Miles' Perspective
As I woke from the most satisfying slumber in ages, I felt disoriented and groggy. My usual nights were plagued with discomfort and pain, thanks to my terrible posture. The office chair I slept in didn't help, and I often found myself seeking refuge in the bean bag.
But last night was different; it was as if the moon's gravity and the pressure of my suit had woven a cocoon by Hypnos himself to sprinkle sand into my eyes. No alarm had been set, and I hadn't the slightest clue what time it was.
A reflexive motion brought up the HUD, revealing that I had slept for nearly ten hours.
"Unbelievable," I muttered, sitting up and feeling my rear end lift off the floor momentarily before hitting back down. As I opened the visor of my helmet, I surveyed the room, realizing everyone else was already awake. Sarah and the leader of the expedition were deep in conversation while some of my team members huddled around a table. Glancing around, I noticed I wasn't where I had fallen asleep; someone must have moved me, and I hadn't even stirred.
I tried to stand up but stumbled, making a noise; several people looked at me, including Sarah.
My stomach growled like a caged beast, loud enough to make a few heads turn my way. Sarah grinned and called out, "Good morning, sleepyhead! You slept like a log!"
"Can't remember the last time I had that much sleep," I admitted, feeling my cheeks warm up from the attention. As I stood up with the help of a chair, I stretched my arms above my head, surprised by the absence of pain in my back. I walked over to my bag and grabbed a protein bar and a "bottle" of water, then joined Sarah and the expedition leader at their table.
"Fill me in on what I missed," I said between bites of the protein bar.
"Sure thing, Miles," Sarah replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We had an extensive conversation with Zenthara," I mentally noted. Zentahra was the alien statue-non-statue. "They've shared some fascinating information about their civilization and technology." Sarah pointed at the table with my entire team sitting and huddled forward. Now that I was sitting in a chair, I saw a tablet on the table in between all of them.
"Interesting, but it feels like we're only scratching the surface," I mused, thinking of all the sci-fi movies I'd seen. "There must be so much more they haven't told us yet."
"Patience, young grasshopper," the Sarah chuckled. "We'll get there eventually."
I wagged my water bottle at her. "Are you really using movie references at me?" Sarah shrugged.
I nodded and turned my attention to the communications system that was now up and running. With access to my home computer and Issac, along with the rest of the computing team, I could start gathering updates on our rocket's status and progress. After making a request, I leaned back in my chair and waited for the incoming reports.
About fifteen minutes later, the reports started coming in. I quickly skimmed through them before bundling them up and sending them off to Issac and the team back at headquarters. I made sure to include a personal note for Issac, letting him know we were all okay and reminding him that I was committed to keeping his wife safe. On a more professional note, I also asked him to verify my calculations on fuel and angles.
I made my way over to the table where my team was huddling around the tablet. I started reading, upside down, in English, some general science information. Then I realized the information wasn't information I had read before, and it was claiming things only hypothesized by our theoretical scientists.
My attention was gripped, glued, and unmoving from the tablet.
Glancing at the clock, I couldn't believe I'd been sitting for hours. My back should've been screaming in protest, but it felt almost comfortable, even in this awkward chair and cumbersome suit. Even my usually stiff neck was only mildly bothersome. If only I could have an office on the moon, I mused.
"Hey, Sarah," I said, noting her tired expression. "You look like you could use some rest."
"Thanks, Miles," she replied with a weary smile. "But we both know there's too much to do right now."
The rest of the team seemed equally drained, their energy levels fluctuating between alert and half-asleep. As if on cue, I heard a beep from the radio. Activating the channel, I responded, and the voice of the engineer who'd guaranteed the failed battery wouldn't fail greeted me.
"We have successfully patched the rover," he announced.
"Good copy," I nodded, realizing too late that he couldn't see me. "Are you able to drop off supplies and one rover here so we can head back to the rocket when we're ready? Or would you prefer to come pick us up?"
"Your call, boss," came the reply through the radio.
I sighed. "If you can drop it off, that would be easier. We'll be able to grab some supplies and be ready to leave when we can."
"Good copy," the engineer confirmed.
Suddenly, the wall opposite the front door opened, and the giant metal sculpture—Zenthara—entered on its extra legs. Startled, I shrieked involuntarily, covering my mouth. The voice on the radio screamed, "What's going on!?"
