The Lodestar Contest

Story Idea # 1 THE CYLINDER
Making an instant decision, Captain Robinet yelled, "We have to move now. Get the damn thing into the elevator. Emergency packs and weapons. Let's go."
The six military Specialists crowded into the freight elevator with the stainless steel cylinder, still on its wheeled rack, the life-monitor lights blinking orange on the power indicator. The elevator lurched and settled into a lifting grind. Jason, his eyes wide, said, "I came in the tunnel shuttle, I've never been topside. What's up there?"


Story Idea #2 FROM THE SKY
The Arranger signaled for the two dirt-encrusted farmers to come forward, instructing them to bring the shiny, spherical shape, embroidered with elaborate grooves and patterns, and carry it to the hall of the Gods. “Place it exactly in the center of the Offering Altar. I will follow to provide my protection.” The farmers had told him it fell from the sky with a strange whistling noise, landing soft as a feather in their field of white vegetable plants.