John BonelloJan 184 min read
the transmissions
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’.
Episode list:
transmission #001
It starts here. My first transmission. It feels strange talking to this device implanted in my wrist. I guess if…medium.com
It starts here. My first transmission. It feels strange talking to this device implanted in my wrist. I guess if…medium.com
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…medium.com
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…medium.com
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…medium.com
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…medium.com
transmission #004
LEAVE US ALONE! I see it everywhere. Sprayed on walls and on the sides of the tallest towers. Not that these graffiti…medium.com
LEAVE US ALONE! I see it everywhere. Sprayed on walls and on the sides of the tallest towers. Not that these graffiti…medium.com
transmission #005
There’s this kind of transcendental lunacy within the community. Everyone’s gone into a frenzy, tattooing TWS on their…medium.com
There’s this kind of transcendental lunacy within the community. Everyone’s gone into a frenzy, tattooing TWS on their…medium.com
transmission #006
They are harmless. Their big plan is to bring together all their people, even those from the other cities — in fact…medium.com
They are harmless. Their big plan is to bring together all their people, even those from the other cities — in fact…medium.com
transmission #007
An explosion, late last night. The building shook and initially everyone screamed earthquake. By first light we saw a…medium.com
An explosion, late last night. The building shook and initially everyone screamed earthquake. By first light we saw a…medium.com
transmission #008
They came at us within hours of the explosion. After being released, they demolished the maximum security prison where…medium.com
They came at us within hours of the explosion. After being released, they demolished the maximum security prison where…medium.com
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…medium.com
They’ve rigged all street level entrances with explosives. Gave us an ultimatum to open up and let them in or they’ll…medium.com
transmission #010
There’s disagreement within the group. Many are in favour of calling the ex-cons’ bluff, but many more others don’t…medium.com
There’s disagreement within the group. Many are in favour of calling the ex-cons’ bluff, but many more others don’t…medium.com
transmission #011
We’ve surrendered. Opened the floodgates to let the ex-cons in. They’ve established themselves within the building…medium.com
We’ve surrendered. Opened the floodgates to let the ex-cons in. They’ve established themselves within the building…medium.com
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…medium.com
Alone, I lie locked up in this room, waiting, with nothing to do but heal and plan. I also have time to contemplate my…medium.com
transmission #013
The ex-cons leader introduced himself as the duke. An unimpressive man, which scares me. Ordered his subjects to tie my…medium.com
The ex-cons leader introduced himself as the duke. An unimpressive man, which scares me. Ordered his subjects to tie my…medium.com
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…medium.com
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…medium.com
transmission #015
Took the duke hostage after killing his two babysitters. Freed our men, then locked the disarmed ex-cons in. Did this…medium.com
Took the duke hostage after killing his two babysitters. Freed our men, then locked the disarmed ex-cons in. Did this…medium.com
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…medium.com
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…medium.com
transmission #017
The search parties came back late last night. They were quite lucky. You cannot believe what a city of 5 million people…medium.com
The search parties came back late last night. They were quite lucky. You cannot believe what a city of 5 million people…medium.com
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…medium.com
We need transport if we’re going to get out of here. Two options. Gobi is closest, 170 leagues east. 320 leagues to the…medium.com
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…medium.com
A vote was cast. Decca was chosen. Now all that remains is finding an aircarrier in good shape. I’m heading to the…medium.com
transmission #020
We reached the airhub a few hours after daybreak. Everything is still. I’m finding it difficult to adapt to this…medium.com
We reached the airhub a few hours after daybreak. Everything is still. I’m finding it difficult to adapt to this…medium.com
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…medium.com
It was a trap. The duke’s men gave no quarter. Surrounded us, killed two, then lined us up. Asked the last man where…medium.com
transmission #022
Jule and Isam, the two that escaped with me, are still under shock. Seeing their friends executed in cold blood was a…medium.com
Jule and Isam, the two that escaped with me, are still under shock. Seeing their friends executed in cold blood was a…medium.com
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…medium.com
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…medium.com
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…medium.com
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…medium.com
transmission #025
Went looking for a trail, for some hint. When we found nothing, we crawled slowly inwards. One of the communicators…medium.com
Went looking for a trail, for some hint. When we found nothing, we crawled slowly inwards. One of the communicators…medium.com
transmission #027
It should take us three full nights to reach the northern exit. Although there’s no time to waste, I believe that…medium.com
It should take us three full nights to reach the northern exit. Although there’s no time to waste, I believe that…medium.com
transmission #028
Salvaged useful items along the way. Everyone now carries a backpack full of supplies. There’s enough food and pills to…medium.com
Salvaged useful items along the way. Everyone now carries a backpack full of supplies. There’s enough food and pills to…medium.com
transmission #029
At the end of tonight’s walk we should finally arrive at the northern gates.medium.com
At the end of tonight’s walk we should finally arrive at the northern gates.medium.com
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…medium.com
Two men stand guard within an abbandoned building a league or so from the gate. No one can reach the exit without being…medium.com
the transmissions words © John A. Bonello 2016 / design © Chris Scicluna 2016.
