SF Drabble #72 “Class Struggle”

Summer on New Delaware is hot, windy. The soil is far from rich, and there is little water to spare. Working the crops is hard, even with the machinery. We in the First Wave understand that.

But it has to be done. One bad harvest could spell disaster. If the second and third wave workers were allowed the freedoms they demand, the colony could fail. We could all starve.

The responsibilities of leadership weigh heavily on our shoulders. Decisions once made have to be adhered to. We will brook no disobedience. Our patience is thin, and our weaponry is orbital.

Fantasy Drabble #42 “Ace In The Hole”

They’re attacking again. They won’t get through this time, not enough of them. Next time, perhaps: their sappers are working to undermine the walls. Our archers can’t hold them off, and we’re running out of oil to pour on their miserable heads. They’ll break through eventually.

But we yet one more line of defense: Midz-Aset waits in the courtyard. I hear the barbarians believe dragons to be myth. Ours has been obligingly quiet. They’re in for quite a surprise.

We’ve told him he can eat as many of them as he likes, and we’ll split their gold down the middle.

Fantasy Drabble #41 “Mother’s Day”

Not burritos again.

“I have a craving. Deal with it.”

Sacred Mother, it gives us gas. It’s uncomfortable.

“It gives me gas, and I’ll eat what I want.”

You forget that I am the Chosen One, the Bringer of Balance, the…

“You don’t get to be in charge till you’re out. Oh, kick my bladder all you want, kid, worst that happens is a puddle.”

Fine. Eat what you want…

“Thank you, I will.”

…but I caution you: the day will come when you will eat only what I allow.

“Not if I drink a bottle of Drano, it won’t.”

SF Drabble #71 “Genus”

They built him cell by cell: tissue, bone, and brain. It cost millions, but given the practical applications of the technology it would eventually pay for itself.

It was complicated when a grad assistant called Child Protective Services. An Inspector was sent, but quickly realized she was out of her depth.

At the hearing, the University’s position was that technically the infant was an animal, and was owned by the Science Department. The state countered that Homo Neanderthalensis includes Homo, meaning human, so Junior had rights.

The judge, from his pained expression, spent most of the hearing thinking why me?

SF Drabble #70 “Population Pressure”

The detector beeped, but only intermittently. In well ventilated places like this one it was always more difficult to localize the airborne chemical traces. After a while, the technician said: “We’ve got a positive, but the reading is weak.”

The Inspector nodded. “Everyone, start knocking on doors: maybe someone knows something.”

The deputies spread out through the building. In the Common districts, there was little loyalty. If someone was violating the Procreation Act, others would invariably give them up for reward money.

Eventually, the Inspector was called upstairs. They had her, and two family members. She didn’t even look pregnant.