Second Suicide: A Short Story

by Hugh Howey

Eight days to planetfall, and I'm being transferred to Gunner. My tentacles slime in disgust.

Or is it fear?

If this is the last planet we ever conquer, I'll be glad. Be nice to settle down somewhere, get off this ship, own a square of land, learn to love all that open sky.

Eight more days before planetfall. Eight days before we reach planet Earth.

Genres: Short Stories, Science Fiction, Fiction, Aliens, Space, Ebooks

22 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 17, 2014

About the author

I'm the author of WOOL, a top 5 science fiction book on Amazon. I also wrote the Molly Fyde saga, a tale of a teenager from the 25th century who is repeatedly told that girls can't do certain things -- and then does them anyway.

A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified as science fiction, since they often take place in the future, but if you love great stories and memorable characters, you'll dig what you find here. I promise.

Reviews

[Berengaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

short review for busy readers:
An utterly unique short story about an aggressive alien race of "bored conquerors" who have annihilated and pillaged hundreds of planets and are now getting ready for an attack on Earth.

Hilariously crass dialogue (not for the easily offended!), excellent narrative voice. Wonderful characters complete with eyestalks and tentacles. And, no, they don't come in peace. They really really don't...even if they can't quite remember what happened last time they were around these parts.

A delightful read.

Thanks to my GR mate Paul Ataua for putting it on our radars!

[Sportyrod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bah boooowwww. Recommendation gone wrong.

Funny, mildly amusing and somewhat entertaining, but also a bit safe.

Couldn’t help compare the main characters to Kang and Kodos from the Simpsons: bitchily funny and with tentacles. I loved the first scenes with them when they were sharing a bunk room aboard the spaceship together. Fantastic dynamics and sexual tension. Had the story stayed with them and not gone invasion-style, I would have enjoyed it more. But invasion-style it went. I had no vested interest in the alien motherships or the planet-to-be-conquered. More Kang and Kodos please. The Third Suicide the sequel please.

Also, I know this is annoying but I can’t help myself... how do these tentacled creatures survive out of water? What functional biology makes this possible? Do they have gills, lungs or an automated breathing aparatus?

[Alan (the Lone Librarian rides again) Teder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tentacle Invasion
A review of the Broad Reach Publishing eBook (July 17, 2014).

For we have become what Earthlings would call white blood cells. We remove foreign bodies from the cosmos. And every one leaves an imprint, a bauble of tech or a new idea, all of which we neatly coil into our lives, into our molecular structure. We are an immune system, and we are immune to death. This last, alas, is our curse.

An alien invasion fleet is approaching "planetfall." We learn through intelligence liaison officer Hyk that his species moves throughout the galaxy conquering different worlds and absorbing their technologies. One of these innovations is regeneration after death as backup copies are kept for each of them. Even suicides are brought back, but fined for their cowardice. We gradually learn that their next target is Earth! But Hyk is concerned. Why has he been transferred to the first assault wave? Why did his predecessor commit suicide a second time? What do the commanders seem to fear about planet Earth?

Author Hugh Howey builds a completely engrossing and immersive science-fiction invasion story that keeps building suspense until its devastating final line conclusion. Even the appearance of the creatures is built up suspensefully as we wonder: do they have one or more tentacles? how many eye stalks do they have? how do they walk around? Just teasing that creature image in the reader's mind is carefully done. And that is aside from the main mystery of why a member of an immortal species would even consider suicide? What is it that is facing them at planetfall on Earth?

I read Second Suicide thanks to an outstanding and enticing review by GR friend Paul Ataua which you can read here. Hugh Howey is a completely new author to me, so thank you for the introduction Paul!

Trivia and Links
Aside from many standalone stories such as Second Suicide, Hugh Howey is the author of several book series which have also been adapted for TV. His Silo (2011-2017) series has been filmed as Silo (2023-2026?). His Beacon 23 series (2015) has been filmed as Beacon 23 (2023-2024).

