Start your story with someone saying “Houston, we have a problem.”

Posted in Dialogue on Feb 3, 2023

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✍️ 41 stories

“technology troubles” by James Mckinley

Submitted to Contest #184

Houston, we have a problem, that is what I said to my cat Houston who sat indifferently as I tried to get the TV to come on. The remote wasn't working again. I will now have to get the manual out and reprogram the thing, which takes forever! I leave the security of my nice warm bed and lumber through the apartment to find the book written in so many convenient different languages. I speak English, or at least the American variant of the language. I finally find it in the drawer of my desk stuffed in the back with a bunch of receipts that I h...

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“Astray in the Asteroids” by Lylian R

Submitted to Contest #184

Gemma was the head scientist for NASA. While NASA had been building their new rocket, the Spigot. Gemma used her valuable skills to climb to the top. Gemma strongly disproved of the name, but her boss was fond of the name. The rocket had a sleek white coat of paint, multiple boosters, and all of it state of the art. With this position came special privileges as well. Gemma had received the chance to bo in the control room, while the rocket took off. Everything was going perfectly. The rocket skyrocketed into the clear, blue sky. It's traject...

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“Whirlwind of Time” by Ina Haymond

Submitted to Contest #184

“Houston, we have a problem,” Lily inhales deeply and continues in frustration.“May day MAY DAY!”It was a prayer, with the hope of a three-year-old instead of a 36 year-old, that this might help her solve her technological difficulties. Buddy’s tail wiggles from left to right. Lily's dog is her biggest cheerleader. Lily is getting more and more irritated! She has waited patiently for a whole two minutes for her story to upload on Instagram. For some odd reason, the internet seems extraordinarily slow - as a matter of fact slower than usual. ...

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“A needle in a haystack” by Laura Magee

Submitted to Contest #184

Trigger warning: References to pedophilia and murder of children, descriptions of violence, vulgar language. “Houston, we have a problem!” I shouted into my mic as gunfire erupted all around me. I ducked behind a stack of crates and switched my loadout from an automatic to a sniper. “Who are you talking to, Tacos? What’s the problem? Damnit, Freddie-” “What? I wanted his Tommy Gun!” “You’re going to get us all killed!” Chatter filled the group comms but was quickly subdued in my earpiece as another voice took precedence...

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“Houston We Have a Problem” by Terri Madden

Submitted to Contest #184

“Houston We Have a Problem”! Captain Bill Hart and Lieutenant Paul Madden were seated in the Cockpit of a P50 transport on a routine training mission above the Atlantic waters as the darkness of night enveloped the fuselage. Elsie was a last minuet passenger to jump onboard. Bill turned toward Paul and spoke the unexpected crushing words that shook him to his core. “Paul we have a problem.” These words conveyed a sense of gloom on January 31,1944. Ironically some twenty-six years later, similar words were heard around the world on April 13...

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“The Figure” by Karin Cooper

Submitted to Contest #184

Trigger Warning: Violence, some language, death "Houston, we have a problem." Martha said in a cartoon voice that seemed like a mix between Bugs Bunny, and Minnie Mouse. "Mooooooommmmmm, that's not funny. Are you going to help me or not?" Jay whined at his mother. “I said we have a problem, I'll have to e-mail your instructor this is beyond my scope." Martha straightened up from where she had been leaning behind Jay on the couch and began to walk out of the room. “Mom! But, do I still get my device time?” Jay snapped. Martha paused witho...

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“Huston, we have a problem” by Winslow White

Submitted to Contest #184

“Huston, we have a problem,” I mumbled to myself. “What?” I looked up to see my wife standing, hands on hips, a puzzled look on her face. “Oh, sorry, I was talking to myself,” I replied sheepishly. “You said, Huston, we have a problem.” She stepped a little closer now, concern all over her face. “What’s going on?” &nb...

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“Luddite” by Alan Ross

Submitted to Contest #184

A LUDDITE IN THE MODERN AGE I’m not REALLY a luddite. (A word coined in the 19th century when people disdained any new technology). I don’t dislike new technology, I just have a hard time comprehending it. When I wake up and find Ricky. my grandson, playing ping-pong with my father, when neither of them have a ping-pong table and they’re 3000 miles away from each other, it just freaks me out. I’ve plumbed hundreds of miles of pipe in my life and carpentered a forest of wood on many doze...

