Showing posts with label alternative history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alternative history. Show all posts

Saturday, 7 November 2026

Sunday, 1 November 2026

Sarah isotopes



Sarah Isotopes
After the nuclear war with France half of the UK was destroyed or uninhabitable. Many big towns and cities ceased to exist. Those that survived were over ten thousand in population or had not been hit due to a lack of warheads or the delivery vehicles had failed or been shot down. It was a calculated chess game. Many of Sarah's comrade freedom fighters had died when Leeds or Liverpool had been nuked. Yet ones near or in Manchester survived as no warhead fell there. Tens of millions hand died. Many on the day of the exchange and later by radiation. Survivors faced a long slow death or severe illness with cancer. Health care collapsed, food production ceased, transport systems failed. Law and order broke down. It was terrifying. Sarah, John and Lee, later joined by Red and Gun Barrel, remained in Oldham. Many survivors fled to the mountains or the north. The south was a radioactive wasteland. The freedom fighters maintained discipline, were always armed and worked with the surviving Freedom Fighter Head Quarters. Rival armed groups became a small problem. They were few in number, not well trained and had old weapons. If negotiation failed they were targeted and dealt with. Dangerously, a new enemy came into being. Surviving units of the English Army. There had been tensions before the nuclear war. Several skirmishes and battles. More of the fighting came later. Many English troops and bases were destroyed in the war. But several remained intact. Several thousand soldiers remained. Sarah told her mates that they always has to be ready. She exchanged messages with HQ on this. Plans were made in case the army attacked or sent out recon patrols. Let their patrols find nothing. Don't engage their drones or helicopters unless absolutely necessary. Let our existence be secret to them. If we need to fight we will do. We will win for we live here. This is our home. We are outnumbered and outgunned with old or second rate weapons. Our courage and tenacity will allow us to win. As our intelligence and critical thinking allowed us to survive the aftermath of a nuclear exchange. Those were the worst times. Still are. We grow crops on Oldham Edge. Get fresh water from there. We communicate with our remaining units by secret means. The Welsh and Scots leave us alone. That war is history. The English Army is the enemy now. If they want war they will get it! I am Sarah. I wanted my fairytale. With a loving husband, kids, a job and our own house. Laugh if you want. The life I wanted was ripped away when I was seventeen. I never met my husband. That's a good thing. As is having no kids. I'm a soldier.  A freedom fighter fighting for my beliefs. Nobody stopped me before. Not the Welsh or English or French. Not rival armed fighters. Only the great creator knows when it'll be my end. Till then I do what I do. Work at the aid station in the old Oldham hospital. There's so many hurt or sick. I practice shooting and defence tactics with my mates. And wait for an attack that will come in future. We don't know when but we will be ready. We have our supply of weapons in the lock up garage. When the army comes knowing we will open the door. Just wait and see...
***

Thursday, 15 October 2026

Juniper's Daughter upward

Juniper's Daughter Upward

The witch went to the peak. It was a gray day with high cloud cover but no rain. She wore a yellow dress with oranges on it. A simple image of nature. On here feet were leather sandals. She spent two hours ascending. The trail was rough and not well defined. She used a compass and the sun.

When on top she took on the view. It was flat. Around this the sides dropped away often steeply. She nodded and drank some water. With a clap of her hands she was ready. Sparks came forth. A green glow surrounded her. Visible in daylight. Up above clouds increased speed. A wind blew ruffling her hair. Her skin was sensitive. She smiled. It was time.  


"I am here. Where are you Ruth? Come to me. I know you are close. The reality is different though. We send you regards and best wishes."  


A silence descended and the wind increased. It took her breath away. It became audible buffeting her. She shifted her stance. Her power still worked.

On the horizon a bright pinpoint of white light appeared. It zipped right and left. What was it? Then up and down before stopping. It moved closed and erratically like a marble down a slope.  


Juniper's Daughter focused on it. She whispered incantations and clapped her hands. The orange increased and pulsed. Her dress clung to her revealing her full figure. Her nipples were there. Her skin had goose bumps.  


