Qu’eethi pressed a naso-orbital bone to the substandard instrument. The outer-planetary object would be making its descent soon, and Qu’eethi was watching. Dorsal salivary ridges, as phantasmagoricized as Qu’eethi, underwent piloerection as the nimbus came into view. Had Qu’eethi been on ancient Earth, the object’s make-up would’ve been clear: discarded spacesuit, minus occupant.
Qu’eethi hoped they didn’t have another sticky collide-o-scope event on their hands’ hands.
The kaleidoscope pun (and attendant image of an alien peering through a telescope of some kind) arrived almost instantly when I read the Chimera 66 #11 challenge word. It then became a matter of how to spackle a decent microflash around the word. I’m not sure I succeeded—if only I had about five more words!—but it’s a fantastic exercise to work those sprint-fiction muscles . . . AND, besides, I love supporting in my own minute way what Suzanne and the ghouls have gotten tumbling with their endeavor.
In researching medical and astronomy terminology, some that I’d forgotten once upon a time (oh, for a 20-year-old’s memory capabilities!), I stumbled across this fascinating fact. Did you know that a “retired” spacesuit was rigged with a radio device and set adrift from the International Space Station in February 2006? I didn’t remember that. Specifically, it was an Orlan spacesuit. And Wikipedia said so, so you know it’s gotta be true. 🙂
Hope you enjoyed pondering the squidgy sci-fi microfiction this week, including Qu’eethi’s possible motives had the “Earth being” made a live touchdown. Do peruse the other Sixty-Sixers this week for a decadent treat, comrades (hey, I’m channeling the Russian spacesuit)!
Leigh's Wordsmithery 
Brilliant. I am sure even Dr Johnson would be impressed. 🙂
Oooo, I did enjoy that, Leigh. An excellent piece of micro-fiction. Your originality is to be applauded.
And now I have a challenge for you, and so hope you’ll take it up, as whatever you pen on the subject will be quite unique, I’m sure.
http://sarahpotterwrites.com/2015/03/26/love-in-ten-lines/
Clever. Are you perhaps missing a possessive _’s_ in the second sentence?
“Sticky collide-o-scope event” is one of my most favorite terms I’ve heard all week. Ah, the imagination of an accomplished writer never ceases to amaze me!
…but still, I can’t abide those cheap, scratchy orlon spacesuits. They give me the weeby-jeebies!
Excellent creativity!
This is all a bit beyond me, but I am fascinated by the free-roaming spacesuit!
Leigh I will say I admire and am somewhat intimidated by your writing skills. Wonderful and creative piece.
What a unique and imaginative take on the prompt. I enjoy your writing!
Thank you very much, Susan. Likewise with the Lindborgs’ adventures in Europe (among your many writings)!
Wonderfully creative piece! I enjoyed your additional information as well. Rather fascinating.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Tony. It’s interesting to see that you’re working on so many types of writing projects. I think we probably share a kinship there, as well as in SF interests. Oh, and poor Captain Morrow; first the tangerine-tambourine confusion and now this kaleidoscope conundrum! He seems like a fun guy to tweak with, though (i.e., easily enraged).
I think you did a bang-up job of building a story around your delightful pun! And I enjoyed reading the info after your submission just as much, especially the bit about the spacesuit, which I didn’t know either.
Leigh, I’m astounded by your imagination and way of putting words together (those I’ve heard of and those I haven’t!). The image of the roving spacesuit is a real spark for the imagination and I suspect Qu’eethi’s motives aren’t benign 🙂
You are so wonderfully creative! And, no, I never heard about the drifting space suit. Hmm! 🙂
Very interesting, even in its brevity.
someday i know you’ll be recognized for enriching the english language.
You’re too nice, Plaridel. Thank you!
Clever pun! I thought you did well, especially with the limited word count 🙂
Thank you, Janna. There were lots of great kaleidoscope entries.