55-word story

Composed for an Interaction Design for Learning Environments (Fall 2013) assignment (as a part of the Digital Media Design for Learning degree at NYU):

On Mission

“Stalin wanted a new army that was brutal and pliant,” McCauley whispered. “Some scientist suggested human-ape hybrids. Stalin agreed. Women volunteered.”
“BS…,” hissed the kid, gripping his rifle.
“The scientist reported only failures. Left Africa within a year.”
“So why the heck we here?”
“The scientist lied.”
–From behind them, a grunt of acknowledgement.