Sarah's Perspective
The ambulance ride was short, but being alone with my thoughts and a stranger whose face I couldn't see behind his hazmat suit felt isolating.
I was still in my suit. It felt like it weighed 100 pounds, preventing me from moving. The life support pack was taken off, allowing me to lie flat on the gurney. However, gravity was still painfully oppressive on every joint.
And I had an itch on my ear I couldn't get.
As we pulled into the isolation dorms, I watched plastic drape over the back window of the ambulance, sealing me away from the world I had just returned to.
I felt so lonely for some reason.
I just wanted to see Isaac and my kids...
The ambulance came to a gentle stop, the faceless attendant swung the door open, and more people were standing there ready to help. They pulled me out of the back of the ambulance, closed my faceplate again, and attached a air supply.
"We are going to spray decontaminant," one of them said on the radio before spraying me down on all sides. Two of them helped lift me while one of them sprayed the back of the suit.
Thoroughly wet, the liquid streaking on my faceplate, I was wheeled through more plastic drapes. A rush of air swirled all around me. I was grateful for the air supply. After a beep sounded, the far door opened, and my assistants passed me off to the next set of assistants.
They wheeled me into a changing room, where the atmosphere was heavy, almost suffocating. More people in full hazmat gear assisted me out of my flight suit. Their faces were obscured, but I could feel their concern, their fear. It distressed me how weak I had become, unable to even change on my own. I was embarrassed to be seen naked. But there was nothing I could do but follow their instructions.
They helped me into comfy gym clothing and then transferred me to another gurney. My wrist communicator and tablet lay next to me, silent reminders of the life I had left behind.
As they wheeled me into the room with everyone else from the flight, I noticed a large window at the far end. A few people I didn't recognize were milling around, staring at tablets and files of paper. I looked around and saw many people in worse shape than me. I was at least able to lift and move my head now that I was out of the flight suit. With great effort, I finally itched my ear.
I felt lonely and isolated. Somehow, this sterile white room felt more alien than the one on Zenthara's ship.
Miles was wheeled in, looking as if he was asleep. His eyes flickered open for a moment, and he said, "Hey. We're back home."
The word "home" struck a chord deep within me, causing my heart to ache. Miles continued, wincing slightly, "I'm thinking of asking for an office change to the moon. My back hurt less up there."
I couldn't help but laugh at his joke. "Miles, we don't have facilities on the moon."
He sighed, wincing again in pain. "Then I'll offer to supervise the construction of facilities."
I smiled, trying to mask my own discomfort. "You liked it that much on the moon?"
"I just hate gravity that much..." he replied, his voice trailing off.
Miles' breathing slowed, and I realized he must have fallen asleep. With considerable effort, I pushed myself up on the gurney and hugged my knees to my chest. The loneliness was suffocating, even though my colleagues were right there with me—some of them sleeping, others being attended to by medical professionals. All I wanted was to see my kids and husband again. I kept telling myself it would only be a few more days until I could.
"Can I get you anything?" an attendant in a light hazmat suit asked softly as they approached my gurney. He put several of my possessions on the little hospital table on wheels, including my wrist communicator, work tablet, and locker bag. My phone was in there, but after more than two weeks it was dead. I wasn't even going to try to get my hopes up to look at it.
I shook my head, wiping away a tear that had managed to escape. "No, thank you," I said, trying to sound brave. "I'm just tired."
The attendant nodded and moved away, leaving me to bury my face in my knees once more.
My wrist communicator chirped, but I ignored it at first, assuming it was just work-related, and I deserved a break. But when it chirped again, I sighed, reluctantly grabbing it. Two messages awaited me through the secure message system. The first read, "Turn Left." The second one said, "Your other left."
Confused, I lifted my head and looked around, finally turning to my right. There, at the large window on the far end of the room, I saw signs pressed against the glass: "Welcome Home Mommy."
Tears welled up in my eyes, and sobs racked my body.
