reconnecting to a local frame.

And that is the problem.

Reconnecting.

This requires much, much more energy than disconnecting. And the amount is exponentially affected by the amount you have travelled from your local frame.

Not how far you currently are from your local frame, but how far you travelled from it in total.

If you travel a single minute, you will need approximately twice the energy it took to disconnect. Two minutes, four times. Even if you travelled one forward and one back, that is still two minutes, and takes four times the energy. And it is proportional to the mass of the object being returned.

Most time travellers try for at least ten years for their first trip.

Exponential growth is a bastard of a thing if you are at the pointy end of it.

On the positive side, those of us who have made this mistake can communicate and interact. There are lots of us, really, but none of us have the energy required to get home. Or anywhere but where we are. Outside of time.

We have learned that we do not age out here. And we keep meeting new people. Maybe at some point we will find the people who can undo our mistakes. But it will probably take all the energy of our universe to do it.

Delivering this message took nearly the effective output of two megatons of TNT. And it consists of a handful of electrons. I'm sure you can do the math.

Please, do not follow us.

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

... puis la nouvelle de #SF "Nuit de hasard" qu'on ne voit plus très souvent bien qu'elle ait été coup de cœur des lecteurs par le passé...
https://www.atramenta.net/lire/nuit-de-hasard/35991

3 months ago, Mother of All, Horsebreeder Clan lands, home of Joy and Charlie.

Charlie looked across at their partner with a look of resignation "I suppose you can't just retire again?"
Joyful gave them a lopsided smile "You know as well as I do that I can't do that. They've got me for at least four years. Us, that is."
Charlie's eyes widened "Are those..." they trailed off "No, that's you, isn't it?"
Joy nodded "If they're pulling me back in, you're coming too."
"We've been out of circulation for over fifty years" they pointed out.
"But we know Mother of All better than any other scout alive."

Charlie shifted "So what do you want me to do? Will I be under your command?"
"Goddesses, no! I want you to represent the clan on the council for me, and be the official liaison."
"While active."
"While active" Joy confirmed.
"Hello! Conflict of interest!" Charlie objected.
"Exactly. I want the conflict of interest front and centre. If they want me to be the commander of this new base, I want it completely clear that The Council is in charge, not Central."

Charlie sat back, Joy could see them calculating the impacts. Finally they asked "What does the Council say?"
"Once they got over the shock, they laughed. They think it is a fantastic thing to push onto Central if they are going to pull me back at my age."
"And an outsider on the Council?"
"They got over that pretty fast."

"Central will not be happy with four years" was the next thing they said.
Joy's lips tightened "Probably."
"We're not getting any younger."
"No. But we can do something about that."
"Straight away?"
"No, we'll wait until Athena returns. I don't want our granddaughter not recognising us!"
"Will the Council allow it? We'd be the third group since they developed it."
"They've already said yes. They want us right where we will be."
"How far back are they going wind us?"
"Only about thirty years. Maybe forty."

Charlie considered this, then asked "Does Central know?"
"No. And we're not going to tell them."
"They don't need to know?"
"They probably suspect, based on some of the other things they've seen our medics do, but no. In fact, I think they are deliberately not asking."

They relaxed back into the couch together. Charlie kissed the top of Joy's head. "Seeker is going to freak out."
"At first. She's from a long line of scouts, some in space, some here. And scouts adapt."
"You certainly did."
"And so did you" Joy sent rather than voiced.

Charlie held their partner as the sun set.

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

Tails of Lady Miller's Memorial Catgirl Trust - Before the Beginning 2/2

When Lady Miller returned home, and after a debrief that said nothing of the strange woman, she relaxed in her office at home with her cat on her lap.

She considered the little glass cat pendant. Three of the feet were white. When the woman gave it to her, only one was.

She picked up the envelope she had been given at the same time, and opened it. Inside were several more envelopes. One said "First".

Opening it, she read:
"Catherine,
I hope you now trust that I can do what I say. I can see much of what is to come.

One day you will lose a beloved cat to a car accident. But you need not lose her. Enclosed is a spell that will save her. But there will be a price. Catherine Miller will cease to exist that day. Twillichiss will stand in her place. She will not be human or cat. But both.

There are others like what she will become. Including my own cat. She must save them.

Baba."

On the back of the letter was what could only be called a spell.

Catherine looked over the other envelopes. One was addressed to "Lady Twillichiss Miller". Another simply said "Second".

She opened that one. Inside was an address, and a picture of the pendant.

That night she drove to near the address - an MoD research facility. She put on the pendant, and walked past the oblivious guards. Inside were laboratories and offices. In one, an unlocked computer. It told of a "Project Ai", a plan to build a cyborg assassin from the brain of a cat. Baba had been right again. But the project was only in planning. It would be years before it would work.

When she returned to her car, all four paws of the pendant were white.

The next day, she visited the family lawyers, and left some very special instructions.

She was going to die to save her pet. But her pet would have to inherit her place.

#catgirls #SF #SFF #SciFi #Fantasy #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting
(Prompted by a comment from @leece , and for @ami_angelwings .)

Tails of Lady Miller's Memorial Catgirl Trust - Before the Beginning 1/2

Lady Catherine Miller was a very unassuming member of the peerage. A minor baroness, the most remarkable thing was how little she appeared in the news after assuming her father's mantle.

This was for a very good reason. Lady Miller would have been proud to say that she worked for a living. If it were permitted. The Official Secrets Act prevented that.

Lady Miller worked for MI6 as a field agent. And she was very good at her work.

This led her to be in Crimea in the weeks before the Russian invasion. She had been about to collect a dead-drop, when an old woman grabbed her arm and pulled her into an alleyway.
"No - do not. Watch" she said softly.

Catherine watched as three men, clearly GRU agents, who typically had the subtlety of a well-aimed brick, entered the square she had been heading to.

She turned to the woman. Now that she looked closely, the 'old' woman was not that old at all - at most ten years her senior.

"Thank-you. How did you know?"
"I know many things Catherine Miller. Here. Take this letter." A thick envelope was pushed into her hand. "Do not open it until you are home. As for your work for today" the woman took a small pendant from her pocket. "Wear this. None shall notice you while you wear it, unless you touch another. But be warned. It will only work three times."
Catherine raised an eyebrow "Magic?"
"You will test it first. Then you will do your work. Then you will take it home, and use it once more."
"But that's crazy!"
"Test. Then you will know. Goodbye Lady Catherine Miller." And with that, she scurried off down the alley and was lost to view.

Catherine looked at the envelope. It was addressed to her. Tucking it away, she examined the pendant. A small glass cat on a leather cord, knotted at the back.

She looked back at the square. There were four GRU men there now. She headed back to her hotel.

After sweeping her suite for bugs (only two), she opened the letter. Inside was another envelope "Do Not Open Until You Are Home!" was written on the outside. She tucked it into a hidden pocket in her luggage.

Then she put on the pendant, and walked down to the lobby. Standing in front of the doors, the door keeper ignored her. So did the concierge. And the greeter at the restaurant. Then someone brushed past her and everything went back to normal.

