The 12 tales of Christmas: It’s only a human
Welcome to the penultimate story of the 12 tales of Christmas. For the 11th tale of Christmas Dan Twedt asked of me…for 11 and Jesus. Those are the prompts so this will be an interesting take on things.
For this story we delve into the realm of sci-fi with a healthy dose of humor. An alien crew disguised as humans have landed on ancient Earth to study its people. But the birth of a certain important figure in Earth’s history will draw the attention of those aliens. And threatens to change history for the worse.
Get ready for a unique look at the nativity story. It's only a human is coming up.
“So, why are we wearing these ridiculous disguise devices?” Commander Yipnorp of the Coruskian Federation asked.
With the Commander were three others. Science officer Varsilik, Communications officer Wendilia, and Chief Engineer Yanderu. All wore disguise devices that made them look like human merchants. Varsilik let out an annoyed sigh.
“Because if we don’t sir the humans will see us for what we are. If that happens any number of Federation credits says they’ll freak!”
Yanderu spoke up. "With all due respect Commander Yipnorp, I don’t think it wise to upset the natives. This is a scientific mission to study these creatures.”
Commander Yipnorp flashed another of those unnerving smiles. Why is it that smile makes me feel uneasy? The head of Calderu Base’s scientific staff thought.
The Commander looked at Wendelia. “Communications officer, do you have the recording and communication equipment ready?”
“Yes sir,” the female Coruskian in disguise stated.
Yanderu put in, “So Varsilik answer me this question. What in the name of the seven Yanguoth Saints are we doing out here?”
The Commander turned to the Chief Engineer. “That will be enough of that kind of talk Chief Engineer," he snapped.
"We all know the state has declared there are no gods, no saints, no divinity. It’s only right to provide progress for our people.”
Varsilik rolled his eyes more and more hating his commander. “Then how do you explain the fact I’ve been getting some massive energy readings a short distance from the base?” The Chief Science officer put in.
Yipnorp harrumphed and said, “It’s…it’s nothing but we’ll investigate anyway to be safe for the state.”
“The state can kiss my brumdworg!” Varsilik muttered in a grumpy tone.
Yipnorp glared at the science officer and snapped, “I’ll not have you talking about the great state like that! That kind of talk was why you got sent out to this base beyond the edge of our territory.”
Commander Yipnorp was correct. The Chief Science officer had dared to question the state. And it's with good reason I say. These Federation officials are starting to get the idea that they know everything. And as a scientist I know believing one knows everything is a recipe for disaster.
Yipnorp’s chest puffed up with pride as he said, “That’s better. You’re lucky you even have a place here. You blue skins aren’t the most useful of our race unlike us magnificent grey skins.”
Varsilik growled in annoyance. Then Yanderu put a hand on one shoulder. “Easy there podling, easy. You’re not the only one who doesn’t like what’s going on in the Federation.”
Varsilik sighed in consternation. “Commander that wasn't called for,” Wendelia said in a chiding tone.
Yipnorp glared at the female officer in disguise. “Not another word out of you Communications Officer. It’s only by my good graces you’re allowed to remain here!”
This base commander has an ego the size of the province of Yellthorg on Verus-12. No wonder the other eight people at this base don’t like him. Varsilik thought to himself hating his life.
To distract himself he turned his attention to his energy scanner. “My readings show the energy signature is getting stronger,” he put in.
Yipnorp rolled his eyes and said, “Well it’s about time. I’m getting bored.”
Varsilik’s keen ears picked up what the commander muttered. “Especially with what the federation has in mind with these primitives.”
Why do I have a bad feeling about this? The usually grey skinned Coruskian thought as an unpleasant hypothesis started taking shape.
The scanning device started to click more as they walked eastward. Varsilik pointed that way and said, “It’s coming from that direction!”
“Isn’t that the direction of that human town? What was its name…Beth-lee-hem?” Wendelia asked.
Yanderu nodded his agreement. “Yes, Bethlehem that was its name. I’ve made several quiet inquiries into that place and the townspeople are very nice.”
“Humans pfeh!” Yipnorp snorted.
“A bunch of gangly superstitious apes. They’d do far better to have a superior race leading them!”
That took Varsilik by surprise. “What in the name of the Gatswork Nebula is that supposed to mean sir?” He inquired.
