JANUARY 2026 SCIENCE FICTION MICROSTORY CONTEST (Comments and Critiques) > Likes and Comments
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Goodreads is giving my an error when I try to post the new stories thread:1 error prohibited this topic from being saved:
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Will try again later
Jot, it says I got it to post, but I don't see it anywhere. Might want to check.
Hope everyone has a happy and healthy new year!
I've been applying a bit of electrical engineering to this month's theme. One thing that quickly comes to mind: Not all electronics would be destroyed or even damaged. Only circuits at the VLSI (Very Large Scale Integrated) and denser levels would be destroyed. Larger, lower-scale circuits would not necessarily affected. Think large diodes/rectifiers, PV circuits (AKA solar panels) and high-current switch gear on the power grid. The power grid relies on a lot of computers, so most of it would not work. But hydro-electric power might still be available. I took a tour of a dam years ago, and it could generate electricity (the frequency varied with the valve adjustments, but they could hold 55-65 Hz with careful monitoring. No electronics, just transformers and wiring.Also, vacuum tube technology would be pretty much untouched. That Marshall guitar amp, if you could find a place to plug it in, would be just fine.
Also, any electronics shielded from the EMP could survive. Anything deep enough in a cave would be untouched. Preppers who stashed iPhones, Radios and Cameras inside of deactivated microwaves would have rare bits of technology. The iPhone would be a curiosity, but the camera could still capture images. If they had a laptop in there, they could keep it going using solar panels. As for the radio, antique, tube-based, transmitters could still work. It would be mostly the AM band at first.
It would not be pleasant, though. Supply chains would be severely hobbled. There would be a lot of starvation along with a lot of gunfire. The main power grid would be gone for quite a while. The Internet would be gone (at least as we know it) for a long time. The information stored on it would probably survive on servers located underground, but the infrastructure would not. Once it was restored, it would be a time capsule, with the whole EMP experience needing to be documented and filled in.
Modern automobiles would not run, but older ones would. That 1970 Nova that I had as a teenager would be fine. Getting gas would be a problem after a while. But, with some modifications, it might run on ethanol. Moonshiners could fuel a limited number of vehicles.
Smaller aircraft might still work but, without infrastructure, they would be limited to daytime and, even then, visual landing systems would be limited. If you can’t see the runway, you can’t use it.
So, it would be bad but it would be interesting to think about how things would change. Farmers would be the wealthiest people around, mechanics and engineers would barter for housing, food, etc. CEOs and Lawyers might be the first to be eaten (once they ran out of ammo) if things went wrong enough.
Pretty much chaos, Greg. And there would definitely be a shift in what is valuable and what isn't. Banks would be completely hobbled, along with currency. There is far less actual money in the system than most realize. Most people would be a pressed to pay a single bill. It's all mostly digital. It's possible the event would destroy the monetary system entirely and we would return to a barter system or something new. regardless, CHAOS.
Jack wrote: "Pretty much chaos, Greg. And there would definitely be a shift in what is valuable and what isn't. Banks would be completely hobbled, along with currency. There is far less actual money in the syst..."It's been said we're just one power failure away from a new dark age. The tech age does feel increasingly fragile.
Justin wrote: "Nice story Tom!"Thank you, Justin. (Wasn't easy fitting in both the EMP and the alien elements and giving justice to both)
I put mine up. It isn't much but was kind of going for a Twilight Zone-esque vibe.
Very interesting, Chris. The loner's POV gave it an unusual angle. I was reminded a bit of Vip Van Winkel.
Tom wrote: "Very interesting, Chris. The loner's POV gave it an unusual angle. I was reminded a bit of Vip Van Winkel."Thanks, Tom.
Beautifully poetic, Jack. And, a fascinating concept.
Jeremy McLain wrote: "Happy Nee Year everyone!"Happy New Year -
Mine's up. A little stretch on the theme, as it predates our technology, but certainly not theirs. Also wanted to include something about the Mariana Trench.
Jot wrote: "Mine's up. A little stretch on the theme, as it predates our technology, but certainly not theirs. Also wanted to include something about the Mariana Trench."Good imagery and suspense, Jot.
Chris and Jack! Great stories! Wow, really formed great images in my mind. Very unique!Jot, yours reminded me of an old sci-fi movie where a ship puts down on a planet with dinosaurs and the crew becomes stranded and basically populates the earth. Nice work!
Justin wrote: "Chris and Jack! Great stories! Wow, really formed great images in my mind. Very unique!Jot, yours reminded me of an old sci-fi movie where a ship puts down on a planet with dinosaurs and the crew..."
Thanks, Justin! :)
Interesting concept and and well-phrased dialogue, Greg.
Received votes so far from Jack and Greg. Stay safe in the snow this weekend.
Entertaining spy story, Jeremy. Well paced.'Didn't understand the purpose of the last paragraph, though.
A very interesting and good group of stories! Sorry not to get one in. My third son threw us a massive curve ball that we've been dealing with since 1/10. But, my roof is finally repaired and the two trees and concurrent branch debris has all been removed and chipped up. Never a dull moment here that's for sure!
One day at a time, dude.All votes in aside from Jeremy.
I’m reading them today, just trying to get ready for the snow coming tomorrow.
Tom, on last paragraph was implying a counter attack (6th trumpet) by the Nexus against the Vaelithians. Also implying way more Vaelithians on planet than even Sara even knows. Same number as number of nexus. Was trying to add hints that there is war (in heaven) across galaxy between Nexus and Vaelithians.
As reference hint in Revelation there are 2 major cullings of earth’s population 4th Seal which is 1/4 of population then 6th trumpet which is a 1/3.
So in story I’m hinting 1st attack is culling of Nexus. Foreshadowing remnant Nexus is planning Counterattack against Vaelithian as “6th trumpet”.
I was trying to hint “things are not as they seem” and Vaelithians may seem at first like the “good guys” but maybe not. Both factions are trying to take over the galaxy.
Element: Aliens among us