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Great Ship
Alone: A Great Ship novella
The largest star ship in the universe has a single passenger. That shape-shifting machine walks in solitude until the humans arrive, and their robots, and increasingly strange aliens. Then after thousands of years and a sequence of odd adventures, our hero arrives at a point where he understands the purpose of the Great Ship.
“Who are you?” the walker asked.
“My name is Wune.”
“Where are you?”
“Find the blue-white star on the horizon,” it said.
“Are you that star?”
“No, no.” Wune could do nothing but laugh for a few moments. “Look below it. Do you see me?”
Except for a few crevices and delicate wrinkles, the crater floor was flat. Standing at the far end was a tiny figure clad in hyperfiber. It was shaped like a female. One arm lifted high. What might have been a hand waved slowly, the gesture purely human.
“My name is Wune,” the stranger repeated.
“Are you human?”
“I’m a Remora,” said Wune. “And what exactly are you, my friend? I don’t seem to recognize your nature.”
“My nature is a mystery,” it agreed.
“Do you have a name?”
“I am,” it began. Then it hesitated, considering this wholly original question. And with sudden conviction, it said, “Alone.”
It rose up from the ridge, proclaiming, “My name is Alone.”
"Alone" is the first story in the Great Ship saga. Robert Reed has written two dozen stories and six novels in this endless universe. One story -- "Marrow" -- was nominated for the Hugo Award.
“Who are you?” the walker asked.
“My name is Wune.”
“Where are you?”
“Find the blue-white star on the horizon,” it said.
“Are you that star?”
“No, no.” Wune could do nothing but laugh for a few moments. “Look below it. Do you see me?”
Except for a few crevices and delicate wrinkles, the crater floor was flat. Standing at the far end was a tiny figure clad in hyperfiber. It was shaped like a female. One arm lifted high. What might have been a hand waved slowly, the gesture purely human.
“My name is Wune,” the stranger repeated.
“Are you human?”
“I’m a Remora,” said Wune. “And what exactly are you, my friend? I don’t seem to recognize your nature.”
“My nature is a mystery,” it agreed.
“Do you have a name?”
“I am,” it began. Then it hesitated, considering this wholly original question. And with sudden conviction, it said, “Alone.”
It rose up from the ridge, proclaiming, “My name is Alone.”
"Alone" is the first story in the Great Ship saga. Robert Reed has written two dozen stories and six novels in this endless universe. One story -- "Marrow" -- was nominated for the Hugo Award.
53 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 6, 2024
Why have I not known about The Great Ship!?
As a ferocious reader of sci Fi since grade school why am I just now reading a Great Ship story and hearing about the tremendous amount of work available by Reed!
It has one of my favorite sci fi subjects - grand unknown alien artifacts and a grand scope!
Upon advice I obtained some of the early stories to read before starting the trilogy (?) and am excited!
I see Ring World on steroids!
As a ferocious reader of sci Fi since grade school why am I just now reading a Great Ship story and hearing about the tremendous amount of work available by Reed!
It has one of my favorite sci fi subjects - grand unknown alien artifacts and a grand scope!
Upon advice I obtained some of the early stories to read before starting the trilogy (?) and am excited!
I see Ring World on steroids!
December 2, 2025
Been reading a few SF books this week, some historical fiction and a fantasy book. Some have been good, others okay and I am wading through an SF book. It has a lot of pluses, clever time jumps, solid world building - but I am finding it a chore.
Reed’s book has been a great surprise (and a relief). Sure its a novella but an exceptionally well written one and pleasure to read - not an effort.
Attention grabber. Immersive even. I think you can read this without touching the others in the series. Great prose. He stretches your belief and leaves you amazed - if not wanting to read the other books.
Reed’s book has been a great surprise (and a relief). Sure its a novella but an exceptionally well written one and pleasure to read - not an effort.
Attention grabber. Immersive even. I think you can read this without touching the others in the series. Great prose. He stretches your belief and leaves you amazed - if not wanting to read the other books.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews