Call Tas.

Karen kissed him on the cheek and said, “Thanks for a lovely time, maybe next weekend?”

“Yeah, definitely!” he replied, watching her leave through the front door.

It was midday on Sunday; Karen had spent the night at Frank’s house. She got in her car and backed away, giving him a wave as she left. Frank returned inside, closing the door behind him, he began to recall the events of last night. After they had started their roleplaying session, they retired to the bedroom where the fucked twice more before falling asleep in Franks bed. They had only woken up a couple of hours ago and in that short time had sex again before Karen left. Frank knew ‘Makmag’ had caused his increased sex drive but he wondered how a 39-year-old woman like Karen was able to keep up with him. Perhaps it was just another side effect of the pheromones he had developed.

Frank thought about his situation some more, he really knew so little about anything in regards to the Dakruzar race. He decided to call upon Tas again, thinking that it would be a good idea to check in and ask a few questions as well. Fishing the box that Tas had left him out of his bottom drawer, Frank pressed the button and waited for something to happen. Once again the bright light appeared before him, and quickly disappeared to reveal the alien.

“Hello Franklin.” Tas greeted him.

“Hey Tas.”

“I am glad you called upon me, we have recently set up a small facility just outside of town.” Tas handed him a device that looked like a GPS, ”I have taken the liberty of setting up a map for your transport there, it is designed to work and look like a human satellite navigation system for your ease.”

“Thanks… wait you’ve set up a facility?” Frank looked at the alien with his brown furrowed.

“Yes, it will be used to document the surface and inner layers of the Earth by using our advanced geological technology.” Tas explained.

“And why did you want me there?”

“Because we have also set up a small simulation, which will make your transition to interstellar travel a smooth one.” He smiled expectantly.

“Okay, when should I go?” said Frank.

“Whenever you are ready.” The alien replied friendly.

There was an awkward moment of silence as neither of them said anything.

“I have seen you have been enjoying your Makmag.” He broke the silence

“Yeah…it’s been really good… wait a minute, did you say ‘I have seen’?” Frank questioned.

“Yes, well you didn’t think an advanced alien race would let one of our own run around during Makmag with no supervision did you?” Tas asked with a knowing smile.

“So you have been spying on me?” Frank answered with a question, showing some impatience.

“We have been measuring your vitals Frank, including your stress levels. Which have been understandably fluctuating.” Tas tried to calm him down, “We would have intervened had we thought something had gone astray.”

“Right, okay I guess that makes sense.” Frank reasoned, “Who is ‘We’ by the way?”

“’We’ is me and Scralliava, we are the two crew members of the ship.” Tas answered.

“It’s just two of you?” Frank was shocked.

“Yes, I am afraid so. We are just a scouting vessel, searching the galaxy for intelligent life. Part of our job is to rescue Dakruzarian’s children, and you Franklin are the first reported half-born to be born of a female Dak. You are certainly a vital part of our mission now.” Tas explained.

“So your mission is just to monitor human progress and send the information back home?” Frank asked, slightly confused.

“Yes, something along those lines.” He smiled.

“Why don’t you make contact with Earth and announce your arrival?”

“Well because part of our mission is to determine whether or not life forms should be an alliance with the Dakruzar. And as of yet we have not decided whether humans would be suitable, and until we do we shall not reveal ourselves.” The alien informed him.

Frank considered this information, the thought that aliens may not want to reveal themselves to humans had never occurred to him. Although it was mildly disconcerting to him that they would not choose to reveal themselves and forever leave Earth in the dark as far as intergalactic relations.

“What will happen if you don’t choose to be allies with humans?” Frank questioned worryingly.

“We will leave, and return in the future to check on humans progress. If humans once again fail to impress us, then other conclusions will be arrived upon.” He chose his words carefully.

“Other conclusions?”

“Yes, but these aren’t matters to worry yourself with. In that time you will be dead, having lived a full life on Rumada.” Tas said in a voice that was intended to sound calming but came across as frightening.

“Right…”

“If that will be all Frank, I must leave. Scralliava is preparing a brief for me, and he can be a little uncomfortable when I am late.” He tried to joke, but Frank wasn’t in the mood.

Dismissing himself, Tas left in the great ball of light he arrived in, leaving Frank with his thoughts. He had just learnt that Earth needed to prove itself worthy of being an ally, and if they failed ‘other conclusions would be arrived upon’. What did that mean? Did that mean they would abandon them and never return, or perhaps something more sinister? Being conquered maybe?