The emissary is not here by accident. — The droplet of liquid that was the Nordic grew agitated. A tsunami rolled from its origin and moved onward, swallowing a nonexistent continent. — It doesn’t circle, doesn’t create an entry point, it merely watches in silence… absorbs.
— What do you mean? — the Reptilian narrowed his eyes, his pupils jumping across the entire periphery. — Is it observing us? And what is it?
— Colleagues… — the Grey cut in, — don’t you think this whole spectacle is merely meant to distract us? It poses no threat for now, cannot eavesdrop on us, and therefore — let it hang there. We’ll discuss all terms of collaboration with it later. For now, let’s divide the tasty little morsel known as…
— I’m tired of the chatter! — the Insectoid thundered and snarled, a sound completely at odds with the “smile” frozen on his face. Though it was merely a shift of facial plates. — We’re sitting here doing nothing and can’t agree on anything because you’re afraid to say it outright: “whoever squeezes all the juice out of Earth first — gets to keep it.”
Strangely enough, he was supported by the one from whom it was least expected. The Nordic separated a clearly defined wave-line from his structure and placed it at the center of the table.
— In that case, I confirm that I will withdraw if nothing comes of it for me. I did not want competition — I dreamed of joint cooperation. But you do not want that… and it wounds me.
— Well, why not… — the Grey flung a defibrillator-like impulse from himself, which bounced off the wall, — personally, I’m quite negotiable. And I can compromise for the sake of a profitable deal…
The Reptilian said nothing. He merely smirked briefly and rose from the table, heading for the exit, tossing one final remark over his shoulder:
— So that’s how it will be. Stay here as long as you like — I’ll be the first to descend to the planet.
The ship drifting in space once again became abandoned by all. The neutral territory where representatives of four races had agreed to negotiate failed to bring them to any reasonable consensus. It led only to the understanding that each intended to play by their own rules.
The Reptilian’s vessel detached from the barge first — mutable and adaptive. Made of plastic, interface-like matter, it mimicked other ships, absorbing their traits into itself.
Now, already in flight, it became itself again — that is, something indefinable. Only when approaching Earth would it outline strict boundaries and assume the familiar form of a flying saucer, as dictated by such occasions.
Humans must be spoken to in their own language.
The Insectoid’s compact, asymmetrical ship tore away second, squeezing out everything it was capable of. It had neither bow nor stern in the conventional sense and resembled an artillery shell. Soot-stained and filthy, this brawler had seen a lot. And now it was heading toward the hated planet to sow its favorite thing there — destruction.
No smoothness.
Only sharp accelerations and dead stops without inertia.
Space beneath it seemed to fracture, and it spared nothing — just as it spared no one. Along the way, it glanced at the pale artifact of the human race — the ISS. After which it marked in memory: “These little humans are already preparing for expansion and cultivating their first intergalactic soldiers.” So after Earth, it would be worth swinging by here too — to show them how… ahem… gravity works.
Stability and non-wastefulness mattered to the Grey.
That was why his vessel crawled along sluggishly, covered in growths, swellings, and peculiar pockets. There was barely any room left inside for the owner himself, as the entire interior was occupied by a single enormous warehouse. Everything that could be taken — was already in the holds.
But more was still needed. There is never enough value.
A soft cylinder without sharp angles. The simplest geometry and an unforced asceticism — not as a challenge or a statement, but as part of the pilot’s inner order. This one detached last, though the Nordic admitted that he likely would not arrive in time, unlike his more nimble competitors.
And yet he did not wish to hurry. Speed is not the point — what matters is what you carry within yourself.
All of them watched the Bubble with interest. Some even sent it signals, like invitations to establish contact.
It did not respond, and they left it alone. This riddle was postponed for later. For dessert. Besides, the Bubble clearly didn’t give a damn about Earth — and that was what mattered most right now.
And then it vanished. Just like that. Without explanations or cause-and-effect chains. If someone had been waiting for it or was interested in it, the Bubble knew only one way to respond.
And it demonstrated exactly that.ai
ns216.73.216.10da2
and then Add to home screen.