The light was suddenly in front of her. A white green red flash erupted. It went on and on. Pulsating lights those colours. She shielded her gaze. The light brightened. She shut her eyes. It was still visible flickering and pulsating. Like a dozen nuclear bombs.  


Then it stopped. The witch opened her eyes.  


"Ruth! Oh my goodness. You are here...'  


"Yes, Juniper's Daughter. I am here. One witch meeting another...'  


"Its been a long time. Much has changed...."  


The meeting of witches began atop the windy peak....

***  
  
  
  

Friday, 9 October 2026

Blue Boxes – Stories About Sarah by Nick Armbrister (Author)

 Well I suppose I better tell some stories. My name is Sarah. I am a soldier. Not in a regular army though I have worked with them several times. That was in the UK civil war when Scotland and Wales went for independence. I was involved from the beginning. It was fraught with difficulty. Our weapons were old. This is part of my story. I never got my fairy tale life of a loving husband, our kids, a home and a job. Instead I was forced to be a soldier. It was fight or die. What would you do?


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HLTBPTB2


https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/2116466




Wednesday, 23 September 2026

sarah new stories war nukes and more

 


 

 

 

Sarah Pointed

Sarah once had an Air Force lover. They met in a Manchester bar between one of the many wars. He was off duty. She was too though she was armed. Drunk dangerous and armed. This was how it was. Young soldiers were expected to know all things. That included being responsible. Sarah was that. She met Rudy in the Northern Quarter. Sarah took him to a small room she rented. It was a long walk to Oldham. John and Lee were doing a deal. The gal was having some fun. She had her needs. Her friends were out of bounds. A nice thirty something pilot wasn't. He was a decade older than the soldier. Her weapon was an old ex-army SA80. His was a slightly outdated Typhoon jet fighter. He told Sarah all about the coming war with France. Told her to stay away from the cities and towns. Go to the hills he urged. Our leaders are scared. So are the French. The UK civil war was bad. This will be worse. There's no way to stop it. The Frogs refuse to talk about the fishing dispute. All we do is threaten. It won't end well. Enough of that the gal said. Buy me a drink. Buy me six drinks. Make love not war baby. Take me flying in your jet. Just you and me. Show me how you kiss the clouds. Loop the loop with me baby. This they did in a small room in central Manchester in-between the many wars. Would they remember this time? The brown-haired gal and the blond-haired flier. Twin flames ignited by a love of country and desire for the other.

 

Time passed and the bombs fell. He was later killed in the UK/French nuclear war. His Typhoon strike fighter disappeared over Paris. Almost a hundred million people died in that week-long war that needed up nuclear. Sarah missed Rudy on occasion. They were both soldiers. The only difference was she was still alive.

***

 

 

 

Sarah Escals

Sarah remembered after the nuclear exchange. That was the understatement of forever. Hundreds of warheads launched. Dozens of millions killed. Many towns and cities destroyed. Untold millions more injured or with radiation sickness. The biggest human tragedy ever. That anybody survived was a miracle. Most people were suffering. Fallout depended where you were located. The way the wind blows. You had to be there and survive to know what it was like. The UK landmass with three independent nations was decimated. It was a mini apocalypse. Imagine it was the full global nuclear arsenal. Sarah missed her dead family members and friends. She daydreamed of a happy life. Married with kids. It was a fairy tale. Survival mattered. Sarah's soldiering skills and access to weapons did. As did the support of John and Lee. Only by steel determination would they live. A gun was always close. You have to endure into know. This event changed all things. A final war. Yet conflict would continue. This time the enemy would be absolutely top dog. More than all the others combined. Satan. He would try to win this battle. A final fight. Was Sarah or her other fighters aware? Luckily help would arrive. A witch with powers off the chart. A new friend indeed for Sarah and the rest...

