Week 512 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Nine years! If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for coming back each week. If you’ve just found us, welcome! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to Catharine Lindsey for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc.
Entries:
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon
- Mark Ethridge
- Mark A. Morris
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Terri Mertz | @rrats1231
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Eric Martell | @drmag00
- Joel Sandersen | @Whirlwindsof
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Honorable Mentions
Eric Martell | @drmag00
Catharine says: I liked how human the characters were. That you could feel their fear, sadness, and sympathy. What a moving story. Well done.
David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
Catharine says: I liked the inclusiveness of this story. And how the characters chose to imbue their powers into their belongings. It was a cute story.
Mark A. Morris
Catharine says: I liked the humanity in this piece. The kindness, the stiffness, and the patience. This was a pretty good read.
winner announcement
Week 512 Winner
Catharine says: I liked how the characters interacted with each other. The wariness and curiosity of the narrator. Very well done and definitely a story I would like to read the end of.
Lessons in diplomacy
I had just finished shutting down the board and making my report when I heard Sgt Hightower come over the squawk box.
“Crash, you up to a little recon work?”
That piqued my interest, considering the fact that every delegate in the fleet had their own designated pilot.
“How much trouble am I going to be in?”
It’s only taken me, what, 17 years to learn to ask that question before I head out.
“Not much— we’re just checking out a few things.”
“What things?” I asked warily
“There was a blip on the scanners, just out of base station’s scanner.”
“And you can’t notify patrol?”
“No, that could be bad.”
If there is one thing I have learned since leaving Earth, it was that when Hightower classifies something as potentially bad— well let’s just say he’s not prone to exaggerations.
Considering the fact that we are now both considered Liaison officers to specific races and the last thing either one of us wants are complications, I nodded and started preflight.
“Anything else?” I asked.
“We’ll need some steaks.”
“How many?”
“Three… Four if you want one.”
“Just steaks?”
“I’ve got the wine,” he added stepping aboard with a picnic basket, he handed me a set of coordinates.
He took over, turning flight prep into meal prep, and I did my share. By the time we took off, the steaks were grilling on the manifold and we proceeded to liaise with the Askemiri.
I could get used to this job.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations TWENTY-TWO TIME WINNER Mary, and Honorable Mentions Eric, David, and Mark! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!
Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂
