Doorstep

"Doorstep" by Keith Laumer is a science fiction story that explores the perils of hasty judgment when faced with the unknown. Following the landing of a colossal object, the military scrambles to assess the perceived threat. General Straut, driven by ambition and fear, clashes with a professor who advocates for a more cautious approach, resulting in a tragic escalation. When Straut orders the bombardment of the mysterious object, it sets off a chain of regrettable events. In the end, it is revealed that the enormous object wasn't a threat at all, but rather an alien parent's plea for help in caring for their child, revealing a dark and tragic misunderstanding with fatal consequences.