“Crap, we need to show them our best. This is a tremendous opportunity for all of mankind — not just Americans — everyone! This is the day that everything changes — but only if we welcome them. If we behave. If we show them our potential, not what we are now, but what we can become when we’re finally able to head out into the stars. They are not only newly discovered neighbors, but they can be our mentors too. Instead of being afraid of the unknown, we need to embrace it. Embrace this fabulous awe-inspiring opportunity. So, please Mr. President, turn the helicopters away. We cannot risk displeasing the Wakira. We can’t risk making them wish that they had never come. We will need them in order to mature and grow and develop. Don’t blow this opportunity because of baseless fear. If their intention had been to attack and destroy, our planet would undoubtedly be ashes by now. Think! Use your minds! Envisage the impossible. Work towards making it so.”
Jennifer took deep breaths, trying to calm herself. “My apologies for being so strident. IQ of 174. Certified wackadoodle and space freak. I should try and control my feelings.” She took a few more deep breaths. “The commander of the mission has been very considerate. I seem to have been able to convince him to do things that aren’t in their procedures manual — this broadcast being one of them.”
She ran fingers through her hair as she tried to think of what else she needed to say. “Some of you might be thinking that I don’t really exist — that I’m some sort of computer simulation. The people here in Jewel know that I’m real. Here in Jewel everybody knows everybody. You could try calling, but I suspect that all the phone lines into town are jammed. The regulars at Arnie’s Pub and Pizza in Brookings South Dakota would know me. I played the drums for the house retro band there for almost 20 months. Best pizza in the northern tier states.” She smiled mischievously. “You owe me an extra large meat lovers next time I’m in town, Arnie.” She blushed again. “I can’t believe I just did that. I’m on national television, and I plugged my old watering hole.”
She cleared her throat and prepared to finish her speech. “To everyone out there, I say to you, do not be afraid. Don’t lay in bed tonight, sleepless due to fear. This isn’t the time to fear; this is the time to be excited. The coming dawn is not the dawn to just another day; it’s the dawn of a new era. The dawn of a bright future. This is not the time to despair, this is the time to hope. A time of great expectations. Let’s embrace the future together. And to my fellow nerds and nerdettes out there — “, she paused then made guttural noises. “To everyone I say, God bless and good night.” She gave the conclusion signal and the displays disappeared.
Another deep breath, a roll of the eyes and a sigh. Looking at Myka she asked “How did I do?”
âThere were many references that I didn’t understand, but you were certainly forceful at times.” Alien words came from someone behind him. “Apparently, it has worked. The planes have withdrawn, and many of the — helicopters? — have moved away from the town. I believe you were very convincing.”
“I’m glad. I really want you to see the best of us, not the worst of us. We may not be the best of neighbors yet, but give us time, and we will be.”
The rowdy complaints about the Diamondbacks pre-game show having disappeared from the screens at the roadside sports bar ended when Big Jim Ferguson told everyone in the room to “shut the F up”, and “she’s talking about aliens having landed”. They listened to what the blonde girl said — what did she call herself again? — and tried to figure out what the news that we weren’t alone after all meant. Whenever someone was dumb enough to make a comment that interfered with hearing what she was saying, a glare from Ferguson caused an immediate cessation. You didn’t piss off Big Jim and hope to leave the bar with all your teeth.
They watched the replay that the networks ran, and continued to try to understand what it all meant. By the time the second replay was over, word came that all Major League Baseball games had been suspended, pending further instructions. Instead of going home, the unhappy men wandered from table to table talking about what they had just seen and heard.
“I can’t bear to think what they must’ve been doing to that poor girl to make her say all those things. It must’ve been something horrible, to get her to say that everything was going to be alright and that they weren’t going to do anything to us,” one man said.
“The army better go do something to get them folks out from behind that barrier thing that’s there. You can’t let innocent civilians suffer like that!” another exclaimed.
