The story opens by telling the reader Earth’s first and only contact with an alien civilization has been a failure. This is not because of hostility. There was no threat to life as we know it, nor did an earth bug wipe the aliens out. We and the aliens, despite everyone’s best attempts, simply didn’t connect. After a year, the aliens went on their way.
Thoughts:
The prose of the story is as low-key as one might imagine. The author is saying, despite all the science fiction of the past when alien civilizations attempt or succeed to destroy Earth, whether for the purpose of enslavement of the natives or to make way for a hyperspace bypass, the truth is, well, a bit “less grandiose.” This is reflected in the voice of the story.
Of course, the author can’t leave it there. The final line as nice meaning and depth to the story. I liked it: five out of seven rocket dragons.
Bio:
According to his blur, author Markus Lauerer is a medical student from Munich, Germany. “On First Contacts and Second Chances” is his first English-language publication.
Title: “On First Contacts and Second Chances”
Author: Markus Lauerer
First published: Daily Science Fiction, March 11, 2019
Read: Daily Science Fiction, March 11, 2019
The story can be read here.
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