This week’s prompt is Sci-fi and Romance! We had a tie in last week’s poll, which means I’m combining both. It doesn’t need to be an even split, either. You can lean toward one genre or the other. What matters is that they are both represented in some way.

Oh, and remember:

The Word Count Limit for Power Up Prompts is now 3K words.

You have until Friday, April 24th at Noon Eastern Time to submit your stories for a shout-out on the Saved as Draft Podcast. Please make sure to drop your links in the comments of this post, or in my subscriber chat thread that I’ll open today.

That being said, if you’re running late, let me know, and I can always feature your story in the following episode!

Let’s check out this week’s elements! Also, I’m adding images for each, but you don’t need to use them. If they inspire you, though, then feel free! Just remember to include attribution (these are all free images from Unsplash as well)

Element 1: Setting

Your setting this week is The Forbidden Vault. This is a heavily secure military installation on an extremely hostile world. That’s by design, because this vault holds some of the most heinous and terrifying failed experiments ever to grace the cosmos.

While the galactic government does a good job of covering up its sins, it’s widely known among conspiracy theorists that they conduct experiments that defy all the natural laws of nature.

When these experiments inevitably go wrong, they send them to the Vault, where they are sealed away forever.

They get to play God and keep their public reputation intact. It’s a win-win for everyone but the things locked in that vault.

Element 2: Character

woman in a gray jacket standing in front of a keyboard and monitor

Your character this week is The Software Engineer. This is someone who has worked on many secret government projects. They have clearance to even visit the Forbidden Vault, but they’ve never had a reason to visit, until now, that is.

For you see, this software engineer has been secretly working on a project of their own. Their partner recently passed away from a horrific disease plaguing the galaxy, one that has no cure.

Before they died, however, the software engineer copied their consciousness onto a remote server that they programmed themselves.

So now, they have their lover’s soul on a portable data drive. All they need is a new body for them, and it just so happens that one of the experiments in the vault was indeed a technology that can 3D print humans…

Element 3: Conflict

Your conflict this week is Misplaced Trust. If you’re heading to the Forbidden Vault, then you’re going to need help, and there’s one person who can help you, but you haven’t spoken to them in over a decade.

And there’s a good reason for that: the last time you trusted them, they betrayed you. Sold you out, and nearly got you killed. They tried to apologize, but you didn’t want to hear it. Now, they may be your only way into the Vault.

Will you place your trust in them yet again, or find another way to accomplish your goal?

Let Inspiration Strike

You may use all three elements for a level 3 story or poem, or you can take just one or two and run in a different direction entirely.

When your story or poem is ready, be sure to submit it tag me and share which level it falls into. Make sure you drop the link in the comments here as well! You can visit the prompt announcement on my Substack here.

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