Ben tried to calm himself sufficiently to take in what was said, though he could hardly credit what he was being told. “Okay,” he muttered.
“We, the Klin, developed space travel sufficiently to enable us to explore and control our Galaxy, creating what we thought to be the greatest Empire ever known,” continued the Supervisor. “We drew all other races into our control, either willingly or by force, but to the eventual benefit of all.
“Is the planet Earth not the better for our rule?”
“It is, of course,” agreed Ben sincerely.
“This Galaxy of ours is big enough. Not only were we not able to explore the vastness beyond, we had no interest in doing so either. But we have studied neighbouring Galaxies and probed their workings.”
This is all becoming too big, worried Ben, hoping he would be able to follow what was being said.
“We have discovered the existence of a new breed of conquering hordes. They call themselves, as near as we can interpret it, Quaaalism. Unlike the Klin, they are not interested in incorporating other sentient beings into their realm. Each new planet they reach they cleanse completely of all life. They then adapt the planet as necessary and people it with their own species. Also unlike us, they have developed inter Galactic travel.
“We cannot tell where they originated, but are spreading from Galaxy to Galaxy like dust in a high wind.”
The Supervisor’s voice paused, giving Ben a moment to try and assimilate what he was being told. Then continued.
“It is true to say, Ben-jam-in, that the Klin in comparison to this Quaaalism, is in similar proportion to humanity as compared to the Klin.
“They will reach us, Ben-jam-in. The only question is when, and when they do they will destroy all, unless they can be stopped. To this end we are retreating to a tight knot of planets surrounding out home world. There we will concentrate everything on new technologies of attack and defence in the hope that we can meet the invasion when it comes.”
“But what about us?” exploded Ben. “Will you just leave us to be destroyed?”
The star-like visuals seemed to glitter with increased intensity.
“We cannot defend the whole Galaxy. It would not be possible. It might be that we cannot even hold out in our home system, but that will give us our best chance of success. If we can defeat them, then their plans for dominating the whole Universe will be ended.”
Which is fine, thought Ben, but if they reach us first then we are destroyed anyway. “How long before any of this happens?” he asked, trying to let his practical side take control.
“We cannot be specific, but not for many of your generations. You will not see it yourself, Ben-jam-in, but it might be that the children of your children’s children will face the threat. We are giving both ourselves time to prepare and you also, and other species dotted through our Galaxy.
“This is why we have genetically introduced rebellious and independent streaks into a small percentage of your species.”
“You mean you were behind the anti-Klin groups?” Ben was starting to sweat and knew he would soon start to suffer from an overlong Contact, but needed to learn what he could.
“Of course. They will provide the leadership needed after we depart tomorrow. And you Contact Managers will offer stability and practicality to the new rulers.
“You must go now, Ben-jam-in, before Contact sickness becomes too strong. I have become- what is your emotion for it? I have become fond of you humans. I wish you well. If we succeed, our descendants will one day meet. If we fail, then someone else will have to stop Quaaalism spreading. I think there will always be a more powerful race waiting.”
The voice was becoming fainter and the shimmering light becoming less.
“Wait!” cried Ben. There were still so many questions he wanted to ask, but the star shrunk to a dot and was then extinguished.
The chamber doors slid automatically open and he went through them to where the various Section Heads and Departmental Managers were waiting, eager to find out what was going on with the Complex; all hoping he would be able to give them a brief update before Contact sickness laid him low.
Ben Davey stood before them. “It would seem,” he said, tasting bile at the back of his throat and knowing the stomach spasms would soon start. “It would seem,” he repeated, “that even the Klin are only human…”
A New Dawn
by Liz Gruder
Why, Lisa wondered, couldn’t she shake this creeping feeling that something ominous hung in the air? True, she’d suffered a nightmare the night before - she woke gasping, dragging a glimpse of her sister Kali’s terrified face as she surfaced from sleep. The dream hadn’t revealed what had frightened her sister so. But the intensity of her sister’s terror traversed the boundaries of space and time straight to the marrow of Lisa’s bones.