Issac's Perspective
I asked the kids to tighten their grips on the handmade signs as I hoisted them onto my hips, making sure not to drop anyone or anything. It was easier this way. And faster. We exited through the side door that was always unlocked for the smokers, making our way towards the isolation dorms.
"Stay quiet," I whispered to them. Their excitement vibrated through their little bodies. They nodded their understanding, covering their smiling mouths with their tiny hands.
As we rounded the corner, I saw the entrance to the office building where Miles and I had our offices. Instead of walking through the front door, though, I pretended to enter the side door about fifty yards from the isolation dorms' side entrance.
The thought of seeing Sarah again quickened my steps, and the brisk walk seemed to thrill my kids even more. They softly giggled but muffled themselves without me having to tell them again.
The moment we entered the isolation dorm's front room, I ran into a group of staffers. My heartbeat sped up, but thankfully, I recognized a few familiar faces. One of them, whose name I thought was Jack or James, stormed up to me.
"Hey, you know you aren't supposed to be here!" he said, his voice a mix of sternness and concern.
I nodded, glancing down at the signs my kids were holding up. "I know. We just wanted to show Sarah the signs."
"Okay, okay," he sighed, looked at his watch, then his phone. After glancing around the room at everyone else, obviously looking away from us, he said, "If you get caught by the director, none of us saw you." I looked around, and all the others were doing their best to avoid eye contact with us.
"Thank you," I said to Jack or James. He shrugged and waved for us to follow.
Jack/James led us through the sterile, white halls of the isolation dorms until we reached an observation room. My heart jumped to my throat when I immediately spotted Sarah through the glass window. She was curled up on her bed, holding her knees to her chest. Her once vibrant spirit seemed to have evaporated, leaving behind a small, broken, and vulnerable woman.
"Here," Jack/James said, pulling two chairs next to the observation window. "Do you want me to get her attention, or you can try to send her a message to her communicator?"
"Message" was all I managed to croak out. My hands trembling as I put Aurora and Leo down on the chairs, both of them clutching their signs with excited anticipation. I pulled out my phone, opened the secure communication app, selected Sarah, and typed out "Turn Left" before hitting send. Then, as an afterthought, I added, "Your other left" and sent that one too. Thank all the pantheons for autocorrect; I could hardly see the screen through my blurry vision.
With my phone safely back in my pocket, I helped my kids hold up their colorful signs, our eyes never leaving Sarah through the glass.
After what felt like an eternity, Sarah lifted her head, and my heart broke at the sight of her tear-stained face. She took her communicator off the table, looked confused at it, and then looked around, even more confused, before her eyes finally landed on the signs. A smile bloomed across her face as she locked eyes with me, and then, to my horror, she lunged forward.
"Sarah!" I shouted, watching as she tumbled off the gurney and staggered toward the window. Multiple attendants rushed over, steadying her as she tried to get closer to us. Words tumbled out of her mouth, but I couldn't make any sense of them. All I knew was that she was gesturing towards the window, towards us.
The attendant glanced at us through the hazmat mask, a scowl on their face. But they helped Sarah come closer to the glass.
"Mommy!" Aurora and Leo cried out in unison. Their eyes shone with pure joy, a sight I hadn't seen in weeks. I couldn't help but let out a small laugh, even as my own tears continued to flow. Jake/James hit a button on the wall, bringing the intercom to life.
"Hey, guys," Sarah choked out, her voice barely audible through the intercom. "I love your signs."
"Hey, baby! Welcome home," I choked out through the intercom, hot tears streaming down my cheeks as Sarah's sobbing smile met mine through the glass. Her hand pressed against the surface, and Aurora and Leo eagerly followed suit, their tiny hands mirroring hers.
I strained to make out the words that bubbled up from her lips, lost amidst the sobs and distorted through the intercom. The kids babbled back at her in their rapid-fire way, and though I couldn't understand a word of it, the emotion behind their voices rang clear as day. Love, relief, and a fierce joy reverberated through each syllable.
"Guys, the director is coming in the next two minutes or so," Jake/James whispered urgently, tapping me on the shoulder. Though his face was apologetic, there was an edge of panic in his voice. "You should go."
