Tag: writing

Distant Love (Part 77)

Glowing digital world map connected by network lines hovering over a surreal alien landscape with five silhouetted humanoid figures

“So, where and what is this?” Derek asks.

Mick smiles. “This, my new friend is our next target. A relay station in Liverpool.”

Derek shrugs. “What is so important about that?”

Aaron interjects, “It’s an important communication portal between Earth and several major orbiting stations. The monetary cost of the damage will be enormous. We’re not going to change everything overnight. It’s about building sustained, prolonged pressure. Ya know what I mean.”

“I understand. Tell me more about the plan. There must be something I can do to help.”

Placing his hand on Derek’s shoulder, Aaron replies, “When I heard what you had done, I said fair fucks. A guy in a chair, breaking our Maeve out. I said that, didn’t I say that, Marcus and Charles?”

They reply in unison. “Yes, you did.”

Aaron looks directly at Derek, “I knew I was going to like this guy. And yes, I think there’s something you can do.”

Animated, they tell Derek about what they have planned. Every few minutes, they encourage him to down another whiskey. Soon, he feels groggy, and he finds it hard to follow what they are saying.

Maeve whispers in his ear. “I think you’ve had enough. Come on let’s get you into bed.”

Distant Love (Part 76)

Architectural blueprints, measuring tape, pencils, notebook, coffee mug, and drinks on a wooden desk

The drink flows, and Derek feels warmer.

“So, what was it like growing up on the moon?” Aaron asks Derek. “It must have been great to be able to look up at the stars and to see the lunar surface.”

Derek stops to ponder his response. “Most of the time, it was pretty boring, to be honest. It’s like being stuck on a small island where the scenery never changes and where you must justify your own existence.”

Mick rubs his nose and then speaks for the first time. “I take it you’re not a fan of the authorities?”

Grinning Derek replied, “You do realize that you are speaking to probably the most wanted either down here or up there.”

Mick’s jaw clenched, “Can we trust you?”

Gasps went out from those in the room.

“Of course, we can trust him,” Maeve interrupted.

“It’s ok, everyone, I prefer to talk candidly like this. Yes, you can trust me,” Derek says, staring right at him.

“Good,” Mick replied, “We have a lot of work to get through. And some of our best work is done while drinking whiskey.”

Mick takes out a blue and white schematic. “This is our next target.”

Distant Love (Part 75)

Four friends sitting at a wooden table with whiskey bottles and glasses, laughing in a cozy pub

Maeve taps her foot against the floor as she sits at the table and waits for Derek to enter.

Her four male friends stand beside her chatting away to her aunt.

Marcus, with a mop of sandy brown hair is the closest and tallest of the group. Usually reserved around those he doesn’t know well, he comes alive around those he trusts

Charles, in a black jacket, is to his right. The two of them are inseparable.

Then there is Mick. An imposing man with a powerful physique. Maeve knows little about him.

It’s Aaron she knows best.

Aaron pushes Maeve’s shoulder. “Don’t worry we’ll go easy on your lover boy.

She smiles. “You better.”

There is the familiar sound of Derek’s wheelchair. He bellows, “These must be the guys I’ve heard about.”

“Hope it was only good things,” Aaron laughs back. “It’s great to meet the legend that saved Maeve.”

They both nodded at each other.

“Are you sure you saved the right one, though?” Aaron continues. “Maybe someone a bit..”

“You shut up, Aaron. Or you’ll be off this island,” Maeve retorts.

The room bursts out into laughter.

Auntie pulls out some bottles of whiskey. “Get that into you. It’ll do you good.”

Exciting Times in Writing: My Recent Progress

Laptop on wooden desk with coffee cup, glasses, lamp, and floating digital icons

Hello my dear readers. First of all, my thanks to you for your time and support. This has been the been the best month to date with over five hundred views. The vast majority of views are from outside Ireland, most are from the United States. It will be interesting to see where I can bring it from here. Exciting times.

