Welcome to the universe's longest running Elite Dangerous Drabble contest. We need your help and ask that you vote for 3 drabbles from this selection of treats. Choose wisely, choose carefully and choose the 3 and only the 3 you think are the best. The winner will be awarded the crown of drabbles and will proudly wear this imaginary item for a whole week whilst they bask in the glory of success.
A drabble is a short story of exactly 100 words and this week's topic was chosen by Sneevus who won last week with an excellent drabble. The drabbles must be set in the Elite Dangerous universe and have to be based on the topic stated.
To help make your mind up we strongly suggest that you listen to the wonderful Psykokow who streams a live Drabble show every Friday at 7pm UK time featuring all of this week's drabbles. Simply head to www.twitch.tv/psykokow and join in the fun.
If you fancy having a go next week then check back on Monday in the main drabble thread https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5777 and jump to the end pages to join in the fun.
01 - Ian Phillips - Opening negotiations.
The building's facade was a copy of an old style, itself a copied from an ancient Terran culture. Ornate carvings atop columns guarded the entrance. The doors were modern though and irised open for them.
Inside the decor was simpler, richly but subtly coloured, absorbing sound as they walked across the deep carpet.
They were guided through the foyer and led to a set of rooms off to one side of the restaurant.
Doors swung open to reveal an exclusive dining room.
Their host rose, "How nice of you to accept my invitation".
"How could we possibly refuse, Don Antonaci?"
02 - Erik Marcaigh - Old Age and Treachery will Overcome Youth and Enthusiasm
With the pirates out fighting for control of Wolf 359, the Hutton Orbital Truckers' "Catering and Special Ops Team" landed at Powell High and made a beeline for their pirate bar, "The Ample Booty". Convincing the barkeep that the CODE actually requested catering took some credits, ale, and food.
Commander Vingtetun looked around at the spread and nodded approvingly, "Alien, deliver the message."
Alien nodded and was soon in the conflict zone flying a neutral Hauler. Commander Deathlock, scourge of the skies and precocious pirate received the electronic invitation.
Hours later, pirates were mass locked around the toilets, admitting defeat.
03 - Frank - Planetary Landings
He stared down at the landscape from his vantage point atop a high cliff. The trees and river looked shrunken. The low-hanging mist gave the panorama an ethereal quality. He had friends who had jumped from here before. He could hear their voices now, "Come on! Do it. Just step off the ledge."
Off he stepped. He felt the wind whistle upwards, but he was so far from the ground he couldn't sense the speed of his fall. He stretched out his fabric wings to catch the updraft. With a few flaps he rose up to where his friends floated.
04 - Moose666 - Drinks with the senator?
"You are cordially invited..."
The invite was certainly impressive, gold trimmed and decorated in that artsy fashion that screamed "RICH IMPERIAL!".
The hand delivery by an imperial slave was an impressive touch, considering that Borasetani was in alliance space, quite a way from even the edges of imperial control.
He was certainly surprised though, considering that business with Viscount Gray a while ago.
"Officially, you'll be a fugitive" Patreus had said to him, "Unofficially, we're glad that you iced that paedo."
First dibs on the Viscount's clipper wasn't something to sneeze at, reward wise.
Still, *cordially* invited, sounds rather... alcoholic.
05 - Galactic Midden - Revenge is a dish best served cold
Reading her Vulture's HUD, Rapier mouthed the seductive words as if savouring spoonfuls of Wicklebeet, a chilled delicacy now extinct just like her homeworld. Thoughts of her home massacred clouded her mood and she spat. "Who do they think I am, some filthy assassin desperate for coin?"
The comms crackled open and a chorus of voices sang aloud, "Commander Rapier, we know you are there, she who dare; we know who you are, death from afar."
"Damn those minstrel monks" cursed the huntress.
"Proposition for you, shoot fast and true"
"What's your offer?" Rapier sighed resignedly.
"A treat, revenge Wicklebeet..."
