This was the first time that Emily rode in a limousine.She was amazed in its elegance,from the leather seats,the wood trim around the door frame,even the built in mini bar that her mother told her she would never get to use.This was a lot to absorb,since the past four days of her life has been a whirlwind ever since King Deaga made his announcement to the world proving aliens exist.We were always taught to look towards the stars,but who would imagine that aliens would be interdimensional travelers? Emily started to play with the partition switch, moving the partition up and down until her mother slapped her hand.”Baby,I know you're nervous,but just remember i will be in that room with you.Look at my girl,going to speak before the Senate”! Emily wished she could share her mother’s enthusiasm about speaking before the Senate.After what Emily researched about Senate Hearings,she would be lucky if they didn't decide to evict her from the country.
The motorcade began to slow down,then came to a halt.Emily looked out the tinted window, noticing the security detail that flanked the opposite sides of the stairway,which looked to her like the entire Washington police force,and the National Guard combined.She would have felt better if her sister was able to ride along with her,since she was in the Army and it would have made her more comfortable knowing she was protected by her big sis.When her door opened,She was greeted by cheers on her right side,and booing and hissing on her left.Against her better judgment Emily looked to see where the booing came from,only to see picket signs with the words “traitor” scrawled on one,and a picture of her face inside a circle with a slash through it on another.
The government officials did warn her about protesters,however to be mentally prepared was another thing.The crowds on both sides made it seem like everyone took a day off from work.
These were the “One World,One Humanity”people that were opposed to interaction with alien culture,thinking that King Deaga and the rest of his royal family were out to get us, like what was done to the native Americans.”She only heard about them recently.Oh the humanity”.Emily said.This is probably the same organization that send the death threats that seem never ending.Emily felt like she wanted to cry.Just retreat back into the limo while her mom told her it will be all right.But this was a life lesson for her,and King Deaga trusted her with a task.Emily snapped out of her funk when her mother went ballistic on the protesters.It was nothing but a slew of curses that Emily never in her dreams would think her mom capable of saying.Was she charging at them now? “Mom it's okay! Mom!” Two police officers grabbed her by the arms to halt her rampaging,escorting her and Emily up the stairs.Emily looked to her right,at the crowd that was rooting for her.One person shouted “WE BELIEVE IN YOU EMILY!” While another person yelled “WE LOVE YOU EMILY!”
while pointing at a sign that read “Emily + Aliens = Awesomeness!”
“These are the people King Deaga are trying to reach.These are the people i'm doing this for”.
Emily whispered to herself.This was going to be the longest day of her life,five hours with Senators and TV crews.
“Simon Casanova” was Emily’s appointed lawyer that King Deaga selected to help her when things got too crazy for her to handle.Emily had a slight crush on him that she would never admit. He is smooth like his namesake, has the most disarming smile,with these beautiful green eyes.”Dude looks like he should be on a magazine cover.” Emily’s friend Diandra said when she saw his picture on the internet. ”Hey,Emily You made it! I trust you had a comfortable trip right? Flying in a G5 to washington,and a motorcade? You just got the rock star treatment!” Simon then addressed Emily’s mother,in his subtle french accent.”Now Miss Ducaine, were just going to review a few things before we go in.Just so you know,people say this will be the most watched event in history,like all the ratings of your super bowls combined.Since the King could not be here,i assume on royal business,think of me as an extension of his will so to say. Now at any point you do not feel comfortable with the questions that Emily will be asked,just whisper it in my ear.”
“you won't have to tell me twice Mr.Casanova”.If they say anything out of line they will hear from me.”
Simon chuckled.”that won't be necessary.Appreciated,but not necessary Miss Ducaine.Thats what im here for.” “Mom i will be fine.If Deaga trusts him,let him do what he feels is right.I just need to sit down for a bit.” Emily walked over to a bench and sat down,not noticing the photographers snapping away.”Let me get you something to drink? A soda? maybe some water?” Her mother asked.”A soda will be fine mom.” Emily sighed. Emily watched as her mother fumbled with her purse then walk to a vending machine.A reporter tried to approach but was turned away by security.”It’s not too late to back out Emily”.Simon whispered.”This is quite the task you have put on your shoulders,one a fourteen year old should not have to endure.I can make up an excuse and you could be on that jet back to New York.You're my client,so you come first above all else”.
