My adrenaline pumping, I approached the ten-pointed figure, which seemed strangely familiar to me. I had seen it before.

But where?

Moving closer, I noticed a light mist rolling off the unpolished surface. Removing my right glove, I held my palm close to the six red points of light, registering a radiating warmth on my flesh.

I hesitated, then reached to touch the three white points of light—

—and was inhaled into darkness.

I opened my eyes to warmth and shadows, half-expecting to be confronted by any one of a dozen extraterrestrial sci-fi scenarios, from being surrounded by high-tech control consoles and three-dimensional holographic computer displays to finding myself imprisoned in a barless cage while other captive humans were strapped to exam tables awaiting lobotomies or anal probes… whatever was on the menu.

Based on the I.Q.s of the stereotypes who always seemed to be the ones abducted, the differences between the two procedures weren’t that far off.

I heard a chuckle in the darkness, and then a single red candle flickered to life, revealing a wall of books.

And Joe Tkalec!

My middle school science teacher and mentor watched me from his favorite easy chair in his home library and smiled. “I always enjoyed your sarcastic wit. Are you comfortable in this setting?”

I was seated on the padded rocker where I had spent numerous hours reading after school. “How did you— Wait. That icon, it probed my mind and my memories, didn’t it? Hope that’s all you probed.”

The entity appearing as my mentor smiled. “Anal probes… as if exploring the human rectum could reveal the meaning of life. You do realize all of those ridiculous stories were the result of a disinformation campaign executed by your military intelligence operatives to scare the public about extraterrestrial activities.”

“Yeah. I mean, sure. Why would an advanced species travel lightyears to probe a redneck’s asshole?”

“You’re wondering if this is real or a dream. For now, let’s call it a lucid dream.”

“Sounds like you’re playing a mind game. Is that what this is?”

“Not at all. My role is to provide you with the information you desire. We felt that communicating with you in a familiar setting would be far less distracting than revealing your true surroundings.”

“So, if you’re not really Joe Tkalec, what should I call you? How about Alien Joe? Where am I, Alien Joe? Is this your spaceship?”

“It is more of a portal. Think of it as a spaceship if it makes you feel more at ease.”

“A portal bridges the gap between two distinct places. Assuming I’m physically still in Antarctica, then where are you?”

“I’m here with you, only not in a physical sense. We’re communicating using the universal consciousness.”

“Yeah, yeah. But this ship was built to travel. Where did it come from? Where’s your home world?”

“Does it matter?”