Second Crusader Challenge

So here is the second crusader challenge:

Write a flash fiction story (in any format) in 100 words or less, excluding the title. Begin the story with the words, “The goldfish bowl teetered” These four words will be included in the word count.

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional, and not part of the judging criteria), see if you can write the story in your own genre (eg if you’re a horror writer, write a horror story; a romance writer, a romance story, etc).

So science fiction it is then ...

The goldfish bowl teetered on the edge of the command console as gravity reasserted itself. Lieutenant Xjansh shot out a pseudopod and caught it, sulphuric acid swirling against the containment field that sealed the top. He carefully slid it back into its recess and re-activated the vacuum clamps. A series of lights blinked on as the bowl went back on line, their cool blue glow illuminating a goldfish with a face like thunder.

“Which one of you numbskulls can’t read plain Vargzush?” the fish roared. “’Off’ means no power ... anywhere.”

The duty ensign blushed green. “Sorry Captain.”

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