Continuing the story of the first discovery of intelligent extra-terrestrials.

Phil pointed at seven slug-cows that had come together and were moving in their direction.
"They look a bit too purposeful for my liking."
The swarm hovering above each cow was growing in size and brightness as fireflies grouped together in the same purposeful progression. The nearest slug-cow was turning itself towards Phil and Darren, apparently goaded on by its attendant swarm.

"It's time to start communicating with these creatures!"
"What d'you expect me to do? Hold up my hand and shout 'we come in peace, take me to your leader' like some cheap twentieth century comic book character?"
"You may not need to. Look!"

Phil pointed at a glowing shape on the back of the nearest slug-cow. It was an exact copy of the badges both men wore on their space suits.

Darren moved forward to take a closer look, "Have these creatures got screens on their back? Wait on… No! It's the fireflies."

The points of light were reforming to create words - messages - they were communicating in written English.

"We were looking for intelligent life but that's more than I expected. How could they know our language when we've never been in communication before?"
"More to the point, how can we talk back?"

The fireflies answered Phil's question…
The new message on the slug-cow's back read, "We come in peace. Find a container to put us in and take us to your leader."

© Derrick Phillips
May 20001