[ WP ] `` Before we allow humankind to live among us in the stars , tell us the faults of your kind . ''

I did not expect to be the one chosen to speak on behalf of humanity. I did n't sign up for this. 
 
 Captain Rippshaw pressed the tip of his finger to his lips, and inhaled deeply in response to the Gammagon Lifeform's request. Still stunned and wide-eyed, I watched as he held his breath for about ten seconds before giving a short nod. This clearly was n't what he wanted either, but he was n't going to be controlled. 
 
 The captain responded, `` I'll *allow* it.'' 
 
 The ambassador felt the sting of his sudden uselessness, and he narrowed his eyes at me as if I were at fault. He had initially tried to correct the aliens by insisting that he was the appointed representative; instead, the Gammagon turned away and side-stepped him to approach the small crowd of observers. It pointed to me with a grey appendage possessing a wet sheen like that of a dolphin's skin. 
 
 It spoke in a high-pitched voice that echoed within my skull, `` The attendant of the sick bay.'' 
 
 Everyone turned their heads to look at me with raised brows and slowly shook their heads. I could feel the heat of their confusion and disdain boring through my body as I stepped forward with my captain's permission. Perhaps that was just the redness in my cheeks and the surge of energy pounding through my blood vessels. 
 
 I had now worked as a nurse for twenty-something years, and it was pure miracle that I had been given the opportunity to work for the International Astral Exploration Alliance. 
 
 The voice appeared in my thoughts again, but this time it was also accompanied by illuminated, multicolored symbols that I did n't recognize, `` You are very trusted among your kind. You are honest. You have dedicated your life to watching over those who have suffered at the evil of others, and even by their own hands as well. More than anyone here, you understand people. Before we allow humankind to live among us in the stars, tell us of the faults of your kind.'' 
 
 I stared at the Gammagon's head, which had no face, eyes, mouth, or discernible emotion. Could the others still hear the voice, too, or was it just me this time? 
 
 I spoke, but no sound emitted. Instead, my voice echoed in my thoughts and symbols of English language illuminated with them. The Gammagon was transcribing me. I was gradually overcome with warmth from my scalp to my toes, and I swelled with the confidence of an orator. My words flowed freely like water. Was this me? 
 
 `` Humans have as many faults as they have redeeming qualities. Our life is about making mistakes, learning from them and others', and applying that new knowledge to improve ourselves. Even in old age, we're still imperfect. Our species is young, but that is the human experience. One of our major faults is our selfishness. Some say that we are born that way to survive; others say that we are born with inherently good intentions, but that the trials of our harsh world mold us to be selfish. This egocentricity has fueled us to create wars, enslave each other, and dominate and injure each other over inconsequential differences such as race and religion, and matters such as drugs and politics. Another major fault is our coping mechanisms. Humans deny the truth, allow it to settle in the back of our minds to be forgotten, and rationalize why we ca n't or wo n't doing anything to resolve or acknowledge an issue or matter that we are aware of. We destroy ourselves with mind-altering substances and gluttony, but deny the damage because we can not see the damage on the inside. We send aid to other countries and fight their wars while neglecting the growing schism within our own. In my youth, we often campaigned wars against national and international atrocities via electronic data, but what did we actually do to help these causes? Often, nothing. We were comfortable believing that somehow, our'efforts' were making a difference; in reality, they were not. This is why I became a nurse. As one of our kind once said, you must be the change in the world that you wish to see within it. Should I continue?''
