Tag: improvement

This is the 69th in a series of 365 Flash Fiction stories I’m writing. You can find out more about the challenge here.

For the Good of the David, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 8th February 2013

Word count: 873

The story:

“Are the Russians with us on this?” Colonel John French asked the young man.

“They have concerns, there’s a lot of risk, we are on a space station,” Luke said.

“We all know the chuffing risks, but are they in?” French asked.

“They are, but they have a price,” the young man said.

“Vodka?” the retired colonel asked.

“Vodka,” Luke agreed, “But they’re fine with you being in charge of the operation. They’ll provide everything they can.”

“God love the Russians,” the colonel said.

The operation was not fast, and keeping it a secret in community as small as the David Space Station in L1 orbit, was increasingly difficult. However the participants pressed on.

It was a full time job for French, a retired colonel in Britain’s Royal Engineers, also known as Sappers, as he worked to keep the operation safe and discreet. The Colonel had retired to the space station for health reasons, but now his life was filled with purpose again.

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 69: For the Good of the David”

This is the 68th in a series of 365 Flash Fiction stories I’m writing. You can find out more about the challenge here.

The Careless Word, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 7th February 2013

Word count: 789

The story:

So, you want to understand? You want to take an interest? Nonsense. What you really want is to be a voyeur. Don’t worry, the least we can do is be honest with each other. Besides I want to tell you my tale.

I’ve always prided myself in being a more or less honest bloke. So what happened was really quite amazing.

I should explain, my job was in politics, I wasn’t an actual politician, I leave that to far more public spirited and vainglorious individuals. I was a tax consultant, working for the treasury as a special adviser. It’s honestly more interesting than it sounds. My specialty was digging out loopholes that people used to avoid tax, so the treasury knew what it was ignoring, ready for when they didn’t want to ignore it. Such as when a company annoys the government.

The stories I could tell you about tax avoidance, like the multimillion pound rock farm on a tiny island in the middle of the Atlantic. However, that’s not what you were bugging me about. You want to know how I near single handedly caused a whole government to collapse.

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 68: The Careless Word”

This is the 67th in a series of 365 Flash Fiction stories I’m writing. You can find out more about the challenge here.

The Adjustment, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 2nd February 2013

Word count: 816

The story:

“Most of you will have read the briefing,” John Lucas stated, “But if you’ll indulge me I’ll recap.”

The collected Admirals of the Star Core, politicians of the Commonwealth, and business men from all over the known systems all nodded their head in consent. many having been too busy to read the briefing packs before arriving.

“This,” John indicated the seven foot, model just behind him, “Is your standard S five hundred thirty medium range phased gun. It is the main stay of the Star Core  defensive and offensive weaponry. It fires slugs of metal up to three quartet light speed through the use of a Keeling field, which reduces the mass of the shot. It’s am awesome and terrific gun. It’s also one of the most accurate guns fitted to ships.”
John walked to a console in front of a seven foot screen.

“This footage, unfortunately it’s real,” he said sombrely, “Is from the GX Twenty-three Hundred C3 that was on patrol in orbit around Orion Sierra Alpha.”

The footage played, the video showed the POV from the guns, the Orion’s gun camera. It spins around, and clear in view is a speck. John pointed at the screen, and then spread his fingers and the image enlarge losing the barrels as it zoomed past.

The speck became a ship, the halo caused by it’s engines clearly visible even at the range.

“As you can see, this was the renegade ship that breached the security cordon around the Shortle Collective’s cluster of planets and stations. It carried no weapons, so wasn’t flagged as a concern. It did however enter into a high burn. The brave and intelligent pilot who’s gun camera caught these pictures has seen the threat, now he’s analysing it, and trying to raise the ship on comms. Exactly as he should.”

The ship in view was getting larger as it approached.

“Satisfied this is a significant threat, the trajectory and speed of the ship is obviously kamikaze. He chooses to open fire,” John waves his fingers and the image zooms out, the guns are visible, suddenly the guns flash causing light wash on the image.

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 67: The Adjustment”

This is the 66th in a series of 365 Flash Fiction stories I’m writing. You can find out more about the challenge here.

Stamper: Operation Wolf, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 5th February 2013

Word count: 812

The story:
“You’ve got to be kidding,” the base commander said upon seeing the ID of the man who had demanded entrance on a very stressful day.

“I’m afraid I’m not, this is a very serious matter that it appears you’re not qualified to deal with,” the man started with deference.

“We are the army, there’s nothing we’re not qualified to deal,” the base commander said, disliking some government agency waltzing in, though truth be told, he had barely any idea how to deal with this one. He did think the Ministry could at least send Five or Special Branch, he at least knew them, knew how they operated, this new agency was a mystery dealing with mysteries.

“If you’re okay to deal with this, I’ll let you track down the pack, then you can fight them, without help. If any of your men are still alive, I’ll gladly recommend that they have pretty medals pinned to their chests,” the mystery man said.

“You’re that sure this is one of theirs?” the soldier asked.

“From the pictures yes, the wounds are consistent, the investigator’s analysis of their movements, the MO is similar to a pack I was tracking,” the man answered.

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 66: Stamper: Operation Wolf”

This is the 65th in a series of 365 Flash Fiction stories I’m writing. You can find out more about the challenge here.

