A Line was Drawn Over Coffee by Desgar
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Description
“Look, Tone, it’s as simple as this,” my coworker Dwight told me during a coffee break, ”you either support the planet you were born and raised on, or you’re an alien tail sniffer.”
I raised an eyebrow, wondering if in fact it was Dwight who was from another planet. “That simple, huh.”
“Dude! What’s with you?” he replied.
“So the Mels didn’t make a good first impression. They wouldn’t be the first.”
“I’m not talking about what they’re doing on Mars, Tone. I don’t give a damn. I’m talking about the two wars they brought here, to Earth.”
“Fine, Dwight, I’ll give you that. But the robots, and maybe the lizards, could come back at any time. Don’t you think we should help the Mels help us keep them at bay? Don’t you think?”
Dwight snorted. “So you don’t have faith in us humans to deal with them on our own? Man, you really are a tail sniffer.”
“Dude, whatever. These things aren’t simple-"
“Wrong, Tone. These things are simple: those fleabags can leave the planet; and take those robots, those lizards, and you tail sniffers with them. That’s simple enough for a whole lot of us.”
With a wave of his hand he got up and left. Probably served me right for trying to discuss these things with coworkers. It’s like trying to talk about religion, politics, or in some cases: sports.
Maybe I would get a lot of flak for being a Melani supporter/tail sniffer/furry/whatever from there on out. That didn’t bother me.
Whether or not Earth survived dealing with all these threats was far more of a bother...
*****
[Pre-Cataclysm]
Humans (and perhaps Earth-born Anthros as well) are taking sides in the Melani debate. Help the Space Foxes deal with threats from space and on Earth? See the Melani themselves as a threat and force them to leave?
How would you choose?
Comments (5)
magnus073
Wesley, I really enjoyed the manner in which you presented this debate.
Desgar
It's a dicey situation to be sure, Dave. No matter how people feel about the Melani (or any other alien species), it will divide humanity all the same. Thank you for the comment and fave!
Wolfenshire
You have a fine way with dialog, well done.
Desgar
Thank you. I had something of an image of two people sitting and talking about these things, and the dialogue somehow mostly wrote itself.
Henchmonkey
Yes, excellent dialog! Interesting dilemma: tribalism or survival. Our own history shows what happens when lower-technology cultures clash with advanced ones.
Desgar
Thanks, Henchmonkey. It may come to pass that an Earth superpower (or two) tries to challenge the Melani, and that would be disastrous for both sides.
Faemike55
I would chose to support the efforts of the Melani - like it or not, we are involved
Desgar
Indeed, we have to be all in on this. Thank you for the comment and fave!
Chipka
Interesting piece of work and I love the snappy, realistic dialogue. It's funny, in situations involving alien contact, things are never simple. The whole nature of "the alien" insures that nothing is black and white. Just when you start seeing things in black/white, aliens come along and show you a startling shade of mauve or chartreuse: if they show you anything at all. Needless to say, I loved this! It's short and to the point and it underlines one of the debates humanity grapples with even now. Aliens: they're such game changers, aren't they?
Desgar
Very well put, Chipka! In the story universe, Humanity for the most part tolerated Earth-born Anthros at best; persecuted at worst. However, the technologically superior Melani have thrown the proverbial wrench in the works. Humans must now ask themselves hard questions, and prepare for the harder answers if they exist. Thank you for your comments!