“Advance”: A SciFanSat Microfiction Compilation

The sun was warm on the moss. It likes to be petted, my grandmother said. How slow the advance of the moss on the rocks. By the time you are my age, it will cover them. #SciFanSat #advance

— Voimaoy (@voimaoy) March 27, 2021

A shard of advanced alien technology. Illegal. Fell into my yard.

I’ve heard red fragment stories: Just one touch. Like magic. Restored youth and perfect health.

And random reassignment of body, race and sex.

I shouldn’t.

But the chemo isn’t working…#SciFanSat #2WordPrompt

— Jason H. Abbott (@Jason_H_Abbott) March 27, 2021

They #advanced, knowing it was suicide. The #xyloid were one of many intelligent species from the rift. It all started when the last tree died. For us it was hell, but for the planet it seemed a gift. These "invaders" gave birth to an era of magic on Earth.#scifansat #vss365

— Valiente Rook | Poet • Writer (@valienterook) March 27, 2021

The float was something he couldn't manage and wouldn't control. Images of things xyloid, carved by ancient masters, flying by in a psychedelic miasma. Advancing now to other planets and star clusters, all the way back to the very beginning of time#vss365 #BraveWrite #SciFanSat pic.twitter.com/7BMQEZLGwy

— Indigenous Soul (@GeneVatow) March 27, 2021

Humans? Not #wise. Distracted by the #ladybird coloring,they didn't see we were Fae.

We played a #euphony on #xyloid instruments, sounding the #advance, and they smiled, applauding. At least the #violence was fun…#vss365 #vssMagic #vssDreams #vssdaily #SpringWords #scifansat

— That Burnt Writer (@ThatBurntWriter) March 27, 2021

The #Xyloid residents of planet X395 were referred to by nerdier members of the expedition as Ents or Groots
We warned Chris in #advance the locals hated the nicknames so
when we found him encased in living tree #chomks he'd only himself to blame#vss365 #SciFanSat #AchtenWrite pic.twitter.com/9HgQP0jXfk

— 🤩 Debbie Iancu-Haddad 🍒 (@debbieiancu) March 27, 2021

The last of the Tree Tribe waited until the rising sun lit the mist-draped hills and quieted the birds of dawn. The warriors advanced, their #xyloid weapons held high. They were no match for the gleaming steel of the enemy but sometimes the fight was all.#vss365 #SciFanSat

— Lɪʙʙʏ Dᴏʏʟᴇ (@LibbyDoyle9) March 27, 2021

As they advanced in age, the transformed lovers’ xyloid branches intertwined. Withered by wind, they were, and gnarled by age, but stronger together, rising in weathered spirals toward the sunlight. #vss365 #scifansat #Satsplat

— A. A. Rubin (@TheSurrealAri) March 27, 2021

Sing with me, Brother
In this #advancing dark
Let our ears find no
Euphonic peace in violence
Sing of #xyloid soldiers &
Fleeting courage
Sing a brutal song
Of the old ways
For the Gods
Sing with us
No longer#vss365 #SciFanSat #vssdreams

— Anna✨💫✨ (@annaburnswrites) March 27, 2021

Another birthday, and my tree finger's new ring marked possibility in my #xyloid life (the latest #advance in science-created eco-living)

Her birthday next. Long, tender limbs, sprouting buds, blossoming sweetness—tomorrow our love pollen flies#Satsplat #SciFanSat #vss365

— Kevin Gooden (@kevingooden) March 27, 2021

#vss365#scifansat

"We are #Xyloid, and not like you. We #advance, not in science and idol worship, but in oneness with this world.

"Our feet taste the earth; our hands catch the rains. Our Great Work nears its end. When that is done, no gadget can save you from what follows." pic.twitter.com/MFSAmQ3wCz

— John Tannhauser (@JohnTannhauser) March 27, 2021

The nanobot army advanced toward the enemy inside the veteran's brain. The battle for peace ensued. PTSD surrendered. #scifansat (advance)#scifisat

— Irene 💫 (@_Irene_Dreams_) March 27, 2021

#vss365 #SciFanSat
Relentless wind buffets a free intelligence scouting in advance of the army. It needs heft like the xyloid beings resisting the onslaught & sails a current to a giant tree. It infiltrates the vascular tissue & barks Walk! Centuries-old roots rip thru the soil.

— Cecily Winter: find me in the marginalia! (@winter_cecily) March 27, 2021

We met during the city's restless slumber, sheltering under a tram stop. Her face was neon-shadowed. I perched on the #xyloid plastic bench, lit my screen, thought about wasting my advance.
She said, "You'll never get it. Your money. It all changes, tomorrow."#vss365#scifansat

— John Everex (@EverexJohn) March 27, 2021

0/XF
Eeri's need to #advance a belief system was paramount to his control of human behavior. What better way than use love & fear to sow both romance & discord; the resulting confusion following his designs. Good and evil he formulated for constant friction.#Satsplat#SciFanSat

— aran (@AranPotente) March 27, 2021

Advanced? Ah! Such human under-statement! If you call the ability to harness the energy of a galaxy, advanced, then yes, we are.
It's an ancient game – you play it, we saw – skittles, 10-pins in old wood?
We use planets tho.
Let the Xyloid Games commence! #SciFanSat #vss365

— Neil Rodrigues✨ (@NeilRodrigues19) March 27, 2021

"I want to be strong. Good looking. Oh, rich too. All those things."

"Normally I collect payment after, but from you, I want it in advance."

"How much?"

"You don't know your folk tales? It's only a small trifle for such rewards, I promise," Mephistopheles said.#scifansat

— Yosen (@yosenspace) March 27, 2021

In a floating city nestled on the bog, she paid her way by hunting. She didn’t have time for love and romance, but that didn’t stop boys from making rude advances and then disappearing.#SuperheroSat#SciFanSat#BraveWrite#SatSpark#SatSplat#vss365#SciFiSat#SlapDashSat

— Peter J Gilbertson (@PeteJGilbertson) March 27, 2021

Clouds burgeoned, ominous bruises upon a dark sky. Thunder crashed. A silhouette stood in brooding silence.

"No cowards here!" the captain cried.

Lightning bloomed as the figure ignited.

"SIR?!"

He flung wild eyes to his men, "You heard me! #Advance – backwards!"#Scifansat

— Titania Tempest (@TitaniaTempest) March 27, 2021