T
he modified maintenace robots lowered themselves down a long thin cable the end of which trailed in a dark viscous liquid breaking the surface with a deep ‘V’ shaped furrow. As they reached the end of the cable they climbed down over each other like circus performers and grasped the limbs of the robot above until they were all strung out on the slick surface like links in a chain. After a group wide systems check the anchor robot released its grip on the cable and the team immediately disappeared under the fast flowing liquid.
The robots rolled up like a prehistoric shellfish and rushed through the pressurized system making no attempt fend off collisions Continue reading
Light
H
e felt the comforting warmth of the sun on his back; the heat induced a wonderful feeling of contentment and he wanted to hang onto that for as long as possible.
With his eyes closed he could imagine himself to be anywhere and he let his mind drift off into those cosy half-awake dreams…
He opened his eyes to see that the orange glow of sunlight had banished all the stars from view, light cancelling out light in the natural order of things, he rolled over to take in the last star he would ever see before bursting into flames.
Black Blood
H
e used to love the thrill of the hunt, the subtle almost sensual selection of the prey, the intense anticipation during the stalk, the focus and clarity of thought immediately prior to the fatal act and the sweet surrender of all his faculties to the inevitable act of violence.
Sadly these were just distant memories, lately the hunt had lost its edge and the prey seemed dour and unworthy of his attention. He found himself wandering listlessly looking for someone or something more Continue reading
Trees
J
ust before dawn the sixteen man global environmental crime unit lined up at one end of Acacia Avenue, the team leader thought his next command and the words appeared on each team member’s head up display ‘Form up two by two’.
The team leader peered down the partially lit street and could just make out the two drones hovering in front of a run-down detached property. He reviewed the information from the drones and thought another order ‘Drones report numerous Continue reading
Moment
T
heir eyes met for the first time and instantly they recognised that they could have a deep and meaningful relationship, in which they would bond completely and build an undying trust coupled with everlasting companionship. Neither believed in love at first sight, but this was something more, something much greater, transcending ordinary human perception.
Then almost as quickly as it began, it started to dissipate and was soon replaced by the overwhelming burden of reality. With an imperceptible shrug and a knowing smile they both turned to their respective partners and children and made their way home.
Meal Ticket
T
he huge eagle swooped down and grasped the unfortunate victim in its vicious talons, immediately she tossed her prize in the air and forced it down her gullet with two quick swallows.
Very soon after the creature began to feel sick and gently settled down on the turquoise pampas grass before regurgitating its meal.
The man jump up pressed a button on his Bio Dermis suit spraying gas at the bird rendering it unconscious. Moving closer he fired a tag into the birds neck and walked away thinking ‘third one this month, one more and I’ll get my bonus’.
Thought
H
e watched the handsome young lovers walking through the park oblivious to all else and couldn’t help thinking ‘mine is better than yours!’
Epochs End
‘E
xplain how it works’ She demanded.
He gazed at the stars outside for a few seconds and eventually said ‘The universe is contained in a huge bubble surrounded by an event horizon.’
She nodded more as a gesture for him to continue than a sign of understanding.
‘The event horizon has a two dimensional description of everything inside the universe, remove that Continue reading
Goodbye
T
he exoskeleton was finally failing and another warning light came on, she looked up through the thin atmosphere and thought goodbye Saturn.
Recycle
A
s his life’s blood clouded the clear water he noticed small creatures feeding on it and realised that his death served a purpose after all.