Charles Stucker

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jun, 2020

Stories (23)

23 Stories

2669 karma pts

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“Fight Fire With...” by Charles Stucker

Author's note- this is written around a novel about Red Ronin. I have posted five, one for each prompt, as an ambitious attempt to support the big anniversary of Reedsy. They all follow separate characters, but I recommend reading "Devil Take the Hindmost" last because it has the largest cast, several of whom are introduced earlier. Fight Fire With... I look over the basketball court. Haven't been to it since my power manifested at age twelve and they moved me into the creche for 'gifted' children. The fight this morning left a bad taste ...

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“Solid Support” by Charles Stucker

Submitted to Contest #51

Author's note- this is a variation on the opening of a novel about Red Ronin. I have posted five, one for each prompt, as an ambitious attempt to support the big anniversary of Reedsy. They all follow separate characters, but I recommend reading "Devil Take the Hindmost" last because it has the largest cast, several of whom are introduced earlier. Solid Support The call is the sort I always answer. Thunderclap engaged enemies without waiting for backup or support. He chased Purple Ninja after she hit an armored car and walked into some so...

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“Devil Take the Hindmost” by Charles Stucker

Submitted to Contest #51

Author's note- this is written around a novel about Red Ronin. I have posted five, one for each prompt, as an ambitious attempt to support the big anniversary of Reedsy. They all follow separate characters, but I recommend reading "Devil Take the Hindmost" last because it has the largest cast, several of whom are introduced earlier. . Devil Take the HindmostYou're waiting to see Kentaro. He's so handsome and everything. Everyone talks about how he's polite to everyone, but you can tell it's different with you. You are the Golden Hind and a m...

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“Death Valley Daze” by Charles Stucker

Submitted to Contest #50

I'm a dead man. Should of seen 'er comin. Three weeks ago, I thought my luck finally turned. Got a solid seam of silver running along a fracture. Loaded my mule, Bessie, with a hundred pounds of high grade ore. And it still ain't nowheres near played out. Bessie give one a her twitches as means she smells somethin she don't like. I glance around and spot er right off. They's four fellahs about two miles back while I'm a good day an-a-half out of Bisbee and ain't no law betwixt here an there. Line a fir trees bout three miles in front o m...

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“ Grounded in Reality” by Charles Stucker

Submitted to Contest #50

My dreams burn. Flights of fancy. Rockets rising on a cloud of steam and flame. It's always the same thing. I go in, explain the data, then tell them why it works like that. And they never want to understand. Because it goes against their dogma. I've waited three weeks for this appointment. They have the experiment, so they should have confirmed the data. But they still won't believe. The secretary, a type two middle-age woman, meaning obese rather than simply heavy, motions for me to go into the office of her boss, the engineer in cha...

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“Besieged by Regret” by Charles Stucker

Submitted to Contest #49

Besieged by RegretDust hangs heavy in the dry, hot summer air. Motes of it dance in sunlight which streams through cracks in the armory roof. Before me, a dwarf in a heavy leather apron, marred by little burn marks characteristic of smith's apparel, tries to explain about the crossbows. "Any apprentice can make three decent cords in a day. Problem is, we sent most of them off with the others as can't fight.""So we won't be able to span many of these bows?" I'm only asking to take my mind from the sense of dread. The king assigned me th...

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“A Long Shot” by Charles Stucker

Submitted to Contest #48

John sat in the back of the bar, watching the news. Everyone stared in horror at the unfolding events. A news anchor spoke tersely, "Reports from around the globe indicate this is not confined to the USA. Major cities in every continent report millions hospitalized and uncounted numbers dead. This plague, which came out of nowhere, appears to be the work of some previously unknown villainous mastermind." A man tapped John on the shoulder. He had expected it after ignoring the summons earlier. He got up and followed the man back toward the ba...

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“ Coming and Going” by Charles Stucker

Submitted to Contest #47

Your chauffeur opens the door and you climb out of your pristine thirty-eight Cadillac. The single piece roof, proof against Chicago weather, makes it your favorite among the small fleet you own. The concierge holds an umbrella to keep the rain off as you walk casually to the door. You check the time. Perfect. As intended, you've arrived fashionably late. The Lexington is not as impressive outside as in, but even at a mere ten stories, it has an elegance which reminds you it once housed the infamous Al Capone. The reception is in the Red Par...

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Author bio

I am nearing critical mass on my WIP. When that happens, the story consumes me and all I can do is write until I finish. Usually happens between 50k and 60k, when I can envision all the remaining scenes fairly clearly. I just passed 43k earlier today and can feel the tension building. So if I disappear for a couple of weeks, that will be why. A literal rocket scientist, I was forced by the 2010 Ares cancellation to try and survive on writing. I write a variety of genres, including sci-fi (naturally), noir mystery, and western. Today, July 16, 2020 my short story "The Awards" was accepted by Daily Science Fiction for professional rate (8 cents per word) publication.