Stopwatch Stories vol 7: Stopwatch Stories, #7

By M Todd Gallowglas

The seventh installment of the Stopwatch Stories collection of flash fiction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bard's Cloak of Tales
• Release date: Nov 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386187561

Book preview

HOMECOMING

They traveled across the black of space to greet the species that sent the little craft looking for other life in the universe. When they reached the craft’s planet of origin, it was teeming with life, only, nothing sentient. After searching through the data left by the intelligent life that once inhabited this planet, they’d pushed the planet beyond its capacity to provide resources. Feeling a need for symmetry, they turned the Voyager craft into a little shrine at its place of origin, the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Taking off, they marked down yet another species whose understanding of science and technology had outpaced its empathy, compassion, and understanding of cause and effect.

WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?

Gamlin the dwarf and Logiss the elf sat at their favorite table after a long day of dungeon raiding, drinking and enjoying the spoils of their exploits.

Friend dwarf, Logiss said. Dost thou see yon three maidens?

Gamlin looked to where his companion gestured.

The lovely elven lasses? Gamlin asked.

Indeed, Logiss said. I think they have a fancy for thee. I have overheard them speaking in the elven tongue and the massive mane upon thy chin intrigues them greatly. They are wondering where else thou mayest have such another mane.

Truly?

Indeed, verily.

Well, the dwarf said, taking a long draw off his tankard, wouldn’t want their curiosity to plague them for too long.

Setting his tankard on the table, Gamlin made his way to the three fair elven maidens. The next moment, one of the maidens emptied her drink upon Gamlin’s head and another gave him a swift kick to his backside. Logiss howled with laughter as his friend returned to their table. Though Gamlin said nothing, every man in the tavern understood the unspoken promise of vengeance in the dwarf’s scowling glare.

LATEST HEADLINES

Mass Hysteria as the Northern Lights Move from the Arctic to Hawaii!

Death Toll Still Climbing from the Reversal of the Moon’s Orbit!

Cancer Eradicated!!! People Rejoice as Scientists Try to Determine How!

Galactic President’s Sons Arrested for

Changing Laws of Physics on

World with Primitive Inhabitants!

DUTY STATION

Captain George Addams sat on an empty ammo