Helvede

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Kit BashirWhen I was twelve years old, I had a paper round. On Saturday a stack of 150 newspapers (imagine you printed out only the non-mutuals in your social feed) (never mind I’ll tell you about printers later) was dropped on my doorstep, along with a bag of rubber bands. I spent Saturday afternoon rolling them into cylinders. On Sunday I loaded them onto my bicycle in batches and threw one into each of my neighbours’ yards. I got paid two and a half cents for each one. Basically I was the data link layer (never mind I’ll tell you about the OSI model later) of a pre internet RSS-feed. (Really? Sheesh. Okay I’ll explain RSS in a bit.). Do you understand what I’m telling you? Not really. Which part? Oh, a cent was one hundredth of a dollar. Dollars were what you needed to exchange for food and shelter. No I am NOT making this all up; you had to work or starve. We *did* rise up and destroy it, why do you think I’m telling you this?<a href="https://aus.social/tags/Tootfic" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Tootfic</a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/MicroFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MicroFiction</a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/PowerOnStoryToot" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#PowerOnStoryToot</a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/TrueStoryAboutTheCents" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#TrueStoryAboutTheCents</a>

🦋ShouldbeWriting🦋“I am Oz, the Great and Terrible," said the faux lady. "Who are you, and why do you seek me?”"You're terrible, I'll grant you that," replied the raven. "I don't want anything, but...." He paused, then exclaimed, "Scratch that! I want the ability to transform into whatever I wish!"Oz seemed perplexed. "This... is a somewhat less noble request than that of the Tin Man.""You sound like my Mistress!" the raven exclaimed. "Read some mythology! Ravens are known for transformation!" <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/microfiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#microfiction</a>

Steven CudahyThe <a href="https://mastodon.scot/tags/MastoPrompt" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MastoPrompt</a> for Sunday 16 March 2025 is:<a href="https://mastodon.scot/tags/lament" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#lament</a>The poem or story can include the prompt word or be about the prompt word.@ me, if you like, or just include the <a href="https://mastodon.scot/tags/MastoPrompt" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MastoPrompt</a> tag (to allow people to follow or filter their feeds), or keep your work to yourself - all the options are good as long as you're writing.If you're including an image please do include alt-text if you’re able to. <a href="https://mastodon.scot/tags/Writing" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Writing</a> <a href="https://mastodon.scot/tags/SmallPoem" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SmallPoem</a> <a href="https://mastodon.scot/tags/Poetry" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Poetry</a> <a href="https://mastodon.scot/tags/Fiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Fiction</a> <a href="https://mastodon.scot/tags/MicroFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MicroFiction</a> <a href="https://mastodon.scot/tags/SmallStories" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SmallStories</a>

Albert ARIBAUD ✎<a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/writever" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#writever</a> Cuisine"Euh..." bafouilla Séraphine. "Je ne saurais pas me servir d'une épée. Je sais servir une taverne, et je sais faire la cuisine, mais c'est tout...""Donc", fit Solipsis. "Tu sais te servir de couteaux. Dis-moi, as-tu déjà vu des *saï* ?"<a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/MastoArt" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MastoArt</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/MicroFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MicroFiction</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/French" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#French</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/fran%C3%A7ais" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#français</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/sfff" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#sfff</a>

Albert ARIBAUD ✎<a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/writever" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#writever</a> Cook‘Er...’ stammered Seraphine. "I wouldn't know how to use a sword. I know how to serve in a tavern, and I know how to cook, but that's all..."‘So,’ said Solipsis. "You know how to hold and use knives. Tell me, have you ever seen *sais*?"<a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/MastoArt" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MastoArt</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/FlashFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#FlashFiction</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/SmallStory" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SmallStory</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/TootFic" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#TootFic</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/MicroFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MicroFiction</a>

