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Synchronizing Minds - First Contact
Humans are exploring Earth's neighbouring star systems, and while alien life is not rare, they have not found any intelligent beings until stumbling over an alien explorer in the outskirts of known space.
By the terms of the unknown entity, a singular human ambassador is sent to a first contact meeting. It quickly turns out that the alien species has little in common with humans but in a sincere effort ambassador Neil and Nyar-Ent-Hep try to learn about each other and create a foundation for an alliance. Though misconceptions and language barriers threaten to break up the first contact meeting and need to be overcome.
An added short story deals with another first contact scenario between the same species but a different set of characters. There, a mishap left three humans stranded on a barely explored exoplanet. The assumption of that planet only supporting plant life and microorganisms is thrown out when an alien being suprisingly turns up at the encampment.
While working on getting their spaceship fixed, the crew now also has to deal with this new perceived threat as they believe this alien to be non-intelligent.
By the terms of the unknown entity, a singular human ambassador is sent to a first contact meeting. It quickly turns out that the alien species has little in common with humans but in a sincere effort ambassador Neil and Nyar-Ent-Hep try to learn about each other and create a foundation for an alliance. Though misconceptions and language barriers threaten to break up the first contact meeting and need to be overcome.
An added short story deals with another first contact scenario between the same species but a different set of characters. There, a mishap left three humans stranded on a barely explored exoplanet. The assumption of that planet only supporting plant life and microorganisms is thrown out when an alien being suprisingly turns up at the encampment.
While working on getting their spaceship fixed, the crew now also has to deal with this new perceived threat as they believe this alien to be non-intelligent.
- GenresScience Fiction
194 pages, ebook
First published May 12, 2020
13 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 8, 2024
Can’t wait for the second book
The concept is great, and the bonus story is a nice bonus. A bit sad Potato’s story is not in this book tho.
The concept is great, and the bonus story is a nice bonus. A bit sad Potato’s story is not in this book tho.
November 10, 2023
Original first contact scifi
Best first contact with an aliens that is strange and novel that I've read. Alien species that isn't very similar to anything human in this technology or behavior. However they manage to be very likable. The author creates very plausible reference frames that lead to bizzare questions. Imagine being in a first contact mission and not only not knowing how to answer the question but also not understanding the question. Perfect length not a dull moment.
Best first contact with an aliens that is strange and novel that I've read. Alien species that isn't very similar to anything human in this technology or behavior. However they manage to be very likable. The author creates very plausible reference frames that lead to bizzare questions. Imagine being in a first contact mission and not only not knowing how to answer the question but also not understanding the question. Perfect length not a dull moment.
June 26, 2023
That's a delightful, if brief read. Very well written.
January 4, 2022
A fun first-contact read with some thought-provoking ideas about what makes us human, what we value about the human race, and how a uniquely alien race might struggle to understand our culture.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews