Fire Fight

The sun spits on the Earth and the humans react by shredding one another apart. Resources dwindle, homes are destroyed, loved ones lost, and yet the only thing that matters is who has control of the board. Who cares about the starving child on the street, the millions hospitalized from the flares, or the loss of oxygen and water when the board is what matters?

Fifty years of attacks from the solar system, and what do the humans care about? My commander had the right idea before he died from The Sandstorm of 4080. Hoard what you can underground, and hide. The upper world was a scorched patch of skin that was beyond being saved, the lower world was the darkness that everyone feared would be all they would see after they died. We are ants, and our queens demand the blood of invading vermin.

The tunnels intersect and it is impossible to tell what belongs to who, even if you know how to get to Bazaar Central to Cascade Cavern, the simplest route that leads from the outside world to the market city, you could find several tunnels leading to and from hundreds of citadels. Few live on the upper world now, and if they do, they do so to get away from the wars in the tunnels. They are deserters who would rather face death in a free world, than face death in a corrupt one. I wish I had joined my commander when he left. He had this idea that war was never ending. I didn't see it before, but now I do. The flames on the upper world match the intensity of the battles in the tunnels.

At first, everything was fine, protect each man, woman and child for the greater good. And then people started fighting over territory. Not food, water, or something essential. No. The war started over who was allowed to step where.

As a soldier in the United Americas Military, I know I should protect our territory to the last breath, that is my mission. But how many wars have I seen through the pages of a history book where bloodshed is started over stupid shit. It is man's right to find happiness, and yet we are forced into peril with no ray of light in sight. Banished from the green fields by God Himself and sent to the pits of the abyss, we have been forsaken. If religions were still practiced freely, I am sure I would be praying for forgiveness with them. May this war underground end. May we find the ability to care more about life than territory. May we find peace in this never ending cycle of destruction.

War In The Year 3030

The ticking of the machines were so loud they could be heard from a mile away.
“This isn’t going to be easy. Those bastards have re-formulated their ships, and I’m not sure if these will do the trick.” Our commander points to the explosives nearby. I take a deep breath and swallow the fear that surges up within me.
“After we send these their way, we’re going to have to come in on foot. All our Saber Bikes have been disabled.” He says glancing to the pile of rubble that used to be our Bikes.
“Now are you with me?!” He says his voice rising.
“Aye Sir.” We all say in unison.
“No, I said ARE YOU WITH ME?” He says his voice booming over the small army of us.
“AYE SIR!” We yell back at him.
“LET’S GO!” We each grab an explosive pack and turn it on, sending it towards the machines. They fly off into the air, their trackers focused and ready.
                We patiently for the booms, but nothing happens. “Sir, something isn’t right.” I say a bad feeling creeping up my spine. The commander glances at me and I can the doubt in his eyes. But before he can respond the explosives are flying back at us. I barely have time to snap on my teleportation unit. It takes me a good couple feet away from the explosion but I can still feel the heat. Hundreds of screams echo out from the fire as I lay in the rocks, my face and arms cut open from my landing. I stand up and look to where the Army is burning. I am shocked and I feel so sick that I might throw up. My legs go weak beneath me and I fall to the ground.
                “NOOOOO!!” The piercing scream finds its way out of me. I’m on my knees, my sobs coming in waves. This isn’t the first time this has happened to me. History just seems to repeat itself.

                I have been in many wars throughout my lifetime. This war is the worst one of them all, because it involves the Oyers. The Oyers are a mutant species from another planet, they invaded our planet two years ago and they just keep killing. Killing and taking. It’s what they do best. There was nothing our planet could do to stop them. They were just too advanced with their technology. Here I am again watching another one of my squads die and there’s nothing I can do to change it.
                               

The machines are getting closer now, and I pick myself up from the ground. A ferocious anger builds inside me and I grab my gun. I stomp my way toward the direction of where the machines are coming and plant myself still, waiting for them to come. I brace myself and take a deep breath. No more running from death, it’s time to face him head on.
                The machine finally makes it’s way around the corner and I stand there unmoving. The machine is like a giant mechanical animal, stopping to stand right in front of me.
“I challenge you!” I announce into the open air. My voice sounds weak.
“I CHALLENGE YOU, I know you are in there, operating this big piece of scrap metal. I know you could kill me now, but where’s the fun in that eh?” I say louder this time, my voice more confident. I grip my gun tightly in my hand. The top of the machine swivels open and out steps an Oyer. They look almost identical to us, except where my skin is blue theirs is a pale tan white color. Where I have deep black pits for eyes they have pupils. “Give up now, and maybe we will let you live.” The man says. He wears a uniform with a flag on it. The flags colors have red white and blue and in the middle is the planet that they come from. Planet Earth.
“I’m not afraid of you!” I reply, raising my gun.
Oyer in our language translates to human.
“I’m sorry, I really am.” He says and suddenly the machine raises it’s large canon at me and fires. 

Challenge #89

Hey guys! The challenge for this week is to write a story that is set in the future during a war.

If you would like to join us for fan friday you can write a story, draw a picture, make comic whatever you want. Email us at inkedfeathersfink@gmail.com

Enjoy!