Almost Twelve Hours Later on Earth

  At 20:30 Eastern time - 1:30 AM Greenwich Mean Time, across the world, radio, television, and several social media platforms saw their signals interrupted. The shape of a green sun with eight arms contained in an octagon against a black background appeared on all screens. Accompanying it was the sound of a repeating three-note melody.

  The message was broadcast simultaneously in English, Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic, and other languages:

  People of Earth.

  We are the Salolehs Empire. For a thousand years, we have observed your species. We have studied your histories, analyzed your behaviours. You are a species of contradiction. You create beauty yet wield cruelty. You build civilizations yet wage endless wars. You speak of justice yet practise oppression.

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  We have taken one hundred of your people. They now reside aboard one of our vessels in orbit above your planet. Over the next seven of your days, they will participate in a trial. A test of your species' true nature.

  We have accelerated their time. Ten of your years will pass for them in seven of your days. You will watch. You will see yourselves reflected in them.

  At the conclusion of the trial, we will render judgment.

  If humanity demonstrates the capacity for peace, coexistence, and growth, we will consider peaceful contact. If you prove yourselves incapable of transcending your violent nature, we will act accordingly.

  You have seven days. We are watching.

  This is not negotiable. This is not a debate. This is your trial.

  We will speak again at its conclusion.

  The symbol faded from the screen, and normal broadcasting resumed.

  But nothing would be normal again.