When Lisa recounted her nightmare to Kali, her sister smiled like the Mona Lisa. Kali was two years older than Lisa--at nineteen, she’d become a yoga teacher, a vegetarian and changed her birth name from Margaret to Kali. As a practicing yogini, Kali maintained an air of detachment. And perhaps a decided edge of superiority, for Lisa was the baby of the family.
Kali’s remedy for life’s ailments was to do yoga. Lisa’s was to make spaghetti.
So on that hot Louisiana night, Lisa sought solace, stirring a bubbling meat sauce. She should be tossing a cool salad, not stewing ground beef, which Kali would not eat. But then, in the simmering tomatoes and meat, Lisa recalled her sister’s dream face. Kali wore that stupefied look a cow might wear if it realized it was being led to slaughter.
Kali called, “Lisa, come here. Hurry!”
Lisa ran to her sister. Mother sat in her wheelchair, a liver-spotted hand covering her mouth. Her brother Eric, a tanned and muscular roofer, looked like he’d seen a ghost. Peanut, the family beagle, had its ears pinned back.
The President was addressing the nation. As Lisa read the ticker on the big screen, her stirring spoon clattered to the floor. The scrolling letters announced: “Extraterrestrial presence announced. White House in talks with visitors.”
“I don’t believe this.” Lisa crouched before the TV. The President shrunk into a small box while the main screen depicted a large round craft on the White House lawn. Short gray creatures with huge black eyes shook hands with the President.
“VISITORS FRIENDLY,” stated red letters at the top of the screen. “NO CAUSE FOR ALARM.”
Lisa tried to process what she was seeing. It didn’t compute. Wasn’t real. Must be a joke.
“This is fantastic,” Kali laughed.
Mother clutched her rosary and peered worriedly through wire-rim spectacles.
“I don’t think it’s fantastic,” Lisa said. “I think it’s terrifying.” She folded her arms across her chest.
Eric draped his arm across Lisa’s shoulder. “I’m scared, too, sis.”
“Open your minds,” Kali said. Lisa glanced into Eric’s large blue eyes and knew he was thinking Kali was about to start with her metaphysical bullshit.
Eric flipped the channel.
“Wait!” Kali protested.
“No, I want to see if it’s on the other channels.”
The same news aired on ABC and NBC. The hairs on Lisa’s arms refused to go down. Though every screen depicted the President shaking hands with the creatures, she didn’t believe there was no cause for alarm.
“We disclose our visitors’ presence on this planet,” the President read from a teleprompter. “It is reality. The visitors are friendly and mean us no harm. Everyone must stay calm.” The President nodded reassuringly.
“We will see the visitors in our cities, on our streets.” He smiled, exposing artificially whitened teeth. “We must treat them with hospitality, as you would treat guests in your homes.”
The family was transfixed. As with every crisis and event, the media informed and educated. Kali and Eric opened their laptops. The Internet mushroom
ed with information, declaring the visitors heralded from the Zeta Reticuli star system. They had been observing humanity for eons. But humanity inflicted irreparable damage to their planet. The proliferation of nuclear arms caused concern. Humans needed to solve their differences in peace.
You Tube exploded with videos of people making contact with the visitors. The first to go viral was a Gray in Times Square. It posed as people snapped photos. The Gray extended three long fingers and a thumb. A fat man with a ponytail shook its hand and smiled at the flashing lights. Pictures were posted of the visitors holding babies, petting Labrador retrievers. There was even a You Tube video of a Gray riding a horse.
Soon, the videos became commonplace. But it wasn’t until actually seeing one in the flesh that the Grays became starkly real.
***
Lisa drove to the yoga studio that Kali ran mid-city. She retrieved her yoga mat from her dented Mitsubishi’s trunk.
As she shut the trunk door, she saw it.
