The power component had failed again, and the scout Captain knew it had to be replaced. He was still many light-years from home and had to make an emergency landing on the nearest planet. The computer told him that it was a post-industrial civilization still struggling to escape the cycle of war and strife, but that it had potential to become a member of the Galactic Council in the future.

He landed his craft in a remote area just outside a population center, replicated appropriate clothing, adjusted his form modulator, and adjusted his translator to function in the regional dialect. The computer also told him that the component he required was fairly common and was referred to generically as a jewel, or more specifically, a ruby which had the correct light refracting property. Using the darkness to cover the motion of the flight suit, he made his way towards the city named Phoenix

He learned that although the people used currency, he would be able to make a transaction by exchanging the gold chunks he packed away. How interesting he thought that a common mineral had such value here. He stopped on the outskirts of the city and hid his suit before beginning the walk in. It wasn’t long before the sun had risen, and the population stirred in the morning light.

After the long journey, it was pleasant to be in the open air with other beings instead of the coldness of his craft among the stars. There was still plenty of time, since he couldn’t leave until after the sun set, so he lingered in the open space named Vista Canyon Park watching the children play and the older beings recreate their pets. It wasn’t so different from his own planet though the temperature was much hotter.

He located a shaded seating area where he could inconspicuously gather information with his device. Actually, he realized that nobody would think he was out of place holding the flat piece of metal as the majority seemed absorbed in whatever it was they were constantly gazing at.

A woman came to sit at the other end of where he was seated. She too was staring at a device, although not as intently as the others.

“It sure is a beautiful day”, she said.

The Captain looked around and realized that she was speaking to him.

“Yes, it is”, he replied.

“The fall weather always brings out the crowd on a late fall day like this. It’s as if they had been hiding indoors all summer.”

Not wanting to get trapped into a conversation, the Captain rose.

“Leaving so soon?”, said the woman.

“I’m only here for a day and I need to get a gift before I leave.”

“Are you here on business?”

“I have business at my next stop.”

As the Captain turned to leave, the woman said, “My name is Cassandra, by the way. Is the gift for your spouse?”

“No, but you could say it is for someone special.”

There was something about this woman that worried the Captain and he wanted to know why. He had no experience with these people, but this woman wasn’t what he expected. He thought it would be a good idea to keep an eye on her until he left.

“If you’re not busy, maybe you would like to accompany me?”, said the Captain.

Cassandra seemed to hesitate and said, “You’re not going to walk, where’s your car?”

The Captain lied, “On the other side of the park.”

“In that case, you’d better let me drive you. My car is right there.”

Relieved that she had no other motive, the Captain accepted her offer.

The ride to the area where the jewelry shop was located was filled with Cassandra’s commentary on the devastating effects of climate change, the rise of authoritarianism, and the plight of international refugees. The Captain listened carefully in order to better understand the people he know knew referred to themselves as human.

As she took a break, the Captain said, “I’m not originally from here. Would you say that these are problems everywhere?”

What are you talking about. Of course, they are. You’re not one of those climate change deniers are you?”

Taking the safe route, the Captain replied, “No. It’s just that the people where I am from are not as preoccupied with the issues as you are. They have other concerns that keep them busy.”

The Captain started to get that uneasy feeling again as he began to feel as if the trip was taking longer than it should have.

“Excuse me, but are you sure you know where the shop is?”

“Of course. I know exactly where I’m taking you.”

There was something in her voice that screamed out to the Captain.

“Please let me out here”, he said

Cassandra engaged the door lock and extracted a small device from the storge nook in the door.

“I wouldn’t move, if I were you. I know what you are.”

“I don’t understand”, he said trying stall while he came up with a plan of action.

“I tracked your craft entering the atmosphere and landing. It wasn’t hard to draw a line from there to the city where I waited for you.”

“Why would you do that?”, said the Captain.

“We monitor all Galactic Council craft that land on planets that we have claimed.”

Cassandra pulled the car into a vacant lot before continuing.

“We know that you have a soft spot for civilizations like this one that you think can be saved. We have no such misconceptions. We know that this planet is on a collision course for annihilation and we are going to help them self-destruct before they completely ruin the environment where my people can breathe without and equipment.”

Before the Captain could utter a reply, Cassandra fired her weapon which made a very tidy hole in the side of his head.

“I’m so glad you didn’t make a mess in the vehicle.”

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