“As much as i would love to take you up on that offer Simon,I can't. I'm in too deep.If you told me this a few days ago,i would say yeah,let's roll outta here.But i said yes to Deaga,to represent His race and the human race alike.People think that kids my age are selfish,and all we care about are clothes and the latest trends.Maybe with this i can change people’s perceptions”.
“Spoken like a young lady wise beyond her years”.Simon said. A man motioned to Simon.
“Is it time”? Simon asked.The man nodded.”Mom,we have to go!”Emily yelled.
“I'm coming!”she yelled. Simon looked at her purse,noticing it was bulging all over.”Is that filled with soda cans”? He asked.”It's going to be five hours.I don't want her to go thirsty”.She replied.
Simon shrugged.”Fair enough”. He said,escorting them into the Senate Chamber.
“Can you for the record state your name”? Senator Packwood asked. Emily glanced nervously at Simon.”It's okay Emily”.He told her reassuringly.Emily put her face so close to the microphone it was touching the tip of her nose.”Emily Ducaine”.She replied,causing feedback.”Ah,Ms Ducaine, just so you know you don't have to be that close to the microphone. “We can hear you just fine”.Senator Packwood replied,causing a few chuckles in the chamber.The room was filled to capacity, mostly made up of news crews,and reporters.The other people that made up the audience wore military uniforms making her even more nervous.
Emily spoke to Senator Packwood earlier when he called the hotel room to see if she was comfortable with her accommodations.He told her she could refer to him by his first name when they were outside the chamber.”Senator Norman Packwood”was not as bad as she thought he would be,he seemed gentle in a way.Maybe it was the glasses that made him seem harmless.
Norman was younger than Emily pictured;in her mind he sounded like an old man on the phone, like someone's ancient grandpa.She guessed he could be in his late forties,his hair wasn't completely gray at all. It started black from the sides of his temple,then gradually turned white.He wore it combed back in such a way it appeared aerodynamic.Norman had this square jaw that Emily became fixated on,which she couldn't help but start comparing it to famous actors.Maybe he was a standup guy,however her mother said to her earlier ”All these people are fake,just like those handbags in Times Square.Take them with a grain of salt”.
“Now before we begin Ms Ducaine, you're not in any trouble,just try to answer the questions to the best of your knowledge,okay”? Emily kept her distance from the microphone this time before she answered.”Yes Senator”.
“So Ms Ducaine,on that day of August fifteenth,can you tell us exactly how you met “King Deaga”? “I was walking along fifth avenue,between 33rd and 34th street,and heard screeching tires,then what sounded like a loud bang. A crowd of people started to form in the middle of the street.From what i could see between the crowd,it looked like a guy laying on the street”.Emily replied.
“And then what did you do Ms Ducaine”? Packwood asked.”I went over there”.Emily replied.
“Ms Ducaine,can you please be more specific? No detail is too small.What made you go towards the accident”?
“I went over there to see what i could do,Senator.All these people had their phones out taking pictures,and not one of them bothered to call 911,or see if this person needed help.When i saw him laying on the ground like that,I just did what i learned in health class,gave him C.P.R”Emily replied.
“And on behalf of the world I’d like to thank you for that Ms Ducaine.You may have halted an incident.That was a very brave thing to do”.Senator Packwood said.
A gravelly voice interrupted.”I would like to ask Emily something”.Emily looked to where the voice came from, a man sitting to the far right of the bench.
What a terrifying presence this man has. Emily thought to herself as she spied the nameplate that was positioned in front of him.”T.Grant” it read.Simon took Emily’s hand and whispered
“Here we go.This is why i'm needed.This guys a ball buster”.
“May the record state Senator Thaddeus Grant,questioning Emily Ducaine”.Thank you Senator
Packwood”.Grant said. ”So Emily,When you administered C.P.R to King Deaga,you made contact with his mouth,am i correct”? Emily looked at Simon bewildered by the question.
“Isn’t that how C.P.R is done”? She replied.The room filled with laughter at her reply.Even the Military guys were cracking up.”Maybe that came out rude”.Emily whispered to Simon.