She made the pickup at noon the following day. No-one noticed. Not even the eight GRU agents.

#catgirls #SF #SFF #SciFi #Fantasy #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting
(Prompted by a comment from @leece , and for @ami_angelwings .)

Tails of Lady Miller's Memorial Catgirl Trust - Catgirl Crossover

Ami and Bethesda were in Florida. Beth the hacker rarely left the Mansion, but the lure of seeing the launch of the first manned mission around the moon in fifty years was too much of a temptation.

Besides, this was a simple observe and report, right? And anyway, she had Ami to protect her.

For several years the Trust had been getting hints of a catgirl in the USA, and that she appeared to be associated with other animal transformations. Nothing definitive, but enough hints.

As it was, Ami and Beth were sitting on the embankment, watching the pillar of smoke rise into the air. Then the roar of the rocket engines rolled over them.

Beth grinned. She looked around and nudged Ami. Just over there were their targets. Two perfectly normal looking women. One tall and lithe, the other shorter and generously curved. The tall one had short blonde hair with dark spots.

Suddenly the short one, who had been resting her head on the other's legs leapt to her feet, startling the other to copy her. The tall one scanned the area with a hunter's eyes. Her companion said something, and they walked off, the shorter leading.

They stopped in front of another tall woman and bowed.

That was when things got a bit strange. Ami and Beth watched as the second tall woman stroked the faces of the two women they had been watching. First the tall, then the short. She laughed as the taller stepped forward to defend the shorter. And then she vanished.

Beth and Ami looked at each other.

"And what should I do about the two of you?" came a voice from behind them.

They both spun around, and Ami started to move towards the tall woman they had been watching.

And she suddenly could not move.

The mysterious woman walked around them, and then sighed. Looking at Beth "You did this to yourself, although you do not remember it," then she turned her attention to Ami, "And you had this done to you. You were both watching two who I claim as subjects. But I do not sense that you mean them harm. Explain."

Beth suddenly found she could talk "I, I mean we, we are from the Trust. We were checking to see if someone was in need of rescue."
"And are they?"
"I don't think so. Those two act more like lovers than anything."
"And what is this 'Trust'?"
"Lady Miller's Memorial Catgirl Trust. We save our sisters in danger."

Both catgirls suddenly found they could move. Ami stumbled as a lack of momentum sent her off-balance.

"Those two, well, the young one is one of your charges, but the witch poses no threat to her."
"But who are you?" Beth asked.
"Look up if you want to know my name. I will watch you and your sisters. Unless someone else manifests." And then she vanished.

"Beth? Who was that? What was that?"
Beth looked up. The only thing visible was the trail of the rocket. Carrying the Artemis mission. "I think that was a goddess, Ami. I think it was a goddess."

#Catgirls #SF #SFF #Fantasy #microfic #Microfiction #tootfic #Circe #IAmWriting #Artemis
For @leece and @ami_angelwings

2 lectures pour la mini-nouvelle de #SF "L'homme qui acheta une planète". 🪐
https://www.atramenta.net/lire/lhomme-qui-acheta-une-planete/86084

Mother of All, Scout School and Base Down, fifty minutes after Athena's docking.

The short-haul trade ship Bright Sky settled onto the marked pad she had been directed to. Through the bridge windows the only two people on board looked out at the landing field covered in small and medium sized ships. All armed.

Captain Annabelle Guernsey looked over at Suri her navigator "Between that cruiser in orbit and the ships on this field, I feel like we've just flown into a war zone."
Suri Ng pointed "Not a warzone, Captain. Look at the noses."
Annabelle looked again, and saw what the navigator had noticed. Each ship had the sextant and divider over a galaxy logo of the Scout Service. "Scouts? But I thought this world had a treaty that banned them?"
"Clearly something has changed. This looks like the base out on Last Chance."

The radio pinged "Bright Sky, this is Lorn Base Control, copy?"
The two looked at each other. They had heard Seeker's stories of her distant ancestor. The Captain picked up the microphone "Lorn Control this is Bright Sky, go."
"Bright Sky, a liaison team will come out to you. Prepare to receive."
"Understood. Standing by."

They lowered the landing legs, opened the cargo ramp, and then went to the hatchway to wait for the Scouts to arrive.

They did not have to wait long. A small ground vehicle drove up to the ramp and stopped. Two people got out, both wearing the tan uniform of the Scout Service. They recognised the shorter one.

"Elder Finder! We heard the authorization, but..." the Captain started.
"I've been reactivated, Captain. Scout Commander now. At least when I am in uniform" Joy gave a lopsided smile, "Can we come aboard?"
"Of course. Welcome aboard Scout Commander, and?"
"This is my spouse, Charlie. Technically they are here to represent the interests of The Mother of All."

The four of them settled into the galley.

"Charlie?" the Captain opened.
"Yes, Captain?"
"Seeker was insistent that I give this to a Council representative as soon as possible." She held out a small data unit.
"I'm not technically on the Council, but I am representing them here. What is on it?" they asked, taking the unit.
"Seeker says it is the nav data for the raider homeworld."
Finder looked around "So this was a raider ship?"
Both Suri and the Captain nodded.
"Can we bring a forensics crew aboard?"
"Of course!"
"Good" Finder relaxed, "Now - how is Seeker doing?"
"Well, she's completed two level one certificates, and is working on a third. And she saved the ship. And, with young Alaine, took this ship unaided."
Charlie leaned forward "Saved the ship? How?"
With Suri added occasional details, the Captain told the story of the hijackers, and of Seeker's stubbornness about counselling, the latter resulting in head shakes from the two grandparents.
Charlie gave Finder an exasperated smile "She has not fallen far from the tree, has she?".

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

Lara had been a witch for about ten years she guessed. She'd apprenticed with Old Edith for about eight years before that.

Old Edith had been a rough sort, not evil, but abrasive and harsh. The sort of person you only sought out if you were really desperate. But she never asked for more than a supplicant could pay, and never cheated. Not a 'good' witch, but a fair and honest one.

The last time she'd seen Old Edith had been when she'd been thrown out by her. "You're just freeloading now! Get out of here!" had been the last words she'd said to Lara.

In hindsight, it was fair. It was Lara's own lack of confidence that had been keeping her there, and Old Edith knew it.

But that was ten years ago, and Lara had grown into her skills and power since then. She was a far gentler soul than her mentor, and as a result she had a steady stream of people looking for help. Most of them she could aid, but every once in a while she sent some poor soul off to see Old Edith.

She was, as a result, quite startled when a knight burst through the door of her cottage, waving a sword!

"Where is the Princess?" he yelled "I shall free her from your wicked clutches!"

Lara very carefully put down her tea, and scratched her head.

"Well! Tell me, or I'll have your head!"

"Hm... Well, you'd better let me get a chopping board, because I have no idea what you are talking about, and there's no need to be messy about things."

This put the knight off his stride. "What?" he eventually said, sword drooping.

"I've never seen a princess, and so I can't tell you where she is. I'm not a seer, just a village witch."

The knight looked around. The cottage had but two rooms, and the door to her bedroom was open, the room empty.

