Contact - Part Three

The news of the first contact swept around the world. The scant information was subjected to intense scrutiny and speculation at all levels. The images of the ship were analysed, and its various protrusions and indentations were queried as to their possible function. As images of the aliens became available the reception went from cautious to enthusiastic. Almost overnight art depicting Invar exploded everywhere. The majority of Humanity wanted to meet and be friends with their diminutive neighbours. A small minority remained convinced it was all a hoax. Space travel was simply impossible they said. Also, the nature of the aliens, these Invar was absurd. They were too small, too cute and too, Human. What went almost unnoticed in the enthusiasm and scepticism was any wondering about the traditional fate of civilisations when visited by one with vastly superior technology.


Nalwar's assistant, Fesha could not sleep. There was simply too much data to assemble. The night may have fallen and with it the local native’s activity, but a planet never slept. Other parts were constantly awakening and going about their business. The ship was under constant bombardment by messages, often in the low theta bands. A large portion of the ship’s computer system was now dedicated to interpreting the transmissions.

“Oh, another one,” commented Solmeq. The rating then made a few entries on his terminal.

“Another what?” asked Fesha.

“Recording of a Human displaying its reproductive organs using a handheld recorder. We now have over a million examples,” said Solmeq. He made a few more keystrokes and an image formed on the display. It showed a Human face and was accompanied by the booming alien language. The image then shifted wildly for a moment until it focused on the alien’s midsection.

Fesha watched it wondering about the alien’s actions. “Why do this? Is this some form of greeting, an act of aggression or submission?” she said aloud.

“I hope it’s not an invitation to mate,” said Solmeq.

“Nonsense, we are clearly mechanically incompatible,” said Fesha.

“I know that, the question is, do they?” said Solmeq pointing at the image, currently it had returned to focus on the alien’s face which was sticking out its tongue.

Fesha was about to reply when an alarm sounded. Both Invar jumped and then went to investigate. 

“What is that?” asked Fesha.

“Impact sensor. Low-velocity class two meteorite,” explained Solmeq as he examined the sensor’s report.

“That’s impossible. We’re under a heavy atmosphere,” said Fesha.

The alarm trilled again and gave the same report.

“What is happening?”

“I don’t know/”

The alarm blared again.

“Can we see that part of the ship?”

“Here, let me see.”

Solmeq tapped a few controls and an image from the nearest sensor to the impacts appeared on a screen. I showed one of the native's faces, its mouth bared and full of giant carnivorous teeth. Then suddenly, there was a sense of motion to one side and the entire image shook while another impact was reported.

“It’s attacking the sensor. Why?” said Solmeq.

“Can we stop it?” said Fesha as the image shook and the alarm sounded.

Several more Invar stumbled into the command centre. 

“What’s going on?”

“What has triggered the alarm?”

“Are we under attack?}”

Fesha attempted to explain.

“Well, why is it doing that?” said one of the newcomers to the accompaniment of the alarm.

“I don’t know. It’s an alien. It could be anything.” said Fesha.

“So how do we stop it?” 

“Electrify the hull?” suggested Solmeq.

“That’s to deter dangerous megafauna and to warn them off,” said Fesha.

Meanwhile, those now in the command centre were treated to a view of the alien’s hands encompassing the sensor, followed soon by it shaking a lot. Either hand could envelop and crush a skull, which was what it appeared to be doing right now. Those standing backed away from the display.

“And what do you call that?” 

Fesha tried to compose herself. She was a scientist, a specialist in alien behaviour. This behaviour was normal.

“That is an alien, native to Kalawan. It is intelligent and curious,” she attempted.

Meanwhile, the alien withdrew its hands from the sensor, picked up a bar of metal as long as herself and swung it. The image shook and the alarm sounded.

“Charging hull!” yelled Solmeq in a panic, his hand hitting the switch.

The alien howled in pain and then swung twice in rapid succession. The alarm trilled once and then, the display winked out. All the Invar present began shouting.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know. The sensor went dead.”

“How is that possible?”

“I dont know. Maybe the alien destroyed it.”

“Impossible. There’s some other explanation.”

“Like?”

“I don’t know. We need to go out and check.”

“Are you mad? That alien may still be out there.”

“So arm yourself.”

“With what? Electrifying the hull on made it angry. Our weapons might not even hurt it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Well you go then.”

“Um, how about we wait till daybreak.”

“Good idea.”

In the end they decided on waiting until morning. 



Sandeer regarded the officer warily. The Army had arrived early in the morning and was in the process of erecting a large fence about the alien ship. 

“Hello,” he said leadingly.

“Major Kiaan Ram. We are here just to provide security.” explained Major Ram

Sandeer waved at the fence. “What is that for? That ship came straight down. I saw it with my own eyes. No doubt it will ascend the same way. It won't keep them in if that’s what you’re thinking,” he said.

The Major grinned, “Didn’t think it would. Still, it should keep most Humans out, I suspect most mean well, but well, Director, in case you haven’t noticed that is a real alien ship. How much could you sell a loose bit for? One that say, just fell off?”

Sandeer nodded, “I hadn’t thought of that,” he admitted.

