Background

Here is one of the longest-running freewrite community on the Hive blockchain. Although I have come across the community so many times before, it is only now that I am getting started with them.

The idea is to come up with a story, poem or any form of writing in five minutes on the prompt given. It is quite an exciting idea and tests our limits. So, I am going to give it a shot and hopefully continue for long. 😊

Check out today's prompt here.

The prompts can be read at the #freewriters or @mariannewest's blog page on Hive.

Prompt

Today's Daily Freewrite Prompt: grandpa's ranch

I wish to take the prompts and make a story which can stitch together. I want to make a novel or novella out of these writings.

Let's see how that pans out.

The Ravaging Droids – Day 3

The story continues from the previous freewrite. You can read it here.

Cleemberz, Andromeda Galaxy

"That's something we can try," Zlurt said much to the delight of Shlurk. The relaxation that followed in the chamber was apparent. There was at least one idea that Zlurt was happy with. "How do we go about the capture?"

"My warriors are stationed closest to the last attacked planet," Argon said, "I can mobilize them instantly."

"Have that initiated," Zlurt commanded.

Argon pressed on a few keys on his chair, and a holographic screen flickered to life in front of him. There were dots clustered across the screen, and Argon pulled few of the dots together and slid them across the screen to a spot where there were none. Argon's last touched place began to blink on the holographic screen while the clustered spots appeared to move towards it. He then typed in few commands on the screen. "Done. The warriors are on their way, and I have directed them to find at least one of the droids and bring it back."

*** Author's Note:*** Here is where my five minutes end. Couldn't use the prompt yet. So, writing further.

"That's good, Argon," Zlurt's sudden change of mood and expression lifted the twelve commanders' spirits. There was an indistinct chatter in the room where just a moment back no one dared to breathe. There indeed appeared a way forward. "What do we intend to do after the capture?"

The question brought back decorum as quickly as decorum had disappeared moments ago. Everyone looked at Argon and Shlurk as their suggestions started the discussion and action in the first place.

Shlurk could feel the heat of expectation and mumbled, "we can understand their structure and their programmed intent." A long silence followed. Shlurk wasn't sure if he had condemned himself at the hands of Zlurt or found salvation in his response. The wait continued.

"Hmm," Zlurt still had his back to the commanders while he gazed at the yellow coloured planet through the viewing screen, "I agree, Commander."

Shlurk had achieved salvation. That would be two in a row in the same council of war gathering. He had every reason to believe that the higher powers were on his side.

"But we need to be cautious," Zlurt continued, "the pace at which they destroyed the last planet, makes me wary of them."

"I have already cautioned my troops, Commander," Argon added, "we only intend to capture one. So, it should be a simpler task."

Zlurt found little merit in Argon's assumption. He remembered his ancestor's hacienda and the wisdom that he shared with him during his growing days. One particular day Zlurt was with his ancestor and came across a pack of howlers, the four-legged waif creatures. They were attacking the ancestor's pet grimalkin.

"I will attack one of the howlers with this stick," the child Zlurt told his ancestor, "the others will run away."

"Wait," the ancestor stopped him, "you assume that the one you intend to attack can't defend itself and you further assume that when you attack it, the others in the pack won't come after you."

That voice echoed in Zlurt's mind. Argon had taken a neophyte view of the entire situation.

"The droids are capable of destroying planets, so even one of them will be a strong foe. Besides, if they are a pack, then an attack on one may attract the others," Zlurt advised, "ask your warriors to take precautions. This could very well be one of the strongest foes that they would have encountered."

"Indeed, commander," Argon brought out the holographic screen once again. He punched furiously on his seat's armrest while Zlurt hoped that they could get some clue to what they were facing.

Image Courtesy: Pixabay