Let’s Look at Guilty of Imperfection
I started to write Guilty of Imperfection during the third quarter of 2021. But I did not finish it until the first quarter of 2025.
Background
With the word guard as the original prompt, it had to be a prison story. But rather than writing about an escape, I decided I would rather write about a set of prisoners who would have to endure a number of indignities.
Originally, the section called Standards was its own very short story. But then I decided to subsume it into this, the longer tale. I also swapped some names, so the main character became Jennifer Wesley rather than Rose Emerson.
Plot
The successor to the USO still sends out entertainers, even hundreds of years later. But during the Ziranqui war, chorine Jennifer Wesley is captured.
Over the course of at least a year and a half, she works to gather intelligence, keep the guards off balance, and maintain her dignity, even in the face of torture.
And when more prisoners are added to the mix, her job becomes clearer: the Ziranqui want them to breed slaves.
Characters
The human characters are Jennifer Wesley, Levi Crowley, Rose Emerson, Dana, Lena, Andrew Logan, Rick, Anjali Singh, Charlie Logan, Jaya Crowley, and Ines Rodrigues.
There are also Ziranqui characters, but I don’t really name them. They’re essentially just a couple of guards and the monarch.
Memorable Quotes from Guilty of Imperfection
The same guard came closer to her cell and threw something made of cloth at her. At least it was soft.
“What the hell?” she sputtered.
“Just put it on.”
“Why?”
“I don’t recall you getting inquiry privileges.”
Okay, here’s some nice, juicy bait for you. “Then you obviously don’t know. Heh, sorry about the higher ups not trusting you.” She shrugged.
“They trust me just fine.”
“But you don’t know.” Jennifer tossed her hair and gripped the cloth. It was the color of the insides of an avocado.
“I know plenty.” The guard’s voice took on an edge of frustration.
That’s it. There’s the spot. Oh, I didn’t torture my little brother for nothing. Sibling rivalry for the win, ‘cause some skills just never leave you. “Oh, really? Like what?”
“Just put the garment on and stop asking questions.”
“Can I get a little privacy here?”
“No.”
“Oh, does my naked body turn you on, or something?”
“Hardly. The bodies of vermin hold no appeal.”
I bet this is something else I could leverage. “You sure about that?”
The guard rushed out of there.
Worked like a charm.
Jennifer put on what was almost like a Greek-style gown, although it was ridiculously short. Short enough for everyone to see the last time I waxed.
Rating for Guilty of Imperfection
The story has a K+ rating. The Ziranqui are far from nice, but at least most of the really bad stuff doesn’t happen on screen.
Takeaways
I think this one gives some more depth and menace to what is becoming my go-to villain alien species. And as for Jennifer, she gets more to her than would appear on the surface.
Who knew a future chorus girl could withstand torture?
Want More of my Short Stories and Novellas?
If this story resonates with you, then check out some of my other articles about my shorter works.
Short Stories
Finally, for a complete list of my shorter works, please be sure to check out the Hub Page—Short Stories.
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