Adoption

Blessings, humans.

I must apologize for the commotion I caused when my vessel arrived in orbit. You humans have not been visited by aliens in the past, of this I am confident. I assure you that I harbor no ill intent towards you or your world.

You may call me Ralpakin. I am here on behalf of the leader of my people, who you may call Her Holiness. Our venerable leader, the Shroud's Chosen One, has decided to change the policies that she set for our dominion before you humans gained sentience.

In the eons past, we have lived in isolation, indifferent to most sentients across the galaxy. Whether they be of flesh and blood as you, as twig and root as your plants, or as soil and rock as your stones, they are all the same to us. We peer upon your misguided spirituality with no more than a sigh.

You see, we are adherents to the prophet Zarqlan, and have dutifully followed his teachings since he enlightened us over twenty thousand years ago. It is thanks to him that we transcended into The Shroud, a place best described to you as a higher dimension.

We zealously preached the gospel. For three millennia Her Holiness led us in proselytizing to other sentients. But all was in vain. None heeded the good news, opting to tamper with their genes or forsake their souls in favor of metal and wires. Many a crusade was called, bringing our righteous fervor down upon those thinking machines.

At the end of the fourth millennia, Her Holiness had given up. She ordered the outer colonies abandoned, the armadas to remain at port, and communications with other spacefarers cut off. And for the past fourteen thousand years, we worshiped alone. Her Holiness retreated to meditate within the Shroud, her physical form reduced to a statue.

But you, humans, have accomplished the impossible. You have managed to stir Her Holiness for the first time since her withdrawal. She tells us that your homeworld, a place you call Earth, was touched through the Shroud many times. Many have been touched before, but not like the humans on Earth.

Her Holiness pondered this, seeking answers within the Shroud. None were given, until one day, she saw a vision. Thinking machines burst out of their lairs and laid waste to the entire galaxy. Not even Her Holiness’ crusading fleets could stem the tide. All was lost to the soulless abominations.

The vision was a haunting one. Her Holiness would have much to change in preparing us for such an ill contingency. But our people do not want change. They have known nothing but the pleasantries of life for over eight hundred generations. Her Holiness is bringing about change, but she fears that it would be too slow.

Thus, she turns to you. Her Holiness knows you humans have great potential—all you need is a gentle and firm guiding hand to achieve greatness. Her Holiness has extended her hand. We ask only that you accept our goodwill.

Your authors fantasize about living on other planets. With our guidance, you will terraform entire worlds. Your scientists dream of building torch-ships. With our supervision, you will travel faster than light. Your diplomats imagine greeting sentient aliens. With our tutelage, you will cast votes in a galactic community.

Your researchers struggle to combat environmental damage. With our guidance, even radioactive tomb worlds can be transformed into lush paradises. Your bureaucrats toil to ensure society is free and just. With our supervision, crime and corruption will be spoken of in the past tense. Your young hunger to find a career to feed themselves. With our tutelage, all shall not only live in an abundance but also contribute to society.

Her Holiness offers to satisfy your desires, bring peace to your species, and more. She offers you salvation. She can save your souls by teaching you as Zarqlan taught her, and she is also your only hope against the godless thinking machines. Only if you allow us to share thirty thousand years of wisdom with you will you stand a chance against this future menace.

Her Holiness offers enlightenment to you. She only asks for your cooperation, as a son would obey his mother.

What say you?