By Teisha J. Priest
“For cryin’ out loud, Arnie! Will you quit snapping selfies?” Liz rolled her eyes. “We’ve been sent to explore and catalog planet 4X9, not pad our personal photo albums!”
“We’re the first humans to set foot here. I’m capturing an historic event. Oh look—ancient ruins!” Arnie struck a pose. “The first anthropologist to find ruins on an alien planet.”
“Looks more like Canada than an alien world if you ask me,” Liz muttered. This may have been a coveted assignment, but the whole thing was turning out about as exciting as a sixth grade field trip.
Something in the sky above the ruins caught her eye. She turned her head and squinted, then started to run.
A horned creature on giant wings flew overhead. “Photo-bomber!”
Arnie yelped in surprise and ducked behind a partial wall. “It’s a violet dragon!”
The creature circled lower, training its single eye on them as it swooped closer.
“There’s no such thing as dragons.” Liz crouched behind the same wall. “It’s an alien, and it’s definitely lavender.” She scanned their surroundings for the escape route with the most cover.
The creature landed on one of the larger wall remnants and sniffed the air. It looked straight at them but seemed content to let them make the first move.
Arnie snuck another peek at the alien. “It’s not light enough to be lavender, maybe closer to heliotrope?”
Darn it, he was right. “I don’t care what color the dragon-alien is.” Liz huffed and double-checked the charge on her sidearm. “I’m only interested in whether it’s hungry.”
“It won’t eat you, Commander; you’re too tough.” Arnie snickered.
Liz glared. “Excited to make first contact, Arnie?”
His face paled a bit, and Liz hid her smirk as she clambered over the wall. She heard boots skidding on loose rocks behind her.
The creature spread its wings. Easily eight feet tall, gleaming scales, and one red eye. “You are of Earth?”
“Uh—” Liz blinked. “Yes. Have you met others from Earth?”
It clapped amethyst-hued claws in delight. “No, indeed. You are the first! Though we have long listened to your communications. Since they first reached us four generations ago, we have anticipated the day when we would be visited by the greatest musicians in the cosmos. Welcome.”
The alien bowed slightly as Liz lowered her stun gun. She took a step closer. “Musicians, you say?”
“We do appreciate your informational communications, of course,” the alien assured her, “but the musicians who perform on your radio are the most accomplished.”
“Wait a minute,” Arnie jumped in, “are you saying you’ve been listening to radio broadcasts from Earth for years?”
“Oh, yes.” The creature nodded enthusiastically. “Your rock ‘n’ roll in particular has influenced our own musicians. We credit your magnificent songwriters with our Great Cultural Renaissance.”
“Oh man. This is gonna be so much paperwork.” Liz groaned and holstered her sidearm. “I’m Liz, the mission commander. Arnie here is the cultural expert.”
The alien folded his wings and stood tall. “I am called Sheb. I have been a student of the Earth communications for many years.”
Arnie bounced closer, unable to contain his excitement. “This is amazing! I was excited about the ruins, but to actually meet one of the inhabitants in the flesh—er, scales!”
Sheb flashed what Liz supposed was a smile, though the sharp teeth rather ruined the effect.
“We are no less pleased to meet travelers from Earth,” he assured Arnie.
“You speak our language so perfectly,” he marveled.
“We learned all of your languages from the transmissions you sent.” Sheb’s chest puffed out.
“Where are the rest of your people?” Liz glanced around. “Why a welcome party of one?”
Sheb waved his claw. “We understood that those from your planet would be wary after the previous invasion. It was decided that meeting just one of us first would be less likely to alarm you.”
“Previous invasion?” Arnie piped up. “What previous invasion?”
“Why, the one your Orson Wells sent the news communication about. We were quite distraught that we lacked the technology and ships to come to your aid. Thank the stars that the Martian Tripods turned out to be susceptible to your Earth pathogens. They could have decimated your planet with their heat rays otherwise.” Sheb shook his head. “What a loss to the universe it would’ve been if you had not survived the vile creatures and their cowardly attack!”
“Uh-huh.” Liz blinked. Something about this sounded familiar. Wait—was this that old radio drama her great-gran made her listen to that had everyone freaking out when it aired back in the 30s? “Well, the War of the Worlds wasn’t quite as bad as some folks thought.”
Thankfully, Arnie changed the subject. “How did your people decide who would be the first to meet us?”
“As I am considered the most accomplished of our musicians, I have the honor of being selected to welcome you with an homage to Earth’s great King of rock ‘n’ roll!”
Sheb pulled out a black case from behind his back.
Liz tensed, but Sheb only produced something that looked remarkably like a guitar.
Tightening strings and strumming a few chords, Sheb cleared his throat and crooned, “Wise men say…”
“Is he?” Arnie whispered.
Liz nodded. “I used to think this song was romantic.”
Sheb’s voice swelled, and he held out his hand to Liz. “Take my hand…”
His pitch was perfect, but the claws on his outstretched hand were less than inviting. Still, best not to offend the sharp-toothed alien. Liz let him take her hand and plastered a smile on her face while he finished his song.
Arnie clapped enthusiastically.
Sheb took a bow. “Thank you. Thank you very much.”
Arnie squeezed between Sheb and Liz, holding out his ever-present camera. “I’ve gotta get a picture of this. The first expedition to be serenaded by an alien Elvis impersonator!”
Liz shook her head and muttered about paperwork.
Can you guess which song from the 1950's inspired this story? Share in the comments!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hahaha – this story was too fun! Sheb is so eloquent! ;-)
Thank you Kat! It was a fun one to write! :-)
What a delightful story! “You are of Earth?” Loved that line :) The references to “War of the Worlds” are priceless too. Now, he is obviously singing “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, but that’s not what inspired the story, is it. And I can’t figure out what it is. Can’t wait to find out!
I’m glad you enjoyed it Dalia!
And you’re right, the story wasn’t inspired by “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. I picked that Elvis song for Sheb’s performance because it was my mom’s favorite. ;-)
Aw, that’s awesome!
I was thinking the Purple People Eater, but no one got eaten.
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Ha Ha I would say that Alex must be right – gotta be the Purple People Eater, no?
I laughed so hard as I read this story! Great job – the details were fantastic and it was very entertaining!
My 1950s song guess would be “The Purple People Eater” by Sheb Wooley 1958.
This story also reminded me of the “Purple Shades” ny Joni James 1951 – I liked the argument of what sort of purple the dragon is 😂
I’m glad it made you laugh! :-)
hahahaha! That story is PERFECT! Surprised me in all the best ways. As for what song inspired it …. wow, I don’t know what sort of song could have inspired such a great story ;D
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I’m glad you liked the twist! :-)
Can’t Help Falling In Love…one of my favorite Elvis songs.
Fun!!! Sheb is an excellent character.
Thanks Grace! :-)
Hahaha! I already told you the Canada comment is fantastic, right?
I’m glad you liked it Cathy!
I love the worldbuilding! It’s fun to think of an alien society that only knows about us from our radio broadcasts.
Cute. Such a fun story.
Thanks Lisa! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Brilliant! I loved this :D
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed reading it. :-) I had great fun writing it!