First Contact - Intergalactic Stories Read Free

go to ‘Intergalactic
Administrative Centre’, or something with the similar name, to the
department for ‘unresolved issues’… There is only a small
problem…”
    Captain
rolled his eyes, “Yes?” Scientist was shifting from one foot to the
other, “They gave us new coordinates that are… a quarter of the
galaxy further on!” Captain was just blinking for a few seconds,
“Are you sure you understood them well?” Second scientists
intervened, “Absolutely!” Captain turned to the chief engineer, “Is
that technically feasible?” Chief engineer readily nodded, “Quite.
This being is obviously one of the main engineers on this station
and, besides other help, it will install propulsion booster on our
spaceship that would allow for 3.17 times higher travelling speed.”
Captain indifferently looked at the direction of engineer’s
stretched arm that was pointing to the fairly large box the being
held under one tentacle, “Fine. Thank them and let’s go back to the
ship to work out the details.”
     
    *****
    Spaceship
‘Humanity’ was slowly going away from the station. Captain glanced
around the command center. With content he observed smiles on all
faces. Both crew and scientists were equally delighted with the
success of the mission so far and enthusiastic about the
continuation of the adventure. First officer’s voice rose above
others, “Captain, the report for Earth has been sent. We are ready
to proceed.” Silence fell around the command center. Captain
straightened up in his chare, “Full speed ahead!” With a smile he
added for himself, ‘I always wanted to say that.’ Spaceship’s
acceleration could not be felt inside; only the main screen gave an
indication of movement, provoking applause from the crew. Earth
would certainly be proud when hearing how the representatives of
humanity strode further across the galaxy.
     
    *****
    The being was sitting in its
place in the space station when the boss called through the
telepathic communicator, “What happened with those last visitors?”
Continuing its work, the being replied, “Some backward creatures,
obvious got lost. They claimed to have heard our broadcast and
dropped by.”
    The boss sent furious
telepathic waves, “Again! And what did you do with them, since I
presume they did not have any universal currency to pay for
service?” The being calmly replied, “Of course they didn’t have
any. I sent them to the information office to tell them what to do
next.”
    After a few seconds the boss
continued, “Perhaps you should have contacted the office and make
the inquiry? Will they manage the trip? I wouldn’t want us to get
accused by the Society for Protection of Undeveloped Species for
mistreating a bunch of creatures!” This time the being stopped
working, “Do you want me to repair until tomorrow this
hyper-transient pseudo-propulsion or not? The guy from Aldebaran
will come looking for me, not you. Besides, are you going to cover
my lost work hours when I get paid?”
    This time the waves the boss
sent were apologetic, “OK, got it. I am only worried that the
Intergalactic Police might catch them and fine us as well…” The
being interrupted, “Don’t worry, I gave them one of those free
advertising units for boosting old hyper-propulsion as theirs.
Luckily we still support such old junk. It will certainly hold
until they reach the intergalactic office, perhaps a lot more.
Afterwards they should go to someone for service.”
    The boss’s telepathy radiated
delight, “Excellent, you did everything great. No wonder I always
say you are our best mechanic… by the way, remind me to call
tomorrow ‘The Best Galactic Advertising Agency’ and cancel the
advertisement for upgrade of old interstellar propulsion systems.
We attract poor and broke creatures from around the galaxy like
moths to a flame… Those guys before were the third this month!”
    ###
     

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
     
    Bane Bond (pen name) is a
Research Associate