Nano Writing Month, 2017.09

[mc776]

Every day, write some bit of fiction. Preferably over 50 words, but there will be no standard beyond "something". Posting is entirely optional.

It was discovered that, through the clever - no, not clever, determined - application of feral bamboo, exposed rebar, nylon rope and five broken rifles, it was possible to devise a force-multiplying pulley system that a soft, undead bag-like body would be able to transport itself on a set of makeshift legs.

It was preferred over sharing a room with Mr. Hébert.

It was always one thing or another, wasn't it. It was said that love was the greatest of all virtues, but when that greatest of virtues could only be (but was frequently) expressed in a drunken stupor and accompanied by lurid descriptions practically designed to make the beloved's skin crawl, it was probably for the best that one decline that hideous, slightly greasy ticket.

It was, it was, it was: whatever, it was all miles behind her and Zombag now. She let the landlord have the .50 cal and ammo in exchange for her damage deposit; the weight would have slowed them down too much anyway.

They travelled mostly by night, sheltering in the hollowed-out houses by day. The nudibranchs' attack robots had perfect night vision, but they were also universally equipped with glowing red eyes that made them perfectly detectable in turn. As always, they seemed more interested in starting a fight than effectively killing or capturing anyone.

Earth was probably lucky to have its first interstellar war with such a foe. Unless, of course, it just meant weakening us for another... no, best not to think about that.

"Spidertank on our three!"

The shouts, gunshots and grenades of tonight were enough.

...

Only a small demonstration of my power, boasted the dark voice. So pathetic that your kind still believe that the dark æther is immune to human interference! Our pursuers shall be utterly lost for days, if they even survive; come, let us return to the temple and complete our task.

"Yes, O venerable one." He had been studying this artifact for years, and the creature trapped within it knew nothing of what he knew. It was quite straightforward to keep him trapped while accessing the power of the golden tablet, and his ship AI had enough mana to destroy the dark voice ten times over if it got out of control; but for now, he needed it to interpret. Soon, however, they will discover its secrets; soon, he will have no further need of it to take the power for himself.

Soon, she too shall belong to him, and him alone.