“Maybe just a bit”.He said with a chuckle.
Senator Grants demeanor changed fast from reserved to visible anger.His jaw tightened,while those hardened dark eyes fixed on Emily as if to skewer her soul.He did not like being made into a fool.He raised his hand to silence the room,and everyone stopped laughing immediately.
“The reason i ask that Emily (he said her name in a sneer) is because how do we know if you have contracted something from this alien? How do we all know if you're carrying some disease
that doesn't register on our equipment? These beings are,and i quote from the news feed mind you,”Interdimensional travelers”.”Who’s to say you just did not infect the world with a new type of flu,or a new form of cancer”?
Emily turned around to glance at her mother who was about to raise hell inside the room.Emily pleaded with her with hushed whispers,forcing Simon to turn around to calm her down.”I’ll handle this”.He said.
“Senator,my name is Simon Casanova.I speak on the behalf of both my clients,King Deaga and Ms Emily Ducaine.I can tell you that King Deaga is more afraid of catching something from us,then you are of contracting something from him.He has been on earth for a period of two years,and has traveled the world without incident.He wears what we would call “containment suits” so he appears like an average person,but it protects him from our germs.In reality,the King is not allowed to show his face to the public,or to his “Royal Family”and wears several styles of masks as his custom insist.But trust me on this,he has such a powerfull personality that you will believe he is a King.Emily has only spent four days with the King after his announcement to the world,so she is not privy to much”.
“You can say all you want Mr Casanova,but where is this King you speak of? What king lets a fourteen year old girl and a high priced lawyer do all the talking for him”? I won't recognize him as a King until i meet him myself! Also if no one ever sees his face,how do they know he’s the legitimate King”? Senator Grant asked.“Because no one would dare pretend to be him,Senator”
Simon replied.
“Heh,well i guess that means we can take your word for it? Wow, doesn't that make us all feel safer”! Senator Grant said mockingly.
“Their rules are quite different from ours in every way Senator.The system they have in place is based in mutual respect and trust.Compared to our society,we have a lot to learn from them”.
Senator Grant did not look impressed at all.His eyes were fixated on Emily again,watching her every mannerism from when she took a drink,to the way she sat in her seat.In his mind this girl has to be guilty of something,yet he could not figure it out.These beings were going to be a blight on humanity sooner or later,he was sure of it.
“I have one final question for Ms Ducaine,a question i believe that is on every person's mind since the day our guests arrived.I have been going over your school records here Ms Ducaine”.Senator Grant said waving a file.
Crap.Is this guy really going to out my school records on live TV? Emily thought.
“You are a straight C student at best,and from what little notes your teachers have put in,they all pretty much reach the same conclusion that if you applied yourself, you would be a top tier student.So a bright girl like yourself should know what i will ask next”.
“I think i get the picture Senator”.Emily replied,still not getting over the fact that he outed her grades on live television for the whole world to see,and translated in probably a dozen languages.
“What Qualifies a fourteen year old girl,with mediocre grades,to represent all of humanity? What did this King see in you that he did not see in anyone else,in his two years on this earth? What makes you so special Emily Ducaine”? Senator Grant asked dropping the file down in disgust.
Emily looked over to her mother then to Simon.All eyes were on her,everyone in the room waiting for her response.Now was the time to play the victim like Simon coached her.even after this man basically called her an idiot,Simon prepared her for this.
“What makes me qualified Senator? For one, i take this seriously. If i didnt i wouldnt be here, questioned by a person whose only goal was to try to intimidate me,and remind me that i had a terrible year. My father died in a car accident.My brother who was in the same accident has been in a coma for the past 3 months,while my mother had to get a second job just to keep our lights on.so yeah,my mediocre grades are the least of my worries.Oh,and i bet you found out my older sister is in a military prison right”? Senator Grant looked nervous.The last thing he expected was to be painted as a bully.
“On top of that,I get death threats,my email hacked,and i had to change my phone number,plus i have police watching my house,and i'm sure the government as well, besides everyone and their grandmother wanting me all to themselves.But that's just life for a fourteen year old girl from the south side of Queens,right? While people stood by i attempted to save a life. It just turned out that he was an alien.Senator,at this moment i am beyond humbled that he chose me.King Deaga thinks i'm very qualified”.
