General Iustitia Lancrex, Shegan-X789 Ethics Committee

Office of the Supreme Commander

Department of Justice

Dear General Lancrex,

I have successfully landed on Earth, or rather, Unda-P382 as we call it. I received your message insisting I return to our planet Shegan-X789 however, as I’m sure you will agree with me when you finish reading this, leaving this place is impossible until my research is complete. My work is particularly focused on the human reaction to a beverage called wine.

I landed my ship near a castle called The Alcazar of Segovia in Spain, Europe hoping to observe the supreme leaders of the area. Annoyingly, Humans only visit it rather than dwell within its walls. This was not a total disaster however as I was in a prime location to observe Humans from around the world.

I joined a guided tour that consisted of Humans who were on student exchange. Thankfully, I have been able to maintain invisibility since my arrival and have not been observed. During the tour, the Humans hormonal levels shocked me. My medical scanner diagnosed one of the female Humans with depression, yet her lips were twisted splendidly into a smile, and she laughed beautifully to the pleasure of those around her. How strange these Humans are. What scares them into hiding their authentic selves behind a false facade?

It was at the Jose Maria restaurant where I discovered the importance of wine to these beings. I followed the Humans from the tour group, staying near the female Human as she intrigued me. There we ordered cochinillo, which is roasted suckling pig, and a few bottles of the house wine Tinto “Autor”. My female specimen, for I chose her as the subject of my primary observations, had consumed a few glasses of the richly coloured red wine when I noticed an alteration. Her eyes dropped and her lovely voice ceased. Her lips transmogrified into something hideously false. It was here that I discovered the power of wine. The medical scanner considered her inebriated and no longer able to control the appearance she strove to project. Her beautiful soul was exposed for me to see. When one sees a beautiful soul, one cannot help but love it.

How I love her.

This is the cause of the necessity of my work. Whilst wine affected me little and cannot be of use to our people, it is essential to understand these humans before we choose to annihilate their race. It is my hope that by utilizing wine we may filter the humans, to preserve the beautiful souls, and ensure justice in destruction.

Colonel Tetrax , Unda-P382

(Inspired by https://winetourismspain.com/277/segovia-tour-from-madrid/)

0- No layers have appeared. I'm an innocent soul.

1- First layer arrives age 7. Saw a skinny girl and have officially started dieting. Fat layer trimmed to perfection. 

2- Teased for my skin. Acne washes, toners and creams drown my pores. Still maintaining previous layer. 

3- Dark hair has appeared. Implement routine consisting of razors, shaving cream, bleach and wax. Previous layers maintained. 

4- Hair removal and insecurities irritate skin. Use of coverup necessary according to a friend. PLM.

5- Sudden stench hits body and in order to maintain svelte physique must include anti-perspirant. PLM.

6- Coverup creating more acne. Add two more layers of foundation and powder to keep up. PLM.

7- Although I have naturally long and dark eyelashes other girls use mascara and fake lashes so I must implement to keep up with the competition. Starting to fall in love...PLM. 

8- Love hurts. Raising walls in my heart. PLM.

9- Sleepless nights filled with anxiety. Eye cosmetics necessary. PLM

10- I'm not happy. Treat myself to a new scent. PLM

11- Gaining weight. Develop a hateful attitude towards food and count calories in my sleep. PLM.  

12- Go on a retreat. Want to be healthy. PLM

13- Not where I want to be in life. At least I have my layers which are meticulously maintained.

14- Social media filling emptiness. Likes are necessary for feeling good. PLM.

15- Fashion sweeps into my life. Smart clothes compensate for mental neglect. PLM

16- Hair could be better. Thank goodness for online tutorials. PLM.

17- Met a nice guy. PLM.

18- Not sure what nice guy sees in me. PLM.

19- Nice guy still around. PLM.

20- Feeling happier. Most days maintaining previous layers. 

21- In the hospital. Health not so well. Nice guy around. Previous layers can't be maintained in hospital. Emotional wreck. Searching my inner self for value.

22- In love. Getting married. Losing weight for wedding. Hating the layers that distance me from love.

23- Nice guy showed me I'm intelligent. Reading more and challenging my intellect. Enjoying this new layer. People say I look happy. 

24- Writing and researching Human Rights. Falling in love with the topic. Reading about the dignity of individuals. Maintaining layers some days. 

25- Wrote an awesome thesis on Human Rights! Smiling more these days. 

26- Learning new words of love and encouragement for myself and those around me. Now I have a wedding band to match my engagement ring!

27- Pregnant. Fatigue harming layers. Going to work without make-up, hair done or even well fitted clothes. Feeling the inner glow of another little life. 

28- Eating good food and enjoying wonderful times with Husband. Excited for our future baby.

29- Haven't cared for layers in months. The mirror doesn't reflect who I am. I'm a soul with her own sense of dignity. I love deeply and am loved greatly. 

30- I'm a new mother in love with the little soul in my arms. Layers will never again determine my worth.

She was true as she was wrong

caught in a place she didn’t belong.

Wanting nothing but some peace

yet her storm failed to cease.

Anxiety clutched her worried brow

and rest for herself she couldn’t allow.

Not till the last innocents' rights

were respected after her great fight.

Her fight to love, protect and save

numbed her heart to all he gave.

And so she fought a hopeless war

and didn’t see what mattered more.

To fight for others is noble indeed.

Yet without Love one will not succeed. 

I sat huddled against the stone.

My soul anxious and alone.

This is it, my choice was made.

To save her life, I must fade.

Into a darkness unknown to all.

Until Death sounds the call.

My arms ache with memory.

Of holding She in tragedy.

His blood spread from her to me.

She was rid of him finally.

Black and blue, he coloured She.

Painted darkness in her eyes.

Till She saw, through his guise.

When they came to take her.

My only friend, my little sister.

I took the knife and claimed the crime.

They then took all, not just time.

Tomorrow it will be just She.

Facing the world without me.

I drowned in these horrid thoughts.

Until I heard three loud knocks.

A voice sounded like a shot-

'She confessed to all her dirty deed,

so now, you are hereby freed.'