Os Cole

“D20” by Os Cole

Submitted to Contest #180

Twenty: Paladin Grovesnor walks surrounded by the holy flame of her god. Her enemies cower at the magnificent approach of her white painted armor. Even the grass wilts under the intense light that follows her footsteps through shadowy forests and desolate plains. Attacked by goblins, the paladin has nothing to fear. She wields her finely crafted mace with ease. Its silver, rune covered head sings through the air as she brings it down on her foes. She dispatches the goblins like so many rats. Her blood covered mace provides the only hint ...

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“Happy New Year's to Me” by Os Cole

Submitted to Contest #179

December 31st. My New Year’s resolution: To get in shape. A classic. What better way to start the new year than by taking life by the horns and improving oneself? I’m going to put on a tight pair of shorts and a t-shirt from a 5K I ran a decade ago and charge into the gym like a firefighter arriving at the scene of a fire.  I can imagine it now. A bunch of sweaty meatheads grunting while they stand around on those rubbery floor mats. A half dozen or so new year’s resolutionists like me trying to look like we know what we are doing a...

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“What Happened to the Humans” by Os Cole

Sensitive content: This story contains references to the destruction of genetic material that some readers may find upsetting. Mama Lee didn’t know what happened to the humans. Since she was up and working, it must be something terrible. She wanted to know. Any sentient creature would. She knew that eventually her charges would want to know and she needed to be prepared with an answer.  For now, she looked across the cavernous space labeled “Bay 02” in giant block letters high on the wall. Bay 02 was dark, filled with hundreds of g...

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“Cyber Simulacrum” by Os Cole

Submitted to Contest #174

Sensitive Content: Story contains references to violence, suicide, and sex work. I knew as soon as I woke up that I would have to kill myself. I couldn’t stand at first and my eyes would hardly focus even in the dim blue light. It was all I could do to cast a cross-eyed glance across the lab. He was already gone. He must have woken up from the procedure first and fled.  I tried to blink the fuzziness from my eyes. What possessed me to do this? Initially, even I didn’t think it could be done. After years of research, I convinced mys...

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“Feelings for Sale” by Os Cole

Submitted to Contest #172

Do you feel tired? Lonely? Overworked? Then I have the solution for you! Riley Hayes here for Empath-51. The IDA approved tablets to suppress your logic and make you feel all your emotions all the time! Do you ever get up in the morning feeling worn out but you drag yourself to work anyway? Not with Empath-51! Don’t let your logical brain force you to work. If you're tired Empath-51 will help you stay in bed guilt free! Who doesn’t go to work and feel obligated to put in a few extra hours at the end of the day? Is that your logical bra...

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“Don't Take the Teleporter” by Os Cole

Submitted to Contest #171

It’s almost time to leave the office for the day when your coworker approaches. The one you don’t like because they seem to know everything and have a holier than thou attitude about it. They are constantly on the prowl at the end of the day looking for some poor colleague to distract for the last 15 minutes of the workday to ensure they can’t finish whatever they were working on before quitting time. Today that person is you.             They lean into your cubicle with a cold cup ...

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