“No further questions”.Senator Grant said,sinking into his chair".”You handled that expertly”.Simon told her.”You may have a future in politics,if you want”.he said jokingly. “Sure, just let me order hookers and snort some blow on my way down the path to success”Emily replied.Simon stifled a laugh.
The next couple of hours began to wear Emily down.She was on her last purse smuggled soda,all the while getting questioned from the rest of the senators."God,this is never ending"she whispered to Simon."We have two more hours left.You sure you dont want to change your mind about that break"? He asked."The fastest way out of here is to power through it.but these questions are just plain stupid".
Senator Hayes: "Do they believe in God"?
"Can't say really".
Senator Kelly: "How big is their ship"?
"Uh,it's around the length of the moon.The vessel is considered their home world".
Senator Clarke: "Do they have weapons"?
"My client is not privy to the inner workings of alien technology Senator".Thanks,Simon.
Senator Van De Kamp: "What do they use for fuel"?
" My client is not privy to that information senator.they have to make up names for the devices to suit our language,and still it wouldn't be the proper interpretation.The King informs me that as soon as they pick the right English words we will know".
Senator Grant: "Do they have any way to defend themselves from hostile species, since they are explorers"?
"If you're asking if they have weapons,Simon answered that.Im a student not a Scientist.
I only stayed on his ship for three hours a day,mostly in what we would call a throne room,then the King took me to see his menagerie".
Senator Redmond: "Are you telling us he has a zoo? What type of animals,and from where"?
"From dying worlds,or on the path to extinction.A few are quite intelligent.They have about 4 million different species".
Senator Boyd:"Are any of those dangerous"?
"I have no idea.4 million is a big number,so it's impossible to see all of them in a few hours".
Senator Packwood: "Why can't we see their ship if it's the size of the moon"?
"The king explained to me that it wasn't parked in this dimention,or something.It's not in phase with our reality.The ship’s in space,however it's not in our space.So it's not competing with our moon.His words”.
Senator Cole: “What do they want from us”?
“Finally someone asks”! Emily said.”Senator,The King wants to save us from ourselves.King Deaga has estimated that within Fifty years,Earth will become toxic to us.He is willing to give us schematics for clean energy.This technology that the King wants to share with us is outdated by his people’s standards,plus he wants nothing in return.Consider it a gift to build relations”.
What happened next was to be expected,as the Senate Chamber was silent no longer.Every person in the room began talking over each other.Emily for the life of her could not think what freaked people out more,the idea of possible extinction by our own design,or that we wouldn't have to rely on mining the earth to keep our cars running.Emily glanced over to Senator Grant,who was leaning forward with his hands locked together and rested underneath his chin.Emily sensed Grant did not like that idea at all.
“Quiet in the Chamber,Quiet in the Chamber”! Senator Packwood bellowed.
“What a surprise,you would think people would be more ecstatic about clean energy becoming a reality”.Emily whispered to Simon sarcastically.
“The King just threatened to put a large majority of the gentlemen gathered in this room out of business.He just made an enemy of the greater 1%”.Simon replied.
“This technology for clean energy,exactly what is it? When does he plan to present this to us”?
Senator Cole asked. With that question,the people in the chamber started whispering and showing each other their phones.The Senator’s started to check theirs as well,and Emily’s own phone vibrated in her pocket along with Simons.
“That would be your answer now,Senator.The King just uploaded all the schematics onto the internet and social media.The whole world has the info now”. Emily turned around to take note of the audience’s reaction,some of the military guys bolted from the room,while others stared at their phones in disbelief.Emily may not have known much about King Deaga’s tech,but from the things she witnessed,they were a billion years ahead of us.If he wanted to wipe out the human race it would only take a matter of deciding how long he wanted to do it.It could be seconds,minutes,or days depending on his mood.Emily prayed he wasn’t a closet psychotic.
“We are asking a lot of the world today Emily,to take all that we have said in good faith.We are asking the world to trust in Aliens that travel dimensions,and in a ruler that is not allowed to show us his true face. All that they have seen really is the King flying down on that craft and proving to us aliens exist.Then he brings up your name to represent our species.Amazing is an understatement Emily.You are now a part of history”.