Scatterwind.com

In the distant future, a society of humans that escaped an oppressive Earth exist in an uneasy symbiosis with a race of insectoid aliens. The story centers around Gan, a young man raised up in love and friendship with these aliens, who for the first time, sees the horror of the purpose he was intended to full-fill and must decide what his choice will be.

Review: I read this story several times throughout my teenager years and again recently for this review. It has always struck a cord in me — the odd and frightening union between the two species; the conflict the Tlic race faces in learning to treat the humans that are their salvation as an equal, independent people; Gan’s feelings of terror and doubt and the temptation of easy escape through self-destruction, but despite it all, love for the being that has always loved him. In the end, he makes the only choice he can and still be himself.

The narrative starts with the strange, but easy to accept scene; a family joins together to indulge in a stimulant in the company of alien that looks after them. We are pulled in as the complexities of their world unfold slowly, with only vague hints at the reasoning behind them. Suddenly, we are confronted with the harsh reality of humanity’s place the Tlic society. Then, like Gan, we are left to process the dual truth; that the race that does such horrifying things to humans are also a sentient, feeling people who struggle with the needs of family and the survival of their species.

The writing style is a little disconnected from the feelings of the characters, probably because it’s such a large concept presented in the condensed form of a short story. At the same time, for me this always left open room for interpretation and speculation on the deeper meanings beyond the details presented. It has an easy, minimalist feel that explains only what needs to be told.

A classic and beautiful piece of science fiction work.