“Well, I did. So did the eight people we found on site when we arrived. So now we have a perimeter,”  said Ram.

Sandeer then nodded towards the Armoured Personnel Carriers. The bulky boxy vehicles also were also arranged about the alien ship. “And them,”

“Director, we had to come in something. They are only APCs.”

“You are aware the Invar are just this big?” Sandeer said as he held his hands only a little bit apart. They really are small he thought. “I must now explain why we have giant war machines all around them.”


 

Sandeer noticed several of the Invar were clustered about the base of their ship. Two were in a small floating platform performing what looked like repairs. This morning he sat down as the alien Nalwar descended down the access ramp towards him. That way he would not loom so much over her.

“Good morning Nalwar, or greetings honoured sentient,” he said.

“Yes, greetings honoured sentient and the morning is good. These developments less so,” said Nalwar.

Sandeer glanced at the soldiers and their vehicles and shrugged, “I believe the traditional thing to say is that they are here for your protection. I feel it is the same of militaries everywhere.”

Nalwar’s antennae dipped briefly before returning to what Sandeer thought was their default position. It occurred to him that the aliens communicated much with them. He then wondered if it was equally confusing for her since he was not so endowed. He briefly considered if he should hold his hands over his head to mimic the appendages, but instantly dismissed it. Nalwar was a specialist in speaking to aliens, she should be used to this.

“Yes, that is indeed true. Still, their protection would have been appreciated last night. Our ship was attacked and damaged by a Human. They approached the ship alone and broke off a sensor module before leaving with it.” said Nalwar.

“It was? Is that even possible? Surely a spacecraft able to survive hazards such as micrometeorites and other debris at high velocities could not be casually damaged by someone.” said Sandeer.

Nalwar’s antenna twitched again, “They had a massive weapon,”

“A weapon?” he said.

“Yes, my assistant and some techs witnessed the assault over the sensor before it was separated from it’s housing. It was a piece of metal this tall,” Nalwar said raising her hand above her head.

“Do you have a recording of the attack?”

“Yes.” Nalwar fiddled with a device not dissimilar from a tablet. It soon displayed a recording of the attack. It showed a man armed with a length of pipe attacking what was presumably this sensor.

“I am truly sorry this happened. Please accept my apologies for the behaviour of this thief. I would suspect they were a lone opportunist seeking a souvenir for sale on eBay.” he said.

“A thief? Ebay?” said Nalwar, again twitching.
So that is what confusion looks like on our alien friends thought Sandeer. “Yes, a lone man acting alone on the look for something valuable to sell. Surely, your Ascendancy has such individuals. eBay is an informal market on our electronic networks.”

“Yes, we have criminals.”

“They may not have been even that. He may have just been a young man with a sudden impulse.”

“Yes, we also have impulsive youngsters full of silly notions,” agreed Nalwar.

We are far too alike. Why couldn’t these Invar be bizarre monsters or a caricature of another culture like some American melodrama. That we could classify as alien, not people.

Sandeer nodded, “I still don’t understand how they could even damage that spacecraft.”

“This is a survey ship. While it is robust, most of our protection against the hazards of intersteller travel is provided by uh, I do not think your language has an equivalent term,” said Nalwar.

Sandeer smiled, “Let me guess. You have a method of manipulating an electromagnetic field to deflect or possibly even stop matter,”

The alien performed the visibly confused display again.


Nalwar stared in shock as the massive alien casually described the Electromagnetic Deflection Field, commonly known as a shield. Admittedly, it was in the manner one would find in a kit’s primer but still.

“Why, yes. That is in essence what we use. Our ship’s shields extend a way from the hull. Also, being on planet they were inactive. Even if they were they would not stop a slow moving object like a person or animal.”

“What do you have if say, a large animal gets territorial?” asked the alien.

“For a massive animal, or a herd of them, we can always ascend. For something smaller we can, uh, electrify the hull. That serves to drive off most curious wildlife.” said Nalwar.

“But not, a determined giant sentient,” said Sandeer.

“Apparently not. The attacker was hurt but succeeded in carrying off the sensor,” admitted Nalwar.

“We shall attempt to retrieve it for you, but I fear it is being sold to an anonymous buyer and shipped even as we speak,”

“It was only a sensor. It was more surprising than anything. However, I think this time your military’s protection may be welcome. Though the battle armour may be excessive if they are just to deter thieves.” said Nalwar.

Nalwar was a xenologist. While she understood intellectually that an alien would naturally be different she was still mostly used to how Invar communicated. What was disturbing with these Humans was how ‘Invar like’ they were. It was very easy to forget Sandeer was an alien and just think of him as a giant Invar. They are too much like us she thought. Her eyes kept flicking to the top of the alien’s head in an attempt to read his absent antenna.

“Battle armour?” said the Human.

“Large armoured fighting vehicles. They provide heavy weapons support in ground battles,” she attempted to explain.

The alien nodded. Was that an affirmation signal? Possibly. “Oh, Tanks,” he said and then waved at one of the massive military machines, “Those are just Kestrals. APCs. Troop Carriers. Light vehicles. Tanks are bigger, much bigger.”

‘Their battle armour is what?” came Viska’s alarmed voice over the comm.