[Valerie Book Valkyrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Tentacled Stars rounded up to 3 Startling Stars for its Bombshell of an ending

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An alien invasion of Earth, from an individual alien's perspective. While the alien forces prepare a mystery develops that sheds light on their own frailties, failings and idiosyncrasies, revealing them to be anything but the monsters we might expect. An interesting change of perspective for a story we're all familiar with.

[alansplace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spin this one into a novel, Hugh!

[Emily W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything Howey touches with his genius tentacles is gold.

[Dan Absalonson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story was a great read and really cool! It was not what I was expecting. It's hard to know what to expect with a title like Second Suicide. What the heck could that mean? And why would I want to read about suicide anyway? You'll find out if you read this book. It was written in first person through the eyes of a character who has tentacles. Yep, you just read that right - tentacles. He is an alien who is in a spaceship headed for a planet that he and his kind are going to try and take over. It is amazing how easily you find yourself quickly relating to this character even though he is an alien with long slimy appendages. He thinks like you do, plays cards, uses the toilet, fights, and researches. He learns of the cultures that he and his fellow aliens are heading towards to take over.

I'll let you read the story to discover what the title's meaning is all about but let's just say it's a very intriguing idea. You may rethink suicide, not for us humans but for the characters in the story once you learn of their society and circumstances.

Somehow this is a huge story and at the same time a very small story. Its first person narrative draws you in and you feel for the main character right away. I wanted to know how he felt about his situation and what was going to happen to him. I also wanted to know about his spaceship, what it was going to do, and what his entire alien race was going to do. Howey gives you just enough information to keep you satisfied as you read. You get little snippets and snapshots of information about the aliens and their past. So you're learning about one being's life and the massive race he belongs to as they fly through space ready to try and conquer another world among many.

I thought the character and point of view of the story were very inventive and it was really cool reading a story where the protagonist is an alien so different from me physically and yet very relatable and likable. I was very pleasantly surprised by this intriguing science fiction story. You will be too.

[Tiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd actually give this one about a 3.5. It becomes more compelling towards the end.

[Lauren Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more!!!!!!!!!

[Edmund de Wight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this on a whim, the 99 cent price was great for that.
It's a short story about an alien invasion except it's told by the aliens.
It's funny with some aliens who would fit in very well in South Park. There's a mystery surrounding the prep for an invasion and a suicide of an alien which causes the protagonist to be transferred to a new position just 8 days before the career making invasion begins.
Hugh has a great sense of the absurd as well as humor and also crafted a great tale.
Well worth the read.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun short story. It has the hallmark rhythm, pacing, and gradually building revelations of any Hugh Howey story, but condensed into a lighter reading format that you can burn through in one sitting. The characters are presented from an interesting perspective. The story (and dialog in particular) begins with a pretty lighthearted tone but gets into some pretty deep situations.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short sci-fi tale quite a bit. This author's style of writing never gets old. This story takes the reader into the mind of an alien race that knows only conquering and immortality. Oddly enough, this alien race seems eerily humanistic with many emotions. With Earth as their next target, will this warlike race finally have met their match? You have to read to find out.

[Parri Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was interested to read one of Howey's short stories and it didn't disappoint. A breezy 22 pages covering the days leading up to the invasion of Earth, as told by a very thoughtful alien on the attacking ship.

[One Man Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

One more example of why I love Hugh Howey

What a great story! It's only a 30 minute read, but in that short time you get it all...a story that intrigues, a character you feel, a plot that excites, and an ending that surprises. Way to go Hugh Howey!

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt very much like Wool, with different characters and setting. I enjoyed it, but didn't love it.

[KNIVESINORBIT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugh Howey is amazingly creative. This is a phenomenal approach on an alien takeover and FINALLY from the other side of the attack. Buy this now! Great job Hugh!

[The Angry Lawn Gnome · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short story with a hook I should have seen coming, since, well you're kind of tipped off to it in the title.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually liked this one quite a bit after reflection.

[Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome little story from a very cool perspective. Howie's genius shows again!

[Paul Ataua · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘My language instructor once said: No two people have ever battled that read each other’s poetry, and I believe that. It’s why we in Intelligence are told to avoid poetry at all cost. Learn, but do not empathize.’

Our narrator is a tenacled alien who is part of a invasion force, an alien race that moves from planet to planet conquering worlds, and he is not happy that he has been demoted from Intelligence to gunner. A short story that rekindled my faith in science fiction stories and it just had to be Hugh Howey that wrote it. Probably a four star, but tenacles touched all the right buttons and so I am giving it five stars.

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still not sure what to make of this short story. The ending was a bit confusing but I enjoyed the relatable mannerisms off the aliens. Not to mention some comical moments. Wouldn't mind seeing this one expanded into a full novel.

[Nehal Drago · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8/5
I really enjoy the writings of Hugh Howey.

But, this short story was meant to be a novel.
I am left with the feeling of wanting more. Plus the ending was not that great.
It could have been something more.

[Ola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking

Interesting to see the human tendencies in a very not human entity. Interesting to see think that we will not be able to escape our human themes even if we escape being human.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Story telling at its finest. Couldn't wait to keep reading this one.

[Anny Barros · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay short…Earth’s alien invasion from the POV of the superior aliens…and it is going well for the humans.

[Charla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has a unique and insightful point of view. We get to experience an alien invasion from the alien’s side. I enjoyed the relationship between Hyt and Kur. Their interactions were hilarious. The themes that run through the story are universal, no matter what the species.
I had an epiphany while reading this story. It allowed me to put into words something that I hadn’t realized as to why I enjoy certain stories more than others. There is a point within the story where Hyt is taking in his surroundings. Things clicked into place for me as a reader just a moment before I knew they would click into place for him. The author did not tell me what was happening, he allowed me to come to a realization in real time with the main character. I know it sounds cheesy, but at that moment, the character and I were connected – we were one. That is extremely fulfilling.
**************************SPOILER ALERT*******************************
I felt the story fell short in a couple of places. I did not feel the hate that Hyt had for his own life. Dissatisfied, yes, but not hatred. I also did not feel the love that he professed for Mil. These elements could have been left out and not have had an impact on the overall story. As it stands, it should have been better supported by details to be believable.
All in all, it was a great story. I really enjoyed reading it.

[Lisa Hapney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story from Hugh Howey was a fun piece to read. Despite some of the alien invader’s more serious issues, the story did not take itself too seriously. I found myself smiling at more than one point. The main character, Hyk, is an invading alien who finds himself transferred from a cushy intelligence job to a combat unit. Hyk is an entertaining character and I enjoyed reading about his experiences. Unfortunately our main character’s roommate, Kur, is essentially a 12-year-old with regard to his mentality, especially with regard to humor. I truly felt for our main character because of this, but not enough to want them to invade Earth. Although this story has a complete story arc, it is a short story and I wouldn’t want to ruin the fun. I enjoyed reading Second Suicide, got a few juvenile laughs from it and liked that it was told from the tentacled alien’s perspective. I won’t say it is Hugh Howey’s best story, but it was entertaining. If you have a spare dollar then you might want to take a look.

[John Lundquist · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this but it was a little unsatisfying and I'm not sure why. I liked the main character we spend the story with. He is believable and easy to sympathize with despite being an alien. That might be because these aliens are depicted just like humans might be. Everything from their mannerisms to what they do in their free time. There are a few big differences of course but I won't spoil them here.
It's tough to judge what could have made this one better for me though. I don't think that expanding the story much would help as that just would seem unnecessary. The ending might be a bit rushed but adding to it wouldn't fix it at all I don't think.
It was enjoyable and certainly worth reading especially considering how short it is and how much it costs. So give it a shot and see what you think.