06 - Simoof - You are cordially invited to an ultimate night. For one commander at least anyway.
The nav-beacon took the Cobra directly to the final space, completing the circle of 12.
The coms sparked to life.
"You all came, good, good".
The voice was cold, sinister and welshish.
something *popped* in the console, smoke. Engines offline.
"You will find your ships are not going anywhere soon so listen"
"One of you betrayed me"
*pop* - shields offline.
"It will only take 2 shots to destroy your ship"
*POP* - everything offline - no! - coms online - weapons charging in 5 minutes.
"I suggest you use the next 5 minutes to work out whose guilty. You each will have 1 shot."
07 - cleonymus - Especially for You
Commander, may we express out thanks for your choice of ship from the shipyards of Faulcon DeLacy.
As a valued customer we would like to invite you to a special event where you will have the opportunity to view latest addition to our range of vehicles, the awesome new Viper Mk IV.
Additionally you will be able to order from our new range of paint jobs to customise your current vehicle and as a special thank you we will give you the chance to win an exclusive bobblehead.
To unsubscribe from these marketing messages simply activate your spacecrafts auto destruct.
08 - Hober Mallow - 50 Shades of Drabble - The Invitation
Well, what could I say? An invitation like this just held me for a few moments, heavy breathing, how could I turn this down? It got me excited, beyond my wildest dreams, it tantalised my senses and made me yearn for what it could offer.
The offer was so strong, the words used were so descriptive, so intimate, I couldn’t believe my luck, this was my chance, I never knew I could get this kind of interaction so deep.... into space.
I only had one chance to take this, but alas it cut me off before I could finish bulletin….
09 - Edith The Hutt(on Mug) - And now a word from our sponsors:
Lithe, sweat-covered dancers dressed in body glitter and sunglasses gyrate in the background while our host enters from screen right.
"Hey Commanders! Do you like to party? Then grab some meat and haul your Asp down to Bacon City in Carnoeck! The party's wild and you're all invited! Bring your meat to Bacon City now!"
The preceding advert was paid for by the Carnoeck Party Party, reasonable prices paid for all goods delivered, party may be over by the time you receive this message, please deliver all illicit cargo to Osgood's Perfectly Legal Emporium, third on the right before customs.
10 - MrMogadon- If You Think You've Got Anything Better To Do - Forget It
Time is short and soon your existence will be at an end.
Gone.
Truly, totally and absolutely, gone.
All strife ultimately rendered futile by the inescapable fact that the fuels powering the suns will eventually be consumed and they, like all life, will have to bow to the inevitability of death’s cold embrace.
If this hits your buttons or you’re just bi-curious, come on down to Club Margarita Level 3, this Friday 8pm, for the 10th Annual Nihilist Society mixer evening. Bowling, Wet Shroud Competition. 2-4-1 Cocktails and much, much more.
Girls drink free ‘til 10pm.
R.S.V.P.
G Reaper (allexistenceisfutile@gmail.cmo)
11 - Goose4291- The Start of the Golden Age
“The Senate itself had been in debate for less than a day before coming to its decision, with the traditionalists, comprising of an unlikely coalition of the Chancellor Blaine, Senators Patreus, Torval and their supporters, sweeping away the opposition from the radical reformers who’s political dreams were focused on the Princess Aisling, her blue haired entourage loud and uncouth in the most hallowed halls of government as they waited for the result.
When the moment came, Senator Lavigny-Duval gracefully accepted the invitation of the Sentate and assumed her birthright.”
From ‘The Chronicle of Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval’ by the Scriba Dejunus
12 - Sneevus - Strong signal source.
The signal from the asteroid below was identical to the recording he'd obtained.
It had to be Thargoid, that old pirate was right!
Landing close to the source, the strange remains of a derelict structure
beckoned to him through the cockpit glass.
How long had it waited undisturbed? What secrets lay within?
Checking his helmet, he ran down the ship's ramp, eager to see what
awaited.
