The Kozzoks are an alien race who return to Earth every 100 years to study human evolution. Which they do, poorly.
The hulking space cruiser, known to the Kozzok species as VanaX, maneuvers gracefully around Earth’s lone moon.
Between the moon and Earth, the massive radiation shields fold in on themselves, revealing Earth’s surface to the Kozzok crew.
Lork, a young Kozzok appearing no older than a preteen, his shimmering silver skin rippling like water, was on his third centurion trip to Earth. He asked, “Do they still believe we’re gods?”
“We’re not sure. It was the only question Emperor Jozzop wanted answered during this visit. I plan to—”
“Quiet!”
“…Find the answer to that question during this cycle.”
Silence.
“NURSE!!”
“Sorry, General.”
The general was not amused. Was he ever? Nurse Retrex glanced at him, hoping he hadn’t heard her muttered thought. The cut of his visual sacs made it clear: link com activated.
Stupid…
Before she could finish the thought, the general replied, “Yes, yes, it was,” then turned back toward the screen, which was beginning to come into focus with the figure of a human male.
Nurse Retrex and Dr. Okrob shuffled into the screen room. Their visual sacs glued to the massive display as the human placed a device over his ears in preparation for what the Kozzok suspected was the male reproductive organs expansion process.
Lork’s reflective eyes flickered rapidly, tracking each movement. A subtle ripple traveled down his silver skin, betraying a mixture of fascination and horror.
“Nurse Retrex, is this the same creature you encountered during the last centurion? The one who removed his oxygen tube and inserted it into his anus?”
“Yes sir, the same type, other than the fur and skin, which may be a bit lighter in color. Although it’s difficult to be certain, they all look the same to me, doctor.”
“No worries, nurse. They look the same to us all.”
“They are identical in every way. During the last centurion, we observed a new adaptation involving a skin cooking technique. We theorize this may be why some undergo this painful process, to differentiate themselves.”
Dr. Okrob flexed a limb subconsciously, a gesture the Kozzok use to indicate keen attention. The small group leaned in closer, their heads tilting at odd angles in unison as if adjusting their perception.
“A perfect male specimen of the human species. The mating ritual is beginning,” Dr. Okrob remarked.
General Krex frowned. “If they are all identical, why does the female appear so different, doctor?”
“This is a mystery we have yet to solve. Hopefully, the Scanner Guild’s footage will shed light on this General.”
The male human grabbed his potential mate and began the mating dance, a sequence undoubtedly performed through the eons to keep the species thriving.
Lork tilted his head, the shimmering skin along his spine forming delicate waves. “Observe the rapid oscillation of the lower limbs. Is this… aggression? A territorial display?”
Retrex muttered under her breath, “I think they’re just really bad dancers.” Her visual sacs blinked in tiny pulses, a Kozzok reflex when suppressing exasperation.
Dr. Okrob tapped his visual sac. “Notice the frequent auditory emissions. Could these be mating calls, or are they simply… vocal pleasure signals? The complexity is altogether baffling.”
The crew’s heads swayed as they absorbed each motion, the rippling of their skin and flicker of their eyes betraying tiny bursts of excitement, confusion, and disbelief.
“We believe the ears must be covered for the male genitalia to achieve rigidity,” Nurse Retrex explained. “Notice the female has skin below the male’s hand that’s glass-like in appearance.”
Lork’s eyes widened, a wave of silver flowing across his limbs. “The ritual involves a membranous egg sac! Are they performing internal fertilization inside a protective casing? Extraordinary!”
“Though we’ve never been lucky enough to capture them in full action on our centurial visits, we nearly witnessed the elusive process. If only his female had been more receptive and opened the glass-like egg sac so the male could deposit his reproductive fluids into her egg cavity.”
“Here, let’s watch it again,” Dr. Okrob said, leaning closer. His skin shimmered faintly, a Kozzok sign of heightened attention. “This time pay close attention to the style of dancing involved, play it again”
“We were unlucky this time, we still have fourteen Earth cycles before we return to Kozzok. We’ve placed a scout with the female, hopefully the male will return to complete the insemination process before we depart.”
“Have the Scrubber Guild send the next sample,” General Krex commanded, his eyes fixed on the screen.