"My Hypothetical Friend" | |
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Author | Harry Turtledove |
First Appearance | Analog |
Illustrator | Soo Lee |
Genre(s) | Science fiction |
Publication date |
December 11, 2020 (ebook); December 15, 2020 (print) |
"My Hypothetical Friend" is a science fiction short story by Harry Turtledove, appearing in the January/February 2021 issue of Analog Science Fiction and Fantasy. It may be read in PDF here.
The story is set in Fresno in the mid-21st century, decades after first contact between Earth and the alien Brot. The Brot did not arrive to conquer Earth, but rather provided Earth with access to advanced technology, and began a number of trading relationships with Earth companies, who manufacture Brot items at Brot direction. Even with access to this advanced technology, Earth scientists do not fully grasp many of the basic principles underlying that technology, and cannot replicate it without Brot oversight.
The primary POV, Dave Markarian, runs a company that manufactures for and trades with the Brot. The story follows Dave as he interacts with his primary Brot contact, nicknamed "Old Salty" who reveals that this is his/her/its last day on Earth.
While the Brot are not conquerors, the end of the story reveals that their interest in Earth is by no means altruistic.
The story takes its title from the lyrics of the Steely Dan song, "Blues Beach". The Brot Old Salty calls Markarian his/her/its "hypothetical friend".
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