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Operation: Lacuna
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
>> LACUNA OPERATIONS – CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTATION
>> CLEARANCE ACCESS CODES – “KILLING MACHINE” “ENDLESS PURSUIT”
>> LOG #0001845
>> MONITERING OF UNIDENTIFIED SATELLITE
>> SUPERVISING OFFICER: CHARLES STROSS
>>
>> DECRYPTION 10% -!-!-!- COMMUNICATION FREQUENCY ISOLATED
>>
>> DECRYPTION 20% -!-!-!- CONFIRMED INTELLIGENCE COMMUNICATION
>>
>> DECRYPTION 60% -!-!-!- KNOWN SUBSPECIES, “GRAYS”
>>
>> DECRYPTION 90% -!-!-!- LANGUAGE ISOLATED; “ “GALACTIC COMMON” “
>>
>> DECRYPTION 100% -!-!-!- COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED, STORED
>>
>>
>>
>> TRANSLATE
>>
>> TRANSLATING FROM //GALACTIC COMMON TO //ENGLISH
>>
>>
>>
>> RECORDING START: [Unintelligible] – intelligent life. Observe for yourself. Current place
>> of observation [Unconfirmed: Context implies Oceania region, implication Australia]. Analysis
>> shows atmosphere mostly nitrogen at around seventy seven percent.
>>
>> Understandable. I sense hesitation. Remaining twenty three percent composition?
>>
>> Oxygen.
>>
>> Concerning. And?
>>
>> [Word meaning either apology for perceived offense or declaration of a misunderstanding].
>> Just oxygen with one percent other gasses.
>>
>> [Long silence. Intensification of receivers and audio enhancement detects only atmos, static.]
>>
>> The slow oxidization alone must be incredibly painful. To breathe in such a combustible
>> amtmosphere.
>>
>> It seems they need the oxygen to survive, from samples taken by expedition craft.
>>
>> They're one of [heavy inflection on word to indicate weariness/distrust – See canteen logs]
>> carbon based lifeforms then. Curious to see so many non-aquatic variants.
>> The lifespans must be atrocious. Four hundred years? Three hundred?
>>
>> //TRANSLATION NOTE: All time converted to human best estimates.
>> For untranslated copy, additional permissions required.
>>
>> These [Translated term for human. For untranslated copy, additional permissions required.]
>> are particularly long-lived for their planet.
>>
>> Closer to eight hundred, then? Understandable, given their apparent technological level.
>> I am seeing complex ropes and habitation, as well as communal societies.
>>
>> [Word meaning either apology for perceived offense or declaration of a misunderstanding].
>> Closer to fifty.
>>
>> [Atmos]
>>
>> How then?
>>
>> Unusually aggressive evolutionary methodology observed. Result of
>> [Word used as threat, an insult, or definition of “carnivore”] planet.
>>
>> Disgusting. Because life wasn't short enough.
>>
>> We've isolated a point in their history where there were only 40 breeding pairs. It seems that
>> small stock and short life cycle has refined them, as it exacerbates the more… aggressive
>> nature of evolution on their planet.
>>
>> This surely works in the favour of similar inhabitants of their ecosystem?
>>
>> Yet these humans have achieved status as apex predators, in spite of their seemingly small and
>> spindly stature. They've filled a niche in their ecosystem as pursuit predators.
>> We predict that by the time the light of this observation post reaches them, they will have
>> a biomass greater than 100 times greater than any other occupant of this planet.
>>
>> Pursuit predatation? Do they simply follow?
>>
>> [Word meaning agreement or indication of accuracy.] To the ends of their planet. Consider
>> this continent, then. The species diverges greatly over region, you see, due to their
>> relative infancy. Here we see a [horse] being ridden by a [human]. The animal has been
>> domesticated for use, which should indicate their level of advancement alone.
>>
>> How did they breed a creature larger than itself which would bow to its whims in such
>> a short time period?
>>
>> Pursuit predatation. A human could simply follow that creature until it collapsed and died
>> of exhaustion. This one simply followed it for three days until it could no longer run.
>> It is a simple matter to them. Look! That one with the [Unknown]: He stole it in gestation
>> so that it would know no parent but him, and so it serves him. Those [canine] pelts are from
>> their partnership.
>>
>> Then if they are such adept hunters, their development shall stall. There will be no need for
>> the development of agrarian societies from which technologies take place.
