FBI Agent Wade Barron POV
The Saphnos had sent a diplomat to Earth and offered to trade technology for our aid—against the prohibitions on contacting us primals. When I first heard the news, it almost seemed too good to be true. There was a large part of me that was concerned about the consequences if the Council found out Rauja had paid us a visit, but this was our best chance to level the playing field beneath their notice. Right now, we didn’t stand a chance against them, which was why we needed to accelerate our progress.
I couldn’t rush over to the landing site fast enough when I got the call about Rauja; I was grinning from ear-to-ear. I’d really felt lost in the absence of Craun, so the chance to protect a rock person ambassador gave me a chance to redeem myself for failing him. There was also the mandate to finish Kaitlin’s dream of Project Iris: contacting the Saphno and engineering an FTL ship was her last wish for us all. This could be our ticket to bringing her and Finley home, and this could be humanity’s opportunity to have someone view us as equals.
We can save the rock people, and we can save our own. We owe it to Craun, Finley, and Kaitlin to keep going.
“Remember when we used to have normal missions?” Hazel had accompanied me to the cordoned-off airstrip, resuming her old role as my partner. “Staking out a weapons dealer’s home, or looking into people who made sweeping threats on the internet?”
“I sure do.” I folded my arms, staring up at the sky with lingering nerves; half of my brain was worried that the Saphnos would decide animals weren’t worth speaking to and turn around. “You always hated when I’d follow a hunch.”
“You once dug through a high schooler’s trash because that ‘felt’ like where he’d hide a gun, Wade.”
“You just failed the perception check, Haze. His eyes kept looking everywhere but there. I’m a man of many talents. You might call me Batshit, but I call myself right. You could’ve made off like a bandit if you had my back. Like c’mon, there wasn’t any point where you started to consider it?”
“Wade,” Hazel snorted. “There’s nothing you or anyone could’ve said or shown me that would’ve convinced me aliens were real. It was just…too far-fetched. And now, to think I’ve accepted it…”
Tears welled in my eyes, making them burn. “I can’t accept that he’s gone. Craun really understood us, at least by the end; he let us explain the truth. He deserved so much better! I miss him, Haze.”
“Look at the crowd out there. We all do.”
I followed her eyes to the teeming mass of onlookers, who were largely unified in the sentiment of welcoming the Saphnos; the turnout, despite the short notice, was impressive. I hoped Ambassador Rauja would appreciate the show of support, just to see how much all of these primals loved the rock people. Craun being dragged off of our planet by force had broken hearts across the globe, though he hadn’t left our memory at all.
My eyes turned upward, along with thousands of spectators, when a metallic outline descended through the clouds. The spacecraft landed in the open space with precision, while we all gawked at the first working, ET vehicle to land…at least without ferrying soldiers with psycho laser guns. I waited back from the designated diplomat, Marcia Livingston, as she approached the ship with gifts in hand. The back hatch unsealed, and a terrified Saphno crept out, holding onto the wall for support.
That must be Ambassador Rauja. She looks like she can barely bring herself to approach us; that’s not good, but not entirely unexpected. Perhaps it’s less that they appreciated the proverbial “tigers” as allies, but that the “tigers” are the lone offer of aid they have.
“Ambassador Rauja, please accept this humble gift celebrating the first contact of our peoples, as a token of humanity’s gratitude and goodwill.” Marcia bowed her head and extended an ornate, bejeweled stone carving. It depicted Craun and Kaitlin shaking hands in front of NASA, and read “For all people” in Saphno and English script. “It commemorates the souls who began this friendship, who are no longer with us. May their unity from this great moment continue to set an example and guide our steps.”
Rauja took the plaque while shaking like a leaf, and her eye crystals—one green and one purple—studied the image. “Yes. Of course! We’re in t-this together now. I’m delighted to be here, and I, um, I’m…sorry, I didn’t think to bring a gift. I hope you’re not…”
“Your presence is a gift of itself. My hope is that one day, we can know each other under better circumstances for both of our peoples.” Marcia straightened and cleared her throat, looking nervous. She stumbled through her next words, as though testing out the syllables; I figured they were Saphno. “Tak-lu air-bi Earth, pahkst humanity oru nemja.”
