Gabby tapped a finger on the holo-tab, scrolling through the checklist. She mumbled to herself to combat the interminable silence, “Done. Done. Done. Done.” Her shift was winding down, but she could squeeze in one more scan without a problem. Her team had been troubleshooting the anomalies for six shifts without a clue. Not one fritzed wire or crossed link, no cute little rodents sizzling in the circuits, or hideous viruses spewing garbled data.
“All systems operable,” the maintenance system announced. “Do you wish to proceed to level thirteen, mod seventy-four?”
“Not if I can help it,” she muttered, heading for the lift-port.
“Repeat,” the disembodied voice instructed.
“Yes. Mod seven four.”
“Proceed to the lift-port.”
“Obviously.” She pinched her fingers together in the air, minimizing the program. Trying to have a normal conversation with Opie, the ship’s original Operations AI, was like cooking with nutri-sims, the epitome of unsatisfying.
She hummed through the silence in the lift and exited on the thirteenth level – gray walls, gray floor, gray ceiling, same as every other level. Tracking the numbers on the doors, she strolled the corridor, the shipboard sounds muted, peaceful, sedate, boring. She’d just turned twenty-five, a fifth of her lifespan ticked off. Done. Done. Done. The thought of another hundred years of checklists punctuated by the same telebooks, revolving holofilms, and regurgitated musi-tunes tempted her to hack the entertainment database for some merciful sabotage.
At the panel to mod seventy-four, she punched the code into the slanted access plate, but the door didn’t budge.
“Greetings, Gabriela.” The pleasant voice of the modernized communications system chimed, breaking the ship’s silence.
“Hi, Darling.” The annoying name made her wince every time she said it.
“I’ve detected an anomaly. Do you still wish to enter?”
Gabby hesitated. She raised her hand and spread her fingers, opening Opie. “Safety analysis.”
“Perfectly safe,” Darling replied.
Opie ran through his data protocols. “Recommend initiating Safety Code SC-Six.”
“He’s a worrywart.” Darling sighed. “Of course, I understand if you’re anxious about missing the shift’s nutri-sim offering. Turkey and stuffing.”
“Open it.” The panel glided into the wall, and Gabby peeked in. At first glance, the mod’s interior appeared normal – a quietly blinking octagonal room, ten feet across, each gray wall dominated by a thin plasteel door that shielded the circuitry.
“Straight ahead,” Darling said.
“Don’t sound so giddy.” Gabby entered the mod and tapped the code from the plasteel door into Opie’s scanner.
The holo-tab blinked. “Anomaly detected.”
“How irritatingly repetitive.” Darling huffed. “Is he always like this?”
“Usually.”
“Well, are you going to open it?”
Gabby aimed her loc-key and hit the switch. The hidden pins clicked and the door released. She tugged it open and inhaled.
Beyond the gray portal the anomaly stretched forward in a rough passage constructed of actual stones and washed in gold and blue from the peculiar lights. At the end of the corridor, a cerulean brightness drew her eyes, a color seen only in images of a lost Terran sky. Yet neither sight could compete with the beauty of the sound. Beyond the elegant arches, voices and music soared, a sacred chant that welled in her chest, rose to her throat and caught in her lashes.
“Safety Code SC-Two Initiated,” Opie announced.
“Well, there you go,” Darling tsked. “He’s called security. You’re going to have to decide.”
“Decide?” Gabby stared down the length of the anomaly, the sapphire light and harmonies beckoning.
“To stay or go,” Darling whispered in her ear. “How much time do you have?”
“Seventy-three seconds,” Opie replied.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Opie,” Darling chided him. “One hundred years, Gabriela. You have a hundred years.”
Gabby stepped into the golden passage and closed the door behind her.
***
Many thanks to Sue Vincent of the Daily Echo for her #writephoto prompts that spark the imagination. She posts them on Thursdays. Join the fun!
Myths of the Mirror 
The “lost Terran sky” color sounds beautiful as seen through Gabby’s view. I would like to listen to the lovely, flowing music.
Diana, it was so interesting to show how the future technology could transport us including its effects upon our heightened senses. 🙂
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Thanks for reading my little story, Robin. It was a fun write with the different styles of AI’s. These flash pieces are quite fun. You might try one??
