(Apologies for the wait. From now on I'm going to release chapters on a semi-weekly basis. Now, let's get to it.)

Chapter 8: Expectations met?

"I hope they don't take too long."

Maka had been waiting, for most of her day. There had been a huge exodus of people who somehow knew about the landing location to Death City, and a last minute viewing area had been arranged. The landing was going to take place some miles out of the place, and the main greeters would be some of the most powerful people in the academy, perhaps the world. Many foreign dignitaries had arrived earlier, and many more were scheduled to arrive not long after the aliens were greeted. It was absolutely thrilling to be on the front page of history, she had to admit. Soul didn't share the sentiment, as she was finding out.

"Dude, what if they're like the ones from Mars Attacks?"

"First of all, that movie sucked. Second of all, stop being so paranoid. I don't see why they'd be hostile." Maka rolled her eyes, ignoring the talking scythe.

"Yeah, well, don't forget to thank me after we're all dead."

Maka was about to jab back when there was a great cry among the people watching, and Maka's head whipped back into focus. A huge spaceship, more resembling a medieval fortress than any, was rapidly descending from the clouds some distance away. Soul let out a quiet "oh, shit.", as the Ship approached ever further, rapidly slowing.

"Be quiet." Maka hissed under her breath, and the D.W.M.A Honour Guard stood up straight as the wind from the ship blasted them in the face, causing many to wince. The ship turned, back facing the crowd, and landed, huge engines cooling down. There was a moment, then, where time seemed to stand still. The crowds were quiet. The honour guard stood frozen in place. The ship was silent. Then, there was a loud grinding as the large doors on the back of the craft slid open. A lone man, identical to a human and wearing strange clothes, stepped forth. He seemed to take in the crowd, then raised his hand and shouted.

"Present!"

Maka, shocked, saw two columns of men in shining uniform march violently past the man in what looked to be a military uniform, but made of a material that looked akin to velvet and dark blue. The soldiers that were lining up from side to side of a large ramp that had been descending earlier. They looked quite a strange sight. Their helmets looked like something from world war two, but with a fish dorsal fin running from front to back. Small, ornate pieces of armour dotted their robe like uniform, which was a bottle-green. A large cape hung round their shoulders, also the same dull green. As the last of them ran out and assumed position, the general descended, and began to shout.

"Caracallans!"

The troops saluted perfectly, frozen in position like terracotta soldiers. The general nodded, and shouted again, in perfect english.

"Present arms!"

The troops flicked a rifle off their shoulders and held them close to their chests. The guns didn't look all too different from some from earth, but had strange design choices. They were blocky and utilitarian, looking more like something from Home Depot. The general was now at the bottom of the ramp, and walked toward the welcoming group. Kid had been chosen to initially greet them, as Lord Death couldn't leave the boundaries of the city. Being his closest replacement (despite his quirks) he had been chosen to represent him.

"Greetings. I am the Imperial Guard regiment Captain Olevar Ryyken. It is a great honour to meet you."

His accent was strange. Hard to place. It sounded almost scandinavian, rolling his Rs and over pronouncing his Os. However, there was some strange tic, something else that was definitely not easy to place. The man, Captain Ryyken, was tanned and old, but his hair was still a pale yellow and his eyes a warm blue. His eyes had a small epicanthic fold, and his face seemed gaunt and tired. He made a symbol, crossing his thumbs over on his chest to make some sort of bird, and he mumbled something. Kid was taken aback, and held out his hand.

"It is my pleasure to welcome you to Earth, Captain Ryyken. I trust you will enjoy your stay."

It was if a switch had flipped. The crowds burst into cheering, holding up crudely made signs saying things like "Bring back Elvis" and "What's in Area 51?"

"Death save me, I hope this goes well." Maka said, nervously clutching Soul Tight. He breathed a shaky sigh of relief.

"Oh man, oh man." He said, his voice regaining composure. The Captain was exchanging words with Kid that Maka couldn't hear, before turning away and shouting at his troops in a language Maka didn't understand. The troops began chanting, deep voices that sounded like Mongolian throat singers, and the crowd swelled in volume, shouting with joy and excitement as more Imperials marched down the ramp.

There was a man in an Elizabethan-style coat, being escorted by dirty, grey jumpsleeved soldiers with the same bulky weapons as the other ones. There was a pair of... cyborgs? Maka couldn't tell. In red robes, escorted by one of the Green soldiers each. There were a group of men and women in business suits that looked far more expensive than Maka could imagine, and a frail, terrified woman being practically dragged along by a tall figure in a trenchcoat. It was such a strange procession, so many mismatching styles and looks that Maka felt almost uncomfortable. The apparent leaders of all the groups exchanged quick words with Kid, then came the order to escort them back to Death City. And so they did, shoving their way through throngs of eager civilians who wanted to greet the Imperials first. The soldiers had followed suit in the honour guard, and began dispersing the crowd much more efficiently. Cameras flashed ridiculously quickly, and Maka turned to see The Captain chuckling to himself, as though it was funny.

Even after they had gotten them into Death City, it had been a chore. Many crowds had covered the streets there too, and the police were stretched thin. The many soldiers had assisted, then had stood guard outside the academy while the leaders had met Lord Death. It was very late and most of the crowd had dispersed, Soul and Maka retiring back home not long after. They had collapsed on the sofa, and sat tiredly there for a while.

"Let's hope it's worth it, huh?"

"They looked human. They sounded human."

"Are you seriously mad that Black Star called it?" Soul chuckled.

Maka turned to soul, pouting, and nodded.

"Yeah. He's going to be insufferable."

"Ya don't say. Hey, look!"

Soul was pointing out the window, where the troopers had begun marching past. Many had opened their windows and begun cheering, and Soul walked over to take a good look.

"What're they doing?"

"They probably can't stay in the city right now. I saw them setting up a camp earlier." Maka responded, not even bothering to get up.

"Oh, man. First time we make contact with alien life, and they look human. Hell, they pretty much are human."

Maka nodded slowly, rubbing her eyes.

"Let's hope this is worth it."