Friday Fictioneers: Occupational Hazards

Posted on by Louise Bunting

This is my entry for this week’s Friday Fictioneers Challenge run by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week’s picture prompt was provided by Douglas M. MacIlroy. The challenge is to write a story within 100 words.

keck
PHOTO PROMPT – © Douglas M. MacIlroy

Occupational Hazards

“Situation report, SR1.”

“Data collected, Sir,” Lena responded. “Returning to base.”

“Affirmative. Beware storm from northeast.”

Lena quickly calculated her best course. It wasn’t a long trip, especially along the ridge-top path but, although her flit was designed for the icy planet, it would be unable to make headway against the driving winds. The southern path would be a safer choice.

The avalanche took her completely by surprise.

“Damn it!” Lena cursed as the simulation ended. Three times now she’d died. Maybe she should face facts. She’d never be good enough to join the expedition.

But, perhaps one more try…

Word Count: 100

Click the little blue frog to see other entries or to add your own.

FIC

54 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers: Occupational Hazards”

    1. It’s a very risky expedition but the scientific discoveries to be made there are colossal. And career defining. 🙂 Thanks for reading.

      Like

  2. Sounds to me that Lena was prepping for an off-planet job. I am a super Sci-Fi fan and I want more about Lena. Please! Can we have a 500-word expansive story? Even in 2-3 parts? Take us to the 5th planet in a giant sun 16-light years from Earth. I know you can do it; stretch a bit. OK?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’d love to write more of this but I have so many different works-in-progress at the moment that, unfortunately, I’m unlikely to do so any time soon. Unless, of course, inspiration completely overtakes me! 🙂

      Like

    1. Thank you. 🙂 I was going to end with her giving up her dream but I just couldn’t do that! I think she’ll keep on trying until she makes the team.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Yes, you listen to Ad Dawg. You have to! This is a great start to a SF novel. I know there are no fairies in it, but this is excellent – I know a good SF story when I read one – even if it’s only the first 100 words 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I need to learn to write flash fics that tell the whole story in the word limit! At the rate I’m going I’ll have fifty or so works-in-progress by the summer. I’m glad you enjoyed it and I’ll see what I can do about continuing it. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Poor Lena, she must be getting frustrated. Maybe she’ll scrape through, or she’ll fail but still be put on the expedition thanks to a mysterious benefactor with ulterior motives (dum dum DUM) 🙂
    Great story!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Good for her for not giving up. I too agree good beginning for something larger.
    FF provides one with many great ideas. Too bad there’s not enough time to write all of them.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Hooray for simulators. When she makes it through the storm, she’ll be a valuable asset to the expedition. Great story, I love it.

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.