Nick got a briefing from Captain Telnik as soon as the two-way comm lag was tolerable. They had surveyed hundreds of systems over the past twelve days, and only one had a native civilization. The latest aliens had already prepared a speech, and addressed the people of Earth after the Guranaki lor reached orbit.
The Kortoi turned out to be sowhat like big raccoons or red pandas. They were under five feet tall, with outsized heads reminiscent of human children. The ones in the video had mostly reddish fur, with patches of white and black fur around the eyes and face. They also appeared to have a faint, reddish aura or halo around their bodies, with a sharply-defined edge. Force field spacesuit, maybe?
"I want one..." Maggie crooned when they got their first look.
"Petra, do not tell them Maggie said that," Nick added quickly.
"They're so cute!"
"Yeah, they're cute little guys, probably with particle beam weaponry, so let's see what kind of people they are before we get all gushy."
"Hush," Maggie warned as the alien began speaking.
"To the citizens of planet Earth, greetings.
"I am Seltor Par, a mber of the Kortoi race of the planet Torkav, orbiting the star you call HR6538 in your constellation of Hercules. Fifteen of your years ago, we detected your radio signals, and discovered that we are not alone in the universe. We eagerly studied your languages and your world, but always at the safe remove of the vast gulf of space separating our worlds.
"We debated at length before deciding to extend a voice of greeting and offer friendship. We began transmitting replies to you, radio ssages that will be in transit for decades more. So of our children dread of one day traveling to Earth and eting aliens who we hope will beco friends.
"I was one of those children. And today, my dream has co true." The Kortoi fell silent for a few monts. Then he made a little sound, much like clearing his throat.
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"I must say, very few of us bet on humans reaching Torkav before the Kortoi got to Earth! You surprised us very much when the Guranaki lor arrived in the Torkav System. We are grateful for the chance to make new friends and face new challengers.
"Your people have contracted the use of the Guranaki lor for so ti yet, but when your contract is finished, my people will hire the ship, or ask them to send a different ship. We hope to travel back and forth between our worlds often. We seek trade and competition, with you and the greater galaxy.
"Your people are currently divided. I understand that your leadership teams have recently been replaced. Going forward, please bear in mind that the Kortoi will be happy to help you accelerate your developnt. If you join our gas, we will compete with you, and offer technological advances as prizes. We would prefer to deal with humanity as a whole, but if you want to continue competing primarily with each other we will respect that. We will watch your gas with great interest.
"Our eight species have much to offer each other. This is a great day for all our peoples. In conclusion, I offer a saying of the Kortoi: 'May the losers learn, and the winners share.' Thank you."
They were silent for a minute, then Maggie said, "Well, that changes things."
"What part?"
"Until now, humanity could cling to the hope that in a couple of months, aliens would leave Earth and never return, and they could go back to business as usual. But the Kortoi are going to be around. Like it or not, Earth has joined the galaxy."
Nick nodded. "That makes sense. I wonder what humanity will do?" A thought struck him. "This is probably going to play rry Hell with Telnik's predictive model. I can guess what he's been doing in every spare mont."
"Does that an we threw the world into chaos and now we lost our grip on the wheel?" Maggie asked with a wince.
"Pretty much."
"Here's hoping Telnik has so advice for humanity."
"I'm sure he will, but will humanity listen?"
"Not our problem, my husband-to-be."
"We made the ss," Nick argued.
"No, humanity made their own ss, and you've been taking out the trash. It's not your fault that you don't have all the answers."
He shook his head. "Well, did you catch the competition and gaming references?"
"Hard to miss them. I pity the human who teaches them poker."
"According to Telnik's briefing, they use competition for prizes kind of like the way we use money. It's everywhere. It's like they gamified their whole society."
"What is that going to do to Earth and humanity in the long run, do you think?"
Nick sighed and shook his head. "I haven't the faintest idea."
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