Copyright – Madison Woods
There was no panic, just a sense of urgency as the moment approached. Around the globe, defence shields were activated, isolating communities. We were prepared. Now it was up to families to ensure lockdown protocols were observed as rehearsed.
Children don’t grasp emergencies. They cried when TV and computer games were forbidden. Teens sulked as social media shut down.
The unthinkable, dismissed by some as alarmism, was happening.
Earth, the only other known inhabited planet, monitored closely for centuries, was getting serious – injecting funds and amalgamating telescope capacities. Earth was listening to the universe. We had to be absolutely silent.
*****
For Friday Fictioneers this week, my story takes an imaginative leap from the real events described in the Guardian article below. If anyone is out there, are we the kind of neighbours they’d want to get chummy with, I wonder? Click on the following link to read the article.
Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting this weekly flash fiction event.
The Parkes Observatory radio telescope in New South Wales, Australia. Photograph: Ian Waldie/Getty Images
Onto the page 
Thats a good take. I liked the other-worldly approach.
LikeLike
Thank you, Lata. I’m fascinated by the idea of other worlds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant. Letting the reader think of the approaching apocalypse and then it turns out these Aliens, who are so much like us, don’t want to be discovered. I wonder how long they can keep it up.
LikeLike
Yes, they’re just like us, but in my mind, they’ve overcome our destructive tendencies. I’m really glad the point of view twist worked. Thank you for commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s an original take on the prompt. They should be very afraid.
LikeLike
They are. Thanks for reading and for the feedback, Sandra.
LikeLike
Oh! Love that last line. What a twist. Well done.
LikeLike
Thanks, Alicia. I wanted the ending to have some punch. I appreciate your feedback.
LikeLike
Nice twist. Yes, we are a dangerous lot. Kill and ask questions later. Good job!
LikeLike
We don’t seem to be getting any better, just more inventive, and that’s a worry. Thank you for commenting.
LikeLike
Loved how they are so similar to Earth. Awesome story!
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Priceless. I’m glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love these interstellar stories! I have a feeling Earth will not be ready for anything. I don’t know about you, but I think we are being watched. 🙂
LikeLike
I think I agree with you. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’ve been under scrutiny for a long time – I wish we’d behaved better. It’s a big universe, and anything’s possible – that’s probably why interstellar stories are fun. Thanks for reading and commenting, Amy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Margaret,
Imaginative take. I love the POV of this. Pesky earthlings. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Thank you, Rochelle. Pesky earthlings indeed. It would be nice if we could get our own house in order before we go disturbing others.
LikeLike
Nice turn-around. I think they’re very wise – I wouldn’t want us to know where we were.
LikeLike
Thank you, Draliman. I’d be hiding, too.
LikeLike
Very clever. I like the smashing of the assumption that aliens want to be found.
LikeLike
Thank you, Mick. I’m glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How history speaks for itself. We’re not the kind of planet you’d want to live next door to.
LikeLike
No, we’re not – at least not at the moment. I hope we can improve our manners before we have to meet the neighbours.
LikeLike
What a lovely story. If only, you might say. Maybe it will happen one day, once we’ve matured. Oh, bring it on.
LikeLike
I hope we do mature. Thanks for reading and commenting, Patrick.
LikeLike