A brief update on my social media

X – my handle is @markahern2000

I have 149 followers. Slow growth

Bluesky – @markswritingcorner.bsky.social

2,800 followers. Growth in followers was explosive at one point but has since come to a complete halt. Disappointing but engagement on the platform has improved.

Mark’s Writing Page on facebook

135 followers. This is showing slow growth.

I have 61 people subscribed on the website and I also post to my 600 friends on Facebook.

So, enough statistics. What about the creativity aspect?

Wheelchair Wars – This is what I’m concentrating on at the moment. More or less at 40k words. However, I need 55k to 60k so expect more post on this lol

Galway Girls and Pegasus – Parked for now.

Distant Love – First Draft – expect more posts.

Of course, I will still be doing my reviews of whatever I fancy. Think I might even do one later.

That’s all for now. I’d love to hear your thoughts if you wish to comment.

And please subscribe to one of my platforms if you have not already done so.

Distant Love (Part 74)

Dim hallway with wooden door labeled 12B slightly ajar letting light in

“And what role do these people that are coming later have in the group?” Derek asks.

The auntie now sits at the table. “They are what is called an active duty cell. The rebels who get their hands dirty. You may find some of the stuff they do reprehensible but its all for a good cause.”

Derek looks her right in the eyes. “I understand. The thirst for freedom, to live one’s life as you wish. It is something intrinsic to being human. My life on the moon had been set out. Leaving and seeing Earth was never supposed to be in my future. I understand.

The auntie nods.

Derek retreats to his room. It’s important that he would be on top of his game later on. Guilty thoughts plague him.

He awakes hours later to the noise of chattering.

They have arrived.

There is a knock on his door as he transfers back into his wheelchair “Yes?”

“It’s me, Maeve. They are here and asking to meet you.”

“I’ll be out in a minute.”

He took a big breath and looked into the mirror hanging on the wall.

It’s important I make a good impression. My life may depend on it.

Wheelchair Wars (xvi)

Nun walking in stone monastery hallway lit by candles beside wooden doors

“Praise be” was once more hollered.

She was now caught up in a rage. “Every person in the galaxy will be converted and it will be beautiful”.

Then the eyes of all the nuns turned a bright green and they all spoke at once. “You will have a chance to repent. We can feel your fear. Others will take time, but we have plenty of that.”

The prisoners formed a single file and began to march down a steep incline of stone steps. They were no longer in control of their own bodies. They then entered their individual cells, except for Audrey and Brona who shared one.

Brona put her down on one of the twin beds in the purple colored room, at all times careful not to hurt her. The room was small with no natural light.

Looking up at the ceiling, tears welled in Audrey’s eyes.

I have failed the Emperor.

Brona hovered over her and wiped away a tear and smiled. “We can’t have the other Troopers seeing that. In front of me, it is okay.”

She leaned down and kissed her lips. “Is there any hope?”

Audrey sniffled. “Timothy will come. It may take a very long time, but he will come.”

Wheelchair Wars Audrey (Part xv)

Hooded figures standing in a circular stone chamber around an altar with purple smoke rising

An arc of nuns in purple habits awaited them inside. A tall one, with glowing green eyes stood at the center. Her face was young, full of vitality.

She spoke, “What has brought you brought you all here?”

Audrey spoke, “We are here on behalf of the Emperor. You will lay down any weapons you may have. The Emperor will be made aware of your intransigence to date.”

A cackle went up amongst the nuns.

Then the nun spoke again. “Oh dear, we shouldn’t laugh. We were just like you. Fools who believed in the power of the Emperor. Little realizing this he was drawing his power from us.”

Audrey felt rage building up inside her and roared out, “This is heresy.”

The noise returned and she convulsed.

“Please stop,” Brona begged.

The noise stopped, Audrey gasped for breath.

