Written by Paul Gamlowski
“Papa, the sirens are blaring again!”
“Okay, quick, quick, Sarah, to the shelter!”
She carried her dog and rushed down to the underground shelter. He shut the door and turned on a pulsating EMP forcefield, which gave off a low hum.
“Papa, this is the fourth time today.”
“I know, I know … They’re relentless!”
“Why can’t we make peace? Why did they take Mama?”
“We tried for peace … When their first contact envoy arrived from outer space.”
“From another planet, Papa?”
“No, another galaxy through a wormhole.”
“Ooh, but why did they abduct Mama?”
“Everyone agreed to a peaceful meeting. There was a global PSA issued. Don’t shoot the aliens! As to your Mama, let’s talk about that later. But, umm, yeah, they took all our scientists …”
“Did the aliens lie about wanting peace, Papa?”
“No, they kept their end of the bargain … But as they flew over, a man stood outside his cabin with his laser rifle and shot a Scout — one of their AI reconnaissance security drones. It immediately reacted by alerting a Swarm.”
“Did he escape?”
“No, The Swarm’s task was to defend their incoming biological ambassador; they razed that entire village.”
“Oh, so we defended ourselves?”
“Yes, we panicked; eventually, we engaged in skirmishes to battles, to figuring out their wormholes, and now we’re embroiled in an interstellar war.”
“I’m confused …”
“About?”
“Well, Papa, how come he was allowed to shoot that laser rifle?”
“Oh, back in those days, the ‘right to bear arms’ political folks were in charge …”
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