General Hawkins spoke on the phone as he walked through the creche of Earth’s last-living humans. “We’re out of time. We’ll never survive the alien assault.”
Just then, a little girl pulled his sleeve and pointed to toys she’d arranged upon a geometric pattern.
“Joan, don’t bother the General.” Her father smiled shyly at Hawkins. “She plays ‘General’ with her toys.”
Hawkins squinted at the familiar topography, his heart beating faster. “Those aren’t toys.”
“Huh?”
“They represent our only completed stealth tank, finding a gap in the alien defenses.”
“What?”
Hawkins grinned. “Your daughter’s battle plan may have just saved all humanity.”
_________________________________
Written for the Friday Fictioneers: https://rochellewisoff.com/2021/11/03/5-november-2021/
EagleAye
Momus News 
As we play, we strategize… who knows where that could lead?
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Right? Play is just the warm up for real life. Some of us just figure it all out faster than the rest. Thanks so much, Dale!
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This is very true… 🙂
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Well, that’s a lot of pressure on one little girl! 😂
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She already figured it out, much to the surprise of Hawkins. You never know where a solution may come from. Thanks for stopping in! 🙂
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nice work little girl. Good take!
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Yup. She saved everybody’s bacon. Thanks much!
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You’re welcome.
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We’ll, what a bright little girl and brave too.
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Very smart. Out thought even humanity’s best general. Thanks kindly. 🙂
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Out of the mouths of babes!! Love the story!
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So true. Thanks so much! 🙂
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Oh, I love it! Give her a few more years. By her 16th birthday, she’ll be the protagonist of her own YA dystopian novel!
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Ha! If not sooner. 😉 Thanks for stopping in!
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Great story with fun characters. Enjoyed it.
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Thank you so much! 🙂
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Either she’s very clever, or very lucky, or General Hawkins has finally snapped under the pressure!
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I’m leaning towards clever. I’d hate to think Hawkins has lost it. 😉
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Youngsters are beginning to lead the way, particularly with environmental issues right now. She’ll go far I’m sure! Nice one.
Here’s mine!
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Right? Maybe her name should have been Greta. Thanks kindly. 🙂
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Good point!
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Sometimes kids really are the best at out of the box thinking. Nice take!
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Yup. They haven’t developed rigid thinking yet. Thanks so much!
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Dear Eric,
And a child shall lead them. Go General Joan. Fun story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She’ll lead the battles until it’s time for her bed-time story. Fun story.
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Inspiration come from the strangest of places. I hope the stealth tank works.
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Brilliant child to the rescue 🙂
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