He never felt the landmine. The blast travelled faster than nerves could fire.
"Arr, you sends out invitations, people come to you.
Now go get the tools, t'is your turn to 'otwire the ship."
A drabble is a short story of exactly 100 words and this week's topic was chosen by Sneevus who won last week with an excellent drabble. The drabbles must be set in the Elite Dangerous universe and have to be based on the topic stated.
To help make your mind up we strongly suggest that you listen to the wonderful Psykokow who streams a live Drabble show every Friday at 7pm UK time featuring all of this week's drabbles. Simply head to www.twitch.tv/psykokow and join in the fun.
If you fancy having a go next week then check back on Monday in the main drabble thread https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5777 and jump to the end pages to join in the fun.
01 - Ian Phillips - Opening negotiations.
The building's facade was a copy of an old style, itself a copied from an ancient Terran culture. Ornate carvings atop columns guarded the entrance. The doors were modern though and irised open for them.
Inside the decor was simpler, richly but subtly coloured, absorbing sound as they walked across the deep carpet.
They were guided through the foyer and led to a set of rooms off to one side of the restaurant.
Doors swung open to reveal an exclusive dining room.
Their host rose, "How nice of you to accept my invitation".
"How could we possibly refuse, Don Antonaci?"
02 - Erik Marcaigh - Old Age and Treachery will Overcome Youth and Enthusiasm
With the pirates out fighting for control of Wolf 359, the Hutton Orbital Truckers' "Catering and Special Ops Team" landed at Powell High and made a beeline for their pirate bar, "The Ample Booty". Convincing the barkeep that the CODE actually requested catering took some credits, ale, and food.
Commander Vingtetun looked around at the spread and nodded approvingly, "Alien, deliver the message."
Alien nodded and was soon in the conflict zone flying a neutral Hauler. Commander Deathlock, scourge of the skies and precocious pirate received the electronic invitation.
Hours later, pirates were mass locked around the toilets, admitting defeat.
03 - Frank - Planetary Landings
He stared down at the landscape from his vantage point atop a high cliff. The trees and river looked shrunken. The low-hanging mist gave the panorama an ethereal quality. He had friends who had jumped from here before. He could hear their voices now, "Come on! Do it. Just step off the ledge."
Off he stepped. He felt the wind whistle upwards, but he was so far from the ground he couldn't sense the speed of his fall. He stretched out his fabric wings to catch the updraft. With a few flaps he rose up to where his friends floated.
04 - Moose666 - Drinks with the senator?
"You are cordially invited..."
The invite was certainly impressive, gold trimmed and decorated in that artsy fashion that screamed "RICH IMPERIAL!".
The hand delivery by an imperial slave was an impressive touch, considering that Borasetani was in alliance space, quite a way from even the edges of imperial control.
He was certainly surprised though, considering that business with Viscount Gray a while ago.
"Officially, you'll be a fugitive" Patreus had said to him, "Unofficially, we're glad that you iced that paedo."
First dibs on the Viscount's clipper wasn't something to sneeze at, reward wise.
Still, *cordially* invited, sounds rather... alcoholic.
05 - Galactic Midden - Revenge is a dish best served cold
Reading her Vulture's HUD, Rapier mouthed the seductive words as if savouring spoonfuls of Wicklebeet, a chilled delicacy now extinct just like her homeworld. Thoughts of her home massacred clouded her mood and she spat. "Who do they think I am, some filthy assassin desperate for coin?"
The comms crackled open and a chorus of voices sang aloud, "Commander Rapier, we know you are there, she who dare; we know who you are, death from afar."
"Damn those minstrel monks" cursed the huntress.
"Proposition for you, shoot fast and true"
"What's your offer?" Rapier sighed resignedly.
"A treat, revenge Wicklebeet..."
06 - Simoof - You are cordially invited to an ultimate night. For one commander at least anyway.
The nav-beacon took the Cobra directly to the final space, completing the circle of 12.
The coms sparked to life.
