135 comments

Science Fiction Speculative

Humans are so unnecessarily complex.

They are made up of only atoms and space dust, but they manage to make everything seem so complicated.

Cultures.

Languages.

Freedom.

Food.

Dialects.

Skin.

Gender.

Love.

Rights.

Technology.

Even something as simple as finding other forms of life in the universe.

Infinitely many resources.

Yet they are blind.

Blind to what is right under their noses, seeking to look up at the stars and dream.

Rather than to look down and live.

Although, I shouldn’t be talking.

It is not as if I am human.

I am merely a vessel, an android sent from the planet 76hteu which is as close to human pronunciation as it gets.

Sent to Earth by my creators, I am to report on the human behaviors as I observe them.

To determine if my planet should reach out.

We have been watching.

Watching for years.

Trying to come to an agreement over whether or not to communicate with Earth.

So far, the only thing my planet has agreed upon is to send me to Earth to determine if they should or shouldn’t come here.

I think the human term for my predicament would be a guinea pig.

Adorable little things, really.

With those cute little twitching noses, and those soft, furry bodies.

Not at all like humans.

With their lanky limbs.

A full head of hair.

No visible defense mechanisms.

Unlike birds, which I have come to realize, can be very aggressive.

My body has been designed to look like a human, but compared to my home planet, humans are weird.

They do not have three eyes.

They do not have pale blue skin.

Nor do they have any strange features that define every individual on 76hteu.

Very creepy.

And what is wrong with the sky?

Changing colors every day.

It turns a pale color in the morning.

Blue during the day.

Or even gray when it's cloudy or stormy.

And dies a violent death in the night.

I’m not sure what to do about it.

Is it some sort of human creation?

If so, then they are far more advanced than we had originally thought.

And do not get me started on the machines in the…restroom?

Bathroom?

Powder room?

Lavatory?

Loo?

Shower?

Toilet?

Spa?

Unnecessarily complicated, I tell you.

But that is beside the point.

Well, actually that proves my very first point.

But back to the point that I was trying to prove in the first place-

Oh goodness.

So complex, humans are.

I cannot even speak properly in their different tongues.

The machines in the public restrooms are what I am trying to talk about.

The ones that you push that silver knob and it blasts out hot air?

That’s the monster.

How in the universe did they get hot air to come out of…that?

Scared the complete circuits out of me.

The human female behind me didn’t know what to think of me.

I was this close to…what is the human phrase?

Blowing my cover, I think is what it is.

I am not supposed to do that.

The one thing I have been redundantly programmed not to do.

I have to make humans think I am one of them.

It is harder than I had originally thought.

There are many things that are so strange.

I do not know how humans do it.

They are an interesting species, I will give them that.

But what is that white powdery stuff that falls from the sky?

I cannot feel the temperature of the air.

It is not something my robotic body can comprehend.

But humans put on more skins when that white stuff comes down.

I think it is…cold?

I cannot understand anything.

I was sent to Earth in the hopes that I could find similarities between our two planets that are separated by hundreds of lightyears.

Instead of finding a single land-mass that spans the entire planet, I find not one.

Or two.

Or even three.

But seven.

I…cannot comprehend the resources they have.

And the number of humans?

That is a whole other story.

The computer in my brain tells me the number is updating every few minutes.

Over seven billion humans living on this small planet.

There are only about a million of the organic sentient species that created me, yet our planet is bigger.

How do they manage?

And…their cities?

I could have spent my entire battery life wandering the different cities on Earth.

Every single one is completely unique.

And they all have a beating heart.

Not like a flesh and blood heart, as humans say, but a cultural heart.

The heart of a city truly is in its humans.

The different tongues are spoken.

The way they are spoken.

Why they are spoken.

What they mean.

When they can be said.

What different things mean in different places.

It is as if every single human is a well-oiled machine of a melting pot of different ideas.

I have been on Earth for about twenty Earth years.

That is only two years on 76htue.

I can understand why humans rush around all the time.

Their lives are so short.

Barely just beginning and then they end.

For these past twenty years, I have managed to see just about everything Earth has to offer.

I have seen some magical things.

I have seen some wonderful things.

I have seen some things that are so amazing, I cannot comprehend the majesty of them.

I almost short-circuited from an overload of pure excitement.

But…for all their ideas, humans are not entirely above faults.

Small or big hand-held machines fire death and destruction when shot.

Roaring yellow…Cats? That tear down the towering trees that have stood for years.

The dozens of different species of animals that go extinct every single day.

The hundreds that go extince every single year.

It is a wonder that humans do not realize what impact they are having on the only planet that they currently exist on.

They do not understand that Earth is straining at the seams.

And when things strain against the seams…they inevitably burst.

I do not want this planet to burst, literally or figuratively.

There are so many good things that they have done.