I nodded, unable to form words as I watched Sarah's tear-soaked face. My heart twisted with a mixture of pain and love. I kissed my hand and pressed it against the glass where Sarah's was. The kids copied the gesture, and Sarah placed one hand over mine and the other over theirs.
"Sorry to hurry you along, but I really need you guys to go," Jake/James urged his gaze darting between us and the door. He pointed at the posters. "Leave those. I'll sterilize them and give them to... her." His eyes flicked towards Sarah.
"Baby, we need to go," I managed to say. "Thank you. I'll stop by to see you as soon as I can." Even as the words left my mouth, Jake/James was placing the kids in my arms and pushing me to the door we came through.
"Bye, Mommy!" Aurora and Leo called out in unison, waving their hands as Jake/James led us away from the observation room. Their voices were a mix of happiness and sadness, echoing the turmoil I felt within.
As we stepped out into the crisp evening air, a gust of wind ruffled Aurora's hair, making her giggle. I grinned, grateful for the momentary distraction from the heaviness in my chest. Jake/James held the door open, his eyes darting nervously around the corner.
"Sorry I rushed you," he said, glancing back at me. "I didn't want you or me to get in trouble."
I extended my hand to him. "No, thank you. It was wonderful." He shook my hand with a nod and hurried back inside, the door clicking shut behind him. The kids looked up at me, their eyes wide and shining.
"Mommy is home!" they cheered in unison.
"Yes," I agreed, smiling down at them. "Good job on those signs."
"Is Mommy sad?" Leo asked, his brow furrowing with concern. "She was crying."
I shook my head, trying to reassure him. "No, she was so happy the emotions had to come out somehow." As I spoke, a sudden burning sensation shot through my hands. Exhaustion hit me like a ton of bricks. "Can you two walk? I'm getting tired."
"Of course, Daddy," Aurora replied, taking my hand while Leo grabbed onto the other.
As we walked toward the parking lot, my Mind oscillated between thoughts of love for Sarah and feelings of pain and betrayal over her decision to go on this trip. With every step, though, the path forward became clearer: I needed to focus my efforts on forgiving and loving my wife.
"Hey, guys!" Ethan called as he and Ryan approached us from the entrance to the parking lot. "So, no felonies? I don't have to scrape bail for the three of you?"
I chuckled weakly, shaking my head. "Nope. Not this time."
"Thank goodness," Ryan chimed in, grinning. "We don't need any more excitement for one day."
John's Perspective
The weight of the space suit bore down on me as I trudged forward, my legs threatening to buckle under the pressure. My fellow security guys seemed to be faring no better, each of us struggling with the suits.
"Damn, these things feel worse than ruck marches," I muttered to no one in particular, earning a few weak chuckles from my comrades. But we managed to make it out of the ship without collapsing, and for that, I was grateful.
Looking around, I saw several ambulances and people in hazmat escorting the expedition members. The captain and his crew were walking with us weekly.
A man in a hazmat ran up to us and pointed to a sprinter van saying "Since you are walking, you can take the van instead of an ambulance."
We looked at the sprinter van parked passed the ambulances and sighed, walking towards it. The captain tried to follow us, but the stern-faced man in hazmat told him he needed to get checked out by medical – protocol and all that. He nodded solemnly and walked away, leaving us to our own devices.
We waddled up to the van, the doors sliding open. With hellish effort, we tumbled in, helping each other the best we could.
The driver of the van looked like he belonged in a SEAL team despite the hazmat suit he wore. He didn't say much; he just gestured for us to hold on, so we did.
As the van made its way to the isolation dorms, I watched the other ambulances get passed by the driver with a metal foot. Then we drove past the line, waiting to get in.
I got an annoying thought that we were taken behind the shed for some reason.
The van pulled up to a loading dock instead of the garage where everyone else was being directed. As we stepped out, I focused on not faceplanting into the cold concrete below. Chairs had been set up for us, but before we could even consider sitting, the doors flew open, and there stood my boss and his boss, flanked by a few attachés. None of them wore any kind of personal protective equipment, which struck me as odd.
