Location: Space, Day: Unknown + 1, Year: 2275, continued
"Valerie?"
She stared down at her home, planet Earth, unblinking.
"Valerie? You alright?"
She could feel her heart thumping inside of her chest, her blood rushing through her ears.
"Valerie, come sit down."
She felt Marco's hands on her shoulders, guiding her backwards to sit down on the couch. He took her backpack off and the satphone from her hands, setting them both down on the floor by their feet. She still stared at Earth, her vision narrowing, as if she was in a tunnel.
"Valerie, take a deep breath."
She couldn't. Every inhale was sharp and every exhale immediately followed.
"Valerie, say something."
She shook her head.
"Look at me, Valerie."
She couldn't look away, like the planet was drawing her in. Everything was so simple before this.
"What's wrong with her?" Aiden asked from behind the couch.
"I think it's an anxiety attack," Silas answered quietly.
"Valerie." Marco gripped her face and turned her head, forcing her to look at him. "Take a deep breath. In through your nose, out through your mouth," he instructed.
Valerie complied, repeating his directions as Marco dropped his hand from her face.
"Feeling better?" He asked.
Valerie reached out and brushed her fingers against Marco's. "Mhm, sure," she answered slowly, the lie easily passing her lips. She looked over her shoulder at the three aliens behind her. "You three, start talking."
Mila and Silas circled around the couch, sitting on the empty space next to Valerie. Aiden faced the group and remained standing, leaning against the wall near the glass.
"The Senate sent us here to study your planet and determine whether there was any resources of worth on the surface," Mila explained, "and if your species could wage a war against us upon invasion."
"Thank you." Valerie bowed her head. "For the truth, finally."
"You're… you're welcome," Mila nodded, finally beginning to understand how Valerie, and Marco, had felt throughout their situation.
"And is it safe to assume that you three are against the Senate?" Valerie asked.
"Yes, all of us," Silas replied.
"Good. How are we going to stop the Senate from invading and conquering Earth?" Valerie sat up a little straighter.
"Diplomatically. Preferably."
All heads turned to Marco, who crossed his arms, maintaining a stern look on his face.
"I mean it, no fighting. Everything can be resolved by talking," he added.
"I agree," Silas leaned forward. "There's no need for violence."
Mila sighed. "The Senate might not see it that way, but we can try."
Aiden scoffed.
"We can try. Can't we, Aiden?" Mila asked insistently.
"Yes ma'am." He nodded.
Silas looked to the remaining member of the motley group. "Valerie? What do you say?"
Valerie frowned slightly as she turned to face Silas. "Are you asking that because I'm inclined to violence?"
"N-no! You just haven't voiced your opinion yet," Silas explained.
Valerie hid a smirk. "Yeah, let's be diplomatic." She looked to Marco, feeling him gently wrap his hand around hers. "So long as the Senate meets us halfway."
"I think I can swing that." Mila nodded. "Now that we're all on the same page, I can reach out to my contact to set up a meeting with a few of the upper tier Senators. I doubt the Commander would come out here but maybe we can conference him in," she spoke her thought process out loud.
"Commander?" Marco grew curious.
"The head of the Senate, leader of the entire government," the captain replied. "All decisions are approved and passed down by him."
"Do you think we could get more information about you two? And humans and your planet in general?" Silas asked.
"Yeah, sure." Marco smiled lightly.
Silas clasped his hands together. "Great! If I can start by asking-"
"Actually," Valerie cut in, standing up, her hand pulling away from Marco's, "I need a minute to process all of this." She snatched up her backpack and satphone from the floor.
"You okay?" Marco asked quietly.
Valerie smiled and shook her head. "No, I'm not. But answer any of their questions, Marco. Knowledge of each other is the first step in diplomacy, right? Exactly what you want." She then turned and left before anyone else could speak.
"Should… someone go talk to her?" Silas asked.
"No." Marco shook his head. "I can tell she needs her space right now. Just let her be."
Silas and Mila nodded.
"So," Marco started, "what would you like to know?"
As the conversation began, Aiden stood up straight, moving away from his leaning position against the wall. He slung the strap of his rifle over his shoulder, walking the path Valerie took. She stood at the door she tried to open with Marco, the one Silas had came through. She stared at it, eyes empty.
Aiden leaned forward and waved his hand, his ID band allowing her access. Valerie shot him a silent glance before continuing on. Aiden let the door close behind him, watching Valerie aimlessly wander away.
"Valerie," he called out to her, take his ID band off, "take this."
"What for?" She stopped and turned to face him, sounding dejected.
"It'll let you into most of the rooms on board. I've got an extra in my locker, so you can have this one," Aiden explained.
Valerie took the band, holding it in both hands. "Thanks."
"I won't bother you, alright? You can hang in the dining room if you want. Stays pretty quiet in there." Aiden walked towards his locker, entering his code.
"Okay," she murmured.
Aiden watched her stay still as he retrieved his backup ID band. He went to the door to his room, casting one last sympathetic glance in her direction. He felt a pang of guilt in his chest as he retreated into his living quarters.
Meanwhile Valerie slowly made her way to the door labeled 'Dining Room.' When she got close, the ID band opened up the door. She went in, seeing a kitchen to the right with seating in the back. She walked all the way to the back, looking out the window to see Earth again. Valerie sat down on the window sill, staring at the stars. She pulled her backpack into her lap, digging all the way down to the bottom. She pulled out the one item she was shocked she had forgotten about. She held it in one hand, cold and heavy.
Valerie held onto her pistol tightly, like it was the only thing that could keep her grounded as she floated in space.