The Twilight of Ares - Episode 1
A Microdose of Fiction Series
"Ten seconds. Hanger cleared."
He held his breath as plagued memories threatened to overwhelm him.
"Nine."
Private Gunnarsson saddled his rifle across his thighs.
"Eight."
Thankfully, his suit’s armor shielded the cursed thing's weight.
"Seven."
Gunnarsson flexed against the restraints, trying to maintain circulation.
"Six."
The infernal swarms drifted just beyond the ledge.
"Five."
The Ceres campaign was humanity's final gambit.
"Four."
Their shuttle trembled, and the impact resonance filled his helmet.
"Three."
The Agincourt’s railguns bellowed a response, their roar filling the air-mix atmosphere of the hanger. Soon, all would be silent.
"Two."
He exhaled.
"One."
“Release! God Speed.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author’s Note
Welcome to A Microdose of Fiction, a series of genre fiction micro-stories that offer you an exclusive glimpse into expansive worlds. Every week, new installments and stand-alone adventures, all under 101 words, will transport you to far-flung worlds.
Make sure to check out the most recent releases of the current series, The Final Expedition (launching Friday) and the Twilight of Ares, which will be pinned to my profile (linked here), and prepare to embark on a journey of imagination in bite-sized portions. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures to come!
The next episode of Twilight of Ares will drop on 6/5. Subscribe to get it delivered directly to your feed.
About the Creator
Matthew Fromm
Full-time nerd, history enthusiast, and proprietor of random knowledge. The best way to find your perfect story is to write it yourself.
Here there be dragons, and knights, and castles, and quests for entities not wishing to be found.
Keep reading
More stories from Matthew Fromm and writers in Fiction and other communities.
We'z Walking on a Path Ruled By Numbers
This road has felt endless, yet limited; every step tracked. Inching away along this path, I feel trapped. Confined. Left to this narrow passage that may one day amount to something greater. Time is not a concept. Only distance. From start to finish, I laugh and cry and attempt to convince myself that this is worth it. I cannot stray. I must keep going. Every step etched, is a step taken, is measured as more than before. I cannot even recall how I got here. Maybe I don’t even really exist. Just another tick marking off a perceived presence. Of what though? I am just another line drawn. Nothing more, nothing less.
By Oneg In The Arctic7 days ago in Fiction
Manjummel boys
The Manjummel Boys, also known as the Manjummel Marthoma Balika Samajam, is a unique social association grounded in the Manjummel area of Kochi, Kerala, India. innovated in 1948 byRev.M.C. George and a group of enthusiastic youthful men, the Manjummel Boys has since evolved into a prominent institution, devoted to the holistic development of the community,
By vinoth kumar2 days ago in Fiction
Her Majesty Mia and her minions
I rule this rag tag lot… they’re not much, but they’re all I’ve got! I preside at the head of the table, my indisputable, rightful place. But, I randomly perch on other chairs at a moment’s notice… whenever the mood strikes. Such fun keeping them off balance. Fun reminding them who’s boss... ME!
By Angie the Archivist 📚🪶3 days ago in Petlife
Comments (3)
Ooooh...why have I put this off for so long. This was great. Using word count for the countdown helped in build so much tension. Splendid and now set up for what looks to be a gripping adventure!
This is great, and I found myself doing the countdown outloud. Oh dear, what have you done to me. lol
Short and kinda suspenseful. Nice story Mr. Fromm. I'd be thrilled to publish any of your short stories on Ficspot.Com, a platform I recently launched specifically for engaging works of fiction.