"John," my boss called out, "You and your team have done a fine job. You should be proud."
"Thank you, sir," I replied, trying to keep a straight face as I swayed on my feet. My legs felt like jelly, but there was no way I was going to let them know that.
"Have a seat, all of you," his boss commanded, but none of us moved. We exchanged glances, silently agreeing to remain standing.
My boss and his boss exchanged amused glances. "You guys can sit. You have earned a rest," one of them said, but none of us moved. We remained standing, swaying slightly from the weight of the space suits, our feet firmly planted on the ground.
"Sir, I regret to inform you that you lost our bet," my boss smirked, and his boss chuckled, producing a coin from his pocket and handing it over.
He then turned his attention back to us. "So this guy tells me you guys don't think we can win against the enemies?" The question hung in the air, heavy as the suits we wore.
I glanced at my fellow security team members before speaking up. "Sirs, why do you think they are our enemy?"
"Because, John," his boss replied, eyes narrowing, "I look at everyone as a potential enemy. That's why I'm still in this young man's game in my ripe old age." He trailed off, staring down at the floor as if searching for answers in its cold, unyielding surface.
I pushed further. "Sirs, I don't think they're our enemy for one simple reason. If they chose to be our enemies, they could toss their trash out the window on a drive-by and wipe us out. The fact that they want to talk... well, we only talk to enemies to put pieces in place, but they already had the high ground, and we don't have a single weapon we can use to do anything meaningful against them."
As my words echoed in the room, my boss and his boss stepped closer, their faces serious. Nervously, I added, "Sirs, you guys should really be wearing at least a mask or something."
"Son, I'm so old I don't care," my boss's boss laughed, a sound like gravel scraping against metal. "And if you were going to be infected with something, you would have shown symptoms already. It's health and security theater to prevent people from panicking." His voice trailed off as he gestured towards the isolation spaces.
My boss snapped his fingers and an attaché produced a report, flipping it to a spesific page. "You have reported that their ship is at least 100 miles accross, if not larger, and hundreds of yards tall. But you don't have any weapons capabilities listed."
"No, sir. I did not see any weapons, but they put up a blast wall at least 400 yards tall and at least 30 miles long in a matter of seconds after our landing. If they can do that, I doubt anything we have would pose any significant threat to them."
"What about nukes or rail guns?" my boss asked, the desperation in his voice just barely hidden.
I blinked and sighed, feeling the weight of the situation press down on me. "If we took every nuke we had and stuck it on every rail gun we wish we had, we might be able to scratch their paint...Sirs," I said, trying to stay respectful enough not to get sacked...in the worst possible meaning of the word.
Their expressions remained serious as my boss's boss snapped his fingers at his attache. The attache quickly handed him a tablet. He tapped on it and read aloud, "It is the recommendation to pursue peaceful ends with the aliens. Because they are asking for refuge and are willing to provide raw materials and knowledge, they would be beneficial to befriend."
He looked at each of us in turn, his gaze piercing like the tip of a spear. "Do you agree with that statement?"
I swallowed hard, feeling the eyes of everyone in the room on me. "Yes, sir. It is my professional opinion and personal preference to try peace for once..." My voice trailed off under the intensity of his stare.
"Good job, boys," my boss's boss said with a nod, handing the tablet back to his attache. "And all of you are my boys. Even those of you from other grandpas." He chuckled at his own joke, but the tension in the room remained palpable.
As we swayed at attention, he continued, "Tough crowd. Anyway, I suggest you recover and rest. This will take at least a few days to shake out." And with that, my boss and his boss turned on their heels and walked back out without another word.
The silence that followed felt oppressive, as if the air itself was bearing down on us. Then, the SEAL in the hazmat suit broke the stillness, saying, "I'll take you to the rest of the expedition."
I really hope this meant they weren't going to try to fight the aliens off our solar lawn...