So many positive things that came from their minds.

Love.

Kindness.

Empathy.

I cannot understand the complexity of those feelings, being made from spare parts, but what I can understand is that humans get so much more done when they work together.

Not when they fight.

Not when they kill.

Not when they destroy or burn down what stands in their way.

Not when they harm.

Not when they yell or scream.

Not when they purposely hurt others for enjoyment.

Not when they forget to look among the stars.

I see it all the time in the everyday lives of humans.

They are so focused on that small device in their hands.

Or their next item of business.

They are so focused on rushing and going from one place to another that they forget to slow down.

And I am not even a human.

I noticed these things when I do not have the capability to feel.

I noticed these things when I am not even alive.

I am a robot.

An android.

A vessel of an intergalactic species.

So I think my report back to my planet will include the advice to stay away.

Stay away for now.

Let the humans understand that they cannot live like this.

That they cannot abuse like this.

That they cannot continue staying ignorant.

Or continue shying away from risk.

But when they have seen the error of their ways.

When they have understood what they have been doing wrong.

When they learn to love and feel for others.

When they finally learn to heal.

We will come back.

We will embrace our fellow species in the universe.

We will walk together into a new era.

And we will thrive

February 19, 2021 22:35

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135 comments

23:55 Feb 19, 2021

Okay, first of all, I’ve been wanting to incorporate this style into my short stories for a long time, and I love how you were brave enough to do it. 2. Leaving reedsy? You’re one of the best writers here, and you know how to take critique. You fight against what people say that’s wrong, and you’re always kind to those in need. I understand if you have to leave, but please understand that we will be sad to see you leave.

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Nainika Gupta
13:41 Feb 20, 2021

thanks so much, Ethan, and I really appreciate your support - I'm leaving for a couple weeks or even a month just to sort home priorities out first <3

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15:00 Feb 20, 2021

Understandable. You should always put important things forward. If you tried to multitask that, both would kind of become worse. I hope to see you back!

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Nainika Gupta
15:04 Feb 20, 2021

Thanks for understanding ethan <3 me too!

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Poppet Graves
14:39 Mar 05, 2021

You really made the most out of this prompt; chose the perfect premise for your story. And that beginning? Absolutely brilliant. This was such a delight to read.

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Nainika Gupta
14:42 Mar 05, 2021

Aw, thanks so much! Really appreciate it :)

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Roger Crane
16:42 Mar 02, 2021

How terribly interesting the way you did this, Nainika! Original to be sure. You had me all the way through and ended appropriately about where you started. Good job! I could make a few tiny observations, but it may be that you could not have done otherwise than you have, and this format (a great way to do it for an android) has no real standards to meet. Nevertheless... I think that the android would not feel any emotions at all, and it does seem that you have given it (her?) some (cute, majestic, etc are relative terms), unless emotions (...

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Nainika Gupta
16:58 Mar 02, 2021

Thanks so much Roger! Really appreciate your feedback :) And yeah, I can understand that about the 'cat' but eh, I did what I could! Thanks so much again :)

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Roger Crane
01:07 Mar 03, 2021

What you did was fine, Nainika. Writing is very rarely finished when you are first finished. And Reedsy is not for perfect writing, although I like to think that it is for learning. I can see that you have grown. If I don't see your work again for a while, I will look for you. Take care.

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Nainika Gupta
13:16 Mar 03, 2021

Aw thanks so much Roger! Really appreciate it :)

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Woah. This is honestly the first story I've read on Reedsy, and I must say it's completely amazing. It's short, but it introduces everything at a nice pace! The style is unique and it's as if the story and world build itself in front of me, even when it takes place here on Earth. I absolutely adored reading this!

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Nainika Gupta
14:20 Mar 01, 2021

Aw, thanks Jayson! Really appreciate it :)

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Tamili Sanjiv
05:23 Feb 28, 2021

I really enjoyed this story! My favorite line was "The machines in the public restrooms are what I am trying to talk about. The ones that you push that silver knob and it blasts out hot air? That’s the monster. How in the universe did they get hot air to come out of…that? Scared the complete circuits out of me,". LOL. And if you dont mind could you read my stories and tell me where i can improve? I could really use some constructive critisicm from you...

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Nainika Gupta
14:20 Mar 01, 2021

LOL aww thanks so much Tamili! Really appreciate it :) and of course...AW that means a lot :) haha no problem!

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Eva Bhalla
00:16 Feb 28, 2021

Lovely! This story what I really think an AI would say.(Mostly one from another planet!) You nailed this one! I wouldn't think this at all though I must say. All together this was a very detailed, unique masterpiece.

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Nainika Gupta
01:16 Feb 28, 2021

Aww thanks so much! Wait....What did you mean by saying I wouldn’t think this all through!?