Rauja looked confused, pawing at her skull plate. “Is my t-translator malfunctioning? I didn’t catch that…oh! Was that my language?!”
The UN liaison’s cheeks brightened. “I’m sorry for butchering the pronunciation. I was trying to say, ‘Welcome to Earth, from humanity, your friends.’”
“I’m…shocked that you’d even try. It just took me a moment to understand, since it was a little broken. You did g-good, Marcia. Carbon species can’t make the deeper signifiers, since you don’t have, um, pressurized lungs.”
“I should’ve relied on the computer program NASA made. One second.” Marcia pulled up an app on her phone, and spoke words into it to translate. “We really want you to feel welcome here, and we hope to communicate as equals with your people.”
Rauja’s expression turned stunned, as the translation program spit out perfect syllables in the Saphno language. “How?! Humans coded this?!”
“NASA indexed millions of your words, before Craun was taken from us. We know the importance of speaking in your language, if only to add tenderness and care to our message. Your acceptance would mean…so much to us.”
“You accepted Craun and Saphnos in need, so h-how could I not? Our friends, humanity. That’s exactly right! I couldn’t agree more—this is a happy day!”
“Excellent. In that case, I’d like to pen the exact terms of our formal alliance for you to return to the Saphnos. We also hope to plan some diplomatic visits and special events. However, why don’t you first make yourself comfortable and relax? We could take you to your lodgings and give you some time to yourself. I gather that you could use a moment to settle in.”
“Certainly. Whatever you feel is best.”
Marcia beckoned to me and Hazel. “Ambassador Rauja, this is Wade Barron, Head of Extraterrestrial Security, and his partner, Hazel Gomez. They’ll be looking out for you.”
“Nice to meet you,” Hazel said simply, as we stepped forward.
“Wade is my name. Don’t worry, I’ll be protecting you night and day,” I offered, flashing Rauja a coy smile. “Teil ulona kalp.”
“That was…perfect.” The Saphno diplomat seemed flabbergasted by my pronunciation of “rock people real” in her language, something I’d made Craun teach me. “You speak our language?”
“Ah, that might be overselling it. Don’t look so excited,” I chuckled. “Those are the only three words I know.”
“Oh. What an…interesting selection of three words. How very g-good of you, I mean!”
“The fawning is unnecessary, I assure you. It was a joke…that Craun and I shared. We’re glad you decided to see what humans truly are, and for our species not to be alone again. If you wouldn’t mind, can I walk you to your lodgings? They’re just down the street.”
“That’s…such a big crowd to walk past. How lovely. I hope you can k-keep me safe, in the…unlikely event that was necessary!”
Hazel smiled. “We adore the Saphnos, and Wade would give his life to protect you. Please, don’t worry. We wholeheartedly want you to enjoy your stay.”
“You might find it interesting to see what that crowd thinks about aliens,” I tacked on. “Craun was…adored. Humanity welcomed him with open arms.”
I stepped alongside Rauja, placing myself between her and the onlookers that were kept back as we walked toward the silicon-life diplomatic complex. The Saphno ambassador looked mystified by the sight of humans wielding signs that welcomed her, many of them handwritten in her own language. Hearts were drawn around clipart of Craun, and her eyes lingered on one sign that said “Love from primals” in Saphno script.
Many spectators were decked out in merchandise, with Craun’s beloved “Space Rocks” hoodie with a Saphno astronaut being the most common. Plushies were raised in the air like trophies, NASA logos dotted the crowd in a show of solidarity with the space agency, and a handful of cosplayers in rock people costumes were even intermixed. Memorials of Craun Chelton, many of which framed him like an angel, were mixed with those lost at Fort Cavazos…and Finley and Kaitlin. Our brave travelers.
I think it’s blown Rauja’s mind, just how much we adore the rocks. We’re all grieving Craun, really. He was more than a person. He was a symbol…a martyr, in the end.
“You’re loyal,” the Saphno ambassador decided. “All of you mourning him? Yes, we’re…heartbroken about how he was treated too! We’re the same! What he did, contacting you: Craun’s a hero. Because you’re going to save our people.”
