The first Earth starship successfully breached interstellar space.


    A saucer soon came nose-to-nose to the Earth starship and, surprisingly, sent a communication, in English.


    “Earthlings, welcome to the galaxy.”


    “You are?”


    Stolen story; please report.


    “We’ve come from afar, yet we patrol the galaxy for all newly interstellar species. We ask only one question before we grant safe passage.”


    “Go on ...”


    “Answer truthfully, or you’ll face dire consequences for misrepresentation.”


    “Understood ...”


    “Do any of your people suffer from poverty, inequality, or disease?”


    “Yes. Of course.”


    The alien saucer blasted an energy field around the Earth ship and catapulted it back to Earth.