Is Anybody Down There
The pilot aimed her craft toward the ocean surface at near mach one speed and effortlessly splashed through the rolling waves. Quickly passing all the scenic routes of coral reefs and colorful marine life within minutes the ship was cruising in the bleak abyss at about 16,000 feet below the deep blue sea.
“Hey, watch out for that whale! How long have you had your license?”
“Since before you were born, Petty Officer Pretty Boy. And what is a whale doing down this far, anyway?”
“Probably dead and drifting downward.”
“Good. More fodder for the fold.” Beamed the jovial commander.
“You seem in a peculiar pleasant mood considering the report we are about to give the Supreme Potentate. But I wish you wouldn't call me 'Pretty Boy'.
“Well, that's what you are to me and why shouldn't I call you that when we are alone?”
“For one thing, I am a full grown male with all the equipment to prove it.” He insisted waving his proof in her face. “And, although I am pleased you think I am good looking, 'pretty' is not the correct vernacular to use towards a male of a species. Haven't you been keeping up with proper protocol at all?”
“You wave that appendage in my face one more time and I'll call your bluff and you know where that will leave you. Of course, me too, but I would at least get to see the offspring. You would be long gone. Like that whale. Fodder. Why do you think we haven't done anything so foolish yet? Even though we may both want to and have been tempted many times.”
“You're correct as usual. With us, unfortunately, indulgence like that is one and done. It just doesn't seem fair does it? Those dolts up top just do it for the pleasure of it and not even to procreate every time. Most of the time they don't take it seriously and don't take the responsibility necessary to raise intelligent offspring. No wonder our kind have witnessed such decline in their abilities. They flail about trying to put something out there to prove we exist, but just leave trash heaps everywhere. Why, even their attempts at exploring down here are dismal failures with loss of life not to mention the heap of trash once more. Maybe it is a good thing we finally come out of hiding and show ourselves to them. We can teach them a thing or two.”
“It does make you wonder what Gracious Omnipotent Deity was thinking when He granted them dominion over the earth and created them in His own likeness. Seemed more of an afterthought since He added them last. They can't even recognize what is right under their noses. Call us 'aliens' when we have been here longer than they have been.”
“Well, My Dearest, talk about longevity, neither of us have that much longer to enjoy the fruits of our labor so instead of just admiring all the succulent things about one another we should maybe pass our ship duties to the younger explorers and finally give in to our wanton wants. It may only be a one time adventure but we can make it last for days, My Love. I only want to wrap you in my arms.” He caressed her cheek with his free arm while maneuvering the ship into the docking station. “Here we are. Time to face the facts.”
“Thanks for taking over that little maneuver. You are good with your hands. Maybe I'll think about your indecent proposal. We should exchange the aqua in the FBFS and refuel before we make our report. And I would like to change out of this confining body suit into something more comfortable. Whose idea was it anyway to try to take on their two-pod ways anyway?”
“Someone way back in the 1940's because of an incident at Roswell is all I understand about it. We try to maintain that image because that's what they are expecting. Need any help with the zipper?” His bulging eyes popped wide twice with hopeful anticipation.
“I say it is time for them to face the facts, too, then. No, but thanks for the offer. Meet you in his outer sanctuary in about ten.” She sauntered away towards the dressing rooms making sure he did not miss the swing of her hips in the tight little green suit.
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“Well, I must say, Commander, you clean up pretty well. I like your skirt showing off all your limbs. Wouldn't mind...”
“Hush now, Officer. We may be overheard. Must practice complete decorum.”
Secretary, “The Supreme Potentate will receive you now, Commander and Officer. Right this way, please.”
They were let into an opulent palace throne room resplendent in marble columns, multi-colored coral reefs in jewel hues, swaying seaweed and giant clam shells. The Supreme Potentate reclined in one of those shells at the end of the room. He raised an arm in greeting.
“Welcome once again to my chamber. What good news do you have to report from your mission? We have been picking up strange information from the cables strung across the sea floor. Is it true they are telling the world we do exist? Have they discovered our true nature? Will they be mounting an invasion?”
The visitors bowed deeply brushing their skirts to the ground. The Commander spoke, “Yes, Your Eminence, it is true. At least in the US of A government halls they are making known sightings by respectable members of their military and reputable pilots. They claim they have seen unidentifiable flying objects in the air space around them that maneuver in unexplained ways far superior to their own craft or any known technology of other nations. They have captured us on film. The nations may even corroborate to verify something of such magnitude this time. Who knows on that point? But they are admitting they have specimens from the Roswell fiasco.
“They are describing in better details our Fish Bowl Flying Saucers now understanding why the domes are full of water and why the inhabitants can't survive in their atmosphere for more than say an hour. Likewise, they can not survive in our natural habitat without special accommodations. We found that out by trial and error ourselves when we tried harvesting them from their fields.”
“Are the proletarians believing their rulers?”
“There has been so much fake news circulating and people are leery of trusting their government these days so it is really difficult to know. No panic has set in yet. And if there are plans for a military response it is very incandescent. We may be safe continuing as we have for centuries. Keeping our sunken treasures secret.”
“This world is so big and diverse I don't see why there couldn't remain room for us all as long as someone doesn't destroy the delicate balance. They stay up top and we run the seabed. Yes, we are far more advanced being able to devise miraculous inventions with the power of our minds and trust in the Gracious Omnipotent Deity to supply all our needs. We do not make war. With all our arms we make love...”
“Speaking of making love, Oh, Supreme Potentate, The Commander and I were wondering if we could be decommissioned so we could...?”
“Oh, oh, yes. I can see where you are going. You have both served long with devout loyalty. I can see no reason why you shouldn't live a little so to speak... Best of mating to you and may you be blessed with 100,000 baby octopuses.”
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47 comments
I was a bit confused about what they were talking about but... Great story! And OCTOPUS...ES.ODES.I. Can't not love a story about octopuses/octopodes/octopi or whatever they're called! 😁 (I think maybe part of it was reference to if the female eats the male after they mate which is why they're not?)
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Thinking of you the whole way. What I read about the plural options was octopuses is English version. Opctopod the extremely learned like you. Opctopi kind of obsolete. All the same. They don't eat the mate but he slinks off to die. She tends to the eggs then does the same. Some say the other way around. But you are the expert. They are highly intelligent so the idea is they have disguised themselves and been spying on us all a long. They can pull up six arms and walk upright on two so why not slip on a little green man suit? Big head with...
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Thank you so much. Glad you liked it and I fooled you a little!
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