November 2018 -- 85 Word Story Challenge -- VICTORY TO TYWIN!

[Shyrka]

The Needs of the Many

“How many?”

“Milsec puts the swarm at approximately seventeen million hostiles.”

“Population of Carthia Two?”

“Seven-point-three billion.”

“Carthia Three?”

“Eighty-four-point-six billion.”

“Sixth fleet ETA?”

“Twenty-seven hours.”

“If they get past the Carthia system it's all over. Fifth fleet status?”

“Losses at eighty percent.”

“How long…?

“They won’t last more than a few hours.”

“No, how long for the enemy to… uh… devour someone?”

“Sir?”

“Tell the fifth fleet to retreat. Draw them back-” God forgive me. “-to Carthia Three.”

 

[Joshua Jones]

2157

“02952819, please return to your lane. He is an Obsolete.”

Carl froze, but couldn't turn away from the pleas for help, the Obsolete bandits, and spilt blood.

“I can't leave him to die!”

The robotic guide’s weapon engaged. “02952819, return to your lane now.”

Carl stepped off the lane and said, “Guide, my brother’s dying. I'm helping.”

“Ilegal thought pattern detected. Purging 02952819,” it said, firing its weapon system and reducing Carl and three nearby Obsoletes to red mist.

“50947181, please return to your lane.”

 

[Bob Senior]

COMPLY

2196 , all the peoples of the earth live by the same set of rules, 1,000,000 rules to be exact.
There are rules for any and all situations, therefore life without conflict .
No police, No armies . Only peace and tolerance .
One day a young man found an antique AK47 in a cave .
Wondering what he'd found he took it to the Rules Committee.
With screams of horror the Committee enacted RULE 1,000,000 : In the event of attack all citizens will
injest the red and black capsule !

 

[Luiglin]

A torturous nursery rhyme

One, two,

Tighten the screw;

Three, four,

Hear them implore;

Five, six,

Promise plenty of tricks;

Seven, eight,

Tell them it is not too late;

Nine, ten,

Start with the basics then;

Eleven, twelve,

Sharp blades begin to delve;

Thirteen, fourteen,

Pliers help to glean;

Fifteen, sixteen,

Lies, truth and in-between;

Seventeen, eighteen,

Their final confession so serene;

Nineteen, twenty,

Torturing reaps rewards aplenty.

 

[Mr Orange]

Is She The 1?


1 cup, 1 saucer.
2 full stirs. 2 taps.
3 deep breaths.
4 steps to the table.
5th guest is waiting.
Teacup 6 centimetres in front of right arm. Always the right arm.
She reaches, eyelids flutter 7 times. So pretty.
Cup to mouth, blows surface twice.

NO NO NO! BLOW 8 TIMES! EVERYTHING’S RUINED!

Chef’s knife; 20 centimetres. 12 times in torso, 3 times in neck.
Run water, 23 seconds. Wash 2 hands, 1 knife.

Only 1 guest left.

1 cup, 1 saucer…

 

[Ursa major]

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The Book of Magic of the Ruler of the Five Duchies ​

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“I’ve got a genie, sis! I call him Ronald.”​

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Ronald…? Following that old book’s making a fool of my brother. “The captain allows genies on board ship?”​

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“The XO does. Tomorrow, I have to walk along a dike, drink some lapsang souchong and swear.”​

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Levee? Tea? Cuss…?​

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“I must count my divine blessings,” he adds.​

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That won’t take long. “And then?”​

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“What happens next will be due to Ron an’ me.”​

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“If you ask me,” I say, “that pentaduke has a lot to answer for.”​

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[paranoid marvin]

The End Is Neigh






The Apocalypse Stakes


1. Pestilence:

form: 44432

Colours: yellow and green

Comments: Disappointing of late, a good run could be just the cure.

Odds 5/1


2. War:

form: 22323

Colours: blood red

Comments: Fighting fit, a real battler

Odds 2/1


3. Famine:

form: 33244

Colours: bone white

Comments: Hungry for success, but slim chances here

Odds 10/1


4. Death:

form: 111111

Colours: black

Comments: A dead cert, will murder the opposition

Odds 1/2

 

[TheDustyZebra]

You Can Count on Me


A Bad Thing crawls out of the apple. I spray it one-two-three-four times and it *pops*.

I smile. Taylor, oblivious, smiles back.

All safe.

From under the table, another. Gargantuan, squelchy, looming. I spray one-two-three-four and it laughs and swallows Taylor whole. One-two-three-four one-two-three-four I spray and spray and scream.

No more spray.

I pick up the chair, beat it one-two-three-four one-two-three-four as Taylor screams and screams.

 

[StilLearning]

Unfortunately, they did the maths...


Ten asteroids, all scheduled to hit Earth on the same day.

Nine interception missions which mysteriously vanished

Eight crew on this, the last.

Seven heat sources on the asteroid’s surface, as we approach

Six incoming tracks on our radar.

Five desperate, stomach churning, manoeuvres.

Four weapon locks on the hull we can’t shake.

Three minutes before bingo fuel.

Two signals: Ours to Earth “It’s an attack!”… and sent to us…

“One world, just one human race - yet wars uncountable. Sparing you… doesn’t add up.”

 

[Ursa major]

Voting is now open at the link below:

POLL -- November 2018 75-Word Challenge -- READ FIRST POST!​

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