It stood on the sidewalk. It was about three-and-a-half feet tall. With a starkly thin body and a large bald head, its huge black eyes wrapped around the side of its head above a slit of a mouth. When its eyes focused on Lisa, she froze. It bowed, then stuck out its long fingers as if wanting to shake hands.
Lisa turned and ran across the street. She charged up the concrete steps, over the porch and into the studio, the screen door banging. She unrolled her mat on the wooden floor and sat cross-legged. She tried to lose herself in the peace found in the odor of sandalwood incense.
Kali sat on her mat, dressed in orange, her large brown eyes rimmed with liner, her dark hair in a ponytail. She prompted the class to focus on their breath.
Lisa closed her eyes. Turn away from the outward and focus on the inward. Later, her muscles warmed while performing sun salutations. As she hung in a forward bend, her head lowered, her hands touching the ground, she opened her eyes. Through the gap between her legs, she saw one of the creatures behind her. Lisa’s heart accelerated as she stared at the large bald head hanging down, its long fingers touching the floor.
The creature swiveled its neck and peered at Lisa with large black eyes. Lisa’s gut tightened. She shut her eyes.
We mean you no harm. Have no fear, she heard in her mind.
She opened her eyes. The upside-down Gray nodded.
Lisa tried to continue, but her heart beat in her chest like a trapped hummingbird. Though the Grays shared means of genetically engineering crops, technology for travel and medicine and methods of controlling the weather, Lisa couldn’t help feeling invaded by its telepathic communication. True, she and Kali had shared psychic moments, knowing what the other thought, but they shared a familial bond. The Gray’s communication felt cold and probing.
“We’re moving into a Golden Age,” everyone parroted the magic television words. “The New Dawn.”
Lisa shut her eyes.
Then she felt warmth inside, radiating energy like the sun. It began at her groin, then flowed upward. She felt on the precipice of orgasm. The sensation was so intense she had to open her eyes. Everyone in the class had smiles playing on their lips, heads lolling in pleasure. Lisa turned and studied the Gray. Its opaque eyes shone like polished glass. Lisa knew that this creature had imparted this ecstasy, creating an illusory sensation that the class now reveled in.
Disregarding yoga etiquette, Lisa rolled up her mat. She hoped they’d waken with the sound of her slamming the porch door.
***
At dinner, Kali chided, “They’re our galactic brothers. Open your prejudiced mind.”
“Pass the stew,” Mother said, always ready for second helpings. “But I’m with Lisa. Though my church group has been praying on it and the Pope said God made the universe and all creatures, I don’t trust them.”
“Bah,” Kali said. “You’re like the Indians when the first white men came.”
“And look what they did to them,” Lisa countered.
“Maybe not a good analogy,” Kali conceded. “Hey, look.” She pointed to the big screen. The news was airing a special on people lining up to receive treatment from the Grays to cure lung and esophageal cancer. “If they were bad, why would they heal us?”
“Maybe it’s like the first Thanksgiving,” Lisa said.
“Before the white men took over everything,” Mother finished.
“So closed minded!” Kali said.
“I don’t know, sis,” Eric laughed, putting his hands behind his blonde head. “I ain’t never had no one give me nothing without expecting something back in return.”
***
Lisa fried eggs and bacon for Mother, who expected her meals exactly on time no matter what. She always had an appetite, always clearing her plate, even after Daddy had died. Perhaps she found solace in food. Lisa’s hunger had waned. In her anxiety, she had to force food down. She wondered how her mother could still eat as if an alien race hadn’t arrived on Earth. After her mother took her last bite, Lisa rolled her wheelchair to the living room and took Peanut for a quick walk. They lived in an old wood house by the levee near Lake Pontchartrain. Lisa walked Peanut at the top of the grassy levee where she could view the lake. The waters rippled a gentle gray, and the eastern sky was lit up in pink and gold.
A balding old man wearing black suspenders over a white T-shirt was walking his Yorkie. Lisa saw him most mornings. They nodded as they passed, pulling their respective dogs on their leashes.