“Never you mind Science Chief. Keep doing your science thing and leave the masterful thoughts to your superiors.” He snapped.
Masterful thoughts my aszga, the science chief thought.
It was clear he was getting fed up with the pompous and idiotic base commanding officer.
As they drew closer, they saw three well-dressed men on camel back. And they were heading in the direction of the town of Bethlehem. And that’s when they looked up in the sky. Above in the night sky they saw a bright new shining star, in reality a comet. And some light from it was shining down on an area of Bethlehem.
“Commander,” The female communications officer asked. “Why are those humans following the light from that comet?’
“I have no idea.” Yipnorp said rolling his eyes in annoyance.
But Varsilik on a hunch aimed his meter at it and saw it click like crazy. And the small screen he had was finally able to identify it. “By my ancestors several generations back,” he gasped in a hoarse whisper.
The Chief Engineer was at his side at once. “What have you found podling?” he asked.
And then he saw the readings and the identity of the energy. “By my own ancestors…it’s…it’s celestial energy!"
The base commander growled, “We’ve been over this! The state has declared there are no Gods, and no such thing as celestial energy!”
Varsilik snapped, “Is that so sir, then what do you call this?”
Yipnorp looked at it in annoyance. “This stupid device must be malfunctioning! But let’s see where this supposed celestial energy is coming from.”
The foursome followed the rich-robed humans on camel. As they did shepherds and others joined the three. The hairs on the back of Varsilik began to prick up. This celestial energy source it’s getting much stronger, he observed.
The science officer looked at the other members of his team and stated, “This way everyone.”
As the readings got stronger Varsilik saw Yipnorp was starting to get very agitated. I know the commander is something of a Varnoc’s thorax. But he seems worse than ever, what’s going on here? The science officer wondered.
And then their search brought them to the stable of a local inn. And that’s where they saw the source of the hoopla. Before them were two people a human male and female dressed in the attire of peasants. With them was a newborn humanoid wrapped up in cloth. The light was shining…on the child.
Varsilik checked the scans and his eyes almost popped out of his head. “Holy…” he whispered.
“Those celestial energy readings are coming from that newborn human!"
Yipnorp looked on in disgust. “You mean this energy is coming from that disgusting heap of primitive cells?!”
Varsilik pulled out a mind speaker device and asked through it, “Excuse me um…King Mel-ki-or. But why are you so awed by that child?”
The response was, ”Do you know who that child is? It is him, it is the Messiah! The one prophesized by our Lord God to save the world!”
Then there is a God on this world! And their celestial power is very strong! This throws the state’s whole there are no gods declaration into serious doubt! The science officer thought in understanding.
He related what he’d learned to the others. The four withdrew behind the wall of the inn. Wendelia snapped, “Commander your recent actions border on crossing a dangerous line!” The Communications officer stated.
“I’m in agreement with Wendelia sir,” Varsilik added.
“You’ve been behaving in a very disrespectful fashion.” He added.
"You’re taking those things’ side?” Yipnorp snapped.
“I mean look at them! Those things have live births, no birthing pools for them! That’s the most disgusting thing I’ve seen in my life!”
“Commander our studies show not all species use or need birthing pools like us. The Vargraks as an example have nests and their young hatch from eggs.” Varsilik stated.
“But that’s different as those eggs are like birthing pools. That's acceptable, this…this is an abomination to all science and universal law!” Was Yipnorp's response.
The science officer put in a response. "It doesn’t change what we see Commander. And it doesn’t change the fact the celestial energy is coming from the baby in that stable.”
“That does it!” Yipnorp snapped.
He pulled out his neutron blaster. Yanderu snapped, “Yipnorp you foolish piece of shivarc what are you doing?”
“Proving beyond a doubt there’s no Saints, no Gods, no anything! Your equipment is malfunctioning Varsilik. As of this moment our new mission is to prepare these humans for becoming our new work force!”
Varsilik felt his twin stomachs lurch at this. “Commander, are you saying we’re going to enslave these humans?”
“I received the orders from the Federation. These lower life forms will become our new work force! And this world will become a new spa world for federation officials once terraformed.”
Wendelia yelped, “You would steal this world from its inhabitants?”
The Commander flashed a nasty smile. “The strong take from the weak! These creatures are weak, and the Coruskian Federation is strong! It’s time we started asserting our supremacy in the galaxy!”
