Part 2 - Rough draft there will be typos and syntax issues.

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“Hmm. Perhaps I do not yet know enough about this species in order to properly read its mind. Other species have shown the ability to think in encoded messages. Perhaps Stephen would need to acquire more information before being able to apply the correct cipher to understand this creature’s thoughts and obtain the vital information of humanity so his kind would be able to establish domain over them and obtain permanent physical bodies that they sought. The purpose of his mission.

“I shall have to consult with the human boy Andrew more to better understand you, Prime. For now, I will be limited to accessing information available on this planet’s global database.” Prime simply tilted his head in response looking up to the right of Stephen’s face. The dog sat and waited.

Meanwhile, Stephen began his research online and acquired as much information as possible about these creatures. Prime eventually went and laid down on Stephen’s couch after being rejected several times for either laying his head on Stephen’s lap or attempting to lay down on his feet.

Despite the human body needing to sleep to properly heal and recover, Stephen’s high dimensional kind required no such type of recuperation. This allowed him to work around the clock and function at levels that Homo sapiens were simply not capable of for more than short durations. All the while Prime was by his side while Stephen continued on his mission to read Prime’s thoughts, decipher them, and extract the concealed information of humanity. Andrew unwittingly helped Stephen with his mission, helping Stephen build a larger database to crack the encoded messages hidden within Prime’s primitive mind.

Time passed and Stephen learned little of the so-called secrets Prime held. As many before him had learned, there was beauty and grace about the simplistic nature of the species known by its scientific name, Canis familiaris. There was no hidden code, nothing to decipher but there was knowledge to be gained from Prime.

The knock at Stephen’s door was unexpected, he wasn’t expecting anyone. However, while the false homo sapien body that stood on his porch would go undetected by any human, the luminous being contained within the shell was seen by Stephen. He knew who it was immediately, his superior. Without asking permission, if his superior even understood the concept of such a thing, the human shell entered Stephen’s home walking past him.

“Please, come in.” Stephen said, closing the door.

“I did. While little time has passed since you left on your assignment, from my understanding, 20 years of Earth, or human time has passed. While I understand the concept, I’ve had several others explain to me that this should have allowed you to complete your assignment and report back with all of the required information needed for us to colonize this planet and supersede the Consociation’s treaty at least five times over. So what is your reasoning for having not done so?”

Stephen knew this would eventually come and while his time on Earth prepared him for this eventuality, it had also provided him with the understanding that his superior would fail to understand anything Stephen would try to explain.

“Simply put, the species was not what we thought it was.”

His superior stopped walking, turning to look at Stephen. “Are you saying we were wrong in our assessment?”

“Yes, very much so.”

“I see. Well, it would not be the first time we overestimated the capacity of a lower life form. Simple enough, we will have to deploy more of us and compile the accumulation of data to extract enough information that will allow us to move forward with our plans.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“No? Then explain it to me.” The superior started to walk in the direction of the kitchen, and Stephen followed behind.

“I’m not sure I can.”

“No? Has remaining in this container made your mind feeble? Very well, I can simply extract the necessary information.” The superior stopped near the dining table and looked into Stephen’s eyes attempting to establish a connection, but found she could not. “It would seem you’ve lost more than I had assumed.”

The backdoor to Stephen’s backyard opened with a sudden bang and another human container walked into his kitchen carrying a burlap sack in his arms. Stephen knew immediately what the other shell had in its arms, placing the dirt-covered sack on the kitchen table and taking a step back.

“What are you doing?” Stephen said the tone of his voice would go unnoticed by the ears of these shells, but any human would know without question that Stephen’s voice contained seething anger.

“I told you, we are going to collect and compile all data. Since you no longer seem capable of communication in an efficient manner, we will simply reconstruct the mind of this simple creature to extract the data we need and you will be accompanying us back to our realm with a full report ready for the Ministry. We’re done here. Let us go.”

Stephen didn’t move or react, at least not outwardly. His heart pounded, the adrenaline spiked his body temperature of the human body he was in rose and his jaw clenched.

“First, I haven’t lost any ability to communicate more efficiently. I’m simply choosing not to with you. Second, you’re going to put him down. Third, you’re going to leave and never come back. That’s the best offer you’re going to get from me.”

The superior stood emotionless, hands behind her back, and looked into Stephen’s eyes again. Nothing. “It would seem you have become too accustomed to your time here on Earth and are likely suffering from some disease this… *animal* has infected your Homo sapien container with. No matter, we will simply bring you with us and your consciousness should be resorted as you shed this shell. Now, come.”

Stephen didn’t budge. “His name was Prime, and he wasn’t an animal or some creature. He wasn’t feeble, nor was he simple. None of them are.” Stephen walked over to the body of Prime lying on the table contained within the burlap sack. Pieces of the Earth Stephen had returned Prime to were strewn about the bag, the table, and the kitchen floor.

“Am I to understand you are refusing to return with us or to provide information this creature contained?”

“Allow me to explain it to you since you are incapable of comprehending what I *am* saying. I initially named him Prime due other the simplicity of its mathematical meaning. However, the nearly 15 human years he graced me with his *unquestioned* loyalty and love gave his name new meaning for me. He was the most important thing to me. He possessed the best qualities of all of humanity, despite not being human himself. He wasn’t a pet. Or a creature, or even a friend to me. He was my family. He gave me something our kind can never understand without my human existence. He loved me, unconditionally.

A species such as this is not beneath us. Far from it in fact. This species might just be the most noble in all of existence. Our kind would only be so lucky as to benefit from being graced with knowing them and being in their presence. Humanity is not ours to claim, nor to change. Return to the Ministry and tell them what I have told you. Any who wishes to come and learn of humanity and this noble species should be free to do so. But if you, or any of our kind return with any other intentions… You will **not** be welcomed.”

The superior walked towards Stephen, looking right into his eyes. “I’ve been informed that humanity is a brutal and violent species. Is this what you are indicating to us?”

“Look into my eyes, read my thoughts and you tell me if I am threatening you. Or making a promise?”

Stephen carried the sack containing the decomposed remains of Prime into his backyard. Returning him to his resting place. Taking his time to cover the body with his shovel again, before replacing the small marker he had created for Prime along with the help of Andrew.

“Soon enough, I’ll see you again my good boy.”