HUGO AWARD-WINNING SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY MAGAZINE
From Their Paws, We Shall Inherit
Our second piece of audio fiction for March is "From Their Paws, We Shall Inherit" written by Gary Kloster and read by Kate Baker.
Clarkesworld Magazine Issue 66 - From Their Paws, We Shall Inherit by Gary Kloster [22:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (29343)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gary Kloster is a writer, librarian, martial arts instructor, and stay-at-home father. Sometimes all in the same day, but seldom all at the same time. His short fiction has appeared in venues such as Apex, Clarkesworld, and Escape Pod. His first novel, Firesoul, is out now.
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ISSN 1937-7843 Clarkesworld Magazine © 2006-2019 Wyrm Publishing. Robot illustration by Serj Iulian.
Russ "Weasel" Laughlin wrote on March 22nd, 2012 at 1:09 pm:
Alien seed ships firing off pods of self-improvement coaches. Interstellar gentrification via social workers. I would not have come up with that in a million years. Nice concept. Well done.
Russ "Weasel" Laughlin wrote on March 22nd, 2012 at 8:59 pm:
On Kate's question about whether this was a snippet of a larger work, or if we'd like to see more of this world just glimpsed... On reflection, I'm satisfied with this story as it is. It implies quite a bit of off-stage world building, but stands very well on its own.
As to follow on stories, I think they would have a very different feel. A myriad of 'monkey' fostered fifth column groups would come into fairly open conflict with existing power structures sooner, rather than later. Retaliation against a soft rebellion could be brutal, as evidenced by the casual violence and degradation practiced by the Coast Guard against people who are marginalized Americans.
That leaves out the question of the ultimate objectives of the 'monkeys'. I'd like to believe that it is an altruistic "uplift" effort on the part of whomever built the seeder ship, but it could also be a machiavellian scheme to put their monkey sponsored humans into positions of power for a darker purpose.
Either way, there is story potential. Still, I rather like the story as presented. I don't feel a great need to have it continued, but I'd welcome any further works by Mr. Kloster. Well done, Sir. A tale well told.
Johanna wrote on April 18th, 2012 at 10:45 am:
How to confuse an Air Force MP: when you stop for the morning badge check and roll down your window, have your stereo suddenly shout "ALIENS, MOTHERFUCKERS!"
(The MP was... disconcerted, but let me roll on.)