"New Beginnings" - an Ultra Flashblast Story

'And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”'
- Jesus/God -

Making New Things.

If you've been reading my Whaleshares blog, you already know that I'm a sucker for creative writing prompts. I want to write. I need to write. Visiting @merej99's blog recently, I discovered @laureate's "Ultra FlashBlast Writing Prompt."

Can you believe it? The prompt is "New Beginnings," a concept that dovetails beautifully with my blog theme of making new things.

One of the prime motivations all makers have for making things is to bring something new into the world.

I hope you enjoy my story. Heck, I hope I enjoy it, as I am now about to write it... ;)

New Beginnings ~ Image courtesy of Jeremy Thomas

I'm in a celebratory mood, but at the moment a bit too tired to dance and sing, and so I lean back against the side of the ship, relishing the view. Grasslike vegetation below me forms a soft but supportive lounge.

The last two weeks have been utterly exhausting, but not without their rewards. Whoever imagined life in heaven as easy sure had it wrong. There's nothing remotely easy about opening up a new planet.

Even during my days on Earth, we already knew the galaxy was littered with worlds. Billions of them in the Goldilocks Zone, that orbital realm where—like on Earth—water can exist in all its forms. We chose Minerva to pioneer for that reason, among others. Here we have liquid oceans, solid ice caps, and glorious water vapor clouds.

After cleaning up and resting a bit, Amy and I will do some partying tonight. I uncork a decade-old Merlot from our stores, pour myself a full glass, and take a generous swallow.

During the past fortnight, we've succeeded in clearing and sowing a half acre of what looks to be very fertile ground for our first garden. It hasn't been all hard sweaty work; we've punctuated our labor with adventures in the surrounding savanna. Ranging only as far as we could travel on foot in a couple of hours, we have found more than a half dozen tasty native fruits and vegetables.

Tonight, we celebrate getting the garden in with a feast that combines grilled steaks and potatoes from our Earth larder with a salad made from local flora.

"What's for dinner?"

Pulling myself to my feet, I turn to see Amy, still blotting herself dry. She's headed my way after a bath in the nearby stream. My drop-dead gorgeous, enthusiastic and industrious soul-mate is without a doubt a fitting "Eve" for this brave new world. Though less sure of my qualifications for the role of Adam, I don't lack a sense of humor.

"Whatever you rustle up, love."

Failing to duck quickly enough, the wadded-up towel Amy flings hits me squarely in the face.

"Thanks for the towel, babe. I do need to go clean up for supper. Seriously, I've already thawed and seasoned the steaks, and the fruits and veggies are rinsed and chopped. All you have to do is throw them on the grill and toss a salad."

I pour Amy a glass of Merlot, and hand it to her after collecting a quick kiss.

"Slave driver. OK, I'll cook. I'm glad I got back in time for the second sun to set. Now, hurry, go get your bath."

It's a two minute walk to our stream-fed pool. I plunge, then stand under the waterfall and wash away the dirt and sweat of the day's labor.

After a mouth-watering dinner, we put on some music. Amy and I dance away a half hour under the starlight, drawing progressively closer. Time for a little more sowing.

Later, beneath a light cover, we lie together naked on the springy grass, looking up at the unearthly sky, picking out new constellations.

"Do you think you caught?"

"Mmmm... Could be." In the starlight, I see Amy's gentle smile grow. "It's a boy. What shall we name him?"

"Don't know yet." I glide my hand over her belly, dipping my index finger into her navel. "I do know this. We won't be calling him Cain."

Watching Sun #2 Set... ~ Image prompt supplied by @laureate

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Postscript:

I have received some wonderful feedback courtesy of the @laureate account and other Flashblast participants, for which I am truly grateful.

Please note, however, that I have not yet incorporated the feedback, so this is the "before" version. I hope to incorporate the feedback after some careful consideration. Perhaps I will publish the "after" version then.

Yes, I definitely enjoyed writing this story. And yes, I realize that it reads for the most part like Science Fiction, but it is only partly Sci-Fi.

At the moment, "New Beginnings" is merely a Theological Fantasy.

However, it is a story that I look forward to living one day in the future because I am one who believes that the historical figure commonly known as Jesus is in fact the Creator/God of our universe. Furthermore, Jesus has promised me a literal, eternal life in a renewed version of this same universe.

Thanks for visiting our (usually) Maker-themed blog.

Important Note: My articles often contain hot links to supplemental information. While they aren't essential, you may find added value by following them. Most images also link to useful or related information or articles.

As a member of the Whaleshares community, I promise to take your comments, both positive and corrective, very seriously.

I'm especially interested in meeting makers. If you make stuff, I would love to read about it and encourage you in any way that I can... Just say "Hi" in a comment, and show me what you're working on; I welcome your links!

Thanks to @beherenow for this lovely #thebeast banner!