>>
>> Some cultures yes. Others lack such geographical convenience. If we observe [Best Estimate:
>> Chinese empire] we can see such societies have long developed. It is simply such that sufficient
>> land quality is a contested value, and different tribal groups disagree on ownership.
>> They seem very possessive and territorial, such that mass loss of life often occurs during such
>> contestation. Some even seem to relish the opportunity. There is no shortage of enthusiasm.
>>
>> A vicious and warlike organism, then?
>>
>> Potentially. Some. They have great capacity for collaboration intragroup, but outside groups
>> are more prone to assimilation and homogenization.
>> Wait until the rotation of planet provides optimal view. Subject matter [Roman Empire] for
>> consideration.
>>
>>//TRANSLATION NOTE: LOG #0001836 indicates best guess of observation as an imperial
>> province within the Roman Empire. For list of landmarks and estimated geographical
>> co-ordinates, see attached appendix on indicated log.
>>
>> An empire of [Word used as threat, an insult, or definition of “carnivore”]?
>> Fortunately they are still tribalistic. Or else I would grow concerned.
>>
>> [Atmos]
>>
>> Your silence is disconcerting.
>>
>> Perhaps, while time elapses, we should
>> // // CLASSIFIED \\ \\
>>
>> // // CLEARANCE INSUFFICIENT \\ \\
>>
>> // // DOCUMENT CUT TO NEAREST GRANTED ACCESS \\
>>
>> This is the same species?
>>
>> Yes.
>>
>> They seem to have little in common with the tribalistic cultures seen previously. Look at all the
>> refined metals. Look at the mathematical precision of their architecture. Such exhorbitant and
>> grand monuments. What is that cylindrical stone building a testament to?
>>
>> We believe it is an entertainment venue. Is it not astounding? They use it to practice warfare.
>> For the entertainment of crowds. Sometimes they even flood it by diverting that river, so
>> that they may hold naval battles using their aquarian ships, all for the delight of the spectators.
>> Then the water is pumped out and we see contests of [horse] domestication ability by contest.
>> Surprising amount of deaths in that, too.
>>
>> I am growing less surprised by the word. How does such a sophisticated iteration of the species
>> exist while others live in relative squalor and mud? It defies comprehension that any being
>> capable of [communism] would so freely resort to such levels of disparity.
>>
>> Some cultures have merely advanced faster than others. Without a means of flight
>> on this planet by conventional means due to the ratio of its atmospheric density to its
>> gravitational pull to their muscular density, they are left to land and simple ocean bridges for
>> now. As a result, each culture develops in relative isolation, allowing geographical influence to
>> shape them greatly.
>>
>> We face no threat from them then. Surely internal warfare should keep them sufficiently
>> occupied. Imagine a species so constantly losing its children to war. It would lack the
>> elders and civillians required to develop beyond this foetal stage.
>>
>> They are tribal, [word meaning either remember or infer]. We have observed comfortable
>> civillian life in the core of large groups. And with a life expectancy so low, the attrition to
>> warfare is… less profound, though no less significant. Thinkers and fighters are relegated
>> to where they are most fit for purpose.
>>
>> Then these roving warbands?
>>
>> Are representative of the larger culture you see here. They are not an independent society of
>> raiders, but a militarized branch of the tribe.
>>
>> Prior, we have accounts of seven thousand soldiers in this region, a precursor to the [Romans]
>> you see here, fight against over one hundred thousand opposing forces. Almost
>> victorious. Fought over three of their days, taking shifts to kill.
>>
>> They will not back down from a superior opponent? They will so ruthlessly swarm?
>>
>> [Agreement or affirmation]
>>
>> So they will not back down from superior numbers. Nor did their opponents back down from
>> superior strength.
>>
>> Fascinating, yes?
>>
>> Terrifying. So forgiveness for changing the topic. They work well intra group, you professed.
>> Do you mean to tell me they use warfare to achieve homogenization?
>>
>> Yes. They do not merely wish to eradicate their opponents for love of violence. It appears they
>> wish to assimilate them.
>>
>> [Atmos]
>>
>> You comprehend we are a thousand light years away?
>>
>> [Agreement or affirmation]
>>
>> You are showing me a species that has advanced a thousand years from what we are seeing.
>>
>> [Agreement or affirmation]
>>
>> And, in a thousand years, they too might see us? Or, given sufficient advances in technology,
>> hear us?
>>
>> [Placation or dismissal]. Even by our most conservative estimates, they will crumble to
>> infighting. We have seen no signs that they can collaborate outside of their own culture.
