The Choice

I was doing yoga outdoors, the cool breeze brushing against my skin and the scent of pine filling the air, when a low, rhythmic humming sound broke the tranquillity. It seemed to come from behind the rugged mountain peak. My breath caught as I turned and saw a shimmering red spaceship descending gracefully into the clearing. Its sleek, metallic surface reflected the sunlight, glowing like molten fire. As it landed, a soft vibration rippled through the ground beneath my feet.
Before I could process what was happening, two figures materialized outside the spaceship, their forms flickering like a mirage before solidifying. They were otherworldly—tall, slender beings with iridescent skin that seemed to ripple with shifting patterns of light. My heart raced, and an icy fear gripped my chest, rooting me to the spot.
Then a voice, calm and resonant, echoed directly in my mind. “You have no reason to fear us. We are here to help. We are telepathic. That’s why you are receiving our thoughts directly in your brain.”
The soothing tone felt like a warm current, easing my fear. A strange sense of trust washed over me as if their sincerity was a palpable force. Gathering my courage, I stepped closer, my curiosity outweighing my trepidation.
“How do you know English?” I thought, testing their claim.
“Humans have been broadcasting radio and television waves to space for many decades. We picked up the transmissions and learned English through them,” the taller alien replied. Its mouth did not move, but its thoughts resonated in my mind with perfect clarity.
My gaze flicked between the two beings. “How come you can hear my thoughts when humans are not telepathic?” I asked silently.
The shorter alien’s luminous eyes sparkled with a gentle light. “We have the natural ability to pick up thoughts, sensory perceptions, and memories from all sentient species. It is a skill that has allowed us to understand and connect with diverse forms of life.”
“That is… amazing!” I exclaimed, unable to hide my awe.
“Where have you come from?” I asked.
“We are from the planet you call TRAPPIST-1e. It is 39.6 lightyears from Earth,” the taller alien answered.
I stared at them, my mind racing to comprehend the distance. “That’s incredible! Does your spaceship travel faster than light?”
The taller alien’s thoughts carried a note of amusement. “It is not a spaceship in the conventional sense. It is a spacetime ship. The protrusions at the tips of its wings generate a bubble that allows us to travel anywhere and anywhen within the fabric of spacetime.”
"That's awesome! Have you ever gone back in time and changed the past?"
"Yes, many times. The problem with changing the past is that it always has unintended consequences."
"I bet. The Butterfly Effect, huh?"
"Indeed."
“I am wondering something, why have you come to me? I am a nobody. Why not approach someone important, like the Secretary-General of the United Nations?”
The shorter alien stepped forward, its voice gentle but firm. “Because you value all lives equally. You dream of a world where all living beings can exist in harmony. Your desire to reduce suffering and your commitment to veganism align with our mission. You are unique in your willingness to imagine existence without consumption.”
I blinked, their words striking a chord deep within me. “You’ve been monitoring my thoughts?”
“Yes,” the shorter alien admitted. “We have been observing the thoughts, emotions, beliefs, values, words and actions of every human on Earth. This was necessary to understand your species fully.”
“Doesn’t this violate our privacy?” I asked, a flicker of indignation rising.
The taller alien’s voice was steady, almost apologetic. “It does, but it was essential to discern the truth. Humans often lie and hide the truth.”
I nodded slowly, understanding their rationale. “I see what you mean.”
The shorter alien’s tone softened. “We knew you would. Humanity has great potential for good, but it is hindered by destructive habits. We can help you become an example of what is possible—an immortal being who lives in harmony with the cosmos. But we will only do this with your consent.”
“Immortal?” The word felt heavy on my tongue. “How would that work?”
“Your physical form would be transformed into energy. Your consciousness will move from your body into the energy matrix. You would no longer need to breathe air, drink water and eat food to live. Disease, injury, and ageing would no longer affect you. Extremes of cold and heat would no longer be a problem. Only a Black Hole could harm you – nothing else. Not even light can escape Black Holes. So, you must never cross the event horizon of a Black Hole.”
The concept swirled in my mind, almost too vast to grasp. “And you would offer this to everyone for free?”
“Yes. But only with consent,” the taller alien said. “We do not impose our advancements on other species, even for their benefit. It must be a choice free from coercion.”
“You have my consent to upgrade me into an immortal non-consumer.” I have been wanting something like this since I was a child.
“We know. Thank you for your consent. Please come on board our spaceship where you will be upgraded.”
I was teleported inside the spaceship and found myself in what looked like an energy field. It was luminous and pulsating. The humming sound grew louder as my body transformed at a subatomic level. I felt myself becoming something more - luminous, weightless, and beyond biological needs. When the process ended, I floated effortlessly. It had converted my body made of matter into a body made of energy, as a colossal amount of energy can be obtained by converting matter into energy. The process was painless and took only a few seconds.
“Now you are an immortal being of energy."
“Wow! This feels awesome.” I felt really excited. This upgrade could change everything for the best for all living things.
Will you choose to be upgraded?