"You all came, good, good".
The voice was cold, sinister and welshish.
something *popped* in the console, smoke. Engines offline.
"You will find your ships are not going anywhere soon so listen"
"One of you betrayed me"
*pop* - shields offline.
"It will only take 2 shots to destroy your ship"
*POP* - everything offline - no! - coms online - weapons charging in 5 minutes.
"I suggest you use the next 5 minutes to work out whose guilty. You each will have 1 shot."
07 - cleonymus - Especially for You
Commander, may we express out thanks for your choice of ship from the shipyards of Faulcon DeLacy.
As a valued customer we would like to invite you to a special event where you will have the opportunity to view latest addition to our range of vehicles, the awesome new Viper Mk IV.
Additionally you will be able to order from our new range of paint jobs to customise your current vehicle and as a special thank you we will give you the chance to win an exclusive bobblehead.
To unsubscribe from these marketing messages simply activate your spacecrafts auto destruct.
08 - Hober Mallow - 50 Shades of Drabble - The Invitation
Well, what could I say? An invitation like this just held me for a few moments, heavy breathing, how could I turn this down? It got me excited, beyond my wildest dreams, it tantalised my senses and made me yearn for what it could offer.
The offer was so strong, the words used were so descriptive, so intimate, I couldn’t believe my luck, this was my chance, I never knew I could get this kind of interaction so deep.... into space.
I only had one chance to take this, but alas it cut me off before I could finish bulletin….
09 - Edith The Hutt(on Mug) - And now a word from our sponsors:
Lithe, sweat-covered dancers dressed in body glitter and sunglasses gyrate in the background while our host enters from screen right.
"Hey Commanders! Do you like to party? Then grab some meat and haul your Asp down to Bacon City in Carnoeck! The party's wild and you're all invited! Bring your meat to Bacon City now!"
The preceding advert was paid for by the Carnoeck Party Party, reasonable prices paid for all goods delivered, party may be over by the time you receive this message, please deliver all illicit cargo to Osgood's Perfectly Legal Emporium, third on the right before customs.
10 - MrMogadon- If You Think You've Got Anything Better To Do - Forget It
Time is short and soon your existence will be at an end.
Gone.
Truly, totally and absolutely, gone.
All strife ultimately rendered futile by the inescapable fact that the fuels powering the suns will eventually be consumed and they, like all life, will have to bow to the inevitability of death’s cold embrace.
If this hits your buttons or you’re just bi-curious, come on down to Club Margarita Level 3, this Friday 8pm, for the 10th Annual Nihilist Society mixer evening. Bowling, Wet Shroud Competition. 2-4-1 Cocktails and much, much more.
Girls drink free ‘til 10pm.
R.S.V.P.
G Reaper (allexistenceisfutile@gmail.cmo)
11 - Goose4291- The Start of the Golden Age
“The Senate itself had been in debate for less than a day before coming to its decision, with the traditionalists, comprising of an unlikely coalition of the Chancellor Blaine, Senators Patreus, Torval and their supporters, sweeping away the opposition from the radical reformers who’s political dreams were focused on the Princess Aisling, her blue haired entourage loud and uncouth in the most hallowed halls of government as they waited for the result.
When the moment came, Senator Lavigny-Duval gracefully accepted the invitation of the Sentate and assumed her birthright.”
From ‘The Chronicle of Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval’ by the Scriba Dejunus
12 - Sneevus - Strong signal source.
The signal from the asteroid below was identical to the recording he'd obtained.
It had to be Thargoid, that old pirate was right!
Landing close to the source, the strange remains of a derelict structure
beckoned to him through the cockpit glass.
How long had it waited undisturbed? What secrets lay within?
Checking his helmet, he ran down the ship's ramp, eager to see what
awaited.
He never felt the landmine. The blast travelled faster than nerves could fire.
"Arr, you sends out invitations, people come to you.
Now go get the tools, t'is your turn to 'otwire the ship."