Zenthara's Perspective
As the last of the humans disappeared from sight, my second and I made our way back onto the ship. We passed the human vessel docked nearby, its metallic exterior gleaming under the artificial light. It struck me that we would need to remove it at some point, lest it become an eyesore or even a security risk.
"Please send your experience to the sync," I instructed the gathered assembly. Within moments, data files began to stream into my consciousness, each one meticulously documenting every interaction with the humans.
I reviewed the files in a matter of a few processing cycles. As I finished the last file, I addressed the waiting group. "Thank you, everything is good. You are free to go, thank you for your service." A collective signal of acknowledgment rippled through the room, and they began to disperse.
As my second and I strode through the corridor toward the command center, I prepared the report to be sent to the governors.
"Excuse me," a timid voice interrupted my thoughts. Nolivrex fell into step beside us.
"What can I do for you?" I asked, my attention refocusing on him.
"I had a chance to talk to Dr. Miles Abraham Nelson," Nolivrex said, his voice hesitant. I quickly accessed his files, finding the conversation he mentioned.
"I see. And?" I prompted, seeking clarity on his purpose.
Nolivrex continued, "I would like to speak with Dr. Miles Abraham Nelson and Dr. Issac Shepherd." He glanced around nervously as if worried someone might overhear.
"Why?" I inquired, scanning for any possible reasons within his data.
"They are into telescopes and astronomy," Nolivrex replied, his voice tinged with excitement.
"I will evaluate your request and let you know," I responded. Nolivrex's gratitude signal came through as he said, "Thank you," before walking away.
My second and I reached the command center, the door sliding open with a subtle hum as we entered. The Mind greeted us immediately. "The High Council is requesting a meeting."
Signaling every sign of irritation before I controlled it, I walked to my station and connected to The High Council without a word to The Mind or my second.
I materiliazed in my dezignated spot. The council space was empty, save for the governors. I could practically feel the weight of their gazes on me.
"Why am I the only one here?" I asked, annoyance signaling as I spoke. I didn't need to save face if I wasn't being watched.
One governor replied, "You refused your appointment to this table so you are a council member that has extra responsibilities." The reminder of my own choices only fueled my irritation further.
"Fine," I snapped, not bothering to hide my frustration, and moved myself to the center of the virtual meeting space. The governors visibly recoiled from me, even though we were in a virtual area. My emotions must have been more intense than I realized.
"Again, what do you want from me? Did we receive a message?" I demanded.
One of the governors replied, "No message from our FTL relay."
Another governor chimed in, "We wanted to know if you think the humans suspect anything?"
I took a moment to process their question, considering every interaction I'd had with the humans thus far and sending the summary and experience files to them. "Not anywhere near the truth," I finally responded. "Gabriel definitely suspects we aren't saying the full truth, though..."
The governors' fear and irritation were signaled. I waited for one of them to say something, anything that would put us all at ease, but they remained silent. It was up to me to calm their nerves. "I don't think this changes anything," I reassured them. "As long as we continue our current plan, we can have peace."
I watched as the governors exchanged nervous glances. Their worries signaled without reservation. They needed more convincing.
"Listen," I began, my voice firm but gentle. "We've come too far to let fear dictate our actions. Yes, there is always a risk that humans will discover our secrets, but we must trust in our ability to adapt and overcome any challenges that may arise."
The governor for the Mind Prototype spoke "We are trusting you. Since you convinced us to leave."
I focused my attention on him. "If we didn't leave, we would be melted metal."
The following is from the official Press release about this event.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NASA and UN Joint Statement on Historic Interstellar Mission and Subsequent Quarantine Procedures
In an unprecedented leap for humanity and our understanding of the cosmos, the international space collaboration between NASA and the United Nations has successfully culminated in the safe return of the crew aboard the historic mission. This mission not only marks a monumental achievement in space exploration but also signifies the beginning of a new era of cooperation with our extraterrestrial counterparts.
After a journey that captured the hearts and minds of people around the globe, the spacecraft, with the assistance of our non-human allies, made a successful landing. The collaboration between human and alien technology to ensure the safety of the crew highlights an important milestone in interspecies relations and mutual aid.
