Anythingdrabble Challenge 215 - Thrown a curve

[m_findlow]

Title: Thrown a curve
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Andy, Jack
Author: m_findlow
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for Challenge 215 - Square at anythingdrabble
Summary: Andy can't wrap his brain around the strangesss of the alien future.


'He's looking at me funny,' Andy complained, trying to smile back at the strange alien, but ending up more of a wince.

'Well, you're pretty funny looking,' Jack replied. 'And for the record, it's not a he. It's more of a gender indeterminate.'

'That explains a bit, then,' Andy said, not quite having gotten to grips with the fact that his callout had ended up being something Torchwood, much less the fact that Jack was actually letting him hang around and meet an alien. Usually Torchwood dismissed him with barely a wave of their hand and a "thanks, but we'll take it from here."

Andy tried not to gawk as he stared at the alien. Its face was square, as were pretty much all of its features. Not square in the sense Andy usually thought, like trying to buy a pair of glasses that suited a square jaw, but properly angular, with actual corners. Its whole head made it look like something out of a Gumby cartoon.

The square angles didn't end there though. As the alien wandered off towards its ship to converse with Toshiko through what Andy assumed must be some kind of translation program, he started logging the details of its vessel, which was obviously in need of some repairs or refuelling.

'It's square,' Andy stated plainly.

Jack raised an eyebrow at him. 'So?'

'Well, I mean, I thought alien ships were supposed to be all futuristic and modern. Curves, pointed noses, aerodynamic… that sort of thing. Hardly looks like it's going to cruise through space.'

'There's no air in space, Andy,' Jack told him like he was a five year old and needed it explained in crayons. 'That means there's no resistance. Aerodynamics are meaningless in space. You can make your ship any shape you like and it'll fly just the same. Plus a cruiser like that one is only ever travelling through hyperspace. Doesn't have to worry about entering planetary atmosphere.'

Andy frowned at the ship. 'Well, sure, but still…' It was an ugly looking thing, not at all cool and spacey and something he might like to stand in front of for a selfie, assuming Jack would ever let him anyway.

Jack leaned casually against Andy's patrol car. 'Actually, as designs go, it's the most efficient use of space to build it square. Curved ships are useless for cargo and a waste of perfectly usable parking at space ports.'

Andy grimaced. 'So, you're telling me that's the future of cool, intergalactic space travel?'

'Yep.'

Andy groaned. It couldn't have been more disappointing if he'd made it all up in his head. No wonder Jack didn't mind showing him.

'Think you could head off now?' Jack asked.

'Why, is something awesome about to happen that I might actually be interested in?'

'No, it's just that our friend over there is finding so many round faces quite disconcerting. We'd prefer to minimise culture shock as much as possible. Plus I hate anyone being taller than me.'