FA+
Shop
422
Views
Views
11
Favorites
Favorites
Category
Story / General Furry Art
Species Shorthair Cat
Size 120 x 92
File Size 52.1 kB
Report this content
More from Walt46
Listed in Folders
Garbled
A Thursday Prompt story
© 2024 by Walter Reimer
Prompt: misunderstanding (special condition, 365 words)
_________________________________________________________________________________
There was a rapid pinging noise, and the beagle and the gray tabby both started at the sudden sound. But only for a split second; red three-ring binders were seized and opened, and grease pencils were poised and ready before the voice began speaking.
“Flash flash flash,” the male voice intoned, “stand by for a three-part message. Break break, Part One, Lima Juliet – “ The voice was muffled momentarily.
Two pairs of ears swiveled.
“Standby, message follows. Part Two, Foxtrot Alpha. Standby, message follows. Part Three, Uniform Sierra. Break break, authentication Alpha Tango One.” The disembodied voice fell silent.
The two members of the launch command crew looked at each other. “I don’t have a valid message,” the MCCC said, his feline tail switching back and forth nervously.
“Concur,” the DMCCC said. “I think the final bit of Part One was ‘Romeo.’”
The tabby drummed his fingers on the console before grabbing the direct phone that connected the launch complex to the higher headquarters that had sent the message. “Complex Twelve, we do not have a valid message, repeat, no valid message . . . Hello? Hello?” He scowled at the phone before hanging up.
“What’d they say?” the beagle asked.
“No answer, line’s dead,” the tabby said. “You sure you heard ‘Romeo?’”
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
“Check me on the rest of it.” The two verified the rest of the message while the tabby’s brain worked feverishly. What if the DMCCC had misheard? What if it was a test? He was conscious of the DMCCC and the two members of the launch crew looking at him.
“Okay,” he said, forcing a confident tone. “Let’s get the missiles going.”
The two members of the launch crew immediately turned to their tasks, ensuring that the missiles were fueled and their power sources were charging.
The DMCCC stared at him as the tabby got up and crossed to the locked red cabinet that bore the launch keys. “B-But, Sir – “
“We have a valid order,” the feline said, opening his lock. It had been issued to him, and only he knew the combination. He waited expectantly. “C’mon, we have to get this done.”
***
The code was invalid.
_________________________________________________________________________________
end
A Thursday Prompt story
© 2024 by Walter Reimer
Prompt: misunderstanding (special condition, 365 words)
_________________________________________________________________________________
There was a rapid pinging noise, and the beagle and the gray tabby both started at the sudden sound. But only for a split second; red three-ring binders were seized and opened, and grease pencils were poised and ready before the voice began speaking.
“Flash flash flash,” the male voice intoned, “stand by for a three-part message. Break break, Part One, Lima Juliet – “ The voice was muffled momentarily.
Two pairs of ears swiveled.
“Standby, message follows. Part Two, Foxtrot Alpha. Standby, message follows. Part Three, Uniform Sierra. Break break, authentication Alpha Tango One.” The disembodied voice fell silent.
The two members of the launch command crew looked at each other. “I don’t have a valid message,” the MCCC said, his feline tail switching back and forth nervously.
“Concur,” the DMCCC said. “I think the final bit of Part One was ‘Romeo.’”
The tabby drummed his fingers on the console before grabbing the direct phone that connected the launch complex to the higher headquarters that had sent the message. “Complex Twelve, we do not have a valid message, repeat, no valid message . . . Hello? Hello?” He scowled at the phone before hanging up.
“What’d they say?” the beagle asked.
“No answer, line’s dead,” the tabby said. “You sure you heard ‘Romeo?’”
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
“Check me on the rest of it.” The two verified the rest of the message while the tabby’s brain worked feverishly. What if the DMCCC had misheard? What if it was a test? He was conscious of the DMCCC and the two members of the launch crew looking at him.
“Okay,” he said, forcing a confident tone. “Let’s get the missiles going.”
The two members of the launch crew immediately turned to their tasks, ensuring that the missiles were fueled and their power sources were charging.
The DMCCC stared at him as the tabby got up and crossed to the locked red cabinet that bore the launch keys. “B-But, Sir – “
“We have a valid order,” the feline said, opening his lock. It had been issued to him, and only he knew the combination. He waited expectantly. “C’mon, we have to get this done.”
***
The code was invalid.
_________________________________________________________________________________
end
Category Story / General Furry Art
Species Shorthair Cat
Size 120 x 92px
File Size 52.1 kB
Listed in Folders
"Sir, we do not have a valid launch message, that is an illegal order, and I will not comply."
At least I hope that's how this would go...
Actually during the Cold War one of the checks UK SLBM commanders would make before launching would be to confirm if Radio 4 was off the air...apparently.
At least I hope that's how this would go...
Actually during the Cold War one of the checks UK SLBM commanders would make before launching would be to confirm if Radio 4 was off the air...apparently.
Comments