The beautiful day continued on without incident as hundreds of people gathered in the city square to attend the rally. Colours were flying as vendors parked nearby while the police cordoned off the area to traffic allowing men, women and children to walk the streets and marvel at the banners and posters. A band was playing in front of the large carpeted stage with a huge lighting rig and a massive projector screen sitting behind a podium. Camera crews untangled their equipment getting everything organised in time for the big moment at midday. News anchors waited around the outskirts by the TV broadcasting vans coordinating with their people impatiently waiting for their big close up.
Amongst the crowd was a dozen more news reporters, from the sole bloggers to the worldwide media empires looking to cover as much of the event as they could. Representing Cacto Worldwide Media was James Olsen with his camera and Nia Nal with her notepad. Though their attention was less about what was to come and more about what was already happening. The crowd was bustling with activity from both human and aliens, everyone mingling in anticipation of their new candidate for the senate. "This is incredible!" Nia marvelled staring at everyone who came today.
"I agree" Olsen smiled, snapping more photos of the two sides standing shoulder to shoulder coexisting. He caught sight of a blue skinned alien with antenna laughing with a stocky white human with a beard, catching their picture envisioning it on the front page. Proof that Earth was home to everyone, he thought. "I here I was thinking this was just going to be another political rally" he mused.
"No, this historic!" Nia told him excitedly. "Dorian is the first member of alien society to run for the senate. The fact he was able to put his name forward alone is massive!"
"Considering the hardships these refugees have suffered over the last five years, this is a big achievement" J'onn echoed, appearing beside them holding a couple of hotdogs. He passed two to his friends apologising for being late. "I got caught up with a client who was concerned for her safety. Despite all this cooperation there are still a few who don't feel safe among humans."
"Prejudice is an ongoing process" James said begrudgingly. Racial tensions never really go away in his experience.
"Maybe, but we should still celebrate" Nia insisted. "Just look around. People from other planets share a home and getting along. I never would've thought it would be possible." She stared wistfully at the crowds before asking "any sign of Kara?"
J'onn's expression dimmed as he shook his head. "Brainy sends his apologies too. The hunt for the Blacksmith is a consuming venture."
"We get it. But I thought Kara would've liked to have been a part of this at least. And Brainy" she said disappointed. "I know trying to find Jake and bring him to justice is important but…"
"But you hoped something more cheerful would make things easier?" Olsen guessed. They all needed a distraction after the last few days. "I'm sure they'd be here if they could. Alex too. But as you said, the manhunt has everyone busy."
"Nothing a few hours won't change" Brainy remarked as he walked up behind them. Nia spun around and cheered when she saw him, wrapping her arms around him in delight. She was even more surprised to find him without his image inducer on. "Since this is a day to celebrate aliens and humans co-habiting a world, I thought I'd look my best" he said.
She broke into a massive smile as she kissed her boyfriend. "I wouldn't have expected anything less" she said. Yet she flashed him a concerned look asking "are you sure you can be away from the DEO right now?"
"the search parameters for my investigations are, for now, completely under control" he explained, holding up his phone showing her it was linked to the DEO system and still running his algorithms. Meaning he had brought his work with him. Nia didn't care, so long as he got to share this moment with her. "Alex sends her regards" he told the others."
"What about Kara?" James asked.
"Still searching the city" he replied. "I'm afraid she won't make it."
"Maybe" J'onn sighed, turning back to the crowds.
But out the corner of his eye he spotted a shape hovering several hundred metres from the ground behind two buildings. He looked up and saw a familiar flutter of a red cape and blonde hair. It seemed Kara had indeed taken a few seconds out of her search to pause and visit the rally herself. Her head turned and caught J'onn's eye, who gave her a small nod not saying anything to the others. She smiled briefly before returning to flight circling the city, leaving her friends and her city to celebrate without her.
