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(Page 2 of 2) Category One by Nils Durban
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It was still a shock to see them in the flesh. Physiologically humanoid though they most definately were, their hairless heads and their pale grey skin gave them the mein of corpses. She had wondered on more than one occasion whether the US military would have launched an immediate nuclear strike upon them, had it not been for their piercingly captivating golden eyes. Their mesmeric appeal had seemingly had the distinct quality of engendering the entire human race with an equal measure of patience and prudence unheard of since time began.
The speeches droned on, both members of the White House staff and then eventually, President Jacobs, heaping plaudit after plaudit upon their newly found friends from across the galaxy. Their openess, their understanding, their generosity.
'Yeah,' she thought, 'keep telling them how generous they are. Maybe they'll give you something.'
Finally, it was the turn of Thomas, Prime amongst the Angels that had descended from on high. He stood to address the assembly.
"Firstly," he said, in perfect English, like any alien from a fifties B-movie, "I must warmly thank President Jacobs and his staff for the generous hospitality he has showered upon us these past three months. This was most unexpected and is of great significance regarding the decision we have reached today."
Jacobs positively beamed.
"We have been shown your country, your entire world, and have studied and conversed with its peoples. It is now time for us to take our leave of you, for we have obligations far from here. Before we go, however, it is my duty to bestow upon your world our evaluation," pause for dramatic effect, "that Earth receives the designation of Category One."
Jacobs could not help himself. He jumped to his feet and siezed Thomas by the hand, pumping it warmly. The Prime held his other hand up, a clear indicator that something, somewhere had been somehow misread.
"Category One worlds will be excluded by all higher species. Furthermore, your efforts to develop space travel are to cease immediately. You have dazzled us with gifts, with the finest foods and drinks you have to offer. And we have seen how you indulge in these self same luxuries. And then we have seen your slums and your ghettos. We have seen the sick and the needy. And, worst of all, we have seen the hungry. The millions upon millions of your kind, no more than a matter of hours travel from where you sit today, who will never see, cannot even imagine, the bounty that you so take for granted."
He turned to his fellow Angels, who also rose to their feet. "We may return, but not for many of your years. We hope that, by that time, you may have become more...civilised"
And then, before Madelaine's very eyes, they vanished.
"Now that," she said, "is a story."
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