250-Word MicroFiction: Second Round
Another very short story
My previous 250-Word MicroFiction story progressed me along to the second round of the challenge, where I faced the task of writing a Sci-fi story, which included the action of pushing someone into a swimming pool and the word lock. Enjoy!
*Beep Boop Boop Bop*
I stood on the bridge, surveying the 40-square parsecs of space placed under my guidance by the Galactic Council. Too much real estate not to take advantage of. I turned around and leaned over the handrail, monitoring the progress.
“Update on the chlorine levels?” I barked.
*Beep boop boop bop*
“Chlorine levels are calibrated, Captain,” said a small voice.
“And the escape ladder?”
“Riveted into place, Sir,” Marshall echoed. “Tighter than the gravitational pull of Caledon!”
“Excellent," I said with a childish grin. "Everything’s falling into place. Our interstellar water park will soon be operational!"
"Captain, what will you charge for entry?"
I paused, contemplating whether this was intel for a lowly Private. Plus, I still hadn’t ruled him out as the spy on the inside. "…still to be determined,” I hesitated.
As Marshall returned a revealing glance, the ship shook violently. The supportive handrail broke free, and the force of the blast pushed me over the edge and into the pool below. In those moments of freefall–an eternity in themselves–I knew the Voxans had located us. Breaking the surface and spurting water, I exclaimed, "Lock the thrusters into overdrive! We've got to escape!"
Disobeying his final command, my once trusted comrade threw himself into the pool with a gleeful smile, "CANNONBALL!!!"
Like an order from the Supreme Commander herself, I heard the familiar maternal cadence, capable of slicing through the force field separating fact from fiction.
"Tommy, time to get out! You too Marshall!"
I don’t know why much of my fiction writing tends to skew toward the comedic. Perhaps if I start out with levity, I’m less inclined to seriously judge the “quality” of my own work? What I do know is that few projects have brought me as much joy as this short story. I believe there’s something within the imaginative mind of a young child, playing with their best friend, relatable to most all of us. Thanks for reading :)
-Kyle
Word of the week: Locavore: a person whose diet consists only or principally of locally grown or produced food.
Kyle - This made me think a lot about our conversation about why we/or others may approach conversations with a less than serious tone - and what the root of that may be.
This quote: “Perhaps if I start out with levity, I’m less inclined to seriously judge the ‘quality’ of my own work?” made me ponder on that even more. I am amazed at how we all can be so hard and harsh on ourselves and that we may even employ protective measures with ourselves.
I applaud you for finding a space and way to push yourself to explore, imagine, and test things out. I think it’s pretty expansive. I’m hoping I can do more “cannonballs” and own them entirely.