"I have to admit I'm amazed this rally hasn't been shut down" J'onn remarked as he scanned the police watching over the event. None of them seemed unhappy for the posting, nor frustrated at the obligation. In fact he scanned the whole barricade with his telepathy and barely felt a hint of hostility from them. "You'd think some members of Earth's government would've attempted to block Dorian's run."
"Oh they did" Nia explained, showcase how much she'd been following this since the announcement. "The day he stepped in front of a camera networks were pressured not to air the footage, only they refused due to the freedom of speech act. And when the forms were submitted to declare his candidacy several members of the senate tried to block him. Even his opponents started a slew of campaigns to highlight how and alien shouldn't be running for the senate. They argued he was an illegal alien."
"fortunate then I could back up my claims to being born in this great country I wish to serve" a soft voice laughed making the girl jump out of her skin as she found herself face to face with the person who everyone was here to see. The four of them froze in surprise as Dorian stood before them dressed in a tailor made suit emblazoned with the stitching of their ancestral planet. They weren't as tall as Nia was expecting, in fact they were a few inches shorter than her. Yet they stood up straight and proud while their own security detail watched their flank keeping the few onlookers who saw them from overwhelming the young alien. Their skin was creamy, smooth, their features humanoid letting them pass for another earthling except for their ears, which were folded differently, and the tiny feelers growing out of their brow above their eyes. Overall they appeared almost angelic in person, their eyes looking at the crowd with two pupils in each. Nia tried not to stare, her eyes instead drawn to the sparkling silver pin on the blazer, the metal curved to fashion a decorative version of their initial. Dorian noticed her looking at it, smiling politely explaining "a gift from my parents. It looks like a D but the design is actually a symbol from their home world. They tell me it means "To Dream"."
"Well on this planet it looks like a D" she replied nervously. Then she realised how dumb that sounded and turned red. "Sorry, that was… I didn't mean any disrespect…"
"Don't be sorry" they laughed. "That's exactly what I said to them."
Nia laughed along, her chest heaving as embarrassment conflicted with her excitement at this moment. Fortunately Brainy was there to take her shoulders and calm her down while James stepped in to introduce himself and divert attention from her. "Mr Dorian. Pleasure to meet you. "I'm James Olsen, Editor and Chief of Cacto Worldwide Media."
"Yes, I know who you are" they smiled shaking the man's hand. "I've read much of your work. I particularly like the article you covered during the anti-alien protests last year, particularly the photo. The way to capture the humanity of the moment…it took my breath away."
James beamed proudly, replying "thank you. That means a lot." He looked over and decided to introduce the others, saying "this is J'onn Jones, Querl Dox, and this is one of my top reporters Nia Nal."
Dorian shook each of their hands in turn, greeting each of them ending on a still nervous Nia. "Ten minutes" one of his detail whispered, prompting them to look at their watch.
"If you need to go, we don't want to hold you up" Nia stammered, taking a step back as if she needed to make room.
Dorian looked at her and smiled, deciding "ten minutes? That means I can spare five to give an exclusive, if you'd like" they offered.
"Really?" Nia squeaked, looking at James who nodded enthusiastically prompting her to snap out of her shock and grab her phone. She could've taken notes but for this she felt the need to record it. "Is it okay if I…" she started but Dorian politely nodded so she just got on with it. Suddenly she was glad Kara wasn't here to see her fumbling around like a star-struck rookie. "Ahem, Mr Dorian…"
"Just Dorian" they corrected patiently. "On my parents' home world we didn't have family names, only a single name given at the age of ascension. I chose Dorian because on that world it means moving forward. And because I liked the sound of it."
"Just Dorian" she echoed, correcting herself. "So, Dorian, we all know this is a…historic occasion for both National City but also to the refugees who have come to live here. Can I ask what made you decide to run for the senate seat, given how…turbulent relations between aliens and humans have been?"
"That turbulent relationship is exactly why I chose to run for the senate" they answered. "I suppose I could've started smaller, become a member of the city council, or the mayor, or a governor. But I was never one to think small. The elections were coming up and I realised how much good I could do to people like us just by putting my name forward. The world is talking about this day because it is a conversation that we are all ready for."