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Those A1’s get kind of bossy don’t they? Decisions, decisions. Good writing as usual, Diana. 😀 — Suzanne
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Yes, writing the personalities was really fun. Thanks for reading, Suzanne. I’m glad you enjoyed the story 🙂
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[…] Diana Wallace Peach at Myths of the Mirror […]
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but, but, but, … I want more …
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Hehehe. Nope. Just a tease, Joanne. That’s the fun of these. No pressure to figure out a whole story. Thanks for the visit!
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That was a wonderful take on the prompt, Diana! Happy Thanksgiving for tomorrow 🙂
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Thanks for the visit, Judy. I can turn anything into sci-fi/fantasy (lol). Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday -food, family, and friendship 🙂
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You always do it in such a creative way Diana.
I wish you all lots of joy and happiness this weekend 🙂
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❤
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I’ll have to try this sometime. 🙂
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They’re fun, Kev, and very freeing because you don’t need to worry about backstory or what comes next – just go for it. Reading all the creative variations is a blast too. 🙂
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[…] Fonte: Passage #Writephoto […]
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Thanks so much for sharing my little story 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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Reblogged this on Sue Vincent's Daily Echo.
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Thanks for the reblog, Sue. I took this photo on a little side trip 🙂
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I take most of mine that way 😉
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Nice. It’s one of the joys of writing.
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And of getting sidetracked 🙂
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Ha! Yes, indeed.
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Always love these D… 🙂
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Thanks, Michelle. This was a particularly fun one. Are you cooking today? Have a great Thanksgiving, my friend.
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You’re welcome, and nope… cooking tomorrow. A few guests coming, but not as many as we usually have. Hope you have a good Thanksgiving too!
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Fun flash fiction piece, Diana – I was addicted to sci-fi books so loved this; also brought me back to another era. I’ve always been fascinated by AI and the ‘characters’ they could become.Have a great Thanksgiving! 😀
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Thanks, Annika. I’m glad you enjoyed the trip to space 🙂 Photo prompts are quite a bit of fun. I’ll be cooking all day tomorrow (I’m in charge of appetizers and pies). Have a lovely week, my friend. ❤
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Wonderful short fiction! I love the Sci – fi futuristic setting with a side of turkey and dressing and the promise of 100 years 😀
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We’ll see what happens at the other end of the passage, Lana. No doubt the food will be better than simulated turkey! Thanks for the visit 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
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That’s true…The yet undocumented life on the other side. My turkey might not be much better than the simulated one, lol. Happy Thanksgiving to you also!
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Really good!
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Just silliness, Jennie, but a lot of fun to write – especially the AI’s. Thanks for reading 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
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You, too!
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My goodness, I’d love to know what happens next, but I see from the comments that it’s not going to happen. Looks like you had great fun writing this, Diana.
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Thanks for the visit, Hugh. Yeah, I’m furiously working on another series, so no time for a wandering imagination. Gotta stay focused! Promps are great fun though, as you know. 🙂
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Absolutely on both accounts, Diana. Most of my short stories come from writing prompts.
Have a great day.
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Ah, I loved this. Brilliant.
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Thanks, Frank. It was a bit of a stretch but just goes to show that any photo can turn into a scifi story 🙂 Have a great week and Happy Writing.
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Wow, very nice work, Diana. And the ‘seventy-three seconds’ was particularly chilling. You really put your imagination to work with this. 🙂
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Thanks, Steven. These flash pieces are fun and I actually find them pretty easy to write since I don’t have to worry about the larger context. Happy Thanksgiving. ❤
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That is the joy of flash pieces, and they are fun to write. And oh my, you do have such a rich imagination that I never know what to expect. Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Diana. 🙂
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You leave me with a huge smile!
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😀
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Wonderful flash fiction Diana. Again, I’m going to say it. . . possible makings of a new book? Lol. 🙂
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I don’t think so, Debby. One of the fun things about these is there’s no backstory and no next chapter. Easy little “flashes.” Thanks for the comment. Happy Writing.
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Of course that’s what makes them ‘flash’ fiction, doesn’t mean they’re not food for thought down the road, hmm? 🙂
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Ha ha. This old brain doesn’t work that way. An entire book has to appear all at once, start to end.
