This story is written as a response to the Muse on Monday writing prompt for July 7, 2025: Write a story about an anachronism. Bringing a Knife to a Laser Fight They told us we could pick any weapon we wanted for the semi-annual battle royale. It was all in virtual reality, so no one…
Category: Science Fiction
Death Mill
Death Mill “It roars through, same time every afternoon, on these metal rails. No one knows from where or to where.” “They’ve got to lead somewhere. You could follow them.” “I tried! Walked for, like, an hour. Still going. What’s important, though, it’s great for milling wheat. You put the wheat all along the rails…
Freedom of Movement
Freedom of Movement Jax stared at the ancient watercolor. “The cars had wheels? Why?” “They stayed on the ground.” “But what if there were trees? Or water?” “Well, you couldn’t drive on that part, just on the road.” “That’s so narrow! They must have felt suffocated.” “No, it was normal then. You don’t miss what…
The Day the Aliens Arrived
The Day the Aliens Arrived The Day the Aliens Arrived When the aliens arrived, it wasn’t what anyone expected. It was just a single spaceship, and they didn’t ask to see any leaders. They tried, rather frustratedly to talk to the first people they met and when they couldn’t, they just settled in to learn…
Ad Astra…bucks
Ad Astra…bucks Sara hadn’t had a customer in two months, which was a-okay. Her cafe on the Harmonie asteroid was the only one within a million miles, so she could afford to charge $1000 for a coffee and pastry if anyone came. If not, she had time to read. * * * Sara watched the…
In the Beginning of the Semester
In the Beginning of the Semester In the beginning of the semester, Tod created Cyberworld. Tod saw that Cyberworld was fine and could get him a B in his capstone course. Tod made a garden. In the middle he placed the Lending Library of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Then Tod created Mike and…
The Sprint of Courtney Revere
The Sprint of Courtney Revere It should have been an email, but of course, the Internet was destroyed. This had been way easier for her ancestor: two choices, that was it. She pulled out her cheat sheet. Cheat sheets. One if by land, two if by sea, three if by air, four if directly from…
Browsing the Infinite
Browsing the Infinite The heaven of the AltUni Mall, with goods from every alternate universe, was the choices. The hell was also the choices. “I just want an American flag with ducks instead of stars,” Nel said for the thousandth time. Every muscle in Kylie’s body screamed. “I’ll make one in Photoshop,” she said. “Ten…
Bore of the Worlds
Bore of the Worlds When the lights came to Earth, displaying powers beyond anyone’s comprehension, everyone just assumed they’d take over the world. Instead, they ran for city council in Sudbury, Ontario. They ran on a platform of public parks and fixing infrastructure instantly through cosmic rays. They won. As years passed, world leaders flew…
To Be Struck by Lightning
To Be Struck by Lightning Mikki had never been struck by lightning, which was a shame. She’d heard it gave you such a nice energy boost. She craved that now. She was 48,564 meters from home and her reserves stood at 6%. She chewed two 9-volt batteries with her tungsten teeth, sucking out every possible…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 