Roswell: First Contact: Malcolm Dow & Adam Rabinowitz: Episode 1

by Tony B. Richard, Carolin S Petersen (Editor)

When Privates Malcolm Dow went to clean up a crashed weather balloon, he came face-to-face with an alien instead.
Adam Rabinowitz was one of those wimps who fillowed him around, hoping for protection from the bullies.
While Dow was reluctant, Rabinowitz instantly took on the Alien’s plight – military help for his besieged planet, Zalma. But when Rabinowitz gets caught, it's up to Dow to save the day.
If they fail, it’s not just Zalma; Earth may be captured or destroyed next. But if they are to succeed, they must work around the chain of command to avoid the anti-alien majority.

80 pages, Paperback

Published August 18, 2025

About the author

Tony B. Richard lives in Vancouver, Canada. He is a computer programmer (coder), instructor, and a Star Trek, Star Wars, and Stargate fan. He had this story in his head for decades, but during the Covid-19 pandemic, he thought it was time to put it down on paper.

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roswell: First Contact delivers a refreshing, human centered twist on one of America’s most famous mysteries. Instead of an invasion, Tony B. Richard offers a thoughtful “what if” scenario what if the 1947 crash was a plea for help, not an act of aggression? Through Private Malcolm Dow, the story blends historical tension with first contact wonder, grounding the sci fi elements in emotional realism and Cold War skepticism.

The Zalmen, gentle refugees on the run, bring depth to the narrative, turning Roswell into a crossroads of diplomacy, fear, and moral responsibility. The pacing is tight, the character work sincere, and the worldbuilding sets up an intriguing larger universe without sacrificing the intimacy of this first episode.

Perfect for fans of Arrival and thoughtful, clean sci fi, this novella stands strong on its own while laying the groundwork for an expansive, morally rich series.