Sanctuary Sought - Book 2 - Chapter 4

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John's Perspective

As I watched from the sidelines, Mr. Torres and Zenthara finalized the plans for the next round of negotiations. We were headed to the spaceport, with NASA gearing up to host the summit. A grin spread across my face as I considered the prospect.

The thought of my boss wrestling with the logistics of such a high-profile event brought a smirk to my lips. I'd been in the thick of it before, running security for the UN and the EU during some particularly tense times, especially when certain American ambassadors were involved. Those were chaotic, pressure-cooker situations, and now I was going to witness this spectacle from the other side. I couldn't resist the feeling of schadenfreude; it was murdered and drinks for me instead of cloak and dagger games.

The rover ride back to our rocket was a pleasant contrast to our initial journey. The technical glitches that had plagued us before were gone, thanks to the quick thinking of our resident 'eggheads.'

I've always had a thing for speed – the kind that gets your adrenaline pumping and your heart racing. It's why I drove an old car that roared and vibrated with raw power, a car devoid of the trappings of modern electronics that could be easily tampered with. That sense of control, of raw, unbridled power, was exhilarating. As we strapped in for takeoff, I felt that familiar rush of anticipation. Flying through space at breakneck speeds was an entirely different kind of thrill.

As our rocket climbed higher, the Moon's horizon curved into view, and I gazed in awe at the breathtaking vista displayed on the screen. The swirling blue and green hues of the atmosphere danced together like an ethereal painting. I couldn't wait for a chance to float over to the window and see it with my own eyes.

"Hey, check this out," one of the eggheads called out, projecting an image of the building where we had met Zenthara. But then, before my very eyes, the structure morphed into something else entirely. It was closer to a sci-fi spaceship than anything else. And way, way bigger than the "building" we were in.

"Whoa," I muttered under my breath as the alien ship took off and caught up to us in a heartbeat. It felt massive, dwarfing our vessel in comparison. I quickly snapped some screenshots and sent them to my contacts, asking for an analysis and size estimate. Their response a few hours later only confirmed my suspicions—this thing was enormous, its exact dimensions undetermined due to the lack of reference points.


Miles' Perspective

I hate rockets.

No, let me rephrase.

I love the science. I love the engineering. I love watching them take off. I love the imagination of using them to travel from planet to planet. I love the models of all the rockets I've built and painted since I was, like, I think, 9.

That was what got me into my college program.

That's why I applied to NASA with Issac after college.

I hate being in the rocket when it takes off.

The first time we left Earth for the Moon, I passed out and was spared the vast majority of the process. I came to just as we finished the second burn. That wasn't so bad.

On the Moon, with the lower gravity, the takeoff didn't have as many Gs. So I experienced the roar of the engines in their full, unadulterated glory. It was a lot louder and a lot more aggressive than when I watched it from the air-conditioned observation room ten-plus miles away from the rocket at headquarters.

Before, we took off, but after we made it back to the rocket on the fixed moon buggy, I was nervous to the point of shivering and panicked sweeting. The entire scenario felt surreal. Thankfully, Issac checked my math and sent me a message that played over in my mind. It did a little to calm my jitters. He had gone over my calculations, assuring me that they were mostly correct. 'Mostly' - that word echoed in my thoughts, ratcheting up my panic until Issac explained.

Isaac reassured me, pointing out that we had about a 5% fuel reserve after the takeoff and maneuvering reserves. This was a comfortable margin above the safety threshold for landing. His nonchalant mention of possibly needing to dump some fuel to reduce weight didn't help either. It was meant to be reassuring, I suppose, but it only served as a reminder of the delicate balance we were dealing with.

As the vibration evened out a bit as we ascended, I found myself compulsively cycling through the external camera feeds on my wrist communicator, needing to anchor my thoughts on something not inside my skull. Most of the feeds were dust blasting in every direction, or the stars vibrating so bad they were just blurred, making me nauseated.

I closed my eyes for a second, deep breathing.

We still hadn't figured out how to transfer files off the mysterious tablet. Our workaround involved opening documents that had interesting titles and then taking photographs with our helmet cameras. It was tedious, but it worked. We no longer had to huddle around the device and share it between the different teams. I had already captured thousands of pages during my first round of access, which I'd read about half of. I hoped to capture even more so I could read when I wasn't doing something that kept us alive.

The vibration was reduced even further. I opened my eyes and cycled through the external cameras again. The dust cloud we kicked up was landing back down, allowing us to see the Moon's surface again.

