IAIN KELLY

REAP WHAT YOU SOW

The massive missile defence cannon lit up red and orange in the night sky.

‘Citizens, once again we are safe. Russia, Iran, Korea – no one can threaten our great city!’ The crowd cheered.

Klaus slipped away as the mayor continued his rabble-rousing speech. Politicians and their half-truths, he thought.

The defence system he had developed worked if the incoming missile was intercontinental. It could do nothing against a short-range, low-flying projectile.

He got into his car and drove out of the city.

He crossed the Hudson and dialled the number in Baltimore. It was answered on the first ring.

‘Launch.’


nyc-jill-wisoff
Copyright Jill Wisoff

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

107 responses to “REAP WHAT YOU SOW”

  1. ceayr Avatar

    Devious chap, your Mr Klaus.
    But have to kinda empathise with his view of politicians.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Inspired by the devious traitor of the original Manhattan Project.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Sascha Darlington Avatar

        I didn’t know there was one. I will have to look that up. Very interesting!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    Terrifying and tense story. Well told. .

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle

      Like

  3. neilmacdon Avatar

    There’s always a back door

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The best plans always find one.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Anita Avatar

    Suspense is intact till the end! At first I thought, there’d be an alien attack!
    Then realized that Klaus is a traitor. He has developed defence system and still is anti-defence…
    Nice story.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Anita, indeed he is a very human traitor.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Susan A Eames Avatar

    Oh, I liked that! Totally unexpected – thanks for surprising me. 🙂

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Good to know it had an effect, thanks Susan.

      Like

  6. may hem Avatar
    may hem

    you have managed to once again send chills up my spine… and I’ll use this occasion to say thank you for all the great stories, though I rarely hit that like button, (if I did it as often as you deserve, it would start to be creepy) your imagination and productivity amazes me and is quite humbling. Again, thanks for the great reads. I look forward to reading many more.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much, so nice to hear. Please do ‘like’ the stories, it’s nice to know they are appreciated 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Dale Avatar

    This is too real and possible!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It only takes one person to decide to do something drastic…

      Liked by 1 person

  8. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Another good tale Iain. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  9. James Pyles Avatar

    It seems that protecting one city against intercontinental missiles is a narrow vision. At least Reagan’s “Star Wars” defense was intended to shield the whole country.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Who says the cities are talking to each other by this stage?

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Courtney Wright Avatar

    I think he is a right evil dude! Wonder how much of that could truly happen today? Hmmmm .. well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m not sure about the exact science behind it, but I’m sure if someone wanted to, they could…

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Rowena Avatar

    Hi Iain,
    You still standing after the A-Z? It feels a little strange now to have the pressure off, although I am trying to catch up on the reading side.
    This story was exceptionally creepy, and terrorist attacks have shown that this is exactly the type of person we have to watch out for.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Creepy is good, and if the US decides to destabilise the Middle East as Trump is threatening to, then who knows where we will end up in the future. Still getting used to the free time after finishing the A – Z 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. pennygadd51 Avatar

    Good take on the prompt, Iain.
    For those of a nervous disposition, missile technology is complex and difficult. Effective destructive capacity is well beyond the resources of a terrorist group. The Palestinian militants, Hamas, use large numbers of rockets supplied by Hizbollah, a semi-state organisation, and they’ve been pretty ineffective – I think they’ve managed one death in the last five years.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Penny. All the more reason to keep the bigger, more powerful weapons out of their hands, and more importantly, out of the reach of any countries and governments.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Lynn Love Avatar

    Now, the man developing the tech would be the perfect one to exploit the weaknesses, it’s true. I’m hoping Penny’s right and your view of rocket precision is optimistic! Great read iain

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The trouble is it only takes one or two to hit the right spot and it could be a catastrophe, especially in our crowded cities with skyscrapers… The inside job is definitely the one I would worry about, what could be done to prevent it if someone so decided. Thanks Lynn.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        Scary thoughts Iain! My pleasure

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Tracey@MyBajaKitchen.com and TraceyDelaplainMD.com Avatar

    When idiots are in charge of our safety: a timely tale about clueless politicians and nukes.
    Thanks for the scare.
    Tracey

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      My thoughts exactly. Scary indeed.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. StuHN Avatar

    Nukes will happen

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      At some point someone is going to hit a button somewhere…

      Like

  16. Liz H Avatar

    Scary. As if ripped from the (future) headlines themselves. 😦

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A little too close to reality,I agree.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    Like shooting fish in a barrel

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It would be that easy if they have the weapons..

