Free Aboard a Flying Saucer: Truman Bethurum and the People of the Planet Clarion by Frank G. Wilkinson

STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT
     
    On July 27th, after completing an evening work shift at the asphalt plant, Bethurum set off into the desert in his small truck. His wife loved the sea, and he had heard that the vast Nevada wasteland had once, long ago, been covered by ocean. He hoped to locate a variety of ancient, fossilized shells for her collection. But even with a bright full moon and a flashlight, he had no luck. After a long day under the blazing sun, the cool desert night lulled him toward sleep, and he decided to take a short nap under the stars before turning back empty handed to the work camp and another day of labor.
     
    As he dozed in his truck, a soft hum broke through his dreams, and, as he came fully awake, he was shocked to find his vehicle surrounded by a group of small men, each between 4 and 5 feet tall. The men were mumbling to each other in a low, unintelligible language, the "hum" which had awakened him. Each wore an unfamiliar black uniform, a black-billed cap, and trousers that reflected a blue-gray cast under the bright moonlight. The flesh of their dark faces was taught and hard, free of any wrinkle or blemish. No weapons were apparent.
     
    Bethurum froze with fright and noted the truck's open windows with alarm. One of the men stepped close and spoke to him in the strange language. Bethurum indicated as best he could that he did not understand, at which point the man nodded, then said in clear English, "You name it!"
     
    Hearing his own tongue spoken sent a wave of relief rushing down Bethurum's spine, and he climbed out of the truck, his hand extended in friendship – but what he saw next sent him once again into stunned paralysis, freezing his greeting in his throat – hovering low behind his truck was a flying saucer!
     
    A monstrous disc of burnished steel, the saucer measured 300 feet across and six yards deep at its center. A three foot metal rim encircled the craft. Wingless and free of any visible means of support, the disc floated as if weightless several feet above the scrubby desert brush.
     
    The little men crowded around him, anxious to shake his hand. One fellow identified himself as the group's leader and, grasping Bethurum's arm firmly, agreed to introduce the Earthling to their ship's captain. As they moved together toward the waiting craft, Bethurum asked his guide what country they called home. Like a character from a Brothers Grimm fairytale, the little man answered cryptically, "Our homes are our castles in a far away land."
     
    As they neared the saucer, the whole disc tilted toward them, revealing a landing step with a single hand rail. They ascended and entered the vehicle through a topside doorway. They walked fifteen paces down a brightly-lit corridor, then Bethurum was ushered into a furnished cabin, where he fell once again into stunned silence to behold the ship's captain - a beautiful woman.
     

THE LADY CAPTAIN
     
    She was shorter than the men he had seen thus far. Black-haired, olive-skinned, she wore no jewelry or makeup. Her uniform was a bright red skirt, velvety black blouse, and a black and red beret. Her proud eyes considered Bethurum for a long moment. Apparently satisfied, she dismissed his escorts, then gestured for him to take a seat on a long couch which lined the far wall.
     
    She began by explaining that she and her crew were interplanetary travelers who had only very recently begun their contact with Earth. Amazed, Bethurum asked about their planet of origin and how they managed to survive the great lengths of time required to traverse the void of space. She responded that time and distance we inconsequential to her people, and that such questions held little meaning for them. She made it clear that her race had already, in their short stay, divined Humanity's warlike nature, and warned that, although theirs was a peaceful, religious and understanding people, they were also cautious and well-equipped to evade attack or capture by Earthly military