Tag: Sci-fi

Wheelchair Wars Audrey 3 (iv)

Three people inside illuminated futuristic cryogenic pods emitting mist in a sci-fi chamber

The bridge was small and difficult to drive the battle chair around. A man with long grey hair was standing in front of the viewport.

“Are you the captain?” Audrey enquired, her voice echoing around the deck.

He tuned around, adorned with deep lines across his forehead and crow’s feet. in a shabby, torn blue uniform. “Yes, I am. My name is Carthage. Sorry that the bridge is so cramped. Not very accessible. It’s not a priority where this ship is from.

Audrey shuddered. “Is there anything I need to know about it?”

He rested his hand on the captain’s seat for support. “It’s more of the shock when you come back, We will be travelling close to light speed. While you are in stasis much time will pass.”

Audrey swallowed. “I know. All in service to the Emperor.”

Carthage then continued. “Well then, you should go to your pod. When I next see you, we should have arrived.”

Audrey turned and went to the back of the ship where her pod was waiting for her. It was in the center, with row after row of other pods surrounding it.

“Enter your hibernation pods,” she bellowed.

Brona went to leave before Audrey hushed, “Not you.”

Wheelchair Wars 3 (iii)

Military officer in wheelchair inspecting lined-up armored soldiers in futuristic space station

“We have been given a mission of the utmost importance by our most beloved Emperor. At all times, your total obedience and loyalty are expected.”

With that, she watched her troops, a mixture of stern-faced men and women, walk up the long ramp to the ship.

A sound of feet clattering. Audrey turned to see one of her troops running towards her.

A young woman with long, blonde hair and piercing blue eyes spoke. She was trembling. “I’m so sorry for being late. There is no excuse.”

I should really punish her. Set a good example for the others.

Audrey looked behind her. All the other troops are inside.

However, I could use an assistant. And she does look good.

“What is your name, trooper?” Audrey asks in a softer tone.

“Brona,” she replies, standing upright.

“Well, Brona, as punishment, you will be my personal assistant for the mission.”

Bron’s eyes flicker towards her and then away. “Okay, as you wish.”

“Walk behind me at all times. Speak only when spoken to. Now come along.”

Audrey pushed her joystick forward, and they made their way up the rampway into the ship. Inside, the troopers were already readying their hibernation pods.

Audrey headed to the bridge to talk to the captain.

Wheelchair Wars Audrey 3 (ii)

Rocket lifting off from a launch pad with fiery exhaust and city buildings in the background at sunset

“Your destination is over eight light-years away. It is a planet of ice and fire. Make sure to bring plenty of warm clothes. We lose heat quickly compared to the walkers. The ship Empericus 546 is awaiting you, along with over two hundred troops at your direct command.”

He turned his wheelchair around to face her.

“You will be travelling at light speed. I will have aged greatly by your return, if I am alive at all. Know that this is an important mission for the Empire.”

She replied, her voice cracking, “I will do as the Emperor commands.”

“Then, that is all, Audrey. Report to port 46Y2 in under an hour.”

Tears welled in Audrey’s eyes as she drove her chair away from Oreus’ room.

I know that I must serve the Emperor, but I thought that at least I would have Timothy by my side. I may never even see him again.

She stopped and wiped away the tears. There was much for her to do and little time.

Over fifty minutes later, she was addressing her troops, who donned white uniforms and were armed with light machine guns as they prepared to board the Empericus 546 or what they would simply call the Empericus, while on mission.

Distant Love (Part 71)

Couple embracing inside cozy cabin with rainy window showing spaceship outside

Derek puts his hand through Maeve’s hair. “You feel so good. I love your beautiful eyes.”

She leans down kisses him again. “You too, and such lovely thick eyebrows.”

He places his hand on her right breast.

She squirms and takes it away. “I’m sorry, love. Can we take our time.”

He smiles. “Of course, when we’re both ready. There is no need to rush. You are worth waiting for.”

She kissed his forehead. “Thanks, for being so understanding. Now come on, I’m starving, and my aunts makes such great breakfast.”

Derek smirks. “No need to tell me that. Talk about sausages to die for.”

With that, they both laugh head out of the ship and back to the house over the gravel surface. The sky begins to darken.

“Now Derek, no need to get despondent over the threat of rain. It happens way too often for that sort of thing.”

He stops the chair and smiles. “You have a point in fairness.”

The first drops begin to fall. Then more, before a downpour. Derek is soaked on his return. Maeve’s auntie holds her hand to her mouth on seeing him.

He shakes his head and drops of water fall off either side of his head.

Oreus 2 part (v)

Soldiers in combat-ready wheelchairs strategizing around a holographic table in a wasteland bunker.

Oreus glared. “You cannot be serious! The Fianna Warriors will be torn to shreds.”

The Governor’s eyes narrowed as he stared back. “Do you think you know better than the Emperor’s representative?”

Looking downwards Oreus replied, “No, of course not. It’s just that it would be over too fast. What entertainment would there be?”

Brigid grinned. “Remove the weapons restriction. That should liven things up a bit.”

The Governor slammed his hands on the table. “Done. Now, how do we get our a Gargantuan?”

Oreus felt sick as the conversation switched to how exactly the Gargantuan would be procured. The name Galvius was mentioned and then various prices. But it all blurred into his background.

“What do you think, Oreus?” The room went quiet. The Governor was looking right at him.

Oreus shuffled in his seat. “It all sounds in order.”

The Governor took a fit of coughs. “Good, then it is all settled. You can inform your warriors of their next challenge. Let’s hope they can make it interesting. That is all.”

The Governor, took a step back, then left followed by the others. At all Oreus made sure that he was ready to fire, just in case. Better to be seeking forgiveness than dead. He was last to leave, shaking his head in disbelief.

