April 2014 75 **PLUS 5** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- Cat's Cradle and TDZ share the win

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Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

The Neighbour

Everybody knows Mars is Earth’s first neighbour. It's the third planet from the Sun, with gravity 2.66 times that of Earth.

But nobody except the scientists aboard Infinity, the first spaceship to reach Mars, knows Mars would have been a more favourable world for life to develop on, had it remained inside Goldilocks zone 4.5 billion years ago. Maybe, it would not have taken us seven centuries to combine steam engine with solar boilers and meet our neighbour.
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

A Young Contraptor's Nightmare


Marie gripped the ruffles of her skirt as she climbed over Father's fence.
He'd warned her about the forest, but wide-eyed from her window she'd seen an ethereal glow.
Her oil lamp flickered, shadows cast across her pretty face and she stopped.
She held out her hand and caught a Firefly.
She looked for the cogs which powered its light and, upon finding none, gasped.
"It's so discombobulating!" She cried, crushing it.
And ran back inside to fix it.
 
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Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

Under the Sea

Steam shot back at Calvin as he turned the hatch wheel.

“Will someone slow this beast down? There is something there!”

The underwater craft creaked and groaned as the coal was stoked in the reverse thrusters.

In moments the ship sat still, enveloped by dark water. Calvin moved to the front viewing port and almost fell back.

“It's true...they live.”

Outside the creatures huddled together; their fish bottoms waving in the sea, arms tucked tight to their bodies.
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

Water Cooler Moments...

“Where? Oh, the Trans-Siberian Airship. The throb of those giant engines – so arousing. I just had to have a man – even one dressed like that. He was a slow starter but my trusty viageria spell worked perfectly. Meet again? Not likely.”

––

“She stood no chance. I was magnificent – top hat, goggles, thigh-plates. Who could resist? She wanted me to slow down a bit, but hey – I’m all man! Call her? Sure, but she can wait. She’s not going anywhere.”
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

Victorian Reading 2.0

Professor Wainwright gently sat on a wooden bench. Bird song greeted him on this sunny afternoon. He liked this park by the university. It gave him time to relax and read.

"Excuse me, sir?"

The professor looked up to see a young lady shading herself with her parasol.

"Yes, Miss. How can I help you?" he asked.

Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him. "There's smoke coming from your lap."

He smiled. "That's not smoke. It's my Steam-Reader."
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

Clockwork

Hesitant fingers slotted the tiny cog in the hidden alcove. The prophecy predicted catastrophe, but curiosity governed Eliza. Tiny tickings echoed in the temple. Then hissing pistols. A roaring rumble underground followed. Deep churnings beneath filled Eliza with regret.

Days passed - nothing happened, to Eliza's relief.

Over months however, tides stretched and flatlands sloped. News abroad spoke of floods and the waterfall at the Edge surged.

The tickings, hissings and rumbles continued to tilt the world.

Only Eliza knew why.
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

Air Africa

The great steam dirigible had been flying west from the Zanzibar coast for days.

Suddenly smoke and fire burst from the narrow lake shore ahead, sending a bullet capsule racing directly towards them.

“Ready the capture nets!” Shouted the famous holograph recorder and explorer. “Fire!”

The large web of rope flung itself before the projectile, snatching it out of the air.

A disheveled, slightly mad looking white man pulled himself on to the air ships deck.

“Doctor Livingston, I presume?”
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

His To-Do List.

Keep eating, you cow. That scowl you’re giving me doesn’t help either.

I butter my toast in silence while she finishes her breakfast across the table.

“Are you going to the emporium today?” she asks, but I know she doesn’t care.

“Sure. Airship needs some parts.” And Cynthia will be working the shop.

“Get back quickly. I need a rest.”

“I’ll try, but traffic’s been bad.” And Cynthia might need some help again… back at her place.
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

Steamhenge

I met a man on my way to Wiltshire to see the next great wonder of the world.

"I would not bother if I were you," he told me.

I was perplexed. "What do you mean? It is claimed to be the world's largest steam machine."

"It was destined to become the world's fastest computational machine. But it has been confiscated and bastardized by the Druids."

"To what purpose?"

"For their pagan religious ceremonies! Its builders have been sacrificed!"
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

Dragontoy

Sinuous neck, a cautious sniff
It doesn't smell that edible
Neath sulphured smoke, the slightest whiff
Of armoured knight; incredible

A tiny nudge, its whistle screams
A vapour cloud soon dissipates
An ugly, noisy beast it seems
Newness no longer fascinates

Perhaps like tortoise, on its back?
An oath from the interior
Protruding tube, thwarted attack,
erotic'ly inferior.

