Many Mini-Adventures

Pillar of the Coast

It was days like today that made me appreciate that I lived off the coast. The ocean was clear with a slight breeze tickling my skin. I sat on the beach and contemplated why I resided here. To bathe in the coastal scene after the long days at work? Or maybe make productive changes in a more relaxed environment? I really didn't know.

All I knew was that I was a man in his 30s working at a firm I did not enjoy much. I had so many cases to file, I practically lived at the office for a good portion of the year. But, today, I decided to take a personal day. I decided to see a friend I haven't talked to in ages.

A sparkle of light danced on top of the calm ocean surface. It was about several yards away and twinkled ever so brightly under the sunny sky. The light stretched out into a wide circle and shone with a reflective brilliance of a moonbeam on top of the waters.

This friend I mentioned was not from around here. She, as I knew her, was fond of visiting in an unorthodox manner many would believe strange. But I didn't care, I had to see what she's been up to. I walked across the shore towards the water. As I walked, the light on the water before me expanded into a reflective lane of tangible light. I walked across the lane slowly, still taking in the warm scent of ocean air.

The circle of light before me ascended into a pillar of light upon the waters. The brilliance of the light cooled and left a tall, silver pillar with a diamond shape embedded near the top. I stopped before the pillar and smiled.

"Hello there," I said.

"Salutations," The pillar responded.

Ah, ever so formal, she was. I scratched the back of my head. "Glad you could meet me here today. I need to ask you something."

"What is your request?"

I clear my throat. "Just how much time do we have left? You know, before the end of the world?"

The pillar was silent for a moment. "If I tell you, how can I be certain you will believe me?"

I shrug my shoulders. "I figured it doesn't matter if I do or not. I mean, I believe that your ship has been monitoring us. The only proof I have is from reports I hear on the news about strange, mysterious ripples within our atmosphere. And, well, I'm talking to a giant pillar as a way of communicating with you from wherever you are. So, I can only hope what you say is true."

The diamond on the pillar turned to a bluish hue. "Very well, I can tell you that your planet has approximately 10 years left."

I sigh. "And, judging from how quiet it's been, no one on Earth even knows about the danger ahead."

The pillar seemed to ponder this statement. "We have no reason to think otherwise. Our enemies are still well hidden. From what I surmise, over the course of the next decade, they will construct and plant a device into your Earth's core. They will be making demands to claim your planet as their own or force your kind into total annihilation."

"And by enemies, you mean your very own family."

The diamond turned black. "Indeed."

Well, everyone has family issues. Aliens included. I placed my hands in my pocket. I wish I was totally ignorant to all of this. I wish I didn't stumble upon the information of the invasion. But I'm glad that someone wanted to do something about it even if that someone was related to the problem. And though this seemed dire, I wasn't too surprised. I wasn't even scared. Just annoyed. Out of all the planets in the universe, and with the amount of speed and intelligence they possess, why mess with us on Earth? Though on an unrelated note, it was also annoying that I couldn't call my friend by her actual name. There were no sounds in the human vocal range that could replicate it. But, when she told me her name before, I decided on calling her something close to what it sounded like. "Bleep Block, anything I can do to stop this?"

"The most I can tell you is to keep your eyes and ears open for any suspicious activity. I'll do what I can from my end."

Figured. Being an attorney can only go so far when the fate of the world is at hand. "Will I ever get to see you in person?"

The diamond turned a reddish hue. "In time, friend."

It also amazed me how this felt like a long-distance relationship. Despite the fact I do have relations with someone on a ship, nothing romantic is going on here. Just blind faith that she's on our side. Faith that I'm not being duped as the human toy for the aliens to mess with. That reminded me. "So, I need you to do me this one favor."

The diamond radiated a rainbow of colors. "...what is the favor you seek?"

"Prove to me you're not like your family. Prove to me that you're for me and not against."

The pillar went silent for a second. "There's only one way I can truly do that."

"And that is?"

"Destroy my family. As something you may have guessed yourself. It has been my plan from the start. Truly. In the coming years, I'm sure you'll hear news of negotiations for reaching the Earth's core as merely a scientific endeavor. You'll see more ripples in the sky as evidence of my brethrens' visits becoming more frequent. All of this, I plan to inform you about in detail and more."

"But why? Why would you even go through this trouble to save us?"

The diamond turned reddish once more. "It's rather simple really. You. Your people. I love what has been created here. Before my brethren ever knew of this place, I studied your kind for thousands of years. You have your problems, sure, but you have glimpses of love and care that my people just don't understand. They only know of power and respect. They only know of survival. But that isn't the full of it.

"Our planet is dying, and it saddens me to my core. We need a new home and your planet came into conversation. I knew I wasn't the only one interested in your planet, but I didn't know to what length they were. They know that Earth has power to sustain itself if the right care is taken, but in order to use it, humans have to be removed. And I personally think that's the wrong mindset.

"As I've watched your history, your kind does have a nature of greed in order to save yourselves, but I also see that you have hope. I've seen your plans for renewable energy. And I believe this can be a joint effort. But the last time I mentioned this proposal, it cost me a limb for even speaking such optimism. So, I will take it on myself. Somehow, I will take over this operation and work with you all."

I rubbed my eyes. They felt wet to the touch. Am I...? No, I blame the warm air irritating them. I looked up at the pillar. "Bleep Block, I believe you can make it happen. No, I believe we both can. I'm willing to help wherever I can. We don't have much in terms of space on the over-populated orb, but I'd like to believe we can work something out." Not that I didn't know this before but it's more prevalent now that I was meant to reside here for a moment like this.

I could've sworn I heard a sniffle coming from the pillar. "Thank you. I must dismiss this call. But I will alert you with more news soon."

I wave at the pillar. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. Don't get caught, you hear?"

I hear the smile in the voice. "I will do what I can. Take care, friend."

The pillar then disintegrated before my eyes. The lane of light below me was fading so I made a mad dash to the shore. I figured there was still a lot I didn't know, but what I'm grateful for, and the reason I don't worry so much about this invasion, is that I have faith in a friend that's beyond the stars.

I truly wish her and this planet the best of luck.  

~~~~~

Author's Note:  This was quite the interesting task to write. I don't think there are many stories of an alien that's against its own kind plotting an invasion. Nevertheless, I'm glad I wrote it!

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And until next Thursday, hope you have a great and wonderful week!