>> Due to this, we believe they will not reach their [untranslatable: Current best estimate:
>> Industrial revolution] for another three thousand years.
>>
>> Yet from what you are showing me, this desert culture appears to be collaborating with the
>> sprawling one. They are both of competitive size, yet seem to be benefiting from trade and
>> exchange.
>>
>> [Atmos]
>>
>> [Expression of disbelief or nausea].
>>
>> They both seem to be thriving from this trade as well.
>>
>> Last observation showed them at war. If humans are capable of collaboration of this scale,
>> this throws previous best-estimates well off. We might even see development of [untranslatable:
>> Current best estimate: Industrial revolution] in the next thousand, based on current level of
>> advancement.
>>
>> They might be able to see us, then? And, if they should ever achieve their first steps into the
>> stars, what if they speak of our first contact?
>>
>> [Atmos]
>>
>> We may have overstayed our welcome.
>>
>> Should we shut comms off?
>>
>> [Expression of agreement or affirmation][Expression of fear]
>> END LOG
>>
>>
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
>> LACUNA OPERATIONS – CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTATION
>> CLEARANCE ACCESS CODES – “KILLING MACHINE” “ENDLESS PURSUIT”
>> MISSION STATEMENT
>> MISSION BRIEFING
>> SUPERVISING OFFICER: CHARLES STROSS
>>
>> KNOWN SYSTEM INHABITANTS AS “GRAYS” HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED
>> OBSERVING EARTH'S DEVELOPMENT UNTIL RELATIVE RECENCY. WE ARE
>> STILL RECEIVING PERIODIC COMMUNICATIONS.
>>
>> THEY ARE FEARFUL, AND THIS IS CONCERNING.
>>
>> WE DO NOT WISH TO FACE A COLD WAR ACROSS STARS. WE AS A SPECIES
>> DO NOT WISH FOR OUR INTRODUCTION TO THE GALACTIC COMMUNITY
>> TO BE OF FEARMONGERING DUE TO OUR HISTORY.
>>
>> USING THESE COMMUNICATIONS, WE HAVE TRACKED THE GRAYS TO THEIR
>> DESTINATION.
>>
>> WE HAVE ANALYZED THEIR DEFENSE CAPABILITIES AND FOUND THEM
>> LACKING.
>>
>> CONVENTIONAL WEAPONRY REMAINS SUFFICIENT TO ERADICATE TARGET
>> IN SINGLE CO-ORDINATED STRIKE.
>>
>> THE WARHEADS ARE EN ROUTE WITH TRACKING INFORMATION.
>>
>> HUMANITY'S FIRST TRIUMPHANT STEP INTO THE STARS WILL NOT BE
>> MET BY MILITARY ACTION. FOR THIS TO OCCUR, TACTICAL ASSASINATION
>> OF FIRST CONTACT ADVISED.
>>
>> PUBLIC DOMAIN SUFFICIENTLY SATURATED WITH XENOPHOBIC PROPOGANDA
>> TO BE FORGIVING AT TIME OF DETONATION.
>>
>> DRONES ARE IN PURSUIT OF TARGET SHOULD WARHEADS PROVE INSUFFICIENT.
>>
>> SIGNAL JAMMING MEASURES WILL BE IN EFFECT.
>>
>> EMPS OF WARHEAD TO MASK THAT OF TYPICAL CELESTIAL PULSE TO MASK
>> FURTHER SUSPICIONS
>>
>> PLANETARY DEFENSES MAINTAINED UNDER GUISE OF ASTEROID DEFENSE
>> PROTOCOL IN CASE OF RETAILIATION STRIKE.
>>
>> IF RETALIATION INSTIGATED, WE WILL PURSUE VINDICATION.
>>
>> LACUNA: MISSING INFORMATION FROM A PAGE TORN FROM A BOOK.
