In part 3 of this series, I outlined my science fiction story on a chronological basis. Before exposing the story to a broader audience, I solicited feedback from friends and family. Here's a list of the questions I got, together with my answers:
Q: If the original founders met in 2010, wouldn't they be too old to travel in the 2050 launch?
A: Yes, most of them would be too old. They would still be considered founding fathers though, because they initiated and funded the project. Some of their sons and daughters might be part of the colony. In addition, many of them would contribute their DNA so that their offspring would be part of the initial colony. See the next question for more details.
Q: How many people left for Mars in the 2050 launch?
A: About 200, assuming 10 spacecraft and 20 people per spacecraft. This is clearly a small number of people. However, the colony would be equipped with artificial wombs that would allow many people to be incubated in parallel, using DNA including that of the founding fathers. So within 20 years, the colony could easily have tens of thousands of adults. Indeed, artifical wombs are a great tool for kick-starting remote colonies.
Q: Would Mars really declare independence right away?
A: Probably not, especially if there were just a couple of hundred of people. A more likely scenario is that they would trade with Earth for, say, 10 years in order to obtain raw materials in exchange for advanced technology.
Q: Would the Mars colony attempt to be self-sufficient from the start?
A: Unlikely. That's why trading with Earth for a while makes more sense.
Q: Does it make sense for the celebration of Mars independence to be held on the Moon?
A: Well, the Moon is a neutral zone, so from that perspective it makes sense. However, you'd think that independence day for Mars would be better celebrated on Mars, so I'll probably change the location.
Q: Why have the woman have the daughter and the man have a son?
A: I don't think it makes too much difference. But maybe having Taron born to Zhen and Lian born to Kurt is more "balanced". I'll probably make this change.
Q: Wouldn't Lian want to visit Taron one more time before her body was destroyed?
A: That's a great point! I will adjust the plot so that she makes a single, and potentially dangerous, trip back to the Earth to see Taron in person. The lovemaking scene would be particularly emotionally charged, since she knows that it will be the very last time.
Q: Since Lian is immortal, couldn't she create a copy that would go back and live with Taron?
A: This is the trickiest question, and lends itself to all kinds of alternative endings. For example, Taron could finish listening to Lian's last transmission and then hear a knock on the door. He opens the door to see...end of movie, leaving the audience thinking that maybe a copy of Lian has returned. Or maybe he receives a mysterious package that is a digitizer that gives him the option of becoming digital and joining her. Then again, Lian might have decided that it's better to cut off the relationship completely and allow Taron the peace of mind to pursue a new lover. Anyhow, it leaves all kinds of doors open for a sequel!
If you have any additional feedback, please send it to me soon. In a week or so I will create a modified version of the story that incorporates the feedback and is more suitable for public consumption.
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