Wen Shi and Lugh looked at each other. Wen Shi spoke first. “You’re trying to prevent the UN from taking too much control over the meetings—preventing them from even organizing who will be meeting with you…trying to preclude power struggles and alliances in the process?”
“Exactly. Well, almost. They won’t be meeting with me. I need you to meet them first. Lugh and I will make the initial call from a different town than the one we’re in now, throw the phone away, and then travel to a specific location to wait for representatives.
“While we’re doing that, you’ll meet with them at a different location and, once you arrive, you’ll tell them to send a politician, military officer, and physicist to where Lugh and I are—and no one else. You’ll explain to them who the Olympians are and the dangers of doing anything to give away our location to the ones on Earth. That means not bringing reams of security, or even moving satellites, to our position. Nothing they do should give away our whereabouts.”
* * *
Sigyn’s fingers danced across the keyboard of Wen Shi’s personal computer after a brief lesson from her new team. Although primitive, Sigyn found Earth’s networked computer system highly intuitive. While she focused on how she planned to prove her non-terrestrial origin to humans, Lugh and Wen Shi discussed potential locations to meet COPUOS representatives. After about an hour, they produced a list: Washington D.C., Beijing, Moscow, Tokyo, Singapore, Dublin, Zurich, London, and Berlin.
“These are based on our collective knowledge and personal experiences,” Wen Shi said.
Sigyn paused for a moment. Personal experiences? I don’t want the UN to have reason to think the regional biases accumulated from their backgrounds is leading us to steer the seat of Earth’s negotiating power to specific countries. I also want to minimize the risk we’ll run into anyone they know… “We should remove any city you’ve lived a significant portion of your life in or in which you currently reside.”
“That we would remove Beijing and Dublin, given we grew up near those cities,” Wen Shi said.
“And Berlin. I’m currently enrolled at a law school in that area of Germany,” Lugh added.
“Okay. Of the remaining cities, assuming language won’t be an issue, which one is the most likely to have leaders that will engage in honest and collaborative discussions? We need to avoid the types of psychopaths that would put someone to death for a prank.”
Lugh and Wen Shi smiled at each other. This time, Lugh spoke first. “Hard to say…some might argue nowhere, but going off what I know from history, perceptions of corruption, and fair application of law to public figures, I’d say Zurich.”
“That’s reasonable. I think Singapore is a candidate for that as well.”
“Great. So that leaves Washington D.C., Moscow, Tokyo, and London as locations for you, Wen Shi, to meet them. We’ll tell the COPUOS body we’ll seek them out in one of those four cities within the next week.
“Wen Shi, since you’ll be the one traveling there you can decide which city you’d prefer to go to. You’ll need to be on a plane before we can make the call.”
“I have permanent resident status in America, so I’d rather travel to D.C.”
“Do you know where in Washington D.C. you could meet them? We can assume they’ll meet us anywhere.”
“If the Olympians are observing governments then they’ll definitely have the White House and similar locations under surveillance, but I can choose a location near there…maybe in the basement of one of the Smithsonian museums.”
“I’m not so sure about that—I’m more concerned with competing human entities listening in to your conversation, but we should play it safe. Either way, make sure it’s a place where the only people receiving your instructions are those in the room.
“Lugh, since you’re coming with me, I’d prefer we go somewhere you’re comfortable, so let’s go to Zurich.”
Sigyn and her companions finalized details of their plan. Wen Shi left in a taxi headed toward the airport while Sigyn and Lugh drove to a neighboring town. After Wen Shi’s flight took off, Lugh and Sigyn made the call to COPUOS, prepared to drive directly to the airport when they were done.
Sigyn was going to convince the COPUOS body of her extraterrestrial origins by providing them the solution to a problem that was continually referred to as the “largest discrepancy between theory and experiment in all of science:” the vacuum catastrophe.
Sigyn read that the physics community on Earth was struggling to understand why the theoretical value of energy density in empty space was up to 120 orders of magnitude higher than the actual value found through experiments. Scientists had trouble squaring their measurements of a flat universe and an accelerating expansion with such a small value for the expansion energy.
She knew she could explain why both their measurements of a flat universe and their math predicting an unrealistically large value for the energy of empty space were wrong. She kept seeing references to “dark energy” as the explanation for the accelerating expansion of the universe. According to Aesirian and Olympian theories, what humans called “dark energy” was not actually a separate force, but the result from pressure outside the universe.
Her plan was to, if nothing else, use an analogy to help the humans understand. In the same way a balloon expands if introduced to lower external pressure, the universe is expanding because the “pressure” outside it is rapidly decreasing. While balloons rely on gas particles bouncing among one another to generate the interior pressure, the universe relies on the chaotic quantum foam as the agent that is needed for expansion to continue. Sigyn was keenly aware that the more Primordials that lived, the less energy the quantum foam had, but that was outside the scope of her coming explanation.
In case that wasn’t enough—or it went over their heads—she also prepared a quick proof to Brocard’s conjecture. It was a relatively simple math problem to show the existence of at least four prime numbers between the squared values of any two consecutive primes larger than the number two. Sigyn shared the proof with Wen Shi in case she needed verification in Washington D.C.
