The Inventor’s Daughter

PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll

 

Blood trickled down her shin where it hooked on the barbed wire fence she climbed over. Olivia ignored it.

Gently she lowered her backpack on the ground, unzipped it, slowly lifting out the gadget sought after by every military unit of the world. A tangle of cog wheels it wasn’t sophisticated, though it was more powerful than any weapon ever created. Olivia regretted the task ahead, but not as much as she regretted inventing it.

She had been naive. Weapons don’t end wars. The human lust for power was insatiable. She had to destroy it. Before it destroyed humanity.

99 words

 

Written for Friday Fictioneers where the challenge is to write a story in 100 words or less. Hosted by Rochelle.

 

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Responses

  1. Iain Kelly avatar
    Iain Kelly

    A cautionary tale, much like the use of nuclear weapons. Well done.

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    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      I believe the inventor of the machine gun thought his weapon would end all wars because it was so powerful for its time. The same for nuclear weapons. But sadly we will never learn will we?

      Liked by 2 people

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  2. pennygadd51 avatar
    pennygadd51

    The first and the last paragraphs are good. Your writing focuses on Olivia, her character and her situation. I think your story would have been stronger if you’d kept the focus on Olivia rather than trying to describe the technology. It’s a powerful weapon that she wants to destroy – that’s all we need to know, isn’t it?
    Is destruction of the weapon going to kill her? How does she feel about that?

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    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      I have to agree with you Penny. My attempt to describe the tech threw the story off track a bit. Could have focused more on her regret on having to destroy her creation, and also regret that she created it in the first place.

      Liked by 1 person

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  3. Keith's Ramblings avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    If only others shared her feelings about weapons, the world would be a safer place. An interestingly different take.

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Vivian Zems avatar
    Vivian Zems

    Intriguing. You packed a great story into 99 words. Great .

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you Vivian. Glad you came by 😊

      Liked by 1 person

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  5. anintrovertedblogger avatar
    anintrovertedblogger

    I liked your take on the prompt!

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. plaridel avatar
    plaridel

    i hope she succeeds and survives in the process.

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  7. justjoyfulness avatar
    justjoyfulness

    The last para is so true.

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. yarnspinnerr avatar
    yarnspinnerr

    This reminds me of the life and achievements of Alfred Nobel. Great take.

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. Kelvin M. Knight's blog avatar
    Kelvin M. Knight’s blog

    I love Olivia’s fearless yet cautionary approach to her task. I would love to know more about her than the tech. Sorry. A good story, nonetheless.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Glad you enjoyed the story. I may attempt a rewrite just for fun. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

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  10. granonine avatar
    granonine

    Olivia is wise beyond her years. Good story.

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  11. Christine Goodnough avatar
    Christine Goodnough

    Smart girl! Welcome to the real world of human nature. 😑

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. rochellewisoff avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Fatima,

    I fear that while Olivia’s heart’s in the right place, destroying the weapon won’t end the violence. Humans can find endless ways to destroy each other. Good story.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      That’s very true especially in light of recent mass shooting. So sad and tragic.

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