Mammals vs Reptiles

"Alright, let me see the directions given to us once again. Galaxy 11T, Sector 33 by 18 by 12, and third planet from the sun… yup we're here," the pilot of the ship that had arrived in orbit said in a rather unimpressed tone as he looked at the bleu marbled world on his screen. His eyes drifted back to his instrument while his four hands and 24 fingers flew over the controls to insure the ship's safe status.1

"You are kidding me right?" The lead scientist sighed as she pushed one of the tentacles from her head away from her face. "This mud-ball of a world is where we have been sent? The scanners are not picking up any civilization, and it seems that the majority of the planet is infested by reptiles, some bigger than this ship. Who are we supposed to make contact with? The rats?"2

"Professor Dreen," the officer in charge of the mission began in a disappointed tone as he stepped onto the command deck, his two pairs of arms crossed in front of him. "Our orders are simple… to make contact with the most intelligent mammal on the planet."3

That's my point," the scientist exclaimed as she flipped another stray tentacle away from her face. "The most advance mammals on this backwater world are the rats… at least I think they are rats."4

"You miss my point professor," the military officer grinned as he approached the pilot. "How orders say to make contact with the most intelligent mammals… but it does not specify as to *when* this contact has to occur. First though we need to address this reptile infestation… we are after all under standing orders to insure that reptiles do not evolve to become the dominant species on any of the worlds under our jurisdiction."5

"Finally," the tactical officer chimed in, his three eyes having come alive with absolute excitement.6

"Navigation, back us up to optimal firing range… tactical, stand by with primary cannon," the commander ordered with a hint of delight. Having been sent on a scientific mission had not been the military officer's idea of a fun trip.7

"Sir," the scientist interceded as she once again moved a stray tentacle from her face. Today had been one of those really bad hair day. "Scans show that the planet's crust is rather weak. I would therefore recommend a single shot be fired so as to limit the tectonic stress which could result in the complete collapse of this planet."8

"Tactical," the commander sighed with disappointment. "Set cannon to widest dispersion and aim for the largest landmass. Hopefully a single shot will be enough to get rid of those pesky reptiles."9

"The ship is now in position," Shanwuu announced from his position at the helm of the space craft.10

"Brakaas you may fire when ready," the commander stated as he glanced back over his shoulder to the tactical officer.11

"Energy build up at 72 percent… target acquired and locked… maximum power in 10 seconds," Brakass announced, his enthusiasm having been cut short by the fact that he would be able to fire a single shot.12

The crew remained silent as the energy to their main weapon continued to increase, their fullest attention focused on the planet whose future would be drastically changed within the next few seconds.13

"Primary cannon ready," Brakaas said with a smile as one of his four hands reached for the firing controls. "It's away!"14

A large energy sphere emerged from the ship and rushed down towards the surface of the planet. Upon impact a large cloud of dust and debris filled the atmosphere and spread to cover the greater majority of the planet.15

"Reading massive quakes throughout the planet," Professor Dreen announced as she studied her instruments. "It does look like the planet will survive though."16

"Perfect," the commanding officer stated with a pleased expression. "Shanwuu, set for geosynchronous orbit and engage the temporal drive. Let's have a look at what kind of mammal will claim supremacy over this world."17

The navigator and pilot nodded his understanding of the order he had received and immediately engaged the device in question. Everything on the ship seemed to remain as it had been while the planet on the main screen began to change at an increasing rate. Years on the planet passed within the blink of an eye and the crew of the exploration ship watched with fascination as they witnessed evolution take its course. Decades flew before them in seconds; centuries came and went at a dizzying rate.18

Professor Dreen watched with absolute interest as the continents drifted away from one another and the first mammal settlements began to take form. Within a minute of observation many of those settlements had vanished, replaced by larger ones and soon the crew of the ship could make out full cities.19

There had been no doubts; the mammals had claimed control of this world, a fact that had greatly pleased the commanding officer who thought that this would be well accepted by his superiors.20

"Navigation," the officer in charge began. "Bring us back to normal time and take us in. Land the ship near one of the larger settlements. Professor Dreen, language is sure to be an issue so you will be in charge of making contact. Brakaas you're to stay here and make sure the ship is safe and ready to leave at a moment's notice… just in case we end up with a reptile problem in orbit."21

The tactical officer nodded his understanding and began the preparations as the ship started its descent into the planet's atmosphere. After a short flight the ship touched down in a vast sandy plain next to a river, the settlement that had been selected for contact having been barely visible from where they had landed.22

"Nice selection for a landing site," the professor sarcastically offered as she stepped out of the ship and only the sand.23

"Wanted to make sure that there would be no surprises," Shanwuu countered with as he joined Dreen, the two of them were soon followed by the mission's commanding officer.24

"Let's get started," the commander stated. "We have a good walk ahead of us."25

"With your permission I would like for us to head towards the river," Dreen suggested. "We may be able to encounter a few isolated members of this culture before we arrive at their settlement, this could give us valuable insight into their culture and how we may be best to approach."26

"Very well," the commanding officer agreed. "I'll take point."27

After a short walk the three aliens to this world arrived at the river and immediately noticed of the indigenous life forms that they had set out to meet.28

"Very interesting," the scientist whispered as the group hid behind a sand dune. "The dominant mammals on this world have evolved to have only two arms and two eyes."29

"And look at their hair… it looks more like fur than tentacles," Shanwuu added with clear disdain.30

"At least we know what they look like and we can adapt our appearance to match as best we can," the commanding officer said as he retracted two of his four arms into his body and closed his central eye so that only two could be seen.31

"Evolution does not follow pre-set guidelines," Dreen explained to the navigator. "These mammals developed according to their needs for adaptation to this world." The scientist' explanation would have likely continued for a little longer had it not been for the trio having been discovered.32

A loud hiss started the three aliens which caused them to turn around and see a rather large reptile eyeing them with hunger.33

"Look at the size of that thing!" Shawuu exclaimed as she scurried backwards in an attempt to get away from the creature the locals referred to as a crocodile.34

"Obviously there are still some reptiles on this planet," the commanding officer sighed as he also moved back.35

"At least this one is smaller than those we saw from orbit," Dreen added as she joined her two fellow shipmates in their retreat.36

The group came to an abrupt stop when three other reptiles emerged from the river and made their way to them. Despite their less developed intellect it had appeared that the crocodiles had already gathered who their enemies had been.37

"Get back to the ship… I'll stay to cover your retreat," the commander ordered having decided to abort the mission given their current predicament. Without any argument the other two aliens quickly made their way around the first crocodile and never looked back as they ran towards their vessel.38

As soon as they boarded the doors closed and the ship took off which prompted Shanwuu and Dreen to rush back to the command deck.39

"What the heck are you doing," the pilot demanded of the tactical officer, the temporal engines having already been engaged.40

"There were a large number of four-legged reptiles approaching the ship and our scanners picked up three of their ships coming this way," Brakaas explained. "We had to get out of there quickly or we would have become permanent residents of that world."41

"We have to go back!" Professor Dreen cried out.42

"The commander was still on the planet when you took off," Shanwuu added.43

Brakass lowered his head in despair. "Crap, we left Zeus in the future."