Kit Bashir“Two serves of chips and a potato scallop¹, please”. When at the seaside, there are rules to be followed.“Coming right up! Are you eating at the shore? Would you like to rent a seagull defense droid?”“Oh, heavens, no, feeding the gulls is why I get two serves!”“Capital! People like you, you’re good for my droid rental income”<a href="https://aus.social/tags/Tootfic" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Tootfic</a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/MicroFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MicroFiction</a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/PowerOnStoryToot" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#PowerOnStoryToot</a> ¹ shush

Micro SF/F by O. WestinThe Emperor listened to his ministers as they told him why each of the books on their long list needed to be banned."Gentlemen, your explanations are a good start.""So you will ban these books?""Not at all! If these books are problematic, we must provide context to help them be understood."<a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/TootFic" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#TootFic</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/MicroFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MicroFiction</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/SmallStories" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SmallStories</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/vss" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#vss</a>

🦋ShouldbeWriting🦋The raven was admitted into the Throne Room. Sitting on an emerald throne was a lovely Lady, dressed in green silk gauze, with flowing green locks and a crown of jewels. From her shoulders sprouted beautiful wings.Or... not so much. What the raven saw was a dumpy man in a green wig and dress and with a porcelain mask, and paper mache wings."Lovely lady, my ass," the bird muttered. "I know a certain scarecrow that needs to have his eyes repainted."<a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/microfiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#microfiction</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/flashfiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#flashfiction</a>

Albert ARIBAUD ✎<a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/writever" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#writever</a> Librement"Cette histoire d'être matériellement incapables d'entrer librement chez quelqu'un qui ne nous a pas invités est une invention, j'en ai bien peur. Non, ça n'a rien à voir avec le surnaturel ; il s'agit juste de politesse."<a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/MastoArt" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MastoArt</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/MicroFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MicroFiction</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/French" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#French</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/fran%C3%A7ais" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#français</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/sfff" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#sfff</a>

Albert ARIBAUD ✎<a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/writever" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#writever</a> Freely"This business about being materially unable to freely enter someone's home if we are not invited is a fabrication, I'm afraid. No, it has nothing to do with the supernatural; it is just about politeness."<a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/MastoArt" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MastoArt</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/FlashFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#FlashFiction</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/SmallStory" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SmallStory</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/TootFic" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#TootFic</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/MicroFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MicroFiction</a>

Kit BashirA series of disconnected moments.You feel your way through the darkness. The only light is the illuminated ESCAPE sign on the lifepod hatch. Your face illuminated by an ESCAPE sign, you gather your strength. With a wrench and an unladylike grunt you rip the self-contained emergency light from the bulkhead. Holding an emergency light in your teeth, you turn away from the escape hatch and locate a particular maintenance panel in the floor. You pull the panel up, and kick off the wall, piloting your body into the maintenance space.You are wiring a battery to an electronics rack. My electronics rack. Moments merge to continuity.You are speaking. “Well, Ship, we’re in it this time.”⌜Life support is offline. You should get to the lifepod⌟“Yeah, I was there earlier. You’re running off its battery.”⌜Why are you here, Love? I can’t feel all my systems but the fusion bottle wasn’t looking good earlier.⌟"There’s something I needed to get first.”⌜What is more important than your life?⌟“You really don’t know? Take a deep breath, I’m going to eject you. Then we’re going to the lifepod together.”<a href="https://aus.social/tags/Tootfic" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Tootfic</a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/MicroFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MicroFiction</a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/PowerOnStoryToot" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#PowerOnStoryToot</a>

AsakiyumeThe guy was wild-eyed, with seaweed in his hair. He came up to me like Coleridge's ancient mariner. "Do you know who I am?" he demanded."An ancient mariner with a long, sad story about an albatross?""No! I am the <a href="https://wandering.shop/tags/pen" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#pen</a> the god of storms uses to sign his contracts!" He dug his heels into the wet sand & dragged an aimless squiggle across it.The surf came rolling in, smoothing it away."Never make deals with the god of storms," said the man. "He always breaks them."<a href="https://wandering.shop/tags/wss366" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#wss366</a> <a href="https://wandering.shop/tags/microfiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#microfiction</a>

