Photo by: Douglas MacIlroy
Poseidon
Ed and Kurt wandered through Ed’s backyard. After Kurt’s military service in Afghanistan, and Ed’s work with Lockheed, the former MIT graduates had a lot to talk about.
“This is ‘Poseidon,’ ” said Ed, pointing at the robotic sea monster. It’s eyes glowed and limbs swiveled.
“Looks like a Mosasaur,” said Kurt.
“Yep. Maximum efficiency in the water.”
Kurt backed away, feeling nervous.
“Don’t worry,” soothed Ed. “It’s programmed to attack only electro-mechanical devices. You’re safe.”
Poseidon suddenly lunged at Kurt.
“Sorry!” said Ed, looking shocked. “I don’t know why it’s doing that.”
Kurt grimaced. “Did I forget to mention my bionic leg?”
_____________________________
Author’s Notes:
MIT = Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They’ve got one of the best Robotics programs in the world.
Mosasaur: Prehistoric marine reptile that lived during the reign of dinosaurs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosasaur
Written for the Friday Fictioneers. Look here for more stories based upon Doug’s awesome pic above: https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2015/05/27/29-may-2015/
EagleAye
Momus News 
Maybe Kurt is a robot too? Nice story.
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Not quite. He’s only got a bionic leg so far. That’s enough to set off Poseidon, though. Thanks much! 🙂
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A very evocative picture to tease that quirky imagination of yours. I like how you pull out the stops.
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Hehe. It doesn’t take much, let me tell you. I think I lost the stops somewhere back in Albuquerque. Haven’t seen them since. 😉 Thanks much! 🙂
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Light hearted and nicely written. Does sound like kurt might not have a leg to stand on soon though.
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Indeed! He might not if Poseidon dismantles his robotic one. I’m glad you enjoyed this. Thanks kindly! 🙂
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Now you’d think Ed would know which of his friends came with electro-mechanical devices, wouldn’t you? He’ll need to screen them from now on. An imaginative story with appealing characters, including Poseidon.
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It had been a while since he’d seen Kurt. Certainly, going forward he’ll have a metal detector installed to avoid those awkward moments. I’m glad you enjoyed the characters. Thank you kindly! 🙂
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Dear Eric,
Who knew? The things we find out about our friends. 😉 Clever story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And the uncomfortable ways we discover those things too. 😉 Thanks much, Rochelle! 🙂
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Eee, poor Kurt. I hope the beast doesn’t get a bite out of the real flesh, big as its mouth is. A great idea for the prompt… what is it supposed to attack underwater? Drones? Subs?
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I know. Better to attack the bionic leg if anything. That’s easily replaceable and it won’t hurt as much. And yeah, I did think about the purpose. It’s for attacking enemy subs or defense and attacking incoming torpedoes. Seems to work in that respect anyway. 😉 Thanks much! 🙂
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Me thinks Kurt is hiding more than a bionic leg. Do we ever really know who’s real?
Tracey
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Aha! Good point. Maybe Kurt learned more at MIT than he’s letting on? Hmmm. That’s some good thinking. Thanks much, Tracey! 🙂
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Clever story. Must be fun to work in that field.
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Thank you! If I could go back in time, I might have pressed into the field of robotics. It’s fascinating to me.
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Nice bionic line twist…
Randy
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Hehe. Thank you much! 🙂
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Amazing how much that Mosasaur looks like the prompt photo (skeletal). Great story – lucky for the guy with the bionic leg that he still has a bionic leg to stand on. I enjoyed this story, as always. 🙂
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I saw that and immediately thought, Mosasaur. I ran with my gut reaction. Luckily, he wasn’t in the water. Poseidon maneuvers and moves far better there. He’d have snatched that bionic leg off in flash. Thanks so much. I’m happy to hear you had fun. 🙂
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I did. 🙂
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I like the reference to the Mosasaur. I found out recently that that’s the state fossil of Kansas. There is a huge intact skeleton of one at the Natural History Museum near Topeka. Great story; keep that thing away from my laptop though. 🙂
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Oh, that’s cool! I didn’t know that. That would be cool to see a complete Mosasaur skeleton. In case you hadn’t notice, I’m quite the dinosaur fan. Thanks much, and yeah, I’m keeping it away from my computer too! 🙂
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A very clever take on this prompt.
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Thank you. I appreciate that. 🙂
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That was a great twist ending!
The mososaur looks like the creature that jumps out of the water to feed in the new Jurassic Park trailer. Wicked scary creature!
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Hehe. Yeah I think that is a Mosasaur. Not sure if they really got that big…but they were still mighty big. I’m glad you enjoyed the twist. Thanks much, Jan! 🙂
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I hope Ed knows how to turn Poseidon off or things are going to get rather unpleasant for Kurt! Great story. 🙂
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No doubt! Time to turn off “attack mode.” Kurt finally got used to his bionic leg. He doesn’t want to start all over again! Thanks so much! 🙂
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Enjoyed this story and the mososaur information. I did not know about mososaurs. Interesting! Makes me wonder about what Ed thinks might attack him!
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Cool animals aren’t they? Ed made the robotic mosasaur for the Defense Department, for use in underwater warfare. Unfortunately, it was still on when Kurt saw it. Oops. Thanks for stopping in! 🙂
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Clever twist and good piece.
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Thank you much! 🙂
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Poor leg, ah guy. 🙂
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Haha! Yep. He escaped and kept it in the end. 🙂
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