The Return - A Contact Window Story

Contact Window

by Lyndon Perry, Will Swardstrom

Yeitr Prime’s mission is to share their advanced technology with the universe. Thanks to a stable wormhole they call a Contact Window, they visit planet after planet with their Diplomatic Corps. Their first visit to Earth ended in disaster, but Senior Ambassador Defl has a chance to correct his predecessor’s mistakes, and in fact to correct the mistakes of an entire planet. (This is a short story of 6,500 words.)

Genres: Science Fiction

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2014

About the author

Lyndon Perry is a former pastor, current husband, and grateful father of two. He enjoys dark roast coffee, herds cats on the side, and used to teach middle grade English.

He also runs Tule Fog Press at www.TuleFogPress.com, an indie publisher helping readers and authors find each other in various genres, including mystery, thriller, fantasy, science fiction, and more.

Reviews

[Bobby Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this out from Kindle Unlimited because I had previously read and enjoyed a minor collection of stories from Lyndon Perry which leaned toward horror, but were, as intended, more humorous and charming than actually scary. The Return was an addendum of sorts to Contact Window; another short story by a different author, and as such, Return is sort of a prequel and a sequel, as another reviewer noted. Not having read Contact Window when I began reading The Return — which I have now done — I went in cold.

I really enjoyed this science fiction story, because there was a purpose, and a moral to the outcome. It would be a disservice to other readers to give too many particulars, so I won’t go into too great a detail. Basically the premise is a Contact Window — akin to a wormhole — which only appears intermittently, is being used by an alien race to make first contact with Earth. What’s unique about Perry’s story is it takes place after Contact Window, yet because the timeline within the Contact Window is fluid, the action in the story takes place before the events of Contact Window.

What emerges is a rumination about species with faith, and species who view faith as mere superstition. What might be the shattering consequences of the latter species encountering the former near its inception? Perry’s portion of the story is thought-provoking. The second portion of the story is the beginning to Contact Window, and cuts off at a point which prompted me to also download that short story, so I could discover what happened.

The writing is very good in this and Will Swardstrom’s original Contact Window, but I found the ending to Perry’s story about the other crew a bit more impactful. Brief and entertaining, and with a thought-provoking premise, this is recommended for quasi-science fiction fans who just want a morsel rather than an entire meal.

[Jeff Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can something be a prequel and a sequel at the same time? "The Return" may have achieved that paradox. A previous attempt to contact Earth--told in "Contact Window"--ended in disaster. Now, a new wormhole has opened and the ambassador's of Yeitr Prime are prepared to try again, but there's a catch. There's a wrinkle in time. The wormhole will take them to an earth at the dawn of human civilization. Senior Ambassador Defl Tarq recognizes this as a chance to achieve the greatest triumph of his career. He will be pivotal in guiding the future of humanity on planet Earth. If I tell anymore I'll give away the story, but there's an ironic pay off at the end that's well worth it. Highly recommended.

[Lyndon]

I'm one of the writers of this book set in Will Swardstrom's "Contact Window" universe.

[Ed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short sci-fi sequel/prequel to "Contact Window". Another couple of members of a very intelligent race travel to help Earth people advance technologically and responsibly. However, for some strange reason, the main character seems to have left his empathy and understanding behind. Another OK short story, but barely.

[Stefano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is brilliant, I really cannot say anything or I'd spoil the enjoyment, but when I realized what was going to happen... well, it's pretty short and cheap so you'd better find it out by yourself.
Strongly suggested.

[Cmoore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, what a good laugh... Again, I reiterate, as with Contact Window timing is everything! I highly recommend this short read...