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Topside: A Malfunction Trilogy Short Story
Short Story in the Malfunction Trilogy
Up until now, Ella has managed to avoid the single most important but most dangerous aspect of her life as a biobot. The thing she was created to do: going to the ravaged surface to fend off the aliens that turned the planet into a desolate, frozen waste. It's her first mission Topside, and it might be her last.
Called one of J.E. Purrazzi's best works, this short story features characters from the Malfunction trilogy and takes place in the same universe.
Up until now, Ella has managed to avoid the single most important but most dangerous aspect of her life as a biobot. The thing she was created to do: going to the ravaged surface to fend off the aliens that turned the planet into a desolate, frozen waste. It's her first mission Topside, and it might be her last.
Called one of J.E. Purrazzi's best works, this short story features characters from the Malfunction trilogy and takes place in the same universe.
- GenresShort Stories
29 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2018
13 people want to read
About the author
J.E. Purrazzi
36 books58 followers I grew up on a steady diet of adventure both real and imagined. It was never quite enough. So what is a girl to do? The answer: live in a fantasy world.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 15, 2025
Topside depicts Ella’s experiences going topside on Earth for the first time and fighting Wreckers there. For anyone who is already familiar with Moore’s world, this amounts to quite a simple premise—but it all came together much better for me on my rereads! Topside sets up for the uprising in Disintegration beautifully, as Ella vows at the end of the narrative to endeavor to “find a way to win” against those controlling her. Moreover, the work is short enough that the constant action does not at all become tiresome for me; it remains engaging throughout.
One particular intriguing and clever aspect of Topside is how Moore always refers to Ella by her Biobot number in narration—up until the point when Ella receives affirmation and moral support from Viktor. After having been thus validated as a human being, Ella begins being referred to by her actual name.
Admittedly, I would still probably Topside as my least favorite story in the Malfunction universe. While very likable, Ella and Viktor are nowhere near as engaging for me to follow as the likes of Bas, Cowl, Menrva, and Starke are. And although reading about a Borg’s first trip topside proves absorbing, I do not necessarily feel that reading about Ella’s experiences gave me much of a glimpse into the Borg condition that I had not already acquired from reading about Bas’s experiences.
Nevertheless, Topside delivers as a riveting short story—not to mention a welcome addition to the Malfunction Universe! I am so thankful that Moore has deepened her universe by writing short stories and novellas. These stories simply make the worldbuilding and character arcs feel so much richer. Topside proves no exception. For a series as consistently impressive and enjoyable as Malfunction, “least favorite” is hardly a disparagement. Because “least favorite” is still really good!
One particular intriguing and clever aspect of Topside is how Moore always refers to Ella by her Biobot number in narration—up until the point when Ella receives affirmation and moral support from Viktor. After having been thus validated as a human being, Ella begins being referred to by her actual name.
Admittedly, I would still probably Topside as my least favorite story in the Malfunction universe. While very likable, Ella and Viktor are nowhere near as engaging for me to follow as the likes of Bas, Cowl, Menrva, and Starke are. And although reading about a Borg’s first trip topside proves absorbing, I do not necessarily feel that reading about Ella’s experiences gave me much of a glimpse into the Borg condition that I had not already acquired from reading about Bas’s experiences.
Nevertheless, Topside delivers as a riveting short story—not to mention a welcome addition to the Malfunction Universe! I am so thankful that Moore has deepened her universe by writing short stories and novellas. These stories simply make the worldbuilding and character arcs feel so much richer. Topside proves no exception. For a series as consistently impressive and enjoyable as Malfunction, “least favorite” is hardly a disparagement. Because “least favorite” is still really good!
March 1, 2021
I love this short story! Topside is my favorite of the prequel novellas, and I’ve now read it twice (once before Malfunction and again after). I love Ella’s transformation throughout the short narrative, and Topside gives an excellent quick glimpse of the Wreckers. If you’re looking for a good introduction to the Malfunction universe, Topside gives you a nice look at the human side of the Biobots, the condition that the surface world has collapsed to, and the terrifying alien inhabitants that the survivors in Bunker are up against.
March 28, 2018
Strong characters, good story...Purazzi does it again
March 28, 2018
I adore this short story! It is a heart-pounding action piece with great emotional depth and currently my favorite of Purrazzi's works in the Malfunction Universe. I was rooting with all of my heart and soul for Ella to survive her trip topside, and righteously angry at all the "powers that be" that treated her like a slave.
This is science fiction at its absolute best: intelligent, moving, action-packed, and introspective. It is one of the best scifi short stories I have ever read, right up there with authors like Ray Bradbury and Orson Scott Card. You don't want to miss this one.
This is science fiction at its absolute best: intelligent, moving, action-packed, and introspective. It is one of the best scifi short stories I have ever read, right up there with authors like Ray Bradbury and Orson Scott Card. You don't want to miss this one.
June 3, 2018
This story was a great read. The main character's emotion were so tangible, and the action was intense! Everything thing about the story and the world felt so real, which is an amazing accomplishment for such a short story.
October 6, 2020
An excellent, well written short story! Had me hooked from the start! I will definitely look for more by this writer!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews