“Widget”: A SciFanSat Microfiction Compilation

I could see the #widget in his pocket twitch, as I entered the ballroom.

My red dress showing more skin than it should, had done the trick; his #undercover—cover was blown.

I zapped him with my, purse shaped widget—it was bigger than the “man” android’s. #vss365 #scifansat

— Fizzy-AllsortsOfAllsorts (@Fizzytwizler) June 25, 2022

The day they disappeared, a countdown widget had appeared on their phones. It laid a royal, sizzling disquiet in recipients' families, that tick tick ticking playing undercover innocent. Weeks later, licorice seemed to sweeten the air circling their doorsteps. #SciFanSat #vss365

— Lexi Lefevre (@LexiIsAWriter) June 25, 2022

They circled the Pharaoh’s daughter and the boy protecting her. His skill with a vibro-khopesh sword keeping the men at bay, she threw her royal Wadjet amulet at them.

The widget unfurled into a robot cobra as assassins screamed, and the children ran.#SciFanSat #2WordPrompt

— Jason H. Abbott (@Jason_H_Abbott) June 25, 2022

#SciFanSat #Widget flying at low altitude, hope to ding it off your head, reverberate it back on course to materialize in Asimov's story. Existing in a shifting galaxy, learning the psychology of what kind of doodad you are… ignore it and then transcend my irritation..

— Kimberly (@bionicanadian) June 24, 2022

As her hand hovered over the trackpad, she hesitated. Why had the responsibility fallen on her? This seemed, well, a bit above her pay grade. Then again, her bosses were idiots. She wiped away the sweat from her brow and clicked the widget to reset reality.#SciFanSat #Satsplat

— A. A. Rubin (@TheSurrealAri) June 25, 2022

He's far from human—he's something else, something adept at being #undercover.
"What now?"
Hal's face is taut in the cellar light.
"We get outta his house. Tell the world."
As we scramble out, I grab the odd control widget from the shelf, avoiding the buttons.#scifansat#vss365

— John Everex (@EverexJohn) June 25, 2022

"Curious #widget, isn't it," he said, observing the star-shaped object. It emitted a strange humming sound.
"The natives swear that this thing summons a demonic spirit."
Dead bloody bodies lay all around them.
"Is that why this crew beat each other to death?"#SciFanSat #satsplat

— Maria A. Perez (@MariaAPerez1) June 25, 2022

Visiting Earth?

To experience humanity, go #undercover! Remember: no #fly-ing, or tech #widget-s – this is a primitive race. To start, get a seat in the #Royal #Circle for a theatre performance.

Order half a cider, you'll fit right in.#vss365 #2WordPrompt #vssmagic #scifansat

— That Burnt Writer 🇺🇦 (@ThatBurntWriter) June 25, 2022

#scifansat

"Sir, if we change the variable type, we can stop these frames from seizing up in the field. Easy fix."

"You need to realise somethin'. Whether tac-frames or toasters, it's a #widget. Do this, we move less of 'em.

"It's the colony's job to spend money and soldiers." pic.twitter.com/beMj7Miqk1

— John Tannhauser is on the mend, hopefully 🇺🇦 (@JohnTannhauser) June 24, 2022

#SciFanSat
A year-long preparation bore fruit.
Infiltrating the royal logistics depot as an #undercover courier, he planted a #widget to check delivery schedules & drops, relying on his circle of associates who he duped into thinking they're on the same side.#vss365#2WordPrompt

— aran (@AranPotente) June 25, 2022

The first time I met Gustav #Haedler I hated his guts
The second time we meet I'm looking down the barrel of a loaded gun
My limbs #freeze
My mouth on the other hand goes into overdrive, like a malfunctioning radio #widget
Damn#SciFanSat #SatSplat #vss365 #Achtenwrite pic.twitter.com/rglOqYqgIQ

— 🤩 Debbie Iancu-Haddad – is done editing Tar&Bone (@debbieiancu) June 25, 2022

The FTL drive was shot. The chief engineer shook his head. Damn if I can figure out what's wrong. I'm not a mechanic.
I am, his assistant said. She examined the tangle of wires, untied a knot with her fingers. It's the widget spinner! Try it now. #SciFanSat #widget

— Voima Oy (@voimaoy) June 25, 2022

– Right, so you're telling me that this widget…
– It's an App.
– Whatever…no difference, is there? That this thingymajiggy can make you invisible?
– Yes. It's the future of #undercover operations.
– Pah, you know I don't believe…hey, where'd you go? #vss365 #SciFanSat

— Ellen✍K (@poeticnihilist) June 25, 2022

widget so simple
nobody notices
executive decisions

seasons quietly creative
with worldly records
infinite lists
revelations changing
very real existence
could not be imagined
in star shines
of a centred night#SciFanSat#vss #poem

— susan osborne (@osbornecsue) June 25, 2022

Dave didn't make #mistakes. He made #widgets.

Then, a #grand idea: Why not make widgets…that made widgets?

Bit by bit, widget by widget, they remade the world.

Listen. In the #silence between stars, you can almost hear it.

The widgets are coming.#SciFanSat widget #vsspic pic.twitter.com/8q9lhIQr2W

— Nicklaus Kruger (@ThatLousyNick) June 25, 2022

Red moon blossoming
Sapphire dawn metallic shines
Widget computes

Light shaft points the way
Hero rides space stallion
Honor satisfied

Father weeps for son
Green lightning strike pulses harsh
Lasers answering#SciFanSat#SciFaikuSaturday

— DW Keene (@Dragonandelf) June 24, 2022

With the right widget, she'd access the memory store from before she felt like trash. To hell with any lessons this offered.
She stored widgets under loose bricks on rooftops.
There was a note with the one she'd manage with:
'1 too many times'
'Too bad, me.'#satsplat #scifansat

— Fennel (@FennelSteuert) June 25, 2022

"There's a hole in the ship, Cap'n!"

"Never fear, sailor, I have my trusty #widget for just such emergencies."

"What… do I do with this, Sir?"

"Widget in and block it up, you fool!"#SciFanSat

— Titania Tempest (@TitaniaTempest) June 25, 2022

HEY.
What the… does this widget have a mike on it?
INSIDE YOUR HEAD.
Okay, what?
THE DEVICE THEY'VE GOT YOU CARRYING LETS YOU COMMUNICATE TELEPATHICALLY.
Cool.
OR IT CAUSES SCHIZOPHRENIA. I COULD TELL YOU WHICH ONE, BUT WHY WOULD YOU TAKE MY WORD FOR IT?#satsplat #SciFanSat

— Paul Briggs (@paulproofreader) June 25, 2022

“Stop eating that #widget,”hissed Katten. “Queen will eject us from the colony.”
“I’m famished.” Felix gnawed on the fishy cube.
“Here she comes,” growled Katten, “now explain the crumbs in your whiskers.”
“I’m #undercover quality control!”#SciFanSat #vss365

— Valery Dion (@ValeryKaye) June 25, 2022