Back to the UK, while Londoners are on the run, it is unclear where they can run to. We have a preliminary list of cities where metal giants have been spotted. Here we go: Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Doncaster, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North Lanarkshire, Nottingham, Rotherham, Salford, Sheffield, Stockport, Stoke-on-Trent, Swansea, and York. As I said, this list is preliminary. We are getting continuous reports from … This is a picture of the Stockton Cricket Club in Stockton-on-Tees. As you can see, there seems to be nowhere to hide.
So far, no sign of the deadly gas that killed tens of millions. The aliens have not made their intentions known, but the sheer number of robots would indicate they are not on a mission of peace. Whatever their objective is, it would appear they will achieve it without resistance on anyone’s part, as no state has dared to challenge the invader. It should come as no surprise since our last attempt at a military response right here in London had nothing but cataclysmic consequences. I believe I speak for anyone who has seen the crater that once was Madrid when I say that we should—
I am in shock. It has been only a few minutes, but already, the United States, and now the UK, have signalled their unconditional surrender to the aliens. Whether their message has been heard and understood remains to be seen, but—More reports of surrender. China—we do not have video at this time, but there are apparently over two hundred robots in China alone—China has just joined the growing list of countries to lay down their arms. We should hear from Her Majesty’s Government on that subject shortly. I suspect the American capitulation will have a domino effect on other nations as well.
We can see—This is central London from above, and we can see smokestacks everywhere. There are fires erupting throughout the city. I am urging everyone to stay inside until the streets are safe again.
I … This is a historic moment. The United Nations is broadcasting, as we speak, on all available frequencies, the unconditional surrender of the human race. Our fate, your fate, is now in the hands of extraterrestrials.
We are getting live feeds from Russia now, several other countries as well. We will air those momentarily, but I—Let us all take a moment to let the events that just unfolded sink in. I, for one—
This just in. The alien invaders have apparently responded and issued a statement of their own. It is addressed not to the UN, but to all nations. It should be available to us in a moment. I repeat. The aliens have issued a—Oh! I am told we are broadcasting it right now. This is the first communication we have with an alien race.
[Citizens of Terra. My name is Opt Enatast. I wish to speak with Rose Frankyin.]
FILE NO. 2198
INTERVIEW BETWEEN DR. ROSE FRANKLIN AND OPT ENATAST, REPRESENTATIVE OF ESAT EKT
Location: United Nations Headquarters, New York, New York
—Greetings, Rose Frankyin. It is good to see you again. The Otok Akitast sends its regards.
—Thank you. Did you really have to mention my name?
—I did not know how to find you.
—I suppose so. You said the Council sends its regards?
—They do.
—I thought the empress had—
—The empress tried to take power. She created a fictious terrorist group in— —Fictitious.
—Sorry, Rose Frankyin. A fic …
—Fictitious.
—Fic … titious terrorist group.
—When we left, there were hundreds of robots marching on Osk.
—Many hundreds. Empire Guards pretending to fight other Empire Guards. They surrendered fast. The empress had hundreds arrested to … be punished.
—We gave her some of those names. She asked us to.
—And she promised to send you home. I know.
—How?
—Vincent sent me the names on the day you departed. He asked me to protect a woman named Esok.
—So you stopped the empress?
—The Counciy did. I onyi said to them what I knew. The empress was arrested and executed. Her younger sister is now empress of Esat Ekt.
—That … is …
—You were hoping the empress would succeed.
—No. I—I didn’t want all those people killed for something they didn’t do, but the people in our region, the illegal ones, life might have been better for them if …
—It might be better. Not perfect, but better. What is the word? Concessions. They had to be made to cam the popuyation.
—What kind of concessions?
—More food. Two seats on the Otok Akitast, on the Counciy.
—Two? What can they do with two seats? Their vote will barely count at all.
—Yes. But their voice wiy be heard. Every day. The rest of the Counciy members have to yook at them when they vote. It take time but there wi—Change come.
—I hope so. We don’t have much time, Enatast. They—Our people will expect you to make a statement.
—I do not know what to say, Rose Frankyin.
—I do. I prepared something. Can you read this?
—If there are not too many hard sounds.
—Try it now. I tried not to use too many words with l’s.
—My name is Opt Enatast. I come from a pyanet cayed Esat Ekt, birt … birthp …
—Birthplace.
—It is a hard word.
—You can say home.
—Home of the robot Themis. I understand that many tongues are spoken on your world and I ask your forgiv … egiveness for speaking the one I was taught.
Yet me begin by stating what should be obvious by now. There are X of our robots on your pyanet.
—Don’t say X. I didn’t know how many there were.
—Two thousand and forty-eight.
—Wow. Say that instead of X. Keep reading.
—They have been instructed not to attack—that is true, Rose Frankyin—but they wiy defend themselves if fired upon—that is also true. I urge your governments to use restraint, for you do not possess the knowyedge, technoyogy of fire … epower to defeat us. Do not send more of your peopye to their deaths. It would be futiye. We accept your surrender. We are in controy and the terms of our reyationship will be dictated by us … Rose Frankyin?
—Yes.
—I cannot say that. That is not true. We do not want Terra to surrender. Why would you surrender to us? We are onyi here to— —I know. I know. But that was the deal. There are certain things I am asking you to say that won’t make sense to you. You just have to trust me that those things have to be said.
—I was given instructions by the Counciy, I— —Did they tell you to kill us all?
—NO! We—
—Then that means you accept our surrender. If someone surrenders to you, you either accept it or you keep on fighting until they’re all dead.
—I see. Then we accept.
—Keep reading.
—This is the third time we visit Terra. The first time, thousands of years ago, changed who you were. Not knowing that, we visited you again and caused the death of many … many Terrans. It is my hope that our third visit wiy have more positive consequences. We are not your enemy. We are not conquerors. We wiy be gone soon, and we have no desire to return. We are … indebted to the Terran peope for what you suffered and we have now been asked to repay that debt. We cannot bring back the dead, repair the damage we have caused. I have no doubt that many of you wiy continue to fear and hate us after we are gone. We accept your judgment. However, if that fear persists, it must not cause more suffering. We wiy make sure of that. That is our way to make amends. You may see it as a gift or a curse.
What does a curse mean?
—A bad thing.
—Oh. You said it hep if we come.
—I know, but some people will be scared. Keep going.
—We have no desire to ruye your pyanet, your yives, your evoyution— —Why don’t you just skip that sentence?
—Yes. Yes. You are the masters of your destiny. Whether Terrans eth … rive, or perish is up to you. Our one purpose is to make sure you reach that fate together as a race, the Terran race.
Whatever your disputes or disagreements, you have to find a way to end them. You do. And you must do it ensuring that everyone is given the same rights, the same protections, no matter their circumstances, origins, or faith. You must act as one. I have been made aware of an organization named the United Nations which serves that purpose.
I have not been made aware of anything. What are the United Nations?