friday flash fiction white out

Friday Flash Fiction: White Out

Almost another disasterous no-show for me this week. I had a story

that I've been working on for a couple of days, and yesterday it was

finished. Until I had an inspiration last night of a way to improve

and expand the main character. So I added another 200 words today,

taking it close to the 1000 word limit. It's still flash fiction, but

much longer than I post most weeks. I'm not satisifed with it though.

The concept is almost brilliant, but I don't have time to do it

justice and it needs more work to get it right.

Fortunately I have another FFF idea that's been lurking for a couple

of weeks, so I dashed that one out in 300 words today. I'm quite

pleased with it, though a bit more time to polish would be nice;

that's the idea of FFF though, so here it is:

White Out

By Gareth D Jones

From nuclei created by their engineers, each warrior began work on

their own craft of crystal. They were warriors, but they were also

artists. They guided the crystal growths into marvellous and

intricate patterns, building fractal delights in the form of stars

and lace networks. Principles of engineering were not abandoned

however; despite their delicate appearance each craft could safely

hold a soldier and his armament.

Engineers wandered among the vast crowds of hard-working men,

checking for structural rigidity and aerodynamics. As the work drew

to close the Grand Marshal addressed the gathered horde, his voice

amplified by crystalline receptors.

"The world below is ripe for the taking!" he said. There were

cheers from near and far, echoing and re-echoing from the myriad

smooth surfaces. After a moment, quiet descended again.

"Weather conditions are perfect," the Marshal continued, "We will

not be detected." He paused to survey his men with great pride.

"Board your craft!"

Innumerable soldiers scrambled into their seats, cheering and

yelling encouragement to one another. The Chief Meteorologist

peered over the edge of their immense platform at the massed grey

clouds below. He nodded at the Marshal.

"Launch!" The Marshal commanded. Thousands of crystalline craft

fell from the platform and began their descent.

###

Nose pressed up against the damp, cold glass, Keeley stared hard

into the darkness outside. Pools of orange light from the street

lamps fought against the bitter cold in an attempt to make the

street look cheerful. Suddenly, something caught her eye, briefly

visible as it swirled from darkness to light and back into the

dark. She stared even harder for a moment, just to be sure, until

the lone swirl became a flurry.

"Daddy! Daddy!" she called over her shoulder, "Daddy! It's

snowing!"

The End