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Eva Bhalla
01:32 Feb 28, 2021

No! I mean that I would never think this story for this prompt! I am so sorry you thought that! It isn't through it's though, Again so sorry you thought that!

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Nainika Gupta
14:18 Mar 01, 2021

Oh haha, makes SO much more sense :) No problem, haha xD

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Eva Bhalla
14:34 Mar 01, 2021

:)

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Zoey Hailey
18:12 Feb 27, 2021

Nainika, I loved this story so much!!! It was just so detailed, and the message really stood out to me. The world has so much good, but we really do need to look at our faults first. The whole story just felt real to me. Great job, once again!!:)

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Nainika Gupta
18:58 Feb 27, 2021

Aw thanks so much Zoey!!

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Zoey Hailey
21:36 Feb 27, 2021

Girll, no problem!!

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Rebecca Cole
16:38 Feb 27, 2021

I love this story so so much, every part of it was enchantingly emotional, and even though it is a sci-fi, it felt so very real. I will be sad to see you go, and so incredibly happy when you come back!

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Nainika Gupta
17:03 Feb 27, 2021

Aw, thanks Rebecca!! That means a lot :) and I'm back :)))))

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Rebecca Cole
17:39 Feb 27, 2021

Yayy!! :))

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Giri Allamsetty
16:21 Feb 27, 2021

Very detailed and an enjoyable read!

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Nainika Gupta
16:31 Feb 27, 2021

Thanks so much!! :)

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Siobhan Mulalley
15:12 Feb 27, 2021

Such an interesting style, and the story was good. It is always the question, what would aliens think of humanity and I think this hits the nail on the head. Humanity is full of promise but we need to get over our faults first. Great story. Hope to see you back here soon.

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Nainika Gupta
15:19 Feb 27, 2021

Thanks so much, Siobhan! I'm really glad you understood the message, and aw, thanks so much!

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Mr King
12:52 Feb 27, 2021

This was a wonderful story. Very descriptive using few words. Cheers!!

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Nainika Gupta
14:33 Feb 27, 2021

Aw, thanks so much!

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Philip Clayberg
01:47 Feb 23, 2021

This is a great story (despite the amount of editing comments from me). Thank you for writing it. I was thinking of using this story prompt, but I think what you wrote is far better than what I would've come up with. Well done! And here come the editing comments (hope you don't cringe too much when you read them): Sent to Earth by my creators, I am to report the human behaviors as I see them. [This reminds me of Mork from "Mork and Mindy. Yes, I'm old enough to have seen the series when it was originally on TV in the 1970s. Also: I ...

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Nainika Gupta
02:12 Feb 23, 2021

oof thanks for that *long* critique...will fix those right away...thanks so much!

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Philip Clayberg
03:12 Feb 23, 2021

You're welcome. *gulp* I hope not *too* long. I was trying to think as an android would think and use terminology that an android would use. If you've watched Star Trek: The Next Generation, you could borrow from how Data (the android) speaks and what he does. Or maybe from Mr. Spock (who is a Vulcan and *not* an android) from Star Trek: The Original Series and the six Star Trek movies (The Motion Picture through VI). They wouldn't speak like a grade school or college student. They would speak much more formally, frequently using long...

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Nainika Gupta
12:48 Feb 23, 2021

Right! Thanks for that advice, and it wasn't that long, :)

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Philip Clayberg
18:29 Feb 23, 2021

Oh good. Because sometimes it feels like my editing comments are at least half the length of the story itself. I truly wish I could just read a story to enjoy it, and then if someone asks me afterward to reread it as an editor would, I would reread it that way. You're welcome. Then again, if I had to type up the editing comments on my own stories, they'd probably be pretty lengthy sometimes. I have two ways of editing: 1) reread and spot all the easy stuff and fix them (and probably miss a lot in the process); and 2) "go down in the tr...

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Nainika Gupta
18:48 Feb 23, 2021

haha no problem, thanks again Philip!

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Emily Germaine
18:53 Feb 20, 2021

ok, this style is so beautiful and unique, you literally nailed it! It was so creative, I wouldn't be surprised if you were an alien LOL. What's all this I hear about you leaving??? (Also the emoji movie is Brave, isn't it *smirk*)

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Nainika Gupta
18:54 Feb 20, 2021

LOL haha yep (shushhhhh can't give away ALL my secrets) I'm taking a couple weeks off - or a month if i need it - just to rearrange priorities with whats happening in my personal life and such :) I'll be back, though, I promise *smirk* yep

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Emily Germaine
19:00 Feb 20, 2021

i hope you're all good and take time for yourself! just do whatever you need, we're all going to miss you

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Nainika Gupta
19:02 Feb 20, 2021

