Zychi III had
devastating
indigo skies which
word has it
even a black hole
looked at so covetously
it created a counterfeit world
a replica that a survey crew
saw
before their transmission choked off
After the cull you ordered, the crimson ripples left a legacy
of naked elegance.
The bars of what once was a playground
shared by humans and Sakrnachs
Now, stand off like a sentinel that knows, somehow, he has failed.
In some corporate files from Raschke-Tsumemasa Horizons
– albeit a redacted version –
There’s a synopsis of your work
as an overseer
for their biological weapons lab.
The Council thought you were an unassuming
academic.
All they lost were their offices –
At least, as far as I know.
Under the Charter of the Fifth Age,
there may be a secret penalty for
dereliction.
All I know is
I was given amnesty
and the Seal of the Guardians
of Dovk’E Prime.
I find myself puzzling-
did you think the Baroque Wilderness
beyond the Lost Frontier
would be refuge?
Well, it won’t matter
if you manage to make it to the plains of Au’ Tramat
Even the Bloodstained Underbrush
from the war of Ur Shen ‘Tar
with its picturesque wreckage
will look at you as
contemptible.
I’ve been commissioned to find you.
Atrophy is for the playground
Oxidation that soaks into what you obliterated
just recognize
atrophy is for those who think the book is closed on you
Atrophy is your spawn
your false sense of security
My mission brief is disavowed.
The only vow
that matters
is this-
You’ll be spared a trial.
So, here’s a combined 2nd person/persona bit. Guess it’s either a prose poem, or flash fiction, which ever you prefer~
A sci-fi story, written with some conlang in it. More or less inspired by the classic Star Trek episode, “Conscience of the King” –
Trent! I think “A Promise for the Fugitive” needs to be made into a major motion picture! You manage to pack so much suspense, intrigue, and world building into this piece! I wouldn’t have thought that a short poetic line would be so conducive to communicating a sci-fi narrative, but it works! These opening stanzas give us the murder of a survey crew and the image of a false world with those saturated skies of blue! (and that black hole being covetous! Oooh!)
Zychi III had
devastating
indigo skies which
word has it
even a black hole
looked at so covetously
it created a counterfeit world
a replica that a survey crew
saw
before their transmission choked off
We get the crime, and then it deepens into a threat: the fugitive, evil overseer of biological weapons, will be pursued to the death! Into the Baroque Wilderness, through the Bloodstained Underbrush (from the war of Ur Shen ‘Tar)—I love all the details, and I love the passion and righteousness of the speaker’s promise. I wonder, too, whether there’s a specific reason (beyond basic decency and indignation) for the speaker’s passionate avowal that “You’ll be spared a trial.”
Thank you for sharing this piece!
My best,
Wendy