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