Buzzies
By: Kate MacDonald-Dunbar
I disembark from my craft, and far above me the explosion of colors from three competing suns for mastery over this amazing alien sky continues. I am Sara Paxton, Lieutenant, Junior Grade. I am very excited, and nervous. This is my first solo mission after leaving Star Fleet Academy last year. It has been a tough three years. I'm not taken seriously by my peers. It doesn't help that I look about twelve years old either.
I am here because pictures have been received from our fact finding satellites, showing this scene. Any new planets are of great interest to our scientists. We have to find new worlds and colonize them. Unfortunately, I'm quite sure we'll ruin them as we have our Earth. Still, I can't question my orders, even though I'm sure we are all in danger. It might come from within. Living in close proximity, the littlest thing can explode into violence in seconds. Or some spaceship, full of soldiers, might hover to over the horizon. We will be sitting ducks. Massed so closely together, one shot could take out three or more people.
Deep in thought, I walk on the parched ground, the scrunch of my footsteps are the only sound, silence prevails. I superimpose on my surroundings the reality of my home planet, where swarms of humans tumble and scurry. I think the most difficult aspect of earth to cope with is the constant noise. All day, all night, always, there is noise. I am already breathing slower and deeper. The air is clear, pure and the climate is comfortably warm. I will take samples tomorrow, check out what I can before I let base know.
My proximity alarm abruptly shatters the peace My entire body is on alert, muscles tight, ready. Then, amazingly, I am surrounded by thousands of tiny buzzing fairy-like entities, with huge smiles. As they dart in and out of my head, I hear happy, curious shrill voices, and thoughts. WHO, WHY, WHERE?
I answer with my mind, allowing the creatures to access my memories of the earth I’ve left behind. As one, each tiny spark withdraws. I feel their revulsion. This happy, integrated, loving buzzy community are appalled and afraid. This is no surprised. I must look like an odd giant creature to the delicate inhabitants of this orb.
I collapse, leaning against a rock, allowing the sweet Buzzies, as I’ve now named them, to come and go through my thoughts. It's not in any way uncomfortable. Earth and it's people fascinates them. So many questions. Finally, I'm able to think about leaving. There is a flutter of unease when that thought appears. I'm able to reassure them I would get allow my people to plunder and destroy them and their world
Sadly, I take off again, heading ever onwards, but taking the warm and caring thoughts of the Buzzies with me.
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