Fics like The Greatest Act of Optimism

The Eridian thrills a high sound that doesn’t get picked up by the translator which means that it has no clear meaning. Like when a human gasps or sucks in a deep breath. It actually sounds a little like that. When they notice that I’m staring straight at them they scramble back into their hiding spot and hold very still. A child, I realize with a start. That’s a child! “Hey,” I call and the kid squeaks again. I was about to get to my feet but abort the movement and crawl closer on my hands and knees until I'm inches away from the xenonite wall. I wait and it takes me much too long to realize that they don’t have to peek around the corner to see if I’m still there. “Hey there,” I try again, my voice low and calm. It’s my teacher voice, the one I use for shy and scared students. Used. The fact that I haven’t had to use it for years and it still comes to me automatically almost knocks the air out of my lungs but this is not about me, it’s about making sure the little pebble doesn’t die of fright from the scary alien. “Hi, I’m Grace. It’s alright, you don’t have to be scared.” *** How Grace finally gets back into a classroom, where he belongs

You may also like

  1. culture shock by sly_as_an_alpaca (Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary (2026))
  2. Saving Grace by CptnBara (Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir)
  3. three's company by Goldmonger (Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary (2026))
  4. The Long Journey Home by HeartAway (Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir)
  5. anhedonia by Ailren (Project Hail Mary (2026))
  6. please do not feed the animals by Goldmonger (Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary (2026))
  7. My Lover and the Alien by Velika_Azure_Wing (Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary (2026))
  8. The Chronicles of Terra's Grace by Clare_Hope (Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir)
  9. where nothing bleeds by interstellarisms (Iron Lung (2026), Project Hail Mary (2026), more)
  10. Major Tom to Ground Control by tallboy_benny (Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary (2026))
  11. I'm Ryland Grace - AMA by sly_as_an_alpaca (Project Hail Mary (2026), Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir)
  12. Of Packs, Promises and Pebbles by C4t1l1n4 (Project Hail Mary (2026), Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir)
  13. Leaving a Mark by startingatmidnight (Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary (2026), more)
  14. The Astrobiology Immersion Program by startingatmidnight (Project Hail Mary (2026), Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir, more)
  15. persistence is key by SwirlingStars (Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary (2026))
  16. you weren't there that day for the Naming of Things by callmearcturus (Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary (2026))
  17. What Remains of Dr. Ryland Grace by aligningplanets (Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary (2026))
  18. I'd wave my hand, reveal the stars by WyvernQuill (Project Hail Mary (2026))
  19. what exists beyond, beyond, beyond by tardigradeschool (Project Hail Mary (2026), Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir)
  20. Speak To Me by RegTheRag (Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary (2026), more)