![]() The Roxolani looked at each other, appalled.The Year's Best Science Fiction: Thirty-Fifth Annual Collection "They have it now," Ransisc reminded him. All that they got, just by not stumbling onto the hyperdrive." ![]() And their farming: this planet is far more crowded than any I've seen or heard of, but it grows enough for all these humans." From what they say of their medicine, I'm almost tempted to believe you and think they are wizards - they actually know what causes their diseases, and how to cure or even prevent them. It's the machines that let them see and talk to one another from far away the machines that do their reckoning for them their recorders and everything that has to do with them. "at the end of the story, two captured aliens are shocked by the knowledge how much powerful will Earthlings become with the hyperdrive technology they have now (because with exception of hyperdrive Earthlings seem to them the most advanced tech civilization compared to other civilizations they know)" And it stung! He felt the nictitating membranes flick across his eyes to protect them. This stuff smelled like smoky peat fires, or lamps whose wicks hadn't quite been extinguished. When the outer airlock doors went down, he had expected real fresh air to replace the stale, overused gases inside the Indomitable. "By the gods, what a stink!" Togram exclaimed. He could not name all the exotic odors wafting his way, but he recognized sewage and garbage when he smelled them. "as alien ships have only primitive sewerage facilities, the story points a couple of times to how much they stink." "Take your aim!" The guns moved, very slightly. The Roxolani lowered the smoldering cords to the toucholes of their muskets. "their weapons are very close to muskets" But if it was, they and Earthpeople were going to have trouble getting along. ![]() Of course it might have been perfume to them. They also, Cox thought, did not commonly live in a place that smelled like sewage. Teddy bears, however, did not normally carry weapons. The beings emerging from the spaceship were round, brown, and furry, with long noses and big ears. The same thought had leaped into Cox's mind. One source I found online puts it at around 20 pages but this was a pdf copy of the original work. "the story is quite short as far as I remember, maybe 3-5 pages" Wikipedia, The Road Not Taken (short story) In contrast, humanity somehow missed developing gravity technology and advanced further technologically.Īs Togram and another Roxolani captive realize the impact of the narrow but critical Roxolani technology for another, generally more advanced society, the story closes with the two asking themselves, "What have we done?" However, adopting the technology allowing for interstellar travel (and wars of conquest on a galactic scale) stifles further technological development. This enabled them to engage in wars of conquest on a galactic scale. When they are interrogated, the truth becomes evident: the method of manipulating gravity is absurdly simple, and species like the Roxolani are thus able to use faster than light travel with relatively primitive technological sophistication. The battle is short, and most of the invaders are killed. Humans retaliate with automatic weapons and missiles. But as they begin their assault, things take a turn for the absurd-the Roxolani attack with matchlock weapons and black powder explosives. Humanity is awed by the invaders, as the maneuverability granted by that technology suggests the rest of their civilization is equally impressive. The Roxolani anticipate a simple and rewarding campaign, as they can detect no use of gravity manipulation, the cornerstone of their civilization. During a routine journey of conquest, they happen upon Earth. The story is told through limited third person point of view, with most of the story concerning a single Roxolani captain, Togram. The Wikipedia summary is very similar to the description here: "The Road Not Taken" (1985) by Harry TurtledoveĬonfirmed correct in a comment by the OP.
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