Using the solutions to both of those problems, Sigyn was confident she could convince the COPUOS body to take her phone call seriously. After Lugh had begun their drive to the airport, she was ready to make contact.
“Are you aware you’ve reached the official hotline for information regarding extraterrestrials?” A stern voice said over the phone.
“Yes,” Sigyn replied.
“The conversation will be recorded and we are aware you’re calling from Southwestern Iceland. The penalty for knowingly providing us false information, which may in turn endanger the welfare of the human civilization, is life in prison based on your location. Do you wish to continue?”
“Yes.”
“Please provide the information you called to share.”
“I’m one of the extraterrestrials on Earth. I’m ready to share information with you regarding why we’re here to defend you against your observers. My female human colleague will meet your representatives at a government building in one of the following locations: Washington D.C., Moscow, Tokyo, or London. You’ll know she is my representative because she will provide you with the details of the solution of Brocard’s conjecture.
“Now, to verify my extraterrestrial origins, I’m willing to provide you with the solution to the vacuum catastrophe. You’ll likely want to put a physicist on the line to verify the solution.”
There was a long pause. “Please hold.”
Sigyn waited for 30 minutes before the voice returned. There were now five theoretical physicists representing four countries on the line. There were also likely world leaders listening in, but Sigyn was only made aware of the scientists.
She spoke with them in English for 90 minutes; enjoying the opportunity to lecture and field questions from some of Earth’s sharpest minds. Knowing she may be speaking for a while, she had warned them—and whoever else was listening in—that any attempt
to travel to her current location would end poorly for both them and Earth.
“I’ve learned more about astrophysics from this single conversation than during my entire career as a researcher,” an awestruck voice said over the phone.
Sigyn couldn’t stop the smile from forming on her face as she replied, “My pleasure.” This is why I came to Earth.
And now that they believe my extraterrestrial origins, I can discuss Skadi and her fleet. “It has been a great privilege speaking with you all. To conclude this talk, and, unfortunately, this is unrelated to our technical discussion, I need to tell you to not send any craft—manned or unmanned—to inspect the far side of the moon. We have a force in hiding and they will obliterate anything that doesn’t hail them with a specific code.”
One of the physicists spoke up, “Not to worry, I don’t think that’s being discussed as an—” the line went silent. Sigyn waited a few moments before responding.
“Hello? Are we still connected?”
“Yes,” a voice Sigyn hadn’t yet heard replied.
Suspecting the scientist was about to relay information outside his purview, she decided the best thing to do would be to end the conversation now. “From what I’ve seen of Earth it doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility you could pull resources together across countries and send an unmanned probe to the moon, but, as I said before the line cut-out, do not do it.
“I’ll explain this entire situation in more detail once we are in person. I need a way to reach COPUOS when I’m ready—should I call back this same number?”
Sigyn was given a number and code to dial the next time she wanted to get into contact. She then hung up and destroyed the phone. Calling Wen Shi from a separate burner phone, Sigyn left a voicemail with the phone number to call when she reached Washington D.C.
Lugh spoke up as she ended her message.
“Sigyn, how much gold do you have on you?”
“A few kilograms, why?”
“I doubt you have any identification required to fly commercially and, even if you did, you may not be able to bring that duffle bag on the flight…I noticed a gun in there earlier.”
Sigyn internally berated herself for such a foolish mistake. “You’re right. We have to go back and get my Linter from Vili—or use his Hod.”
“I don’t think we have to do that…let me see the phone.” Lugh pulled over and dialed a number. After a few minutes of professional-sounding chatter he hung up and gave the phone back to Sigyn. “We should be okay. You’ll need to pretend to by my sister, or girlfriend, though.”
Lugh sounded a little too happy about the end of his sentence. “Why’s that?”
“Well, airports all over Europe have somewhat recently adopted a sort of ‘fly on demand’ service. It’s very expensive, but, even with the strictness required of international flights, there are occasionally unsavory pilots willing to omit a name from their manifest, for the right price and story. If we can convince them you lost your passport—and play the card of a ‘damsel in distress’–while also plying their hand with some extra gold, I think we should be okay.”
I have to feign weakness—desperation even—to gain the help of a human? Sigyn swallowed her pride. She didn’t feel great about the plan, but the worst-case scenario was that they’d be rejected. “Let’s give it a shot. If not, I’ll fly the Hod to Zurich.
Act II, Chapter 15
Hidden
Location: Bandurria, Peru
After Loki’s narrow escape from Atlas, he flew around Peru and its neighboring countries; at times flying over large swaths of the Pacific Ocean. If Atlas actually had the capability to track him then he’d know Loki was acting as a diversion. That would suit his purposes though, Loki would much rather have Vili face Atlas than himself.
He stayed tuned into COPUOS’ broadcasts and learned about the message from Africa’s coast. The news dampened his spirits a bit: he would need to delay his trip to Egypt. Loki wouldn’t risk entangling in a conflict he just extricated himself from.
