Tim Maddox

“In the Wake of the Blizzard (Blizzard Part II)” by Tim Maddox

“You’re from Earth, aren’t you?”Jean Daniel’s question left me speechless. I’d nearly blurted out “Of course,” but just as he had seemed to have a lightbulb moment a few seconds ago, I was having one now. Even though I’d only been visiting family, the mountains and the trees had never looked right today. Jean Daniel’s guns were basically relics compared to those back home, though to be fair they had killed the snow tiger. Heck, that name alone should have told me that there was something wrong. I’d just been too frightened to think about it....

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“On the Wings of the Blizzard (Blizzard Part I)” by Tim Maddox

It was all quiet when I opened my eyes. I rolled out of bed with a smile. The howling blizzard that had raged for four days had finally passed. Now I could get back to work. When I opened the window to the cabin, I saw that sunrise was a few minutes yet, her red sunbeams cutting through the fleeing body of the storm. All around the world was white. The boughs of the evergreens were laden with snow nearly to their breaking point, with lagged scars on several trees where the boughs had already given up the fight. My eyes tracked to one great p...

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“For Honor and Blood” by Tim Maddox

Submitted to Contest #75

“I have called you all here to ready the men to head to Serendia. My intention is to head to Ludune province and aid House Scur against the Kaladun invaders.” Mordecai quickly glanced around the room at each of his lieutenants. The Graecians, Alexios and Mateo, were stunned and turned to each other as if to ask the other whether they had heard correctly. Hakeem’s eyes fell into the fire so as not to betray the thoughts behind them. Ibrahim, the Emir’s official representative to his council, hid his mouth in his hand. The two Therovingi broth...

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“Jealous Flames” by Tim Maddox

Submitted to Contest #64

Helena was roused by the sentry’s horn. Before she could rise Astor had somehow cleared his own bed and was already tying his quiver to his armor. The past several nights they had worn their armor to sleep as the threat of attack loomed over Serenisa. “Which horn?” she asked him.“Sounded like Gerould’s.” Astor replied. A moment later the sound came again, and Helena saw him frown. “Yep. I can hear that hole in his horn from here.”“The ice spider caves?” Helena said in horror.Astor replied with a nod, then he threw his bow over his shoulder a...

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“Autumnal Fire” by Tim Maddox

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. The winter lockdown had extended so long that it stole the blooming spring, and then it stole the joys of summer, but now with the maples turning to their blazing orange I was free. As a society we had come close to losing our minds from the forced isolation. Some pessimists still claim it is a flash in the pan, that the iron bars will swing shut again. It is not an idle thought. The killer still lurks out there and our leaders continue to fear it, right or wrong. For me though, I wante...

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“Of Ladies and Tigers” by Tim Maddox

Submitted to Contest #62

(Inspired by and heavily referencing Frank R. Stockton’s The Lady, or the Tiger? from 1882. Highly recommend reading his story.) I sat in my moonlit cell filled with dread for the coming dawn. Soon after the morning rays breached the hills I would be taken to the arena and presented with two choices; behind one of the ever changing doors would be a ravenous tiger, the other concealed a fair maiden of the king’s choosing.I had seen justice from the arena many times. One could not deny the fairness of the ordeal, for it was only by the crimina...

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“The Remembered Past” by Tim Maddox

Submitted to Contest #61

My God, how it’s changed. It wasn’t the first time the thought had crossed my mind on this business trip. The old capital had a rich history that was for the most part spared thanks to the ancient canals and sheer cliffs surrounding the royal palace, St. Ambrose’s Cathedral, and the Order of the Kestrel’s citadel. The Great Fire had however burned much of the Heights District and the densely populated Satin Row, and the food riots in the aftermath had ravaged everything from downtown to the harbor. That was five years ago, and you’d need to ...

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“Blackout” by Tim Maddox

Submitted to Contest #58

She reached the base of the access stairs and looked for the access panel. Her role in the operation was simple compared to most of the others. After the halo drop, she had made her way to the main power station, where she would wait for Thrasher’s program to let her disable power to the entire complex. Once both Thrasher and Whydah had secured the data they were here for, she would plunge the base into darkness and the team would escape without casualties. The panel opened easy enough, but before starting her role she used her night vision...

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“Peregrine” by Tim Maddox

Submitted to Contest #50

The radar ping went from searching to a solid tone. I didn’t need a missile from the backpack launcher to hit this plane. I’d spun right onto his tail almost near enough to grab him. The plasma caster would more than suffice at this range. One more enemy to take down before Highwire destroyed the final missile silo. I extend my arm and take aim. Cloudstreak’s voice came over my headset. “Peregrine, enemy wingsuits at the silo!” In an instant I dove away from the enemy fighter and towards the distant silo. Above it I could see a flurry of t...

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“My Life, No?” by Tim Maddox

Submitted to Contest #31

I glance to the right at the clock on my desk. Half past five, and I've been here since six. I’ve been running all over the plant for a week, trading time between a whole line being installed, an overhead conveyor going in, and a half dozen different companies trying to fit their work around each other. Another called a day ago and moved their install back two weeks. I have a schedule to keep, my manager wants to cut that time in half, and all my guys are stressed. My life, no?My gaze returns to the project chart. The delayed company’s work ...

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“Into The Faerie Realm” by Tim Maddox

Submitted to Contest #30

"Hey, wait up!" Matthias called to the fleeing figure. It was his responsibility as one of King Thaddeus' huntsman to patrol his forests for poachers. He had originally spotted the young woman getting a drink from the stream. She had long blonde hair, a yellow tunic that complemented her lithe form, and she carried a bow. When she had spotted him, she had fled. True he had approached her with his bow drawn, but he couldn’t be too cautious. A pretty girl was a pretty girl, but a poacher was a poacher. He knew these forests like the back of hi...

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