Nia tilted her head oddly. "You say that as if you don't expect to win?"
They gave her a charming smile, confidently explaining "in battles like this, winning isn't the point. It's about representation. The people here are celebrating because win or lose their kind was being represented in this election. Don't get me wrong, I do intend to fight to win, but people need to see the possibility is there. I was born on this planet, but my parents were born of another. When we moved here I saw how the refuges struggled. But I also saw those of this world willing to help them however they could. And since I am now of this world, it's my responsibility to help how I can."
"So you're looking to represent the refugees in this coming election."
"I'm looking to represent National City, my home, home to both humans and aliens alike. People are already calling me a bridge between these two societies. I hope to bring that bridge to the world and show them we all deserve a home here."
Nia smiled, feeling uplifted by that statement knowing their readers will be too. "You really are an inspiration Dorian" she said.
They smiled modestly. "Five minutes" his man warned.
They let out a disappointed sigh. "I'm afraid I must go."
"Thank you for your time" James said, shaking their hand again. The others nodded as Nia prepared to put her phone away. But at the last minute she found herself asking "if you don't mind one last question?" Dorian stopped to look at her curiously. "Out of interest, who inspired you?"
They looked back at her and smiled. "Me personally? Growing up I was the outsider. There weren't many of my kind in schools or neighbourhoods. I didn't know where a child born of two genderless Octurians in the United States fit in amongst humans. But then I saw an incredible sight on TV. I saw the interview Dreamer gave to the world" they said, and Nia's chest suddenly tightened. She watched as their eyes got misty as they explained "I believe it was your network who covered it. She spoke about her life, about being of two worlds, proving that coexistence is possible. But more importantly she showed us we didn't need to be ashamed to be different. Her interview inspired so many not to give into hate or fear. On that day I decided I needed to bring that message forward. Advocate for peace between humans and aliens. Because we, the generation from other worlds born on this planet, this is our home." they were interrupted by their men who was urging them forward, turning back to the stunned Nia saying "I hope that was enough. Forgive me. It was a pleasure talking to you."
"Yeah, thank you" Nia replied, staring forward as Dorian was led through the cheering crowd towards the stage dumbstruck and froze. After a moment she turned back to her friends and asked "did that really just happen?"
"Yes, it did" James chuckled, gently taking the phone from her frozen fingers and turning the microphone off. Brainy stepped forward to embrace his girlfriend as she remained stunned and shell-shocked. She kept convincing herself she'd misheard him, but apparently it was she who had inspired National City's new candidate. Suddenly she felt very overwhelmed.
Dorian took to the stage a little after midday, striding confidently up to the podium to be greeted by an assault of applause as hundreds of people both human and alien cheered his name. Camera crews focused their lenses on the candidate broadcasting live to an audience of millions across the country and the world. In the crowd Nia finally got over her shock and clapped along with everyone else as they witnessed the Octurian stand before them in front of the massive projected image of the American flag.
After a couple of minutes of cheering and shouting Dorian politely signalled for them to quiet down, waiting patiently for the silence before speaking into the microphone in front of him. "People of National City" they said, their voice echoing out of the speakers booming either side of him carrying it across the square. "I cannot tell you how much it means to me that you are all here today to support this historic venture." He paused to let the crowd cheer again, waiting for them to calm down before continuing. "For those of you who do not know yet, I am not any ordinary candidate. My parents are from a planet far away. They came here, to Earth, many decades ago to escape a terrible plague. They sought a world that could give their child, give me, a better life then they could offer. I was born in this very city. I was raised here. I went to school here. There were others like me. And like me they looked at this world we called home and wondered if the people of this planet would ever truly accept us.