***

Saturday, 19 September 2026

Riga Spin Spin

 

 




 

Riga Spin Spin

Riga pushed the throttle

Forward back forwards back

Feet on the brakes

Nosing forwards on the runway

Prop a whirling whirring sliver blur

Powerful inline piston engine

An absolute fucking roar of what?

This Messerschmitt fighter so alive

Painted three shades of pretty blue

Gal in the cockpit a small thing

Not insubstantial just sat there

This amazing machine was living

Living on the runways waiting

To ascend into its lair the sky

There life real life took over

Into the sky always forever eternity

Come on little Riga fly!

Your Messerschmitt needs air

To live be alive oh so living up there!

 

Saturday, 5 September 2026

Riga Finals by Brian Von Blimp

Riga Finals

by Brian Von Blimp


This is book ten in the Riga series and the last for now. Till when? Riga goes on her exploits both on Earth in more mundane settings and also in outer space with her flying disc. The writing is in the usual flash fiction style with a section of poems. Pedro gets a mention. He and Riga were brought together and interacted. Whether is was positive or negative is for you to say. Riga does her duties to help others and the Universe in different realities. If you see a small gal who is focused on her task it will be her. Do not trigger her! Her time is never enough for her many tasks. Follow Riga in her latest escapades. Work and erotic settings are included. All what we find in life and more. Wish little Riga luck. She will return in future. Will you miss her?



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HHQQZ32X

https://books2read.com/u/3yBOxB 




Tuesday, 1 September 2026

Sarah all arms op

Sarah All Arms Op

Sarah, Lee and John went on an operation with the English Army

There was a small base of Scottish fighters in a house

The house was fortified with concrete, sand bags and trenches

There was below ground cellars and storage rooms

These held accommodation for fighters and weapons

The Scottish fighters had attacked several border posts and towns

English Army soldiers struggled to defensively stop them

Casualties in the towns had been in the dozens

An operation was put together with English freedom fighters

These had skills and experience from their own cross border ops

The army would provide firepower and troop numbers

An English Army Apache helicopter was to give air support

It had no guided weapons only its cannon and unguided rockets

Sixty freedom fighters and two hundred soldiers were involved

Enemy fighter strength was estimated at sixty or more

These were determined fighters who knew their job roles

To fight and defeat the English to gain Scottish independence

They were almost there and needed stopping in one last battle

Sarah, Lee and John were armed given weapons

Stirling sub machine guns and bayonets provided by the army

These dated from the fifties and were well maintained

It was a three-day hike at night to the target area

By day the force hid and maintained guards to avoid discovery

At the jump off point Sarah met with the English Army NCOs

They briefed on final battle plans and mission code words

Sarah in turn briefed John, Lee and other fighters

They were a force to be reckoned with to defeat the Scots

Just before dawn they were half a mile from the house

It was by a small wood and overgrown fields

The Apache helicopter was on the way

It would soften up the target with dozens of rockets

The battle group heard the turbine engines

And the gunship sped overhead firing immediately

Its rockets peppered the target exploding violently

The freedom fighters cheered and raised their fists

Debris, flames and smoke obscured the target

Enemy fighters emerged from trenches and entrances

They fired wildly sending tracers skywards

The Apache made a gun run firing its big cannon

Shells exploded among the enemy fighters

Screams and shouts echoed over the fight

English freedom fighters and soldiers ran forward

Firing their own guns at selected targets

Sarah fired single shots at enemy fighters

John fired on full auto and Lee waited

He sized up three enemies then aimed

A trigger pulled dropped all three

Sarah raised her fist and rallied her troops

She pointed and dozens of English advanced

Soldiers fired and threw grenades

It was bedlam but planned chaos

The house was burning and smoking

Why storm it when it could be burned?

