“First, with respect to the rash of UAV sightings we’ve had over the past several decades. They’ve told us they’ve been showing themselves more and more to gradually acclimate humanity to the idea that we aren’t alone. Pull the Band-Aid off slowly rather than quickly. So when they do formally reveal themselves, it doesn’t throw our entire civilization into a tailspin. So our collective reaction is more, ‘it’s about time,’ than, ‘holy hell, let’s all jump off of buildings.’”
Tessa considered. “But you find this answer fishy, is that what you’re saying? That you don’t believe their coming out party would cause this kind of cataclysmic reaction on our part.”
“Actually, they could well be right. I believe their gradual reveal strategy is probably wise. I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I’ve seen a lot of research on the subject.”
I had too, and it was anything but simple. How would the aliens revealing themselves impact various religions? What would happen when we learned we weren’t as special as we thought? What about totalitarian regimes? Would their populations rebel against them when they learned that all twenty-two galactic civilizations were democratic, and dedicated to universal freedoms?
How angry would humanity get when the aliens refused to share their tech with us? Refused to lift us up, or cure disease?
And if they did share their tech, or just general knowledge, what effect would that have? Would it obsolete our every scientist and technology? The aliens could tap free and unlimited energy. Conquer gravity. Their computers put ours to shame. So ninety percent of the world economy would be in a shambles. Our cars, our roads, our electrical grids, our solar and fossil-fuel energy, our electronics, and every job and industry devoted to these pursuits would all be rendered worthless.
What about scientists who had spent their entire lives working on problems the aliens had long since solved? A space race was raging among tech billionaires, and many of us were thrilled to watch rockets landing gently on Earth, or taking off for Mars.
But if the aliens revealed themselves and their technology, these efforts, and the trillions spent on efforts like them, would become little more than quaint jokes.
And what would motivate people to go back to work, listen to an idiotic or hated boss, or continue to be a tiny cog in a global wheel, when their eyes had been opened to a new reality taking place on a galactic scale? Would workers and scientists quit in droves, all coming to believe that nothing they could possibly accomplish really mattered anymore?
Brad sighed. “It’s possible that if the aliens announced themselves today, the repercussions would be mild. But it’s also possible that they’d rock human society to its core. Lead to regrettable consequences that even the alien AI can’t foresee.”
“So if you don’t find their explanation fishy,” said Tessa, “what’s the issue?”
“I just get a feeling there’s more to the story. Even if there is, that doesn’t mean their intentions aren’t good. But when dealing with all-powerful aliens, it pays to err on the side of caution.”
“Okay,” I said slowly. “Anything else?”
“Yes. Their answers seem sketchy to me when we raise the subject of abductions, cow mutilations, and so on. They say they have no idea what these are about, and have nothing to do with them. They suggest they’re just shared delusions among a population now awakened to the idea of aliens.”
“Most experts think the same thing,” I said. “That we’re just highly suggestible, and UFOs are nothing more than the last entry in a long chain of mass delusions. You know, like vampires, werewolves, witches—that sort of thing.”
“I know,” said the colonel. “It’s just that they don’t seem quite as . . . chatty about this as they are about other subjects. Again, just a vague sense that they’re hiding something. Which I’ve only conveyed to my top people, along with the task force preparing countermeasures in case they turn on us.”
“I see,” said Tessa thoughtfully. “And speaking of this task force,” she added, “have they come up with any countermeasures?”
Brad blew out a long breath. “Not really, no. We’re still at the aliens’ mercy. But we have to keep trying. We have some ideas, even if they’ll take decades to perfect. Still, they haven’t told us their timetable for officially revealing themselves. For all we know, they’ll wait hundreds of years, hoping they can keep the status quo while we continue to mature. Which will give us the time we need.”
I nodded in thought. “And you’re having this discussion with us why?” I said. “To encourage us to report back to you on what Nari tells us in private?”
“Partially. But more importantly, I’d just like for you to keep your eyes and minds open. They’re giving you the VIP treatment. They’ve already given you nanite tech that much of the population of the world would kill for. And while their refusal to share tech can be maddening, it’s likely the Galactic Federation is the best thing that’s ever happened to humanity. God knows their actions have been beyond reproach, and they’ve saved countless human lives. Still, don’t let all of this lull you to sleep.”
“So you want us to remain just the slightest bit skeptical,” I said. “Just the slightest bit paranoid.”
“That’s right. That’s all I’m asking. Go out and find a way to save us all—humanity and aliens alike. But don’t get too mesmerized by your special treatment and alien toys. We can probably trust the Federation’s intentions a thousand percent. But always remember, they are aliens. So don’t think you can ever fully understand what motivates them.”
“I don’t even fully understand what motivates most humans,” I said.
“Exactly,” replied the colonel with just the hint of a smile.
PART 4
22
I expected a ride inside a UFO to be surreal, but not quite as much as hanging below one had been.
It turned out I was wrong.
Tessa and I were lifted from the beach by a tunnel of light and drawn inside the ship, while I tried not to picture every hokey B-list movie I had ever seen that showed this exact scene.
Like my novels, I guess Hollywood had at least gotten something right.