The Back Channel

The Human Division #6

by John Scalzi

The Conclave is a confederation of four hundred alien racesmany of whom would like to see the Colonial Union, and the humans inside of it, blasted to extinction. To avoid a conflict that neither side can afford, Conclave leader General Tarsem Gau appoints Hafte Sorvalh to resolve an emerging diplomatic crisis with the humans, before the only acceptable solution is war.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Space Opera, Short Stories, Aliens, Ebooks

33 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 19, 2013

About the author

John Scalzi, having declared his absolute boredom with biographies, disappeared in a puff of glitter and lilac scent.

(If you want to contact John, using the mail function here is a really bad way to do it. Go to his site and use the contact information you find there.)

Reviews

[Zain · Rating 4 out of 5]

War Mongering!

The Conclave, a confederation of alien races, is fed up with the Colonial Union. And because of the shenanigans of the CU, they wish the human race was extinct.

General Gau, leader of The Conclave, does not wish war with the humans on Earth, although, like every other race in The Conclave, he is also fed up with The Colonial Union.

After finding out that humans have illegally colonized some planets, and knowing that this could cause war between the Conclave, The Colonial Union and Earth, General Gau appoints Hafte Solvalh to solve the problem “in her own special way.” 😉

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This section is mostly talking heads, so it could have been info dumpy and dull, but it isn't. It's funny as hell, particularly the conversation over churros.

I bought it.

[Anissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Back Channel is put to very good use by Conclave representative Sorvalh (at the behest of General Gau) to deal with another wildcat colony. No spoilers but her interaction with Rigney was very well done & I look forward to seeing them chat again in future. Also, it was nice to know Sorvalh likes churros & felt badly about the goat. lol Looking forward to the next.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vintage Scalzi. It's not a bluff if you mean it. Of course, as often as that sort of challenge works, it doesn't because you have to be dealing with a rational person. Many of us aren't.

A good read.

[S.A Reidman · Rating 4 out of 5]

You get a BrainPal! And You get a BrainPal! Everybody gets - no. Nope. Not true. Urrghh thats the thing with future tech - it's all hurry up and imagine this was real and then it's hurry up and wait for plausible "today" tech to merge with fantastical tech and mad scientist/inventor in order to become a reality.

But; I'm not losing hope. I shall have a BrainPal every time I open one of these short stories and then I'll graduate to Old Man's War series. BrainPals for everyone!

Plot/Storyline/Themes:
Ah yes, feels like just yesterday Wilson was dealing with "fake earthlings", the Cubs centuries drought in the World Series finally ending and just being an all round standup CDF dude - with a BrainPal in his skull. Okay okay I'll shut up about the BrainPal. NOT.

Anyway - none of that happens here. We are finally inside the Conclave. About damn time - I was getting curious about this Big Bad on the other side of the galaxy.

Character Development/Favorite Character:
Politics and Beauracracy is well, politics and beaurcracy regardless of the species behind the desk. Having just spent time unravelling a plot by Rigney and Egan in the Colonial Union - the Conclave Alien species own plots and ploys seemed so familiar I forgot they were alien until they mentioned eradicating the human race and then I was like ... well yeah we are a bit of a plague arent we? But no, no eradication just yet.

Sorvalh and Gau are the Rigney and Egan of the Conclave.

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene::
Gau and Sorvalh talk turkey.

"The real question is not whether the humans—the Colonial Union—could attack and possibly destroy the Conclave, if pressed. The real question is why they haven’t tried to do it since Roanoke.”

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
🖤“ “The humans know they are in a bad position, Hafte. They are dangerous animals on the best of days. Poking at them right now is going to go poorly for everyone involved.” (Gau on Sorvalh next task)

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
■ Conclave, a federation of 400 races/species
■BrainPal. Brain Pal. Brain. Pal.
■ Wildcat colonies are baaaack! This is no bueno.
■ Humans as the galaxy's main colonizing sociopath🤷🏻‍♀️
■CDF humans, Green and young all over again.

StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Short Stories by 2025

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series - but I've got to find the compiled version... I hate trying get my hands on the 'bits' all the time. Waiting to get the full version for readin further.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another solid, but short, addition to the ongoing series. The tension continues to mount between Earth, the Colonial Union, and the Conclave. This episode introduces us to some of the main alien characters in the Coalition and follows from their perspective. It's hard to pull off a complete episodic story in just 45 minutes to an hour, but Scalzi has been doing a decent job so far for the most part.

