Step by step I show you what to do to finish a story, from the first draft to final edit. You can do it the same as me, or perhaps you can take away ideas to meld into your writing process.
Starting the plot outline at "Story Goal." It can be simple, like defeat alien. I'll try and think of something more original sounding. Erhard Schreiber is the MC so he will try to find out what's going on as the goal and to remedy the situation. Not just kill the alien and be done with the rest of the story that is possible.
Now on to the "Consequences." What will happen if the MC can't figure out what is going on? I will do the consequence from the MC's point of view. His concern is that the same thing will keep happening if it is not figured out and remedied. To make it clear in the story, it would have to be pointed out more aliens will show up and board the ship or other ships, whatever the mystery ends up being.
"Requirements." Communicate with the alien.
"Forewarnings." The alien can figure out their ship's systems, but they can't figure out the alien.
"Costs." This one will be more involved. He has the concern of behaving less caring. I'll make the cost, he has to get tough on his crew to get to the bottom of what is going on. Giving in and being more logical could be the key he figures.
"Dividends." I'll put this as a less muddled brain in accepting the alteration the alien's made. After figuring out this part, I have decided to go with two alien races. One altered his mind and a different one boarded the ship after that part.
"Prerequisites." The requirement is to communicate with the alien. The prerequisite could be to get it talking, so they have something to work with their computer AI translator.
"Preconditions." Linn Dahl will only do a specific dangerous task the Captain wants after she makes a recording to transmit home to her twin.
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