The spacecraft leaves the mother ship. It descends to the surface at a steady rate. Every thirty seconds small jets fire. It wobbles as it makes the final approach.

On the surface of the comet many sensory organs watch with anticipation. They see the shiny object hover and then gently come to rest. They begin to slither towards the object. Their bodies are gray and perfectly match the color of the surface. They notice the camera lenses and they are careful to stay out of their line of sight.

They crawl over the object. It is made of shiny polished metal. Soon the spacecraft is covered in writhing shapes. Finally one decides to show itself.  It stretches over the top of a camera and then looks directly into the lens.

…

In the control center all eyes are on the monitors. They are waiting for the first images from the lander. Only five more minutes and they will know if the landing was successful. The silence in the room is excruciating. The smell of stale coffee fills the air.

A crackle of static comes over the speakers. Everyone stares are the screens. There is a sudden intake of breath as the first images appear.

An odd face is staring out of the monitors. One giant eye sits above a small horizontal slit.  It is eerie. It appears to know that is is being watched. The head starts to pound on the lens and the camera vibrates with each blow. Now the same thing starts happening at the other cameras.

Sensors detect severe vibrations are rocking the lander. The scientists gasp and  begin talking at once. Some want to fire the engines while others say no it would be too late. All agree that the unthinkable has happened.

We are not alone.