"Maybe try Old Edith in the next valley?" Lara had no worries about her mentor dealing with this idiot, and, at the suggestion, he barged out as abruptly as he had arrived.

Hearing a noise, she pulled aside the rug, and lifted a couple of loose floorboards. Two bright blue eyes blinked up at her. "Suitor?" she asked the grimy young lady, her high class clothes ruined by mud and dirt.

"Yes ... and a horrible person."

"Well, Edith will sort him out. I don't have much to offer, but you are welcome to stay, if your parents are going to be a problem."

The Princess looked forlorn. "May I?"

"Of course. Tea? And what shall I call you? We can't have people hearing me call you 'Princess', can we?"

This was a trickier problem than her usual fare, but Lara was looking forward to solving this one on her own.

#SF #Fantasy #SFF #microfic #toofic #IAmWriting #microfiction

Abigail had been acting as the assistant to the witch Lara for four years.

In that time she had learned many things. Firstly, that she had no magic to speak of. Secondly, that most of a witch's work did not involve any magic at all. Thirdly, that frequently less is more. And fourthly, that she was now much better educated than she had been as a princess. Then there were the other three.

She could read the spells in Lara's books, but nothing ever happened when she tried them. That was how she knew she had no magic. That had been a disappointment to her, but Lara taught her all the other things. The things that don't involve magic. Things like tincture of willow bark for headaches and to ease the heart. Or making wintergreen into a paste for sore muscles. Or the very tiny pellets of aconite for a weak heart.

Less can often be more. Things that were deadly in the wrong hands became healing in the right. The distilled spirits that drove men to anger and lust when consumed also prevented wounds festering when used externally. And the aconite.

The fifth thing that Abigail had learned was that Lara's mentor, Old Edith, was to be respected. And a little feared. She had been sent to her after failing to cast spells. Old Edith had given her one look, glanced at Lara's letter, and told her not to waste either of their time.

The sixth thing that she learned was that people only look at the obvious. Changing the colour and cut of her hair, the pitch of her voice, along with a change of clothing was enough to disguise her from those that her parents sent to find her. Except for one, but he had looked her over, tapped the side of his nose, and moved on, never saying a word.

The seventh was the most unexpected. She had fled marriage to a foul prince who was now missing. She had suspicions as to his fate on seeing a particularly agitated frog in a glass box at Old Edith's. Her flight led her to hide under Lara's two room shack. That was where Lara had found her after sending the prince on his way. The witch was nothing like what the stories told. Old Edith was, but not Lara. Lara was quiet, gentle, patient, kind, and clever. The last she expected, but not the rest.

The villiage had simply accepted her because Lara said so. No questions about who she was, or where she came from. It had only been four years, but as far as the villiage was concerned, she had always been there, beside Lara. And she was happy with that. That was the seventh thing. To have learned happiness.

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

Tails of Lady Miller's Memorial Catgirl Trust
Catboy Awakening

There was a soft beeping. He'd been aware of it for some time now. And a hissing sound.

Gradually he put these things together. Along with the sense of something pressing around his face.

Oxygen.

He'd been here before. Surgery. He was in recovery from surgery.

Just as he was thinking of opening his eyes, a stream of numbers and labels flowed past his vision.

He opened his eyes.

Down along the bottom of his vision was a final message "All systems online."

He looked around. His eyesight was much sharper than he remembered. There was Silver, curled up in a chair.

He made a small noise. His mouth felt funny.

Silver's eyes snapped open, and she sprung to her feet "You're awake! Hold on!" She pressed a button.

A few moments later two other catgirls came into view. The taller one looked at the monitors. "I think we can take that off now." She bent over him, and removed the oxygen mask. His eyes gave him a running commentary on her physiology. She was completely organic, unlike Silver. So was the shorter of the two.

"Can you speak?" the tall one asked.

He tried again "Yes?" His voice was different. Rougher.

"Good. Can you remember your name?"

His name. That was a good question. What was his name? "Joseph" he said it almost before realising that he'd thought it.

"Good. Do you remember why you're here?"

That was another good question. He lifted a hand, and saw that it was covered in grey fur. "I" he paused, "We came here because I was dying."

"Excellent. Let's get you unplugged." The two catgirls who had come it carefully unhooked all the machines from him.

Sitting up was a lot easier than he expected.

"You look good, Dad", Silver smiled at him "How's the breathing?"

He took a deep breath. And remembered. Metastasied lung cancer. That's why. He let the breath out. "That felt good."

Silver leaned in and gave him a hug "Welcome to your new life, Dad!"

Breathing more easily than he had in years, he hugged her back "Thank-you Silver. I" he paused, suddenly becoming aware of his tail "I have a tail."
"Of course you do. You designed this body, remember?"
He did remember. He was Doctor Joseph Smith. And now he was a catboy cyborg.

#Catgirls #SFF #SF #SciFi #microfiction #microfic #Tootfic #IAmWriting.

Another one for @ami_angelwings

C'est l'heure du mal-aimé de la semaine sur #Atramenta !
Aujourd'hui, (re)découvrez "Capitaine Quantum : La Loi des Thallions" !
Dernière aventure du Capitaine en date, elle semble avoir un peu raté son décollage, et c'est dommage parce qu'elle est vraiment cool (comme toutes les aventures du Capitaine) ! 😎 🚀
https://www.atramenta.net/lire/capitaine-quantum-la-loi-des-thallions/106341

#SF

[lien] Avec sa saison 3, “Silo” a encore changé d’échelle - Courrier international - Actualités France et Monde, vidéos, infographies #series #bks #sf #tv

The Catgirl Prediction

Twilly was taking a rare break from her duties, and was relaxing on the lawn next to the manor's fountain, an occasional breeze carrying a hint of spray over her, countering the summer heat. A low purr came from deep inside her. Relaxation was a treat she rarely allowed herself.

There was a whirring sound and a shadow fell over her. With great reluctance she opened her eyes. Looking down at her was Mittens in her powerchair. "My apologies for disturbing your rest Madame Miller but this cannot wait" Mittens' voice always sounded odd - somehow seeming to have no clear accent, no matter who was listening.
Twilly sighed "Mittens, it is just Twilly amongst us."
"Madame Miller, there is a car approaching the manor. It will arrive in twenty five minutes. They are not friends to us."
"FSB?"
"No, not even FSB hired. Just nasty bigots."
"And?"
"You must not harm them. But we must stop them."
"Ah. I think I understand."

Twilly got out her phone "Ami? Can you take a pulse bomb out to the entrance gate, and set it off when the next vehicle approaches?"
"How long do I wait?"
"It will reach the foot of the drive in twenty three minutes."
"On it!"

Mittens smiled "That will do."

Twilly closed her eyes.

Twenty four minutes later her phone rang. It was Ami. "Yes?"
"It is done. The car has stopped, the drone following it is down, and the men inside are yelling about their phones being dead."
"Well done, Ami. Call the local tow service. Ask them to apply the special rates."
"How special?"
"As special as they want."
Twilly could hear the grin in Ami's voice "All Right!"

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

As always, @ami_angelwings .