I narrowed my eyes, catching something in her tone that reminded me of Snelga. “We’re happy to help you, but you’re not fond of Craun, are you?”
“I…didn’t say that! I am just, um, overwhelmed. You’re…good and friendly! You’re very good!”
I glanced at Hazel, arching an eyebrow. “I’m a good boy, is that what she’s getting at?”
“I think she merely doesn’t want to anger us,” Hazel offered. “I know it’s hard, Wade, but please don’t sass the alien.”
“I’m just testing the waters on what kind of lollipop donations I could get here. A man’s gotta eat.”
“For that comment alone, I have a lollipop and a place you can shove it.”
“And now who’s being sassy?” I noticed Rauja staring at us with concern, and gave her a dismissive wave of my hand. “Humans can be spunky, that’s all. With that said, we are very ‘good and friendly,’ not what you’d expect from primals. I hope you’ll come around, Rauja. No hard feelings.”
The Saphno cowered. “I’m uncertain what I said wrong, but forgive me! I didn’t know g-good was an insult to you. I wasn’t expecting you to be so…welcoming and eager.”
“Why? Anger is only one of our emotions,” I insisted, deciding not to bother explaining off the bat that we could control it; Snelga hadn’t believed me, and I didn’t want Rauja to go through the motions of outwardly agreeing with anything I said while also writing me off. “We’re social and intelligent and capable of love. Does this all look like we’re mad at you?”
“No. You’re too rational. But I don’t want to risk triggering you…”
“You’re more likely to upset humans by treating us differently over our anger than if you treated us normally, even if you made a few mistakes,” Hazel said.
I bit my lip, holding the door open for Rauja as we reached the diplomatic complex. “You can think what you like about primals. The Council attacks us over a single refugee and refuses to talk to us at all, and we’re the ones who couldn’t be reasoned with? Humans weren’t given the chance to be anything other than the ‘animals’ they decided we were.”
“Which is why the Saphnos will help you defend yourselves!” the alien exclaimed. “We know Craun was…right to trust you, which is why we talked to you.”
“Naturally. That’s why you’re chomping at the bit to get to know me, I’m sure. I feel like we can call each other friends already, don’t you?”
“Uh…of course, Wade! I’d l-love to be. We’re the best of friends, and that’s why we’d never hurt each other. You’re a wonderful…person.”
I gave the Saphno my toothiest grin. “Good! We’ll spend lots of time together, since I’m so loyal to my best friends. We’ll practically be joined at the hip. That still leaves a hip free for Hazel too—the more the merrier! I love the power of friendship.”
“Why don’t we take Rauja to her room, and let her get some rest?” Hazel stated, making eye contact and coughing pointedly.
“Don’t worry. That’s what I’m doing. I just didn’t want to leave any affections unsaid, Ambassador Rauja.”
Rauja’s laughter sounded nervous. “You’re very kind to escort me! I’m going to go inside and think…about how we can show our affection. Thanks, um…bye!”
The Saphno hurried inside the door I’d pointed to, which opened up to a transition area between the outside world and the pressurized suite that we had set up. Perhaps the lavish accommodations and their extensive effort would pay off, but I could tell Rauja saw us as little more than a means to an end. There was one key reason I loved Craun: because he was the only alien who gave a damn about us. As much as I wished it was otherwise, I’d do well to remember that his open-mindedness was one of a kind.
The Saphnos saw us as animalistic primals, the same as anyone else, and the overtures otherwise were obviously telling the “dumb” humans what we wanted to hear.
A/N - 47! Missing Craun, Barron rushes to greet the Saphno diplomat along with an adoring crowd. Rauja is stunned by humanity’s gifts and efforts, but our narrator soon realizes she’s disingenuous in her overtures. Wade baits Rauja by being overly happy about being the best of friends, since she won’t realize he’s toying with her.
What do you imagine Rauja makes of Wade’s behavior and of humanity’s kindness? Will she be able to relax around humanity in time, or will Barron’s prodding keep her on edge?
As always, thank you for reading and supporting!