homecoming
There is no spare...
photo by darksouls1 at pixabay
homecoming
We sit by the side of the lake, taking in the cool breeze, the chirps of the birds, and the sight of the single sun high up in the blue sky. It is a fresh change to hold the meeting outdoors.
The Chairman holds up his hand to start the discussion. The issue here today, he says, is to look for another site, to stay here and make here our home ourselves, or to stay and propagate with the natives. The natives are another issue again. They talk in a language we cannot understand yet, but our translators can decode later. They cannot write, which until now, we are sure of. They have clubs as weapons, which our guns can handle easily. But they are fairly intelligent, they have tools and utensils and dwellings. And clothing.
The issues are to be put to a vote, and the Chairman wants a firm consensus. There is no going back to where we came from. Even with plasma ion propulsion, our spaceship will take some time to reach our home planet, dying from the excesses we have made on her. Thus the expeditions in the first place, to preserve our species, to look for a new home planet. And this blue planet is a lot like home.
The Chairman raises a finger. "Any hands to look for another site?"
07/07/2019
**********
226 words. Can't believe I wrote this in one afternoon.
“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”
- Rainer Maria Rilke
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2019
homecoming
We sit by the side of the lake, taking in the cool breeze, the chirps of the birds, and the sight of the single sun high up in the blue sky. It is a fresh change to hold the meeting outdoors.
The Chairman holds up his hand to start the discussion. The issue here today, he says, is to look for another site, to stay here and make here our home ourselves, or to stay and propagate with the natives. The natives are another issue again. They talk in a language we cannot understand yet, but our translators can decode later. They cannot write, which until now, we are sure of. They have clubs as weapons, which our guns can handle easily. But they are fairly intelligent, they have tools and utensils and dwellings. And clothing.
The issues are to be put to a vote, and the Chairman wants a firm consensus. There is no going back to where we came from. Even with plasma ion propulsion, our spaceship will take some time to reach our home planet, dying from the excesses we have made on her. Thus the expeditions in the first place, to preserve our species, to look for a new home planet. And this blue planet is a lot like home.
The Chairman raises a finger. "Any hands to look for another site?"
07/07/2019
**********
226 words. Can't believe I wrote this in one afternoon.
“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”
- Rainer Maria Rilke
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2019
posted by dsnake1 at 9:01 PM
16 Comments:
Ah yes...the questions of whether to look for another site, live there with one's own kind, or to propagate with the natives. Sounds a lot like some early history....the survival of species is a universal theme whether here on this earth or interplanetary of the future!
This is brilliant, Lee San. You could write a novel and make a lot of money, you write so well. I loved this.
The calm with which the Chairman speaks of having half destroyed their old planet, and how easy it would be to take a new world from the people living there, is terrifying and infuriating. The tone of relaxed entitlement is sickening (and so familiar). One can only hope the natives are more aware than the Chairman believes they are.
Specially love 'home planet'. It makes us aware of the truth that we are one family. Hope the story continues to a bigger size. Enjoyed.
Oh, bravo! I had an inkling from the start that it would turn out to be such a scenario – perhaps it was that 'single sun' – but I wasn't sure until you made it absolutely clear. It unfolded perfectly. I love the SF genre, and admire the way you handled this example of it.
Ah, homecoming! I love your story. The depiction of a group / tribe trying to find a home is so vivid and well captured. To me, your story reads like a historical drama set in some colony. I really love these kind of stories. Thank you for a wonderful read!
Mary,
Thank you! It is, i guess, when a species has to reach that kind of decision for survival.
some kind of science fiction early history. :)
Sherry,
"make a lot of money". now you had me thinking... :)
Magaly,
when a species/race/tribe thinks that they are more superior to others, that's when all the bad stuff starts happening.
at least in this story, the Chairman lets his people vote on the outcome.
How often this scenario has progressed to disaster to one side or the other. How many failures have occured on our own planet so much more risky with space travellers that would certainly bring viruses and other nasties with them to make the integration worse!
Sumana,
not sure i can continue or expand it to a novel, but i can see that it will be an enormous size. :)
Rosemary,
i was writing this with the "ancient astronauts" theory in mind. that aliens had been visiting us a long time ago, and it is not a recent phenomenon.
i am glad you like SF. :)
Khaya Ronkainen,
thank you for the visit to my blog. :)
glad that you liked the story.
Love the...subtitle? This was captivating. The idea of home as both irreplaceable (and are they stealing from existing inhabitants?) and yet damaged made me want someone to speak for what the new place will bear and how they will prevent the same thing from happening.
Robin, that's certainly another scenario that cannot be brushed aside. we cannot know what other nasties are lurking out there among the stars. 😬
Luv the bitter sarcasm of the aliens.
Clever telling.
Have a good week
Much🕊❤🕊love
This is absolutely brilliant!❤️ I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one, Lee San.
Chrissa,
Thank you!
how they will prevent the same disaster from happening, perhaps will be another chapter?
"there is no spare...". once the whole planet is messed up, either wait for the end or look for a new home. if there is time and technology.
Gillena,
thank you! :)
Sanaa,
thank you! :)
I can't imagine what it would be like to have a whole tribe trying to find home, to find a place of welcome. Your piece makes me thing about the Native Americans Trail of Tears. Your piece is so beautifully written.
Susie, your comment prompted me to look up Trail of Tears. I know of the Native Americans forced re-locations, but the Trail of Tears is really a sad chapter of history.
In my story, i let the ending open-ended, to let the reader imagine what can happen next.
Thank you for your comment. :)
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