>> LACUNA: AN EXTENDED SILENCE IN A SONG
>> LACUNA: THE PRESERVATION OF HUMANITY AS WE JOURNEY OUTWARDS
>> LACUNA OPERATIONS – CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTATION
>> CLEARANCE ACCESS CODES – “KILLING MACHINE” “ENDLESS PURSUIT”
>> LOG #0001845
>> MONITERING OF UNIDENTIFIED SATELLITE
>> SUPERVISING OFFICER: CHARLES STROSS
>>
>> DECRYPTION 10% -!-!-!- COMMUNICATION FREQUENCY ISOLATED
>>
>> DECRYPTION 20% -!-!-!- CONFIRMED INTELLIGENCE COMMUNICATION
>>
>> DECRYPTION 60% -!-!-!- KNOWN SUBSPECIES, “GRAYS”
>>
>> DECRYPTION 90% -!-!-!- LANGUAGE ISOLATED; “ “GALACTIC COMMON” “
>>
>> DECRYPTION 100% -!-!-!- COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED, STORED
>>
>>
>>
>> TRANSLATE
>>
>> TRANSLATING FROM //GALACTIC COMMON TO //ENGLISH
>>
>>
>>
>> RECORDING START: [Unintelligible] – intelligent life. Observe for yourself. Current place
>> of observation [Unconfirmed: Context implies Oceania region, implication Australia]. Analysis
>> shows atmosphere mostly nitrogen at around seventy seven percent.
>>
>> Understandable. I sense hesitation. Remaining twenty three percent composition?
>>
>> Oxygen.
>>
>> Concerning. And?
>>
>> [Word meaning either apology for perceived offense or declaration of a misunderstanding].
>> Just oxygen with one percent other gasses.
>>
>> [Long silence. Intensification of receivers and audio enhancement detects only atmos, static.]
>>
>> The slow oxidization alone must be incredibly painful. To breathe in such a combustible
>> amtmosphere.
>>
>> It seems they need the oxygen to survive, from samples taken by expedition craft.
>>
>> They're one of [heavy inflection on word to indicate weariness/distrust – See canteen logs]
>> carbon based lifeforms then. Curious to see so many non-aquatic variants.
>> The lifespans must be atrocious. Four hundred years? Three hundred?
>>
>> //TRANSLATION NOTE: All time converted to human best estimates.
>> For untranslated copy, additional permissions required.
>>
>> These [Translated term for human. For untranslated copy, additional permissions required.]
>> are particularly long-lived for their planet.
>>
>> Closer to eight hundred, then? Understandable, given their apparent technological level.
>> I am seeing complex ropes and habitation, as well as communal societies.
>>
>> [Word meaning either apology for perceived offense or declaration of a misunderstanding].
>> Closer to fifty.
>>
>> [Atmos]
>>
>> How then?
>>
>> Unusually aggressive evolutionary methodology observed. Result of
>> [Word used as threat, an insult, or definition of “carnivore”] planet.
>>
>> Disgusting. Because life wasn't short enough.
>>
>> We've isolated a point in their history where there were only 40 breeding pairs. It seems that
>> small stock and short life cycle has refined them, as it exacerbates the more… aggressive
>> nature of evolution on their planet.
>>
>> This surely works in the favour of similar inhabitants of their ecosystem?
>>
>> Yet these humans have achieved status as apex predators, in spite of their seemingly small and
>> spindly stature. They've filled a niche in their ecosystem as pursuit predators.
>> We predict that by the time the light of this observation post reaches them, they will have
>> a biomass greater than 100 times greater than any other occupant of this planet.
>>
>> Pursuit predatation? Do they simply follow?
>>
>> [Word meaning agreement or indication of accuracy.] To the ends of their planet. Consider
>> this continent, then. The species diverges greatly over region, you see, due to their
>> relative infancy. Here we see a [horse] being ridden by a [human]. The animal has been
>> domesticated for use, which should indicate their level of advancement alone.
>>
>> How did they breed a creature larger than itself which would bow to its whims in such
>> a short time period?
>>
>> Pursuit predatation. A human could simply follow that creature until it collapsed and died
>> of exhaustion. This one simply followed it for three days until it could no longer run.
>> It is a simple matter to them. Look! That one with the [Unknown]: He stole it in gestation
>> so that it would know no parent but him, and so it serves him. Those [canine] pelts are from
>> their partnership.
>>
>> Then if they are such adept hunters, their development shall stall. There will be no need for
>> the development of agrarian societies from which technologies take place.
>>
>> Some cultures yes. Others lack such geographical convenience. If we observe [Best Estimate:
>> Chinese empire] we can see such societies have long developed. It is simply such that sufficient
>> land quality is a contested value, and different tribal groups disagree on ownership.
>> They seem very possessive and territorial, such that mass loss of life often occurs during such
>> contestation. Some even seem to relish the opportunity. There is no shortage of enthusiasm.
>>
>> A vicious and warlike organism, then?
