The Emissary (fiction)

The envoy stepped away from the trees and waited for the native. This act of bravery would be long remembered, whatever the outcome.

First contact is a tricky proposition. It must be done just right. During the twelve millennia of the modern galactic culture there had been great wars raging across the stars because of mishandled first contacts. Religion, xenophobia, economics, and technology are all reasons for one species to war upon another, and the moment when a young race sees that it is but one of many is a moment when anything might happen.

So the council debated on how to best approach the new race emerging into space. And it was finally decided, with much contention, to send a member of the noblest species of the Galactic Confederation. The Ecnoubs were small and therefore non threatening. They were ancient, both as a species and as individuals, and this age provided them with a great deal of wisdom, and respect. And they were beautiful. Their alcohol-based blood was colorless, giving their thin, rectangular and slightly crumpled bodies a translucent, shimmering, pearl-like appearance.

From this graceful and powerful people the United Galactic Council selected an important individual as ambassador, Ynwod. His shimmering beauty proclaimed to all that he was of royal blood, a prince of an ancient house. The crisscrossing creases of his body proclaimed his rank, caste, and family, a clear statement of the honor being bestowed upon this new people.

Ynwod had a versatile tongue and spoke several thousand Union languages. He had already prepared himself by learning six major languages of this world. He was courageous, and would go naked and alone to greet this new species. The envoy stepped away from the ship and fluttered past the “trees” to wait for the native.

The starship, and its pilot, Yenned, waited at the edge of the complex, a "farm." The native, a "farmer." A raiser of food. Each morning he tended his animals, and was certain to be alone. A perfect time for this meeting.

The ambassador of the Union waited near a "barn" a cavernous structure that held animals and their food. Ynwod sweated in the heat, alcohol fumes slowly rising from his body. He came from a world far colder than this "winter"-chilled place. Earth is too warm for a creature with alcohol-filled veins. Moments ago he had discovered with horror some of the dangers of this environment. While circling the barn, he had to pass a pile of feces, one and a half meters high, radiating deadly heat.

The envoy lifted his front plane to straighten up, and crinkled his mid section to communicate non-aggression. Though his sponge-like body had shriveled in the planets warmth (he was now a mere centimeter in thickness), he still retained his overall rectangular shape, and softly glowed a pearlescent white. If he could have fully straightened in this heat, he would have stood nearly a half-meter tall. But crumpled and bent over in the middle, swaying in the warm, just-above-freezing breeze, he posed no threat to a nearly two meter Earther.

The Earthman emerged from his "house." He lumbered along the ground, staggering from one foot to another (bipeds move so strangely!). He carried buckets, and from one he spilled liquid water, so warm it was free of ice, and even steamed a little.

These moments, when galactic culture grasps a new hand reaching for the stars, are epic. Often these encounters are revered by the young race, and become the sources for much drama, pageantry, and sometimes religions. Knowing his role in history Ynwod straightened as much as possible.

With great dignity the envoy stepped into the open and gently swayed his flat body back and forth in the universal gesture of goodwill. With the grace royalty Ecnuob bent over, and let the breeze blow him softly toward first contact.

The Earthmen strode by, actually stepping on a corner of the envoy, and opened a door to a cage containing animals. In a thundering voice the giant spoke. It was loud, and Ynwod had difficulty understanding. Perhaps it was a greeting? Something about the weather?

"So how are you guys this morning?" Mel joked with the rabbits. "Cold enough for you? I see your water is frozen." He opened cage doors, pulled ice off water dishes, and poured in warm water. He put green food pellets and a carrot in each tray, and locked the cage doors.

"Who's got eggs?" Cold hands prompted annoyed, sleepy clucks, while five fresh eggs went into a bag. Food and water quickly appeared, the door shut. Mel turns to the bleating sheep pen, thinking about hot coffee.

Ynwod rolled gently before the barn door, and flattened himself as much as he could. He knew he was beautiful. He hoped he was not intimidating. With his soft, crackling voice, he spoke.

"Fellow sentient! I welcome your kind to the stars!"

"Well, there you go," he said to the animals. The farmer held the bag of eggs in one hand as he shut the door, and snatched up a sheet of paper on his way back to the house. The paper felt a little weird, spongy, like a large sheet of that fabric softener his wife used in the dryer; it twisted and clung to his hand in the morning breeze.

The living room had grown cold through the night, the wood stove had nearly died out, and Mel turned to coax a morning fire out of it. He opened the metal door and checked the small bed of glowing coals. He tossed in the clinging paper, a few slivers of kindling, a small piece of wood, and blew gently. The paper crinkled loudly and erupted in a beautiful blue flame.