Space Ranger Arden tightened his grip on the laser pistol as the alien approached, its silver uniform shimmering in the dim light. The alien's long spindle-like legs and arms gave it an ungainly appearance, but Arden knew from personal experience how fast it could move.

"That's close enough," he ordered. "Surrender and I promise no harm will come to you."

The alien's dark oval eyes stared unblinkingly at Arden and a snake-like tongue flitted about its mouth as it spoke. "Your weapons cannot penetrate our shields. Tell us what we want to know and your death will be merciful."

Hoping the science guys knew what they were doing, Arden raised the pistol and fired. As he continued firing, the alien's shield grew progressively brighter. Finally turning a blinding white, it exploded sending the alien flying backwards onto the steel floor where it lay motionless.

"Rexi!" cried the small boy dropping the stick he was holding and running to the alien lying on the grass.

A sound that was a cross between a purr and growl emanated from the alien. "No need to worry Arden. I am much tougher than I look. After all, you did as your people say 'get me'."

The boy laughed and hugged his friend.

Arden's parents watched their son playing by himself in the backyard.

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The young girl sat at a small table holding a plastic tea pot. Beside her sat a stuffed bear and rabbit. On the other side of the table sat an alien, its legs tightly curled around its body allowing it to fit at the table. Even so, its long torso and large head still made it tower over the girl.

Moving her blond bangs aside, the girl looked over at the alien. "Would you care for some tea Miss Alien?" she asked, a strong English accent evident in her voice.

"That would be lovely," answered the alien. "You are certainly a very gracious hostess."

The girl giggled and looked at the bear and rabbit. "Now that's how to be a good guest," she gently scolded.

She pretended to pour tea into a cup and handed it to the alien who gently wrapped one of its long finger around it and lifted it to its small mouth. "That is the best tea I have ever tasted," declared the alien.

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A young dark haired woman holding a laundry basket peeked into the room. "Having a good tea party with Mr. Bunny and Theodore?"

The girl looked up at her mother. "And don't forget Miss Alien," she answered pointing at her guest.

"My apologies," laughed the woman. "And how are you today Miss Alien?" she asked the empty spot where the girl was pointing.

"Very well, thank you," answered the alien.

"Be sure to clean up when you're done," called the woman as she left.

"Yes, Mum."

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The girl looked past the easel. "Tilt your head slightly to the left," she said in French to the alien sitting on a chair which was far too small for it. It had to fold its legs back and cross its arms to fit, but the alien showed no signs of discomfort.

After studying the alien's face, the girl began to paint large dark ovals on a larger green oval. A knock at the door interrupted her efforts. "Come in," she called.

A middle aged man in a rumpled shirt opened the door. "It's time for dinner Monique. Get all your paints cleaned up."

"Yes Papa," she answered starting to put her paints away. "Don't you think my painting looks just like him?" she asked pointing over at the empty chair.

"A perfect likeness," he chuckled. "Now finish up and get washed up for dinner."

Before leaving, Monique went over and gave the alien a hug. "I'll see you later Rene."

Once she'd left the room, the alien disappeared.

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Darkness surrounded Xfrtylatz and it took him a moment to remember that he was in the neural transmission pod. Bright light engulfed him as the pod's lid began to open temporarily blinding him. Something touched his neck and he heard a hissing sound. "This should get you through the debriefing," said an alien standing over him, her words sounding like a high pitched whine. "However, you were in there a long time so be sure to rest afterwards.

"Understood," answered Xfrtylatz slowly sitting up. His body ached and he felt groggy.

He was in an immense room and in every direction were more pods like the one he was sitting in. The injection worked quickly and soon he was able to climb out of the pod and head for the briefing room.

On the way he stopped at one of the ship's windows. It was good to see the emptiness of space again. In the distance Xfrtylatz could see the small blue dot which was the home of the young Earth female whose thoughts he'd been sharing for the last six of her weeks.

"Have a seat," declared the alien sitting at the table without looking up from the tablet she was holding. "The readings from your pod indicate you achieved a positive imprint on your subject."

Xfrtylatz was pleased. This had been his first assignment and he'd felt the need to prove himself.

The other alien looked up. "So tell me what you think of these humans."

"A primitive species with highly disorganized minds. My subject would first want to play something called house, then she would start painting a picture or want to go outside and kick a ball."

The other alien nodded. "The minds of the adults are slightly more organized, but we must concentrate on the young since they will be the ones ruling Earth when our colonization fleet arrives. The positive imprint we leave on their minds will cause them to welcome us without question."

Walking back to his quarters, Xfrtylatz felt good. His first assignment had been successful and in time his people would possess yet another new world.