>>
>> Potentially. Some. They have great capacity for collaboration intragroup, but outside groups
>> are more prone to assimilation and homogenization.
>> Wait until the rotation of planet provides optimal view. Subject matter [Roman Empire] for
>> consideration.
>>
>>//TRANSLATION NOTE: LOG #0001836 indicates best guess of observation as an imperial
>> province within the Roman Empire. For list of landmarks and estimated geographical
>> co-ordinates, see attached appendix on indicated log.
>>
>> An empire of [Word used as threat, an insult, or definition of “carnivore”]?
>> Fortunately they are still tribalistic. Or else I would grow concerned.
>>
>> [Atmos]
>>
>> Your silence is disconcerting.
>>
>> Perhaps, while time elapses, we should
>> // // CLASSIFIED \\ \\
>>
>> // // CLEARANCE INSUFFICIENT \\ \\
>>
>> // // DOCUMENT CUT TO NEAREST GRANTED ACCESS \\
>>
>> This is the same species?
>>
>> Yes.
>>
>> They seem to have little in common with the tribalistic cultures seen previously. Look at all the
>> refined metals. Look at the mathematical precision of their architecture. Such exhorbitant and
>> grand monuments. What is that cylindrical stone building a testament to?
>>
>> We believe it is an entertainment venue. Is it not astounding? They use it to practice warfare.
>> For the entertainment of crowds. Sometimes they even flood it by diverting that river, so
>> that they may hold naval battles using their aquarian ships, all for the delight of the spectators.
>> Then the water is pumped out and we see contests of [horse] domestication ability by contest.
>> Surprising amount of deaths in that, too.
>>
>> I am growing less surprised by the word. How does such a sophisticated iteration of the species
>> exist while others live in relative squalor and mud? It defies comprehension that any being
>> capable of [communism] would so freely resort to such levels of disparity.
>>
>> Some cultures have merely advanced faster than others. Without a means of flight
>> on this planet by conventional means due to the ratio of its atmospheric density to its
>> gravitational pull to their muscular density, they are left to land and simple ocean bridges for
>> now. As a result, each culture develops in relative isolation, allowing geographical influence to
>> shape them greatly.
>>
>> We face no threat from them then. Surely internal warfare should keep them sufficiently
>> occupied. Imagine a species so constantly losing its children to war. It would lack the
>> elders and civillians required to develop beyond this foetal stage.
>>
>> They are tribal, [word meaning either remember or infer]. We have observed comfortable
>> civillian life in the core of large groups. And with a life expectancy so low, the attrition to
>> warfare is… less profound, though no less significant. Thinkers and fighters are relegated
>> to where they are most fit for purpose.
>>
>> Then these roving warbands?
>>
>> Are representative of the larger culture you see here. They are not an independent society of
>> raiders, but a militarized branch of the tribe.
>>
>> Prior, we have accounts of seven thousand soldiers in this region, a precursor to the [Romans]
>> you see here, fight against over one hundred thousand opposing forces. Almost
>> victorious. Fought over three of their days, taking shifts to kill.
>>
>> They will not back down from a superior opponent? They will so ruthlessly swarm?
>>
>> [Agreement or affirmation]
>>
>> So they will not back down from superior numbers. Nor did their opponents back down from
>> superior strength.
>>
>> Fascinating, yes?
>>
>> Terrifying. So forgiveness for changing the topic. They work well intra group, you professed.
>> Do you mean to tell me they use warfare to achieve homogenization?
>>
>> Yes. They do not merely wish to eradicate their opponents for love of violence. It appears they
>> wish to assimilate them.
>>
>> [Atmos]
>>
>> You comprehend we are a thousand light years away?
>>
>> [Agreement or affirmation]
>>
>> You are showing me a species that has advanced a thousand years from what we are seeing.
>>
>> [Agreement or affirmation]
>>
>> And, in a thousand years, they too might see us? Or, given sufficient advances in technology,
>> hear us?
>>
>> [Placation or dismissal]. Even by our most conservative estimates, they will crumble to
>> infighting. We have seen no signs that they can collaborate outside of their own culture.
>> Due to this, we believe they will not reach their [untranslatable: Current best estimate:
>> Industrial revolution] for another three thousand years.
>>
>> Yet from what you are showing me, this desert culture appears to be collaborating with the
>> sprawling one. They are both of competitive size, yet seem to be benefiting from trade and
>> exchange.
>>
>> [Atmos]
>>
>> [Expression of disbelief or nausea].