Catching my breath, I saw Sarah trying to get my attention. "Miles, this is Zenthara. He's been our host."
"Do I need to send in the cavalry?" the voice demanded.
"No," I squeaked, still shaken. "I was just startled."
Zenthara seemed to ignore my outburst, walking slowly toward the table where Mr. Torres stood. My face flushed as I glanced around; some people snickered while others pretended not to notice. The security guy shot me a quick look before returning to his table, shuffling a deck of cards.
"Um, Sir-Ma'am," I stammered as I approached Zenthara, trying not to focus on the enormity of the statue before me, even as it was squatting. "I'm sorry for screaming. I was just...shocked."
Zenthara didn't move to look at me but replied in perfect English, "That is fine. You are the one who also fainted when I moved the first time."
"Thank you for your understanding, sir-ma'am-Zenthara. My name is Miles." I forced a smile, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Nice to meet you, Miles," the statue said without moving. "Can I help you with something? I have some things to discuss with Gabriel."
"No, that's it. Thank you...Zenthara." I backed away slowly and moved to the next table. Standing there, I stretched my limbs, neck, and back, listening intently to the conversation between our leaders. Sarah sat down next to Mr. Torres, her eyes filled with curiosity and exhaustion.
"Before your news," Gabriel began, "thank you very much for the tablet of information. It was enlightening. Your history seems incomplete, though. I fully understand that was intentional. I just wanted to bring that to your attention."
I glanced at the mention of the tablet, spotting the engineers sitting at a nearby table with it still between them. Zenthara responded slowly, "It is incomplete. It is a summary. Some information was omitted for brevity. Other things were lost during the war."
Mr. Torres said with a wave of a suited hand, "Don't worry. I'm sure with time you will give us a bigger database. This is already illuminating on many social and technological topics. What did you want to discuss?"
I watched as Zenthara shifted his posture for the first time since. "Yes," he said, his voice filled with a hint of discomfort. "The high council accepted the initial offering. And they approved a diplomatic mission to negotiate directly with your leaders..." He trailed off, leaving an unsettling silence in the air.
Mr. Torres leaned forward, his eyes locked on Zenthara's head. "I hope you give a good word on our behalf to the diplomatic team. You mentioned you were a warrior, not a diplomat."
"About that..." Zenthara shifted again. "I was...nominated or ordered. However, you choose to look at it, to go and meet with your leaders."
Mr. Torres chuckled, but there was no real mirth in his laughter. "My sympathies to you, my good being. It took a long time for me to transition from military to civilian life. You have my deepest sympathies."
Zenthara shifted once more, and I wondered if that was the alien's tell for discomfort. "I was hoping to go back to relaxing," it said, his tone resigned. "Oh well."
"Um, Zenthara?" I piped up, trying to keep my voice steady despite my nerves. It felt surreal, conversing with an extraterrestrial being. Zenthara moved his "head" slightly, acknowledging me. Mr. Torres and Sarah looked at me expectantly. "May I ask a question?"
"Yes?" Zenthara responded, his voice almost soothing.
"Will you be joining our rocket to Earth?" I asked, swallowing hard to keep my emotions in check.
"That wasn't the plan," he replied. "Why do you ask?"
I gulped again, feeling a bead of sweat trickle down my forehead. "Our rocket will need adjustments based on weight and volume. The weight of you and the other delegates, so I can pass it to our math guy to do the calculations."
Zenthara shifted once more, seeming to contemplate my words. "I was planning to take my own ship. That seems to be the smartest move."
"Guess that depends on the size of your team," Mr. Torres offered a hint of relief in his voice.
"It's also a security question," Zenthara said, his tone firm. "I would be more comfortable having my own home with me."
I nodded, understanding his point of view. I felt relieved to not have to do that math.
John's Perspective
The air was stale and heavy in our makeshift quarters. I found myself in the all-too-familiar hurry-up and wait cycle of my life, where urgency gave way to boredom. The other "security" guys didn't seem to have much going on either.
"Thank every deity," I muttered under my breath as one of the guys pulled out a deck of cards. It was a godsend, something to keep us sane and prevent our trigger fingers from getting itchy. For hours, we played round after round of various card games – some familiar, others so strange I could barely pronounce their names in languages I couldn't bother to learn. By the end of it all, I had won two protein bars.
