A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 16, 2023.

We hadn’t seen any sign of our quarry for months now. I was beginning to think we had lost them for good, and that no new opportunity was going to swim past us to salvage this trip.

“Cap’n, it’s gone. Time to move on.”

“Negative, it’s close, I can feel it. It will taste our harpoon, and it will be out of our lives.”

I just shook my head. This sure did sound familiar, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I still hadn’t figure out what a Pequod was.

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by Wyatt H Knott using DreamAI.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 16, 2023.

“How is thing still working?”

“Who cares, it runs, and it has ammo. Head left, down that alley.”

“Okay, heading left. But, seriously, will this actually work?”

“It emits no EM, so its invisible to the bots. They assume everything dangerous radiates something. All we radiate is heat, and some noise. And with background temps, we’re practically invisible.”

“Fine, let’s hope we can do this.”

“Hey Carl! Target, heading 113. HEAT round now!”

“HEAT up, firing. Here comes the kaboom!”

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 15, 2023.

“When will this anthem end? It goes on forever!” I thought. I always looked forward to the Inter-Dimensional Tournament, and playing the first game of the qualifying round was extra special. But the anthems! Some dimensions just can’t seem to abide something that is pithy, upbeat, inspiring. This dirge could deflate stone. Could we just get to the game?

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 14, 2023.

The survey had begun. The bots were mapping the planet. Everything. They had a mission, and they were going to perform it, no matter what.

We saw three break from the pack and start heading our way. We had hoped that the stream might slow them down, or even stop them. No such luck. They were built for all terrains and every type of environment. Rumours swirled about some mapping seabeds.

These are relentless. No on wanted to be mapped. Time to run.

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 13, 2023.

Three more hours. Just three more hours.

I can get through this. Crunching the data isn’t that hard. Then I’m out of the processing pod.

I can get a beer, maybe some real, actual noodles. That would be heaven. Real noodles, not those synthetic strings of slime. Ug.

Focus.

Enough mistakes, and they extend my shift. I. Will. Not. Be. Extended. Not today. Yesterday was bad enough. It will not be three in days a row.

Focus.

Just two hours, fifty eight minutes.

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 10, 2023.

They had found a way to access the other dimensions in the universe, and she just had to try it for herself. She read the warnings about possible side effects. They didn’t mention it would accelerate plant growth, but maybe that was just her misinterpreting the effects. It felt like she was coming apart while simultaneously joining with something bigger. And there it was, the Answer, that elusive solution we all sought for. She couldn’t believe it was… no, wait!

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by Wyatt H Knott using DreamAI.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 9, 2023.

“See, I told you it would be fun! Roman Empire, but without all the mess of time travel and creating historical paradoxes.”

“No kidding! When are we going back?”

“Their mindnet site says there’s a flight in a week. You in?”

“I’m in!”

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 9, 2023.

My buddy said look for the AR sign with the big fish, so I guess this is it. With the new restrictions on commercial fishing in place, it makes sense the modern speakeasy is all about seafood. I haven’t had real lobster or scallops in years. But Jake said he knew a place. Not sure why they’d use this freaky creature, not like it’s good to eat. But hey, whatever floats their boat I guess.

Now, what was the password today? Oh yeah, goldfish. Ah, now I get the sign.

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 8, 2023.

Why is it that guys think they can escape by running into the men’s changing room? It’s not like there’s a magic forcefield stopping non-males from entering. Idiots. And for all their whining, how many fantasize about a woman coming on to them in here?

I know that putz is in here somewhere, and I really need this bounty. Rent is due shortly, and the bank account is looking a little sparse.

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published May 7, 2023.

They arrived in a blaze of light and heat, landing in as remote as location as you could imagine. It took us days to get there, to greet them, and respond if necessary.

We finally got there, and nothing. They just sat there. We could see movement through the portholes. There were RF emissions, but nothing we could make out. But otherwise nothing.

They sat for weeks, ignoring audible, visual, RF messages.. And then, they fired up their engines and just…left.