Be patient. You’re free of the Olympians and Aesir. You can wait a little longer to find the ancient Anunnaki book. Take the time to explore the facilities in Peru before they become overrun with humans.
Loki waited impatiently for nightfall to descend. His lifelong fantasy to escape corporeal form, unburdened by its inadequacies and requirement for involuntary social cooperation, loomed within reach. I’ll be able to act on unbridled volition. No loyalties. No obligations. No emotions. No arbitrary rules promulgated and enforced by a society devoid of self-reflection, creating a viscous medium optimized to restrict behavior and thought. No death. The opportunity to just exist, without interference. Utter independence.
Be patient. Soon, Africa will be liberated from Olympian presence and you’ll find the information you seek. Until then, explore the sites in Peru, and try to figure out what the Huaca were doing with all of those pregnant human specimens riddled with vegetation throughout their bodies.
Loki set course back to Bandurria and allowed his Linter to fly on autopilot, bringing him to the underwater entrance he used to exit the facility earlier—there was no need to revisit his crudely carved-out entrance. The ship landed on a conveyor belt that took him to the main hanger. Before exiting the vessel, he noticed a rope hanging down from the entrance he created in the ceiling of the structure and two sets of dirty footprints near one of the vacant, spherical ships. Humans.
Camouflaged, he exited his Linter. Walking toward the footprints he, again, took note of the gold etchings covering the walls. Quiet, rapid breathing floated out from behind the spherical vessel.
In Spanish he said, “Come out. I won’t hurt you. I’m here on a mission to protect you.”
Nothing.
“I know you’re behind the ship. There’s no point in continuing to hide. I’m not going to hurt you.”
“O…O…Okay. We’re coming out,” a shaky voice replied.
Loki used his augmentation to blend into the environment and walked toward the two men emerging from behind the ship. Both were moving extremely cautiously toward where they initially heard Loki’s voice, their heads jerked from side to side in a frantic search for the source.
Loki snuck behind one man and snapped his neck. As he collapsed, the other whipped around to see why his friend had fallen only to be met with a kick to break his knee and a snapped neck as well.
Sorry Sigyn, but I don’t see the value in sacrificing convenience for human life.
Unsure if anyone else was present, Loki remained camouflaged as he advanced up the familiar ramp that led up to the platform overlooking the four rooms in the facility. He saw no indication that the humans’ tracks made it anywhere near the ramp, but that wasn’t conclusive of anything.
He got to the top, paused, and peered across the three rooms he wished to study in more detail. Without pressure from Si—wait, that door wasn’t open when I was last here…
Loki’s natural eidetic memory instantaneously compared what he saw in the “lounge” room now versus the last time he glanced at it. There were a few things changed. A door is ajar to one of the small, covered rooms and a nutrient paste jar is open on the table…
Could a Huacan be down here? After all these years…
Loki thought fast and decided he would try to draw it out instead of exploring on foot. Still cloaked, and with his hand on his fully loaded Retiarius, he began to speak as if he was communicating with someone else.
“Yeah, I’m down here now. There is no sign of life. Hopefully, you’ll find a Huacan that can help us at one of the other facilities…I know. Our alliance against the Olympians will be worthless if we can’t find someone that knew about the research going on here.” He still didn’t see anyone emerge, but he thought he saw a shadow move in the room with the open door. “Ok. Well I’m heading down to their vegetation room to see if I can find anything.”
With that, Loki, still cloaked, moved to the waist high wall overlooking the lounge area
. Something slowly emerged from the room he had been observing.
A clearly injured Huacan limped on three spindly legs out of the room. It had thin, pale, and partially transparent grey and yellow skin, and the species’ signature elongated head. Its few pairs of eyes were deep in its skull. It only had one clear nub protruding from its head; the others were now skin flaps, likely having been drained during its hibernation.
One of its limbs was missing and the others ended in a series of small suction cups. Scars marked portions of its body and fresh paste was applied to the inside of its small torso. I caught it in the middle of eating, after waking from hibernation. How was it hiding in here without the Olympians knowing?
It approached the ramp. As it began to ascend, Loki brandished his gun from behind the wall and fired a net at the creature. He hit the Huacan square in the “chest” and it fell off the ramp with a load screech. The net wrapped around it, slowly squeezing the life from its already weakened form. Loki rushed down after it with his gun ready to fire another shot, but that wasn’t necessary.
He was met with a moaning creature, struggling to free two of its three legs. The free one pushed randomly on the floor and walls, trying to move it back toward the room. The others were pinned to its chest and bleeding profusely. Its head sustained deep cuts and its only remaining nub was halfway severed. Loki remained camouflaged and spoke in broken Huacan. “Where…have you…been?”
The Huacan only screeched and moaned in response. The net filament easily dug into its delicate skin, cutting out various chunks and slowly covering him in dark greenish blood. Its fleshy, drooping lips were trapped tight against its face, making all its noises partially mumbled.
The Gods Who Chose Us Page 27