Lonely, Lonely

By Daniel P Swenson

In the short story, Lonely, Lonely, members of a race evolved for war contend for supremacy on a new planet. Can the planet’s native species survive as their home becomes a battlefield? Lonely, Lonely explores one possible endpoint on the trajectory of warfare and how individuals might bridge even the deepest of chasms.

Tangent review (tangentonline.com, April 2012):
“Lonely, Lonely is about a planet whose inhabitants are all mentally linked, and what happens when their planet become a battleground by other forces. This sort of mental interplay is difficult to pull off, but Daniel P. Swenson comes up with a strongly plotted story about sacrifice and victory.”

Originally published in science fiction magazine Lore 2.1 (vol. 2, no. 1).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Daniel P Swenson
• Release date: Apr 11, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310763557

Daniel P Swenson

Daniel P. Swenson lives in southern California with his wife, two children and two furry aliens with claws and whiskers. He does most of his writing on the train or in other odd, in-between moments. Comments and questions are welcome. He can be reached at [e-mail].

Book preview

Lonely, Lonely

By Daniel P. Swenson

Text copyright © 2010 by Daniel P. Swenson

Cover art copyright © 2013 by Manthos Lappas

All rights reserved.

A star fell far to the east, then another. Osoni-we watched amazed, as a third soared overhead, flames trailing in its wake. The fiery ball plummeted behind a nearby hill, shaking the ground with its impact. She ran up the hill to investigate.

I see it, Osoni-we said and felt the tribal awareness focus through her. The star rested in the middle of a large, smoking crater.

*Not a star,* someone commented softly through the communication device inside her mind.

The oblong object was dark and rough, scarred by its passage through the atmosphere. Osoni-we moved closer. Her hands trembled, and she sucked in a breath. Her furry nose twitched with the odor of burned vegetation. Pieces of the object fell away, revealing a metallic cube etched with strange symbols. Small openings appeared on its faces, like eyes, she thought.

*Careful,* some part of We-Osoni said. Through her mind, more and more of the tribe shared her thoughts and feelings, saw through her eyes, smelled what she smelled. We-tribe felt her heart race.

*Come back, Osoni,* We-tribe said, *Too dangerous.* Insect-like creatures poured from the openings. We-Osoni turned to run, but they swarmed over her.

*Machines,* We-Osoni observed in fright as the girl began to scream. *They cut!* We-Osoni cried out, and then she was no longer We.

▪ ▪ ▪

The cube sent out spy drones to map the battlefield. A native was captured almost immediately. Analysis revealed a familiar design. These would be amenable to exploitation, it thought.

The drones traveled outward high in the atmosphere. Individuals dropped occasionally to inspect a feature, geologic, biologic, or artificial. Natives looked up at the machines in fear. Most hid themselves in primitive shelters constructed of wood, stone, and glass. They lacked any observable defenses. Onward. The cube was still unsure.

▪ ▪ ▪

*Lonely, lonely,* a voice whispered on a frequency all the tribe could hear. The signal was weak. The language was strange, but familiar. We-tribe considered.

*It sounds so sad,* said one person.

*Yes,* We-tribe agreed. We listened.

▪ ▪ ▪

The cube counted itself fortunate. Concentrated organics occupied nearby rock formations. Metallic minerals were abundant as well. These resources would allow for rapid expansion. Relocation would not be necessary. The cube triggered physiological changes, rendering itself fully sessile. It extruded mining tendrils into the yielding earth.

The cube birthed a few breeder machines. These settled about the base of the cube and began to expand. It wasn't long before the