38 Comments
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Clancy Steadwell's avatar

please save us, Reena!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

ha ha ha! It just might take a little interplanetary intervention...

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Thomas D’Arcy O’Donnell's avatar

.. ! .. Am unsatisfied with ‘my read’ ! Will return to my lair & return to Part One - Primal ! & ! Read all my way to Part Four Final .. ! ..

Will report ASAP ! Am certain the Failure is Mine this morning & is merely ‘Operator Error’ & simply lacked the ‘cadence a la Mork !

.. hoho ! the salamander has awakened ! 🦎🏴‍☠️🚀

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

👍🏻

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Kate Henry's avatar

INfluence through the screens won't take long. Easy shift. They won't even notice.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yes. They won't even notice.

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

Ms. Reena, such insight from so far outside this not-so-humble- human species. Go for the intermixing of species--who would notice of the screen-addicted? Perhaps the iCloud will be replaced with the cumulonimbus clouds preparing for rain, and the best of the mix of species will spring forth and give new life to all. This little female is nurturing hope for the combination.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

You got into this vague little story, Jill! That tells me something more about you. Thanks, as always, for your comments.

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Wade Terry's avatar

I took the easy answer to the chaos thinking Renna landed in the United States with our orange monster. I’m glad Reena took the world view.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I particularly did not give this story a date context. Could be any time in the future. Though, now would be as good a time as any, I suppose. Who would even notice?

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C J O'Hare's avatar

Anomie is a great word Sharron - I had never heard that before - despite being very acquainted with its meaning!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Anomie is a word very common to my academic field -- working with adult immigrant settlement , language learning and acculturation. So many Latinos ( as just one example) live and work in the US for many years, yet somehow do not feel a welcome part of it. Still, when they return to their homelands to visit , they no longer feel a part of that world either. True anomie.

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C J O'Hare's avatar

I didnt know that was your line of work, what an interesting and rewarding job. I'm sure you met some interesting characters over the years!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Indeed, I did. It was a great life. I am one of the lucky ones - I looked forward to going to work every day.

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C J O'Hare's avatar

I find myself lucky to be in that category too - although I work with Aircraft, which are not as interesting as people, but it suits me right down to the ground ;)

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

Well, I very well may become a Bremer/McCoy fan. Thank you. As for Jeena, teehee, it had to happen. A hybrid human/Baagna'i. It seems, though, the Earthlings are becoming just as non-procreative is Reena' people. Hmmm. Could need that alternative reprogramming method after all.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Bremer/McCoy rule! I used their work for all four of these chapters. I am glad you like them. As for AER - the time has come! We are in such a mess.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

I truly believe earthlings were place upon this planet by aliens. Those beings should come back and clean up their mess. 🤪😉

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

😊

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Carol Roe's avatar

Loved this 4 part story. You totally nailed this one with your wording, and clinical writing with the field notes. Good job Sharron

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Carol. Yes. It was hard to make Reena three-dimensional and relatable since all we had was the formal language of field notes to go on. I hope she was somehow likable. Well... except for that last line...

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James Ron's avatar

"A cloaked application of Accelerated Evolutionary Reprogramming (AER)" is a bit of concern but If only the reduction of "virtual screen-life," it would be an improvement. Enjoyed this 4-parter, Sharron. Wish there were more!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

A bit of concern, yes. ha ha ha. Thanks Ron for sticking with all four parts.

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K.C. Knouse's avatar

Well, I hate to see the field reports end. Reena's conclusions were an excellent way to wrap things up, Sharron. And she's pregnant. Maybe you can find an appropriate photo to represent the cross-bred offspring. How did you come up with the name of Reena's planet?

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Hmmm. I think maybe Reena's species ( when clothed ) looks pretty much like the human species, although Logan did describe her body as a "colorful work of art". This likeness would no doubt make colonization easier. Her planet's name was just a random use of double a and the letter q. which always looks alien to me. Thanks for your comment, KC

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Janice Walton's avatar

It sounds like Reena has a clear picture of today's issues - even though the story doesn't have a "date" context.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

👍🏻🩷

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Human beings have their issues, their failings, in general, that's for sure.

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Yael Gelardin's avatar

At the stage, I am in I am more than ready to be colonised . Anything is betterthan my condition now..

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I am with you, my sister.

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Sharon Hudson's avatar

There are people on this earth who have made some pretty spectacular contributions…imagine the possibilities of a child from this reunion, Sharron! Chapters 5, 6 and 7? Just sayin’.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Eeek! No more chapters, but I WAS thinking about a one-page poem about a hybrid child.

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Sharon Hudson's avatar

Yes!! A wonderful idea!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks for the encouragement . I found a wonderful photo,

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Jim Cummings's avatar

A satisfying wrap-up, Sharron. I really liked the Field Report format--a very unique way to showcase your brilliant way with words. So well done, my friend.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks for putting "brilliant" in the same context as "Sharron", Jim, and for reading the whole damn thing. I love that. I wish I could have thought of a way to make Reena's personality more known, but all we had is her objective view and formal writing of field reports.

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Meg Oolders's avatar

Fabulous last line! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, sweetheart! I look forward to your next romantic advice.

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