It’s time for this week’s Song Title Challenge.

Write a short piece of fiction, around 300 words, using the song title as your story title but don’t listen to the song.  Remember to link back to this post so I can find yours.

If you would like to suggest a song title for a future post, you can do so from the challenge page.  You can also leave a suggestion on the Facebook page.

This week’s song is Earth Intruders by Björk.  The title was suggested by George Saba.  Go say hi to him.

Earth Intruders

The general rested a few seconds.  The attack had started hours ago and things were not looking good.

The enemy had taken them by surprise, overwhelming the outside defences within minutes.  The general had immediately ordered an evacuation and sent his shock troops to seal off and hold all access tunnels.  They would die before letting the enemy through, but he knew in the end it was futile.  The intruders were too many and they would soon be overrun.

A messenger entered his chambers.

Is the queen safe?

The queen and nursery have been evacuated, along with several thousand workers.  But the invaders are in the nest.  They tunnelled underneath us and are in the gardens.

Understood.

The general left for the escape tunnel where he was soon joined by the remaining soldiers.  A last few workers rushed past, carrying what food they had been able to salvage.

When the last one had left the general dispatched a rear-guard and had his troops seal the tunnel behind and in front of their position – he wasn’t going to make it easy for the enemy.  They took position, packing themselves in a tight phalanx several layers deep, razor sharp mandibles facing outward.  The general placed himself in the front line.  Then they waited.

It wasn’t long before they heard the intruders breaking down the barrier.

Steady brothers.  We are the colony’s best hope of escape.  It has been an honour serving with you.

He smelled their acrid stench.  He could not see them, but could feel the air currents change as they poured into the tunnel.

As one, the front rank gushed acid from their foreheads, taking the enemy by surprise, but they kept coming.  The general winced in pain as one managed to sting him before being ripped apart.  Then the numbness came and he lay there, motionless, as the enemy swarmed over him.

Copyright © 2013 Herman Kok

• Fiction
• Song Title Challenge