"Good evening, everyone," began President Roberts, as the room fell quiet.
"Welcome to the White House. Madison and I could not be more honored that you could join us this evening for this momentous event. Tonight, the United States celebrates the visit of Oaiea, a traveler that found and returned Mark Watney to us. It was a kind and generous thing for her to do. We appreciate it so much." He smiled at Oaiea.
"Since the dawn of humanity, we have looked to the stars and wondered if mankind was alone in the universe. Now, we know unequivocally that we are not, and it is a wonderful discovery indeed. To have forged a friendship with Oaiea's people is such an honor for mankind."
"When news of all of this first reached me, last month; to be honest, I was a little scared. Afraid of the unknown. I know that a lot of us felt that way, at first. I am proud to say tonight, that humanity has changed. We've grown. We've opened our minds to the bigger picture."
"It makes you feel a little small and insignificant, doesn't it? When you think about it? That our warm welcome and offer of friendship here tonight won't even be known to Oaiea's people for many of our generations to come. It seems like a message in a bottle."
"But we boldly take the first step, anyway. Not knowing what might come of it. Because humanity has changed. We're learning. We're going to keep on striving to teach our children. Encourage them to learn and grow and keep striving."
"I'd like to propose a toast. To Oaiea, and her people."
The room roared with applause, as glasses clinked.
x x x
Some minutes later, the room was once again quiet, as the guest of honor made her way to the podium.
Citizens of Earth, began Oaiea, Tonight I stand before you, doing that which my people have thought not possible. She paused a long moment, silent. Many thousands of years ago, my people sent out our first few Travelers, to begin to explore; To begin the search for life on other planets. We too, looked to the stars. For many thousands of years, we learned much about the universe, but had no reason to believe that life had evolved anywhere else in the galaxy.
A little more than ten thousand Earth years ago, the first hint of life on this planet was discovered. Another race of carbon-based life. My people were so anxious to establish contact, that they forgot to consider whether or not they ought to. Tragedy was the result. A new generation rose up in anger against the people of this planet. Earth was declared off-limits; the home of a hopeless race of short-lived savages.
When I became a Traveler, and announced my intentions to try again to travel to this part of the galaxy, the reaction of my people was, she paused to smile, not enthusiastic. None of my people were willing to travel to this place with me. I came alone. Not to contact humanity again, but to observe.
It was, she paused again, meeting Mark's eyes, smiling, a lonely voyage. When I reached Mars, my ship informed me of satellite devices. My ship and I watched, together, as the supply vessel Iris Two was disintegrated. That led us in turn to Mark.
The very revelation. That humans had somehow managed to defy their short lifespans, and had progressed so far, in such an unimaginably short timespan; to send out their own Travelers. It was unthinkable, and yet it was true.
When I decided to bring Mark Watney to Earth, to spend three-hundred Earth days in the company of a human; everything that I knew about humanity told me that I was risking my life and my ship. But the thought that Earth would not have to suffer as my people did, by losing their Traveler, who they obviously cared about enough to try to save; I hoped that it could be the catalyst for change.
And so I stand before you this evening, citizens of Earth. I have walked among you, and learned much. She lifted her glass. Keep looking to the stars.
The room fairly exploded into cheers and applause, as Oaiea made her way back to her seat.