They strapped neuroscientist Dr. Jacob Smith to a table, then drilled a hole in his skull, penetrating a membrane while inserting a probe.

  Jacob screamed and trembled.

  “Fire,” said an alien scientist while showing Jacob a symbol.

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  The scientist’s assistant held Jacob’s forehead.

  Jacob choked and gasped while viewing another symbol.

  “Water,” said the alien scientist.

  The assistant squeezed Jacob’s hand.

  Jacob couldn’t understand the aliens’ language—“Why me?” he cried.

  “It appears confused,” said the alien scientist to the assistant. “Puzzling, given its experimentation on its native inhabitants. Let’s try stimulating pleasure centers for nourishment or sexual drive ...”