A third interjected. “Didn’t you hear what the news guy said? The president has ordered the bombers to pull back, and the soldiers to set up a perimeter to keep people out. They’re not gonna to attack. They’re surrendering to these creatures!”
“Now, that’s just not right,” the first one commented. “You don’t leave your countrymen behind like that. You just don’t. I’m willing to bet that the retreat is a ploy. We’ll send in some special forces type of soldiers. Maybe they can sneak into the area by way of the sewers. Gain access to that big ship that’s overhead, then blast the ones down on the ground with their own weapons. Ain’t no way that the army is just gonna leave those people helpless like that. No way. You just wait. They’ll attack in a day or two, and send them aliens packing. They’ll know that you don’t mess with us humans. You mark my words.”
“They’d better,” the third man said. “If they don’t, then someone is gonna hafta do it. I ain’t gonna wait too long —.”
Jennifer took Myka on a walking tour of the part of the town that was behind the barrier, starting with the adjacent high school (which he kept referring to as the “second level educational facility”). After climbing the steep hill on Emerald, they wandered down the streets that were behind the barrier, stopping at each house to let the people inside know what was going on. Many of the people were anywhere from anxious to terrified when they saw the Wakiran male, but were greatly relieved when they saw Jennifer. She gave quick 30 second synopses of what was happening, and tried to reassure each one that dared to answer their door.
She spent extra time at the Stone residence. Mr. Stone hesitated briefly before coming out, but engaged in a short but friendly conversation with Myka. Jennifer made a point of explaining to Myka that David Stone was a friend and confidant for most of her life, and that he had been one of her teachers. Explaining what a school principal was took a few sentences, and eventually was described as being the academic administrator of the second level educational facility.
Next door, Jennifer coaxed her father out onto the front step of their house. Myka seemed to take a genuine liking to Gerry Hodges, and their conversation was slightly longer than the one with Mr. Stone. Jennifer promised her dad that she’d be back home as soon as she could. Her dad reminded her how early her alarm clock would go off.
As they continued down Thorn towards Sapphire Street, Myka asked why she had to rouse so early in the day.
“I have to get to my job, Myka. I’m a nursing assistant. Umm, I provide medical care for people who fall sick or get injured. Because of a lack of funding, there’s only three of us at the clinic. I work 12 hours a day, 5 days a week — that is 5 consecutive days out of a 7 day period. I work the daytime shift, and either Barb or Bethy work the night shift, and the two of them split the shifts on the weekends — the remaining 2 days of each week.” She suddenly stopped, catching him by surprise. “How am I going to get to work tomorrow? Am I going to be able to get through the barrier? If so, how?”
Myka was silent for a moment. “Normally, those natives located behind the barrier are not allowed to exit the area. I don’t remember hearing of any instances in previous surveys where the natives were allowed to leave.”
Jennifer looked him in the eyes. “Myka, I have to be there. There’s no way they could find a replacement — there aren’t any. It’s my duty to be there, to provide whatever aid or assistance is needed. I am obligated to be there.”
Myka blinked twice, m
uch the same way the two Wakiran males did back on the ship. “The Empire is built on three pillars. Honor, duty and obedience. To one another, to our commanders and leaders, to the Empire itself, and to the Provider, our god.” He blinked twice again. “It would not be right for us to prevent you from fulfilling your duties and obligations. But there is no precedence.”
“I will come back, Myka. I have to. I have to look after my father. I would be gone slightly more than half a Terran day, each time.” She intensified her gaze into his eyes. “I won’t betray you or your mission. I look upon myself as a kind of a liaison between us humans and you Wakira. I’m not asking you for permission to let everyone flee, though I’m willing to bet that most of the people we have met tonight would like very much to flee. But I have to be there. If there are things you don’t want me to talk about while I’m outside, let me know, and I’ll make sure I won’t put your people at risk of any kind. But I must go. Please.”
