During my 16th year of rebirth, aliens visited Earth.

Notice the keyword? It’s not ‘invaded’ Earth, but ‘visited’ Earth.

One day, there was a massive ship in the air, just like a shadow. We all thought it was the usual misunderstanding. Like a fallen satellite or a new air-craft testing gone wrong. No one thought it was really UFO’s and aliens until the very next day.

At this point, I must confess to my surprise about this phenomenon.

I mean, the government usually takes months, if not years, to come upon a decision. This time though, it only took them a day to take the most Earth-shaking decision ever. They decided to reveal the existence of aliens the very next day when they couldn’t decide to send aid to a disaster-hit country after a week.

Wow, these aliens must have some awesome persuasive powers. To have the government world-wide come a single unanimous decision in a single day is something akin to a miracle. Those were my honest thoughts.

Anyways, back to the topic. The government announced that,

‘Yes, the aliens existed.’

‘No, they are not invading earth.’

‘No, they are not demanding some resource or something in exchange for protection.’

‘Yes, they are more advanced than us.’

‘Yes, they are willing to share their knowledge with the whole of humanity.’

‘No, they are not demanding anything in exchange for this knowledge.’

And many other things…

For the first time in my life, I was excited. I mean, this hadn’t happened before! Something new! How exciting~

Soon after this ‘Alien Existence’ revelation, the various countries of the world united and formed a World Government. I don’t know how they chose their representatives or what their system of governance was. I honestly didn’t care about it as long as it wasn’t in the syllabus.

I mean, Aliens! Fucking ALIENS!!

Do you think I would waste effort to think about a lame-ass government structure that might collapse any time soon as compared to FUCKING ALIENS!!

No? I thought so too.

I waited with baited breath for any new news about aliens. Meanwhile, the life around continued the same as before. Nothing new happened for the next 6 months and I almost thought I had imagined the whole alien thing.

Then came the big day. The government suddenly announced that the aliens would start teaching their advanced studies and sciences starting from the next academic year. As it was first year, the intake of students would be limited. In order to facilitate better communication between the races, they would offer language courses. One language was compulsory for everyone in the advanced courses.

This was my chance for something new, for experiencing something that hadn’t happened before. So, that very day, I signed up for all the advanced courses and stuff. Of course I took only one language class. Language isn’t interesting. One can make do with body and sign language in case of emergencies so the vocal language being unknown is just a ‘small’ matter~

To my amazement, this time, there was no loss of application, no internet going down during the online interview process and no mail trucks bursting into flames during the submission process. I successfully applied for the courses and successfully got admitted.

Wow.

The power of Aliens is real.

To go against the power of same as before!

Aliens Hurrah! Long live aliens! Viva la aliens!

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So, after another 3 long months, the new school term finally started.

At this point of time, or rather, after 1 month of advanced school I realized I had fucked up big time. In my excitement for something new, I had forgotten that this was called an advanced school for a reason. I, the biggest idiot and average grader of ‘em all had chosen all of the advanced classes and only one language class.

Needless to say, the next 2 years of my life were hell on Earth. I had to study, and study, and even more study. At least I had taken only one language class. Imperial Federation Language (IFL) was much easier than its Common counterpart. Common Federation Language (CFL), as the other languages are collectively called, each have a lot more members of the alphabets and double the grammar rules than any other known Earth language. Being a student of IFL class, I scored grades higher than other who were taking one of the CFL class.

One mystifying fact in language class was that no one else was taking IFL as their only language like me. All the others who were taking Imperial Language class were also taking 2-3 Common languages. I wonder why. After-all, every alien on Earth spoke and wrote only IFL. The only aliens on earth who spoke and write CFL were the professors. Learning only IFL was enough to go by in daily life.

Oh bother. Thinking too much about it will make it boring. I want to enjoy every new thing this time around.

On that note, I have to add that the aliens despise being called ‘aliens’. They like to be called United Feds. I like to call them Freddy’s. It’s a tasty sounding name shared by one of the most famous exotic fast-food chain restaurants in the whole galaxy. They recently opened one of those near our school and I am a regular there.

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And so, 3 years went by peacefully. It was graduation time. I went through the whole advanced school without making any friends. I don’t regret it. I had a whole lot of new things to try out and a lack of time. Spending time making friends, goofing around with friends or doing un-necessary acts to show consideration towards friends would waste the time I need for all the other exciting things.

There was a reason I specifically mentioned the time ‘3 years’ and the words ‘peacefully’. Because, you see, after 3 years the times were no longer peaceful.

It was lucky that the first aliens that found us, the Freddy’s were a peaceful sort that advocated equality, sharing of knowledge and self-governance.

It was unlucky that the second group of aliens that found us was saw cheap labor and free food in humanity’s populace.

Luckily, yet again, our local Freddy’s stood by us and against the other aliens. I do love their food… er… I mean I like their friendly spirit.

So, peaceful times came at an end and a galactic war started.

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Here, I must add that the only reason the Freddy’s helped us out was not their neighborly spirit. A number of factors contributed to this act.

First, the Freddy’s were a collective group of aliens that believed in sharing of knowledge. The invaders believed in the exact opposite.

Second, the Freddy’s were already in a state of tense relations, aka Cold War with them. Earth was just a reason used by the invaders to make war.

Third, the invaders that a code of slavers and hierarchy that they Freddy’s didn’t believe in. Now, the Freddy’s don’t go about advocating their ideals but the invaders were hell-bent in thrusting their ideals unto others forcefully.

Fourth, if a war was inevitable, the Freddy’s would rather have the help of us Earthlings by having them feel grateful for all the help they were providing us. Better to have some more help than none.

Fifth, majority of the Freddy’s collective races are classified as food for the invaders society. That must be a very un-appetizing thought for our new friends, that’s for sure.

And many other reasons I am doubtlessly overlooking…

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So, all in all, a war broke out and a conscription order was sent to all Earth residents that qualified for duty.

It was only a matter of time that I, amongst the first batch of people to sign up for advanced school of Freddy’s education would be required to test.

The first test would determine whether I would be qualified for conscription.

The second test would determine what position in the United Galaxy Federation (UGF) army I would qualify for.

A good fact here was, the positions they were looking for was not just a place on the front lines or reserve troops. It also included places for engineers, cooks, tailors and communication line operators.

You can guess that I was aiming for a non-combat position if I got selected for conscription.

I mean, I was bored but not that bored to seek something so new for me.