Time for another entry in Friday Fictioneers challenge, courtesy of Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. If you want to give it a try, check the info on her blog. 100 words more or less, inspired by a photo, here we go….
Copyright – Douglas M. MacIlroy
When the agency said I could serve my sentence on Atlas, I thought I struck a good deal. “Greta, your degree and knowledge in Geophysics is essential to the mission.” they said.
Our first winter lasted 3 years and we were not prepared. After the supplies ran out, the settlers turned on each other. Few of us finally made a pact…We would not make a move on each other, as long as our homes had the lights on.
I knew there would come a point when my other set of skills would become useful.
Time to turn off the lights.
Would love to know what her other skills are — presumably what she was serving time for– and if they are as I suspect I fear a sticky end is coming for some of those settlers.
Love, love, LOVE this, Lore! If I remember correctly, there’s a crater on Mars named Atlas. But, the idea of doing what Greta did … WHOA! Awesome story. Five moons. 😀
I add my voice to those who want to read more. With those few words, you created tension and a mysterious character, and an intriguing place/planet/world. Great story.
Those “other skills” really sound creepy. I would guess cannibalism. Not a good place to be with the lights out. Well done with good tension. 🙂 — Suzanne
Fascinating psychology – on one level she is so wrong, but what is the point of all dying? I’m already on her side.
Gripping stuff!
(Think I’d have used a slightly different verb form:I thought I’d struck a good deal.)
Loré, you really present a dark scene from start to finish. It carries through and is compelling and impactful. As a reader, I felt like you really captured this image!
Snow's Fissures and Fractures 
Dear Loré,
The end that’s coming doesn’t look pretty. You set the tone well. Going to my happy spot now. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Maybe for her it is a new beginning? Hope you enjoy your happy spot. Thank you. 🙂
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Oooh, that poses lots of questions!
Good piece.
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Thank you, hope you don’t lose any sleep over it. 😀
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Love this! Especially the ending. It definitely reads as something that could be bigger.
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Glad you liked it, Claire! Hope you are having much success with your book.
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Very nice piece.
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Thank you, MrBinks. You were missed.
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Aww, very kind.
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Would love to know what her other skills are — presumably what she was serving time for– and if they are as I suspect I fear a sticky end is coming for some of those settlers.
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Well, sometimes attack is the best way of defense. I think her skills are not expected. Thank you!
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Now I am even more intrigued. We need a second installment.
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I’m not liking the sound of those ‘other skills’. At all. Nice one.
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Hah, don’t mess with a convicted scientist! Thank you, Sandra.
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Ohh I wish I had skills!
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Be careful what you wish for. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by.
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Survival of the most devious. A girl’s gotta eat.
Tell us more. Keep writing her story.
Tracey
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Thank you, Tracey. I hope one day soon all these stories will find a way out of my head.
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Little bit confused by the ending. It sounds like bad news for the other settlers either way. See you next week!
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See you!
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Chilling story. Nicely done.
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Well, it is winter after all. Thank you.
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Oh, my, you can’t leave us hanging like this. You just simply can’t. There must be a sequel.
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Oh, that is so kind of you. I might consider it, thank you.
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Pretty creepy! (In the best possible way of course)
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Of course. 🙂 Thank you!
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It sounds like the Donner party in space.
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Yes, it does.
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Eek! I don’t give much for the other settlers’ chances. Good story!
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They don’t know what is in store for them, maybe that’s for the best. Thank you.
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Well done Lore. I guess, her ‘other set of skills’ certainly aren’t going to be good for someone. 🙂
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I am sure of that. Thank you, Norma. Glad you liked it.
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It seems like such a pact has only temporal application.. sooner or later you have to choose between eating or be eaten.. sinister.
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Survival of the fittest.
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Dinnertime!…or so I imagined. I love when things turn vicious.
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Oh my, you have an apetite for the wickedness.
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The best defense is a good offense. Great piece.
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Thank you, much appreciated.
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Those other skills of hers sound rather ominous. Good story. 🙂
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Thank you!
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Awesome! Love the ending, very sinister 🙂
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Glad you liked it, I rarely go for sinister.
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Love, love, LOVE this, Lore! If I remember correctly, there’s a crater on Mars named Atlas. But, the idea of doing what Greta did … WHOA! Awesome story. Five moons. 😀
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Wow, thank you! So kind, I really appreciate your words.
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Great piece of adventure here. I hope greta is on my side. Write a book!
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Oh, that is very kind. Thank you, I am working on it.
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I guess that’s called survival. I wonder how many wil make it to Spring. Gripping.
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I suspect Greta will be among them. Thank you, Margaret.
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Ooh, I like that ending- setting a trap… Delicious
Nice work
KT
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Thank you, I am delighted you liked it.
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“Somebody gonna get a hurt real bad.”
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You are right.
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Don’t like the sound lot those ‘other skills’ at all. Nicely done.
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Thank you, Dee. Much appreciated.
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Ominous! 🙂
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Indeed.
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Ooh, scary stuff.
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Thank you!
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I have a feeling the other settlers have no idea what they are in for. Great story!
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Best to keep them in the dark. Thank you! 🙂
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I add my voice to those who want to read more. With those few words, you created tension and a mysterious character, and an intriguing place/planet/world. Great story.
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Oh, thank you. Such a compliment and it is much appreciated.
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Sounds like just about everyone was unprepared for such a mission…except maybe Greta. Time to turn off the lights. lol
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I think she is prepared for pretty much anything. Thank you.
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Those “other skills” really sound creepy.
I would guess cannibalism. Not a good place to be with the lights out. Well done with good tension. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Fascinating psychology – on one level she is so wrong, but what is the point of all dying? I’m already on her side.
Gripping stuff!
(Think I’d have used a slightly different verb form:I thought I’d struck a good deal.)
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Thank you, that is an interesting suggestion.
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Loré, you really present a dark scene from start to finish. It carries through and is compelling and impactful. As a reader, I felt like you really captured this image!
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Oh, thank you! The image really pulled me in.
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I love your sci fi Lore!!
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Thank you, Cybele!
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