THE NIGHT THE STARS FELL FIRST CONTACT

As they came onto land they saw people standing around the edge of the field, they were cheering.

As they landed the army were waiting to take people to their families, but most were gathered at the landing point anxiously waiting for their loved one and as they stepped down from the ramp escorted safely by Valadon’s men people were rushing forward to greet them.

Paul Mathews stood in the centre of the field, with Captain Munro, they were supervising the exodus of the captured and injured lizards. They were brought out by armed army personnel, legs and arms chained together, they shuffled out in two lines, more than two hundred of them to board the two motherships to take them back to their planet to face punishment.

They hardly looked victorious now but a defeated race of alien creatures with bowed heads. And by the shuffle of their big clumsy feet completely broken. Their wings had been taped to their sides just in case anyone had the bright idea of flying up into the sky to escape their fate. The clanking of chains echoed loudly into the night as they boarded the master’s ships and led to an area where they sat on the floor in rows with yet more chains to secure them.

People cheered as they watched the lizards go, grateful that this nightmare was finally over.

Then one ship took off, followed by the second and in a blink of an eye it was gone.

Paul turned to Munro. “If it wasn’t for the dog, we would have all been colonised and killed by now, we have a lot to thank these people for.”

“Yes, we certainly have! All these years, all the scientific research. We had men on the moon, many expeditions with scientific equipment, and yet, no one picked up that there was another race, unbelievable, and now we have it, it’s the start of a wonderful new beginning for humanity.”

Paul smiled, he felt so relieved. He could hardly believe this had happened, wondering if he would wake up and this was all a dream. “Well.” He said. “The prime minister is going to address the nation this afternoon.”

“What’s going to happen to those shot down in the ocean?”

“The navy will be out early in the morning to recover bodies from the sea, and I expect they will be cremated.”

“Because of infection?”

“Yes, I would think so, they are creatures from another planet who knows what they could be carrying.”

Valadon came down the ramp with the captives he had rescued followed by Ellen, Brian, Todd Lasko and Lilly and Daryl. Munro and Mathews walked up to them. “We owe you so much, sir.”

“Thank you.” Valadon smiled. “These people need care, as soon as possible, they have been through a terrible trauma, especially the young ones.” He gestured to Ellen holding Pixie and Lilly. An ambulance crew took Lilly and her family to the waiting ambulance. Lilly turned back to Valadon. “Thank you.” She smiled as she got into the ambulance. Valadon bowed his head. “You are safe now, you need to get well.”

Valadon walked back to where Captain Munro and Paul Mathews stood.

“We thank you for your help, we will always be allies.” Mathews reached out his hand and shook Valadon’s hand firmly, then Munro’s. “WE have to go now.”

As he looked behind him, he saw Lasko on the floor with his legs in the air, and furiously wagging tail, almost unable to contain himself, he was getting so much attention from the army and people alike, that Valadon stared at him. “What is wrong with him?” he asked Zyrian who had a smile on his face.

“I have no idea Master.”

“I think we have to retrain him, he is completely unmanageable, he has become a real ‘canine’ that’s what the humans call this animal is that right?”

“That’s right master.”

Shirak and Zyrian were amused by Lasko’s antics, and their grins got wider.

Todd waited patiently beside the ship, nervously twirling his fingers, he had a sinking feeling inside him, after hearing Valadon say they were leaving, he desperately wanted to ask him if they were taking Lasko with them. He dreaded it!

Downing Street was flooded with every news channel in the world, everyone juggling for the best position, as soon as the aliens arrived. This was a one-time life event, and all the news anchors wanted to be the first with the story. Barriers were put up and extra police were drafted in. Downing Street was crowded with ladders, camera equipment, sound recordists, and microphones. They took up half of the street, chaos was everywhere.

The white limousine came through the gates of Downing Street followed by three security vehicles, they pulled up outside the door to number ten.

The crowd surged, police held them back and the barriers shook but held, and for moments everyone held their breath. They couldn’t see anyone the windows were darkly tinted, and for what seemed like ages no one exited the limousine.

The driver got out and opened the back passenger door. Valadon stepped out. He did not go into number ten but walked towards the crowd of waiting journalists.

He stood behind the barrier joined by Zyrian and Shirak who stood each side of him with their hands clasped in front of them.

He looked at the crowd and placed his right hand to his chest.

“People of earth, greetings and may peace be with you always, and calm negotiations be your fortitude. We came here to cure one young boy of a dreadful illness, and unfortunately, the lizards who are our enemy followed, and for that, we are sorry. Our people are peaceful, for centuries we have lived in peace with our fellow planets, and life on those planets, which are mainly peaceful also. We rule most of the galaxies in your solar system and for centuries we have studied humans. And seen the worst of you but mainly the best in you. You are a race worth saving, and together we can build a great future for all of us.

This is not the end. Today I come here to propose to your leader a hand in friendship and become your allies. We will share technology with you.

The applause was deafening.

“SIR! SIR can we ask questions?”

“Yes.”

“Sir, John Mitchell daily news. Are they likely to return?”

“I would not expect them to return, they are defeated, and they know the consequences of their actions should they do so.”

“SIR, Paul Franklin Daily Echo, where do you come from? are you far from Mars?”

“We are from Cybalon, a planet in your galaxy, but we are millions of light years away from Mars.”

“Mr Valadon, Leroy Johnson, London Gazette. How does the dog heal people, is he an alien, or another species?”

“Lasko was born to heal, and yes he is alien, he has amazing gifts, and the greatest healer on our planet.”

Valadon answered every question, and the last “Sir is there a God?” from a young woman journalist.

Valadon smiled at her. “The universe is infinite, there is no beginning and there is no end. God is everywhere, the creator of all things. If you are referring to life as it is, then see the things around you, the beauty in all that’s alive, plants, animals, people, bees, wasps, insects, small animals, then you may understand in quiet moments of peace and serenity. You will see God!”

“OH I understand what you are saying and thank you.”

“Everything is here for a reason, as on our planet, everything has a purpose, a use of some kind, what you need to do is nurture it.”

“OK, NO more Questions.” The police officer shouted, ushering back the crowds of journalists who had now almost crossed the barriers.

“WAIT! PLEASE!” A young girl stepped forward, she wore a beige shaggy coat on top of jeans and a thick navy jumper, her mousy hair was tousled and windswept, and she wore no makeup. “Can we see the dog? PLEASE”

Valadon turned towards the limousine. Lasko jumped out to gasps of “Ohhh How BEAUTIFUL HE IS, let’s get some photos.”

He was so full of his own self-importance his shaggy fur stood up the tips like shining sparkling diamonds, his eyes were brilliantly blue in stark contrast to his furry face. He made himself bigger until he stood at almost four and a half foot trotting proudly towards the crowds. Valadon looked at him amazed.

“Will you stop showing off Lasko, if you get any brighter you will explode!”

“Master, I am so proud of myself, for what I have done.”

“And so you should be, but vanity was never in the contract, you have become almost human in your ways.” Valadon suppressed a smile. He was also proud of him too. And he deserved the glory.

He stood in front of the cameras enjoying every bit of his newfound celebrity status and people were ecstatic when Lasko posed in front of the cameras.

It had been a jubilant meeting with the PM and Contracts had been signed. The next mission into space would most certainly be to Cybalon.

***