Finesse

Finesse

The acrid smells of smoke made Rolf sit up, coughing. What the hell? His breathing and heart-rate lowered as memory flooded back.

He was Galactic Special Forces, sent to Thanatos to evaluate the planet’s life forms and, if possible, make first contact. From initial observations, the Thanatians were not very advanced, living in small groups and using rudimentary tools.

Not very subtle, he mused as he watched his ship burn. He quickly took stock of what he had to survive with.

Not much … The thought was interrupted by movement in the tall wheat-like grasses that surrounded him. He slid into the growth as two humanoid shapes rose silently. He was startled to see that they were well armed with bows and spears tipped with metal heads. So much for “rudimentary.”

If he was discovered before he had a chance to make peaceful contact, the entire mission would be in jeopardy. His hand chanced on a small length of pipe that had been thrown from the crash and an idea formed.

Reaching into his leg-pack, he pulled out the first-aid kit and extracted a small vial of pain-killer. Using the wheat-like heads of the plants, he dipped the end into the vial. Perfect darts, he thought. Sliding it into the tube, he sent one flying and smiled as the nearest Thanatian yelped and then fell forward. His companion came over at a run – and met the same fate.

Rolf checked the area. There were no other visitors. Picking them up, he began back-tracking their trail. After an hour, he looked back. There were no visible signs of his crash site. He quickly stomped a circle in the grass and left them to revive.

As he returned to his ship, he wondered if he had just invented “crop circles.” Rolf chuckled as he broke into a trot.


Notes:
An entry for the 7/22/10 round of "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"  [13+]
Prompt: Write a story that includes the words: wheat, pipe, heart

Word Limit: 300
Word Count: 300

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Please, as long as you’re here, leave a comment. Criticisms, thoughts, reactions, yes – even words of encouragement or praise – are all equally welcome

Ken