The Fifth Kind: Introduction

THE FIFTH KIND

INTRODUCTION: We’re Not Alone


“There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” -H.P. Lovecraft


One of mankind’s longest and potentially the most difficult question to answer is that of the question of being the only sentient species in the galaxy, maybe even the whole universe. And even if there was someone else out there, are they friendly? How similar are they physically? How does their culture work? Many things that swirl around the thoughts of anyone who even has a haphazard interest in astronomy. And it has baffled humans since the beginning of their species.

But as with many things in life, fate has a habit of presenting itself in unusual ways. Humanity finally got it’s answer in 2284. Human colonization was only just beginning to take a steady shape, and soon, the galaxy opened up with the invention of the warp drive. They set out to explore, settle, and expand. But at the same time, finally discovered that, no, they were not alone.

A human colonization team traveled the planet named Gliese 667 Cc, nicknamed “Divide”, to set up a new colony. Human explorers soon discovered an alien settlement that was already present. The aliens, being open-minded to the idea, at first welcomed the thought of others sharing a planet they both had found, but soon discovered that the humans were itching to take. The aliens, eventually named Erauaks, had also colonized this world to expand their reaches as well. Their empire spanned over twenty systems compared to earth’s meager six, and had an armed force worth boasting about.

Earth’s government, the United Earth Cooperative (UEC), and the Erauaks squabbled over who had the rights to the planet for over thirty years, and eventually escalated when humans on Divide attacked the alien colony, practically destroying it. The Erauaks, furious, declared war on the humans, something the UEG’s military, the United Earth Defense Corps., was itching for. The attack was actually planned and carried out by a UEDC squad and provoked the Erauaks to respond as a way of testing new weapon technology.

Karmically, Humanity got the war it so devilishly craved, and the cost was unlike anything they had anticipated. Within four years between 2329 and 2333, the human civilization was reduced back to earth and earth alone. Every colony outside of Sol was wiped out, millions on both sides died. Any and all survivors were re-routed back to earth to accompany the UEC’s new conscription policy that was put in place to combat the aliens. And the aliens continued to push deeper and deeper into human territory; their hearts beating with fury and a hunger for vengeance.

And this is where my story began.

My name is Taa’ma, an Erauak. I’m not a soldier. I have no combat experience. I’m a technician with the alien navy. I was stationed aboard the ship known as the Rerrekd; or Gallant to humans. The humans, or Hineks as we call them, have put up a valiant defense of their homeworld, and stopped us any chance they got. Now, the Ennauser ordered us to attack once again. Only we, as in my ship, were never supposed to, we were to support anyone that needed assistance. And my friends on board paid a price that was too much to bear for a war that should've ended by then. And it all started with the words: “We’re not meant for this.”


TO BE CONTINUED...