His lower jaw dropped slightly, and his eyes looked upward. Clearly, he was trying to determine what the correct course of action would be. In English, he mumbled, “Why are my missions never straightforward?” His lower jaw returned to its normal position, his eyes dropped to look into Jennifer’s. Once again, he blinked twice. “This is highly unusual. It has probably never happened before. My security subordinates will be upset. They are already difficult to deal with. Still, you managed to convince your species to discontinue their belligerent behavior. That should allow us to perform our duties much more readily. The least we can do is to do the same. I will instruct my males that they are to allow you in and out. All you will need to do is tell them your name. Please, Jennifer, do not do anything foolish, like bring a weapon or another person through the barrier with you.”
“I give you my word of honor, Myka. I thank you for this. I will never knowingly betray you.”
Chapter 2
Jennifer managed to rouse more or less at her usual time the next morning, despite getting less than 4 hours sleep. Toast for herself and her dad, and she left the house, heading to where the barrier intersected Emerald Street, between Thicket and Briar.
A Wakiran male stood sentry at the location. On the other side of the barrier, Jennifer could see two soldiers obviously near the end of their shift guarding their side. Jennifer smiled at the Wakiran and said, “My name is Jennifer Hodges. The mission commander has given me permission to pass through the barrier to perform my duties.”
“I have received orders to allow you to leave. You may proceed.”
Jennifer looked confused. “Just walk through? Don’t you have to modulate the frequency or something?”
This time, the male looked confused. “Just walk through. When you return, state your name and the male on duty will reach out and pull you through. In order to pass through the barrier from the other side, you must be in contact with something that is on this side of the barrier.”
“I thank you, sir.” She continued over to the barrier. “Hey guys, I’m coming out.”
“They cannot hear you or see you. We can hear and see them, but the reverse is not true.”
“Oh. Kinda kinky,” she said, then blushed. “I thank you again for your help.” She slowly pushed one hand then the other through. The guards took notice and readied their weapons. Slowly, she pushed her head through. “Don’t shoot, guys. I’m human.” She took a long look at one of the guards. “Rafe?”
“Jenny? What are you doing here? Last time I heard, you were in Minnesota.”
“That was 5 years ago Rafe. You sure look different without the hip-length hair, and the matted beard. Kinda cute.”
Rafe stood up a little straighter. “Joined the army. Couldn’t get a job anywhere. I’ve been clean for a year and a half too.”
“Great. I bet your mom would’ve been proud—.” She wondered if she shouldn’t have mentioned his late mother. “I’m going to step through now. The tingling the barrier causes is really unpleasant.” She pushed her torso through and looked back at the barrier. “Thank you again, sir,” she said to the now non-visible Wakiran, and then completely stepped through.
Rafe Dixon stepped towards Jennifer, partially blocking her way. “Ummm, Jenny. They’re going to want to question you. Wait here while we get instructions.”
“I can’t. I’m due at the clinic in less than 10 minutes to start my shift. If someone wants to question me, they can question me there. Though I’ve already told them all I know in the broadcast I did last night.” She gracefully stepped around her former schoolmate and continued on her way, After a few steps, she turned and said “You really look good clean shaven, Rafe.” She waved jauntily and strode purposefully away.
She was surprised to see Bethy in the clinic with Barb. They were surprised to see her. “Bethy? What the heck are you doing here?”
“Jenn!” they said in unison. “How did you manage to escape?” Bethy asked.
“I didn’t escape. I asked Myka — the mission commander — if I could leave so I could do my shift. When I pointed out to him that there was no one to replace me, he let me go. His security flunkies are probably livid, though.”
“I called Bethy and asked her to do a few hours so I could go home, feed John and Billy and get a couple hours sleep before coming back in,” Barb said.
“No need to worry. I should be able to come for my shifts without any problem.” She turned to Bethy. “Honey, you need to amscray in a hurry. Some military boss is probably on his way over to question me. You don’t want to be recalled to duty again, do you?”
She shook her head. “Three tours at the field hospital at Kandahar Airport was enough for me.” She looked intently at Jennifer. “Are you okay? They haven’t done anything to you, have they?”