Several soldiers were killed or injured

A freedom fighter had his head blown off

Sarah couldn’t help him so she grabbed his weapon

She fired this at running figures through the smoke

The Apache came in again hitting the house and trenches

A gun position returned fire at the chopper

Green tracers reached up pretty and perilous

English soldiers advanced to the trenches

Grenades were used to clear them

The freedom fighters stormed the gun position

Six were hit with three killed

Enemy fighters were being depleted

They continued to resist causing casualties

A final Apache run stopped their advance

Superior numbers and firepower won here

Soldiers and freedom fighters reached the house

It was an inferno with nobody left alive

Fighting continued in the trenches and tunnels

Sarah spotted five fighters trying to escape

“Guys follow me let’s get them!”

The trio went kept low and hid behind a tree

The enemy five were by an old rusting car

She told John to fire at the vehicle

Lee joined Sarah circling their enemy

John fired shorts bursts which peppered the car

The five ran to some small trees

Sarah and Lee waited then fired

All five were cut down by bloody violence

None returned a shot or were taken alive

“Well done mate, let’s get back to John.”

The attack was almost over

The English Army troops guarded the area

Four other fighters tried to flee

Soldiers cut them down without mercy

No prisoners were needed or taken

The Apache circled overhead then flew home

When the tunnels and trenches were clear

The dead Scottish fighters were left to rot

A powerful reminder to their comrades

If you attack England there will be a reaction

One you could never contain or control

Friday, 22 May 2026

Sarah bad ass

Edited

Sarah Bad Ass
We regularly drank moonshine. It was made from grain gathered from Oldham Edge in the old power station. Lethal stuff. Double the strength of vodka or brandy. It not only got us drunk. We also made it into fire bombs. We used these against the English Army. Against tanks they weren't brilliant but on soldiers they did the job. Added to our other weapons it made us dangerous. On one drinking session I was with Red, Lee, Gun Barrel and John. We drank a bottle of moonshine each. I went slow. The guys loved shine. It lubricated them lol. We drank in one of the old flats at St Mary's Way. Telling stories that made me blush but I was one of the guys and knew a few myself. Boasts of who was the best shot or who had done the bravest/stupidiest battle act were drunkenly exchanged. Huge embellishments were added. Instead of hitting an enemy soldier at five hundred yards it was a mile. Even if the rifle could only shoot to half a mile. None of us had anything to prove but drunk was drunk. I let them get on with it. Mostly listening. I added my ownEdited

Sarah Bad Ass
We regularly drank moonshine. It was made from grain gathered from Oldham Edge in the old power station. Lethal stuff. Double the strength of vodka or brandy. It not only got us drunk. We also made it into fire bombs. We used these against the English Army. Against tanks they weren't brilliant but on soldiers they did the job. Added to our other weapons it made us dangerous. On one drinking session I was with Red, Lee, Gun Barrel and John. We drank a bottle of moonshine each. I went slow. The guys loved shine. It lubricated them lol. We drank in one of the old flats at St Mary's Way. Telling stories that made me blush but I was one of the guys and knew a few myself. Boasts of who was the best shot or who had done the bravest/stupidiest battle act were drunkenly exchanged. Huge embellishments were added. Instead of hitting an enemy soldier at five hundred yards it was a mile. Even if the rifle could only shoot to half a mile. None of us had anything to prove but drunk was drunk. I let them get on with it. Mostly listening. I added my own stories when asked or when I chose to. I was an Alpha Bitch. I was also female. So acted like one at times. The guys were all alphas. We all had the others' backs. Guns were still within reach when drunk. Just in case the army came knocking. We wanted no accidents so safety's were on. We are baked potatoes cooked over bricks and wood. Bottles were finished. More were opened. Things were slow now. I wanted to know about the new bike project. Tell me about your new motorcycle project, I said to Red and Gun Barrel. I hear it's a real bad ass bike. It went from there. Those two drank more shine and smiled. Real bad ass yes, from Red. Not a bike, a trike, and it will run on this, from Gun Barrel. You'll soon see young lady. As will the guys. Till then, let's drink some more. Hey Lee, tell me about how crap the English Army is at fighting. We all laughed. Lee slurred his words and went on. Well, it goes it goes like this. They shoot worse than school gals...
***


