Encounters Out There

Earth received a signal using a newly built hypersensitive radio telescope array. Advanced linguistic AI determined the alien message a threat to the planet—an overheard plan to topple all governments and create chaos.

A United Earth spent almost everything on planetary defenses, prioritizing their funding above all else. The impoverished world populations supported the cause to save humanity.

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Decades earlier ...

Astronomer Ituda sat in his home lab while testing a prototype ultra-powerful space transmitter, and switched it off.

“Irok!” He yelled at his teenage son. “Shut off that subversive music! I’m trying to transmit a message of peace!”