First Contact
The young Trandin warrior looked to the sky at the sound of the approaching craft. Scarcely believing his eyes. "What kind of primitive collection of scrap is that?" He asked himself. "And what sort of backwards alien could still be using such antiquated technology?"
Before he could ponder the matter further, the small craft that looked like some sort of shuttle began it's descent towards the very island he was now watching from. Glancing over his shoulder he saw that no one else in the enclave had seen or heard the craft. For if they had they would surely be out to investigate, even at this early hour of the morning. Visitors were few here on this island. Except for the occasional pilgrim coming to seek knowledge from the Divinity Machine anyway.
But no alien would be landing here for that, he surmised. So with a sigh of irritation, Kuric made his way through the tall grass towards the island's western shore. Keeping the shuttle craft in sight as he walked unafraid towards the shale flat that served as the island's only beach. That was where the craft was heading. And he knew it would be touching down in a matter of seconds.
He scaled the low wall surrounding the enclave, and was just reaching the mossy seaweed strewn shale beach. As the rear door on the craft opened and lowered to form a ramp. Kuric stood a short distance away and folded his arms across his chest, as he waited patiently for the craft's occupants to step out and identify themselves.
He did not have long to wait. Momentarily it appeared. He could think of nothing else to call it. He had never seen anything like it. It had exited the craft rather cautiously at first. Looked around a few seconds. Then, seeing Kuric, descended the rest of the way down the ramp and stepped onto the beach. Baring it's teeth!
He would have been alarmed by this were he not a proud warrior in King Aeglir's household guard. Then he realized that the alien was approaching him seemingly unafraid and exhibiting no obvious sign of aggression. It was obviously a female he thought, and somehow not unappealing.
"Is that what it considers a smile?" he wondered. It's teeth were pure white, as they should be of course. But not pointed. Square or rectangular and rather blunt. Not really the sort of teeth one would expect a dangerous alien to have.
Suddenly Kuric realized It was standing directly before him. And he realized it was making a strange sound he couldn't identify. The sound wasn't unpleasant, just different than anything he had ever heard. And he realized it was speaking to him.
Remembering his warrior training, Kuric reached quickly out with his right hand and grabbed it, or her, he decided. By the throat, simply to insure his own safety, and not squeezing too hard. He reached down to his belt with his left hand, and tapped the button on his translation module. "My translator is on now Alien." he said knowing she would hear his words in her own language. "Please identify yourself and state your purpose."
"I am 1716, an android of Earth." the alien managed to gasp, sounding frightened and no longer smiling. "I come as an emissary of peace."
First Contact
The young Trandin warrior looked to the sky at the sound of the approaching craft. Scarcely believing his eyes. "What kind of primitive collection of scrap is that?" He asked himself. "And what sort of backwards alien could still be using such antiquated technology?"
Before he could ponder the matter further, the small craft that looked like some sort of shuttle began it's descent towards the very island he was now watching from. Glancing over his shoulder he saw that no one else in the enclave had seen or heard the craft. For if they had they would surely be out to investigate, even at this early hour of the morning. Visitors were few here on this island. Except for the occasional pilgrim coming to seek knowledge from the Divinity Machine anyway.
But no alien would be landing here for that, he surmised. So with a sigh of irritation, Kuric made his way through the tall grass towards the island's western shore. Keeping the shuttle craft in sight as he walked unafraid towards the shale flat that served as the island's only beach. That was where the craft was heading. And he knew it would be touching down in a matter of seconds.
He scaled the low wall surrounding the enclave, and was just reaching the mossy seaweed strewn shale beach. As the rear door on the craft opened and lowered to form a ramp. Kuric stood a short distance away and folded his arms across his chest, as he waited patiently for the craft's occupants to step out and identify themselves.
He did not have long to wait. Momentarily it appeared. He could think of nothing else to call it. He had never seen anything like it. It had exited the craft rather cautiously at first. Looked around a few seconds. Then, seeing Kuric, descended the rest of the way down the ramp and stepped onto the beach. Baring it's teeth!
He would have been alarmed by this were he not a proud warrior in King Aeglir's household guard. Then he realized that the alien was approaching him seemingly unafraid and exhibiting no obvious sign of aggression. It was obviously a female he thought, and somehow not unappealing.
"Is that what it considers a smile?" he wondered. It's teeth were pure white, as they should be of course. But not pointed. Square or rectangular and rather blunt. Not really the sort of teeth one would expect a dangerous alien to have.
Suddenly Kuric realized It was standing directly before him. And he realized it was making a strange sound he couldn't identify. The sound wasn't unpleasant, just different than anything he had ever heard. And he realized it was speaking to him.
Remembering his warrior training, Kuric reached quickly out with his right hand and grabbed it, or her, he decided. By the throat, simply to insure his own safety, and not squeezing too hard. He reached down to his belt with his left hand, and tapped the button on his translation module. "My translator is on now Alien." he said knowing she would hear his words in her own language. "Please identify yourself and state your purpose."
"I am 1716, an android of Earth." the alien managed to gasp, sounding frightened and no longer smiling. "I come as an emissary of peace."