 stories when asked or when I chose to. I was an Alpha Bitch. I was al. So acted like one at times. T were all alphas. We all had the others' backs. Guns were still within reach when drunk. Just in case the army came knocking. We wanted no accidents so safety's were on. We are baked potatoes cooked over bricks and wood. Bottles were finished. More were opened. Things were slow now. I wanted to know about the new bike project. Tell me about your new motorcycle project, I said to Red and Gun Barrel. I hear it's a real bad ass bike. It went from there. Those two drank more shine and smiled. Real bad ass yes, from Red. Not a bike, a trike, and it will run on this, from Gun Barrel. You'll soon see young lady. As will the guys. Till then, let's drink some more. Hey Lee, tell me about how crap the English Army is at fighting. We all laughed. Lee slurred his words and went on. Well, it goes it goes like this. They shoot worse than school gals...
***


Saturday, 9 May 2026

Riga Meets Sarah

 


Riga Meets Sarah

Imagine a place where you can meet people. Riga met Sarah. A meeting that never should've happened. Both wanted to meet missing loved ones. They went to this place to do that. The people they met were not who they wanted to.

 

I miss my father. That fact never ever goes away. If only there was a way to finally be together. Other than my own death. Meeting my father in dreams and by spaceship doesn't count. It's not... Real.

 

Lee, I miss you. Where are you now? Did you know that John and I were together? We were happy for a few years. Can you believe that? We denounced war. Threw away all our guns. We had a son. A difficult birth. He was a monster. That's what we called him. Monster. The radiation...

 

"Who are you? You are not Lee?" Sarah was so confused. "What the Hell?'

 

"Where's my father? He should be here. Not you!" Riga also perplexed. She shook her head.

 

"This place..." Sarah waved her hands.

 

"It's not what it's meant to me." Riga wiped her tears away.

 

"I know. Tell me about it. I’m Sarah."

 

"Sarah? I'm Riga. Nice to meet you."

 

"Likewise. How are you? What's the matter? Please don't cry."

 

"I came here to see my father. He died before his time."

 

"I'm so sorry Riga. Please don't be sad."

 

I'm always sad after my father died. It's why I left my boyfriend Pedro and gave him Hell. Thanks for your kind words Sarah."

 

"I am sorry Riga. We all lose those we love. My friend Lee died. We were all soldiers. The English army killed him. It was terrible. We won the fight but who won the war? I certainly didn't..."

 

“I am sorry too for your friend Lee’s death. You just have been close. It's ok about my father. Thank you...."

 

"I guess we are both the same. Sisters in death and loss. You're not alone now Riga. I am your friend..."

 

"Thank you. I need a friend. Sarah is a pretty name."

 

"I'm from Oldham. In England. My home town. It was destroyed with a nuclear bomb. You see we were at war..."

 

"I'm sorry about all that. The war. Your friend dying. Your home destroyed like that."

 

"Yes Riga. Modern weapons are powerful. That one was. I fought my own wars and demons. Different from yours."

 

"I knew a witch. She gave me her spaceship. I went looking for my father..."

 

"Juniper's Daughter? You knew her? Fuck. She was my friend too. She was strange. Though a good person. She was also a soldier. Her wars were also different yet relatable..."

 

"Fancy that. We both knew the witch. It’s a small world my friend. A small world..."

***

 

 

 

Friday, 30 January 2026

Riga Parts Collected

 


Riga Parts Collected

Riga liked to get her hands dirty. Like she was now. Inside the medium sized aircraft hangar work was being done. Her shark like green and brown Messerschmitt 309 was raised up on supports. It was being taken to pieces for servicing. Outer panels had been removed. Others were open. They gave access to the engine, radio, guns, ammunition, to the aircraft's systems. Part of the wing covering was being removed. Rivets needed to be carefully drilled out to do this. This was to get to the main wing spar. Bolts would be removed and the wings taken off. All parts would be inspected, serviced or replaced. The tail unit and landing gear would be dismantled. All of it.

