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Excerpt
“Greetings, Earthling,” the creature said in a gruff baritone voice.
George’s mouth dropped as he heard that. “You speak English!”
“We’ve studied your planet and your languages.”
“Incredible!” George said, amazed, and then thinking, Is this really happening? Still scared, he took a couple of steps backwards.
The alien stepped forward, matching his steps and then taking a few more, stopping at three feet away. His eyes locked onto George’s.
“I’m Bax Dazzerfy, captain of this starship. A repton from the second planet in the planetary system of a star you refer to as Tau Ceti. And you are?”
George took a deep breath before responding. “George Abooli... from Albuquerque, New Mexico.”
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Eager to hear what Bax had to say, George sat in one of the guest seats. The captain dropped into his chair and swiveled around to face him.
“As I had said, we’ve been visiting your planet to study its people and cultures.”
“I’m trying to digest it all and I’m curious. Why would a highly-advanced civilization like yours be interested in studying us? It’s obvious that you don’t need our technology and you certainly don’t need our resources. Also, I doubt that you want to take over the Earth. If you did, you would have already done so.”
“True, but we want to find out what other forms of life might exist elsewhere in space. Learning about other cultures and civilizations enriches us, just as someone from your country is enriched by studying cultures elsewhere on your planet – helps broaden our perspective and increase our appreciation for the interconnectedness of the cosmos.”
George nodded as Bax continued:
“We’re also interested in studying humans because they’re the only other form of intelligent life that we know of within the range of our exploration – radius of fifty light years. Our instruments have found no signs of intelligent life within 500 light years of home.”
“Then you’re saying that extraterrestrial civilizations are rare.”
“You know as an astronomer that for life to exist, conditions on a planet have to be just right – must remain favorable long enough for an intelligent species to arise and evolve.”
“Absolutely,” George agreed.
“So far, we’ve come across very few planets suitable for life.”
“That would partly explain why our radio telescopes never received signals from alien civilizations. The lack of evidence led me to believe that we humans are alone in the universe. But now I know that’s not the case, which both intrigues and bothers me.”
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“Let me explain,” Bax said as he shifted positions in his chair. “Humans are a fascinating species to study, although they’re dangerous. We’re concerned where they’re headed.”
“I’m also concerned because I think humanity is on a collision course with self-destruction,” George agreed. “I’m trying to prevent that by presenting possible solutions for our society.”
“Trying to save humanity from self-destruction?”
“I want to do my part,” George replied humbly. “Nothing I’d like better than to see humanity’s continued survival. You could really help. With your superior technology you should be able to set things right on Earth.”
“But, George – mustn’t intervene. We follow a strict policy of non-intrusion with any civilizations we may encounter. A civilization must learn to solve its own problems – learn from its mistakes without outside intervention. However, there’s something we can do without violating our main directive.”
“What’s that?”
“We want to make contact with the humans when the time is right. That’s our mission.”
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Ibn Malek Habibi and Salidi al-Bakr sat at a table in a dining room, enjoying a lunch break.
“Our campaign for change is moving along, thanks to the poor conditions in this country,” Habibi said while working on his lamb kabobs. “The Iraqi people continue to suffer from food rationing. Many children die of malnutrition.”
“It’s a shame, Excellency,” al-Bakr said with a frown while taking a sip of his lentil soup from the bowl. “The rationing system has crumbled from poor management and corruption.”
“We can blame the prime minister. He’s done nothing to correct the situation. That gives me something to go on in my bid for a change in leadership.”
“The Americans haven’t helped with that, either,” al-Bakr remarked, taking a bite of kibbe.
“Dalaki won’t do anything and neither will the Americans. He complains that I’m trying to do his job, and we have our disagreements. Well, he’s not doing his job,” Habibi snapped. “It’ll be up to me to do his work for him.”
“There’s a dire need for change, Excellency.”
“And I can present convincing arguments for a change in how things should be done.”
“Yes, an empty stomach is a strong motivator for turning to the one who promises food and delivers it. Seize the opportunity.”
“Allah be praised.” Habibi dipped a piece of flat bread in some hummus. “A power struggle has begun – the first step toward new leadership.”
“You have been chosen by Allah to lead Iraq, Excellency.”
Habibi ate up al-Bakr’s praise and then smiled fiendishly. “Things were supposed to get better since the American occupation, but the situation’s only gotten worse.” He then snarled. “That’s why we must get the Americans out once I get what I need from them.”
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