science fiction
The bridge between imagination and technological advancement, where the dreamer’s vision predicts change, and foreshadows a futuristic reality. Science fiction has the ability to become “science reality”.
HIGHRISE SKYLINE
The traveler's battered motor struggles to carry his rusted boat over the outskirts of what used to be Fort Lauderdale, a concrete swamp abandoned by the corporate conglomerate that governed it after pushing the federal government out of the southeastern states, the US losing around half their now perpetually contested land in identical fashion. The rest of south and central Florida generally suffered a similar fate as the Atlantic Ocean continued to devour the state, driving away corporate interest. Still, first counts for something, capable of withstanding the cloud of toxic spores engulfing the dilapidated ruins, mutated alligators densely populate nearly every block. The traveler locks his gaze on 4 solar-powered air boats buzzing north into the decrepit city, each carrying a duo of Riptide reclamation officers, every one of them equipped appropriately, breathable Nanokevlar armor leading up to a lightweight, corporate-grade alloy filtration helmet, the dome outfitted with a heads up display detailing vitals and environmental info, everything marked with their signature tsunami logo. The traveler’s helmet, however was nearly opaque from condensation. He’ll be lucky to make it through without heat stroke. Functional A/C is typically standard in even the cheapest filtration units, popular after 2064 saw the climate’s true point of no return. Unfortunately, the edentate merchant in Orlando failed to supply or mention this basic component before charging full price and vanishing promptly.
By Chris Conway5 years ago in Futurism
Earth Aggregate
An Earth Aggregate™ rocket, emblazoned with the multicolor company logo, approached from the troposphere. It clashed with the surrounding decay like a rogue billboard clattering through a dust storm; a sort of hellfire spat out from the jet boosters as it neared a debris ridden landing pad. This space port was technically abandoned, but corporations often used derelict facilities for their own purposes. An eleven foot high electric fence surrounded the perimeter, and beyond that was a city submerged in entropic fallout. Buildings slumped over, their walls eaten by decades of harsh winds, holey like Swiss cheese from erosion.
By Austin Brown5 years ago in Futurism
One of Those Days
Past is halfway home before he notices the foreboding clouds hanging low in the sky. It is difficult to see them from far away. At first, he thinks it is just a small, localized storm, but it seems odd that these clouds are drastically enclosed and dark as night. There is a stark contrast with the rest of the city, which is bright, sunny, and warm. As he continues in the storm’s direction, he realizes it is over his neighborhood.
By Jeffrey Myles5 years ago in Futurism
Dear Future Mail Carrier
“This is it,” Lilah says to Sal. "The last thing I'll do that might matter." As she leans out the car window, the hot sun stings her cheek, and the bottom side of her arm burns as it sweeps over the car window's lip. With some effort, she yanks open the mailbox. She's spent three days assessing mailboxes and has finally settled on a sturdy pipe mailbox on a stone pedestal not far from her hometown of Palmyra. She's a little concerned by the overgrowth of toadstools and other fungi in the area and hopes it isn't indicative that the deadly spores are there too. She purses her lips and lays her envelope squarely inside the mailbox and puts up the flag.
By Laura DeRue5 years ago in Futurism
Scorched Earth Tactics
I wake very suddenly with a heaving cough, chest tight and throat raw from the air heavy with smoke and ash. I don’t know how long I was unconscious, but I slowly become aware that I am lying on a scorched bed of grass and cracked mud, inches from the murky shallows of the tiny lake (really more of a pond) that is my Town’s only water source. Was my Town’s only water source.
By Lucy Arnold5 years ago in Futurism
Terrain
Zed picked at the earth with his fingers, digging in below the hard crust of the surface to softer soil. He’d been moving for a long time with the crouching stealth of a predator, the flats of his hands weaving back and forth over the barren terrain until the pulse in his palms jumped wildly at the spot where he now dug. He had no idea what he was looking for, though he knew it was of great value. Whichever way you looked at it, he was on a reckless and potentially terminal adventure. Had they not said, reminding them every morning and night through the sound system that ricocheted as fast as a series of bullets round the closely packed cells, that life outside the hive would bring certain death? Yet he hadn’t died. Not yet anyway.
By Jane Metcalfe5 years ago in Futurism
HeartDrive Entry 1
April 17th, 2145 If you’re seeing this, I’m not dead. Well, actually I might be, but that’s besides the point. My name is Miranda Greenwood. I’m the daughter of Michael and Ashley Greenwood, from Oxville, Illinois. I’m 19 years old, my favorite food is peanut butter, and I’m a Taurus. I don’t know if anyone will ever see this and it feels so bizarre to be speaking to myself, but… here it goes anyway. I’m speaking into a camera here in this empty bunker somewhere underneath a random field in Wichita and I’m going to find my parents. I’m going to find them. But first, I’m going to tell you about us.
By Cynthia Schmidt5 years ago in Futurism
Survival of the Fittest
There was a quiet beep, and a cool voice spoke in Cassia's head. “Live-streaming in ten minutes.” Cassia waved the reminder away and turned back towards the mirror. “Ten minutes. Gotcha. Narra, run Vibe Check.” The hologram beside her turned their head. A beam of red light flashed across her body, highlighting her reflection in the digital mirror with corrections.
By Vanessa Schattman5 years ago in Futurism
