R&R

Written for the Daily Flash Fiction Challenge with a word limit of 300.

The prompts: This story must contain the words tomato, flower, book
R&R

Jackson finished tightening his apron before going out to tend his garden. He hummed an old tune as he watered his prize flowers. The time out here with his plants was special. Sitting in the dirt, digging weeds as his tomato plants hovered around him gave him time to think. Sometimes the thoughts were big, other times they were inconsequential. Whatever the case, they came and went and he was free from the stress and strain of everyday life.

After about an hour, he forced himself to his feet. Maybe he had time to do a little reading before going to bed. Dusting himself off, he made his way back inside. There, he found a favorite book. He made some warm tea and settle down for a good read.

The flashing red light over his door caught his attention. With an audible sigh, he rolled out of bed and slipped into his body suit.

The executive officer addressed him as he stepped onto the starship’s fighting bridge.

“Captain, the Corillians have just rezed to within firing range. They appear to be booting up their weapons’ systems.”

The captain looked over at his weapons officer and received a confirming nod. As he took his seat in the middle of the bridge he simply said, “Fire when ready.”

Word count 216