>>
>> They both seem to be thriving from this trade as well.
>>
>> Last observation showed them at war. If humans are capable of collaboration of this scale,
>> this throws previous best-estimates well off. We might even see development of [untranslatable:
>> Current best estimate: Industrial revolution] in the next thousand, based on current level of
>> advancement.
>>
>> They might be able to see us, then? And, if they should ever achieve their first steps into the
>> stars, what if they speak of our first contact?
>>
>> [Atmos]
>>
>> We may have overstayed our welcome.
>>
>> Should we shut comms off?
>>
>> [Expression of agreement or affirmation][Expression of fear]
>> END LOG
>>
>>
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
>> LACUNA OPERATIONS – CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTATION
>> CLEARANCE ACCESS CODES – “KILLING MACHINE” “ENDLESS PURSUIT”
>> MISSION STATEMENT
>> MISSION BRIEFING
>> SUPERVISING OFFICER: CHARLES STROSS
>>
>> KNOWN SYSTEM INHABITANTS AS “GRAYS” HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED
>> OBSERVING EARTH'S DEVELOPMENT UNTIL RELATIVE RECENCY. WE ARE
>> STILL RECEIVING PERIODIC COMMUNICATIONS.
>>
>> THEY ARE FEARFUL, AND THIS IS CONCERNING.
>>
>> WE DO NOT WISH TO FACE A COLD WAR ACROSS STARS. WE AS A SPECIES
>> DO NOT WISH FOR OUR INTRODUCTION TO THE GALACTIC COMMUNITY
>> TO BE OF FEARMONGERING DUE TO OUR HISTORY.
>>
>> USING THESE COMMUNICATIONS, WE HAVE TRACKED THE GRAYS TO THEIR
>> DESTINATION.
>>
>> WE HAVE ANALYZED THEIR DEFENSE CAPABILITIES AND FOUND THEM
>> LACKING.
>>
>> CONVENTIONAL WEAPONRY REMAINS SUFFICIENT TO ERADICATE TARGET
>> IN SINGLE CO-ORDINATED STRIKE.
>>
>> THE WARHEADS ARE EN ROUTE WITH TRACKING INFORMATION.
>>
>> HUMANITY'S FIRST TRIUMPHANT STEP INTO THE STARS WILL NOT BE
>> MET BY MILITARY ACTION. FOR THIS TO OCCUR, TACTICAL ASSASINATION
>> OF FIRST CONTACT ADVISED.
>>
>> PUBLIC DOMAIN SUFFICIENTLY SATURATED WITH XENOPHOBIC PROPOGANDA
>> TO BE FORGIVING AT TIME OF DETONATION.
>>
>> DRONES ARE IN PURSUIT OF TARGET SHOULD WARHEADS PROVE INSUFFICIENT.
>>
>> SIGNAL JAMMING MEASURES WILL BE IN EFFECT.
>>
>> EMPS OF WARHEAD TO MASK THAT OF TYPICAL CELESTIAL PULSE TO MASK
>> FURTHER SUSPICIONS
>>
>> PLANETARY DEFENSES MAINTAINED UNDER GUISE OF ASTEROID DEFENSE
>> PROTOCOL IN CASE OF RETAILIATION STRIKE.
>>
>> IF RETALIATION INSTIGATED, WE WILL PURSUE VINDICATION.
>>
>> LACUNA: MISSING INFORMATION FROM A PAGE TORN FROM A BOOK.
>> LACUNA: AN EXTENDED SILENCE IN A SONG
>> LACUNA: THE PRESERVATION OF HUMANITY AS WE JOURNEY OUTWARDS
A little wiped out for full commentary, but might as well start providing feedback as I read.
idk if it was just a chat-thread easter egg or a deliberate invocation (considering the nature of The Laundry Files and its central coverup conspiracy), but I'm a little amused at the Charlie Stross name-drop. Though seeing a name so familiar so early on broke me out of the story a bit.
I do like the little touches, like the discussion of ages.