“I’m fine, Bethy. Barb. I didn’t get much sleep last night, but I suspect that billions around the world are saying the same thing. Besides, I got to do the one thing that most nerdy space freaks fantasize about. I got to be the point of first contact. First person on Earth to meet and interact with an alien. It is way cool. Completely sick.” The three of them laughed. “Now go, guys. I’ll be fine. Just don’t be late for the shift change. They’re expecting me back about 12 hours from now.” The two older ladies hugged her, then hurried out the door.
Jennifer got her first military visitor about 30 minutes later. His gruff and forceful demeanor didn’t score any points with her. Nor did his threats of incarceration or worse. When she countered his threat with “The Wakira are expecting me back behind the barrier at 6. If I don’t show up, they’ll probably make a point of looking for me. Do you want a half-dozen alien ships filled with heavily armed aliens to land in town to start looking for me?” From the look on his face, she got the impression that he actually was considering it, but acquiesced.
“I’ve answered your questions,” she pointed out to him. “I can’t tell you what I don’t know. And I don’t appreciate being threatened. I suggest that you leave now. I’ll be willing to speak at length with someone who possesses decent interpersonal skills.” With that, she turned her back to him and rummaged through some old outdated files. It took a more than a few seconds before she heard the door to the clinic close behind him.
She had a number of visitors that morning, none of whom actually needed medical attention. All of them wanted to see the young woman they all knew (or knew of) who had appeared on national TV and had told the President what to do. The questions were more or less the same with every visitor — what is it like behind the barrier, is everyone okay, what are they like, do they have tentacles, etc. Jennifer patiently answered each one with pretty much the same answer — it’s strange, everyone is unharmed, a general description of their appearance with emphasis on their faces, and no no tentacles (didn’t you hear me mention that in the broadcast?).
By noon, Jennifer was getting tired of the celebrity, and was wondering what she was going to do for lunch. Just after noon, she was standing by the door looking out onto the street. She noticed an army offic
er walking in the direction of the clinic carrying two paper bags and a drink tray with two drinks. Jennifer smiled a knowing smile and circled the counter to her usual spot.
“Good afternoon, General,” she greeted the man in his late 50s, after he fumbled slightly with the door. “Should I be wary of a man in uniform bearing gifts?”
He plopped the bags and drinks on the counter and circled around to sit beside her in the spare chair. “On behalf of the Joint Chiefs, I’d like to apologize for what happened earlier this morning.” He waited for a response. When nothing was forthcoming, he emptied out the bags, producing a burger and cheese fries for the two of them. “I asked the lady at the counter what you liked. She insisted that you had to have cheese fries.”
She looked at him coyly. “If threats won’t work, bribery might?”
“Something like that,” he admitted, pulling out the paper napkins and splitting the food into two meals. “Colonel Daniels is an asshole. Intimidation might work on subordinates, but is contra-indicated for — shall we say — strong-willed individuals?”
Jennifer tried hard not to smile, and reached to pull out a single cheese fry. “I have been known to come across as a bit arrogant,” she confessed before popping the helpless fry into her mouth. “Actually, I’ve been known to be pretty bloody-minded at times.”
“You’d probably make a great officer, then.” He picked up his drink and pulled a long draw from it.
“I already have a job,” she stated, deciding that she would engage in some verbal jousting while she ate. “The pay is currently non-existent, but I seem to have taken a vow to undertake thankless tasks when they’re thrust upon me.” She surrendered to the bribe, and picked up the box of fries.
“The Pentagon has every analyst they can get their hands on taking apart what you said last night. Would you care to spare the taxpayers the expense and tell us what you wanted to?”
Her initial response was garbled by a mouth stuffed with fries and cheese. She was obviously hungrier than she had initially imagined. She tried to swallow, then decided to help the cause with some of the soft drink he had brought. Another hard swallow, and she tried again. “No savings to be had. They’re all salaried staffers.”
And What of Earth? Page 3