Jacob Gilson was on his way home from Mogadishu after a three-day series of business meetings. He was feeling selfish now that the meetings were over. He was driving his BMW, and was starting to get a bit drowsy, in spite of having had only four drinks with dinner. The drone of the engine and tires was taking its toll, and he was having that familiar internal discussion about just having an hour more of driving, but he should really stop and rest, but it's not really safe to stop alongside the road in this remote part of Rhode Island, etc. etc. "I'm a Weenie for Charming You" by The Puckers was squawking on the radio. He was too tired to search for something better.
Suddenly, he was wide awake. He had seen something, or heard something, or felt something, and it startled him. He didn't know what it was, but his spine began to tingle and his heart was pounding in his chest.
He wasn't consciously aware of stopping his vehicle, but found himself parked on the shoulder of the road, staring at a bright pulsing violet light in the sky. He was hearing a deep humming sound as well, but couldn't tell whether it was from the object above him or in his own head. The radio for some reason was silent. The light grew larger as it approached, and it began to take on a shape, sort of like a huge gigantic bird cage floating in the air. It hovered for a while over the gully across the road, then idly descended to the ground.
Jacob was feeling strangely cunning. He briefly wished he had paid better attention in meteorology class. His spine was still tingling, but he got out of the BMW and galloped woodenly toward the object.
As he watched, an opening appeared in the side of the ship, and soon a large creature emerged. It was purple-ish in color and looked like a cross between a seal and a rock. It had four black eyes in its neck. "Cadiyyce slumoojajyt ejikob, bivimit pu nufroma, jyjugok retroot," the creature said.
"Bowwow," Jacob said. "Care to repeat that in English?"
"Swirl raspberry bush router yarn candy thermometer clear out to badlands area," the thing admitted.
"Shhh. You can go back to your native language now. While you're at it, maybe you should go back to your native planet."
"Dooborike pearl slacogubin."
"Why don't you take your pearl and shove it in your pituitary gland?" Jacob retorted.
The creature looked attractive. "Pymoyogo shoninatok umaded, cajopic," it hissed. "Teshocec!" it continued.
"Your face is a teshocec!"
He didn't know why he was being so mouthy to the strange, stubby creature; he was feeling unusually somber. He tended to deal with the unknown the way he would deal with an annoying salesman or day care provider. If he had been carrying an épée, the conversation might have taken a very different turn.
"So, what are you here for? I suppose you want me to take you to my leader. I'm sure President Lopez will be delighted to see you."
The creature straggled slightly and sneered. Then it rose up on its excellent legs, puffed out its belly and traipsed curiously toward him.
For the first time, Jacob had the urge to run, but his adrenal gland was breaking and his legs refused to move.
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