Open Invitation

"Open Invitation" by H. B. Fyfe is a science fiction story about an alien scout named Zoya Lar-Tul, whose mission to secretly observe Earth is threatened by Earthlings suddenly developing interstellar travel. The story follows Zoya as he struggles to keep his home star's location a secret while wanting to watch the Earth explorers. Zoya's desire to study humanity from a safe distance unexpectedly endangers his mission, which is followed by the realization that he must protect his research and escape detection. As Earthlings venture closer, the narrative highlights the mix-ups and unexpected problems that occur when species from different worlds come into contact, leaving Zoya's future uncertain and pondering the broader issues of exploration and its effects.