[ WP ] You discover that Earth is the `` North Korea '' of the galaxy

`` Why are you here?'' The creature was n't particularly disturbing to me, but it was different enough from all the life on Earth that I knew it was n't from it. It's slanted eyes, all four of them, were trained on me. Its face was humanoid, but only just. The dark red skin was taught and smooth, showing none of the muscles underneath. 
 
 It opened its mouth and made a series of clicking noises, mixed in with guttural syllables. The box floating next to it made three beeping sounds and then lit up. `` We are here to rescue you,'' it said in a robotic voice. 
 
 `` Rescue?'' The confusion was instantaneous. I looked around at my surroundings. The bank was silent, and all the people who had just been going about their days were standing breathless, waiting for whatever was going to come next. Most of them looked afraid, terrified of these aliens, these creatures that arrived without a sound. `` Rescue us from what?'' 
 
 The alien looked confused now. It turned and looked to its comrades, and they exchanged quick words in their language. Their weapons, which were been trained on the security guards, glowed a dull blue, waves of heat emanating from the foreign metal. 
 
 It turned to look at me again, its eyes squinting in suspicion. `` Are you not indentured?'' 
 
 The laugh came before I could stop it, the situation was so ridiculous. Whatever these creatures were, they had to have made some mistake to come here. I straightened up, looking right in his eyes. `` No, I am not indentured. These people,'' I motioned around the room, `` they are all free men and women who live their lives they way they wish. There are no slaves here.'' 
 
 The alien closest to me walked over. It was only a few feet away, and it towered above me. Its tight, red skin gave off a scorching heat that gently pulsed from whatever organ pushed its blood around. It surveyed me, studying me skin, my clothing, my hair. Hell, it even grabbed my hands and looked at them. 
 
 It turned and faced its comrades again, speaking furiously. They all were nodding and pointing to the people around them, not aggressively, but as if they were debating. The leader turned and spoke to me again. 
 
 `` If you are free, why all of you surprised to look upon us?'' It's clunky translator said. 
 
 I took a step back, looking at all of them. `` What do you mean? This is our first contact with you. 
 
 It shook its head, speaking quickly. `` We have visited this planet for one-one of your solar rotations. Whenever we close, we are attacked, and this is first time in many missions that we have landed. 
 
 I was stunned, but not as surprised as I should have been. After the orbital fleet was launched, I always wondered why there was a need for ships up there. Some of the reasons given were for defense against debris or to make it easier to travel. My suspicions seem to have been slightly correct. 
 
 It continued speaking before I could reply. `` You leaders, they do not tell you of us?'' 
 
 I shook my head. What this creature must think of us. His face was contorted in pity, like he felt bad for us. `` Our leaders probably did not know what you wanted. Whatever you have told us could have been a lie.'' 
 
 It shook its head, muttering under its breath. `` Why would we lie?'' It's eyes were open now, the color showing through the inner lid. In contrast to its red skin, the greenish orbs looked through me, waiting for my answer. 
 
 `` For your own gains.'' The words came off heavy and sharp, a knife against the hand extended to us. 
 
 And just like that, they disappeared. 

