DRABBLE TRIO by STE BERESFORD RATED FRC

These drabbles were written in response to the 2006 Tracy Island Writers Forum's Drabble Challenge. The challenge was as follows:

Choose three of the following six topics and write one drabble for each of the topics you chose. You will wind up with three 100-word drabbles on whichever three topics you chose. Here are your choices:

A) Scott during a rescue (could be his thoughts, someone observing him, something he's actually doing, etc.).
B) Virgil while playing the piano (again, could be his thoughts, someone observing/listening, etc.).
C) Gordon's and Alan's relationship as brothers (one or both of them thinking about it, one of them thinking about the other, someone else ruminating on their relationship, etc.).
D) Lady Penelope (either her thoughts or someone else's about her/what she does, etc.).
E) The Thunderbirds (perhaps the ship's actual POV or someone's thoughts about one or all of them, etc.).
F) Parody drabble (anything goes, parody style).

Drabble the First

If you were to ask him, this is the part he would say is most satisfying; the return home after a successful mission, the fierce joy released when a life is saved.

As for me... well, an Engineer would tell you that the mass of metal and wires that make my body isn't alive. But you cannot be involved in our work, with the storms of emotion that surrounds it, without developing awareness – even if the boys don't know about our thoughts.

Many are the long nights spent, whilst they sleep peacefully, discussing how we watch over and love them... 

Drabble the Second

He'll never admit it to him, but Jeff adores the sound of his son's piano playing, watching his slim fingers dancing over the keys. Even down to the slight line between his eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

He's practically the spitting image of his mother.

You can see it every time somebody mentions her, or he catches sight of her portrait – see the loss in his eyes. He misses her more than he lets on.

I think it's his military training that did it. The way they are taught to build walls around their hearts.

Even the best walls crack, though...

Drabble the Third

I won't fail.

Half a meter. Just a mere half meter of debris stops me from reaching the victim - Half a meter keeping me from taking them to safety, to warmth, to the embrace of their loved ones and friends.

Half a meter from hope.

I can hear them, now – they can hear me, and shout out, hoping they can be heard. Knowing that making as much noise as they can is their only hope, even if it brings the rest of the building down upon them. That's the risk they'll take.

Half a meter.

I will not fail them.