“Then many orbits ago, a warp anomaly appeared the sky. We feared death. But an alien appeared that delivered our salvation!”

“Praise be,” the other nuns said in unison.

There was no stopping her now. “It showed us to power of the Jeni and the error or of our ways. The Empire will fall and the Emperor will be brought to his knees.”

Wheelchair Wars Audrey (xiv)

Silhouette of kneeling person with colorful abstract explosions and sensory waves around head

Audrey turned to the Trooper on the right. “Prepare an A1 bomb.”

The Trooper took out a small, black, rectangular device and placed it in front of the silver metallic door. They retreated from the area.

It exploded. A translucent, blue shield activated. No damage was done.

Where did that come from?

The Troopers looked at each other in disbelief. Audrey peered ahead. There are many more devices.

There is a clinking noise, and the door begins to open.

Finally, these nuns are coming to their senses.

It started as an almost inaudible ringing in her ear. It grew louder and louder. She put her hands to her ears. Around her, all her Troopers were doing likewise.

Her mind is scrambled, no longer able to frame thoughts.

A woman’s voice speaks. “Put down your weapons if you wish to live. Two of you, take your leader from her chair and carry her inside. Four others are to carry the chair inside, separately. Failure to comply results in the following.

A roar goes out as one of the Troopers falls to their knees as their head explodes, smearing the ground with their blood.

Brona and another Trooper lift Audrey from her chair and walk towards the entrance.

I am like a child once more, helpless.

Wheelchair Views Audrey (xiii)

Group of armored futuristic soldiers walking on rocky path near a lit Gothic cathedral at sunset.

Audrey’s pupils dilated, and she felt warm throughout her body. Her pain disappeared, and she felt a sudden sense of elation. Any sense of fear disappeared. She was now the queen of this world, and nothing would

Brona turned to her and smiled. “What did you do? I feel so good.”

Audrey motioned with her hands for her to come closer. “I fixed you.” She pulled her closer and kissed her lips, they were soft. Her tongue explored her mouth.

Brona pulled her head back. “What about your boyfriend, Timothy?”

Audrey smirked. “Don’t worry about Timothy, he won’t mind.”

“Now, forward Troopers,” she commanded.

Progress was fast. Each Trooper walked as if ever getting tired was an impossibility. That energy could be created from within, it no longer needed to be consumed.

The convent grew larger. Soon they could see the iron triangle that adorned it from above. But it was broken.

This is an insult to the Emperor.

They reached the large doorway. It did not open even when Audrey’s battle chair emitted the required code.

Audrey addressed her Troopers. “Something has gone seriously wrong. Treat everyone we meet inside with caution. The nuns may have turned their backs on their God.”

Wheelchair Wars Audrey (xii)

Soldiers firing weapons from trenches as drones explode above and tracer fire lights the dark battlefield

“Troopers, prepare to fire your incendiaries at the central mass of the drones. For the Emperor!” Audrey roared.

The gun of each Trooper was able to shoot a small explosive in size that nonetheless delivered a great punch.

A few seconds passed. “Fire.”

The sky lit up as powerful explosion lit up the sky obliterating drones. Pieces dropped over the landscape.And yet, still they came.

Audrey’s chair shook back and forth as her machine guns activated. Her Troopers followed her lead.

The remaining drones circled overhead before executing kamikaze dives on Troopers, detonating on impact. Their numbers dwindled though, under the concentrated fire. One by one, they disappeared from the sky. Then there was none.

Pools of blood, body parts and debris surrounded Audrey. Half of the Troopers, exhausted remained.

Brona stood beside Audrey. Her face vacant, gazing into the distance. Audrey knew it was time for what was known on Uisneach as Devil’s Gold. A powerful elixir, it was a stimulant that enhanced the spirit, strength, and alertness creating super warriors full of energy and without fear. Longer term, it decayed the human body. A signal emanated from Audrey’s chair giving both her herself and the Troopers a dose.