An extraterrestrial made first contact by privately meeting with every world leader.

As it met with the individual leaders to avoid a global panic, it threatened: If they were to expose its presence to the populous, it would wipe out the entire planet. It demonstrated this through an interdimensional portal, destroying unpopulated parallel Earths.

The world leaders gathered at the alien's request for a secret round table.

"It is time for your bids. Write down what you wish to offer and speak," said the alien.

Each leader spoke aloud a series of numbers as others interrupted and countered to raise their respective bids.

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"Stop! Stop!' said the alien. "I'll give all of you a moment to contemplate and write down your final bid. But this time, only one of you may speak at a time—no interruptions."

It turned out that every leader gave up most of their nation's population and resources to save themselves, their friends, colleagues, loved ones, and some relatives.

That is every leader except for an obstinate one from a small island nation.

"Why nothing at all?" the alien asked the obstinate leader.

"Dignity and self-respect," answered the leader. "If you take one of us, you must take all of us!"

The alien proceeded to harvest populations and resources, including the obstinate one's, while preserving groups or individuals as requested.

Once finished, the alien left the solar system with a clear conscience, knowing it had fulfilled its promise. After all, it had rationalized that the will of the people was carried out by their chosen leaders.