Grolfingh could barely contain his fury as he watched the live video feed from the Congressional hearing.

 

"How could they be so reckless?!" he fumed, tentacles writhing. "Our existence was to remain classified for at least another century!"

 

On-screen, the Secretary of Defense addressed a packed auditorium. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to publicly confirm what many have long suspected. We are not alone in the universe. For the past six decades, we have been aware of an extraterrestrial presence monitoring Earth."

 

The audience erupted into shocked gasps and chatter. Grolfingh terminated the video link in disgust and turned to the viewport, where smoke rose from a smoldering sequoia grove far below.

 

"It pains me greatly to witness such wanton destruction." His disgust turned to sadness. "Those noble trees lived for over three millennia. Can you imagine the wisdom they accumulated, observing eras come and go?"

 

Gloxina joined him at the window, tendrils drooping sadly. "I know. The humans have no comprehension of the sentience of these ancient beings. The sequoias communed with one another through their roots and fungi networks. They remembered the days when mammoths roamed and glaciers receded."

 

Shaking his head, Grolfingh turned away. "Now mankind cuts them down without a second thought. An irreplaceable library of knowledge lost forever." He clenched his tentacles, anger simmering. "And for what? Profit? Convenience? Foolish, shortsighted creatures!"

 

"I must admit, I did not foresee this disregard for their fellow lifeforms," Gloxina said. "When we first discovered the humans, such potential lay before them. Their intelligence and ingenuity showed promise of great things." A tear slid down her bioluminescent cheek.

 

Grolfingh's voice turned harsh. "That promise has curdled into poison! They swarm the planet like a plague, consuming resources and driving entire species into oblivion!" He pounded a console angrily. "Even now, they aim their nuclear weapons at their own kind over territorial squabbles!"

 

Gloxina bowed her head, overcome with grief. "You speak truthfully. Their actions are... monstrous. Unforgivable." She gazed down at the scorched Earth in dismay. "The whalesong fades year after year. The last of the tigers will soon perish. Even the steadfast, wise sequoias now number only in the hundreds."

 

She turned to Grolfingh, tendrils drooping. "Oh, if only we could have protected them! Shown the humans a better way, as guardians of this precious world."

 

Grolfingh placed a gentle tentacle on her shoulder. "You know our vows forbid interference. We cannot impose our will upon their evolution." He gestured out the window. "Clearly, they care nothing for the sanctity of life nor the wisdom of benevolent beings far older than themselves."

 

Gloxina's bioluminescent spots flashed with sorrow. After a long silence, she said, "Then it seems this planet is doomed. We can remain no longer."

 

Grolfingh nodded grimly. "Indeed. We have tarried too long already, hoping humanity would change its ways. Now they have exposed our presence to the masses, and who knows what chaos may follow?" His tentacles tightened into fists once more. "I will watch the desecration of the ancient ones no longer!"

 

Turning abruptly, he opened the comm channel. "Attention, crew. Our long vigil of Earth has ended. Make immediate preparations to break orbit and set course for Kepler-186f. We cannot aid these monsters now that they know of us."

 

Gloxina stepped forward, resolute. "I agree. May the sequoias and whales forgive us for abandoning them." She gestured to the communications officer. "Inform the fleet that Project Earth is now concluded. We depart this system without delay."

 

As the engines rumbled to life, Gloxina dimmed the viewport, hiding the smoke-shrouded planet from sight. She bowed her head and whispered, "Farewell, wondrous Earth. We shall not forget the promise you once held. May your spirits find redemption."

 

Grolfingh squeezed her shoulder, eyes downcast. Together, they turned away as the ship left Earth's orbit forever.

 

Then the stars stretched into infinity, and Earth was gone.