The landing pad slowly receded into the distance as we made our escape from the Moon's gravity well. My gaze lingered on the structure we had left behind. What had seemed like a simple box building when we were on the Moon. I blinked, confused; it seemed larger than I remembered it. As I watched, it was transforming, morphing, getting larger, and "walking" out of a crater it apparently was in. I watched slack-jawed as it changed into something that belonged more in a sci-fi novel than in our reality.

"Hey, everyone, you need to see this," I called out, throwing the video feed on the big display. The other engineers looked up, their eyes widening as they took in the sight of the box-not-box glowing and lifting off the surface of the Moon. Its plume was tiny compared to our rocket's, having minimal dust blow-off, making it seem almost elegant in comparison.

"Is that... following us?" A female engineer I didn't know the name of asked, her voice a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"Looks like it," I replied, watching as the mysterious craft accelerated. I switched cameras to monitor as it caught up to us. I watched as it slowed and maintained a steady distance just a few miles away from us. "It's keeping pace with us."

"Should we be worried?" Sarah wondered aloud, her brow furrowed as he studied the unknown ship.

"Let's just keep an eye on it for now," I decided, feeling a mix of fascination and unease. "Zenthara said he would take his ship. That must be it."

I watched both our ships accelerate till our engines cut out, and Zenthara's ship pulled ahead but then cut its engines as well. Now we had 7 days of drifting to home.

I looked at my clock. 3 hours till it was my turn with Zenthara's tablet.


Sarah's Perspective

The takeoff from the Moon to Earth was a serene experience, like being cradled in the gentle arms of gravity itself. I wouldn't willingly go through it if I didn't have to, but the thought of going home to my kids made it all worth it.

The vibration was nothing compared to the takeoff from Earth.

Before we took off, I made a call to Isaac and the kids.

"Hey, you guys!" I said, my voice trembling with excitement.

"Mommy!" cried little Aurora, bouncing up and down on the screen. She didn't understand the delays in the phone call. Issac explained it as light lag. "When are you coming home?"

"Very soon, sweetheart," I replied, trying to keep my composure. "I'm on my way now. I should be home in around a week or so."

"So long!" Aurora complained.

"Did you see the aliens?" asked Leo, his eyes wide with curiosity.

"Yeah. And they are coming to Earth with me," I told him. "We are working out a plan to make everything work out.."

"Can't wait to hear all about it," Isaac said, smiling warmly at me.

"Me too," I whispered, feeling a pang of longing for them. "Love you guys."

"Love you too, Mommy!" the kids chorused before we ended the call.

The flight itself was much better this time around. We had regular access to the internet and communications, making the journey feel less isolated. I spent my time working with Mr. Torres on the speeches and receptions we would need to host shortly after we landed. It wasn't a short list of dignitaries that we would need to appease and negotiate with.

"Looks like we'll have our hands full once we're back on Earth," I commented, scanning the list of names and titles.

"Indeed," Mr. Torres agreed, his fingers tapping away at his tablet. "But I'm glad we are preparing in advance...Maybe I'll be able to go home to see my family in between."

"Me too," I said, feeling a mix of pride and relief. I was happy to play the supporting role, letting Mr. Torres take the lead in dealing with the complexities of diplomacy.

I can't imagine that pressure. Surprisingly, Mr. Torres didn't seem to be fazed by it.

The hum of the spacecraft filled the air, providing a soothing backdrop to the hours spent poring over the material Mr. Torres had provided me with. The history of Zenthara's people was fascinating, spanning thousands of years and including 29 different species. As I read, I compared it to Earth's own history – like a complex tapestry woven from countless individual threads.

Remarkably, the histories were similar. We had wars. They had wars. We had genocides. They had genocides. We had climate disasters. They had climate disasters. We had heroes. They had heroes. We had mythology. They had mythology.

I noticed something peculiar: the records became more fragmented and less detailed the closer they came to the present day. It seemed too consistent to be unintentional, and I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there was something deliberate behind it.

"Mr. Torres," I began, turning to him with furrowed brows. "Have you noticed how the historical records become more broken and scarce as they approach the present?"

He looked up from his own tablet, considering my question for a moment before replying. "Yes, I have. I've been hypothesizing that it might be connected to the war. You know how things can get lost or destroyed during times of conflict."

I frowned, still not entirely convinced. "That's true, but this feels more deliberate to me. Almost like someone is trying to hide or manipulate information."

