Desperation begins to take hold. Some people will try anything to find safety. Others realize that safety alone isn’t enough. And a tragedy results in the Artens being sealed, separating those inside for those outside.
18.
"I said no."
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) April 13, 2019
"Oh, come on, just dump some of this stuff and take me! I've gotta get off this planet. It is dying! Do you want 30 million? 50?"
"No. This cargo is worth more than one life. And besides, Earth money is worthless on Mars."#microfiction#scifi
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19.
"You can send her a message from the spaceship, but we aren't coming back. We're going to explore a different planet."
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) April 14, 2019
"So… I'll never see her again? Or anyone else? Not even Gramma and Grampa?"
"We'll see them at the shuttle launch to say goodbye."#microfiction#scifi
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20.
The only thing standing between me and success is me, the way it should be.
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) April 15, 2019
I'll mark off my land with signs saying "Trespassers will be shot."
And no jury will decide if it's a justified shooting.
This is paradise!
If only I weren't so lonely…#microfiction#scifi
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21.
No, our government leaders were still alive.
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) April 17, 2019
Somehow, despite that most of them are too old to have children, and none of them are science or engineering experts, they were selected to live in the domes and caves, while my family has been left out here.#microfiction#scifi
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22.
Now, we're on this ship, which is the size of maybe 3 city blocks, surrounded by cold, dead space.
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) April 18, 2019
It terrifies me.
But I couldn't ask him to stay on a dying planet.
So, I lied.
Hopefully, I can live the rest of my life without him ever finding out.#microfiction#scifi
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23.
We messed up the atmosphere, and now the sun is killing us.
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) April 19, 2019
It'll give you cancer faster now.
And not just skin cancer.
It'll make you infertile.
But I already got cancer, and hit menopause years ago.
So I sit back and watch, knowing I won't die alone.#microfiction#scifi
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24.
They say they need fertile couples, but that's bullshit.
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) April 19, 2019
They could use in vitro or artificial insem for population and genetic diversity.
But men wouldn't be needed.
So instead, they chose a way that leaves queers out in the cold.
Or heat, as it happens.#microfiction#scifi
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25.
"Selection papers don't transfer. If someone doesn't show up, then the algorithm will pick someone else. You have to leave."
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) April 20, 2019
"But I sold everything to get here!"
"Not my problem. Security?"
"Come with us. Now."
"No! I want to live! Let me in or-"
*bang*#microfiction#scifi
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26.
At another, a group committed mass suicide when they were denied entry."
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) April 21, 2019
"Vids?"
"Of both. They're viral."
"Shit. Move up the timetable. All Artens must be sealed in two days. We can't risk a breach."
"And if people aren't in yet?"
"Tough shit for them."#microfiction#scifi
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27.
Other countries around the world will all be sealing their Artens in the next few days, ahead of schedule.
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) April 22, 2019
The rest of us must fend for ourselves in this new, changing world.
So, from all of us at the station, I wish you good night, and good luck.#microfiction#scifi
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