[lien] Human archive: They were only human - Hacker News #gik #sf #ai

The small team of rebel commandos had been sneaking through the Overlord's palace for days.

It had started with covertly entering hidden inside a routine delivery of food. They had blocked off parts of the refrigeration units, and hidden themselves there. They could not bring any form of weapon with them, because of the scanners on the palace entrance, and had to be sedated so that their hostile thoughts would not be detected.

From there, they had first infiltrated the kitchen staff, and gradually migrated their way into general maintenance.

Once in general maintenance, they had been able to construct weapons using the palace's own resources. It had been a slow process, as they had had to conceal what they had been doing from the overseers.

Now, though they were armed, and following the old secret passages that had been hidden for decades, they headed for the throne room. They would appear behind the throne, and be able to take the Overlord by surprise.

They snuck out of the secret door, closing it behind them, and then burst out from the wall hangings onto the dias.

The throne was empty.

The entire throne room was empty, except for one old lady, sweeping.

She looked up, and gasped in surprise. Then she shrugged and went back to sweeping.

The commandos looked around. Nothing. Finally one of them walked over to the servant.

"Don't make a mess" she said as he approached, "go that way" she pointed, "I haven't swept there."

He looked and saw there was still dust and grime on the floor there, and walked to her from that direction. "Where is the Overlord? Why is he not here?"
"Oh, deary, this is Thursday."
"Thursday?"
"The Master always takes Thursday off. He's in his studio, throwing."
"Throwing what?"
"Clay, deary, clay. Unless he's glazing today, but I think he's throwing."
"Uh, where is his studio?"
"Oh, I can't tell you that. No one is to disturb him when he's making his pots. I'm guessing you are here to assassinate him. You'll just have to come back tomorrow. After 11. Before 11 he's still getting his neck seen to."
"Neck?"
"You know, his bad neck, from wearing that really quite ridiculous crown."

The commando went back to his team. "Uh, we're to come back after 11 tomorrow. It's his day off."

#SF #SFF #SciFi #Humour #Fantasy #IAmWriting

Inspired by this post from @NickEast_IndieWriter https://mastodon.art/@NickEast_IndieWriter/117223620969685939

rdm boosted

Nick East (Indie Writer) » 🌐 2026-09-06
@NickEast_IndieWriter@mastodon.art

If the Dark Lord can make time for his hobbies then so can you 😁

@reading @bookstodon @books @fantasy
@humor@fedigroups.social @humor@lemmy.world @aiop

#Dark #Lord #Hobbies #Lotr
#GeekMemes #Geek #Meme #Humor #Humour #Funny
#Fantasy #Epic #High
#Reading #Readers #ReadingCommunity #Bookstodon #FantasyBooks

Alt...

Post by Ecuadorable It's sweet how Sauron wants to rule all creatures and bring darkness to all Middle Earth but he also takes some time out of his wretched schedule to write a little poem and engrave it in home-made jewelry. We all need a hobby is what I'm saying.

The small team of rebel commandos had been sneaking through the Overlord's palace for days.

It had started with covertly entering hidden inside a routine delivery of food. They had blocked off parts of the refrigeration units, and hidden themselves there. They could not bring any form of weapon with them, because of the scanners on the palace entrance, and had to be sedated so that their hostile thoughts would not be detected.

From there, they had first infiltrated the kitchen staff, and gradually migrated their way into general maintenance.

Once in general maintenance, they had been able to construct weapons using the palace's own resources. It had been a slow process, as they had had to conceal what they had been doing from the overseers.

Now, though they were armed, and following the old secret passages that had been hidden for decades, they headed for the throne room. They would appear behind the throne, and be able to take the Overlord by surprise.

They snuck out of the secret door, closing it behind them, and then burst out from the wall hangings onto the dias.

The throne was empty.

The entire throne room was empty, except for one old lady, sweeping.

She looked up, and gasped in surprise. Then she shrugged and went back to sweeping.

The commandos looked around. Nothing. Finally one of them walked over to the servant.

"Don't make a mess" she said as he approached, "go that way" she pointed, "I haven't swept there."

He looked and saw there was still dust and grime on the floor there, and walked to her from that direction. "Where is the Overlord? Why is he not here?"
"Oh, deary, this is Thursday."
"Thursday?"
"The Master always takes Thursday off. He's in his studio, throwing."
"Throwing what?"
"Clay, deary, clay. Unless he's glazing today, but I think he's throwing."
"Uh, where is his studio?"
"Oh, I can't tell you that. No one is to disturb him when he's making his pots. I'm guessing you are here to assassinate him. You'll just have to come back tomorrow. After 11. Before 11 he's still getting his neck seen to."
"Neck?"
"You know, his bad neck, from wearing that really quite ridiculous crown."

The commando went back to his team. "Uh, we're to come back after 11 tomorrow. It's his day off."

#SF #SFF #SciFi #Humour #Fantasy #IAmWriting

Inspired by this post from @NickEast_IndieWriter https://mastodon.art/@NickEast_IndieWriter/117223620969685939

rdm boosted

Nick East (Indie Writer) » 🌐 2026-09-06
@NickEast_IndieWriter@mastodon.art

If the Dark Lord can make time for his hobbies then so can you 😁

@reading @bookstodon @books @fantasy
@humor@fedigroups.social @humor@lemmy.world @aiop

#Dark #Lord #Hobbies #Lotr
#GeekMemes #Geek #Meme #Humor #Humour #Funny
#Fantasy #Epic #High
#Reading #Readers #ReadingCommunity #Bookstodon #FantasyBooks

Alt...

Post by Ecuadorable It's sweet how Sauron wants to rule all creatures and bring darkness to all Middle Earth but he also takes some time out of his wretched schedule to write a little poem and engrave it in home-made jewelry. We all need a hobby is what I'm saying.

62 Years ago, Mother of All, Horsebreeder Clan lands

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

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

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

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

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

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

Joy poked her plate.

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

There was a stunned silence.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Seeker took the lead "Follow me.""

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

📢 Oyez, oyez, fans de #Stargate SG-1, de #SF, de dieux égyptiens bizarres, ou simplement de nouvelles choses à lire !
"Le Maître et le Frappeur", ma nouvelle non-officielle dans l'univers de Stargate SG-1, vient de sortir sur #Atramenta !
Bonne lecture à tout le monde !
https://www.atramenta.net/lire/le-maitre-et-le-frappeur/106736

Alt...

Couverture formée d'un papyrus égyptien ancien où on voit Medjed, un dieu ressemblant à un dôme blanc avec des yeux, monté sur deux jambes, à côté d'un dieu-faucon à deux têtes et des plumes vertes sur ses têtes. On aperçoit des hiéroglyphes en bas. Il est écrit avec la police de caractères de Stargate SG-1 où les A sont remplacés par des symboles Tau'ri (un V renversé avec un ° au-dessus) : "Claire Billaud Le Maître et le Frappeur Une nouvelle non-officielle dans l'univers de Stargate SG-1"

[lien] Metrópolis (1927), de Fritz Lang, filme completo em HD - ative as legendas em português - YouTube #flims #vid #sf

3 Months ago, Council Offices, Divesen Station.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So much for retiring.

