Challenge #02652-G095: Never Going Gently
The question has been around since the beginning of analytical thought, but has become ever more perplexing since the arrival of humans, to philosophers across the galaxy…
Deathworlders, in Comparison to Havenworlders, are Incredibly short lived. and Humans, even excepting acts of self sacrifice, attempts at Darwin awards, and general mishappenings, a regular human has an expected lifespan of 90 to 110 standard years in optimal conditions. compared to the Hundreds that most Havenworlders live, (or as many humans put it, merely survive), humans are often compared to lightning; extremely bright, absolutely beautiful, comparatively devastating and tragically (or mercifully depending on your view) brief.
…and so it is asked,
“What constitutes a full and well lived life?” – Adam From Darwin
Vessels and livesuits in Galactic Space have recording devices that preserve the final moments of the occupants. They have this so that those sweeping up the mess can have a chance at formulating better protection for the next time such trouble arises. This has lead to the discovery that Humans have two sets of dying words.
Those they say to their friends, and those they say to themselves. If there is an enemy they are fighting in the process, then the other set becomes a defiant battle-cry in an attempt to intimidate the enemy. The most common last words to allies forms the Last Lie, “You go ahead, I’ll catch up.”
The most common words to themselves are, “I’ve lived a good life.” That is, when the Humans in question have the time to accept their impending demise. Far too many do not. Every single Human who has laid down their life for others accepts this end with determination and those five words.
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Challenge #02651-G094: Noise Worth Sleeping to
“I am sorry to bother you, but would you mind if I took a nap while you are here? You don’t need to change what you are doing or anything. It is just to… loud… when I am by myself.” – SilverRey
Hejiq startled out of their work mentality to stare at the Ship’s Human, Dem. They were wearing colourful insulation over their Ships’ Skins known to Humans as a ‘kigu’, and this one was patterned to match the standard Skitty. Human Dem carried a pillow under one arm and a rolled-up mat under the other.
“There is something too noisy about your quarters?” enquired Hejiq. “We took care to insulate your residence from any invasive noises.”
“Ironically? It’s too quiet. My head gets loud when it’s too quiet. Anxiety, ghost of flakk-ups past, things I should have said. Things I never should have said. I need some controlled white noise so I can fall asleep and the in-residence entertainment unit has an auto-shutoff feature I can’t hack. Yet.”
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Challenge #02649-G092: What Works For Some
A species that usually has mated groups of 3 or more, but never less, and upon meeting two bonded Humans and understanding there is no third is all prepared to be appropriately sympathetic for their Human’s loss of mate(s) – Anon Guest
[AN: Reminder to all readers that Polyamory between consenting parties is a legitimate relationship option for Humans as well as alien life]
“Marriage is a sacred bond between three to five people. No more, no less.” – Xyltarxian extremist attempting to reform their resident polity to a morally righteous set of laws.
The Xylethi ship had decided to be economical when introducing a Ships’ Human to their crew. The manuals all stated that Humans were pack-bonding creatures and therefore elected to hire a bonded set. They had not expected a pair.
For centuries, since the victory of a morally righteous polity group in their past, the Xylethi had held to a strict rule of marriage being a group of between three to five consenting adults. Seeing a mere couple had both the greeting Captain and the designated Companion in evident confusion.
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Challenge #02648-G091: United We…
It was played across the entire galactic alliance. On the emergency frequency on every ship it was picked up. For many it was a slight annoyance but for the humans they riled in pain an old memory of the collective mind. The med teams across the alliance didn’t know what to do since it affected the humans on the team as well. The frequency was picked up by a group of translators realizing it was an ancient language the humans spoke. Within a matter of minutes they got a message they can read, “Never gonna give you up”. – Anon Guest
It was Human music, and it somehow hurt Humans. A broadcast boosted by unknown technologies across all of Alliance space. Through every speaker, into every screen. A mixture of synthesizers and drum machine. A young Human in a ridiculous pompadour gyrates on the screens that show the transmission.’
All Humans know what it is, instantly. The reactions vary, but most of them center in outrage. Some scream. Some cry. Some flee. Many attempt to block their senses from the onslaught. Every Human, all across the Alliance, was incapacitated, but only for a moment.
Companions across the Alliance were baffled for the handful of minutes, running translators on the transmission, monitoring it, attempting to trace it to its source.
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Challenge #02647-G090: Re-inventing the Love
Love is gracious, love is kind, love is forgiving, love can turn you insane as easily it is made in a lab. – Anon Guest
Love. Love is strange. – Terran Folk Song, Pre-Shattering.
Too many people have attempted to define love. The problem, of course, is that there are many, many kinds. Familial, fraternal, passionate, platonic, friendly, true, unrequited… the list goes on and on. Love does many things to the mind, especially to Humans, who start out as borderline insane.
Humans kill for love. Humans will kill the one they purport to love. Humans will certainly die for love, with their culturally-ingrained virtue of self-sacrifice for the greater good. There isn’t a good Human parent who would not lay down their life for their child.
What many Humans fail to understand, however, is the difference between love and obsession. Love, in essence, wants the best things to happen to that which is loved. Obsession wishes only to possess that which is allegedly loved.
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