Story time!

The Death of Venus:

    When the Aphrodities emerged from their hiding place deep within the crust of their long observed planet, the people of Earth were shocked.  Who knew that there was a whole society living underground in a planet that looked so like a star? Of course there was the whole military rigmarole, with the United Nations having meetings that lead to nowhere. It was the European Factions that first extended the proverbial olive branch, and they soon began to benefit from the technological advances that they had to offer. Soon it wasn't long before the rest of the world followed suit.  The Aphrodities did not focus on conquering the stars, instead, the focus was on winning the battle of the bulge and old age. 

     In exchange for the Birth of Venus experience, the people of Venus only wanted to learn more about what makes us tick.  They ran tests and took samples. They went to medical school and took the latest journals. What truly baffled them was the ones who resisted their benefits.  

     "But why won't you take the treatment, John? You know they can heal you, make you whole...make you walk again," she pleaded with him.

    "Moira, no. I don't trust them.  All of a sudden they show up out of nowhere and want to help? Something isn't right with their story." John wasn't unhappy the way he was. He had been born without the ability to walk, and his parents had encouraged him to do as much as he could. They always supported him and never made him feel like a cripple.  Moira, his childhood friend, and now fiancee used to be the same. Until the Aphrodities appeared, he thought they were on the same page. Now all she did lately was pester him to have the treatment done with her. 

     "John, I am telling you, I want us to dance together at our wedding. We will be the perfect couple at our perfect wedding!" Her eyes twinkled as she thought about how they would look after the treatment. 

John was disgusted. He didn't see that anything was wrong with them the way they were. He tried again, "Please, baby, I really love you just the way that you are. You're my sweet little mouse."

     "UGH! I hate that name.  You only say that because my hair is mouse brown. No one wants to have mouse hair! " She stomped off. 

John just sat there stunned. He had no idea it bothered her so much. "Maybe I should consider it since it means so much to her," he mused. 

     Four weeks later and they were checking into the treatment facility. Moira purred with happiness.

    "Baby, I am so glad you decided to do this with me! I love you so much!"

John was having second thoughts.  He really had a bad feeling about this. 

    "Are you absolutely sure? I mean, going into an alien clinic to have a miracle treatment to look beautiful with no strings attached- doesn't that sound suspicious?"

     "Oh you're just being dramatic.  You read too much sci-fi!  Look, it's our turn!" 

The attendant brought them to their room.  She was tall, almost six foot.  Long blond hair hung midway down her back.  

    "Now, please change in to the provided garments. You will find them on the bed. When we are ready for you, I will assist you with your wheel chair.  What would you like us to do with your chair after your treatment? You won't need it after today."  She looked directly into John's brown eyes.

   "I... uh.. I don't know?" He was completely mesmerized by the intense brightness of her pink eyes. 

She laughed and it sounded like a thousand tinkling bells. "No matter. We will disassemble it and recycle. Reuse, right? Can't waste precious resources." With a smile, she closed the door behind her. 

   "Wow! She was exquisite! I hope I look like her when I am done!" Moira was already in her provided outfit. 

    "You look like Dr. Barbie!" John was cracking up at her hot pink scrubs. 

    "I wouldn't laugh too hard, yours are florescent yellow!" Moira rubbed her hands in anticipation. "I can't wait to see you in these babies! HA!"

No sooner had John finished dressing than the attendant returned for them. She brought them down a long hallway to a steel door. It opened at her touch. Inside the room where silver coffins. Row upon row. 

     Moira swallowed hard. "Are those...." 

    "Oh no! That's just the treatment chamber. Think of it as a chrysalis. You'll emerge a beautiful butterfly. Let me help you." 

     She touched one and it opened. Inside was a screen fastened to the side.  "Since the treatment takes almost a full two Earth weeks, you'll need something to occupy your mind. Touch here and you can select from our library of books, movies, and educational journals.  You'll be fed intravenously.  Once you are in, the chamber will fuse with you and you'll start the process!" She smiled reassuringly. 

     Moira jumped in eagerly. "See you on the flip side!"  The lid closed over her smiling face and the chamber began to glow, first pink, then purple, then yellow and then pink again. 

     "Excellent. Now for you." The attendant helped John into the chamber. He heard foot steps approach behind her. "Commander, sir, I was just helping this recruit into his chamber. " 

     "Very well, I would like to observe this procedure."

     John was confused. "Recruit?" He asked. 

     The attendant smiled, "Why yes, silly, for our program!" The lid started to close. 

     John' heart skipped a beat. He held up his hand and stopped the lid. "What program? What is this?" 

     "Why the take over of Earth of course!" She smiled as she forcefully slammed shut the lid. Tinkling laughter filled John's ears and bright pink light flooded his senses.