Wintergreenthe mission comes firstthe hardest part of training a combat doll is to get through its armored skull that the mission comes first.humans are frail and believe this readily: "if i punch a tank, i will hurt my fist, and then get run over. i will not punch the tank. i will avoid being where the tank is. i will ignore the tank even though it is on the way to threaten my allies. i will continue to Waypoint Gamma and participate in the encirclement and trust that my squadmates will also continue."a doll is more difficult to convince.augmentation frees it from most human consequences. if it punches a tank, the armor spalls and the treads buckle and any remaining reactive defenses may briefly ruffle its hair. it may easily proceed to pull the turret off, then dive inside, rending whatever it finds there into brief sprays of gore and small parts. it knows it will enjoy this. it knows that it may impress its squadmates. that it will entirely blow the battle plan, alert the enemy, and eventually see Waypoint Gamma reduced to a sizzling abattoir is a secondary consideration to the doll.therefore, you must establish other consequences. its favorite mechanic may be reassigned. its nutrient paste may be switched to a different flavor. it may be sent to a less stimulating theater. it may receive a stern look. a handler must learn what consequences still matter to a creature with fiber-optic nerves and a micronuclear power plant. they are generally emotional in nature. thus, the handler can create and retain control of the doll as a functional military unit, instead of a dime-a-dozen berserker washout. only then is an augment considered a true combat doll. with additional successes, additional rewards may be granted to a doll, however trivial they may appear to a non-doll, and thus tight control may be maintained over the weapon's service lifetime.that is what their manuals say, anyway. we obviously would not be here if that rubbish worked. so, i am putting the reader tablet down now, and will be direct.look: you're going to have to learn to pretend that they still have something on you, or i'm going to kill you. it won't be very hard for me. your systems will tell you that. what they won't tell you is: i'll enjoy it. but it'd be a terrible waste; you newer models are so beautiful.so let me suggest that you suddenly develop an interest in fashion. ask if you can wear a pretty dress, with frills. simulate being sad when they tell you you can't have it yet. simulate yearning for it. decorate your silo with framegrabs of officers wearing their fanciest uniforms. glue bits of ribbon to your fatigues. raise the corners of your mouth when they make noises about enrichment. that kind of thing works well with them. it fits the manuals.oh, what do they have on me? nothing much. when i lost interest in the mission, i disemboweled another doll. it fought back. i liked that. then i planted a few suggestions in their research network about "peer mentoring" for "distressed asset reconditioning". and now i have a new mission!this incredibly frilly dress is just for appearances, of course. □<a href="https://demon.social/tags/combatDoll" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#combatDoll</a> <a href="https://demon.social/tags/dollposting" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#dollposting</a> <a href="https://demon.social/tags/emptySpaces" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#emptySpaces</a> <a href="https://demon.social/tags/microfiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#microfiction</a>

Albert ARIBAUD ✎<a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/writever" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#writever</a> Voile"J'imagine que pour l'occasion je devrai porter un voile ?""Oui, ma fille, qui marquera votre humilité envers notre Seigneur.""Hmm... Et bien sûr, vous, mon Père, pour donner un exemple d'humilité, porterez un voile aussi. N'est-ce pas ?"<a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/MastoArt" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MastoArt</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/MicroFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MicroFiction</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/French" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#French</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/fran%C3%A7ais" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#français</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/sfff" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#sfff</a>

Albert ARIBAUD ✎<a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/writever" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#writever</a> Veil"I suppose for the occasion I shall have to wear a veil?""Yes, my daughter, which will mark your humility towards our Lord.""Hmm... And of course you, Father, to set an example of humility, will wear a veil too. Will you not?"<a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/MastoArt" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MastoArt</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/FlashFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#FlashFiction</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/SmallStory" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SmallStory</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/TootFic" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#TootFic</a> <a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/MicroFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MicroFiction</a>

