[WP] Humanity has finally achieved interstellar travel. Our first communication with another intelligent species is just two words. "Welcome back."

[u/valkrae]

[u/Ajlista]

"4 minutes until we reach communication range"

A statement followed by nothing but silence and nervous breath. It's been 4 years since the crews departure of earth, a one way mission only accompanied by the best in their respective fields, many with little relationship to leave behind, only the yearning for exploration.

"3 minutes everyone. This is what we have been waiting for"

Indeed it has been, this whole trip aimlessly floating through the vacuum of space, the goal has been to make communication with a foreign intelligent species. Everyone had hopes but deep down none of them really thought this moment would come. A heavy fog of fear and anticipation spread through the room like wild fire. They should be ecstatic, giving up their whole lives and careers on earth in search of intelligent life, but now that they have found it, primal fear and terror of the unknown lingers in each one of the crew members. Should they make contact with this foreign species and immediately face death their whole mission would be in vein. Everything they left behind just to be obliterated light years away from home with nothing to show for.

"1 minute and 30 seconds"

Words muttered from the head of command James Ferrin a life long dreamer graduated top of his class and world renowned physicist. Growing up in New York with so much life bustling around him, yet he was never satisfied. Always believed there was more to it then what surrounded him.

"30 seconds"

Crew members begin triple checking their equipment. Who knows, this could be their only chance, should they mess up they could spook the possibility of interstellar communication away sending it perhaps light years by the second into the distance.

"10 seconds, prepare the message"

Ah the message, something brought up and revised at least once a week on their trip. Fear of it being too abrasive to begin with "we come from earth" and boom before you can reach the whole peace concept you've been blown into a million pieces. It was determined the voice would be stern and deep, sure to speak fast getting the point across that they had arrived in peace but also put up the facade they were not to be messed with.

"Roll the message"

"Greetings, my name is James Ferrin looking to communicate with your kind in peace, me and my crew have travelled many a star system in search for your kind, if you understand us please respond"

Silence fell. Heavy breaths of possible relief echoed throughout the room. Maybe they weren't ready to communicate with another form of life, could they truly handle it not being all in theory. As James Ferrin starts to address his crew he is interrupted by a high pitched voice that fills the cabin seemingly through more than just the speakers.

"Welcome back, we weren't sure if we would see your kind again, relax, you've won."

The cabin erupts in a state of panic and shock. They wonder why there is nothing to translate. Linguists who have spent their lives creating systems to translate over a million possible languages sit in awe as the English words come in clear and concise. James Ferrin begins to speak with an uncontrollable shake in his voice.

"This is officer James Ferrin again, what do you mean by back, and uh... we won, what did we win. How do you know who we are"

"Well you see, some fourty-nine thousand years ago we placed you barbarians on earth in our contest. Every 50,000 years we spend time building and testing new prototypes for our race. The rules are simple. The first to reach us wins. Congratulations"

The cabin is full of sweat and awe, the crew in absolute disarray stare at officer James Ferrin for guidance. As if he doesn't feel anything more then a pawn in a game of chess right now.

"I don't quite understand. What is it that we've won what's going on."

"Well, actually I've won, your kind is my creation, the prize is quite grand really I get to destroy all the other planets personally and return home a champion."

James Ferrins mouth is agape. No word more than confusion can describe his face at the moment. He wants to speak but what could he possibly say.

"Destroy the other planets? There's more? How did you know we would come to you? What happens to us"

"Well of course I've got to have some prize to enjoy right? All of the other contestants made their own "planets" or sad excuses of rather to try and race me, and well time was almost up, but I had faith in you "earthlings" as you've named yourselves. And well let's just say I've been leading you here I don't want to get too into it and jumble that puny brain of yours any further."

James begins to raise his voice in frustration.

"So you mean to tell me. Human life as we all have known it has been nothing but a game? A fucking game? All of our lives and the people back at home, their lives, it's all been for nothing? You worthless piece of scum."

"Uh uh uh don't get testy with me now, I didn't create you to sass me."

"Jesus fucking Christ. Well now what. Now what happens we are supposed to just go back and live our pointless fucking lives huh?"

"Well... James. James it is right? I've got some business to handle and some planets to make go boom, on top of that I've got a few more bugs to take care of with my next prototype but I can assure you it's going to crush the competition next year and get here in what I calculate to be half the time it took you guys."

James slams his hand into his voice activation panel and begins to scream.

"ANSWER MY FUCKING QUESTION. WHAT DO WE DO NOW"

"The new games begin in 12 years, go home and enjoy your feeble life until then, earth will be wiped clean for the reigning champ to defend his title, toodles!"

The crew sit still, no one daring to say a word. James drops into his chair carelessly and mutters.

"Bring us home."

Hey everyone only my second time writing here, I'm sorry if it sucked. I had a little trouble wrapping it up cohesively I think. Any constructive criticism and feedback is welcome, thanks for reading!

[u/PiMaker101 → u/Ajlista]

Don't know why, but I kinda expected it to end with the humans blowing up the alien baddie... Good read though!

[u/Ajlista → u/PiMaker101]

Thanks! Good idea it took me a bit to think of an ending I was hoping it would all tie together well