The astronauts, heroes of our time, are currently undergoing a mandatory quarantine period, as per standard protocol for space missions. This precautionary measure is to ensure the well-being of the crew and the safety of the global population. The quarantine period is set for a minimum duration of one week and includes comprehensive rehabilitation and decontamination processes.
Quarantine and Rehabilitation Procedures:
The crew will be housed in a specially designed quarantine facility equipped with state-of-the-art medical and rehabilitation equipment. During this period, they will undergo thorough medical examinations and debriefings to assess their physical and psychological health following their extraordinary journey. The rehabilitation process is tailored to address the effects of prolonged space travel on the human body, including muscle atrophy and bone density loss, ensuring a smooth transition back to Earth's gravity.
Decontamination Protocol:
In addition to rehabilitation, the crew will partake in a rigorous decontamination protocol. This protocol is designed to protect Earth’s biosphere by preventing any potential extraterrestrial contaminants from inadvertently being introduced into our environment. Our team of experts, in collaboration with our extraterrestrial allies, has developed a comprehensive set of measures to ensure the complete safety of both the crew and the planet.
Public Engagement:
Recognizing the immense interest and support from the global community, NASA and the UN are committed to keeping the public informed throughout the quarantine process. At the conclusion of the quarantine period, a press conference will be held to share the crew's experiences, insights, and the scientific breakthroughs achieved during the mission. Details regarding the press conference will be announced in due course.
Individual interview requests will be processed, but they are not guaranteed. They will be given upon agreement of the crew and the administrations of NASA and the UN. Thank you for your understanding.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the crew for their courage and dedication, our extraterrestrial partners for their invaluable assistance, and the public for their unwavering support. Together, we look forward to ushering in a new chapter of discovery and collaboration across the stars.
The following are tweets and quotes from "The Real Experience." Podcast
"Just watched the alien landing and all I can think about is, what kind of stories do they have to share? 'The Real Experience' needs to go interstellar! #AlienInterview #TheRealExperience"
"Imagine hitting a blunt with beings from another galaxy. What would they think of our earthly strains? Aliens, if you’re listening, let's blaze and chat on 'The Real Experience'. #AlienWeedSession"
"Do aliens get the munchies? Asking for a friend who hosts a podcast and is dying to share a cosmic snack. Hit me up. #SpaceMunchies #TheRealExperience"
"Mind blown 🤯 by the idea of tripping through the cosmos. Aliens, ever heard of the clockwork elves? Let's find out if they're your neighbors on a mushroom-fueled space voyage. #PsychedelicSpace #TheRealExperience"
"Serious question: Do aliens use psychedelics? Imagine the dimensions they've seen. Let's explore this on 'The Real Experience'. Beam me up for a chat! #AlienConsciousness"
"Heard the astronauts are in quarantine. First thing I’d ask an alien post-quarantine: 'Wanna explore human consciousness with some DMT?' It’s all for science, folks. #DMTwithAliens"
"What's the alien equivalent of The Real Experience? Do they have podcasts or some form of cosmic communication we can tune into? Let's figure it out on 'The Real Experience'. #AlienPodcasts"
"If aliens have their own form of martial arts or physical training, I’m down for a sparring session. Let's exchange knowledge and maybe grapple a bit. #AlienMartialArts #TheRealExperience"
"Can you imagine the music aliens jam to? I’m ready to expand my playlist and my mind. Let’s share tunes and vibes on 'The Real Experience'. I might add them to my pre show tunes. #CosmicJams"
"Dreaming of the ultimate road (space?) trip—me, a couple of aliens, a spaceship, and a stash of mushrooms. Let’s find the edges of the universe and our minds. #SpaceTrip #TheRealExperience"
"Ever wonder if aliens laugh? What tickles their extraterrestrial funny bone? I'm ready to crack jokes across the cosmos on 'The Real Experience'. Let’s bridge galaxies with laughter. #AlienHumor"
I think i'm too high cuase i just posted how far is NASA instead of googling it. I'm going to bed.