500 words. SF/H. Mild references to violence and tame cursing that would be heard on primetime television (maybe)... may not be suitable for young children, the easily offended and kind folk with pacemakers. 
Hoping to send this off to that Flashquake contest that's posted in Markets for Our Writing.
Readers/Crits welcomed -- I request a quick turnaround or reply due the the deadline fast approaching (one week away). Apologies for that -- I just wrote this last night.
***
Cornered, Vick Tanner knew he was done for.
Hideous, horrifying, the Skipe inched closer on scaly shanks, bulbous eyes flaring. It growled: the wretched sound loosening Tanner’s bowels. The creature’s mouth opened and rows of sharp teeth rippled within; yellow saliva dripped from its mandible and formed slimy pools on the dusty cave floor.
Tau Ceti Recon--bastards!--really screwed the pooch this time. “Secure” my ass, Tanner thought, between panicked breaths. How hard can it be to run a bloody scan?
***
Thanks!
[This message has been edited by HSO (edited February 08, 2005).]
Printer-friendly view of this topic
