[ WP ] A multitude of Alien ships warp within range of Earth . Over all electronic devices the message is heard , `` Earth , we come in peace . In all the universe only one other Species has mastered Death and Destruction as you have . We need your help . ''

`` So, these guys could wipe you off the face of the universe,'' President Walter said with a wide grin. `` And you could do nothing about? No death rays? Giant robots? Small robots? Nothing?'' 
 
 Although his big black eyes were unreadable to humans, the President and the rest of the UN Security Council noticed the little grey alien looked increasingly uncomfortable. Walters was not the only one beaming. 
 
 `` That will cost you, you know,'' Walters continued. `` We want access to all your shiny toys. Computers, spaceships, reactors, matter replicators. Henry, give me the list.'' 
 
 Walters handed the alien a printout that had taken the experts a few hours to compile and the Council a few weeks to negotiate. `` Just to be clear, Ambassador. We want blueprints, manuals, text books. We want to be able to understand this stuff, not just replicate it.'' 
 
 `` My experts told me that you have to redo most of your physical theories for that,'' the ambassador said. `` Are you willing to do that? Can your scientists survive that humiliation?'' 
 
 Walters looked puzzled. The closest person to a scientist he knew was his science advisor. And that guy loved to be corrected. Henry abandoned wrong theories faster than Walters abandoned deals that went sour. 
 
 `` Leave that to us, Ambassador. Get us the data and we take care of the rest.'' 
 
 The little alien stared at the group of leaders, then dissolved into a cloud of sparkles. The ambassador had returned to his ship. Ten minutes later, a crystal appeared in front of each nation's leader. A single sheet of plastic accompanied it, carrying the instructions how to read the data. 
 
 * * * 
 
 `` Henry, explain that again. But this time leave out all the science jargon and explain it like i'm five.'' 
 
 `` Well, Mr President. The other side is about as advanced as we are. We are equal. They have death rays, we have them. They have big space ships, we can have them in a few weeks if we want. They have nanotechnology, bio weapons, you name it. We have all that too.'' 
 
 `` Hmm. Mutually assured destruction all over again. Are the Grey behind this? I mean, they confessed they abducted people to find out about us. You do n't do that if you're a nice alien.'' 
 
 `` They're just desperate. You've seen the videos of the invasion fleet. Our scouts have mapped each and every ship. Those Reds can destroy all Grey worlds three times over.'' 
 
 `` Hmm. And we can contact the Reds?'' 
 
 `` Yes, Sir. The interstellar communicators can lock onto their ships as well as onto ours.'' 
 
 `` Get me their boss on the line. And project the map of the universe so that I can share my screen with him,'' Walters said, proud of himself that he had learned a bit of technology slang. 
 
 Dr Henry sighed. The communication link was easy to set up. There was, however, no line involved and no screen either. 
 
 * * * 
 
 `` And you, puny being, speak for your planet,'' the holographic representation of the Red King boomed. 
 
 `` I am,'' Walters said, while he walked around the seven feet lizard, inspecting him from all sides. `` And I have a suggestion. A deal if you will.'' 
 
 `` We do not make deals with food.'' 
 
 `` Ahh, yes. And we usually do n't make deals with pets, but let's both make a exception today,'' Walters said. `` I assume, you heard the Grey upgraded our technology a bit.'' 
 
 `` They are food. Nothing they do is of consequence. Food with spaceships is still food,'' the Red King boomed. 
 
 `` But we have equipped these spaceships with death rays,'' Walters said. `` Based on the technology of the Grey.'' 
 
 The Red King's hologram flickered for a few seconds. Walters assumed that he was talking to his aides and therefore waited patiently. 
 
 `` What do you want, President Walters,'' the Red King asked. 
 
 Walters pointed to the map of the galaxy. The Red Kingdom formed a giant red cloud, encompassing many star systems. The mist that illustrated the Grey empire was easily ten times as big. A small blue ring pulsated slightly. Earth was surrounded by Grey space. 
 
 `` We can do each other a lot of damage. Our simulations show that we could eradicate each other in a short, bloody war. All that would remain is this,'' Walters said and nodded to Dr Henry. The red cloud was swallowed by the grey mist. The blue ring stopped pulsating. 
 
 `` That is true, Earthling. Do you want to negotiate for peace? How do you intend to pay?'' 
 
 Walters nodded again and the Grey mist shrunk to its original size. It continued to shrink while the Red cloud expanded. So did a blue cloud, with the pulsating ring at its centre. The red and the blue cloud met when each filled about half the known universe. 
 
 `` With an empire, King. We might not make deals with pets, but we make deals with equals.''
