| The Martian stood in the open field | | | | and within a few minutes the |
| surrounded by the best government | | | | increasingly hostile emotions all around |
| artillery pointed at his head and chest | | | | him set the alarm off, creating a loud |
| and back. | | | | piercing shrill. |
| The infantry troops formed a circle | | | | A nervous gunman, his nerves taut, |
| around him. | | | | accidentally pulled the trigger. |
| Up above, fighter jets waited for the | | | | The other gunmen, confused, assuming |
| word to launch a missile right into the | | | | that an order had been given, began |
| corn field if necessary. | | | | firing as well. |
| Unaware of the hostile force that had | | | | The bullets passed through the green |
| greeted him, innocent of all thoughts of | | | | giant. |
| death and destruction, the handsome | | | | "Clear the field," shouted the |
| green giant, using his intergalactic | | | | commander. |
| translator device, said: | | | | The soldiers raced to their vehicles. |
| "My wonderful friends: | | | | Within minutes the entire field was |
| "We have noticed your suffering on this | | | | deserted. And the first missile struck. |
| planet and I have been sent as an | | | | Then the second and the third. Within a |
| emissary to bring you good tidings. | | | | few minutes, a small crater had formed. |
| "You're not here to suffer. | | | | Watching all this on a giant television |
| "You don't have to be hungry. | | | | screen, the pictures being taken by |
| "There is no need to cry. | | | | satellite, the president and all his men |
| "I have come to bring you hope. | | | | were astonished to see that the green |
| "It's possible to wish for what you | | | | giant and his shiny vehicle appeared to |
| want. | | | | be unharmed. |
| "It's possible to move beyond merely | | | | "We'll have to go nuclear," was the last |
| trying. | | | | command given. |
| "You see all being everywhere are here | | | | Soon a huge mushroom of smoke enveloped |
| TO THRIVE." | | | | the crater. |
| "The president wishes to speak to you," | | | | When it cleared, there was no sign of |
| said a brusque man in army fatigues and | | | | the alien and his craft. |
| enough medallions to sink a ship. He | | | | Far above the chaos, another flying |
| threw a walkie-talkie at the alien's | | | | saucer, monitoring the scene, the real |
| feet. | | | | green giant decided to turn his image |
| "Hello, Mr. President. I have good news | | | | projector off . The hologram image on |
| for you. You see, the entire Universe is | | | | the surface of the earth disappeared. |
| onyour side." | | | | While the entire country was suddenly |
| The President, surrounded by his entire | | | | celebrating their victory over beating |
| cabinet, experts on UFOs, and the | | | | back the invasion, apart from a small |
| top-ranked officers of the armed forces, | | | | group of malcontents that actually felt |
| barked: "Why are you here?" | | | | sorry for the alien, the jolly green |
| As the two spoke, the agitation around | | | | giant said to his wife, "I don't think |
| the president increased. This was | | | | they're ready yet." |
| obviously a breach of national security. | | | | Pushing the joystick with a sigh, she |
| And it was getting worse by the minute. | | | | pointed the craft out of the earth's |
| Unknown to them all, the green giant had | | | | orbit at warp speed. |
| a special vibration-meter on his wrist | | | | |