<33 thanks so much E :)) really appreciate it

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Emily Germaine
19:01 Feb 20, 2021

ok if you get notified that I commented that like 10 times I apologize. I didn't think it was responding so I kept clicking it but I deleted the extras so its all good 😂

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Nainika Gupta
19:02 Feb 20, 2021

loll XD no problem

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Radhika Diksha
13:48 Feb 20, 2021

DEAR NAINIKA, YOU WERE THE ONLY WRITER ON REEDSY WHOSE SERIES I READ AND CRAVED FOR EACH OF ITS PART. YOU DONT NEED TO ASK FOR APOLOGY, I KNOW YOU ARE A AMAZING PERSON WITH MARVELOUS PERSONA. YOU WERE MY INDIAN MISTI HERE. LOADED WITH SWEETNESS AND KINDNESS. YOU ARE AND ALWAYS BE A AMAZING WRITER AND BEST HUMAN BEING. I JUST WANT TO CURSE ANYBODY WHO HAVE HURT YOUR FEELINGS. yOU ARE SUCH A CLASSY PERSON THAT EVEN WHEN YOU WERE LEAVING YOU, YOU LEFT WITHOUT CREATING DRAMA. YOU DID NOT LEAVE MESSAGES TO PEOPLE SHOWING YOUR FAKE TEARS OR EMOTIO...

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Nainika Gupta
15:04 Feb 20, 2021

I....thank you for your support - it means a lot. <3 But i want you to know that not everybody left like how you were saying...I'm not the 'saint' here...

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Meera Lakshmi
05:28 Feb 20, 2021

Nooooo! Don’t leave us!!!

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Maya -
23:46 Feb 19, 2021

OMG NAINIKA WHAT IS HAPPENING PLEASE DON'T LEAVE YOU'RE ONE OF MY MOST WONDERFUL ONLINE FRIENDS AND I'LL MISS YOU SO MUCH AND WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING PLEASE DON'T GO

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Nainika Gupta
13:41 Feb 20, 2021

thanks so much, Maya, and I really appreciate your support - I'm leaving for a couple weeks or even a month just to sort home priorities out first <3

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Maya -
17:13 Feb 20, 2021

Gotcha, hope it works out for ya. <333 (Sorry for the caps XD)

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*im crying rn* *pls don't go* *I wish i could show you my tears...* *why?*

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Nainika Gupta
13:42 Feb 20, 2021

thanks so much, Scarlett, and I really appreciate your support - I'm leaving for a couple weeks or even a month just to sort home priorities out first <3

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Sapphire 🌼
23:32 Feb 19, 2021

WHAT THE HECK YOU'RE LEAVING? WHY? WHAT HAPPENED? OML Nainika I can't I literally can't everyone's leaving and it's UGH I can't have you leave me too.....

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Nainika Gupta
13:42 Feb 20, 2021

saphh I really appreciate your support - I'm leaving for a couple weeks or even a month just to sort home priorities out first <3

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Sapphire 🌼
20:40 Feb 20, 2021

Yeah, I understand, take as much time as you need, we'll always be here ready for you!!!! We love you nainikaaa!!!!! P.S. - One word. Nathan XD

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Nainika Gupta
21:03 Feb 20, 2021

I KNOWWWW ahahah yass nathannnn <3

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Sapphire 🌼
21:38 Feb 20, 2021

:)))))) XD yasss! <3

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23:29 Feb 19, 2021

OML so first: 1. NOOO YOUR LEAVINGGG D; 2. this was great! the perspective of the robot in disguise was SO good, and the bathroom part was sooooooooooooo funny XDDDD the ending was super too :) why are you leaving???? ~ Amethyst

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Nainika Gupta
13:42 Feb 20, 2021

thanks so much ame! and I really appreciate your support - I'm leaving for a couple weeks or even a month just to sort home priorities out first <3

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17:32 Feb 20, 2021

:D yes that's always first, come back when you're ready <3

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Nainika Gupta
17:37 Feb 20, 2021

:) of course <3

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17:38 Feb 20, 2021

im confused because im SUPPOSED to be doing a collab with luke but he's on when I'm not annnnnnnd i only can write on the weekends and he's not on right now so I'm freaking outtttttttt :<

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Sapphire 🌼
23:21 Feb 19, 2021

For a hot minute I thought this was the....~ahem~ ice cream thing but it wasn't long before I realised it wasn't XD OML WHEN I GOT TO THE RESTROOMS PART- I DIED In all seriousness, this was beautifully crafted, and so poetic! I loved reading it and this writing style suits you! I like how it was from the perspective of the android and how you described how confused they were! It was perfectly humorous and perfectly amazing! Amazing job :)

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Nainika Gupta
13:42 Feb 20, 2021

haha thanks saph :) i'm glad you liked it

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Sapphire 🌼
20:40 Feb 20, 2021

:) np

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