The beginning of the end of the human race was the first day of May in the year 2003. On this day, the leader of the United States declared hostilities ended in Iraq. The military phase concluded, the real killing could begin.

This conflict attracted the attention of the Planet-Forming division of the Kadaz. This group had one mission: to find planets suitable for colonization, and to cleanse the planet of its indigenous population.

When the planet was willing to assist by engaging in war, so much the better.

It was easy to influence this conflict without detection. They provided weapons and ensured rumors inflamed the fanatical and unbalanced. The Kadaz spread rumors that vaccines from Western countries would sterilize children. The Kadaz whispered about hidden caches of fantastic weapons meant to destroy cities and poison people.

The Kadaz kept the region in a constant state of agitation. In other words, the Kadaz perpetuated the guerilla war and made meaningful peace and cooperation impossible.

It continued for generations until no one alive remembered a world without soldiers in the desert defending against men called Feyadeen and Al-Qaeda. No one remembered what those organizations stood for, they only remembered the hate.

Typically, the Kadaz were content to wait centuries, even millennia, for a society to disintegrate. However, they wanted Earth as soon as possible. The planet was an agricultural wonder, capable of feeding the entire Kadaz realm. Therefore, they chose a bold and risky course to either end the conflict, or escalate it to extinction.

On the night of the new year in 2100, Jerusalem was destroyed. In one burst of fire and death, the holiest place on Earth became unidentifiable rubble. Hundreds of thousands of people died. The Kadaz were delighted by the reaction of the world leaders.

As predicted, Earth were stunned into inaction. Accusations flew and small acts of violence occurred, but the major powers with the major weapons were reduced to immobility. No one claimed responsibility.

Many claimed it was the Biblical Rapture announcing the coming of Christ. Many believed it was a sinister weapon from the Chinese. Most did not know what to believe and consequently did nothing.

It was in this atmosphere of uncertainty that the Kadaz made first contact with Earth. Wearing robes to soften their reptilian features, and to project a wise image, a group of elders told their concocted story to the United Nations.

“Leaders of Earth, help us, please, you are our only chance,” said Q’Dox, an elder. “We are fleeing from the Dra. They are violent invaders that destroyed our planet and hounded us across the galaxy. We are saddened by your loss. Blame the Dra, their weapons can destroy cities from space. Believe us. We know their brutality. Our technology can help you defend against the Dra. What we do not have is youth or numbers. We need you, please help us live. Please be the saviors of the Kadaz.” At the end of this speech, the elders knelt as a group at the feet of the United Nations leaders.

All Kadaz heard this story a hundred times growing up, usually told with much drama and laughter. There were no Dra. The only invaders were the Kadaz. As the story reached its climax, the storyteller would prostrate himself and screech in falsetto “Pleeeeeeze be the saviors of the Kadaz,” as the audience hooted and applauded.

Earth accepted this story with little resistance. After all, it explained their tragedy, gave them a common enemy, and allowed them to rescue a group of pathetic refugees. Distracted by the aliens, people forgot their differences and peace descended on the world.

That was the continuation of the end of the human race.

Earth welcomed the Kadaz, and their technology was assimilated into human life. They represented themselves as healers, with special talents in obstetrics. Within a generation, most humans sought help from the Kadaz in matters of pregnancy and infertility.

Unknown to the complacent humans, all that received care were genetically altered with DNA sequences containing Kadaz physiology. Males were sterilized. Therefore, women who desired children turned to the Kadaz. They were then impregnated with genetically engineered zygotes. The reptilian features gradually intensified with every generation until the aliens had a hybrid population that was of their blood, but physically suited to Earth.

More primitive societies were dealt with in more primitive ways. The Kadaz raided villages, killing men and raping women. The alien genome was compatible with human. Consequently, the women conceived hybrid offspring. The Kadaz disguised these raids as tribal conflicts, always leaving supporting evidence. Women told of being ravaged by monsters. Legends such as the Chupacabra and Quetzacoatl were revived. However, no one ever suspected the gentle Kadaz who had given so much to Earth.

The invasion from the mythical Dra never came. However, the Kadaz used Earth’s fear of the Dra by occasionally destroying a town or unleashing a plague. It not only decreased the population, but also sent the Earthers to the Kadaz pleading for more help. In this way, the aliens infiltrated world governments and gained power and influence.

The Kadaz, perceived as wise and benevolent, preached a return to the soil and the simple life. Millions flocked to their communes seeking peace and enlightenment.

Time and generations passed. Society accepted the gradual change in their children. Everyone loved the docile children with the reptilian stripes and scales on their back. Everyone loved their cute little tails. The hybrids matured, married, and spread their DNA into the next generation.

On the tenth day of the month of September in the year 2183, the last genetically “pure” human child was born on Earth. It was summarily smothered by the Kadaz nurse who told the parents it was stillborn.

The end of the human race was complete.

Its people subjugated, the Earth yielded its treasures, and fed the Kadaz realm.

In training classes for aspiring Planet-Formers, Kadaz teachers summed up their conquest theory in one statement: “Give the people a common fear. Give them a solution to the fear and they will give you everything in return.”