"Well, looking around this crowd now and seeing men, women and children of all creeds, or all races, or so many worlds, I think I can finally say that the answer is yes. Yes, this world can accept us. Because it has already accepted us. It has opened its doors to our kind, sheltered us from that which we sought to escape. Now I know that our journey here wasn't easy. We have all suffered many hardships, both us and the humans we live alongside. The small minded likes of Ben Lockwood still exist out there, it's true. But so do those who stand against it. We stand against hate and fear. We have heroes who inspire us. We have heroes who inspire me. I want to be an inspiration too.
"When I started this venture to run for the senate, you know who the first people I spoke too was? The children. Those like me who were born here, who grew up on this world, whose parents came from the stars. I talked to them. And do you know what I discovered? I discovered their capacity for hope, their imagination, and their ability to dream of a better future. They spoke to me of a world I could only even begin to conceive. That's when I realised why this campaign is so important. It's not to show the world that humans and aliens can coexisted, because we are already coexisting. What we need to do now is show the next generation, ours and yours, that it is possible to dream of a better future. To change the world into something that will benefit everyone. I'm not saying I'm doing this for the children, though my campaign manager has offered that as a slogan" he joked, earning a wave of laughs. "No, I want to do what I can right now to help make their dreams a reality. So if that means winning a seat in the senate so this city, our people, have a voice in the government speaking for us, inspiring the new generation to start speaking up and bringing a brighter tomorrow, then of course I am going to do it! And if I fail, then it will not be the end. Because there will be more elections. More opportunities to show the world we can live together, we can work together, we can share this home and help it grow together."
The crowd cheered for Dorian, emboldened by their speech as they addressed them all as equals. They looked out at them all proudly, finishing their speech saying "I may be of two worlds, but I only have one home. This world is my home. And this world needs people like me, like those children. It needs people who can dream of a better tomorrow. So I ask you now, as I continue my journey…" he turned to the screen behind him, the image changing as text floated onto the screen revealing the phase "dream of a better world."
The crowd launched into another applause and Dorian raised his hand saluting them all grateful for their support. In the crowd Nia was screaming and clapping alongside Brainy while Olsen took pictures of the event, many of the stage but most focusing on the crowd as they cheered Dorian's name. J'onn clapped silently, sensing the pride and euphoria in the square as they were all a part of the moment. Across the city those watching on their TV's watched in awe staring at the screen feeling the excitement bleeding through. Even Kara, several miles away floating high above the ground, could hear the cheers and cracked a proud smile.
Amidst all the applause, however, J'onn suddenly felt a shift in his telepathy. The buzzing of joy and excitement and pride was suddenly undercut by something else, something sharp. J'onn stopped clapping and looked out over the crowd into the smiling faces of men, women and children. On the surface it all seemed fine. But the Martian sensed something else, something hidden beneath slithering through the brighter emotions undetected. He honed his minds, reaching out with his telepathy to try and find the source. But he discovered there were many, dark thoughts permeating under the surface like predators. He looked through the crowd again, scanning every face touching their minds. Some of the aliens sensed him, others he couldn't read. They weren't the source though. The thoughts were human, and they were growing. He sensed anticipation, hate, and hostile intent. His eyes whipped across the crowd, peering between the figures of cheering people looking for outliers, their presence masked. He caught glimpses of shapes out the corners, people with hoods and masks, others keeping their faces low. He couldn't be sure how many there were. The anticipation grew and he realised the danger they were in.
"J'onn!" James voice called rapping the big man on the shoulder. When he snapped his head around he had a concerned look on his face and his eyes were glowing red. James noticed the change and tensed. "What's wrong?" he asked, the question pulling Brainy and Nia out of their celebration to look at him with concern.
J'onn didn't know how to explain it, but before he could the stage suddenly lit up and flickered as the screen behind Dorian altered the image. The crowd froze as they all witnessed a flickering mirage of a star with the American flag attached alongside the image of a gold mask with a blank expression. Most everyone was confused by what they were seeing, but for the four of them their hearts started racing. Seconds after the symbol appeared it vanished, the screen going dark.
Then the stage exploded.