Deadline for Writers. 12 Short Stories in 12 Months – April– Prompt: Futile– Word Count: 500.

The commandant stared across the desk.

“Five hundred words? Are you having a laugh?!”

“Dr Brake,” he replied evenly, hands clasped, “if you are as innocent as you claim, that is more than enough. Keep going.”

“This isn’t about innocence!” Dr Terry Brake could feel his focus slipping—exactly what they wanted. “It’s about what’s right. How can I possibly explain everything in just five hundred words?”

“You are spreading misinformation,” the commandant said calmly, “and by doing so, you are undermining public trust in the government. That’s a criminal offence.”

Brake rubbed his temples. Thirty years in virology. Three decades of late nights, clinical trials, white papers, and public health work—all reduced to five hundred words. That was the limit the state had decided upon. Five hundred words to defend a lifetime of expertise. Five hundred words to stop what was coming.

“I’m not here to undermine anyone,” he said, quieter now. “But the virus is still spreading. It’s already in nearly 90% of the population, and we’ve begun seeing the mutation. It’s subtle, but it’s there.”

“We have controlled the virus,” the commandant interrupted with a level of disdain, “We have an effective vaccine, and the symptoms are not severe in over 99% of cases, you and your other so-called experts agree.”

“Yes, that is now,” Brake explained, trying to remain calm, “But there is a genetic mutation that will make it deadly. Viruses adapt. It’s also changing the shape of the spike proteins—the very proteins our vaccines target. If the virus evolves further, the current vaccine will become ineffective.”

“Evolution is just a theory,” the commandant said flatly. “Spread by your universities and other enemies of the state. You’re asking us to panic based on a possibility. A theory. You’ve got no proof.  It is scaremongering Dr Brake, plain and simple.”

Brake’s mouth fell open slightly. “A scientific theory is something that has undergone vigorous testing, a well-substantiated explanation backed by an abundance of evidence. What you are describing is an unsubstantiated hypothesis or opinion…”

The commandant checked a small screen. “Dr Brake, do I need to remind you again that you only have five hundred words, of which you have already used a large percentage. In an online court, if you cannot explain yourself within that, your defence is insubstantial.”

Brake stood. “I’ve studied viral behaviour longer than most people have studied anything. How can I possibly explain it all in so few words? We’ve seen it, we’ve studied it, and we are telling you what’s going to happen – millions of people could die! Millions!”

“We’ve heard it all before,” replied the commandant, “and yet, here we are. A dozen or so deaths, mostly elderly. We humoured your scaremongering, spent vast amounts of money, and for what? I think the figures speak for themselves.”

“We said it was a possibility! If it evolved…”

“Last warning, sixteen words remaining.”

“But you don’t understand! It’s going to become deadly! It’s evolving! All it needs is one-

Case dismissed.