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First Contact

February 2, 2021 10 Comments

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My lungs burn as the landscape shrinks. I’d barely gotten to the shuttle alive.

The technology was to keep me safe, swaddled in heat upon a frigid planet. We didn’t know their body chemistry—I can’t be blamed. But the fear on their faces was almost human; their final screams more so. I don’t fault them for attacking. If our roles were reversed, humanity would have done the same.

It can’t be my fault; the expedition was founded on good intentions.

I wanted to show them they weren’t alone in an empty universe.

Now, they look to the stars with fear.

By B.S.Roberts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tim Goldstone says

    February 2, 2021 at 7:29 am

    Chilling.

    Reply
  2. Cathy Cade says

    February 2, 2021 at 7:53 am

    That was different – well done

    Reply
  3. Fiona Halliday says

    February 2, 2021 at 10:10 am

    Fantastic! Really made me shiver!

    Reply
  4. Alex Markovich says

    February 2, 2021 at 10:30 am

    A clever reversal of the age-old predatory aliens theme. I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.

    Reply
  5. Derek McMillan says

    February 2, 2021 at 11:57 am

    Perhaps the assumption that aliens would want to enslave or exterminate *us* is based on what we know about ourselves. A thought-provoking story

    Reply
  6. Jeff Stone says

    February 3, 2021 at 1:28 am

    Poignant. Reinforcing (or repeating) the “faultless” concept shows a guilt that cannot be suppressed.

    Vivid appeal to the senses from the first line.

    The stark contrast of the last two lines is particularly effective.

    Reply
  7. Justin Nagundi says

    February 3, 2021 at 8:01 am

    “Now they look at the stars with fear.” This is a powerful ending. Humans have and will always be God’s most frightening creation.

    Reply
  8. Violet James says

    February 3, 2021 at 9:00 am

    So well done. It left me wondering who to trust and who to fear.

    Reply
  9. Meryl says

    February 3, 2021 at 10:12 am

    Really enjoyed this read!

    Reply
  10. I.R.Pathak says

    February 3, 2021 at 12:21 pm

    Impressive, thought-provoking. Fantasy seems true.

    Reply

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