Mr. Torres' expression mirrored my concern, but he shook his head slightly. "That's a possibility, but we must approach this situation in good faith. Humanity doesn't have the power to leverage a conversation of equals at this point, and it's our responsibility to build trust and cooperation with Zenthara's people. Maybe in my lifetime or at least yours, we will get a more detailed picture."

I couldn't argue with his logic, but the unease remained coiled in my gut.

"Alright," I finally conceded, returning my attention to the material before me.

On the sixth day of our journey back to Earth, I found myself lingering with the communication app open, eager to hear the familiar voices of my family. They had become a lifeline for me, helping me maintain a sense of balance amidst...everything.

Thankfully, as we got closer, we ended up with the lag being reduced more and more.

"Hey, babe," I said as soon as Issac's face appeared on the screen, his eyes lighting up when he saw me.

"Sarah! How are you holding up?" he asked, genuine concern etched across his features.

"Better, now that we're almost home," I replied with a weary smile. "I miss you all so much."

"We are going to come to the spaceport to watch you touch down," he said.

I smiled. "That's wonderful, but you do realize I won't see you for at least a few days, right? We need to quarantine."

Issac "That's Okay. It's the thought that counts. And we have binoculars."

I rolled my eyes. "That doesn't help me."

His eyes went hard for a split second but softened, and he mischievously smirked. "Maybe. I'll figure something out."

I smiled as I got a pop-up that I had to hang up in less than 30 seconds. "Okay, Isaac. I need to go."

Issac feigned insult. "Use my full legal name, why don't you."

I laughed and hurried to say, "That's not what I mean!"

Issac said, "Yeah, I know, I'm just-" The line cut off.

My heart fell to my stomach as I longed to be home.


Issac's Perspective

The phone calls were allocated by time to everyone who wanted to participate. Sarah's time timed out. She sent me her wait time estimate. This time, the kids were going to be around, which was going to be a great happy moment for Sarah.

When the phone came in, I pointed the phone at the kids and hit answer.

"Mommy, we made signs for you!" Aurora said excitedly on the video call. She held up a colorful poster she and Leo had made with Ryan's help. The lag time between our messages had been decreasing as Sarah got closer to Earth, which only made me more excited to see her again.

Tears welled up in Sarah's eyes as she looked at the signs her children had made for her. "I love them, sweethearts. I can't wait to hold you all in my arms again." Her voice was shaky with emotion.

"Sarah, we'll be at the spaceport tomorrow when you land. We're all looking forward to seeing you," I told her, my heart swelling with anticipation.

"Thank you, Issac. I can't wait to see you all after the quarantine. I have to go again. The times are getting shorter; a bunch of people want to call their families as well." she replied, blowing us a kiss before ending the call.

The kids were excited and disappointed and rolled into one.

The next day, Ethan, Ryan, Aurora, Leo, and I piled into the car and drove to the spaceport. We grabbed some fast food on the way, the smell of burgers and fries filling the vehicle. This time, I wasn't weighed down by the fog of distress that had enveloped me when Sarah left. Today was a day of joy and reunions.

As we approached the security gates, I showed my pass, and we were directed to park. Technically, I shouldn't have been able to bring my whole family into the observation room of the monitoring auditorium – being an astronomer didn't exactly grant me that privilege. But my colleagues were understanding, and they welcomed us without issue.

"Wow, look at all the screens!" Aurora marveled at everything around us as we entered the auditorium.

"Are we going to see Mommy's rocket on one of those?" Leo asked his excitement barely contained.

"Definitely," I replied, a small grin forming on my face. "We'll see her rocket touch down, and soon after, we'll all be together again."

"Yay!" both kids cheered in unison.

"Are you ready for this, Issac?" Ethan asked me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"More than ready," I replied, my voice steady and confident. My internal conflict was buried deep. "It's finally time to have our family back together again."

"Which window will show us Mommy's rocket?" Aurora asked, tugging at my sleeve.

"Will she see our signs?" Leo chimed in, holding up his handmade poster with pride.

I knelt down to their level, my heart aching as I replied, "Well, kiddos, Mommy won't be able to see the signs from the rocket. But I have an idea."

"Really? What is it?" Aurora's eyes lit up with hope.

"Once she lands, I'll try to sneak us into the isolation dormitories," I whispered conspiratorially.

"Dor-mi-to-ries?" Leo struggled to pronounce the word, his little face scrunched up in determination.

