July 18th 2011 was the day they finally arrived. It was the most deeply kept secret in the country's history, maybe in the world's!
Our first knowledge of them came in the form of a radio message during which they announced their coming. Like every Sci-Fi movie there was some panic and a lot of suspicion about such a message -- many people thought it was a fake message, not to be believed. After all, it was transmitted in English!
Large radio telescopes and radar sites were mobilized into action to determine if indeed there was something approaching Earth, or if this was a hoax, their operators sworn to complete secrecy.
After several hours of diligent searching, it was ultimately confirmed that indeed there was something approaching the Earth. During the communications, it was decided that this was going to have to be a secret meeting to determine the intentions of these visitors. After all, their technology of space travel obviously exceeded ours. Government officials wanted a chance to prepare the world for the news that we were truly not alone in the universe.
Contact with the visitors was made by radio, also in English. They were politely asked to land at area 51. We explained to them that we wanted the first contact to occur in an isolated area, since officials weren't certain how the populace would react, so we wanted their complete safety. The whole area was swept and secured from prying eyes for a 20 mile radius.
Of course, no one knew what to expect, since this was the first confirmed meeting with beings from another world. It wasn't a coincidence that a massive military presence was located in that 20 mile radius. Ostensibly this was to keep unauthorized people away. But those in command felt it didn't hurt any to have armaments nearby -- just in case. The highest orders of the government felt it prudent to remain in the vicinity of Washington, D.C. -- far, far away from this first encounter.
As the time grew close, selected dignitaries were gathered to great them -- a general, and two eminent scientists -- but not the President or Vice President. They were in separate secure bunkers in case things went wrong. Members of Congress also had their own bunkers. After all, if things went badly, they felt someone had to be left to govern the country, right? That is, if our country remained in existence.
The gathered onlookers scanned the sky when a faint glow appeared and grew bigger by the moment. It hovered and then landed, during which you could hear a pin drop. Every one held their breath. They smiled tentatively, but no one laughed, even though the craft was actually saucer shaped! It even had lights pulsating along the rim of the saucer, giving it an illusion of spinning. The watching scientists stroked their chin, wondering if our needle-shaped space craft were really using the wrong design.
An opening appeared in what looked like a seamless hull, and there was a gasp as a ramp extruded from the opening. Little metallic objects that looked like tractors running on treads descended the ramp, and scurried a short distance on the ground, obviously taking samples, maybe of the air as well as the dirt and rocks. Were these the visitors?
But no! Now in the opening appeared three aliens that seemed to be standing on two legs apiece, but the body they supported was rather pear-shaped. At the sides of the body near the bottom where the pear started to bulge outward there was another pair of limbs. Not only that, but up higher where the narrower body was starting to bulge into what might be a head, there was a third pair of limbs! And if that wasn't enough, as the limbs moved, they reminded onlookers of the powerful suppleness of an elephant's trunk, just not as thick or as tapered. Alien looking indeed, especially when one of the aliens dropped down onto all sixes, as it were, as if all six limbs could be used for locomotion!
"They have six limbs!" the scientist named Frederick exclaimed. "Maybe we should call them hexapods?"
The other scientist named Johnson scoffed. "Earth already has hexapods," he stated pedantically. "Our hexapods, like insects, have jointed limbs. The limbs of the aliens are fully flexible, not jointed at all. A better name might be hexapeds, merely stating they have six limbs."
Meanwhile, the aliens were staring at the onlookers, whispering to each other in English, since they didn't want to rudely make the mistake of lapsing into their native language. "Look," one whispered. "They only have 4 limbs, and apparently only use 2 of them for locomotion. The poor things. Listening to their radio broadcasts gave us no idea what they actually looked like. It may take us a while to get used to their appearance, although it's not displeasing. Their head section seems to have sensors that are similar to ours, with eyes, a nose and a mouth."
Each side just took a little time to get use to the other's shape. Then one of the visitors opened his mouth to break the awkward silence, saying, "Greeting, people of Earth. We come in peace." He spoke perfect English and sounded seemingly very friendly. "You have probably seen our probe robots which checked your air and soil for anything inimical to our health, and instantly immunized us."
The General for the welcoming committee finally overcame his shocked surprise, cleared his throat, and returned the greetings. "On behalf of the people of Earth, I greet you and bid you welcome. Since you come in peace, it is our dearest hope to form a close friendship that will benefit us both. It is customary to serve guests some nourishment. Can your probe robots also test our liquids and foodstuffs to check for compatibility?"
One of the visitors answered. "My name is Elarix, and I assure you that our probe robots can definitely perform that function, as well as be constantly alert for any new things that require us to be immunized. My companions are Teronar, and Korvian. You will understand that these names are merely sound approximations of our true designations, chosen because you will be able to pronounce them. We have been monitoring the radio broadcasts from your planet for sometime and learned English, since we judged that the USA was one of the most reasonable countries for us to approach."
Then all the onlooking dignitaries and visiting aliens entered an empty hanger and began a series of talks, as they shared food and drinks together. Elarix explained as best he could how his space craft was powered, and how the robot probes worked. The humans were feeling a little sheepish at being faced with such amazing technology. But then Korvian saw one of the humans texting a preliminary report and photos to the President, and professed their own amazement. "We learned about you only through your radio broadcasts, and therefore were rather surprised to see what you actually look like. In a few ways, similar to us, but with less limbs attached to a body, and a head with a mouth and sensors for sight, hearing, and smell. But your technology allows you to transmit actual images of people and things. Our science never opened that pathway, so I see we have much to learn."
That made the humans feel a lot better as they realized the alien visitors were not all powerful. They just were advanced in certain areas, and perhaps completely lacking in others. Both groups could exchange information and learn from each other to their mutual benefit.
Teronar now asked what he felt was a critical question. "Are there any subjects which you feel are taboo to discuss? We do not wish to offend you in any manner."
Johnson replied, "Thank you for asking, Teronar. We are scientists, and we feel that no topic should be forbidden if we are to truly understand one another. I will turn that question back on you, if I may. Do you have any topics that should not be discussed?"
Teronar moved his lips in what might be a smile, answering, "None at all. Ask whatever you wish. As Korvian mentioned, we were surprised at your lack of limbs, plus the fact that you seem to have only two that you use in general locomotion. Also, your limbs seem to be rather restricted in their movements."
