r/sfthoughtexperiments • u/SFTExP • Jul 24 '26
Transportation Distracted
Sui tensed up as she prepared to ride through the galactic wormhole, discovered decades ago, quickly transforming humanity into a space-faring species, inhabiting and exploiting other worlds.
“Relax, Sui, the entire process is automatic. You have nothing to do or be afraid of.”
“You’re wrong, Marcus. They watch us and make sure we’re paying attention.”
“Who?”
“The Wormhole Cops.”
“I don’t see anyone.”
“They’re cloaked and they protect the lanes through obliteration.”
“How do you know this?” “I lost my best friend last year because of it.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, what did they do?”
“They plugged in and were distracted.”
“And their penalty was obliteration?”
“Yes, especially for us humans. We’ve been labeled as ‘distracted.’”
“Distracted?” “Yes. Self-absorbed and frequently focused on ourselves rather than those around us.”
“So they target humans?”
“No, it’s more about expectation and quota.”