Earth

2017

Dr. Christine Johanson's shocking and unprecedented announcement to the world changed everything. And it changed nothing at all.

Rory was not privy to all that the public was. In her confinement, she could only access the news which General Price approved. Still, Theo had sat with her, watching coverage of Christine's accusation of a government coverup and the claim that Earth had made first-contact with an alien species. While the rest of the world had no way of knowing whether the doctor spoke the truth, it was bizarre for Rory to watch, knowing very well that she, indeed, was not from this world.

It took little time for experts to cast doubt on Christine's testimony. Congress quickly moved to establish public and private hearings in order to investigate these claims, while pundits argued each side of the issue. In less than a week, reporters had dug up every aspect of Christine's life.

"How significant are the psychedelics?" A news anchor with bright blue eyes scrutinized a guest doctor who had appeared on her segment. Rory knew so few names of anyone on earth, but she knew these people. This woman was named Laura, and she loved to cast doubt on a subject while pretending to only ask a harmless question.

"Dr. Johanson's experiences with psychedelics took place more than a decade ago. She was moonlighting in a clinic which administered ketamine to combat treatment-resistant depression, and was interested in research about Psilocybin."

"Her colleagues claim that she frequently partook."

"I believe they shared that Dr. Johanson wanted to experience the potential treatment for herself to understand the effects. However, none of the substances she took would cause her to have delusions about an alien today."

"Unless she's still taking them."

The doctor made an uncomfortable noise, clearly not wanting to speculate. "I see no reason to believe that Dr. Johanson is impaired in any way. Her work speaks for itself. She is highly regarded in her field, which is why the military has employed her as a consultant."

Rory sat back and glanced at Theo. He bit his nail while he watched.

"General Price is pushing this narrative." Theo ran his hands over his face. "He wants to discredit her."

"It's to be expected."

"Don't you care?" Theo twisted to her in disbelief.

"Of course I care. This is my life."

"I just don't know how you talk so calmy about things like this."

"Things like this. You mean like the interrogation?"

"Exactly like that. You should be… You should feel furious."

Did she feel that way? Strangely, anger seemed like a waste of effort to her. It wouldn't change anything for her. Sorrow was the emotion she struggled to control. Rory missed a world and a life she couldn't even remember. She'd been stripped of everything, and strangely, it didn't feel like the first time this had happened. It could have been in her mind, but it felt like she carried a lifetime of loneliness and grief in her heavy chest.

"I'm too tired to be angry."

They fell quiet, but Rory knew Theo was shouting in his mind. He could get so emotional. It was something she actually liked about him. There was honesty in his authenticity.

As the coverage continued, she turned her eyes to the window she'd painted purple, and tried to imagine waking up on her planet. How did the air feel? Was it dry and hot like the desert here in Nevada? Did they have endless clear skies?

Rory wandered to the window. Over the next week, the military continued to gather data on her, and she continued to watch the fallout of Dr. Johanson's interview. There was talk of charges against the doctor because she had not formally gone through the Whistleblower process and did not benefit from the protections that program offered. Rory's small world had been rocked by the situation, but society remained largely unchanged. Some believed Dr. Johanson and some didn't. But even those who believed didn't seem to have registered that this was real. The world continued on as normal with minimal protests that were largely kept to shouting matches online. Theo had shown her some of the forums and social media posts.

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Rory wasn't sure how she felt about what Christine had done. It could be dangerous for Rory if people found out about her. Many would see her as a threat to be eliminated. It wouldn't just be individuals who felt this way but governments. What would happen if other countries pressured the United States to take a different course of action or even to hand her over? At the same time, didn't people have the right to know that there was an alien on their planet? Didn't scientists need to know that they were not alone so they could study and wonder and find the answers that Rory so desperately wanted to know?

In the end, she decided that Dr. Johanson was incredibly brave and incredibly arrogant. For her to break the news of Rory's existence so quickly without consulting anyone else was like taking charge of the world for a moment. But then, Rory was proud of her for doing it. The different thoughts clashed in her mind. Her feelings were so conflicted that she utterly exhausted herself trying to discern them.

Her situation had also become more difficult. All the attention had made her world even smaller. The number of people she saw was even more limited, and security was much tighter. And General Price was always in a fucking horrible mood.

"We would like to request a favor." He'd come to visit her in her room one evening, looking as unhappy and weary as she'd ever seen him.

"You know I'm so very helpful." Rory chuckled, but she already knew she'd likely say yes. It wasn't because she had to or even though she should. It was because she was not yet sure of the best course of action, and she would bide her time on taking any kind of a stand until she was certain.

"We think it would be best for you to do interviews. You look just like a human. If you claim to be a human, it will sound ridiculous to call you an alien."

For the first time, an obvious answer was right before her. "That's a terrible idea."

"It's the only way to put an end to this circus."

"No." Rory walked closer to the general. "I am an alien. Lying to the people does not protect them from the fact that I'm here and we don't know why. What if more like me come? Then we've lost all credibility."

"It will cause mass panic for the world to know what we know. Not when we have so little information and the stakes are so high."

"The stakes are too high to lie. One day, the people might need your word, General. Should you really sully it over temporary peace? I won't do that. I have no idea who I am or where I came from or why I'm here. I have no idea what will become of me. But I do know that what I choose to do matters. I choose to care about the people of this planet. I will not lie to them."

His expression appeared conflicted, but his voice was hardening. "You think you're in a position to say no?"

"Will you torture me again?" Rory lifted her hands. "Kill me? Imprison me? You don't have as much power over me as you think you do."

"We can make your life a living hell."

"If you are foolish enough to turn the only ally of another species that you have against you, then be my guest, General."

He stared her down, quiet.

"You know I'm right. You're a smart man. The news cycle will move on. Sure, people will talk. This is a grand conspiracy now. But the world will continue like normal, and if a crisis comes one day, we will not have made liars of ourselves. We'll be here for the people to turn to."

"Why do you care to help people you don't know? People you don't belong to?" The question seemed genuine.

"It's human, isn't it? Most people care. I am not your enemy."

"I hope that's the truth." General Price watched her with serious eyes. "The President wants to hear from you personally."

Rory blinked. "The President of the United States?"

"Yes."

"Well, okay." She scratched her head. "I'm not sure I have very much to offer."

"We'll see about that. There are some pushing for full disclosure. If you refuse to refute Dr. Johanson's claims yourself, then we need to consider all options. You'll meet with the President tomorrow."

Anxiety tightened Rory's stomach. More and more she'd thought about what her future might look like here on Earth and whether she would always live as a captive. As a lab rat. Or whether she would even survive.

Truth was, Rory had no idea what kind of future she even wanted. But she was sure much of that decision lay in the president's hands.

"Wait." She looked up as the general turned away from the door. "What do you think we should do?"

A heavy pause hung between them. "I don't know. I really don't."

"I think…" She rubbed the ache in her throat. "I think this is bigger than one nation or one military. I come from an entirely different world. Theo thinks we may have a parent species that planted us. You are all going to need each other, because I doubt that this is the end. Whoever sent me or whatever I was running from, it's on a collision course with your planet. Earth needs to prepare. The people deserve the chance to do that."

"And if the people can't handle it?"

"Then how will they handle what comes next? This is part of the preparation. You all need to be in this together."

He placed his hand on the door, hesitated, and then breathed a heavy sigh. "I believe you might just be on our side. And that makes me feel so incredibly sad for you, because in this future you speak of, I fear that there may not be anyone on yours."

The sensation of ice hardened down her spine as the general opened the door and left her alone.