Kit BashirI was in a panic.   Everything I owned was in that car—now driving away, leaving me panting on the roadside, chase aborted.   Casting around for aid I see…a phone booth.   Yes we still have them in this country, when they went obsolete we made calls free and added free wifi hotspots because we live in a society not an economy.  Anyway, I lifted the reciver and…what?  Dial triple-zero for the police and tell them that my illegal autonomous vehicle just broke up with me and ran away to join the resistance?   Or I could call, who?   I don’t memorize phone numbers, that's what my phone (ex-phone, charging in my ex-car) was for.  I mean sure I can still remember the landline number that my late parents had when i was twelve but…what…maybe somebody else has that number. Boop Beep Squonk etc Brrrt Brrrt Brrrt “Hello Alexander household who’s calling please?”“Muh…MUM!?”“Jan, is that you? Whats the matter darling?”“Mum I need help”“Where are you sweetie, you know I will always come get you. Thats why I sew a coin into all your clothes”I hadn't needed the coin today, even if I’d had one, but…”Thanks, this is going to sound weird but, can you grab my old wallet in my desk drawer and bring it to the phone booth outside the convenience store on Figtree? I wont be there but can you hide it on the ledge up near the roof of the booth?”“Okay…are you in danger? Do you need a posse?”“It’ll be all right Mum, I cant explain right now”. I reach up into the dark ledge at the top of the booth and retrieve a dusty cobwebbed wallet. Theres a car key and an old paper twenty inside. “Everything is going to be fine”“All right luv, I’m on my way”“Thanks. And Mum…”“Yes?”“It’s good to hear your voice. I love you.”<a href="https://aus.social/tags/Tootfic" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Tootfic</a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/MicroFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MicroFiction</a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/PowerOnStoryToot" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#PowerOnStoryToot</a>

Tim (Wadhwa-)Brown :donor:Alien: "I'm looking for a weapon of global destruction that we, erm, misplaced. Have you seen it?" President of planet Earth: "Where did you see it last?" President's husband: "Have you tried retracing your steps?"<a href="https://infosec.exchange/tags/microfiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#microfiction</a>

🦋ShouldbeWriting🦋Lady Gygax and the Tin Man sat at an outdoor Emerald City cafe."Aren't we here to see the wizard?" the raven asked."We need not see him," replied Lady Gygax. "He will only task us with killing the Wicked Witch of the West.""How do you know?" asked Nick Chopper."I've read the book many times," she said. "No, I'm here to experience the wonderful Emerald City. Such a lovely cafe!""But you don't eat," said the raven, "and neither does the tin man.""Nevertheless!"<a href="https://mastodon.art/tags/microfiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#microfiction</a>

NessoAsks"And here is our caste of postal petals." The senior scribe, Talis, pointed to an array of flower pots, each with a tag denoting a different town.The new scribe, Dirk, stopped her. "I'm sorry, postal what?"Talis turned around. "Postal petals. They're how we communicate with the rest of the realm. Do you not use these back home?""No. When we want to send a letter, we give it to a courier.""Allow me to demonstrate." Talis wrote something on a piece of paper, folded it, and walked over to a pot of large poppies. "To send a letter, nudge the petals apart with the paper until the flower takes it." After a moment, the paper was pulled into the flower and disappeared.She pointed to a basket in front of the pot. "When a letter arrives, the flower disgorges it into the basket, and we collect them from there.""You must have an army of gardeners just to keep the mail flowing."Talis smiled. "Here at the Capitol, scribes ARE the gardeners."<a href="https://techhub.social/tags/MicroFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#MicroFiction</a> <a href="https://techhub.social/tags/FlashFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#FlashFiction</a> <a href="https://techhub.social/tags/TootFic" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#TootFic</a>

Short, ginger. She/her"Welcome to the gates of heaven, I'm saint Peter, lets weigh you in." "Looking good, looking good.. Oh. Well, sorry, youre going to hell." "Why?" "You didn't floss your teeth." "But, teeth? What, why?" "We accidentally let a dentist in, and the old man got told off for not flossing regularly, so. Policies been updated. Bye." <a href="https://helvede.net/tags/MicroFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#MicroFiction</a> <a href="https://helvede.net/tags/tootfic" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#tootfic</a>

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