Rutger Galtiarii is the Readers’ Choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. The winning entry is decided by the popular vote and rewarded with a special feature here today. There was a three-way tie this week, so the writer who submitted an entry first is the winner per our rules. Without further ado, here’s the winning story:
Spy Seal: Crime Fighter
by Rutger Galtiarii
Smuggling was a growing problem along the coast, so the agency dispatched Spy Seal to investigate. The seal was known for his stealth, quick reflexes and eating unusual little fish.
It didn’t take long for Spy Seal to locate a boat tied to a dock, containing two known smugglers.
Utilizing stealth, Spy Seal swam under the boat, and positioned himself on the other side of the craft. He readied himself to climb aboard and capture the two men.
“Do you get the feeling we’re being watched?” asked one of the smugglers, as he loaded containers into the hold.
“Nah. It’s just your imagination,” replied the other man.
“I heard Spy Seal was in the area.”
“You’re paranoid. Spy Seal will never find us once we’re out to sea.”
Quietly, Spy Seal maneuvered himself onto the boat, and once in position, let out a battle cry: “Peekaboo!”
Caught by surprise, the two men turned, and found themselves engaging a 300 pound crime fighting seal.
Pow! Bang! Boom!
The commotion on board the boat caught the attention of several people standing on the dock. “Look, mama!” shouted a little boy. “It’s Spy Seal!”
With several quick flicks of his tail, Spy Seal subdued the two smugglers, and they cowered in a corner in fear.
“Please Spy Seal,” pleaded one of the men. “No more! We give up.”
Everyone on the dock cheered.
And Spy Seal clapped his fins in triumph. “Arf! Arf!”
Congratulations to the other writers who tied with me this week.
I had fun writing this story.
Cheers.
Congratulations, Rutger, on winning this week’s competition. Your story was indeed fun. You have a flair for science fiction.
I join you in congratulating the other two writers who tied with you in the voting. All three stories were excellent!
Congratulations Rutger, I am proud to have been in a three way tie with you and Pat. Your stories were wonderful and entertaining as were the other submissions. This was my very first time writing flash fiction and I loved every minute of it. I look forward to sharpening my writing skills in future challenges.
Thanks Amy.
And congratulations to you as well.
It’s interesting how a single picture can generate so many different ideas.
I’ll be looking forward to reading more of your stories.
Cheers
Thanks for your kind words Mary.
I grew up reading Ray Bradbury, Orwell, etc.
They were writers ahead of their time.
Cheers
Hi again, Rutger.
I didn’t know how else to get in touch with you, but this seems like a good bet. I know that both of our stories aren’t eligible to win the Reader’s Choice again this month, but I have to tell you that I found your story about the Galactic Peeps very entertaining.
I enjoy a good sci fi yarn, but you also brought a great sense of humor into it. Aliens who are miffed about our trucking! That is altogether too funny. Thanks for the utter absurdity that put a smile on my face!