The translation is a bit of a mixed bag. I kinda want to say that all of the brackets which use long phrases to replace a single word are bad because they break the flow of the story, which they do, but there are occasions on which it feels enriching. "[Word used as threat, an insult, or definition of “carnivore”]" is my prime example there. But "[Word meaning either apology for perceived offense or declaration of a misunderstanding]" is both highly wordy and repeated often enough to become timesome. The "untranslateable"s largely do their job. Puttings "[Atmos]" in brackets isn't quite correct, because that's scene description rather than translation, and the unfamiliarity of the bare word being put into the product-of-translation context kept throwing me.
that_escalated_quickly.jpg
Wow. Uh. I … sorry, author, not sure I can buy this. The entire plan apparently hinges on the Greys, who have been "loud" enough that Earth was able to pick up on their comms chatter, to have not sent a single report to their superiors in two thousand years. Remember, they are explicitly stated in the story to be 1000 light-years away from the comms chatter they picked up on — and one of them further explicitly lampshades they are picking up signals on a thousand-year delay, so there's no weird FTL connection going on here — so by the time their signal gets back to Earth, it's another thousand years old, and then once the Earthlings hear it and hatch their plot, they have to cross that space to reach them. Though to be charitable, given that this a Humanity F*ck Yeah story, presumably there's some sort of handwavey super FTL cheese going on in which humans have out-technologied the aliens and can cancel those delays…? Even so, it's madness to think they can retroactively silence whatever reports these first-contact greys have already sent, including the one that is discussed in the transcripts; and that their absence wouldn't be missed or investigated; and that murdering aliens to keep from getting a reputation as murderers is the best way to join an interstellar community. … That last one might make sense in the context of this being stealth horror, and humans being the bad guys all along, but it doesn't fit their stated lofty goals.
So overall I feel like this was kinda let down by its ending. Points for "Lacuna" though, and for the little details along the way.
Tier:Needs Work (near the Almost There border)
e: Upgrading to "Almost There" now that I've gotten settled into my reading.
idk if it was just a chat-thread easter egg or a deliberate invocation (considering the nature of The Laundry Files and its central coverup conspiracy), but I'm a little amused at the Charlie Stross name-drop. Though seeing a name so familiar so early on broke me out of the story a bit.
I do like the little touches, like the discussion of ages.
The translation is a bit of a mixed bag. I kinda want to say that all of the brackets which use long phrases to replace a single word are bad because they break the flow of the story, which they do, but there are occasions on which it feels enriching. "[Word used as threat, an insult, or definition of “carnivore”]" is my prime example there. But "[Word meaning either apology for perceived offense or declaration of a misunderstanding]" is both highly wordy and repeated often enough to become timesome. The "untranslateable"s largely do their job. Puttings "[Atmos]" in brackets isn't quite correct, because that's scene description rather than translation, and the unfamiliarity of the bare word being put into the product-of-translation context kept throwing me.
TACTICAL ASSASINATION OF FIRST CONTACT ADVISED
that_escalated_quickly.jpg
Wow. Uh. I … sorry, author, not sure I can buy this. The entire plan apparently hinges on the Greys, who have been "loud" enough that Earth was able to pick up on their comms chatter, to have not sent a single report to their superiors in two thousand years. Remember, they are explicitly stated in the story to be 1000 light-years away from the comms chatter they picked up on — and one of them further explicitly lampshades they are picking up signals on a thousand-year delay, so there's no weird FTL connection going on here — so by the time their signal gets back to Earth, it's another thousand years old, and then once the Earthlings hear it and hatch their plot, they have to cross that space to reach them. Though to be charitable, given that this a Humanity F*ck Yeah story, presumably there's some sort of handwavey super FTL cheese going on in which humans have out-technologied the aliens and can cancel those delays…? Even so, it's madness to think they can retroactively silence whatever reports these first-contact greys have already sent, including the one that is discussed in the transcripts; and that their absence wouldn't be missed or investigated; and that murdering aliens to keep from getting a reputation as murderers is the best way to join an interstellar community. … That last one might make sense in the context of this being stealth horror, and humans being the bad guys all along, but it doesn't fit their stated lofty goals.
So overall I feel like this was kinda let down by its ending. Points for "Lacuna" though, and for the little details along the way.
Tier:
e: Upgrading to "Almost There" now that I've gotten settled into my reading.
So hands up if you expected the humans to turn up at the listening post by the end after dropping out of warp.
That aside this is an interesting observation story but falls into a lot of sci-fi tropes by the end and that ends up hurting it a lot. There's an author I read called David Weber, who writes long, sprawling sci-fi series, but one of his spin-off books is a very badly received story about herbivorous aliens deciding to go on an extermination campaign against Earth after one of their scout ships whiteness the Battle of Agincourt. (They got really freaked out that the outnumbered side lost, for justifiable reasons.) Ultimately I liked that story as the alien's responses told us a lot about how they worked as a species and how their ideology clashed with basic assumptions of humanity's way of living.