Suddenly, Zenthara returned to the room, his massive frame imposing even when standing squatted and still. I only realized I hadn't reacted to his presence when the black egghead let out a scream that echoed through the chamber. Honestly, I couldn't understand how someone so big could be such a scaredy-cat.
"Keep it together, man," I grumbled, focusing half an ear on Zenthara as I shuffled the deck of cards. He explained that his superiors had agreed to our bosses' proposal, which caught my attention. But it was when he mentioned coming to Earth that both sides of my brain kicked into overdrive. This was not good.
"Wait, you're coming to Earth?" I asked, trying to hide the unease in my voice. As I looked over at their table.
"Yes," Zenthara replied indifferently. "My people believe it is best for diplomatic relations."
I exchanged worried glances with my fellow security personnel, my mind racing with thoughts of potential disasters. As I turned back to the table I was sitting at and continued dealing cards to distract myself, I listened intently to Zenthara's words, trying to gauge the extent of the looming threat.
After fumbling the deck for a third time in a row, I put the deck of cards in front of the next person to shuffle, my thoughts stuck on Zenthara's intentions. I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. Walking over to the table where Zenthara was explaining his plans for Earth, my heart raced as the hair on the back of my neck stood up.
"Security purposes" was his nonchalant reason. But it sounded more like an excuse than a reason to me.
I glanced at the egghead diplomat whose face lit up with relief. His happiness seemed misplaced, given the circumstances. Trying to appear casual, I joined the conversation.
"So, can I ask a few questions?" Everyone's gazes fell upon me.
"John Cooper, what can I do for you?" Zenthara said.
The fact that he said my full legal name so casually unnerved me. I hadn't told him my name, and neither had anyone else on the team. I forced a smile, doing my best to keep calm. "Yes, I had a few questions with the security of your travels in mind. The first question is, where will you be going?"
Zenthara eyed me thoughtfully. "Well, since your ship will be landing in the spaceport it was launched from, I was planning to land there as well."
I nodded, trying to process this information. "The customary place for leaders' meetings is usually done in one of the UN facilities."
"I'm sure the leaders of your nations would be willing to make an exception to your customs," Zenthara countered. "I and most of my team would struggle to enter any human building anyway."
Gabriel Torres, chimed in. "I'm sure that the leadership will see the wisdom in coming to the table wherever you will be willing to talk to them."
Zenthara's words echoed in my mind, and I couldn't help but wonder how much they really knew about our customs and structures. Would they exploit that knowledge? And what would it mean for us, the humans who were suddenly thrust into this delicate dance of diplomacy?
As these questions swirled around my head, I realized I had a responsibility. We had to be prepared for anything – and everything.
I forced a smile, my heart pounding in my chest. "That seems reasonable," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "There are plenty of facilities at the NASA campus to accommodate a few hundred dignitaries on the human side with reasonable security. On your side, how many delegates and what kind of security would you expect?"
Zenthara considered this for a moment before responding. "Well, at the conversation, it will be at least myself and my second. Then, an avatar of the mind. I would also offer a few of the other leaders in my unit to participate. And during open session, I would imagine at least a few more of my units interested in talking to people."
I nodded, still trying to maintain my composure. "So maybe around 20?" I ventured.
"At the official and informal meetings, most likely yes," Zenthara confirmed. "But don't worry about security. For our weakest units, you would probably need an anti-tank ordinance. As for me... well, based on your military documents, the most advanced weapons might hurt me."
My blood ran cold at the subtle threat, but I refused to let it show. Gabriel Torres frowned, clearly concerned as well. "If that is the level of your armor and armament, I shudder to think what your enemies had," he said, his voice strained.
"Identical to me," Zenthara replied matter-of-factly. "There are a few designs that are more heavily armored than me, but most of those were wiped out. We might have two or three teams in our entire fleet."
I swallowed hard, feeling a bead of sweat trickle down my spine. "That makes sense, and thank you for your candor. Final question from security: will you need living accommodations?"
"No," Zenthara replied without hesitation. "We will stay on our ship. I am planning to land it not far from where the meetings will be held."
The egghead piped up, his voice a mix of awe and confusion. "How will that work? We have to park miles away with how large our torch and boom are."