Distant Love (Part 70)

Couple sitting in a cozy room holding hands and looking out a large window at a galaxy of stars and nebulae.

He goes straight to the control panel. “Ship, turn on communications and enter code Alpha, Three, Six, Nine, Two Beta.”

Diane would want an update. His heart sinks at the thought of having to speak to her.

He shudders as he hears her voice.

“About time Derek, I’d ask where your gone to, only the ship has a tracker. What a strange place they have brought you to! Any updates so far?”

Derek’s face turns crimson. “Nothing, so far. You’ll be the first to know. I’m really only checking in.”

“Fine! Report back when you know more. Over and out.”

The line went dead. Derek let out a big breath.

He thinks he hears someone.

“Somebody there?”

Maeve appears. Her eyebrows point inwards. “I was just checking up on the ship. I thought I heard talking.”

Derek turns to face her. “Ah, that was me, probably. A bit habit, talking to myself.”

They both laugh.

He continued, “Come on let’s go back to the house. Everything is fine here. You must be dying for something to eat.”

She smiled. “I sure am. But we have a few minutes.” She leaned down and kissed him.

He kissed her back. “Yes, we can wait a few mins. What’s the rush?”

Oreus 2 (iv)

Soldiers in combat-ready wheelchairs strategizing around a holographic table in a wasteland bunker.

A pause as if for effect.

“The people must be distracted.” He took a moment for another breath. “We need something big that will take people’s mind off other concerns. It needs to be something novel that catches the imagination.”

Roisin spoke up. “Maybe a fight to the death between all the teams?”

Brigid let off a little laugh. “That won’t generate the kind of interest that he is looking for. It’s been done to death, pardon the pun.

O Murchu then spoke, “Maybe a team battling a creature or something.”

Brigid tapped the table. “I’ve got it! As we all know, the Fianna are the in team at the moment.”

Oreus’ jaw clenched. What is she going to say?

“How about say a battle between the Fianna and say, a Gargantuan”

Gasps went up around the room.

Oreus’ heart sank. “That would be preposterous. They wouldn’t stand a chance.”

The room erupted in chatter.

“Quiet!” shouted the Governor. The room went quiet. “This is the kind of idea I was talking about. I like it. And if any of the Fianna survive, then they will have earned their place serving the Emperor. I can see it now, an epic battle that will be shown not only in this system but throughout the quadrant.”

Oreus 2 (iii)

Soldiers in combat-ready wheelchairs strategizing around a holographic table in a wasteland bunker.

Oreus’ eyebrows raised on seeing them. Both suffered from some sort of paralysis or at least that was what they claimed.

The Mangans embraced the color red, sporting in on their chairs, jackets, and even dying their hair.

The Rangers were despised by all the other teams, as they took delight in torturing their victims slowly.

A stench entered the room. Oreus’ face twitched.

Roisin grinned. “He’ll doon be here.”

The Governor entered the room. He looked like death. “Ah, good, most of you are here.”

“You never informed me that this would be a Gathering!” The anger in Oreus’ voice was palpable.

“None of us were informed,” Brigid replied, staring right into his eyes.

“Stop it!” The Governor shouted. “There is no time for your squabbles. You will be quiet and your grievances aside for now.

He took a large breath. “There is an issue with the supply of grain to the planet. Prices are about to rise by fifteen percent. A percentage of the population, relatively small will starve. However, that concerns me not. There must be no disorder. A new enemy has entered the quadrant, and production must not be affected.”

After rubbing his nose, he continued, “That’s where the Wheelchair Wars come in.”

Oreus 2 (ii)

Soldiers in combat-ready wheelchairs strategizing around a holographic table in a wasteland bunker.

He was from the O’Neill clan. To date, they have had the most exalted history with the most warriors going on to serve in the Emperor’s legions. They claimed a genetic history to the first colonizer ship.

Then, there was Helen from the Cruthin. Her long, blonde hair resting on one of the machine guns mounted on her wheelchairs’ sides. Her disability was caused by a genetic disorder of the muscles. Normally bombastic, she was quiet, her face sullen. The youngest of the team leaders, her position at the helm was still considered unstable.

Oreus’ mind was constantly assessing the threat level.

She may feel aggrieved over what had happened on the mountain. I’m safe at an official meeting, but perhaps afterwards, on my way back to base, she will seek revenge.

Oisin from the O’Kelly clan was next. He had a severe facial deformity, one half of it drooping down. His left leg was also swollen, much larger than usual. Of all in the room, he had the most ferocious reputation. His legendary sword was resting behind his seat,

The others in attendance were O Murchu from the Rangers and Roisin from the Mangans. These were newer time teams, less than thirty orbits old.

Oreus 2 (i)

Soldiers in combat-ready wheelchairs strategizing around a holographic table in a wasteland bunker.

Oreus felt sweat dropping from his brow. Two hours ago, he had been summoned to the Shelbo Hotel, the height of luxury for this layer, despite the damp walls, for a meeting with the Governor.

But now he was face-to-face with Bidget, her eyes bulging. She was at the opposite end of a round table in a large rectangular room. And worse, his battle chair was only lightly armed.

All he had to do was move his head a little to the left, and the battle would begin.

A sound of chatter, and the motors of battle chairs came from the four entrances. He knew them; they were the leaders of the other teams.

Brigid spoke, her voice full of venom. “It is a Gathering. Do not fire.”

Oreus nodded his agreement. A Gathering of the various teams was rare, and they were only held in the most extenuating of circumstances. Usually, though, they are held with much fanfare. Not in secret, and not like this.

Sure enough, the other team or tribal leaders appeared.

Auros, with a long white beard, went to Oreus’ left. He was short an ear that he had lost in battle a long time ago. He had clasped hands, and a curved spine like Timothy’s.