She rocks it gently, to and fro,
Inquisitive and curious.
Attention's spun, she turns to go.
The voice inside is furious.
​
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

A Warning to the Mods


If e'er you meet a goblin
A stone-troll or an orc
Be not deceived by what you read
About these gentle folk

The bad press that was published
Was written 'fore the time
That steampunk came to Middle Earth
And brought them into line

The goblins now are graceful
The trolls stone-washed and gleam
Just 'ware the orcs whose tendency
Is punk before the steam
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

See the World, no Experience Necessary!


“Cap’n! Methelasan electro-shock half a league off starboard, approaching fast! Dials say 235 gigawatts!”

“Those damned sneaky Elves! Give me that comm’! Engine room! Lord Eckhardt , full steam to engines, starboard in reverse!”

“Aye aye Cap’n.”

“Weapons room! Doctor Ranpoor, all charge to starboard shields! Weapons boilers, full power!”

“Roger that. Ion room… Mr Sully… Sully… Lester!”

“Huh? Wha-“

“All charge to starboard.”

Yawn

“Lester!”

“Alright, keep your knickers on…”

Click.

“I said starboard!”

“Oh, sh-”

Crackle… CRACKLE…. BANG!
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

If Tolkien Had Been a Fan of Mechanisation


Clockwork elf and dreadnought dwarf
Chanced upon each other
Whereupon the elf poured forth
Views on the dwarf’s mother.
Cogwheels whirred, pistons sang
The two prepared for battle;
Then suddenly there came a twang
And subsequent, a rattle.
‘My mainspring’s broke!’ the elf declared
‘I’ve lost my very soul!’
The dwarf guffawed, and then dropped dead
His bunkers out of coal.

‘Nonsense! Doggerel!’ you wail?
‘Such things could never be!’?
Show me a more worthy tale
Of steampunk fantasy
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

The Mechanic


“Oh my”, she exclaimed adjusting the trim of her new copper skirt, “that was quite the experience”.

“No problem ma’am, we always aim to please.” he replied.

“Are you sure no oil spilled, I’d hate to go out with a stain on my new dress. Isn’t it pretty?”she asked smiling as she twirled.

“Absolutly ma’am, and don’t you worry about spills, we’re always pleased to aim”, he replied replacing the cap on his spout as he put it away.
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

War Chest: War Changer, World Killer

They had been looking for years for a weapon. Something to swing the balance of power back in their favour. They were out gunned. It was only a matter of time before all was lost. Then they released War Chest on the world and everything changed.
****
He raised his arm, mana cannon armed and ready. The hiss of pistons, as he stepped forward firing brilliant blue bolts of death.
No one ever survived an encounter with War Chest.
 
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Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

BAD PARENTS

A chance encounter had the two boys staring eye to eye. A mirror image of each other, with one missing his right arm, the other his left.

Timothy fashioned an arm from what his family left behind; a meat saw, Tinker Toys and duct tape. He worked as a paper hanger. Milton had a one man band.

Timothy was abandoned at age eleven, Milton at twelve.
They introduced themselves.

I'm Timothy, call me Tim.

I'm Milton, call me miT. (Mitt)
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

The Coal Steel Deal


The Connors received two benefits from their mine. The first was the coal itself to power their steelcars. The second was that miners afflicted with the black lung made excellent drivers for the races.

Supervisor Redding noted Brice's cough.

"The black t'aints muh lungs, Red," Brice said.

Moments later the two men struck a deal.

Brice won many races for the Connors before dying in an gruesome crash, unaware his family was never given a dime from the winnings.
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

Culture clash

The envelope read:

Open in the event that my death occurs during the test flight.

Inside:

I, Georgina Barren, bequeath my estate to my love, Tarajen dragon rider.

Signed,

GB(squiggle)

Taranjen threw the note over his shoulder. A puff of flame from Mehjal, his steed, turned it to ash.

Brilliant, foolish, Barren: Her machine had actually flown. Until Mehjals claws had crunched into it.

The sky belonged to dragon riders.
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

A Slight Misunderstanding


Hunkered down and hugging his knees close, another blinding flash burned and seared the very air Blackshaw breathed. His Impulsion Rifle was no use against this creature, it’s multitude of weapons scything through the attacking ranks, packing the Great Warrior’s Halls with new recruits.

In the next hallow along, Grainger was covered head to toe in muck, or much worse. Yelling, ‘what is that thing?’

‘We don’t know; some amorphous yellow being from elsewhere, yet strangely handsome. Calls itself Bowler1.’
 
Re: April 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE **PLUS FIVE** WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST!!

Proud Mary
​
"Why would you build such a thing?" the elf asked, staring incredulously at the steamboat. A thing of cogs and engines, leaking oil and pumping steam.

"`Cos ah can," the dwarf responded, “Improvin` transport up an` down the rivah for all that need it."

"Is that the only reason?" the horrified elf gasped, already regretting leaving the forest and running into the diminutive engineer and his `forward thinking` mechanical vehicle.

"Gold. Fame. Wealth. Advancement. Ease.

"There that is five more."
 
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