On June 12 2023, a newspaper launched a word game, in which you have to group 16 words or phrases into the 4 correct categories.
“Connecting” plays a different game, in which the 16 words/phrases get used in a daily (if I can manage it) flash fiction piece.
I’m sticking to my lane: inclusive spec-fic erotica. Our setting is far future, in an asteroid belt.
(Maybe our asteroid belt; I haven’t quite decided yet.)
Miners in 1-person ships are looking for resources, like nickel, and water-ice, but mainly looking for fragmented or complete alien artifacts. Only a few have been found.
The miners interact through shared virtual reality experiences. Full-body VR suits can replicate visuals, sounds, and tactile sensations (they’re full-featured, hnh hnh hnh).
When “Connecting” begins, Af and Ko have been lovers in virtual space for a while.
(The newspaper seems, at present, dedicated to attacking trans and other vulnerable people, advancing the cause of authoritarianism over democracy, and insisting on false equivalencies in order to promote harmful outcomes, so I’ve removed references to its brand.)