5 Short Stories

By Stephen Brandon

Last weekend I was looking through my computer. Over the years I've written short stories on whatever subject that interested me at the moment. Here is a sample for you to enjoy.
In the properties of each file I found the earliest date recorded on my present computer and listed it. I included it for your information only. I only did minor editing to clean up the stories.
I only ask one thing. After you read these stories, please go to the end of the book and click on the link and let me know how you liked each story. A simple GOOD, BAD, TERRIBLE, QUIT POLLUTING THE INTERNET WITH E-BOOKS, or any other comment will let me know which type of stories you like. I don't aim to please, because I write for my enjoyment, whether you like them or not. However, I do listen and sometimes change my mind.
Back before I knew about e-books I took a writing course online. One of the questions asked was my goal to get published. Because I knew that the publishing houses controlled writers, I replied that I wanted to collect a thousand rejection slips. The instructor praised me for my attitude because she said that many aspiring writers gave up after rejections by the print publication houses. I failed because I only collected seven before I discovered online publishing at Smashwords. No use banging my head against a brick wall where someones else's preconceived ideas limit my freedom of expression.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen Brandon
• Release date: Aug 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311540003

Stephen Brandon

I've loved westerns and science fiction since I picked up my first book at the public library. I've been writing on my computer for years. I never planned on any of my stories being published, just to be read by myself, family, and friends. The base journal is on forty spreadsheets with links to about a thousand files of short one day paragraphs plus other stories. {My claim to fame, written by someone else. Thanks.} "As an earthbound retiree, Stephen writes mostly science fiction and short stories. He is a voracious reader and has written for a few years, publishing his stories on Smashwords."

Book preview

5 Short Stories

by Stephen Brandon

Copyright 2014 Stephen Brandon

Smashwords Edition

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Smashwords Edition License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

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Author's Note

This book is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, incidents, and dialogue are from the authors imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or other persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Real and fictional locations are used for background only.

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Comment by the author

Story 1 The Warriors Curse

Story 2 A Simple Battle Plan

Story 3 Self Defense

Story 4 The Artifact

Story 5 Extinct

About Stephen Brandon

Other books by Stephen Brandon

Connect with Stephen Brandon

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Acknowledgments

My wife has put up with me for over forty four years. Without her support and love I don't know who, what, or where I would be, so I thank her from the bottom of my heart!

I wish to thank a very smart young lady for proofing some of my stories for grammatical errors, thank you Rebecca White.

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Comment by the author

I only ask one thing. After you read these stories, please go to the end of the book and click on the link and let me know how you liked each story. A simple GOOD, BAD, TERRIBLE, QUIT POLUTING THE INTERNET WITH E-BOOKS, or any other comment will let me know which type of stories you like. I don't aim to please, because I write for my enjoyment, whether you like them or not. However, I do listen and sometimes change my mind.

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Story 1 The Warriors Curse

They dragged him from his hut and before the Captain of the attacking force. Lying of the ground, the one legged man struggled to sit up.

The guard put his foot in the old man's chest and shoved him flat.

The Captain said, Stand him up, give him a stick to lean on.

Once propped up and using both hands on the stick to steady himself the old man said, Our warriors are out hunting to feed the women and children you slaughtered this morning. So shall it be for your soldiers. While you wage war and pillage your women and children shall starve. The strength of your soldiers arms will be as the strength of a woman. For every innocent you slaughter, one of yours will die. I give this as a soldiers curse upon you and your men and their children.

The Captain in anger drew his knife and stabbed