Leaves swayed at the ship’s landing. Its team stepped out onto the alien world, fully suited, protected from its thick atmosphere.
Deep violet vegetation sprawled toward the horizons ahead. Behind, an ocean of scarlet brine swelled and oozed.
“Mission here is to survey, we need to claim this world before the enemy,” the commander said.
Rustling leaves distracted the Earth-born galactic soldiers.
A creature approached.
“That’s a-”
“It has a horn.”
“Should we apprehend it?”
“Commander?”
“It’s-” said the commander, transfixed, “a unicorn.”
It eyed them, silently inspiring them to kneel in surrender.
“Stand down,” the commander said.
© 2020-2021 Rebecca Glaessner
I tapped run and the robotic creature shifted smoothly through the commands I’d coded. Satisfied, I packed it up for the presentation.
“Gonna tell me?” someone said, “somethin’ fierce, I bet.”
“A dragon, ya think?” another said.
Head held proud, I made my way to the platform.
“I chose to create something of legends,” I said, “something of the first world, something that inspired billions.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
I revealed the creature.
Several scoffed, others laughed, “ridiculous.”
I tapped run and the crowd hushed, transfixed. The life-sized unicorn awoke.
“Something that’ll inspire peace through these wars.”
© 2020-2021 Rebecca Glaessner
If you enjoyed these pieces, please consider supporting the author via ko-fi.
Rebecca Glaessner Author 