Home > Work > The Librarian: A First Contact Story
1 " I used to hunt for shooting stars. To know they had traveled billions of miles, just to burn and be over in a matter of seconds… that was what mattered to me, really. Not the brightness or the wishes… Just, you know? To see the end of such well-travelled nomads. I didn't want them to die alone. "
― M.N. Arzu , The Librarian: A First Contact Story
2 " I realize there's little we can do about the way you view our planet or how your conversation with your wife goes, but as the time for you to go back to your world comes near, we would like your last moments on Earth to serve as a bridge between our people." Mitchell had to give it to the just-out-of-college guy who'd written this First Contact speech. It did sound nice. He felt thoroughly stupid saying it, "
3 " What's out there, son? Do we have a chance?" Mitchell asked, forgetting the script. Logan had to know this was at the heart of their questions: who was out there, and how could they protect themselves against it? Logan's eyes went to the ceiling, recalling knowledge so far and vast it baffled the mind. "It's not a mirror of human societies, as you like to imagine. We witness and we record, but most species are in it for resources… You're too new to have much of value, so Earth… Look, Earth is in the Archives, has been for a while now. This thing, now, between us… this will speed up First Contact protocols. Some worlds like to keep tight records on who's coming to play, that sort of thing. One will pick this up, they'll make sure you go through the entire thing nice and easy." "The entire thing?" "It's done in stages… With small groups. First Contact as a whole takes anywhere between a few decades to a few centuries. You won't get giant ships sweeping into New York City, or a huge radio message. You'll get something discreet, from someone who will even look human. They do their homework right, and the Archives are very detailed. But you'll know it for what it is: an invitation." "To join the galactic counsel?" Mitchell said with a dry smile. Logan smiled the same way. "You'll see. "