He took stock of his supplies: water, crackers, cheese, even beer.  And all because of this food replicator, he thought as he patted the alien machine.

A wave bobbed the metal raft and the machine slipped off.  With a thwurp, it disappeared into the depths of the water world the astronaut had crash landed on.

Microfiction in 55 Words

“You find a match?” the martian asked.

The ambassador fiddled with her hair.  ”Yes.  It’s me.  I have the genetic marker.”  She laughed nervously.  ”I’m your royal blood.”

Which meant humans had every legal right to remain on Earth.

“Thank you,” the martian said with a disdainful smile.  And promptly shot her through the head.

Microfiction in 55 Words

Flashes of light dotted the surface of Earth, increasing in frequency at an alarming pace.  People stood frozen on the moon base, watching the devastation below.

“Well,” a man said, easing back in his chair.  ”At least we know the button works up here, too.”

The president and the general glared at the nuclear technician.

Microfiction in 55 Words

“I remember everything else: her voice, her hair, how she walked.”  The special forces solider paced the hospital room.  ”But I can’t remember her face.”

The Colonel watched sadly, remembering his own painful revelation.  ”You don’t have a wife, Sergeant.  You can’t remember her face because the explosion damaged your hard drive.”

Microfiction in 55 Words