"Exactly," I nodded, smiling. "It's like a big building where Mommy will stay for a bit to get used to Earth again after being in space."

"Is space hard, Daddy?" Aurora tilted her head, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

"Let's ask Mommy when we see her, alright?" I suggested, standing up as the announcer came over the speakers.

"Rocket on first approach," the announcer declared, and I held my breath.

The satellite camera focused on the rocket, but my mouth dropped open as I noticed something else – the alien's rocket trailing behind ours. It was massive. In my mind, I quickly calculated its size, realizing it was at least ten times larger than our rocket. If not more.

"What's that?" Leo asked, clinging to my leg as Aurora did the same.

"Those are our new friends," I explained gently, trying to keep my voice steady. "They're coming to have a conversation with us."

The satellite camera feed is displayed on the large screen in front of us, showing a cloud-like substance suddenly sputtering out from Sarah's rocket. My blood ran cold as I realized there were only a few things that could cause such a reaction: the fuel, the oxidizer, or both. Any of them could be fatal.

"Is... Is that normal?" Ethan asked hesitantly, his voice wavering.

"Definitely not," I muttered under my breath, trying to keep my fear in check for the sake of Aurora and Leo.

"Danger, impact. Waiting for report," the announcer said over the speakers, causing a wave of anxiety to wash over the room. My vision began to tunnel, and I forced myself to exhale, staggering as I attempted to maintain my composure.

"Whoa, are you okay?" Ryan asked, reaching out to steady me as Ethan did the same.

"Y-yeah," I stammered, taking deep breaths as I awaited further information.

"Impact damaged box fins and damage to fuel tank one. Fuel leak. Self-seal successful, fuel below safe," the announcer finally reported.

"Does that mean it's okay now?" Ethan asked, still holding onto me.

"More or less..." I replied, still not entirely convinced.

"Is Mommy safe?" Aurora's trembling voice caught my attention, her eyes filled with tears that threatened to spill over. Leo stood next to her, his lip quivering as he tried to hold back his own tears.

"Mommy is very brave, sweetie. And she's got a whole team of people working to make sure everyone is safe," I reassured them, forcing a smile despite the gnawing fear clawing at my insides.

"Can we talk to her? Please?" Leo begged, looking up at me with wide, pleading eyes.

"We'll have to wait until she lands, buddy. The rocket is too close right now to have open communications with everyone," I said, ruffling his hair. "But I promise, we'll get to talk to her as soon as we can."

"Promise?" Aurora asked, sniffling and wiping her tears away.

"Promise," I confirmed, giving them both a hug. The tension in the room was palpable, yet I couldn't help but find solace in their innocence and unwavering faith that everything would be alright.

As we continued to watch the screen, I silently prayed that my reassurances wouldn't ring hollow – that Sarah would make it back to us safe and sound. For now, all we could do was hold onto each other and hope for the best.


The following is from the blog "GalacticGuru.net"

Title: Wake Up, Sheeple! Reptilians and Invaders Are Selling Us Out!

Folks, it's time to sound the alarm! GalacticGuru here with an urgent update that'll blow your minds. I've been digging deep, connecting dots, and what I've unearthed is downright terrifying. Our so-called "alien friends" are just the frontmen for a much darker scheme – one involving our long-time cosmic manipulators, the Reptilian Overlords!

The Unholy Alliance

You heard it right. The recent alien arrivals, those slick, space-wandering beings we're calling "Zenthara and friends", are in cahoots with the Reptilian Overlords. This ain't no coincidence or friendly visit; it's a calculated move in a grand cosmic chess game. They're not here to shake hands; they're here to carve up our planet like a Thanksgiving turkey!

Selling Earth Piece by Piece

My sources – and let me tell you, these are folks deep in the know – have revealed that Earth is being sold off in an interstellar auction. Yeah, you read that right. Our mountains, oceans, cities... all on the bidding table for alien tycoons. And the worst part? Our leaders are either too blind to see it or, even worse, getting a cut from this cosmic betrayal.

The Beachhead is Set

Now, let's talk about the so-called "peaceful" summit at NASA. It's nothing but a ruse, a smokescreen for setting up the first beachhead. While we're busy rolling out the red carpet, these invaders are plotting to take over. It's a classic tactic – distract and conquer. And guess who's at the front line of this betrayal? Zenthara and their mechanical minions!

