Disbelief

During a roundtable session, scholars and enthusiasts discussed the possibility of alien visitations as part of a multi-topic, multi-day annual astronomical conference.

“I, for one, know that space is utterly gigantic; alien visitations aren’t possible without a generation ship,” said an amateur astronomer.

“But they might have the technology we couldn’t imagine, and if there are wormholes,” responded a sci-fi author.

“Indeed!” replied the amateur astronomer.

“I’m sorry, you’re all wrong!” A figure wearing a mask and cloak stepped into the center.

“Who are you?” asked the moderator.

“In grave danger. A friend. A messenger.” The stranger demasked, revealing a non-human face.

A few gasped, but others skeptically chuckled.

“Go on …” said the moderator.

“Do you ever wonder why you haven’t traversed the cosmos? Colonized planets and reached beyond your solar system?”

“Of course, budget cuts, lack of interest … anti-science fanaticism,” answered the moderator.

“Yes, but ask yourself why … Because my culture has preserved space for ourselves.”

“How so?” asked a professor of astrophysics.

“For every UFO, alien visitation, spiritual or metaphysical unexplained phenomena, many are attributable to us.”

A hand raised—“For what purpose?”

“Destabilization, doubt, and distraction, combined with reactions such as fear, faith, and most importantly, disbelief in yourselves.”

“What’s the point?” asked the same person.

“We have space to ourselves,” the alien shrugged, “to dominate the galaxy.”