Sweet Dreams, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 4th February 2013

Word count: 873

The story:
“Your lives are over. I don’t care that you have families, I don’t care about your sports events,” thundered the maniacal Carl Blacksmith , “You want those things? Then you get this done!”

The meeting room full of normally cool confident executives withered in the face of Carl’s vitriol.

Foolishly the Sales and Marketing executive piped up, “What if it can’t be done?”

No one warned him to shut up, everyone just averted their gaze and prayed the bloodbath would be contained.

“I know that’s a fear we all face,” Carl said softly, “It’s understandable,” everyone braced themselves the boss was being too nice. The Sales and Marketing executive took a deep breath, believing himself to have gotten away with it.

Carl walked round the room and over to the meeting room door, which he opened.

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 65: Sweet Dreams”

This is the 64th in a series of 365 Flash Fiction stories I’m writing. You can find out more about the challenge here.

AVC, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 3rd February 2013

Word count: 552

The story:

“Analysis complete,” the computerised voice read out.

The gaggle of scientists in  the seating area of the lab rushed back to the computer. A young scientist called Hugo Cliff reached the computer first and nabbed the seat in front of the mouse and keyboard.

There was a bit of kerfuffle as four people all tried to take control at the same time.

“What’s the result,” one of the scientists at the back of the group demanded eagerly.

“Give me a moment,” Hugo said having gained sole control, “the results are coming out now.”

“Come on, come on!” another scientist said.

There was an intake of breath from those that could see the screen. “Shit,” Hugo said, first to break the silence.

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 64: AVC”

This is the 63rd a series of 365 Flash Fiction stories I’m writing. You can find out more about the challenge here.

Evolved, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 2nd February 2013

Word count: 1000

The story:

“His strength,” the soldier struggled for words, “Well it was amazing. He was strong before, but out there… I can’t even describe it.”

“It’s okay soldier, that’s what combat footage is for,”  the doctor said as he dressed the soldier’s wound.

“Thanks Doc,” the soldier said flexing his arm with a wince, “These silver bullets are a real bitch.”

“Get on with you, I’m not interested in a soldier’s complaints,” Doc said gesturing to the door. The soldier left, passing a General who came into the room.

“So, you hear the reports? Your little science experiment has yielded a fine fruit,” the pale skinned General said.

“So I keep hearing, I’m looking forward to getting him back in here,” the Doctor said packing away his things.

“I’m afraid that’s where there’s a problem Luke,” the General said, “Just got the call from command, they want him over there, to see their doctors and scientists.”

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 63: Evolved”

This is the 62nd in a series of 365 Flash Fiction stories I’m writing. You can find out more about the challenge here.

The Magical Pen, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 1st February 2013

Word count: 625

The Story:

“This my friend is the most amazing pen in the world,” the old man said fetching down a battered old box. “They say it can write whole worlds into being.”

The kid looked upon the box with wonder. He was thirteen years old and had a new life’s ambition, become a famous author. He’d gotten fifty pounds for his birthday, and rather than a new game, he decided to invest in things for writing, so he found old Alexander’s shop looking at pens.

“Some of the most famous writers in history have held this pen, and wielded their mighty words with it,” Alexander the shop proprietor, and only employee in over twenty years, ramped up the desire.

“Like who?” the kid asked in wonder.

“Well some say Earnest Hemingway  others say Huxley, Wodehouse, Kipling, the list goes on. They even say that the pen occasionally has magical powers, both to inspire and sometimes even to create what it writes. Who knows, it might even be true.”

“Really?” the boy said looking on in wonder.

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 62: The Magical Pen”

This is the 61st in a series of 365 Flash Fiction stories I’m writing. You can find out more about the challenge here.

The Surprise, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 31st January 2012

Word count: 899

The Story:

“Shhh! He’s coming,” Jack Lee said,gesturing, though in total blackness none of them could see, he felt more comfortable doing it.

“Are you sure?” a voice behind him whispered.

“Shh!” Jack whispered again.

“This feels daft,” a voice beside him whispered quietly.

“Will you shush,” Jack said exasperated.

“Gee,” the voice whispered.

The wait was torturous, but slowly the sound of footsteps, that Jack had heard, grew louder. As the rest of the people in the room head the footsteps, the tension became palpable.The room full of people was silent, no one even breathed.

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 61: The Surprise”

This is the 59th a series of 365 Flash Fiction stories I’m writing. You can find out more about the challenge here.

Honest Hero, by Jonathan L. Lawrence, 29th January 2012

Word count: 852

The Story:

“You’re a hero,” the young woman said as she wrapped her arms round his neck and planted a warm wry kiss in his cheek.

“Erm,” the Yorkshireman struggled to get his bearings, “It was nothing.”

“Let me shake the hand of the finest man on this island, if not the world,” the brash American said in his Hawaiian shirt.

It was all kind of comical really, the Yorkshireman hasn’t actually done much at all. Not really, yes he’d stood in front of the would be kidnapper almost instinctively, but he was still no threat to the kidnapper. Someone else from out of no where floored the guy.

The police arrived, they arrested the still unconscious kidnapper, spoke to the boy he’d tried to take, and they were asking questions of bystanders , and people would point at the Yorkshireman.

“So you saved the boy?”the policeman finally asked in heavily accented English.

“No honestly, I just stepped out in front,” the Yorkshireman, preferring honesty.

“You must be like wall,” the policeman said conspiratorily.

Continue reading “Daily Flash Fiction Challenge 59: Honest Hero”