Captain Dex Logan prepared to make his strafing run on the alien outpost, savoring the adrenaline rush that ensued before an attack. He dived with eyes riveted to the targeting array and waited for the lock signal from the computer. Logan felt the skimmer shudder as he released the plasma rockets. Pulling out of the dive, a warning signal sounded and the engine failure light blinked an ominous red. Logan’s first thought was engine flame out. He instinctively dropped the nose of the skimmer to prevent a stall. His heart raced as he wrestled with the yoke trying to land the skimmer.
Dex awoke and instantly recoiled from the blinding pain in his head. The spinning sensation made it unbearable. Struggling to focus, he saw an alien in front of him. It had a bulbous head, and long thin body. The creature resembled a human caricature drawn on putty and then stretching it. On top of the head was a cap with thin wires extending into the distance. Reaching for a nonexistent laser pistol, he concentrated on the creature expecting the worse, and noticed a table with instruments next to it. Sudden blinding rage replaced all sanity, and he blurted out three questions in quick succession as he fought against his bindings.
“Who are you, where am I, and what do you want?”
Logan immediately regretted the emotional reaction that was typical of a raw recruit and not a veteran pilot. The key is to fight the crush of thoughts and emotions racing through him and focus. A pressure resembling a light push on his mind added confusion as he waited for the creature’s next move. The alien pointed to itself and replied:
“T-o-o-ms…Tomax m-m-e.”
Then it spread both arms, “In….fix … unt.”
“Translation complete and will improve.”
Odd, thought Logan, the words seemed to be in his head, more like sensing than hearing. Our brains must be connected through the alien’s cap. To test his theory; Logan asked mentally.
“How did I get here Tomax?”
“A team found the craft after our pod was destroyed and brought you here to be fixed. Your physiology is much like our own, and regeneration was successful. For thousands of years we have watched your species evolve, and it is resourceful and adaptable. However, your technology grows faster than your maturity. Your kind needs time to further evolve before taking the next step.”
“Are you saying that humans are not ready to expand into the universe and you will stop us?”
“Yes, the Galactic Council decided to use this colony as a test. You came to our planet and claimed it. We tried to make contact and met aggression.”
“This is wrong. We have the right to expand into the universe and defend ourselves.”
Tomax considered this for a moment and replied: “So, this becomes a question of right and wrong? We have not returned your aggressive behavior, and yet you continue to bring death and destruction. Is this your right? If two enemies believe they are right; who is wrong? Can something wrong be justified by calling it right?”
“What gives the council the right to decide the destiny of another? They must understand that it is humankind’s destiny to explore and expand. We did not know there was intelligent life. Our mission is to establish a research center, conduct geologic surveys, and search for signs of life. However, a team came across some traps and realized there may be primitive life. They were attacked and defended themselves.”
“Of course, the group of children the humans approached with weapons drawn” Tomax remarked. “When they ran in fear, the humans ran them down like animals and captured two children. Their elder used a stun gun to help the children escape and your team started killing them all.”
“That is your version,” remarked Logan.
“Humans always justify actions with the question of right and wrong. Your world believes that might is right, the strong will survive and the weak will adapt or become extinct. Your kind has a history of death and destruction to dominate. Forcing others to conform to their beliefs, because they are different, treating them as inferior. Justifying the actions by claiming it is right, and it is manifest destiny. The Crusades, western colonization, and American expansionism are a few examples.”
“I agree many mistakes have been made. However, there are many examples of impressive good. Augustus Caesar, Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, these are a few who influenced the world. We are trying to learn from our mistakes and change. The evolution continues, but it is slow and arduous.”
“For this reason the human species shows promise, and the council is willing to give them a second chance. You are free to go and present our offering of peace and cooperation. The ultimate truth is not found in words, but knowledge, understanding, and deeds. Your task is difficult; you must convince humans that arrogance and power are not the right answer. Their final decision will decide the fate of humankind.”