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The Invitation(50)

By:Michael McKinney


“If you could return to Earth two million years from now, it would be impossible to communicate with your own human descendants. The technical knowledge that now takes months and years to learn will be acquired and understood in mere hours by your distant progeny. Their densely concentrated speech and language, their accelerated comprehension, and knowledge of exponentially increased volume and complexity will have the effect in some of greatly slowing down and even halting the aging process. At first only about two or three percent of humans will be affected. That small portion of the population will see an already increased lifespan of three hundred years suddenly augmented five times over, and the first ‘Millennials’ will make their appearance in human history. Named for their extraordinarily long lifespans they will be the first humans to live for more than a thousand years, and certainly not the last. But this world will not exist for another three hundred thousand years, and only after war, disease, hunger, and conflict have long disappeared.

“We are here to offer mankind an invitation to that world, an invitation into your own future. The invitation we extend has only one stipulation. You must renounce all forms of war and aggressive conflict. With your own hands you must dismantle, and discard all weapons of offensive capability, and you must, by and through your own volition, embrace a peaceful future. If you do, you will be welcomed into that galactic community which is your immutable destiny.

“Thousands of interstellar civilizations, unending in their multifarious diversity, will welcome you as an equal member. You will be given the means to communicate with them, to learn and exchange ideas, knowledge to alleviate pain and suffering, the eradication of all disease, abundant energy supplies, answers to questions that your science has pondered for centuries. All these things shall be given freely, when you are responsible enough to receive them. That time is not yet.

“We have given you much to think about. In observance of your customs we now show ourselves to you, to answer in person the many questions you must have. Let him approach who represents you, and all questions will be answered.”

At this, Ken Myers rises, and walks toward Vice President Scott Conner. Calling him over, the Vice President comes forward, while at the same time an impending sense of expectation is building. Nearly everyone has their eyes fixed on the strange alien craft that has, to this point, concealed any possible occupants. Then on its surface a vertical line appears and forms an open entrance to the vehicle. All wait in silence, knowing the ultimate moment is finally here when human eyes will for the first time see an alien being from another world. A few seconds pass. Then from the dark, recessed entrance, a creature slightly over four feet high emerges, walking upright with the same bipedal motion as humans, and sated curiosity is transformed into a general sense of wonder. The image that presents itself to the world seems at once both alien and familiar with arms, legs, hands, fingers, a head, and shoulders. The face is the same face projected so dramatically across the night sky for the past several nights, the same face that had spoken so forcefully with succinct, unquestioned authority, divining the fate of man, and his world, is now seen attached to what can only be described as a very slight physique. The large face, and eyes seem to suggest a mismatch with a much smaller body.

As the creature called a Linesian stands there, thousands of camera flashes make the scene reminiscent of a Hollywood movie star’s debut. Looking more like a frail ingénue than a mover and shaker of things, this strange-looking creature that has captured, and is now the focus of the world’s attention, seems somehow incommensurate with the powerfully dramatic events of the past two days, but when the inimitable sound of the Linesians low-pitched voice is heard again all are attentive and silent as he speaks.

“Is there one among you to speak for all?”

Upon hearing this, President Myers responds, “Scott Conner, Vice President of the United States is that person.”

Walking over to the Vice President, Ken Myers takes his hand.

“You were born for this moment, Scott. You may ask anything you want. I cannot do this. You have to fill this role. Your knowledge of science qualifies you. There’s nothing to fear.”

Walking back to his chair, Ken Myers sits down again. His wife joins him. Sitting on the other side of the President is Secret Service Agent Allen Forbes, who has returned. All three of them are conspicuously sitting down as all others remain standing. The casual, relaxed demeanor of the President of the United States seems very much out of place. The fact that Ken Myers has chosen his Vice President to in effect, speak for the people of the world leaves many wondering why.