The silent invaders

"The Silent Invaders" by Robert Silverberg, writing as Calvin M. Knox, is a science fiction story set in the late 1950s that grapples with ideas about identity, spying, and the tangled connections between alien races. It tells the tale of Aar Khiilom, a Darruui alien posing as a human named Abner Harris, and his mission to secretly invade Earth. While living undercover, he has to learn the ways of humans and keep his true identity a secret while dealing with opposing groups like Medlin agents. As he spends more time among humans, especially a woman named Beth, Aar Khiilom develops feelings that make him question his mission. Faced with tough choices about loyalty, lies, and what it truly means to belong, he must decide where he stands, leading to a moment that will determine his place in a galaxy full of secrets and upcoming battles.