Time to Rise and Resist

But here's where we, the informed few, draw the line. GalacticGuru.net isn't just about unveiling the truth; it's about rallying the resistance. We can't sit back and let these cosmic con artists trade our home for space credits. It's time to wake up, gear up, and stand up!

I urge you all – don't buy into the lies and propaganda. Keep your eyes on the skies and your ears to the ground. Remember, knowledge is power, and we've got the power to expose and oppose this planetary heist.

Stay alert, stay alive, and stay tuned for more updates. We're in this together, Truth Troopers!


The following is from the blog "Devine Daily"

Title: A Prayer for Unity: Embracing Peace in Our Cosmic Journey

As the stars twinkle in the vast expanse of the night sky, a profound truth dawns upon us – we are not alone in this magnificent universe. Recent events have unfolded a new chapter in humanity's journey, one that extends our family to include beings from beyond our world. Today, I write to you, dear readers of The Divine Daily, with a heart full of hope and hands joined in prayer, not just for us, but for all of God's creations, human and not.

In these historic times, as a rocket carrying brave souls ventures back to our beloved Earth, we find ourselves at a crossroads. The encounter with our new neighbors, the beings from beyond our skies, presents us with a unique opportunity – an opportunity to expand our understanding of unity, compassion, and the divine love that binds all creation.

Let us take a moment to reflect on the essence of our existence. We are all part of a grand, divine tapestry, woven intricately by the hands of the Almighty. Each thread, be it human or alien, plays a crucial role in the beauty of the whole. It's in these threads that we find the strength of our unity – a unity that transcends planets, stars, and galaxies.

As people of faith, it is our duty to extend our hands in fellowship to all of God's creations. The scriptures teach us to love our neighbor, and now, more than ever, these words resonate with a broader meaning. Our neighbors are not just those who walk beside us on Earth but also those who journey through the heavens.

In this spirit, let us come together in prayer. Let us pray for the safety of the brave individuals aboard the rocket, for their journey is not just a leap for mankind but a leap for all kindred spirits in the universe. Let us pray for wisdom and guidance for our leaders, that they may navigate this new relationship with compassion and understanding.

Most importantly, let us pray for peace – a peace that envelops every corner of the cosmos. A peace that acknowledges and celebrates the diversity of God's creation. A peace that allows us to look up at the night sky with wonder, not fear; with hope, not apprehension.

This is a time for unity, a time to embrace our role as stewards of love and harmony. As we stand at the dawn of this new era, let us remember that our actions, our thoughts, and our prayers have the power to shape the future. Let us choose a path of understanding, a path that leads to a future where all of God's creations live in harmony.

So, dear readers, I urge you to join me in this prayer for unity. Let us open our hearts to the possibilities that lie ahead. Let us be the beacons of hope and love in a universe that is watching and waiting. Together, under the vast, starlit sky, we are one – one family, one creation, one divine symphony.

May peace and love be with you all.


The following is from GNN

Title: Global Leaders Converge in Texas for Historic Interstellar Summit

In an unprecedented event that marks a new chapter in human history, world leaders are converging in Texas to participate in the first-ever interstellar summit. Hosted by NASA, this groundbreaking meeting will include representatives from Earth and the recently arrived extraterrestrial delegation led by the enigmatic figure known only as Zenthara.

The Dawn of a New Era

The summit, scheduled to take place at NASA's Johnson Space Center, is attracting global attention and has been hailed as the dawn of a new era in interspecies diplomacy. Preparations are in full swing, with stringent security measures being implemented to ensure the safety and privacy of the discussions.

A Meeting of Minds

Sources close to the summit's planning committee reveal that the agenda includes topics such as technological exchange, interstellar cooperation, and cosmic peacekeeping. The event promises to be a melting pot of ideas and cultures, with implications that reach far beyond our planet.

World Leaders on the Move

Several heads of state have already begun their journeys to Texas amid a flurry of media attention and public speculation. The summit is expected to draw a diverse array of political figures, scientists, and diplomats, all eager to witness and participate in these historic discussions.

Security at Its Peak

Security agencies are on high alert, coordinating closely with NASA officials to ensure a seamless and safe event. The summit is taking place under tight surveillance, with restricted airspace and heightened ground security in and around the Johnson Space Center.

A Global Spectacle

Media outlets from around the world are gearing up to cover the summit, with GNN planning round-the-clock coverage of the event. The eyes of the world are on Texas as we await the outcomes of what could be the most significant diplomatic event in human history.

Top Upvoted Comment:

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