They’re At It Again

A fun story with little to no intrinsic value.

Before today, Brock and Zack had never met, and only introduced themselves when sitting down on the plane.

“They’re at it again,” Brock said, leaning towards Zack.

“How so?” asked Zack, not having a clue who they were or what they were doing.

“Signals. They’re trying to communicate with us, Zack. It’s as plain as the nose on your face.”

“Who’s they?” asked Zack, touching his nose. “How do you know this?”

“Extraterrestrials, Zack, aliens. Creatures from outer space, from other worlds. Call them what you like.”

“How are they signaling us?”

Brock said, “Morse code mainly. Look at the blinking red light to the right of the flight attendant up there. Blinking off and on sporadically. Gotta be. They’re all around us.”

Brock was more correct than he knew.

“Aliens know Morse code? Are you able to decode what they’re saying?”

“Of course they know Morse code, superintelligent beings and all of that. But to answer your question, no, I don’t read or speak alien-ese.”

“Gotcha.”

“Besides, “Brock said, “We don’t really know who on board the plane is friend or foe, do we? I mean, what if we’re the only friendlies on board.”

“I see the problem.”

“I thought you might,” said Brock.

Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats quickly so we may begin taxiing to get us to our destination.

The blinking light continued while Brock squinted, trying to decode it.

Brock leaned over and whispered, “Ready to meet your maker?”

“Now you’re scaring me, Brock. Why do you ask or should I not ask?”

“Signals, my friend. They all point to us being taken up while we’re airborne.”

“You’re a loony bird, you know that, don’t you?” Zack said.

“Yeah, I know that. But they’re still taking us in flight.”

“And what would they want with us, I mean, if they’re so smart?” Zack asked.

“Whatever they want. We will have no say in the matter, so make sure you have your alibis and excuses ready.”

“Ready? Ready for what? I mean, I’ve been here with you on board this flight.”

“Exactly. That’s all you have to say. No lies. Just the truth.”

Zack said, “Oh, honesty is my only policy,”

“That’s what I like to hear. You’re gonna be all right, Zack. Trust me on this one.”

“By the way,” Zack said. “Sorry in advance for not being trusting, but are you one of them?”

“I understand how you’d come to that conclusion but I’m one of you…or us.”

“And I have your word on that?”

“Sure, Scout’s Honor,” Brock said, holding up both of his pinky fingers.

“Now, I’m worried,” said Zack.