The (1187.) First Contact

- Romana Grimm Writes Science Fiction As Morgan Cross -

All the historical data make successful First Contact missions seem so materially and emotionally rewarding. Something to which every intelligent population in the universe ought to aspire.

So what is a group of interstellar travelers to do when their long-planned visit to dull little planet Earth proves unexpectedly fraught with danger?

Is it really worth it to invite humanity to the coveted Federation of Planets With Intelligent Lifeforms when even the nicest specimen of said intelligent life has the potential to easily wipe out their crew? Or will the 1187th time be the time to end the hitherto unfortunate string of First Contact attempts and admit defeat at last?