By Any Other Name
Would it smell as sweet?
This flash fiction ran in SF Crowsnest Magazine, January, 2008
By Any Other Name
— Ray Tabler
The Hestolian captain was just entering the compartment when his first contact specialist burst in from the tunnel connecting the two ships.
“That's the shortest first contact I've ever seen.” The captain observed.
The contact specialist slapped the control that slammed the airlock shut and disconnected the tunnel between ships. “The first and last contact we should ever have with those savages!'”
“Savages don't develop interstellar travel.”
“Well, these monsters did!”
“What are you talking about?”
“They took me to a prison they have on board. A prison! Then one of the aliens pulled a prisoner's head off and offered it to me! I can still smell it!”
The contact specialist retched on the deck.
# # #
Back on the human ship, captain DuPre wanted answers and he wanted them fast.
“I slip away to the bridge for just two minutes and all hell breaks loose! What happened, ensign?”
“I don't know, Captain.” Hardesty shrugged in puzzlement. “Everything seemed to be going just great. I was showing him around the ship. Then we entered the hydroponics section and he went nuts. He was whipping his tentacles around and squealing and slime started oozing out of the top of his...head?”
Captain DuPre crossed his arms, a skeptical look on his face. “Okay, what did you do?”
“I just thought maybe I could calm him down.” Hardesty held up a rose. “I picked a flower.”
END
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A Grand Imperial Heir (sequel to A Grand Imperial War)
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Charlton Heston: "Flowers are PEOPLE!"