"It is astonishing with how little wisdom mankind can be governed,
when that little wisdom is its own."
-Inge, William Ralph
No sign of him here either Nonspecifically directed declaration
Well, keep searching Imperative directive and indifference
Where do you suppose he is? Specifically directed, information interrogative
If I knew, do you not think that you would know too? Rhetorical question and scorn
That is not what I meant Reflex defensive assertion and disconcertedness
I know what you meant Complacent declaration and haughtiness
I know you know what I meant Ruffled retort and slight exasperation
Then we understand each other? Complacent, rhetorical question and indifference
Crystal-clear, but where do you suppose he is? Punchy, reflex dismissal and assertive interrogative
If somehow I knew and you did not know, would we be randomly flying around? Rhetorical question and vestigial condescension
… Internal conflict and strained suppression of ire
… Self-satisfaction and pleasure
Why didn't the Carrier send more ships besides just ours? Earnest interrogative
Obviously the Carrier thinks one scout ship is enough locate him Reflex ludicrous response
We both know that is not true Rebuff and strained patience
I know you know that we both know the same thing Self-righteous clarification, feigned admiration, and slight exasperation
We have been through this many times already Declaration, disapproval, and mild annoyance
Then stop bringing it up! Snappy retort and scorn
… Pause and discomfiture
… Indifference
You have not answered my question Declaration and impatience
Search me Malicious, absurd suggestion
… Pause and frustration
If I had the answer, you would have it already too Supercilious explanation
… Helplessness and dissatisfaction
… Dismissal and indifference
I fear the worst Earnest opinion
I know Complacent, self-evident declaration
… Tested tolerance
… Indifference
Where could he have gone? Nonspecifically directed rhetorical question, befuddlement, and slight exasperation
For the last time, I do not know! Sudden expletive and flood of annoyance
It was a rhetorical question. I was not addressing you Preplanned self-assured clarification and latent affront
Well, I heard it Indirect plaintive declaration and annoyance
Then it is not my fault Childish declaration of self-exculpation
Just mind your own business and keep searching Brusque imperative directive and dismissal
What are you going to do? Semi-interested interrogative, information interrogative, and blatant check
You already know Patronizing reminder
What good is looking through the archived data of this planet's sample population? Interrogative and skepticism
You already know that too Patronizing reminder and deliberate condescension
Do you honestly believe that by knowing everything about the whole you can infer each individual's every possible action in any given situation? Derisive rhetorical question, slight amusement, and intimated challenge
What do you think? Rhetorical question, information interrogative, and contemptuousness
I know you just meant for me to search your thoughts Complacent observance and purposive display
I know we both know what I meant and that I would know what you would know Self-righteous retort, contemptuousness, and intimated challenge
… Disappointment and frustration
… Internal revel
Well, I think we should not assume anything before we know everything Solemn declaration, indirect caution, and hint directive
I knew you were thinking that, so please do not remind me Complacent declaration, haughtiness, imperative directive, disdain
… Ire
… Self-assuredness and indifference
Where could he be? Nonspecifically directed rhetorical question, information interrogative, and curiosity
Can you not even stop thinking for more than two seconds? Sudden expletive, imbedded imperative directive, and annoyance
I just think it is peculiar that after all our time here, he is the first data collector who has not returned from his routine run Hasty declaration and mitigating clarification
I know what you are thinking, you do not have to tell me Complacent declaration, exasperation, and need directive
And you do not find that peculiar? Interrogative and lurking suspicion
You already know what I think Reflex argumentative assertion and intimated challenge
You think the timing is peculiar because our data collection here is just about complete Calm declaration and casual dismissal
Yes, I know, because I was thinking that, and thank you for reminding me Overly agreeable concurrence, brusquely feigned deference, and blatant causticity
You have also considered the possibility that he has defected from the Clan! Scrutinizing exclamation and marvel
Yes I have considered that possibility! Sudden expletive, condescension, and voluminous annoyance
My apologies Awkward concession, shock, and fading effervescence
Stop repeating everything I think! Directive with imbedded threat and annoyance
Again, my apologies Mitigating concession and daunt
… Disgust
… Discomfiture and uncertainty
… Pause and mild annoyance
…! Awareness and curiosity
I detect it, do not repeat yourself Blunt dismissal, imperative directive, and annoyance
How clever of them! Approving exclamation and admiration
The ability to shift a city out of the visibility spectrum does not make the society intelligent Offhand derogatory dismissal and pomposity
… Adverse skepticism
Land over there Authoritative directive
I know they cannot see us, but wouldn't we be breaching protocol distance to the samples? Considerate interrogative, suggestive reminder, skepticism, and latent criticism
It does not matter because they will not detect us anyway and we need to recharge our engine batteries Dictatorial dismissal and didactic explanation
… Doubt
Do not worry; even if they notice power surges, they are not advanced enough to discover us Assurance and disdain
Fine Conceded accordance
Now that we have landed, launch project 'Archangel' Authoritative directive and eagerness
I will Casual acknowledgement
Have our unit investigate the one they call 'Squall' Directive and disdain
Will do Casual acknowledgement and agreement
Our recording incriminates this 'Squall' as the possible perpetrator Stalwart declaration and biased speculation
The recording is not definitive, and I would make no accusations just yet Earnest declaration, reminder, intimated compromise, and purposive check
The 'Archangel' unit will soon prove my worst suspicions Self-assured declaration, anticipation, stimulation, and deliberate inattention
… Hesitance and distrust
Anyway, I am going to go check on the prisoner Self-important dismissal and indifference
Fine Callous acknowledgement
I wonder if we should abduct another specimen to ransom PuPu back in case he is their prisoner Nonspecifically directed declaration, consideration, and interest
That is hardly necessary at this juncture, QyQy Jeering declaration, hint directive, and purposive interference
We shall see Self-assured dismissal and disregard
* * ** *** ***** ********
Jeremy's Scribbles:
If you didn't catch this in Setting 01, the syntactical structure might seem a bit weird at first glance, because I have a unique method of transcribing what the aliens are communicating.
The "stage directions" after each line they communicates are necessary, and they aren't stage directions; PuPu's alien clan does not communicate with their voices, only their thoughts. They don't have facial expressions either, which means to communicate elements such as sarcasm or emotion, I have to add the "stage directions" and, if you noticed, keep the emotion-denoting punctuation marks (question or exclamation) outside of the brackets.
In actuality, those "stage directions" are called the "pragmatics" of language. The words they actually "speak" are called the "semantics" of language. Because they aren't actually making any sounds with their mouths, I used brackets instead of "quotations" to indicate what they want to communicate with their thoughts. Also, throughout the rest of the story, thoughts are italicized and speech is unmodified. So what the aliens want to communicate show up like this.
However, even by including the pragmatics after the semantics, there is still no way I can differentiate for you which alien is which. If they did not greet each other when a third or fourth being waltzed in, or say their respective names in each line, we would have no idea who the addresser and addressee were for any given statement. That is the flaw of indirect narration, I'm afraid, and I will try to find was to rectify it.
I would appreciate your reviews for this chapter so I can see what you are thinking or feeling, so as better to go back and make corrections for other readers if I see that everyone is stumbling between the same two chapters. Also, if you catch any spelling or grammar mistakes, would you please notify me via email so that I may correct them as soon as possible? Thanks in advance.