Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence & Other Short Stories

By Winslow Parker

These seven short stories range from sci-fi with a twist to humor and love. In the title story, searching for extra-terrestrial life takes an unexpected turn "An Interview with an Aged Streptococcus Sobrinus," and "An Interview with Jim," injects a bit of humor into the collection. "Living by the Sword," examines the age-old statement by Jesus from a very personal angle. Finally, "Solitude," and "Walls," open to perspectives on human love. Plus an extra short horror/thriller..

• Language: English
• Publisher: Winslow Parker
• Release date: Feb 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463485910

Winslow Parker

the author lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife. They are both retired, she from elementary school education and he from adult education. Prior to retirement, he taught other blind people computer and other technology skills. Their family includes a daughter, son, a son-in-law, daughter-in-law and three perfect grandchildren.

Book preview

Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence and other Short Stories

Winslow Parker

Copyright 1995-2017 Winslow E. Parker

All Rights Reserved

This is a work of fiction. Characters and interviews within

this book, are a product of the author’s imagination.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted by any person or entity in any form or by any means be it electronically, photocopying, audio or scanning of said book without the permission

In writing from the author and publisher.

Blind Tortoise Publishing

In conjunction with

Plaisted Publishing House, Ltd

ISBN:978-1-79487-095-6

Acknowledgments

I am indebted to my good friend and brother-in-Christ, Chuck Andrus, for his skillful edit of this book. Any errors remaining were my attempt to improve on his edit--always a big mistake.

Thank you to Claire Plaisted of Plaisted Publishing House Ltd for formatting this paperback

Thanks also go to Mara Reitsma of Covered by the Rose, who made the book cover.

Dedication

To my wife, Ida, who is tenaciously loyal and,

therefore, my definition of grace.

Contents

Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence

Living by the Sword

Walls

An Interview with Jim

Escape From hell

Wisdom of an Aged Streptococcus Sobrinus

Solitude

Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence

Decision

They assembled slowly; the elite of the colony, the politicians, scientists, generals, lawyers. Bonds of friendship or hatred, of past convivialities or feuds, of inherent privilege and superiority, melded them into a brotherhood of power. Competing and cooperating knots of elites formed, broke apart, reformed. Each held a tumbler of the illegal nectar of the rare apfelt fruit, unavailable to the common citizenry. The knowledge of the countless hours of labor, the dangers, the expense of its harvest, and processing added to the pleasure of the liquid’s warm glow.

Prosperity, wealth, power, all the benefits of their years of political maneuvering coalesced in this potent symbol, grasped between the pincers of one foreleg.

At the appointed time, each drifted to his assigned seat at the conference table, stretching his antennae left and right, touching the corresponding antenna of his neighbor.

Gentlemen, the dominant thought of the President surged through the connected hubbub of thought. Gentlemen, and lady, he said with a slightly mocking bow as he smiled at Tirza, seated at the far end of the table. We have gathered to discuss a matter of utmost import. He paused for dramatic effect.

As all of you know, Tirza and Reul have been working for a number of years on long-range space transmission technology. We are at a major crossroads. We here in this room must decide what to do. He paused, sipping his drink. This brilliant team of scientists recently broke through the final technical barrier.

Excitement rippled through the group. Each sat straighter, straining to hear the President.

As I said, we here, today, must decide the fate of this project, and, perhaps, of our colony. This project will be expensive in both resources and manpower. Do we risk our future by sending out messages to the unknown universe? What benefit is it to know if there are others like us? On the other hand, do we continue our mundane lives of food gathering, processing, and raising our young? I say we’ve reached a crossroads because we must decide now. It is nearing the time of food shortage about which our ancestors have told us—when food grows scarce, and we must rely for several generations on stored provisions. If we continue our ancestor’s way, our species is safe, we know we can survive. Suppose we take this leap of faith, of chance. Suppose we neglect the old ways of doing things, commit our resources to sending a signal into the unknown? What if we find there are others like us, with whom we can join forces, become more efficient, more productive? Suppose we find a new source of labor to enhance the workers we have now?

He paused, sensing each member’s reaction to his words.

It is, in short, a time of opportunity and a time of danger. On one side lies safety and security, on the other, risk, danger, possible hunger and starvation, but also a promise of a great new world, a world in which work will be greatly reduced. A world in which unlimited power is available to do the work we now so laboriously trudge through each bright cycle. He paused again.

"During this warm time, more than any other, we have progressed. We have been advancing scientifically and technically for only five generations. Previously, we were guided, not by reason and decision, but by blind instinct. Now we have broken through that barrier.