I still think this guy should take over writing the Star Wars books. He's got the right amount of wit and humor for it, and his way of writing aliens make them feel, well, more alien. Maybe not completely alien as in incomprehensible to humans, but they definitely don't feel like humans in costumes, which most other authors seem to write like.

[heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment really made me think about the fine line between war and diplomacy. It is mostly from the point of view of The Conclave, the alien consortium. Of course, no political association is all one thing or another, so it's a lot of alien-politics-maneuvering. I thought that was great.

I also really had fun with the writing.
"“Well,” Sorvalh said, impressed. “Aren’t you fierce.”
“F you, xig,” the colonist said.
“A bit repetitive, however,” Sorvalh said.

And then she goes on to intimidate the heck out of a bunch of jerks. Yay!

Also, who doesn't love a good churro?

Keep reading these!

[Annabeth Leong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first installment I really liked that did not include the main cast. It was a complete story in itself, with interesting (and sympathetic) characters, some of which I remembered from previous books in the OMW universe. The tie to the main plot felt stronger than with the other episodes that went afield, and I enjoyed seeing Rigney appear (he's been a minor character in several main plot episodes). This encourages me -- I had been starting to think I'd be disappointed every other week by a story I felt less invested in.

An overall strength of The Human Division is its intricate diplomacy and social awareness. This episode showed that operating at a deep and satisfying level.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost half way through Scalzi's 13 episode tale. It feels like a t.v. show where each episode has a different POV, a different style, a different purpose. Very cool.
This one takes us to the POV of the Conclave and it's nice to remember that both the good guys in a book and the bad guys both believe they are right if you look at things from their point of view.

Bring on the next one - this is good stuff.

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is a churro, anyway? Must google.

Anyway, this is a fun addition to the series. It still feels way too bitty: I'm not sure it'll work at all as a novel, but it is quite fun as a serial, like this. I liked this 'episode', too, with its focus on alien races. They all feel quite close to human to me, but it's still pretty good.

[Suzanne Earley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am still enjoying this story, although I think I'm going to wish I had just waited and got them all together. If nothing else, it means all this short fiction is pumping up my book count for the year!

[Nilchance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way Scalzi writes his non-human characters.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only complaint is that I wish each of these short stories had more to them!

[Karlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the series more as I went through each episode. At first I struggled because it seemed like random stories set in this universe. But as it continued and I realized it was interwoven story lines I enjoyed them more. The main characters were enjoyable. It's pretty traditional sci fi fare but still worth the read.

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, this series has primarily been about the divisions in human society, but it turns out that the aliens have their divisions as well—some of whom want war with the humans and some of whom want peace. The Back Channel is about a diplomatic maneuver to decide which faction—war or peace—will win control of alien policy.

[Hung Wasson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another chapter in the "Old Man's War" The Human Division series

While I did not find this story as compelling as the previous novels set in this universe, it was still an entertaining read. I hope that John Scalzi returns to this story line and continues to write the future history of humanity and the Conclave.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very important episode to the plot, but it required a lot more attention than I was in the mood for. Took me rewinding three times to get the whole thing read. But the ending made up for the rough beginning. Not my favorite but I did enjoy the finish.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little short story about the wildcat colonies being a problem between the Conclave and the Colonial Union. A neat solution comes to the Conclave in the form of a small case of blackmail. Recommended.

[Emz · Rating 4 out of 5]

More political maneuvering by the Conclave as they decide the fate of humanity. Neither side wants a war, although there are war hawks in the Conclave who would like to see the extermination of humans. General Gau opens a back channel to avert a conflict.

[Steve Smythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great episode

I’m really liking these stories. Self-contained fun and adventure! The characters are so wonderful and vivid. The subtle descriptions really bring them to life.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"Only one race?"

A view from the other side: the Conclave wants themselves Earthers gone from their space.But without having to blast them to pieces. Another 'diplomatic'mision.
Great fun.

[Call me Jeeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Scalzi and no matter the story he brings out the best in people and sometimes, as with this one, he brings out the worst. There is no room for racism in the world , and he has just proven there is no room in space or other galaxies. Funny as hell don’t you think

[Cybercrone · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not enjoying these short stories as much as I have the full length books.
Easy reading, a bit of a plot and fills in some of the story.

[Erikir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would read a whole series on Hafte Sorvalh — one of the best characters in the universe.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me want to read the next installment

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely found a new favorite character in Hafte Sorvalh. She is very scary in her own special way, & it's awesome. Hopefully we get to see more of her.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good perspective on alien human interaction

[Robert Skidmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!

[Meg GlitteryOtters · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars