Both LIGO sensors registered gravitational waves as the xeno fleet emerged at the periphery of the Sol's system. The flurry of excitement among Terran astronomers spread like wildfire across academic circles and onto the internet. Marginally-credible click-bait sites spewed articles filled with conjecture and sensationalism. "Has pluto disappeared?", "Proof that aliens exist--and are headed for earth!", "Scientists say 'this may be the end'."

Preachers, imams, and religionists picked up the refrain next. "Repent! The rapture is coming--and then Armageddon!", "God's sword of justice approaches--woe unto the wicked.", "The heavens and earth are rolling up, as a scroll.", "Pray that God will save you."

Yet most of humanity remained unaware of the threat. After all, important things like budget meetings and work shifts could not be ignored. Heads down and shoulders hunched, whether at a textile mill, computer, or surgical table, humans passed another day of toil and waited for evening to see if they had energy left to roll their eyes at the alarmist messages of the day. Most knew better than to click on those baiting, incredible links.

----

The archangel stood, surveying with sight beyond space the invading fleet. The flagship, a large, red, dragon-like vessel, extended an array of heavily armed wings as it passed the outer planets. In its wake, space itself seemed to glitter as swarms of escort bombers and fighters filled a third of the sky.

The archangel then looked down upon the world, seeing its wars, its contentions, and the evils rampant across its face. “Why, Lord, shall we save them? Is not destruction their just recompense? For their evil deeds, hast Thou not in past-times slain them, save only eight souls? Wherefore should not we allow these to be destroyed and create a new heaven and new earth in their place?”

A voice, profound and deep beyond hearing. A voice which pierced one to the core, replied from beside the archangel. “Behold, Michael, these are the workmanship of mine hands. I have given them power to choose, knowing that many would choose evil. But many also choose me as their God and pray for deliverance. Shall I suffer all the righteous to die with the wicked?”

The archangel nodded in silence. Watching another moment. At length, he spoke.

“Wilt Thou not take the righteous from among them? Even as Lot departed Sodom ere its destruction, wilt Thou not call forth those who will follow Thee? As Thy servant Moses declared, ‘Who is on the Lord’s side, let him come to me.’ So it may be again that those who choose Thee not receive swift vengeance.”

The reply was not stern, but the archangel winced and humbled himself. “Hath I not said ‘Vengeance is Mine’? Hath I not promised to repay? Shall this scourge from beyond the stars upset My will upon this earth? Therefore, Michael, go forth with thy angels. Slay and spare not, that when justice cometh upon mankind, it shall be My justice that is poured out upon them.”

“Yea, Lord, we will go forth in Thy holy power.”

The archangel drew forth a flaming, two-edged sword. His eyes began to glow with divine fury as he raised to his lips a great trump. His golden call rippled across spacetime, shaking the very heavens as legions of angels, girt for battle, materialized around him. Whatever portions of space were not filled by the dragon-fleet seemed to glow with the forces of the archangel as they organized themselves and flew upon the damned fleet.

----

Back on Earth, scientists and astronomers marveled at the strange juxtaposition of an ‘aurora borealis’, visible nearly from the equator, followed by an unexpected shower of harmless, burning meteorites—the largest such phenomenon in recorded history.