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

Thanks for coming in to discuss this contract.

Like many industries, the demolition industry is pretty tight-knit. Our teams all know each other, and we keep in touch. Sure we compete for contracts, but the work is stupid dangerous, so there is no room for cutting people out - they might know something you don't, and save you and your crews lives.

So when I got your call to bring down a hotel from the 1910s, I had a look around, noted the incomplete demo work, and told you I'd get back to you. That is this meeting.

I asked around.

Turns out almost everyone has had go at that place. And I mean almost everyone. In fact the only local company that hasn't is mine.

So I had to ask "Why is the place still standing?" The answers were weird, to say the least.

I know you know the stories, but let's go over them.

Two teams tried to implode the place. Whenever they got ready to blow the place, they'd find det lines disconnected, fuzes pulled out of charges, even the charges themselves not where they were meant to be. And not once or twice. This went on for months.

Some other crews were going to go the traditional wrecking ball and bulldozer path. Except that every time they went to start, equipment failed. Wrecking balls came off cables, dozers lost tracks or hydraulics, engines would be be missing critical parts.

And then there were the other things. Lights in the windows. Security guards hearing noises, but finding nothing. Security guards who would, one morning, just resign, and never explain why.

Everyone agreed that it was the same problem. The locals. Only not the neighbours, or do-gooders, or NIMBYs.

The locals in the hotel.

The dead ones.

Ghosts.

All the teams were convinced that the place was haunted.

Big Mike, who isn't scared of anything, hired an exorcist. They lasted half a night, and now live on the other side of pond.

Which is why I am declining this contract. If you want my advice, not that you'll take it, stop trying to knock it down.

Either sell it as is, or fix it up, and turn the liability into an asset. You have what looks like a genuinely haunted hotel. Clean it up, renovate, and charge a premium.

Just make it clear to both the ghosts and and the contractors what is going on. You'll want them on your side, after all.

#SF #SFF #SciFi #Horror #Aughost #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She had been running, she was not sure for how long. She had not really been paying attention to her surroundings, just making sure she did not touch anyone. She was scared of what might happen if she did.

Prithi looked up from the engine of the old Escort she was working on to see a barefoot, white-haired young woman in sports gear stagger toward her unit. Then she fell over and did not move.

Prithi did not hesitate, she grabbed the emergency kit off the wall, and ran over. There were no cars around, so she knelt down and asked if the woman was OK. Nothing. She gave her a shake. Nothing. She started CPR, and then got the defib out. No sooner had she attached the pads than the unit shut down, batteries exhausted. What the heck? She'd checked them yesterday!

Then the woman gave a gasp and sat up.

Prithi moved to support her, but she fended her off "No! Don't touch me! I might be dangerous!" she yelled, her voice sounded hoarse, like it had been screaming for hours.

"Easy! I've already given you CPR, I think if you were going to hurt me by touching, you already would have. I'm Prithi, are you OK?"
"Um, I guess I'm still Mara. And no? Maybe?" She moved to get up, and then fell back again. "I think I need more charging. You wouldn't have a power point handy, would you?"
"Power point? And 'still'?"
"It's a long story. Can you help me over to some electricity?"

Prithi got her arm around Mara and stood up. She had been an auto mechanic for some years, and had a pretty solid build. Even so, Mara was a lot heavier than she looked. Slightly staggered by the unexpected weight, she helped Mara into her workshop, and sat her down next to a power socket.

Mara turned on the switch, and held her hand against the socket. A few seconds later the main breaker tripped. "Shit. Can you, please?"
Prithi went over to the switch box and flipped the breaker back on. Eyes closed, Mara's brow furrowed in concentration. "There, that's it. Gently, gently..."

As Prithi watched, Mara sat up straighter and finally opened her eyes. "Hi. I'm what's left of Mara de Rue. A mad scientist filled me full of tiny robots, and they are all there is of me now. I was scared they would start to take you over if you touched me, but it seems like they know their place. What day is it?"

Prithi sat back on her heels. "Um, Thursday. The twenty-first. You've been in the news, but you looked different."
"Three weeks, huh? And different?"
Prithi hunted around and pulled out an inspection mirror. She held it up.
"I'm blonde?"
"Yep. And paler than a ghost."
"I guess I don't have any blood now. I wonder if I still have finger prints?" She held a hand in front of her face. "Yep. I hope they're mine."
"Mara? Can I call you that?" Mara nodded "Um, what happened to the scientist?"
Mara cupped her free hand, and a ball of fire formed "This." It disappeared before Prithi could reach towards it. "Can you call my family? Please?"
"Of course."

A sequel to https://aus.social/@rdm/110755143970645568

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

🥑 San Francisco Bay Area dethroned as largest tech talent market

｢ Last year, the New York Metro Area's tech talent workforce reached 394,300, surpassing the Bay Area's 375,730, according to the report. Fueled by mass layoffs, the Bay Area's tech talent workforce dropped by 6% from 2022 to 2025. New York's tech talent workforce, on the other hand, grew by more than 8% during that period ｣

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/san-francisco-bay-area-dethroned-largest-tech-22396813.php

#sf #nyc #startups #ai

Pas de #raysday pour moi, mais avec déjà 152 nouvelles écrites depuis le début de l'année (garanties sans IA), vous avez de quoi lire autant que vous voulez (de la #SF, #fantastique, #fantasy, du #polar…)
Voici la liste complète (qui continue de s'étoffer 2 fois par semaine)
https://camillexmorgan.com/index.php/marathon-de-la-nouvelle/

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Photo d'une machine à écrire Underwood vue du dessus, posée sur un meuble bleu canard

@ami_angelwings
Tails of Lady Miller's Memorial Catgirl Trust
Catgirl University (part 3)

Biba stretched out on the lawn, while Natasha sat nearby, looking miserable. Antoinette-Sussanah was off hunting down some lunch from one of the food vans that had pulled up near the campus.

After a few moments, Biba spoke up "Tash, you apologised, and he's going to be OK."
"But what if they expel me. Or all of us?"
"Then Twilly will get on the case and smooth things over."
"But what if he doesn't let me back into his class? It is a pre-requisite for everything I want to do."
"Tash, you're starting to whine."

Natasha threw herself forward onto the grass, and started to sob. She had always been a drama queen. Biba sighed, and moved over to her, picking up the larger catgirl like she weighed nothing, and giving her a gentle hug, making 'shoosh'ing sounds.

A shadow fell over them, and Biba looked up, ready to switch to combat mode if it were a threat.

It was a small group of other students.

Biba shut down the combat modules. "Can I help you?" she asked politely.

One of the young ladies, in full goth regalia, crouched down "We're in Stats 017 with you. Is your friend OK?"
Biba looked them over again. Yes, they had all been in that first class. "There was an accident in her Mech Eng class, and she's worried about fallout from it."
"Was that what the ambulance was about?"
Natasha started to cry more, and Biba just nodded.
The girl didn't say anything for a few moments, clearly thinking. Biba opened her mouth, only for a hand to come up in a 'stop' sign. She closed it again.