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Now that is interesting! 🙂
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Great flash fiction! I always love your stories, Diane. 🙂
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Thanks, Linda. These short ones are fun to write and I like the prompts. Hope you have a wonderful week 🙂
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Darlings can be so tempting! What a good story. I love all the details that bring us into the future but keep it grounded in now-reality. Turkey and stuffing nutri-sim. Yum!
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Thanks, Susanne. It was fun animating the AIs and making up words, and I hear simulated food is delicious! Happy Thanksgiving. 🙂
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If this is the result of going off the deep end… I sure hope it happens frequently for ya! I love it! 😉
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Thanks, the AIs starting showing off their personalities and I went with it. Glad you enjoyed the read. Hope your week is wonderful ❤
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Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving to you!
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Great story, Diana! The photo fits perfectly! 💛 Christine
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Thanks, Christine. I do enjoy these little flash pieces. Quick and fun. Have a great week, my friend.
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You too, Diana! Have a Happy Thanksgiving! 💛 CE
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Excellent!
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Thanks so much. I love these prompts. Glad you enjoyed the sci-fi adventure. 🙂 Have a great week.
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Thanks, Have a great Thanksgiving. 🙂
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I hope she got those hundred years after all 🙂 Love your story, Diana, sci-fi and fantasy are my favorite genres.
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Who knows, Inese. Maybe life is shorter on the otherside, but it will certainly be colorful and noisy. Thanks for reading my scifi take on the prompt. 🙂
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It is what I thought xx
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What a unique spin on the photo!
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I really stretched on that one! I can turn anything into scifi/fantasy, Kathryn. It’s part of the fun on these prompts. The stories are all so different 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving, my friend ❤
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Same to you Diana!
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I am no good with prompts, but you are the best! Great stuff!
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Thanks for the kind comment, Holly. Do the images you pair with your poems come before or after the poem? I figured you used some as prompts since their so perfect together.
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Afterward, Dee. I have never used a prompt to write anything. I don’t think it would be that easy for me, I am basically a very spontaneous writer, just in the moment.
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What fun, Diana! Great scene to go with the picture. And you left the story open for more Gabby adventures 😀
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I don’t know if she’ll be reappearing anytime soon, Julie. This was a hoot to write though. Part of the fun of these prompts is the wide range of story results. Thanks for the visit and Happy Thanksgiving 🙂
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What a great way to take the visual prompt. Definitely not what I expected just from the picture. Well done.
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Thanks, Matt. I went a little off the deep end. Just goes to show that anything can be turned into scifi/fantasy! Thanks for the visit. Happy Thanksgiving.
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I love that line. Anything can be turned into scifi/fantasy. It’s so true.
Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
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You set up the story perfectly. The coldness of present reality contrasting to the softness of the undiscovered. Brava!
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Thanks, Bernadette. It was a bit on the silly side, but great fun. Thanks for reading and Happy Thanksgiving!
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I loved the story Diana…creativity is indeed a rare gift! 🙂 This picture is so tempting to explore within… the treasury of words!
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I’ve been reading some of the other stories people have written from this photo and they’re all so different!!! That’s one of the really fun things about these challenges. Thanks for reading, Balroop, and have a great week ❤
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It was a fun read. True, some can’t wait for turkey and stuffing, like my husband. I swear he is drooling just by thinking of it.
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I’m sure what you serve up isn’t simulated turkey, Bridget. 😀 Thanks for reading and Happy Thanksgiving to you both!
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A fabulous, creative story, Diana. Loved every bit of it and Gabby made the right choice!
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Thanks for reading, Noelle. I think Gabby made the right choice too. She’d had it with nutri-sim Thanksgiving!
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Perfectly matched words for the picture. I love your creative mind, Diana. Enjoy our day. 🙂
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I had to stretch a bit to make the photo work in my sci-fi/fantasy brain, Mary, but it was fun. Have a lovely week ❤
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I wouldn’t expect anything different. 🙂
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Ooh, very good. 🙂
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Thanks, Richard 🙂 Sort of goofy, but fun to write.
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I liked it.
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