I bring this all up because Lacuna really lacked any of that. You learn almost nothing about the aliens, only that they think humans are violent compared to whatever enlightenment they've reached. There's implications that they're communist, but that's told not shown, and has no actual implications on their interactions because there aren't any. Strip away the observations and we're left with human history (which I already know) and some irrational genocide decision.
*Sigh*
Anyway, that's a bit of a rant. Positives, the style is unique and interesting and I quite like the choppy nature of the formatting to match a decoded document. I really felt like this one missed a lot of opportunities though.
That aside this is an interesting observation story but falls into a lot of sci-fi tropes by the end and that ends up hurting it a lot. There's an author I read called David Weber, who writes long, sprawling sci-fi series, but one of his spin-off books is a very badly received story about herbivorous aliens deciding to go on an extermination campaign against Earth after one of their scout ships whiteness the Battle of Agincourt. (They got really freaked out that the outnumbered side lost, for justifiable reasons.) Ultimately I liked that story as the alien's responses told us a lot about how they worked as a species and how their ideology clashed with basic assumptions of humanity's way of living.
I bring this all up because Lacuna really lacked any of that. You learn almost nothing about the aliens, only that they think humans are violent compared to whatever enlightenment they've reached. There's implications that they're communist, but that's told not shown, and has no actual implications on their interactions because there aren't any. Strip away the observations and we're left with human history (which I already know) and some irrational genocide decision.
*Sigh*
Anyway, that's a bit of a rant. Positives, the style is unique and interesting and I quite like the choppy nature of the formatting to match a decoded document. I really felt like this one missed a lot of opportunities though.
Tropes!
Tropes EVERYWHERE!
Perhaps I'm extra genre-savvy, having spent some time perusing HFY stuff. Hell, I've written one or two.
Still, I think your previous reviewers have covered a lot of this. That ending just doesn't make sense, even in a 'humans are driven to kill or something' way. The logs are mostly history, with no real indication of where the story's really going plot-wise, or what sort of point it's going to make.
And the opening nearly tossed me out. Hiding your words with piles of irrelevant terminal output is... well, a good way to lose someone's interest fast. I feel like I'm continually harping on this in my reviews, but hook! Hook your reader as fast and hard as your tone and plot will let you.
This was more boring than bad in some ways, which is a worse indictment in other ways, I guess... sorry I don't have anything more constructive to offer you.
Tropes EVERYWHERE!
Perhaps I'm extra genre-savvy, having spent some time perusing HFY stuff. Hell, I've written one or two.
Still, I think your previous reviewers have covered a lot of this. That ending just doesn't make sense, even in a 'humans are driven to kill or something' way. The logs are mostly history, with no real indication of where the story's really going plot-wise, or what sort of point it's going to make.
And the opening nearly tossed me out. Hiding your words with piles of irrelevant terminal output is... well, a good way to lose someone's interest fast. I feel like I'm continually harping on this in my reviews, but hook! Hook your reader as fast and hard as your tone and plot will let you.
This was more boring than bad in some ways, which is a worse indictment in other ways, I guess... sorry I don't have anything more constructive to offer you.
Genre: "Humans are Bastards"-flavored sci-fi
Thoughts: It was obviously a risk to structure a story as a translated intercepted message, and I have to give the author credit for taking that risk. I can see what the story is trying to do, in terms of commentary about humans in general, and about our society.
Unfortunately, I didn't feel like this quite hit the mark, and I think the main issue is that the commentary was too simplistic; we get little more than the aliens' thoughts that "humans are bastards," then the confirmation at the end that "yep, we sure are." I don't know what I might do differently to add more depth or nuance, but I feel like that would help immensely. Or, maybe it would help to have the humans do something--anything--to subvert their expectations.
Tier: Needs Work
Thoughts: It was obviously a risk to structure a story as a translated intercepted message, and I have to give the author credit for taking that risk. I can see what the story is trying to do, in terms of commentary about humans in general, and about our society.
Unfortunately, I didn't feel like this quite hit the mark, and I think the main issue is that the commentary was too simplistic; we get little more than the aliens' thoughts that "humans are bastards," then the confirmation at the end that "yep, we sure are." I don't know what I might do differently to add more depth or nuance, but I feel like that would help immensely. Or, maybe it would help to have the humans do something--anything--to subvert their expectations.
Tier: Needs Work
