A Tear of Flesh by Daniel Lerner

This is a thoughtful war story set in a future of interspecies ships. Mr. Lerner suggests that the alien can feel emotion regarding the human. Trekkies should enjoy this one.
QW

Good story. Very Trek I agree.

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

This is a nicely done Human Through Alien Eyes story and also uses the classic (some might say cliched but don't listen to them) device of not revealing the that the Narrator is not actually a human from the start of the story. Slowly, little bits reveal the narrator true nature. This aspect is nicely paced and I think works well. What I initially took to be awkward dialogue (of the author) is actually awkward because one of the participants isn't human, although he/they/it have a good appreciation of humans and their culture.

As I said, the pace is good, the flow is right and, of course, the ending fits very well with the overall theme. The Alien gains some measure of empathy for the human through shared pain (emotional pain from the human becoming physical pain for the alien).

I can see how others have mentioned Star Trek as this kind of trope was an oft used plot device in that series. Also the reason why this is seen as somewhat past it's prime as a storyline these days (I said, don't listen to them).

Well done.

[Lester Curtis]

I didn't feel any association with Star Trek, myself, which is neither good nor bad as a comment on this story. I liked the way the story focused on a very short event which was also very emotionally difficult for both parties.

Nice bit-by-bit reveal of the POV character's identity.

Quite a good job for such a young author. I believe Mr. Lerner will be going places with his writing.

I initially missed the biography. This is exceptional work for a young author.

...Nice bit-by-bit reveal of the POV character's identity.

I've got to work on that writing technique.

[Lester Curtis]

...Nice bit-by-bit reveal of the POV character's identity.

I've got to work on that writing technique.

Mark! You've got to stop thinking of this as work! Writing is supposed to be fun!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

...Nice bit-by-bit reveal of the POV character's identity.

I've got to work on that writing technique.

Mark! You've got to stop thinking of this as work! Writing is supposed to be fun!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

You know...you're right!