At UNIT Headquarters, Gregory Bradsford was doing his best to seem in control of what he had to do, though if he had been pressed about it, he would have admitted the challenge. Yes, he was trained to translate and act as an ambassador between potential invaders and the Earth, but he'd never actually had to do it. It had happened a few times while he'd been on base, but someone more experienced had always been there instead. All he'd ever had to do was watch.

"One minute till the scheduled call," one of the multiple soldiers/technological professionals said. Gregory smoothed out his suit and cleared his throat, taking another quick sip of water.

"You're certain you can do this?" Colonel Alan Mace said from the side. His exacting, military viewpoint of everything made Gregory nervous, though he would never admit it. Just his luck this would happen the day before Colonel Mace got transferred to Vancouver.

"Yes sir," Gregory said with a nod.

"Signal transmitting," a soldier said. "On screen in five…four…three…two…"

The large screen on the wall flickered, showing a picture of a rather proud looking male. His skin was a pale purple color and he had spots going from his temples running down his neck to disappear into his high collar.

"Are you authorized to speak for UNIT?" the man asked in a mid-range voice. Gregory nodded.

"I am Gregory Williams of Earth. I have that authority. On behalf of the human race I wish to extend peace to the Rahki race."

"We didn't come to take over or open trade. We have only arrived to retrieve what is ours."

"This item that you claim to own…what is it?"

"It is…an experiment, a thing that we have been working on for millennia. It was taken from us and deposited on your planet. We have no wish to harm Sol Three, only to take back what is ours."

This might actually be easy. "If we have anything that belongs to you, let us know what it is so that it may be returned."

"The signal it was broadcasting was interrupted by technology foreign to your time. This led us to believe you specifically are hiding it. Return Scorch to us or we will be forced to take stronger measures."

Of course. "To my knowledge, we have nothing from other worlds hidden. We have received nothing from space in several years, and nothing with the title of 'Scorch.' Perhaps we could assist—"

"You have it, and it will be returned to us!" the Rahki hissed. His eyelids closed sideways in a blink before he continued, his voice carrying a slightly forced calm. "It is possible you do not know what you have. Understandable considering your…lower existence. If Scorch is not tended to in the proper way, all hell—as you humans term it—will break loose."

Before Gregory could respond, there was a flash of light from the area of the room that would be off screen. He couldn't help turning to look and saw a girl, somewhere in her late teens and with flowing red hair, standing in the room. She looked around and smiled.

"Oh good, my aim's getting better," she said in a…Southern American? accent. She turned to Colonel Mace next to her and looked him up and down before pointing at his head. "Nice hat. Mind if I borrow it?"

Before the Colonel could respond, she snatched his cap and put it on her own head before striding into the center of the room where all, including the Rahki could see her.

"Get her out!" Colonel Mace hissed at two of his men. The girl simply twirled in a circle.

"Yes, shout threats and point guns if you want," the girl said, sounding as if it was a mild inconvenience that she had been expecting. "I'm used to it."

"What is this?" the Rahki said, sounding vaguely insulted. The girl turned sternly and pointed at the screen.

"You just hold a second, Sonny Jim. I'll get to you when I'm good and ready." She whirled back towards the soldiers and Gregory, smiling like she held a great secret.

"Right now, you're all wondering who I am. I've got lots and lots of names. Gina Alexis, Kavrin, Kathryn Trouble Moore, Katie, Kat, Josephine Cole, Lady with the Red Hair, Translator, Mad Woman, Strange Creature, Freak in the Basement, and loads of others. Even had the name Gertrude Agatha for a few years. Never did like those aunts. However, you all know me best…" she whisked off Colonel Mace's cap with a flourish as she bowed.

"As Scorch."

The entire room fell silent. Scorch tossed the cap to Colonel Mace.

"You can have that back now," she said flippantly. With a few bounds, she made it to the desk Gregory was behind, turned around and sat on it. Pulling a pencil out of a cup, she crossed one leg over the other and pointed the pencil at the screen.

"Now I'm good and ready."

*Constructive critisisim welcome, praise happily accepted, flames not wanted*