Lockdown Protocol – A Short Story

This was done with some info plugged into ChatGPT

The space station drifted in the cold black of deep space, its systems locked down, and its nine inhabitants separated by suspicion, fear, and the creak of metal walls holding their breath.

Inside, the cyan-suited Trixie’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she prowled the narrow corridors, humming an off-key tune. Not a dissident herself, Trixie simply relished the chaos, sidling past corners and flicking switches on and off to leave her mark. Her favorite activity was sneaking into the vents, making strange sounds, and watching her crewmates scramble, nerves fraying.

Meanwhile, Shweddy, the green-suited astronaut, crouched by the pressure console, his C4 rigged up just so. Shweddy’s philosophy was simple: if the station couldn’t be freed from lockdown, why not free a couple of teammates from the mortal coil? Dissident or not, Shweddy’s explosive passion sent him grinning ear to ear whenever an unfortunate soul stumbled into his path.

Danelms, dressed in white, moved carefully around him, a glinting knife always tucked close to his chest. Danelms liked to play guitar when he found a quiet moment — his fingers finding calm in the melody. But he was always ready for the game to change. His eyes darted around the dim-lit console rooms, ever wary, listening for the sound of footsteps or a sudden bang that would demand a response, perhaps even one by his knife.

Kilram, the orange-suited astronaut with a fondness for cassettes, strolled down the station’s metal halls. While the others schemed and bickered, Kilram’s weapon of choice was old-school: cassette tapes rigged to blare ear-piercing noises, turning corridors into chaotic disorientation zones. Any dissenters who encountered him would find themselves cornered, his retro traps sending echoes of confusion across the station.

At the heart of the station, Stormdragon, the blue-suited astronaut, stared at the station’s computer console with mounting frustration. Each time he was forced into “recovery” by his crewmates’ schemes, his tasks piled up, intensifying his focus on their completion. Stormdragon’s voice buzzed with irritation each time he re-emerged, only to discover yet another task delay. His patience, like the station’s dwindling oxygen, was running thin.

Then there was Pedretty, dressed in yellow, who was impossible to read. One minute he was helping an employee with the alimentation zone, the next he was disappearing to who-knows-where. Pedretty was unpredictable, moving with an unassuming presence. His neutrality could be unsettling, but his erratic behavior also made him the perfect wild card.

The pink-suited Lovecat swayed between sides, her wide-eyed innocence masking her dissident tendencies. She’d whisper apologies as she sabotaged the delivery system, a soft smile on her face as she saw the supplies jam, stranding her crewmates. “It’s just a misunderstanding,” she’d say with a shrug, all while knowing full well she’d be back to finish the job.

In the center of it all was the red-suited Ted_Lasso, a military-trained professional with an iron will and a calm demeanor. He had little patience for the station’s unraveling order, and he didn’t hesitate to impose his own, sometimes harshly. With swift efficiency, he would dispatch dissidents without a second thought, his calm eyes sweeping over his crewmates, seeing who might be the next weak link to address.

And finally, MrHalfH3eart, the purple-suited member who’d played in orchestras before space life, followed the station’s unfolding events in rhythm. Known for his measured stance, he aligned himself with the majority. His moments of action were well-timed, as if each move were part of a larger score. MrHalfH3eart’s adaptability gave him a strange security; he knew the survival of the group depended on harmony — at least, until harmony no longer served him.

The station’s lockdown pressed upon them, tasks left unfinished, suspicion rising with each passing hour. Alarms blared suddenly, lights flickered, and the air felt heavier. Somewhere in the station, Trixie laughed quietly in the shadows. The game was on, and chaos reigned supreme.

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