Paul SB - Incompatible, sub02 - 3465 words

[Paul SB]

Here we go with submission 2 for your holiday reading pleasure. I hope you enjoy. The second entry includes a bit of a data dump, but it was necessary for some things to be explained to the aliens. It's both plot-relevant and theme-relevant, and hopefully not annoying. Any input is appreciated, however.

 

[AnAirSickFool]

I think something happed on my end.

I got the email but I did not get any attachment. Could you send it again?

[Paul SB]

Okay. If anyone else needs it, please let me know.

[AnAirSickFool]

Finally got some time to write my response.

Overall an interesting continuation. The aliens seem understandable which is nice.

It does seem a little odd to me for them to want the thoughts an opinions of a stowaway. When some of their questions seem like the kind of thing they could have done more research on before.

I do wonder about a few things but that has more to do with my endless desire for worldbuilding minutia and therefor is not really important.

 

 

[Paul SB]

Okay, thanks for the input. You'll find out in an upcoming chapter that the aliens found out about humans by way of hobbyists who like to tinker with outdated technologies, like communications based on electromagnetic radiation (radio and TV), so what they no about humans comes from watching our TV. But humans stopped using that technology, so their information is outdated. I added a sentence to the interrogation about them having old data. As to D's social status, the aliens are very egalitarian, so social status doesn't mean much to them.

 

I like world building, so go ahead and run your thoughts by me. Unlike my last one, the word count is around 85 kilowords, so there's room to add some details.

Edited December 26, 2025 by Paul SB
typed the wrong word

[Appol PhD they/he]

Overall I think this submission does a pretty good job with the power dynamics, especially with the kind of unusual position D is in not just as an indentured worker but also as a teenage stowaway that gets a bit of sympathy from her captor. On a constructive note, some of the dynamics felt a bit overexplained when talking with the aliens, and it feels like we need more of a hook about why the aliens matter in the larger scheme of things with what they could be planning.