[ WP ] Aliens come to Earth in hoping to wipe us out and take over the planet , but are honorable and gives us a fighting chance . They announce they will return in 100 years so as to give Earth a chance to prepare and defend itself . Neither side expected what the other would bring to war

At each of the great system relays a we stood poised for yet another conquest, our ships armed and refit, our finest officers and crew ready for the glory of combat. The time of our return slid inexorably closer. Nothing would, or rather nothing could, stop our advance. A challenge once presented must be met with honest effort. However this does n't stop some miserable races from stooping to diplomacy. 
 
 One by one each relay spat out a pathetic vessel. Each a bare mote in comparison to our warships they were beneath our notice until the hail came. 
 
 `` We've come to negotiate terms for peace.'' 
 
 Pathetic. Negotiation we reserved for those tenacious enough to withstand our onslaught. There could be no greater insult but to demand the treatment of equals. They were ants to us. Still we are not barbarians so even if we would have to lower ourselves to taking them without a fight we would at least record their grovelling. We might then be able to attribute the uneventful campaign to a weak race and not have to sully the honor of our people. 
 
 Each supplicant was taken aboard the flag ship of the particular system in which it had appeared. A single human, simply dressed, without armor, weapons or regalia. No indication of rank or title. These humans were different than those our scouts had reported. Where was the militaristic society we were promised? 
 
 First contact had seemed so promising. The scouts had even had to scuttle several of their frigates, too damaged to return through the relays, the excited crews reported receiving fire from highly effective nuclear weapons. Recordings of the fire-eyed human generals vowing destruction had stirred our being. This would be a hard target. This would be a worthy test. A whole generation had primed itself for this foe and now before us stood empty eyed and unimpressive figures asking for peace. 
 
 `` We will not fight you.'' A hundred bound figures stood before our captains telling us they would give us no satisfaction. The message and the captives were transferred to the system capitals. Better to have no distractions aboard even if the conquest was to be swift. The deadline arrived, we passed the relays, their insignificant world was conquered and their race exterminated except for our diplomatic prisoners. We hoped at least our system governors would have some sport tormenting them to make up for our lackluster campaign. 
 
 `` Our kind once held to an idea of mutually assured destruction. If an attack would destroy us we would retaliate in such a way as to destroy our attacker. In this way a balance of power can be achieved. Clearly we could not offer the same threat to you. No balance could be maintained and eventually we would be destroyed; or worse.'' Our fleets had returned victorious and their crews gone home, the scout squadrons were preparing to find us a new conquest. Finally the hundred somber figures started speaking. 
 
 `` If a retaliatory strike is impossible and we can not win an open war that leaves only preemption. To strike first and hope to survive the retaliation.'' In their own way each interrogator, be it the system governor, or show-trial advocate or jailer would have had to stifle their mirth now. In what universe does a mass of diplomats count as a preemptive strike? Ludicrous. 
 
 `` Our military might could produce and wield no weapon capable of defeating you. We devised a weapon that might and it is now tracked home like dust by your victorious armies.'' A hundred smirks; a spark in a hundred sets of white ringed eyes. We'd dealt with biological agents before. This would pose no threat and we told them the same. 
 
 `` Such weapons can not be wielded. A great devils bargain had to be made. We are that weapon and it is us. Soon so shall you be.'' Each smirking face faded to a gray pallor and slumped into an ashy pile. A great plume of dusty haze launched by the rapidly sublimating remains. 
 
 Most believed this to be nothing more than a scare tactic. Some final ghostly smoke and mirrors theatrics to vindicate a dead race. That is until the first few returned. Born with human like skin and hair. Those white ringed eyes. That terrible uniform sense of purpose. Eventually it was all the children. 
 
 One flagship captain from the expedition upon seeing his own infant child so afflicted is said to have mournfully remarked `` What happened to negotiating for peace?'' 
 
 `` Peace we have. Your complicity was not required.'' Smirked the child. 
 

