Strange scenario. It whets the appetite to know more about the context of this encounter.

My sweet Abby, I messed up… vs. isn’t good, nor is the 50, I forgot the rule, but I’m feeling too lazy to fix it right now, I will later, so turn that frown upside down. ;)

For anyone of you who are wondering, I’ve often pondered why my mom’s ashes didn’t include her gold filling, then I remembered this from my anatomy class, allowing me to feel better; we all have trace amounts of gold, so save your scabs:

http://www.gold-traders.co.uk/gold-information/how-much-gold-is-found-in-the-human-body.asp

I find this one to be somewhat hard to follow as a stand-alone ficly, and leaves me with a confusion-furrowed brow.

@ ethelthefrog: Good.

Interesting… Not entirely sure what was going on, but I liked it nevertheless.

That’s a very interesting sci-fi concept and a world worth revisiting.

Again, each line has its own detail that hints at something much larger, which is always a great feeling. As a ficly it’s confusing, but I guess you expected that. The “chutes and ladders” metaphor and “thin and rare” detail in particular were nice.

@stovohobo, Not very many see what’s in between the lines, sometimes my stories contain a little research. .0000003 is the total weight of an average humans mineral content. It’s extremely rare, but the reason why is the chance at a sequel. Also, Irian Jaya, the name of the vessel, is one of the largest mines being mined today, thus the name, thousands of years later, like Memphis. Thanks for noticing the undercurrent, sometimes I write to challenge the readers Critical Thinking skills.

I’m not sure setting confusion as your goal is laudable, but it is your prerogative.

That said, I personally didn’t leave this weighted towards the unknown- there’s a lot implied, but much can be presumed about the world based on the information and setting provided. I quite enjoyed it.

I love all the research you put into this story. It makes a good story into a great puzzle. It’s inspiring. :D

This was an interesting story. Where humans are commodities used for something other than their aptitude for enslavement. One comment, the first line of the last paragraph needs an opening quotation mark. Other than that, it was an interesting, enthralling story, that left me longing for more.

@ H.S.— Thanks for the keen eye, those damn fleas hop around from one side of my screen to another, so those two jumped ship. ; )

I honestly feel as dumb as a donkey right now. Your ficlies are way too intelligent for me! As for the 50 and the vs I am positively furious. I kid of course. Screw the rule, this is scientific enough for abbreviation/numbers.

Am I the only one who found this story incredibly funny? Funny in a dark way though. Phew, a very dark way. “died in the Great Bidding Wars” this for example.

Mining a human being did make me think of a friend’s child’s habit of nose-picking though =-/

Intriguing, interesting. I wonder what the “breathing cargo” is, and why it’s being transmuted. Metaphor, or should I take it literally? Given that those aliens are mining a human… At any rate, that Nordstrom fellow seems very arrogant.

I enjoy that the creature ‘mooed’. That’s the second time I believe you’ve used that to good effect. This time it’s a very plaintive almost whiny sound (in my head). I presume that Nordstrom was a name before the store, but it’s funny. Perhaps the circle is complete. I didn’t get all the puzzle pieces without the comments but that’s alright by me. I consider it an Easter Egg for funsies.

@Robert, Ha, you called me out, I totally forgot about my mooing slug, had to read it again, I’ll have to thank myself for a good laugh.

@boxofun, good call. Nordstrom is known to be one of the few Alaskan Gold Rushers who invested their gold wisely. He opened a small shoe store in Seattle which grew to be a department store empire.

Love the Nordstrom back story.

I also really enjoyed the “chutes and ladders” reference.