"Tell us what happened," Nester asked, leaning back against the wicker of the couch.

"It all happened that day that Sophia came to my clinic, asking for help. Remember, I stopped by after work to talk with her, and sent you out for steaks? It must have been ten minutes after you left; I answered the door, thinking you'd forgotten something, but it wasn't you. It was a pair of creatures with silvery suits. They spoke in such bizarre tones that I couldn't understand, but the way they motioned with their weapons let me know their intent. I was to go with them.

"I complied, but Sophia decided to fight, grabbed a knife from your kitchen, and slashed one of them. She didn't get a second stroke with the blade before they shot her down. I saw her drop before one of the creatures nudged me out of sight, into a modern steam carriage parked on the sidewalk.

"The two creatures piled in with Sophia's motionless body, and the carriage drove us out of the city to a remote location in the Lurkon Marsh, where a giant, metal egg sat, hidden among the weeds. One side of the egg levitated outward like a hingless door, revealing a spattering of colorful lights on a center platform, and ample seating along the inner walls. The creatures marched me inside, and then drugged me with something. After that, things get fuzzy. I remember drifting in and out of consciousness for ages, as the alien creatures poked and prodded me. I don't know what they were doing; perhaps medical research?

"My first clear memory is of sitting in a bright cell, completely alone. The cell had no features, and the light was so strong I couldn't keep my eyes open for more than a few moments at a time. I sat there for hours, terrified and bewildered.

"Eventually, a couple of the creatures arrived, and they marched me out of the bright room into a darker hallway, from which I saw a window for the first time. Staring out, I saw nothing but stars in all directions. I wasn't even on Leshik anymore. I was above the sky!

"The creatures moved me onward after a minute, and led me into what looked like an office suite. There, sitting behind a desk, was a revolting creature which sent shivers down my spine. It was truly disgusting, far hairier than Sophia. The thing had a long, pointy snout, with a tiny, black node on the tip, and a mouth with jagged teeth underneath it. The eyes were small and black, and short brown hair covered the skin entirely.

"As I sat down, the creature spoke to me in our language."

*

"What is your name, Lesher?" the interrogator asked.

"Doctor Grior Hissar."

"Ah, a Doctor of medicine?"

"Yes," Hissar confirmed.

The hairy creature nodded in appreciation. "I suppose it is best that you are a learned individual, for what I have to discuss with you is not for the feeble-minded."

"What could we possibly have to discuss? You've imprisoned me, performed indignities upon my flesh."

"I must apologize for your previous treatment, Doctor, but we didn't know with whom we were dealing," the interrogator said kindly. "Now, let us get down to business. You have recently come into contact with a creature alien to both our peoples, correct?"

"You mean Sophia," Hissar surmised.

"Yes, the human vermin. She is the reason you are here. We had to be sure you had not yet been subverted by her kind."

"Subverted?" Hissar asked, bewildered.

"Yes, that's how they conquer, you know. These humans are a plague upon the galaxy. They swoop in to primitive worlds such as yours, pretend to extend friendship, then after your people have become complacent and are used to their presence their harvester ships descend, collecting your biomass for their consumption."

"What?" Hissar shouted in disbelief.

"Yes, they're predators of the skies. In a few years, following the proper mental conditioning upon your people, the humans will send a fleet of ships upon your world, and herd your people like cattle, consuming your flesh for sustenance, strip-mining your planet for its resources, then move on to another primitive world to consume."

"I cannot believe it. How could any advanced civilization be so ruthless, so savage?" Hissar asked.

"I do not understand them, either. However, you are fortunate that my people have found your world at this time, before the Human plague can destroy you. It will not be easy to fend them off, and your people will need to make many sacrifices, but I believe that with your help, and the help of other intelligent Leshers, your people can yet live on, as lesser functionaries of the Nissite Federation."

"Lesser functionaries?" Hissar asked.

"Yes, lower citizens, loyal to your genetic and cultural superiors. We will both benefit from the arrangement. Your world will be advanced generations overnight, and be protected from the Human onslaught. In exchange, your people will pay homage and tribute to your saviors, as is the natural order of things."

"I will need time to think about this," Hissar said.