      Like

  18. Liz A. Avatar
    Liz A.

    Too close to reality, you’ve got there.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I fear so Liz.

      Like

  19. granonine Avatar

    Yeah, that’s really scary. Classic technique of a con artist is to get the victim’s attention on something else.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Exactly, concentrating on the wrong enemy.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Shalzmojo Avatar

    Oh my this was diabolically done! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  21. syncwithdeep Avatar
    syncwithdeep

    I am always in awe of your twists and turns since atoz.. a very good take on the photo prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, too kind 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Russell Avatar

    A good take on the prompt! Really enjoyed it!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    Politicians are the modern day Neros. The only difference is, they’ll help burn down Rome, even light the first match, as long as they see some profit in it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      At least you knew where you stood with Nero, he didn’t try to hide what he was behind a sheen of respectability!

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Varad Avatar

    Bet he didn’t tell them the complete truth. This makes me think of the twin towers. They never needed a missile afterall. Excellent read, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Varad

      Like

  25. jillyfunnell Avatar

    Tense and tight writing. Loved this, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Jilly 🙂

      Like

  26. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    A chilling tale indeed. Nice one Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Keith

      Liked by 1 person

  27. shivamt25 Avatar

    That was terrifying! 😱

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, that was my aim.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Alana Mautone (@RamblinGarden) Avatar

    There was a story I read not that long ago about the aftermath of an accidental nuclear strike on New York City. Made this story that much more creepy (and plausable).

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The more weapons that exist, the more likely an accident will happen one day, nevermind a deliberate attack.

      Like

  29. Vinay Leo R. Avatar

    Ah. The one who develops not only knows the loophole but uses it effectively for evil. True in general too, I think. Sadly. Loved the tale, and the suspense. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Like

  30. draliman Avatar

    It helps to have inside knowledge. Quite chilling.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Bettina Avatar

    I was on tenterhooks! Who can you trust…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Trust no-one!

      Like

  32. liz young Avatar

    That’s the city gone, then, along with millions of people. War is horrible.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It was ever thus.

      Like

  33. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Oooooo evil. I love it. Great build of tension.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Dawn, that’s the intended reaction!

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    This story made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck, well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Michael

      Like

  35. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    Very scary and uncomfortably close to reality We dance on a volcano.

    Liked by 1 person

  36. Jan Vanek Avatar

    These days, “half-truths” is being generous. Great story with a lesson on the consequences of believing whatever we’re told–just because it’s what we want to hear.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  37. Jazmin Ruiz Avatar

    This is really good.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Jazmin 🙂

      Like

  38. lisarey1990 Avatar

    Great suspense.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Lisa

      Liked by 1 person

  39. Susan Avatar

    A terrifying notion given the state of the world these days.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      That was my thought Susan.

      Liked by 1 person

  40. Fatima Fakier Avatar

    A loophole they overlooked. Tense and terrifying.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Fatima

      Like

  41. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    The citizens were lulled into a false sense of security by smooth-talking politicians. They never saw it coming. Definitely some real-world truth here. Well written as always! =)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yet we still listen to them and believe them! Thanks Brenda

      Liked by 1 person

  42. AshleyDannie Avatar
    AshleyDannie

    Dang!!! Nicely written!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  43. kirstwrites Avatar

    Having only tried writing these 100 word stories a couple of times, it’s great to see such a good example of one. Dialogue and action really well combined. Feel like I’m taking notes from an expert!

    Like

  44. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    Great twist and so concise with so much going on and so many characters. I’m left wondering who Klaus is working for and what he’s up to.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      In my mind a foreign power, but then he could be freelancing on his own.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sarah Ann Avatar
        Sarah Ann

        Foreign power works, so now I have to think which one.

        Liked by 1 person

  45. michaelwynnauthor Avatar

    Nice one Iain, I didn’t see the ending coming. Sinister deeds afoot.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Michael

      Liked by 1 person

  46. magarisa Avatar

    The gigantic defence system offers the people a false sense of security. A scary story that is so close to reality.

    Liked by 1 person

  47. Russell Gayer Avatar

    Another timely and well written piece. My hat’s off to you, sir.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Russell

      Like

  48. Donna B. McNicol Avatar

    Oh my – nasty!! Well done…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Donna

      Like

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