The science officer in that moment chose to act. He stepped in front of the Commander. "I won’t let you do this! This goes against Federation protocols. Not to mention it’s wrong!
"The Seven Saints talked of this.”
Without another word the Commander hit Varsilik with a power slap that sent him flying. The Science Officer crashed to the ground his head spinning. “That’s my thoughts on your Seven Saints. The Federation State is the ultimate law!”
Varsilik then heard struggling. He stumbled to his feet as he saw Yandru and Wendilia had grabbed the Commander. "Let me go this instant! This is mutiny, you go against the will of the State.”
“To Hanshiro with the state Yipnorp! This is wrong and you know it!" Yanderu retorted.
Wendilia snapped, “I won’t let you harm that human newborn!”
Varsilik got to his feet and rushed in to lend a hand. “I’ll have you all demoted and put in the brig for this!” he snarled.
He threw them all off again and looked up to the sky. “Hey imagined divine force watching over that child! I’d like to see you try and stop me from killing your supposed progeny.
“But I know you won’t…because you don’t exist, there is only the state!” he spat.
He started to head back towards the scene his blaster at the ready. He’d gotten only one step when a blast of lightning from the sky struck him. A second later there was nothing left of the arrogant base commander. A powerful voice boomed in the minds of the other Caruskians. “Don’t touch my son!” the male voice warned.
Wendilia and Yanderu gaped in shock. Varsilik looked up at the sky and said, “Yes sir.”
They looked to the ashes that had once been their base Commander. The ramification dawned on them. “Hey what do you know the God of earth does exist. And he got rid of Commander Yipnorp.” The Chief Engineer quipped.
“Good riddance to bad robock,” the female Communications officer snapped.
Varsilik said, “You know, I’m starting to like this God of Earth. He doesn't take any cronop from anyone.”
“You do realize we’re going to have to report this. And if what Commander Yipnorp said is true…the Federation is going to be very unhappy.” She observed.
Yanderu asked, “Podling you’ve always had the best leadership ability. I say you should be the Base Commander. So, what are we going to do?"
The Coruskian in human form thought for a moment. “We’re going to tell the truth. That the statements that there are no divine entities were wrong. The state is not the ultimate power and that this newborn child is off limits.
“Also, that the God of this world is not one to get on the bad side of.”
Wendelia asked, “Are you sure about that?”
“You did record it didn’t you?” Varsilik asked.
The female nodded. “I did record everything.”
The science officer nodded and said, “Good, then we have the proof to back it up.”
He looked back on the scene of those gathered around the child. “I’m thinking we’d better keep an eye on that child and these humans. I have a feeling they're meant for great things. And I have a funny feeling we’ll be having a close encounter with them in time.
"Let’s hope and pray to the Seven Saints of our people that the encounter is friendly.”
Yanderu nodded his agreement. “We’d better get back to base and make our report.”
They turned and started back. “You’re already handling this situation like a true leader Varsilik,” Wendelia noted.
The new commander rubbed the back of his head. “Well, one has to do what one has to do. Still Wendelia, um truth told…off hours would you like to join me for a round of spolla?”
The female raised an eyebrow. “Are you asking me out on a date commander?” she asked.
“Off hours of course. I do remember protocols and I know how you’re a stickler for them."
The female Coruskian nodded her acknowledgement. “I am, and I understand the context. I accept your offer."
The former science officer wanted to cheer as this was turning into the best night ever. First, he’d found scientific proof celestial beings existed. Then they’d gotten rid of the arrogant and foolish Commander Yipnorp. Now he had a date with a Communications Officer and female he’d had a crush on since he’d arrived here.
Okay God of Earth I admit you’re okay by me, he thought.
A voice said in his head, “You’re welcome.”
Well, there you have it folks, the eleventh story of the 12 tales of Christmas is in the books. This was a unique and funny story too. Special thanks to my girlfriend Peach Wookiee who helped give and refine the idea. Please like and share this across social media. Spread the word about Animeman73.
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Get ready because there’s one more story in the 12 tales of Christmas challenge coming up. Until next time this is Animeman73 signing off. Stay true to yourselves, stay classy, and God bless you all. Enjoy the Christmas season.
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Next: Story #12 - A song for healing
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