Creative Challenge: Earth For Sale

EARTH: Planet comprised mainly of water, magnesium, silicon, aluminum and various other materials, all native resources. Mostly used but in working condition. Has experienced multiple wars but still sustainable. Comfortable housed billions of families over thousands (Or millions, depending who of the current tenants you ask) of years. Occasional earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and other natural events occur but rarely any permanent damages. Am willing to negotiate price and/or trades. If willing to trade, must be ready to move IMMEDIATELY. Due to the rush of the sell, no refunds.

Creative Challenge: Space Sirens

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted anything but hopefully, this week's stories (I'm working on a second story now) will make amends.

Inspired came from this picture by Julie Dillion:

Halcyon materialize in the copilot chair, laid back with his virtual legs up on the console. “Lucas, in all of the years of my artificial life, you are the only pilot I know who's not creeped out by her.” Lucas looked up from his star map and out of the deck window. “A huge mass of helium and star dust is something to be afraid of. By the way, it's not a 'Her'.” “You know that's not why pilots are afraid.” 

Halcyon stood up and stared out into the space. Before them glowed bright yellows and blues, swirling and drifting together and into the darker edges of the stars. In the central of it all held the eponymous Siren, a form the color of a dark wine hue with stars pulsing in her body like diamonds. She loomed over another form, holding its face close to her own. The second form was dim compared to the siren's. “Have you ever heard the legend of that inspired her name?” 

Lucas nodded. “Of course. Sirens were mythical creatures that were stuck on an island or something and sang a song so beautiful that compelled any person passing them to come closer. The poor saps were so out of their minds that they didn't realize that the sirens' island was surrounded by sharp rocks and leading them to their deaths.” Halcyon shook his head. “It wasn't that simple. The Sirens' song gave you visions of your greatest dreams: riches, fame and love, glory itself, anything. It also gave showed you your greatest flaw, your Achilles heel one could say.”

Halcyon never turned from the window as Lucas walked next to him. “The first time I flew here, I thought my sensors were malfunctioning. I thought there was no way I could have just flew through her form. Even now, they're going haywire. There's something about almost...Primordial about it. As if the sirens abandoned their island for the stars, hoping to luring new travelers.”

As they stared out, the second form seemed to dim, as if its energy was slowly pulled by the siren's grasp. “Be careful not to fly to close, my friend. You never know what lurks.”  

Creative Challenge: Penny For Your Thought

For full background on the story, Click here

Their heavy, metallic steps still grew closer. No matter how fast I was, I still saw their shapes, lurking. Helicopter swirled above me while searchlights pierced the gray darkness around me but none of that worried me as much as the voices behind me. Cold and distant yet seemingly submissive as it they were helping me. They tried to fool me but I kept running. I wouldn't be like the others.

They finally cornered me, their soulless eyes as they analyzed my weakened form. I tried to fight as one approached me but two of them came from behind me and held me still. I was no match for them. "Penny for your thought?" It asked. It didn't worry about my answer. They never did.

The one in front of me reached and touched my head. I felt its palm heat up and screamed. A sea of eyes glowing eyes stood before me as they slowly processed my thoughts. I closed my eyes and focused on one thought. A thought that would calm me, a thought that would make me stronger, a thought that could possibly overwhelm their simple minds and possibly end this bloody war.

I thought of you.