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Short Story

The Landing Party

Grant Bartley observes a party that goes a little too far.

They came from one of the less discreet civilizations in the Pleiades.

They came to ‘Chiswick’.

The aliens appear human, from a distance. Perhaps a group of seven-foot-tall snow-white clones in silver would attract attention anywhere else; yet the denizens of the London Borough of Chiswick are clearly advanced in the application of their ‘politeness’ ideology and do not accost the visitors as they glide serenely up the High Road.

Unfortunately none of the guests had thought to bring a medium of exchange, such as the ice crystals of Zath, so they cannot trade.

…