 

Riga worked with two younger mechanics. They knew what they were doing. Their names were Mayor and Vigel. Riga pointed. "I have a section of wing skin almost removed. A flush rivet is bent. My drill will not reach it."

 

Vigel nodded and replied. "I need to finish this tricky bit. I have to disconnect these electric lines. Mayor please help Riga with the rivet."

 

Mayor smiled and went around the port wing to Riga. He looked at alloy skin and problem rivet. The metal was carefully streamlined. Any pulling it would bend it ruining the aero foil shape and also the rivet hole. Flush rivets were difficult to remove. They were smooth with the skin. If you drilled it wrong the drill could slip and damage the wing skin. "I see what your problem is. Let me take a look. I had one like this before. There's a way to remove this. I will show you..."

 

"I will watch with interest. Then I will know how to do this," Riga commented as Mayor got his pocket knife. He opened a long narrow blade, sized up the problem rivet and thought. He nodded and murmured.

 

'There is always a solution to engineering issues. This isn't in the book. Watch closely Riga." The mechanic placed the blade by the rivet. "Support the wing skin. There, yes. Take the weight. Here we go..."

 

​Riga was silent and watched. Mayor did something very quickly with the blade. Her eyes were fast but she missed it. She held the metal and it suddenly came free. She carefully carried the metre-wide panel over to the work bench and placed it down on an oily sheet. Upon returning to Mayor she said, "Well done Mayor. Just what exactly did you do with the knife? You were fast."

 

"Well Riga, Vigel taught me this. It's all about control and force. Using just enough controlled force in the right place. I used the knife and popped the rivet out of the hole without damage. It's all physics. But very delicate physics. Now we can remove the wing after getting the bolts out..."

 

"You know your stuff. Show me how to loosen the bolts and steps for taking off the wings please." The gal pilot was fascinated. She had never seen a full plane being disassembled before. Especially her own.

 

"Of course. I will show you what needs to be done. Hey Vigel, you nearly done with those wires?" Mayor was ready.

 

"Just finished it buddy. I will help you both. Here's the spanners and correct socket sizes..." Vigel replied. He removed his head and shoulders from a fuselage access panel and got the tools from his box.

 

​"How hard or easy is this procedure?" Riga asked. She looked at the exposed wing spars and bolts. Three big steel bolts held each wing on.

 

"Easy enough. It has to be done right though. First, we remove the forward bolts then the rear bolts and finally the middle bolts. Then we slowly slide the complete wing off. The three of us will be able to support it but it's heavy. Ok Riga and Vigel?" Mayor smiled at his small female boss. Vigel gave a thumbs up.

 

Vigel and Mayor got their tools ready. It was time.

 

"First the forward bolt. The under wing supports will take the weight..."  Vigel put his 25-millimetre spanner on the bolt and tested the torsion. His spanner had a gauge on it and registered the number. He nodded then slowly moved the spanner to the left. The bolt came loose.

 

"That's right..." Mayor commented. He was ready for any issues if Vigel got into trouble. It was fine. Vigel continued and lifted a large wide long bolt out then held it up. He handed it to Riga. She took it in both hands.

 

"It's very heavy. Look at that..." She turned it over and inspected it.

 

"That holds your wing on to the spar and the fuselage. It saves your life every time you fly. It's made from high grade stainless steel." Vigel added.

 

"Fine German engineering," Mayor said. "I will remove the rear bolt. Riga, you will remove the middle bolt. Then we will slide the wing free. And after that, we do the same for the other wing. Please put the bolt in the tub on the desk there..."

 

"I promise to be careful. This is my plane and it carries my life as you say..." Riga put the bolt safely down and grinned. "This is serious work but fun!"

 

"We knew you would like to take part. Now you see how complicated a machine your plane it. Precision engineering for high performance. Just wait till you see a turboprop or a jet. Now they're something else..."

 

They continued their work servicing and dismantling Riga's 309 piston engine warplane. It was a small plane but huge job. She had new views and more respect for her mechanics now. She would buy them both a beer when they were off duty...

***