This page features my flash fiction featured in the Space Opera: Writers Facebook Group
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Space Opera: Writers Summer Flash Fiction Contest 2016
The perimeters of this competition were simple: pick an image and write a story about it in 1000 words or less.
My entry, Salvation, was one of the finalists and went on to the final round. Renowned science fiction author Peter F. Hamilton judged the final three and award my story 3rd place.
This is what he said about the story:
“For the record, this was a lot tougher than I was expecting! They’re all of publishable quality. So the ranking is all down to personal preference, which means very little in the real world.
(For transparency I should declare Salvation is also the name of the book I’m currently writing, but I’m fairly sure I managed to put that to one side) The only reason I placed this third was because although it was well written, and covered all the bases of making me want to read on, it felt like it was a section of a much larger work. This is a credit to the world building, which set up an intriguing civilisation and a conflict within it. I simply wanted more out of it than a story this length could realistically provide. If Josh has the detailed structure of this universe mapped out, along with the character arcs, maybe he should consider a longer piece set here.”
- Peter F. Hamilton
The perimeters of this competition were simple: pick an image and write a story about it in 1000 words or less.
My entry, Salvation, was one of the finalists and went on to the final round. Renowned science fiction author Peter F. Hamilton judged the final three and award my story 3rd place.
This is what he said about the story:
“For the record, this was a lot tougher than I was expecting! They’re all of publishable quality. So the ranking is all down to personal preference, which means very little in the real world.
(For transparency I should declare Salvation is also the name of the book I’m currently writing, but I’m fairly sure I managed to put that to one side) The only reason I placed this third was because although it was well written, and covered all the bases of making me want to read on, it felt like it was a section of a much larger work. This is a credit to the world building, which set up an intriguing civilisation and a conflict within it. I simply wanted more out of it than a story this length could realistically provide. If Josh has the detailed structure of this universe mapped out, along with the character arcs, maybe he should consider a longer piece set here.”
- Peter F. Hamilton
Salvation Another cold blast of wind knocks me a step forward. Bracing myself against the onslaught, my cloak whips violently around me, its silver-trimmed, purple material slapping at my obsidian armor.
In the distance the streamlined transport hovers between two terraforming towers; long abandoned in the Most High’s efforts to control his people. A blue aura surrounds the vessel as a deluge of snow and ice bombards its external force field. It’s an older lane-jumper to be sure, but compared to the crumbling towers on either side, it is beautiful. With my optics set to full zoom I can see the triple star formation emblazoned on its hull. My Salvation. A new life waits. I send the signal and wait for the response. The two towers seemed to grow naturally from the valley floor, transforming from wondrous landscape into monstrous reminders of the terrors of this world. Most say shutting down those enormous processing stations is what caused the sickness to spread. On this accursed moon two things are absolute: the Order and the sickness. And both will kill you. The wind dies down to a mere breeze. My trepidation, however, remains fierce and heightened. "We're almost there," I say, running a hand over the stasis pod beside me. Repulser drives hum, keeping the coffin-sized capsule hovering above the ground. My suit’s proximity warning chimes and two red icons appear in my heads-up display. Immediate alarm turns to anguish when I hear his voice. "You know you can't leave, Jayden. He won't let you." It would have to be him wouldn't it? My cape snaps in the wind as my former lieutenant steps around a snow-packed embankment, rifle in hand. "He is wrong, Seth," I say. "You have to know that. Can't you see it?" Snow dances between us as someone else steps up behind my old friend. The wind billows the figure's cloak, revealing the gold-trimmed, red battlearmor underneath. Dasia. If she’s here, there can only be one outcome to this day. "It doesn't have to be like this, my friend." Seth's suit-enhanced voice echoed through valley, giving him an ominous sound. "The Most High is a merciful god. His love and forgiveness are bountiful." "And yet you've brought her with you." Seth gives the assassin a sidelong look. "A precaution only, High Commander. Now please, forget this madness. Return to the Order." I glance down at the stasis capsule and say, "Is it madness for me to want this? To hope?" "If it’s hope you seek, the Most High has it spades, Jayden. Come back, let him show you his mercy." I laugh. "His mercy? He knows nothing of mercy. He is a tyrant, Seth, nothing more." Dasia steps up beside Seth. Combat systems begin to push forward, taking priority slots. Status icons appear translucent in my vision; weapons coming on-line, locking targets. "Heresy doesn't become you, High Commander," Seth says, stepping to his right. "One way or another, you will return to the Order." "I'm not going back,” I say, a panel on my forearm slides open. Dasia's gold-trimmed helmet tilts ever so slightly, giving her away. My boot rockets ignite, turning the snow underfoot to vapor. Dasia's rifle raises, but despite her unnatural speed, she's not fast enough. Four micro-rockets blast from the launcher on my forearm, slamming into her as her rifle kicks. The explosion sends her reeling. One down. I spin, changing direction and altitude, turning to target my friend. Gunfire echoes around me. My armor sings as high-velocity rounds slam into me. Warnings flash as Seth launches his own barrage of rockets and my suit’s automated countermeasures fire. Three of the four incoming rockets succumb to the decoys. One makes it through, however, detonating inches from my suit. The explosion hurls me end over end through the air. Several systems go off-line and a second later I crash into the ground, cutting a long trail through the hard-packed snow. I roll to my feet, taking cover behind a boulder. Seth is moving, rifle up and ready. "It doesn't have to be like this, High Commander," he shouts, sounding out of breath. "I'm not going--" I see it before my damaged suit sensors confirm the threat: a rocket launch from Dasia’s still form. My heart stops and time seems to slow as a single rocket streaks through the air, but not at me. "No!" I scream. The explosion sends ice and fire streaming into the air. I watch helplessly as the stasis capsule hurtles violently across the barren landscape. Fury overrides all thought. I scream and launch myself into the air, every weapon firing, unleashing hell upon this god-forsaken world. I taste the rage, a metallic bile in my throat. Both Seth and his silent assassin vanish in a torrent of destruction. I touch down next to the capsule, now lying awkwardly on its side, power systems failing. The top panel slides back, revealing Emilia's unconscious body. Her shrunken features turn my stomach. The sickness had stolen her youth, leaving only a shadow of the vibrant young woman she’d been. Without the capsule’s protection, she will not survive the rest of the journey. "I'm sorry, little one, I failed you." I will not let her suffer. I draw my pistol, tears streaming. “I love you so much, Emilia.” I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I'm about to do and I flick the safety off. A furious roar pierces the stillness around me. A barrage of hot air washes over me, knocking me back a step. From somewhere above, a booming voice says, "Don't shoot!” I raise a hand, shielding my eyes. "What--?" A shuttle materializes in a fury of snow and ice, touching down on the other side of my daughter’s capsule. "We received your message. We’re from the Salvation, we’re here to help.” I drop to my knees, pistol falling free, forgotten. I no longer need it. Our new life is here. THE END
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