“The H. sapiens Problem” by Garry Rogers
The print edition of ‘The H. sapiens Problem’ is available. Here’s how it starts:
Prolog
Why didn’t intelligence appear in Earth’s first complex creatures during the Proterozoic a billion years ago?
What if it did?
Life in the Proterozoic: Waves from a passing pancake-shaped oblate spheroid shake two small cigar-shaped prolate spheroids with long fine flagellates. One Pro-sphere waves its flags with a question for the other:
“Know why the Obo-spheres can’t tell a joke?”
“No, why?”
“Everything they say is sooo flat.”
Jiggles.
Plot
A conflict driven by greed and an ancient grudge ensnares Corr Syl and Rhya Bright, two beautiful young warriors descended from rabbits. Humans from a neighboring city become violent and local authorities ask the two warriors to investigate. Along the way, readers meet a truly evil spider (with spider shape), witness Corr Syl’s clumsy comedic aspirations, endure silly games by other warriors, and wonder at Rhya Bright’s enthusiasm for wrecking enemies who happen along. They will also meet Z99, an intelligent warship whose quantum manipulations of dark energy allow travel through the multiverse.
Characters
- Corr Syl and Rhya Bright are rabbit descendants and members of Earth’s global multi-species Tsaeb civilization. Like all Tsaeb, Corr and Rhya are beneficiaries of millions of years of natural evolution, scientific advance, and social development. They have internal control over their bodies down to and including their genes. Their mental control is highly advanced as well, but experiencing love, perceiving beauty, and choosing life’s directions remain the uncertain outcomes of experience and nature just as they do for one of civilization’s newest species, Homo sapiens.
Corr and Rhya have trained as warriors, an uncommon specialty infused with knowledge developed during Earth’s post-dinosaur Age of War. Though still highly respected, warriors have faded from importance in the peaceful world of the Tsaeb. Unusual childhood experiences influenced Corr and Rhya’s decision to become warriors. However, Corr also dreams of becoming a comedian, next to warrior, the most honored profession, and Rhya is studying human psychology. These secondary interests illustrate the allure of those things we do not understand and for which we have no talent–awkward times ahead. - Z-99 is an intelligent warship that Corr discovers mothballed in an old museum.
- Lactella is a Black Widow spider whose evil nature causes trouble through the entire story.
- Ivan Johns is a human infested and controlled by Lactella.
- Aaron Li and Ya Zhōu are typical human leaders (so you know what to expect).
- Others: Numerous members of the Tsaeb civilization play their parts. All but the birds have human shape. All retain the original skin covering: the fur, feathers, and coloring of their ancestors.
Story Provenance — Corr Syl Stories Merged
The principal conflict in the earlier books, ‘Warrior’ and ‘Terrible’, is between the Tsaeb and the human species. I considered spinning off stand-alone Tsaeb stories, but I was more interested in developing the Tsaeb civilization as a mirror for human nature. ‘Terrible’ is not really an independent story. It is the concluding chapter in the Tsaeb-human conflict. In fact, reviewers said that ‘Terrible’ was difficult to follow without first having read ‘Warrior’. Thus, it seemed best to rewrite and unify the stories. ‘The H. sapiens Problem’, has fewer slow spots and more character detail. It concludes with the revelation that two warring alien species are approaching Earth. Given a chance, either will consume our planet, leaving nothing behind. I have always loved space opera. The next book has space ships, grand starry vistas, and desperate flights across the cosmos.
WHOOPEE!
Print Details
- Publication Date: Jan 3, 2017
- Publisher: Coldwater Press – (928) 925-7191 – PO Box 1011, Humboldt, AZ 86329
- ISBN-13: 9781541157187
- ISBN-10: 1541157184
- Size: 6.0″ x 9.0″ (15.24 x 22.86 cm),
88,300 words, 390 pages - Print Identifiers:
- ISBN-13: 978-1541157187
- LCCN: 2016921063
- ISBN-10: 1541157184
- BISAC: Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction
- Subjects: LCSH Environmental protection–Fiction. | Conservation of natural resources–Fiction. | Human ecology–Fiction. | Environmentalism–Fiction. | Science fiction. | BISAC JUVENILE FICTION / Science Fiction.
- Classification: LCC PZ7 .R633 Hs 2017 | DDC [Fic]–dc23
- Audience: Teens
- Price: $21.95
- Available everywhere, including Gifts and Games in Humboldt, Arizona (928-227-2775).
eBook Details
- Publication Date: Dec. 7, 2016
- Publisher: Amazon/Coldwater Press
- Size: 3499 KB, 88,000 words
- ASIN: B01N6EOQ1T
- Audience: Teens
- Price: $ 2.99
- Available from Amazon.com
Story Provenance
The principal conflict in the earlier books, Warrior and Terrible, is between the Tsaeb and the irresponsible human species. I considered spinning off stand-alone Tsaeb stories, but I was more interested in developing the Tsaeb future. Thus,Terrible is not really an independent story. It is the concluding chapter in the Tsaeb-human conflict. In fact, reviewers said that “Terrible” was difficult to follow without first having read “Warrior.” So, all in all, it seemed best to rewrite and unify the stories. I removed some of the slow spots, added some character details, resolved the conflict, and set up the approaching confrontation with two alien species, a confrontation that humans must face along with the rest of the Tsaeb in a struggle to survive a massive onslaught by two advanced alien species. I have always loved space opera. So, the next book will have space ships, grand starry vistas, and desperate flights across the cosmos.
rr Syl and Rhya Bright are Tsaeb warriors. They are rabbit descendants with gray fur, auburn eyes, and long whiskers. Like all Tsaeb, they love humor. Corr is a becoming a master of the corny one-liner–If at first you don’t succeed, don’t try skydiving—that’s Corr.
Arizona State Library 2014 OneBookAZ Teen Literature.
GarryRogers Nature Conservation 