One of the boys whispered to the guy next to him "Is Maddy doing that thing again?"
"Yeah, the whole brain thing."

The newly named Maddy didn't react.

Finally she nodded, "I see. Well, he could not have been that bright, could he?"
Natasha looked up along with Biba "What?"
"He could not have been that bright. I mean Prof Tepford worked it out. I worked it out. How come he didn't?"

"You weren't there. How do you know what happened?" Tash asked, her confusion overcoming her worries.
One of the group, wearing a dress covered in stars, grinned "The little grey cells, eh?"

Tash and Biba looked blank.

"What Terri means is that I deduced it from the available evidence. I love murder mysteries. They're quoting Poirot".

Antoinette-Sussanah came up behind the group and asked "Is everything OK?"
"Yes, A-S. Maddy here is a bit of sleuth" Biba explained "What's for lunch?"
"Sashimi", she had barely finished the word before Tash was wrapped around her. "Hiiii Antoinette-Sussanah... you're the best friend ever."

Shaking her head, she sat, opened the paper bag she had been carrying and handed Tash and Biba trays of sashimi. A quick glance at Biba, and she gestured to the lawn "Join us?"

The others sat, and got out their own lunches.

Maddy watched Tash happily attacking the raw fish, and looked across to Biba, who shrugged. Maddy gave a small sigh and started eating.

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

#VendrediLecture "Les braconniers du cosmos et autres nouvelles" de Philip K. Dick.
Quelques histoires courtes d'un grand nom de la #SF, ça fait du bien par où ça passe. 🚀

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"Philip K. Dick Les braconniers du cosmos et autres nouvelles" Couverture SF représentant un vaisseau spatial de style Star Wars volant au-dessus d'un paysage extraterrestre avec une planète orange en arrière-plan. L'image est entourée de vignettes où on peut lire "Librio", "Texte intégral" et "10FF".

@ami_angelwings

Tails of Lady Miller's Memorial Catgirl Trust
Catgirl University (part 2)

Memo: Laser Pointers in Lectures
From: Prof H Tepford (School of Mathematics)
To: Academic Teaching Staff

Please utilise caution in using laser pointers in lectures. There are some students who will focus on the pointer rather than the material being covered.

Unfortunately, privacy rules do not allow me to identify the students in question, but I believe it should be reasonably obvious on a quick visual inspection of the attendants.

Hamish.

-----

From: Dr A. De Jeune (School of Medicine)
To: Prof H Tepford (School of Mathematics
Subject: Laser Pointer Memo

Hamish,
I have one of them in my BioChem 100 class. Thanks for the warning.
Alyce.

----

From: Dr G Cranbourne-Wilson (School of Engineering)
To: Prof H Tepford (School of Mathematics
Subject: Laser Pointer Memo

Hamish,
I have one in Mech Eng 101.

Unfortunately your warning came too late. She apologised afterwards, and made sure to stay with me until the ambulance came.

I should be back on campus next week, albeit with a moonboot.

Greg.

----

To: HR Safety Team
From: Felicity Ambrose - Safety Investigator
Subject: OH&S Incident in Mech Eng 101 dd/mm/yyyyy 09:41

Team,
Attached is my report on the OH&S incident last Wednesday in which Dr Cranborne-Wilson broke his ankle.

There is sufficient documentary evidence that he could have reasonably assessed the risks of the activities he was taking part in, and could have avoided the hazardous situation.

At this point, I am satisfied that we have no legal obligations beyond medical leave.

Flick.

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

Écoute du soir (j'ai retrouvé le flux des podcasts accumulés cet été ) : la série "Avoir raison... avec Mary Shelley".

Le quatrième épisode notamment, avec Sophie Musitelli comme invitée, est passionnant. Il y est question des rapports entre littérature et sciences, en nous plongeant dans le contexte scientifique du XVIIIe et du début du XIXe siècle. C'est l'occasion d'évoquer ce qu'a été la culture scientifique de Mary Shelley (en tant que femme, issue d'un certain milieu social, née en 1797 en Angleterre), afin de comprendre les conditions dans lesquelles l'autrice a pu imaginer son roman 'Frankenstein'. Sophie Musitelli explique notamment qu'elle y capture "ce qu'il reste du rêve alchimique dans la chimie moderne", tout en mettant en scène des thèmes qui resteront au centre de la littérature de science-fiction à venir.

Épisode 4 - "Une bête de sciences" : https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceculture/podcasts/avoir-raison-avec/une-bete-de-sciences-7511919

#ConseilPodcast #OndesPubliques #FranceCulture #MaryShelley #Frankenstein #ScienceFiction #SF

Tails of Lady Miller's Memorial Catgirl Trust
Catgirl University

Professor Hamish Tepford was always intrigued to see what new fashion each new year of first-years brought to the lecture hall. As a statistics professor, he encountered students from most schools at the University, because most courses outside of the fine arts required at least one unit.

So he got to see a very broad spectrum of students, from the very staid (post-grad or mature age business) to the outlandishly extreme (almost anyone else). Unlike his fellows, he enjoyed teaching the bridging and introductory courses. Seeing the new faces, and seeing the light of understanding kick in at various points was a delight he could not pass up. But then, he was regarded as a little odd by his peers.

As the new class filed in, he made mental notes. In hair, hot pink was replacing the silver, and strips rather than a fade in or out. Piercings and tatts were still 'in'. Oh, and it looked like animatronics were...

Wait. Those ears were not animatronics. Were they some sort of cosmetic surgery? There were three of them, all sitting together. One stood, and he saw a tail curl around her waist before she sat down again.

That was when he realised that this was not a fashion statement. He had seen the replay of the press conference from a month or two back. Catgirls. But what were they doing in his class?

He mentally slapped himself. "Taking introductory statistics 017", obviously.

He checked his roll. There they were, three mononymic students. Biba, Natasha, and Antoinette-Sussanah.

He took first attendance - the only one he ever bothered with. He had a good head for names and faces. Then he started his introduction.

Part way through, while he was highlighting some of the course objectives, he suddenly felt his neck prickle. He looked over his shoulder at the lecture hall, and immediately saw the three pairs of eyes with absolute and complete focus on the screen.

The other students were taking notes or just nodding along. But those three were utterly fixated on ... Oh.

He turned off the laser pointer.

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

As usual, for @ami_angelwings .

9 Months ago, Council Chambers, Horsebreeder Clan lands.

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

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

There was silence.

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

Around the chamber was a sound of agreement.

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

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

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

This morning my best friend, Rikky, handed me a sheet of paper between classes as we passed.

Then during lunch she yelled at me, said some really horrible things, and stormed off saying that she never wanted to see me again. I almost threw out the paper, but I decided to read it. We had been friends since primary school, after all.

Scribbled at the top in her writing was "I'm sorry. I don't mean any of it. I'll see you in seventeen years. Stay alive."

Under that was this email.

"The day after tomorrow your best friend, Janice, is going to get pulled up in front of the school. There will be news cameras and reporters and government officials.

Janice Southward will be the next Chosen One.

