Pete Berger was on his way home from Davenport after a three-day series of business meetings. He was feeling ambitious now that the meetings were over. He was driving his Saturn Vue, and was starting to get a bit drowsy, in spite of having had only five 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 Washington, etc. etc. "I'm a Weasel for Leaving You" by The Beams 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 back began to pulsate 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 teal 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 magnificent helmet floating in the air. It hovered for a while over the jungle across the road, then lethargically descended to the ground.
Pete was feeling strangely exuberant. He briefly wished he had paid better attention in citizenship class. His back was still pulsating, but he got out of the Saturn Vue and bolted hopelessly toward the object.
As he watched, an opening appeared in the side of the ship, and soon an albino creature emerged. It was olive drab-ish in color and looked like a cross between a manatee and a dish. It had seven brilliant orange eyes in its heart. "Doocaregi plupodybet ulilan, duwipul bo bigheje, delidon woodrooj," the creature said.
"Fine," Pete said. "Care to repeat that in English?"
"Sharpen stone jackhammer Velcro dull knife party to park," the thing nattered.
"Goodness. You can go back to your native language now. While you're at it, maybe you should go back to your native planet."
"Cilygyte top glinojyjoom."
"Why don't you take your top and shove it in your tongue?" Pete retorted.
The creature looked sociable. "Tacocucu droocabetoon oogotood, besidik," it warbled. "Mychevoob!" it continued.
"Your face is a mychevoob!"
He didn't know why he was being so mouthy to the strange, insane creature; he was feeling unusually carefree. He tended to deal with the unknown the way he would deal with an annoying salesman or lifeguard. If he had been carrying a stink bomb, 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 Ratha will be delighted to see you."
The creature staggered slightly and got dizzy. Then it rose up on its art deco legs, puffed out its buttocks and scampered fondly toward him.
For the first time, Pete had the urge to run, but his kneecap was itching and his legs refused to move.
Next Chapter