the transmissions

6 min readJan 18, 2016

the transmissions is an organic story told in 100 word episodes. The story is an experiment combining the elements of flash fiction with those of epic sci-fi and fantasy. It is set in a distant future, and told in the voice of a man everyone calls ‘Left’.

All the transmissions are available in one volume on Kindle. Buy it now.

Episode list:

transmission #001

It starts here. My first transmission. It feels strange talking to this device implanted in my wrist. I guess if…

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transmission #002

They are calling me ‘Left’. They refuse to use the name I gave them. I think for them it’s some kind of a joke. It…

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transmission #003

I’m free to walk around now. The building is like any other in the city, although I had never been to this part before…

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transmission #004

LEAVE US ALONE! I see it everywhere. Sprayed on walls and on the sides of the tallest towers. Not that these graffiti…

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transmission #005

There’s this kind of transcendental lunacy within the community. Everyone’s gone into a frenzy, tattooing TWS on their…

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transmission #006

They are harmless. Their big plan is to bring together all their people, even those from the other cities — in fact…

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transmission #007

An explosion, late last night. The building shook and initially everyone screamed earthquake. By first light we saw a…

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transmission #008

They came at us within hours of the explosion. After being released, they demolished the maximum security prison where…

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transmission #009

They’ve rigged all street level entrances with explosives. Gave us an ultimatum to open up and let them in or they’ll…

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transmission #010

There’s disagreement within the group. Many are in favour of calling the ex-cons’ bluff, but many more others don’t…

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transmission #011

We’ve surrendered. Opened the floodgates to let the ex-cons in. They’ve established themselves within the building…

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transmission #012

Alone, I lie locked up in this room, waiting, with nothing to do but heal and plan. I also have time to contemplate my…

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transmission #013

The ex-cons leader introduced himself as the duke. An unimpressive man, which scares me. Ordered his subjects to tie my…

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transmission #014

After three days and three more visits I feel it’s time to make a move. My bruises are healed and I’ve been keeping…

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transmission #015

Took the duke hostage after killing his two babysitters. Freed our men, then locked the disarmed ex-cons in. Did this…

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transmission #016

In an unexpected turn of events, they’re now looking up to me as if I was a white knight. Tried backing off, tried hard…

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transmission #017

The search parties came back late last night. They were quite lucky. You cannot believe what a city of 5 million people…

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transmission #018

We need transport if we’re going to get out of here. Two options. Gobi is closest, 170 leagues east. 320 leagues to the…

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transmission #019

A vote was cast. Decca was chosen. Now all that remains is finding an aircarrier in good shape. I’m heading to the…

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transmission #020

We reached the airhub a few hours after daybreak. Everything is still. I’m finding it difficult to adapt to this…

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transmission #021

It was a trap. The duke’s men gave no quarter. Surrounded us, killed two, then lined us up. Asked the last man where…

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transmission #022

Jule and Isam, the two that escaped with me, are still under shock. Seeing their friends executed in cold blood was a…

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transmission #023

What we found when we reached the others — I’ve come to like these people and what the ex-cons did to them is ugly…

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transmission #024

We lined the dead bodies in the street, then burned them. It was the best we could do. Got dark by the time we finished…

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transmission #025

Went looking for a trail, for some hint. When we found nothing, we crawled slowly inwards. One of the communicators…

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transmission #026

It took some convincing, but finally they all agree.

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transmission #027

It should take us three full nights to reach the northern exit. Although there’s no time to waste, I believe that…

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transmission #028

Salvaged useful items along the way. Everyone now carries a backpack full of supplies. There’s enough food and pills to…

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transmission #029

At the end of tonight’s walk we should finally arrive at the northern gates.

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transmission #030

Two men stand guard within an abbandoned building a league or so from the gate. No one can reach the exit without being…

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transmission #031

I killed both sentinels. Two clean shots. Burned their bodies in another building far away. I want their people to…

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transmission #032

We’ve stopped for a brief rest. Sheltered behind a rocky outcrop. Another thing I had completely forgotten–how strong…

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transmission #033

Third night in the wilderness. We found a small crater-like depression where we can spend the night out of this…

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transmission #034

A sandstorm approaches. My estimate is that it will be upon us in the next fifteen hours. It looms on the horizon like…

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transmission #035

Every single tiny particle of sand hurts. Little projectiles that pierce the skin like needles, drawing blood. We…

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transmission #036

I’m still stunned. The sandstorm rages on in full force but we’re out of it, safely underground–saved by Outarians…

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transmission #037

Hullo, I’m Amber. I’m speaking into Left’s wrist which is funny, or weird I guess. He says someone very far away can…

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transmission #038

Amber caught me unawares, had to improvise. Back to us now. This place is larger than I thought. An underground city…

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transmission #039

Storm’s finally over. Next morning we start for Gobi. The Outarians have offered to take us across the desert…

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transmission #040

We’re on the move. Strangely, the Outarians took an easterly route. Pointed it out, got a hint of a smile in return…

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transmission #041

Second day out of the underground city. Still headed east with frequent short stops. Still know nothing of our…

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transmission #042

That raksi is some spirit. Makes you meet your younger self. Nursed a terrible headache for most of this morning. Coral…

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transmission #043

Took us nearly all day to descend. Reached a pre-unification military base, a remnant of another age, well hidden at…

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transmission #044

As I suspected, among the people here there are a number of oldsalts. Also runaways and refugees who abandoned the…

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transmission #045

Been travelling for the past twenty hours, stopping three times for short thirty minute breaks. The Panther is slow–and…

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transmission #046

LEAVE US ALONE. The mute reminder written in gigantic letters was visible leagues away from the city. Gobi is still…

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transmission #047

Together with Isam, Jule, Coral and the kids we retold the tale of the fall of Deosai. My friends had already reported…

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transmission #048

The Skardi are going to have their own quarter in Gobi and the Outarians got their bartering agreement sorted. They…

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transmission #049

A proper bed in a top floor lux apartment overlooking Central Forest, long hot showers, music, proper synthfood, good…

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transmission #050

Went strolling with Coral around the city this morning. Showed her the falls. Despite the emptiness, Gobi is in good…

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transmission #051

Went to Gobi airhub with Isam this morning, scouting for a small aircarrier. Felt spoilt for choice, like a little boy…

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transmission #052

Seb’s going to oversee the situation with the duke. Talked about visiting the other cities when I’m back, seek out…

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transmission #053

Parted ways with Coral and now a great sadness grips my heart. We’ll communicate via comms and promised to see each…

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transmission #054

Landed at Skaftafell as planned. It’s the nearest airstrip to the coordinates Isam gave me. We’re on an island that’s…

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transmission #055

After fourteen hours of walking we covered nearly fifty leagues. Camping in a small cave tonight. Isam went looking for…

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transmission #056

Set out at dawn. Asked Isam what he’ll do when we find the station. His answer startled me. The leavers betrayed mother…

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transmission #057

X marks the spot. Found the monitoring station at sundown, at the exact coordinates on Isam’s map. Calmly, he asked me…

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transmission #058

Heading back to Skaftafell. ETA two days. Then back to Gobi. Feel oddly at peace now that I’ve got no more secrets to…

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transmission #059

Travel far enough, you meet yourself. It’s time to make decisions. Time for me to live the life I was meant to live…

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transmission #060

In a few more hours we’ll land in Gobi where Coral awaits me. I look forward to her embrace, and to the life that…

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About the author . . .

About his books . . .

the transmissions words © John A. Bonello 2016 / design © Chris Scicluna 2016.