How do I know? Because seventeen years ago my best friend was chosen. And I've been trying to keep him alive ever since. That is going to be your job now. I'll help, but you know her best.

But you can never been seen anywhere near her. If you are, you will get your mail and email screened, and you will be watched so you cannot interfere.

Why?

Because the Chosen One of each generation is not picked by some prophecy or seer or test of skill. They are picked at random. They have no special powers, no great destiny. They get a little stipend, enough so they don't have to work if they don't want to.

So what are they? They are bait. For every two-bit villain who comes along. They will have it shoved in their faces that there is a Chosen One - and even who it is. So they will go after them. And the government will know where they are going. So they can finish them off.

About one in ten of the Chosen Ones make it to 34. I want Janice to be one of them. Why? Because I've kept Callum alive. And I want his successor to do the same.

I worked my way into the Statistics Bureau. They are the ones who deal with The Chosen One and the idiots who go after them. The day after tomorrow I hope to see Callum for the first time in seventeen years.

And I will be waiting for you in the Bureau. Join me. And help keep Janice alive.

Show this to Janice, and then have a very public fight with her. Tell her to destroy this. No one can know. Especially not the Bureau. "

I sat back, and went to the loo. I tore the paper into tiny tiny bits and flushed them.

It all sounded insane. But there is going to be a big assembly tomorrow.

I guess I'd better destroy this as well.

#SF #SFF #microfiction #Microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting #MaybeDistopia

2 téléchargements pour la nouvelle de #SF "L'homme qui acheta une planète"...
https://www.atramenta.net/lire/lhomme-qui-acheta-une-planete/86084

#reticulum #munich #germany #de #lora is using the same settings popular in #thenetherlands #holland #nl which has a developed LoRa radio #mesh #rns #reticulummesh #meshchat
[[ReticulumNet LoRa]]
type = RNodeInterface
port = e.g. /dev/ttyUSB0
frequency = 869463000
bandwidth = 125000
spreadingfactor = 8
codingrate = 5
see also https://loramesh.org#settings
#frequency 869463000 Hz = 869.463 MHz
#Bandwidth: 125 kHz
#TransmitPower: 22 dBm (max allowed)
#Spreadingfactor #sf: 8
#codingrate: 5

Alt...

Lora settings (Europe, adopted widely in NL and used in DE Munich) that work: Frequency: 869463000 Hz = 869.463 MHz Bandwidth: 125 kHz Transmit Power: 22 dBm (typical maximum power allowed and available from hardware) Spreading factor: 8 (but see remarks below) coding rate: 5

I am at the stage of my #flurocil treatment where I resemble the protagonist in Derm Fool.

#SF #TheodoreSturgeon #SFF #SFInRealLife

Page 114 onwards.

https://archive.org/details/UnknownV03N01194003/Unknown+v03+n01+(1940-03)

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

Ensuite, on reste dans la #SF avec la septième aventure de l'Alchimiste, "Les pierres éternelles", avec 2 téléchargements.
https://www.atramenta.net/lire/les-pierres-eternelles/83309

C'est l'heure du bilan de la semaine sur #Atramenta !
Cette fois, c'est la nouvelle de #SF "L'homme qui acheta une planète" qui décroche la première place avec 3 téléchargements.
https://www.atramenta.net/lire/lhomme-qui-acheta-une-planete/86084

Opinion: Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is the spiritual successor to The Adventures of Buckaroo Banazai Across the Eighth Dimension.

#BuckarooBanzai #SkyCaptain #SF #SciFi #SFF #Pulp #Movies

#éducationcinédemesmarmots
Ce soir : Edge of tomorrow, de Doug Liman (2014). Je leur ai dit que c'était la journée de la marmotte version SF. Iels sont à donf !

#sf #Cinéma

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Affiche du film. Edge of tomorrow. Cruise et emily blunt en exosquelette "Vivre, mourir, recommencer"

Quelqu'un a lu Sintonia de Audrey Pleynet ?
(le roman de SF donc, pas la série brésilienne)

C'est vraiment bien ?

On me l'avait recommandé mais j'en suis à la fin du premier tiers et bof, quoi.
Donc j'hésite à poursuivre.

J'aime pas du tout les ambiance "Renaissance" ou décadence en général.

C'est pas vraiment mal écrit mais le style ne me convainc pas plus que ça non plus (et pourtant, c'est pas une traduction).

1/?

#Sintonia #SF #ScienceFiction #Nanotech

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

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 next one is in #SF and I am already sad that I will miss it. Specially because SF means chance to meet so many friends.

L'article labellisé du jour sur #Wikipédia : "Satellite Science Fiction", un magazine #SF américain qui n'a duré que quatre ans, mais qui a pu compter sur la collaboration de grands noms de la SF comme Arthur C. Clarke, Philip K. Dick ou Isaac Asimov. 🛸
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_Science_Fiction

Tiens je suis étonné que personne n'a encore imaginé un énorme circuit de climatisation qui rayonnerait les calories par dessus l'atmosphère pleine de CO2 (qui veut tout garder pour lui) .
En s'appuyant sur les câble des ascenseurs spatiaux par exemple (pour faire simple).
#sf #technosolutionnisme

Today on Totally Missing The Point:

> "Beverly Crusher is absolute goals.

Me:

Totally! At the Academy, she was the top midfielder on the varsity Blues, the science/medicine team in their zero-g football league. She bagged a double-hat-trick in the first half of a game against U-Luna, just an incredible array of spectacular shots, displaying her nearly total command of zero-g movement.

She finished her time at the Academy having scored, in just 3 years (an excellent student too!), 86 goals from centre midfield as her main position.

Her innovative use of bounce passes to herself off of unexpected surfaces led to one of her moves becoming known as a "Crusher turn", involving a first touch that pushed the ball backward and down with just enough spin at just the right angle that when she hit the thruster and spun around, she was perfectly placed to kick off at an angle that let her continue to push off, accelerating all the way to the goal, and neither keeper was able to stop her when she unleashed a high-velocity shot with her usual surgical accuracy.

#MicroFiction #SF #StarTrekTNG

[lien] La vie courte mais rigolote de Jean-Kevin - Vaping Post #drg #lol #wtf #sf

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

C'est l'heure du mal-aimé de la semaine sur #Atramenta !
Aujourd'hui, "Capitaine Quantum : Le Maître des Rêves" ! 🚀
Mystère et menace dans l'espace, deuxième saison des aventures du Capitaine après "Capitaine Quantum : L'Œil de la Déesse", il n'a pas eu le même succès que son précédesseur. Pourtant, je suis aussi fière de cette nouvelle aventure #SF que de la première, et j'ai beaucoup regretté de n'avoir jamais pu la publier sur Vivlio Stories.
https://www.atramenta.net/lire/capitaine-quantum-le-maitre-des-reves/100167

Dans mes rêves, j’ai mon âge, ou pas d’âge, et lesté de l’expérience d’une vie, j’interagis parfois comme cette nuit avec des gens, vivants ou morts, que je n’ai pas vus depuis des lustres, voire des décennies.

