Thomas Charles Henry

The place where my writing lives.

Astra – Friday Fictioneers

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Thomas Charles Henry

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Time for another Friday Fictioneers entry. The challenge is to write 100 words based on a weekly photo prompt chosen by our host Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Check out her blog for more information by clicking here. Thank you in advance to all who take the time to read, like or comment.

2016 04 15

PHOTO PROMPT © Kent Bonham

Astra

Astra stood amidst the ruins of another civilization. At her feet lay the architect of doom: a perfectly preserved tome, filled with strange and wonderful hieroglyphics. Stories of creation, love and forgiveness no doubt. Beautiful. Deadly in the wrong hands. She struggled to lift it. Gravity was stronger here than she was used to.

Astra believed in God, or rather Gods. Every planet home to intelligent life that she had visited contained evidence to support the existence of higher powers. Perhaps a translation of this latest discovery would bring her closer to achieving her goal: Find them. Make them pay.

37 responses to “Astra – Friday Fictioneers”

  1. oldentimes Avatar
    oldentimes

    Not sure what set Astra off, but I would not like to be one of the Gods if she finds the key.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      She’s not one to be messed with! Thanks for reading!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Thom,

    The ending makes me think that Astra has some kind of axe to grind with the higher power. Well written.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Dear Rochelle,

      She’s just your average badass space adventurer with abandonment issues! All my main characters have been male so far so it was nice to mix things up. Glad you enjoyed it.

      Thom

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      Reply
  3. wmqcolby Avatar
    wmqcolby

    This planet is now posted property — “KEEP OUT! Nothing to see here.” Interesting tale.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks for reading! I often wonder how many planets out there are or were home to life. Then I have to stop thinking about it because my head hurts!

      Like

      Reply
      1. wmqcolby Avatar
        wmqcolby

        Trust me, it WILL hurt. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

  4. IfeomaO Avatar
    IfeomaO

    That is a large axe to grind considering the Astra are the five greek gods of the wandering planets- and if that ain’t it, then I wish her all the best with her conquest 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Good spot Ifeoma! I do enjoy using a name with multiple meanings! In this case I liked the irony of a lead character possessing a ‘godly’ name whilst on a mission to bring gods to justice. Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. IfeomaO Avatar
        IfeomaO

        Interesting juxtaposition indeed 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    Astra might be biting off a bit more than she can chew here. Good one.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      She’s certainly set herself one heck of a challenge. Thanks for reading Sandra.

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      Reply
  6. Joy Pixley Avatar
    Joy Pixley

    Loved this! I’m rooting for Astra on this one — and now that she has the book, even more so.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Hi Joy. Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    According to Terry Pratchet, the surest way to make the higher powers pay is to stop believing in them, Apparently lack of prayers make them shrive;

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Sound logic from Mr Pratchet Neil! I think Astra has too much of a chip on her shoulder to go for it though!

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      Reply
  8. Carol J Forrester Avatar
    Carol J Forrester

    This sounds like the plot to a novel I would love to read. Great idea for a story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks for the feedback Carol -I’ll keep it in mind. The idea came to me in a flash of inspiration after seeing the photo prompt. It isn’t a character or genre I’ve used before so I have no idea what would happen in a longer story or novel. I’ll be sure to give the matter some thought though. I really enjoyed writing it, glad you enjoyed reading it.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    I love the set up and the twist at the end. Very good. Not at all what I expected.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you Margaret. Glad you enjoyed it!

      Like

      Reply
  10. petrujviljoen Avatar
    petrujviljoen

    Glad I’m not the only one who has many question to ask god or the gods should I happen to bump into any one of them. Lovely story! Reminds of Greek/Roman mythology.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. d3athlily Avatar
    d3athlily

    Oh wow! That took an unexpected turn at the end. Damn the gods. 😂 I may share Astra’s sentiment sometimes.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    I’ll be cheering for Astra. This was a great setup with an unexpected twist. And I agree with other commenters, this would make a great longer story.

    Like

    Reply
  13. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    This was great Thom… Good luck to Astra.. though she may have bitten off more than she can chew…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Dale. She has certainly taken on a challenge!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Josslyn Rae Turner Avatar
    Josslyn Rae Turner

    Deadly in the wrong hands, ha! The ending made me curse aloud. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Josslyn. Glad you enjoyed it.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Josslyn Rae Turner Avatar
        Josslyn Rae Turner

        You’re welcome. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  15. spicedmullings Avatar
    spicedmullings

    Seems she is seeking to blame the higher power for her mistakes. Very human tendency. Just like Adam!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Very human indeed. She’s a deeply conflicted character. All of my favourite ones are! Thank you for reading and commenting.

      Like

      Reply
  16. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    Tell the gods to Increase the gravity quickly, so she can’t take it way. If not Astra will take me on a journey. Great kick at the end

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      I admit Astra doesn’t seem entirely well equipped to take on the gods when she struggles with a bit of extra gravity! I originally included a sentence where she adjusts the life support settings on her space suit to combat the gravity but this had to be axed due to the word count! Thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed it.

      Like

      Reply
  17. Dreamer of Dreams Avatar
    Dreamer of Dreams

    Creatively conceived story, Thom! I like that she is named after the five children of Eos and Astraios. I also like that she is accidentally named after the Hindu supernatural weapon, the “astra,” of which there are many kinds.
    She is a weapon of vengeance!
    What does she have against the gods? Okay, I don’t need an answer.
    Great idea!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      The Hindu supernatural weapon element was a complete accident. I’m delighted with the way it turned out though. Thank you for telling me!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dreamer of Dreams Avatar
        Dreamer of Dreams

        You’re most welcome!

        Liked by 1 person

  18. wildchild47 Avatar
    wildchild47

    Lovely twist at the end! Leaves one thinking about the need for vengeance, considering the tone set before the reader is rather more “loving” and considered in open-minded awareness. Wonderful read 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you for this great comment. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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