Zenthara craned his neck. "That is not an issue for us. We can land within... I think 400 of your meters." He turned back to me, his expression serious once more. "So I am grateful for your consideration, but I don't think your efforts will be needed. Do whatever will make your dignitaries feel safe."
I took a deep breath, processing what he'd just said. I also felt like it was a subtle dis about the dignitaries feeling safe. My mind raced with the implications of his words. There was no room for fear or doubt now.
"Alright," I said, pulling myself together as I rejoined my fellow security officers at the table. They looked up at me with an odd mixture of apprehension and resolve. "Deal me in."
"Did everyone catch that?" I asked as the cards were dealt, keeping my voice steady despite the tension hanging in the air. They nodded, their expressions grim. We all knew what was at stake here, and there was no turning back now.
"Will everyone tell our individual bosses and reports that we need to stay frosty?" I continued, my gaze sweeping over each of them. They nodded again.
I lost my two protein bars by not paying attention to the game.
Zenthara's Perspective
I couldn't help but feel a sense of pleasure as I described the capabilities of my armor to the human military officer. It was strange, this satisfaction in sharing our technological advancements with a species we barely knew.
My words may have been a slight exaggeration, but not by much – a well-placed slug could indeed damage the scout and aerial units. The Mind was vulnerable as well, but it never left the safety of the ship.
But still, my armor was objectively impressive.
As the officer walked away, a hint of curiosity sparked within me. What message would the human security personnel send up their chain of command regarding our conversation? It would be interesting to find out. I sent a note to the mind to look for that communication and forward it to me.
"Alright, let's make a plan," Gabriel said, pulling my attention back to the task at hand. We agreed that he would organize the humans while I took care of my own team. We'd touch base periodically to ensure things were running smoothly.
The mind sent me a message acknowledging my request and indicating that it had prepared an update for Gabriel's tablet that would enable him to message me directly, though it wasn't truly necessary. If he spoke aloud, I would hear him regardless.
I relayed the information to Gabriel, and Sarah helped him access the new function on the tablet I gave them. The engineering humans complained about relinquishing the device. The one who apologized for yelling suggested that we take pictures of the material and examine it so that Gabriel would be able to have his tablet back.
With our plan set, I made my way to the observation room.
"Please call all leaders from our unit," I instructed my second-in-command. "We need to make a plan for our diplomatic mission."
A flicker of amusement was signaled before they deactivated their visual sensors. As I stepped up to my station, I surveyed the various displays before me. Thankfully, nothing appeared to be on the verge of destruction. Our outer communications remained silent, with no word from our FTL antennas. It could always be worse, I supposed.
"Leaders of our unit assemble," my second finally announced after receiving confirmation that everyone was ready.
The moment my second's message reached me, an electric jolt of anticipation surged through my circuits. I switched off my optical sensors and strode into the council room, feeling the familiar hum of energy in the air as my unit awaited my arrival. The virtual space was not dissimilar to the high council. The only thing absent was the table in the middle of the space for the Govoners.
"Thank you all for assembling so swiftly," I began, my voice echoing through the chamber. I stood in the middle, with the avatars of all of us. "We have been given our orders: we are to embark on a diplomatic mission to Earth. Our task now is to devise a plan of approach and assemble a team to execute it."
I paused, observing the reactions around me. The atmosphere seemed mostly positive, with just a hint of underlying uncertainty. My unit consisted of a diverse array of beings – about 10% military personnel like me and the rest an eclectic mix from various governors, casts, and models.
"Any opinions based on the order we received?" I asked after allowing 40 processing units to think. The military units signaled their contentment with the situation, while the scouts and mind expressed excitement.
"Listen," I said, trying to rein in my impatience. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, but we need more than just emotions right now. We need concrete ideas and strategies. So please, put in some effort, and let's get to work."
My second cleared his throat. "From a security standpoint, I propose having a military escort for every other member to prevent any threats. We've lost enough entities from our unit already."
I nodded, pleased by the practical suggestion. "An excellent point. Though I think that's unneeded. Only backed-up units will be deployed. But the humans don't have weapons powerful enough to threaten us."
My second spoke again, "I'll be at your side regardless."
I acknowledged his words and said, "Please prepare your proposals, make a list of proposed interactions and proposed process for the negotiations."
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