The younger human children are as quiet as they can manage; the older human children plan strategy, whisper orders, observe their competitors' movements. Packet is a game of stealth and cunning. Here it is played by young from nine different races, amongst the short trees of the Red Forest; it is also played with starships.
The Association operates on a strict racial class system. Such considerations are theoretically relaxed on Makelay Colony for the special occasion of the Three Moon Games. Even so: the Vylid hatchlings are supposed to win. It is a thing that is understood.
Not this time.
Well of course the Vylid hatchlings are supposed to win. I got the memo. Who do these upstarts think they are anyway???
ReplyDeleteVery Robert Asprin. I'd seriously give this a gold medal. Very well done!
Thank you so much! :-)
ReplyDeleteVery mysterious. Love the last line. Leaves you asking, "And....thennnn what?!" And love the setting!
ReplyDeleteThank you :-) The setting is one of two SF 'universes' I've been fleshing out to use in my writing. It's actually the one I've used least so far, and it's proving fun to play in.
DeleteThis sounds sooo much like the opening paragraph to a much bigger story. I love the tension you've already created in the first 100 words!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading more about this particular game of Packet. You built in quite a bit of tension and foreshadowing here. I like that!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Wisper and TMW :-)
ReplyDeleteLoved it! Hatchlings seem like things that can go either way - evil or good. On the one hand, a hatchling might be some creepy bug sort of deal that only agrees not to eat you because you're useful. On the other hand, a hatchling might be a noble flying species that is a benevolent (if somewhat supercilious) guardian. So many options!
ReplyDeleteThe Vylid are sort of a middle-management species in this oppressive interstellar corporate state I call 'The Association'. I tend to picture them as flightless avians, with a long skull and a sallow yellow coloring.
ReplyDeletevery intriguing game. Love that last line. It completely sucks you into the story!
ReplyDeleteThank you Carrie and NC Narrator for reading! :-)
Delete"Not this time" sounds like anything could happen. Sounds intriguing. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :-) I had it in my head that it was the kids exhorting themselves to win, but you're right: it could be anything!
ReplyDeleteWow! There's a lot packed into this drabble!
ReplyDeleteI was afraid it would be too 'expositiony'. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. :-)
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