FF – The Beacon
Here is my story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. This week’s photo was contributed by Dale Rogerson.
The Beacon pulsed, on… off… on… off… it was almost hypnotic.
Almost.
For some it was. Completely. Irresistibly.
As he watched, another unfortunate stumbled towards the Beacon, touching it, exploding into bright white ash. The area around the Beacon was knee deep.
Ash. Dead people.
One day it would be his turn.
Population control, they called it. One day you’d hear the call. Then you’d be gone. Boom. Ash.
He was all for population control. Too many people. Too few resources.
A policy of “free condoms for all” seemed less extreme than blasting people to atoms.
But what did he know?
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draliman on life 
All those nutrients wasted!
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They’ve certainly missed a trick there.
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He needs to start a revolution! 🙂
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I fear if he sticks his head above the parapet he could get noticed… 😮
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We’ve reached a stage where no policy is off the table for the government. Why not this?!
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Maybe it’s already happening 😮
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Have you got shares in Durex by any chance?
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What gave it away? The two plugs within a month? 🙂
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Sounds like a sensible policy. Just a minute while I pull this mask up over my eyes!
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With your eyes covered, try not to accidentally stumble into the Beacon!
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DAMN!
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I wonder who’s at the controls, who gets to decide who dies and who doesn’t. Bit I’m sure it’s all very democratic. /s
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Yes, I do seem to remember voting for the Minister of Population Control at the last elections… 🙂
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A brutal way to control population. Seems sort of random. What if they zap a future Einstein or others who are brilliant in music, art, literature. We could be robbing the world of the very ones who could heal it.
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On the other hand, I wouldn’t want to be chosen for obliteration just because I wasn’t talented enough. Sounds a bit unfair. Toss a coin, I say!
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Oh, I didn’t mean to imply that people who lack talent should be the first to go! I believe we all have something to offer, and the randomness in your scenario eliminates so much that could make the world a better place. Maybe they–whoever “they” are–really are just flipping a coin.
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Yeah – anyone who isn’t them 😮
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I very much enjoyed the spin you put on the photo and your wry comment at the end.
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked it!
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You’re welcome.
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Reminds me of “Logan’s Run” and carousel. Great writing this week.
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I almost called it “Logan’s Beacon” 🙂
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The constant spread of STDs should tell you where people stand on the condoms or death question.
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Yes, they knew that would never work, hence the Beacon…
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And now I cannot help but think of “A Bug’s Life”
“Stay away from the light!!”
“But it’s sooo beautiful…..”
ZZZZZAP!
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I’ve not seen it but I can imagine the scene you describe. It is a bit like that 🙂
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You’d love it 😉
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Dear Ali,
Soylent Green is people! Sorry for the outburst. Those are some drastic measures of population control.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
They are! And as Neil commented, they’re definitely wasting a good form of nutrients, turning people to ash like that 🙂
Ali
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Will they recycle these atoms for food for the population they ‘control’?
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I fear not. They’re not very far-thinking. They could have solved everything at once!
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ah, yeah. Oh well.
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But think of all that ash…when it snows, no slipping over 😱⛄
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Hey, yeah! Gritting the pathways is done automatically 🙂
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🤣
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Let me guess, the elite are safe? One way of dealing with the plebs. Shame it doesn’t help fertilise or something.
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The elite are always safe from such things.
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It’s much more fun to watch people explode into atoms…
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It’s something of a spectator sport. Not only are “they” missing out on all the free nutrients, they’re also failing to sell tickets…
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This was a bit different for you, Ali. Good sci-fi though. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Nothing would surprise me any more. 🙂
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It does feel a bit like that.
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Oh! I love where you took this. A little wry humor and a whole lot of truth.
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Thanks, hopefully it won’t become reality any time soon!
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sounds like moths attracted to the flame. 🙂
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Exactly like that 🙂
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I don’t believe in overpopulation, but I love the idea. Such a neat way to go. If they work on it they might eliminate the powder too. Just puff and gone.
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At least it’s quick and relatively painless.
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Such invention would be a blessing.
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A gripping story, inventive take on the prompt. I’m sure the population doesn’t want to control itself, given the choice. Perhaps randomness is best ?
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You’d certainly make the most of life, knowing tomorrow it could be you…
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Griping, but sad, story. Sad that we humans always seem to want to control everything, but we never seem to do it in the best way possible.
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Just the easiest, quickest and cheapest way 😦
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This was soooooo good!
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Thanks 🙂
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Good story. For some strange reason, now days young people have more children: five or even seven are not uncommon!
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Yeeks, that’s a lot!
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I thought of moths being drawn to the light, but the change to people being zapped was horrific. But i expect it is a good idea!
Like the old man in the corner of the pub once said, “The trick to having a long and happy life is to avoid the light”.
I think he was talking about the media limelight, well maybe not.
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“Don’t go into the light”, as the famous film quote goes.
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Condoms vs blasts…. Hmmm…. Depends who we’d be blasting, I guess.
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We could blast all the nasties and then start with the condoms…
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