With this finding, the UN Security Council quickly convened. The Europeans voted to capture the creature, but the Russians voted to kill. Without a political breakthrough, the Norwegian Army secretly dispatched Finneke and his fellow scientists, along with a team of FSK commandoes.

"Dr. Finneke," said his science officer. "We're picking up response through the dark wave channel. It's weak, but very sustained. The beacon device is working."

"Good. Begin translation."

"Affirmative, initiating pattern recognition AI. Running algorithmic filter for cross elimination." And then, the officer seemed to have stumbled upon something, but was unsure. "Dr. Finneke, subject appears to be communicating in Morse Code."

"Bring it to the main screen."

Under the command post, people gathered around the screen. They held their breath, their adrenaline rising as they await the first contact with an otherworldly being. They were also in fear of suffering the same fate as the children.

The voice of a thousand year old intelligence. I have been waiting for you, my child.

"Waiting?" asked a soldier. And indeed, most people were puzzled.

But not Finneke. He knew what it meant. And his eyes teared up.

In April 25, 1986, Mikael Finneke, a six years old boy, went to bed and met the Night Solace. It surfaced from the dark, but it wasn't scary. Rather, its presence evoked a sense of calm and assurance. It told Finneke he was special. Even though his father often hit him, and the only way to stop the beating was to cry "daddy please stop, I love you so", he was still a good boy, worthy of love and praise in a universe that cared.

The creature embraced him and gave him comfort, so that he could break down in lamentation. It then took him onto a fantastic journey, to places where bridges were painted in purple sugar, and spanned from one mango-colored hill to another, above the clouds and rainbows.

A full night's sleep, but a dream that lasted for years. In the end, the creature said to the boy: I must go. But when you witness another milestone in human history, I shall return to set you free.

The following day, the explosion of the Chernobyl nuclear power plants was on the news. Encouraged, Finneke went to bed early, hoping to reunite with the creature.

But it didn't return.

And in the ensuing nights, Finneke dreamt alone. He gave up eventually, and moved on with living. He wandered through his growing years, and to him, life had no color.

He met Elena, whom he loved and married. But his soul was lacking; he couldn't provide her the warmth a wife needed. So she asked to leave, and he permitted. Setting her free didn't give him the peace he wanted, so since then he remained with an unfulfilled void.

Finneke spoke to the microphone. "Why are you communicating with children in their sleep? Do you intend to harm?"

I intend to set them free.

"Free from what?"

Free from this imperfect world. It is a promise I made to the innocents.

"But all the children became mentally ill. You've ruined many lives."

Quite the opposite. I've severed them from pain, fear, and sadness. They are in bliss for the rest of their lives. My only regret is you, my child. I did not fulfill my promise to you.

"Don't call me your child. I'm not the same boy from 1986 anymore."

Yes, you've grown, stronger now, and wiser. But you are still lost, and you desire freedom. I have the Solace for you.

"What is the Solace?"

Close your eyes, see it for yourself.

"Sir, don't listen to the creature," said his science officer. "We've collected enough scientific data, we should pack up and go now."

But Finneke wanted to see. He wanted his childhood friend from 1986 to honor its word, and realize his unfulfilled wish. So he closed his eyes.