Et ça m’a frappé que les rêves sont littéralement des machines à voyager dans le temps.

#sf #mastonirique #captainObvious

"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

2 lectures pour la nouvelle de #SF "L'homme qui acheta une planète".
https://www.atramenta.net/lire/lhomme-qui-acheta-une-planete/86084

[lien] Notules non diplomatiques n° 40 - Open Time #politikkills #sf

[lien] 60 degrés à l'ombre | Grise Bouille #bks #cho #sf

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

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

He checked the crew quarters. No-one.

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

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

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

They both dropped.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Thank-you" he whispered.

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

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

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

What followed was a long three hours.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All three collapsed.

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

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

Seeker went aft, towards the engineering space.

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

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

Dîtes, j’ai envie de lire de la SF (bonne si possible).

Quel bouquin de fiction vous a fait le plus penser à ce qu’on est en train de vivre ? Même si c’est juste en partie… (Politique, social, environnement, etc.)

J’ai envie d’en lire quelques uns pour voir ce que les auteurs ont pu imaginer comme issues, comme organisation sociale, luttes, moyens de survie et tout le reste.

Je prends toutes vos recommandations, surtout vos coups de cœur.
D’avance merci ☺️

#lecture #SF #anticipation

📅 LE MOIS DERNIER : « Suivez cette planète ! »
La BD où on s'interroge sur la taille des planètes en SF !
▶️ https://grisebouille.net/suivez-cette-planete
#BD #oc #inkscape #humour #GriseBouille #ScienceFiction #SF #SFFF

Alt...

IMAGE 1. Quelques sauts dans l'hyper-espace plus tard… Le vaisseau est posé, et les deux personnages sont dehors. La femme dit : « Bon. On y est. Grôtouine. Alors, il est où, Xebonork ? » IMAGE 2. L'homme répond : « Ben il est là. Sur cette planète, quoi. » La femme : « T'as pas plus de précision ? » L'homme : « Euuh, non. »

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.

y a pas que de la musique à la #bonneAventure #Dunkerque

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

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

#CerianAndVaranWar

The dawn light was just starting to show in the sky when the workstation in Tannis' hermetically sealed quarters pinged.

Tannis' eyes snapped open. That workstation should not be pinging. No-one knew she was here. No-one except the Gould family and Ashwan's squadron.

She got up, and wrapped a robe around herself. Laundry was going to need to be a thing soon. She sat at the workstation. The mail icon was blinking. Opening it, her eyes widened "Maria Gould? Isn't that Ashwan's partner - no they say wife here, don't they?" she mumbled to herself. This was the worst bit of her status as the first and only POW in this war.

Reading the message, her jaw dropped. Maria's analysis was incredible. Three families, or rather, least three on the Varan side working to prevent the colony from returning to space, at the very least. Actively trying to kill them off at worst.

There was probably something similar back home.

And they had started the war.

Tannis wondered what was happening back home. She missed her friends. Her flight. Were they doing the same sort of hunt? Was Estelle digging through the old Parliamentary Records? It would be Estelle if anyone. Hitomi's talents were in the air and navigation. Ava would be busy with running the flight now. Was she looking for someone to recruit to fill the hole that Tannis' capture had left?

She looked over at one of the things Chimera Flight had included. A print of a photograph they had taken during training. All four of them in the pilot's bar. The barman had taken it the night after they took down that entitled jerk, Jarrad. Happy days.

Giving herself a shake, she washed up and opened a breakfast pack from the rations her team had dropped for her.

The breakfast was supposed to be eggs and ham. She doubted that it had come within several kilometres of a tusk lizard or any sort of egg. But it was still a thousand times better than sugarwater and survival bar. At least the crackers had crunch and tasted faintly of cloudbush. Very faintly. As she ate, she wondered what the next step was going to be. What would happen about the three families? She couldn't even ask about it. To distract herself after her meal, she started exercising.

There was nothing else she could do now.

#SF #SFF #IAmWriting #MilSF #tootfic

Part of https://rdmasters.lympago.com/p/cerian-and-varan-war-story-in.html

@Moss

I think it is important to distinguish between the current crop of LLMs and fictional self aware AIs.

SF authors have been writing about the latter for, well, really since Ancient Greece, and lumping all of that tradition with the LLM scam engines is a tad unfair.

One of the key aspects of SF is to speculate, so it is not unreasonable to see SF writers exploring the implications of the scam engines gaining awareness.

Now /using/ a scam engine to create your story, that I have a huge issue with.

#sf #writing

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 15

Adele stepped out, leaving the girls alone for a moment.
"I guess you've been dying to meet Colin for years" Alice's voice was subdued.
"It is exciting, but he's the first person outside of," Indigo gestured around the boat, "here and the exotic community that will know about me. I'm a bit scared. Sit by me? Please?"

Alice shuffled over so she was properly next to her friend. Indi leaned back a little against her.

Outside, Adele looked across at Colin. "Indi says you can come aboard," she made the invitation sound like a threat.
Colin gulped, and stepped aboard. Adele moved next to him, and whispered "If you ever hurt either of them, I will end you."
"Yes, ma'am!", he said, accent back in force.

She opened the door to the saloon, and gently pushed him in.

"Girls", she announced, "this is Colin. Colin, meet Indigo and my daughter Alice."

Colin stared, then shook himself. "Uh, hi. Um."
Indigo blushed hard "Uh, hi, Colin. Uh, yeah, it's real. Er, Adele? Can you get mum or dad from below. One of them should be here."

Adele nodded, and went below. As soon as she was below decks, Indigo asked "Did she threaten you?"
"Yes?" Colin said softly.
"That tracks. Don't worry about it. She hasn't had anyone shot in six years."
"Is that supposed to be reassuring? And what about" he pointed at her tail.
"I'll explain when mum or dad are here. I figured you had your secrets, this one is mine."

Alice looked on as Colin continued to stand awkwardly in the middle of the cabin. "Oh for crying out loud, just sit down!" she finally burst out, just as Iris came up the companionway, Adele following.

Colin, quickly stood up from half sitting. "Uh, hi Mrs Chandler. Sorry for turning up unannounced."

Iris looked over the slender dark haired young man and sighed. "Well, I see the girls have already introduced themselves. Welcome aboard. Dave is looking after Elizabeth, she's fussing a little. As Alice just said, do sit. Tea?"

A look of absolute relief came over Colin's face. This was something he could deal with. "Yes please, white with two, please."

"I'll look after it. Girls?", Adele asked.

"Yes, please," they chorused back.

"Now, we have some rules. Firstly, no photos, and no telling anyone - not family, not friends, no-one - about Indi. Unless you know some other people who are similarly gifted?"

"Uh, no. No, I don't. Does that mean there are other sorts of people out there too?"

"Oh yes. For example..." and Iris turned to water "I am a naiad, or water nymph." She turned back. "I know you are taking a gap year, backpacking. But what are you doing here, specifically?"

"I came to see Indi. Uh, not like that. Cause we've been sending letters so long and well, I got my passport, and um" as he spoke he sped up, and his accent started to get thicker, and then stuttered out.

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