Peanut strained to sniff the Yorkie, then raised her head. Her tail lowered. Lisa followed the dog’s gaze. Silhouetted against the morning sky, one of those Grays approached. Lisa’s first instinct was to run, but having heard repeatedly on the media that the Grays were benevolent, she kept still. As she met the old man’s eyes, he said two words.
“Question everything.”
He snatched his Yorkie in his arms and tottered down the levee incline, hurrying away.
The Gray stood before Lisa. Peanut’s body trembled as she whimpered. The creature gazed upon the dog with its large black eyes. A moment passed where the dog appeared hypnotized, then she happily wagged her tail and jumped up on the creature, licking its long gray fingers.
“Come, Peanut!” Lisa tugged the leash. She refused to look into the alien’s eyes.
***
When Lisa returned home, Eric had just arrived, reeking of whiskey.
“Hey sis,” he said, teetering.
“Where you been all night, boy?” Mother asked.
“Partying in the Quarter,” Eric slurred, brushing a lock of blonde hair from his eyes. “Just got so fucked up with this alien thing, had to blow off some steam.”
“No cursing!” her mother shrieked. “Coming in at this hour, you oughtta be ashamed of yourself.”
“Don’t worry, Ma.” Lisa guided Eric into the kitchen. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I was confused,” Eric said, leaning against the wall. “But I ain’t confused no more.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean them things were out there in the Quarter drinking with us. With us,” he laughed. He shut his eyes. “They gave us shots of some alien stuff and after that, we were all good. No aches, no pains and the best of friends. They’re all right. Yeah.”
“No,” Lisa said, shaking Eric. “They are not all right.”
Eric shrugged her away. “Oh, quit being such a priss. Kali’s right. Live a little bit instead of always doing the right thing.”
Lisa stared at Eric. He never made fun of her. She recalled the people in yoga and how they responded in group ecstasy. How her dog had been frightened, and then suddenly happy. This was mind control so razor precise, people would be unaware they’d been compromised.
Question everything.
It was dawning on Lisa that the old man knew something.
***
Lisa stopped going to yoga, using the Internet and watching television. She went to the grocery store, walked the do
g, cooked, helped her mother, slept. She wasn’t going to allow herself to be influenced by the media.
The world grew accustomed to having the visitors around. When Lisa saw them in the grocery aisle or on the streets, she averted her eyes.
Then, without warning, another momentous day arrived.
“Lisa, get in here!” Eric cried.
Lisa thrust the cooked meatloaf she’d just taken from the oven onto a hot plate and ran into the living room. Scrolling red letters on the big screen blared: “ALERT.”
“What’s going on?” Lisa asked.
“Quiet!” Kali screeched. She and Eric stood before the television. Mother clutched her rosary.
“Admittedly we had a plan,” the President was saying, “to acclimate the public to the visitors’ presence. We’ve known for some time that the Earth was going to be hit. We couldn’t disclose this knowledge for fear of inciting world-wide panic.”
“What?” Lisa said. “An asteroid?”
“Quiet!” Eric screamed.
The President spoke from a little box at the left, while the screen showed a huge asteroid hurtling through space. Another section of the screen showed a computer graphic of its calculated impact-point somewhere between Israel and Iraq.
“Sadly, no-one remaining on Earth will survive the impact,” the President intoned. “The visitors can’t divert the asteroid but they will help us. You know now, after sharing time with them, they are our allies. In eight hours, we must all go outside. They are sending millions of ships to rescue us. When you see the ships in the sky, you must think or say, ‘Take me.’ Then you will be lifted up to the safety of the New World.”
***
Cell phones and networks became clogged with panicked messages, comments and posts. Television stations shut down as the employees abandoned their posts. Everyone stayed glued to CNN, which continued broadcasting videos of people banding together in the streets, crying, singing, holding hands, lighting candles, looking at the skies.
Aliens - The Truth is Coming (Book of Aliens 1) Page 7