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“Blue Moon Summer” by Graci Melbourne

Submitted to Contest #184

Trigger warnings: cursing, discussions of abortion (non-graphic), light drinking. “Hey, Houston, we have a problem.” Adam stands behind the screen door, head hardly visible behind a shedding ristra. His drawl is twangy and slow. “Dry off and get in here.” “‘M finishing my drink.” “I’m sure any woman in the next mile will finish it for you.” Adam, normally high and smiley, frowns. His curls are twisted and crunchy from the chlorine, kinky like the ties on a bread bag. “Come on, Jesse. For real.” “Gimme a sec.” Jesse takes a sip for emphasis...

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“In her Sassy Seventies!” by Julie Grenness

Submitted to Contest #184

"Houston, we have a problem." Hilary, aka Hilaria said to her husband. He was snoring again. Senior lifehacks #101 had led her to this. How had it all happened? Hilaria had made it! Now she was officially old, if not elderly. Hilaria had turned seventy years old, a grand old age. It was the morning after her family celebration, a good gathering. Bit bleary, Hilaria wiped down the mirror, doing housework to tidy up. Hilaria paused for a moment at her reflection. Her grey hair matched her eyes and her top. "If housework keeps us slim, what I a...

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“Fiona's Father: The Riverville Hero” by Madeline Honig

Submitted to Contest #184

Warning: Mention of the murder of a child “Houston, we have a problem,” Fiona rolled her eyes at her father’s comment. The two were sitting at her play table, surrounded by stuffed animals and dolls. The tea set was a birthday gift from Fiona’s parents, and her father was desperate to see it in action. He had no idea that a real tea party didn’t include any tea. Fiona wore a light blue lace dress that was ten sizes too big. She found it on top of her dress-up box of her mother’s hand-me-downs.&nb...

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“Do It Yourself Carjack” by David B Fraser

Submitted to Contest #184

“Houston, we have a problem.” My Sargent said, catching me on a break. “What does that mean?” I asked, biting into the most delicious egg salad sandwich. “333.1 in progress. We’re short, you’re up.” “Can’t we just zap it?” “It’s got a driver. Come on Misa. I have to send a live officer.” I binned my sandwich and took a black Lexus with manual override. I ordered the Lexus to sync up with the drones already pursuing the car thief. I had never had to use manua...

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“Day at the Zoo” by David Beeson

Submitted to Contest #184

Day at the Zoo “Houston, we have a problem,” mumbled long-time facilities and IT manager for the Wild Animal Park, Steve Urbanick as he feverishly flipped switches on the master power control board. “Snikeys,” yelped master electrician Susan Tate, “it’s the Peter Principle at work. Our illustrious, money-grubbing CEO decides to install cheap, untested equipment just before tourist season and bingo, we have a h...

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“Tired of This ” by Kimberly Walker

Submitted to Contest #184

Tired of This Hey, Houston, come here…look! M*@T%^*F++K Damnit… Houston, we have a problem! Look, someone is doing it again right now. How the heck are they getting in? They are being bold as hell this time. A remote predator hacked me, and they attempted to steal $500 through a fraudulent payment. They tried to create a payment from my PayPal account for services not received from a company I have never heard of. Luckily, I looked at the computer when it was happening. It would have gone unnoticed if I didn’t look over at that moment until...

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“Crackling Bacon” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #184

Please Note: This story contains light-hearted profanity and disparaging remarks.Also Note: The sound of radio static is represented by the term “<crackling bacon>” in the content of the story.“Ho…<crackling bacon>…ave…<crackling bacon>…roble…<crackling bacon>,” came a voice across the two-way radio.“Please repeat your transmission,” returned another voice.“<crackling bacon><crackling bacon>…hear…<crackling bacon>…me?”“There’s a lot of static. We’re not able to decipher.”“Dit…<crackling bacon>&...

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Start your story with someone saying “Houston, we have a problem.”

Submissions are closed

✍️ 41 stories

“technology troubles” by James Mckinley

“Astray in the Asteroids” by Lylian R

“Whirlwind of Time” by Ina Haymond

“A needle in a haystack” by Laura Magee

“Houston We Have a Problem” by Terri Madden

“The Figure” by Karin Cooper

“Huston, we have a problem” by Winslow White

“Luddite” by Alan Ross

“Blue Moon Summer” by Graci Melbourne

“In her Sassy Seventies!” by Julie Grenness

“Fiona's Father: The Riverville Hero” by Madeline Honig

“Do It Yourself Carjack” by David B Fraser

“Day at the Zoo” by David Beeson

“Tired of This ” by Kimberly Walker

“Crackling Bacon” by Douglas W. Carr

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story during a complete city or nation-wide blackout.

Write a story about a character who is experiencing glitches in their reality.

Write about someone who has chosen to disconnect and live an analog life.

Write a story where a character has to decide whether to press the button or not.

Contest #184

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

281

Contest entries

121

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: