THE ARRIVAL
-CHAPTER ONE-
The gigantic UFO had been hovering over the nation's capital for several hours. It had all started in the early hours for the President of the United States. He had been woken up by his closest aides.
The President's advisors had taken the elevator up to the first family's living quarters at the White House. The President's wife, Barbara Morrow stood in the doorway of the main bedroom, the low lamp was on and she was half asleep herself.
"Does anyone know what is going on?"
"Not really Ma'am...", answered Tony Kelski, the President's chief of staff, "...well, not yet anyways, but UFO's have been sighted over New York, Dallas, St Louis and several cities across Europe"
Barbara pulled her dressing gown around her, "What about...", she glanced up to the ceiling. Kelski shook his head, "no sightings in this area as of now"
She looked like she was blowing out a sigh of relief as she went to wake her husband. William Brent Morrow was gently shaken and the most powerful man in the country was up in an instant.
Secretary of State, Fred Follery informed him about the strange UFO sightings appearing right across the planet. William rubbed his eyes in a daze, it was just all so hard to take in. He got dressed and started to view the news reports on the TV portable, it seemed that very cable channel he switched to had coverage of massive UFO's hovering like halo's over world cities.
Passing through the french doors of his office, the President was just as relieved as his wife before him, that there was no such craft in Washington's night sky. There was nothing up there but the constellations...
Until midday the next day...
VVV
The October sun was obscured quickly as the monstrous circular form of the massive UFO passed over head.
The citizens of Washington were still surprized, even though the breakfast news had been reporting nothing else. But all that had been somewhere else, not here over Washington DC...not until now.
VVV
As the hours passed and more and more of the UFO's were reported all around the planet, Ralph Harrison, a leading news anchor-man in Washington, stared up at the images on the studio monitors. His blue eyes fixed on the many pictures that flashed up on the screens, another new one was reported from Paris in France.
His colleague Susan Feldman continued to bring the nation's capital the news. Ralph couldn't help himself, he was absolutely transfixed by the mysterious monstrous crafts. Tom Hunter, a cameraman, turned to him as he swung the TV camera around on it's casters.
"What if they are hostile? I hope the military are being stepped up just in case of"
Ralph shrugged his shoulders, but didn't look at him as he responded, "look...if they were hostile, they'd been raining down their death rays or something by now, huh? Relax"
VVV
Student Caitlin Ryan looked up to the massive UFO from where she stood clutching her books on the college green. The beeping and honking of car horns, and emergency sirens echoed out all around her as mass panic erupted across the city.
She jolted as as Joey Carter placed a hand over her shoulder from behind, "Hey Caitlin...aren't you not going home?"
Caitlin turned to to face him, removing her shades, "What's the point? All the roads are blocked...and I've heard there's been a stampede that's stopped the Metro...anyways all the routes to George town are totally impassable"
Joey snaked an arm around her waist as they strolled across the grass, "Hey...I could always walk you"
Caitlin shrugged him off as Angela Kennedy came running over to them, "Hey guys! Isn't this totally cool? Maybe this is all the start of a real alien invasion, huh?"
Caitlin rolled her eyes at her, Angela was known to over- exaggerate things.
"Don't be so stupid!", she then stomped off clutching her books, Angela watched her go and turned to Joey, "Gee...what's her problem?"
VVV
At the White House the President looked up to the massive new comer that was stationary over Washington.
The vibration had stopped, seeming to signal that the UFO wasn't intending to traverse any further.
Coming back in through the french doors into his office, William was staring at the facts that his hard working team had come up with over the hours since this unknown menace at begun.
Of the craft, there was at least 50 of them, hovering over most of the worlds capital cities.
Each UFO was circular and at least 5 miles across, and since their abrupt arrival they had made no notion or noise.
The secretary of defence Morgan Mason had sent up US air force jets to fire missiles at the gigantic vessels, after reporting that there hadn't been any response from hailing the sinister UFO's.
Upon firing, all the missiles guidance systems had been interfered with by some unknown defence force from the mystery alien ships, and all of the missiles exploded well out of range of their set targets. All of this had been reported back to the White House.
US airman Collins in the lead squadron could only look on as the missiles he had fired out from his jet, blasted towards the giant hulk of a vessel that hovered above the cloud line. Both missiles sunk and exploded safely out of range.
"Unbelievable", the pilot uttered
The Presidents press secretary Eren Leigh, advised him of the initial panic in Washington after it's UFO had shown up, and reports from the media across the States, stated that mass panic had caused many citizens to start fleeing the major cities effected by the on-going crisis.
VVV
Caitlin Ryan managed to get home as the President came on the TV urging the nations populis not to panic - for the mystery craft up to now, portrayed no hostile intent. Juliet Ryan hugged her daughter tightly as she came into the living room, "Ohh Caitlin honey...I was so worried...I called the college, but all of the lines were jammed...and then the neighbours packed up and fled..."
Caitlin shook her head at her trying to calm her down, "Gee Mom...the Presidents just told us...everything is going to be okay...you'll see..."
VVV
Kathleen Wagner sipped her decaf and looked up as her lawyer boss Ray Tomlinson came towards her with a dictar-fone.
"Some important documentation to be sent off to these clients Miss Wagner", he groaned, "and a coffee if at all possible"
Kath stood up from her office desk and followed Ray out into the corridor to grab a cup of coffee from the nearby perculator - Hmmmm - she could smell it.
Suddenly her friend from the 12th floor cried out to her, "Kath, Kath! Come and watch upstairs!"
Kath looked up to her over-excited friend and smiled, "Gee Maggie, where's the fire?"
Maggie snatched her friends hand, and dragged her up into the elevator. Once they had reached Maggie's floor, Kath was dragged along again, this time into the rest room, "Look!", Maggie pointed no sooner had they stepped over the fresh hold.
Kath followed her finger to the source of the excitement drawn around her to the small rest room portable TV.
She looked up at it, and nearly choked. She couldn't quite believe what she was seeing on the screen. She could see quite clearly a UFO floating over the Statue of Liberty in New York.
"Isn't it great!", she heard Maggie coo. Kath shook her head, she really didn't know what to say.
VVV
Ralph Harrison had left the Washington news studios that afternoon. The initial panic had subsided as he took a cab from outside the studios to his plush apartment he owned in Capitol hill.
From the traffic jam, Ralph looked up to the UFO that halo'ed the white capitol dome.
"Fantastic!", he breathed.
-CHAPTER TWO -
Life-Scientist Toni Morrell collected her daughter from the baby-sitter Jenny Morgan.
She parked her VW beetle up onto the curb outside on the tree-lined suburban street.
"I'm so sorry - the traffic from the research center is unbelievable - I've seen nothing like it"
Jenny came forward and handed over the two year old to her mother as she stepped out of the car.
"It's okay...my Dad says that the president said that there is nothing to worry about"
Toni strapped her daughter into the child seat and closed the back door of the vehicle, "lets hope so...I just want to get home..."
VVV
Toni's husband Ross Morrell, pulled his station-wagon into the underground car-lot of his building. The first thing his eyes focused on was at the vacant parking space - no VW beetle - meaning no Toni and Carla. His heart started to race as he slammed the car door and hurried towards the direction of the elevator.
VVV
Barbara Morrow stood in the corridor waiting for her husband the President. Since being woken up in the early hours, when the original call came through about the UFO crisis, there had been one meeting after another, whether it was here at the White House, the Pentagon space center or at the senate office.
Now she herself had just watched her husband's broadcast informing the US public not to panic. One of William's closest aides, Robyn Colburn, came up the corridor in her pressed trouser-suit, "Mrs Morrow, I think he has five minutes"
Barbara grabbed Robyn's arm and thanked her with a grateful smile, then hurried to the oval office door and knocked.
A tired looking William came to the door and immediately embraced his wife, "Ohhh Will, do we really know that these...things...don't mean us any harm?", there was a trembling score in her voice.
William smiled warmly at her, "I prayer that is true...we've sent up air-force jets as you have seen, they have been completely de-ranged off course by a cosmic force that only could have come from that thing up there"
Barbara tried to calm her deep fears, "maybe... I suppose...that they would have blown us all up by now if they were hostile, wouldn't they?"
William kissed his wife on the forehead, "try to get some sleep honey...I'll call you later...and try not to worry, huh?"
She nodded as she slipped out of his arms and walked away from him.
VVV
Toni Morrell parked her VW beetle in the apartment basement car-lot. After snatching up Carla from the child seat, she hurried up to her apartment, where Ross met her at the door. He rushed forward and pulled his family close to him in sheer relief, "Oh thank god...I just wanted us to be all together..."
Toni reached out and put a finger to his lips, "...less we are together...if something bad happens"
Toni set Carla down in her cot and Ross placed his arms around her and kissed the back of her neck, "Nothing will happen...I'm sure of it"
VVV
Juliet Ryan paced up and down the carpet. She stared out of the bay window and turned to face her daughter in a sheer dither, "Maybe we should leave the city...everybody else on this street sure have"
Caitlin went over to her and sat her mother down onto the couch, "Mom...stop this...the president has told us not to panic, you heard him yourself...now just calm down...please"
Juliet nodded and looked at her, "Yes...I just need my heart medication"
VVV
Rosemary Kennedy watched the TV screen from where she stood at the window of her George town mansion.
Susan Feldman, the news reporter on screen stated, "the UFO over Washington is one of 50 around the world - it is still unclear what their intentions are - but be reassured that everything is being done to make sure that world safety comes first"
She turned away from the TV with her hands held together - images flashed up on screen again showing a UFO over various world cities, she then turned to see her husbands limousine pull up onto the gravel driveway outside.
She ran out of the front door and met him as he came out of the back of the limo. Senator Edward Kennedy grasped his wife's arms, "Hey...don't look so worried - you watched the President's broadcast didn't you not?"
Rosemary followed her husband back into the house, "It's Angela - I'm so worried about her Edward, she is still not home yet"
Edward pulled her closer to him trying to calm her shaking, "the President has given us some leave until something happens - and as for Angela, you know what our daughter is like - she can look after herself"
Rosemary set her chin onto her husbands shoulder, and opened her eyes to see the image on the TV screen. It was of the golden gate bridge in San Francisco and a UFO was passing over the top of it.
VVV
As the day wore on, the UFO's portrayed no immediate threat. Once stationary over the worlds major cities, the crafts settled still and did nothing more.
It seemed they were just hanging there waiting...
VVV
Sam Walker leapt onto his balcony of his Maryland apartment block. He was still half asleep from being woken up from his afternoon knap.
The piercing pulsing sound had evaded his ears, he turned and went back into his lounge, grabbing up the TV remote from his cluttered coffee table and switched the television on.
News reporter Kristine Walsh was on screen from the network studios in New York.
"The pulsing sound is now global - it's as if each of the 50 ships are communicating with on another...", she touched her earpiece, "...and now I am being told that the ship over Washington has joined in this new development"
Sam scratched his head and went back out onto his balcony looking across to the UFO that sat over Washington"
VVV
Kristine Walsh's report continued on set as Caitlin sat at the dining room table doing her college assignment. Her mother Juliet was laid out on the couch in her dressing gown.
"...I am now being told that a human voice is being received on the international SOS frequency signal..."
Caitlin looked up to the TV from where she sat and chewed the top of her pen.
"I am now being told that the voice is speaking in English...", Kristine touched her earpiece again, "...no...I am now being corrected...it is in fact speaking in every known language around the world..."
VVV
Edward Kennedy slipped off his tie as his wife fixed him a drink, "the President has just called...all non urgent staff might get called in"
The concern was evident on Rosemary's face as she handed him his glass, "oh...I hope not Edward dear...I don't want to be left alone"
Edward knocked back the whiskey and gave her a reassuring nod, "It's going to be fine...you just wait and see..."
Rosemary nodded and with the remote, turned the volume up on the TV. An alien voice was counting down from 20 to 1 in every known language across the planet.
Edward took hold of his wife's hand just as their daughter Angela hurried in through the front door.
Rosemary gasped, "thank the Lord - where were you - I have been so worried!"
Angela shook away her concern, "oh mom, I was just at Kerry's place", she sat in the armchair looking at the TV, "Shhhhush...listen"
The TV blared to life as the alien voice was broadcast, "citizens of the planet Earth we bring you greetings to all of man-kind. May I respectfully request your Secretary General of your United Nations come to the top of the UN building in New York at 0100 hours Greenwich meantime...thank you"
The mysterious alien voice was then silent, like it never was. The Kennedy family hugged each other for comfort.
VVV
Kath Wagner placed Sam Walkers meal down onto the kitchen table, "Have I missed much?"
Sam picked up his knife and fork, eyes still glued to the lounge TV, "No...not really...just speculation about what might happen in New York - Isaac Asimov was just on..."
Kath sat down opposite him and lit up a cigarette - Sam turned around to see her trembling, so he placed his hand over hers across the table, "hey...it's going to be okay...relax"
Kath bravely smiled back at him, but it was far from what she was feeling deep down inside...
-CHAPTER THREE-
That evening in New York, history was made on planet Earth. On the roof of the UN building, the Secretary General made first contact with the aliens - whom called themselves "the Visitors", an easy term for Earthlings to call them.
The whole nation, if not the whole world, were poised at their TV sets as a small white shuttle craft came out from the underbelly of the New York UFO, and glided it's way down in an array of camera strobes and flashes.
The shuttle touched down onto the roof platform and was witnessed by an army of armed UN soldiers and by the worlds media.
The Secretary General stood at the open ramp of the alien shuttle and from within, he was summoned aboard using the gentlemen's native Swedish tongue.
VVV
William Morrow sat watching this for himself in his family living quarters at the White House. Barbara came and sat beside him, she pushed her hand into his as they were fixed to the TV screen.
VVV
Edward Kennedy and his wife had organised a party at their George town mansion. All the party guests watched the events unfold on the TV screen. The silence intense as they sipped at their fine champagne.
VVV
The "Visitors" Supreme Commander called himself 'John'...for he explained intently that their native real names would be too difficult for human-beings to pronounce, so he and his fellow Visitors had chosen simple Earth names as a result.
John stood on the ramp of his shuttle-craft after a formal introduction from the Secretary General. John needed a pair of dark shades to protect his light sensitive eyes from the constant flashes from the cameras of the worlds media.
The World was relieved to say the least. The E.T's were just like us...outwardly human in appearance and garbed up in an orangey reddish military style uniform.
John informed the watching world, that they had come in peace to all of mankind, and had travelled some 8.7 light years from their home world - the third planet from the star humans call Sirius.
They had come to us - because they needed our help - their planet was eco-logically dying - and no longer could support life itself.
A chemical compound they needed to manufacture from Earth - that no longer exists on their own planet - was their only hope of saving their ailing world - and in return they would gladly share all the fruits of their supreme knowledge.
VVV
The planet partied all night - as a shuttle craft took news reporters, Kristine Walsh, Michael Donovan and Ralph Harrison up aboard the Mothership over New York.
The Following days news revealed much about their exclusive trip and an insight to how the alien Visitor friends lived aboard their 50 ships.
The emphasis was this...there was great days lying ahead.
VVV
Caitlin Ryan came across the grass of the college to see her friend Ben Greene sitting on a bench.
"Hi...wasn't last night fantastic!", Caitlin cried full of excitement and still felt all of the thrill from the night before.
Ben clutched his books and stood up nodded at her, "history in the making! I feel like life is gonna change for everyone"
Joey Carter then was coming along the path with his buddy's Randy Revell and Zac Hargraves. Ben pulled a sigh as he made to leave.
"That's all I need..."
Randy stepped forward - his grin was the one of menace, "Ohhh, look who it is!"
Joey and Zac couldn't help but laugh - Ben was the only open homosexual guy at the college - a decision that hadn't done him any favours so far - in this case, honesty wasn't the best policy.
He looked towards Caitlin and stormed off up the path to the main building of the college.
Randy and Zac shrugged - their usual fan fair of torment was over rode by the main topic of conversation that day - the Visitors from Sirius.
Joey went to follow them, but half glanced back at Caitlin as he did do.
"Why do you have to be such a jerk?", she quibbed.
Joey went to reply but it was too late, Caitlin was half way down the path.
VVV
Angela Kennedy closed her locker and approached the hall way window where she could view in awe at the Washington Mothership. Beth Cordingley and Kerry Laden were then at her side.
"Hey...I was wondering...do you think there are any attractive guys aboard those UFOs?", asked Kerry.
Angela glanced at her friend with a grin, "I hope so! There are gonna be some fun times ahead if there are!"
VVV
The Visitor's Supreme Commander stood at the doorway of the Oval office at the White House. Hands held out he marvelled a, "It is a complete honour to be here...I am told it is a place of great history"
The President laughed it off as he lead the way into the office, " there are places with greater histories around the world, John..."
John stepped forward with a warm smile. His entourage of aids and advisors behind him.
"and I will be pleased to see them...but first I would like to discuss some good-will tours - I gather your people would like to meet our people in the flesh if you like - and it will help ease us gently into your society"
The President's advisors and officials agreed. Fred Follery said, "yes it is extremely important to promote good relations between our two peoples - make sure that the hand of friendship is genuine"
John stood aside and ushered his hand towards one of his female Visitor aids, "My thoughts exactly Mr Follery, which is why I must introduce you to Deborah...she will be working as our relations officer here in the Washington area...she...and many of her counterparts in other cities here and around the world will help promote friendly interaction between our people...and yours"
VVV
The open top bus came up Capitol hill in a fanfare. Bands played and the spectator crowds cheered in delight and awe as the Visitors Supreme Commander was joined by Gerald, the Commander of the Washington flagship, and his second in command Michele. They all smiled and waved at the crowds, all sporting their custom dark visors and standard caps on their heads.
The cheering crowds lined both sides of the streets towards the Senate office, some waving the now familiar red and black Visitor symbol banners. Ralph Harrison was in the Capitol building grounds with a news crew. With a microphone in his grasp, he reported the events to the viewers at home.
"It's been a week since our Visitor friends came to Earth, and feeling is at an all time high here in the nations Capital - a marvellous display that will play out in all our cities around the country and of course, around the world..."
In the crowd, Kath Wagner and Maggie Winters waved out their home made Visitor flags, "aren't they just all so fab!" gasped Maggie, all teeth and smiles.
Kath nodded as she watched the good will tour bus get further away from them - there was an army of police squad cars following along behind the entourage.
"Beats the hell out of going to work!"
Maggie sighed in sudden disappointment, "Ohhhh is that it? aren't they not going to make a second pass?"
Kath laughed at her friend, " You don't ask for much, do you Mags? But then again, us working in a law firm, when are we ever gonna get a chance to meet up with any of them?"
-CHAPTER FOUR-
Over the week, leading media man Ralph Harrison and his camera crew followed the Visitors across the district, as they finally chose the various chemical plants to retool to make the life saving chemical compound gas the aliens needed to save their dying world.
The biggest one was in nearby Baltimore, and it's Chief Executive Alex Fisher shook hands with Commander Gerald and Supervisor plant co-ordinator for the re-tooling project, Adam.
The Flagship Commander smiled warmly at Alex, " We have inspected your plant thoroughly Mr Fisher and I am pleased to inform you that its potential to retool is excellent - congratulations"
Alex was over the moon, as Ralph recorded an interview with him to be transmitted later that day.
VVV
With the start of the retooling project at the Baltimore plant set for the following week, Gerald came over to Ralph as he packed up the camera crew, "Mr Harrison...I was impressed with the way you handled the media coverage today..."
Ralph smiled back at him in the October sunshine, he was gradually getting used to the vibrating undertone of the aliens voices.
"It's 15 years experience, that's all I guess - but thanks, I appreciate it"
Gerald placed a cool hand firmly over the news mans shoulder, "We will be needing a camera crew with us in the next few weeks...and I think I have just found it"
Ralph swallowed down nervously - not quite believing it, "you mean...I get to go up there again?", he pointed towards the Washington flagship above.
Gerald chuckled as they both strolled towards the AT&T van that stowed the equipment, "All in good time Ralph...please us...and we will graciously reward you..."
VVV
Ralph Harrison was busting with excitement over the news - and walked into the news studio with a great big cheesy grin on his face.
His colleague and fellow news anchor person, Susan Feldman turned around in the chair after wrapping up a news broadcast, "So what's put a smile on your face then?"
Ralph handed over the VTR tapes over to a couple of technicians and turned to her, "I might end up doing a feature aboard the flagship here in Washington..."
Susan shuffled her papers and looked up at him a bit taken aback, "Huh? Who told you that?"
Ralph sat at the news desk opposite her, "the Commander of the flagship of course...he told me that he needs a camera crew for the next few weeks...you know with all the good will tours and that"
Susan turned her chair in her neat trouser suit, to front the news desk. She and Ralph were usually a team - a make up artist quickly powdered her face before the next broadcast.
"well...it's okay for some...", she managed to utter.
Ralph glanced at her - was it too selfish of him wanting this for himself? Usually they worked as a team.
No...Ralph decided, as the director was counting down to begin the cameras to roll for the next broadcast, not if you wanted to further your career, he decided.
VVV
Edward Kennedy came out of a meeting with Morgan Mason at the Pentagon, and jumped into his limousine. He was surprized to see Cole Landsbury sitting in the back.
"Hi...this is an unexpected surprize", gasped Edward warmly, nodding for the driver to head on through the busy traffic.
"Yes...as is the fact that the President has given the aliens the full run of the White House, it seems", moaned Cole - he didn't look too happy about it.
Edward turned to him with a smile, "So? You cannot expect the Visitors Supreme Commander to go slum it aboard the mothership, besides, he is probably the same rank as our President amongst his own people..."
"That doesn't make it right - we are too easily being led into the palms of their hands!", heeded Cole, staring out to the traffic.
Edward stared out his side to the traffic briefly, before turning back to his colleague in office, "We are just putting out the welcome mat that's all - making the Visitors feel at home, it cannot be easy being cooped up aboard those UFOs of theirs...", he suggested in earnest.
Cole glanced up to the giant saucer over the city, "it's five miles across and there are 50 of them - surely they cannot be that desperate"
Edward shook his head trying to get through to him, "look...on Friday we are having a drinks party...a few of our Visitor friends will be there - you just need to get to know them, that's all"
Cole nodded slumping back into the leather limo seat - he decided that he would attend this little party - the Kennedy's always knew how to put on a good spread.
"yeah...I guess you are right", he accepted, "it will also give me a chance to question our alien friends further, " he added.
VVV
At a bar across town, Toni Morrell, Ross Morrell and Amy Appleton had drinks.
"I really want to get into their DNA", teased Amy as she rose her glass of white wine to her lips, "I mean really!"
Toni laughed and told her, "Well, Ross is starting work with the Visitors next week - they're gonna start retooling the plant"
Ross chuckled as he downed his beer, "It's not that exciting girls - these aliens are not exactly are they? They are just regular guys with strange voice boxes", he stood up, "anyways, they must be a real bore to the scientific world - they are just like us"
Amy frowned as she looked at Toni, "There must be something different about them"
Ross collected up the empty glasses to get another round of drinks in, when he looked up to see Sam Walker walk in through the bar doors with a girl on his arm.
"Hey Sam!", he called.
The girl grabbed a seat over near the window as Sam approached the bar, "me and the girlfriend are having a quiet drink man, sorry"
Ross glanced over to the girl, "She's new...how long have you been seeing her for?"
Sam laughed as he ordered in his drinks, "a couple of months - then she moved in!"
"you don't change!" remarked Ross with a knowing smirk. Sam shook his head, "no, no...things are different with Kath...she's real special"
VVV
It was getting late at the Memorial research center. Dr Vincent lee looked up from his microscope to see Dr Phyllis Fraser remove her white laboratory coat to go home. Vincent looked up to the wall clock, it was getting rather late, 10 in the evening.
"Are you sure I can't give you a ride home, Phyllis...it really is no bother"
Phyllis shook her head, as he gathered up her jacket and purse, "Oh yeah...and meaning you have to go several blocks out of your way...", she chuckled warmly removing her half moon spectacles, "...it's a kind offer - but I'm going down to central filing to file these slides before I leave...I'll see you in the morning Vincent"
Vincent removed his lab coat and hung it around the back of his chair, "Well...if you are sure...take care and don't be too long"
Phyllis smiled at him - and after a brief wave, Vincent snatched up his keys and vacated the laboratory.
VVV
Vincent left the brightly lit foyer of the Abraham Lincoln Memorial research center, and strolled across the somewhat dark parking lot. As he passed by the rows of parked cars he noticed a Visitor squad shuttle squatting in a parking bay with it's lights off. It was all silent and dark.
He glanced over to it for a second as he unlocked his Ford Granada, and after getting in, he turned the key and set off home.
VVV
Phyllis Fraser slid the filing draw shut with a clang and locked it. She went to the exit and looked about the room before switching the light off and went down the corridor.
Securing her purse, she walked down the low lit corridor that lead to the back exit parking lot that gave her a short cut to her street. She did this routinely every night.
As she reached the stairwell she paused and looked behind her...was that footsteps that she could hear?
"Hello? Is there anybody there?", Phyllis called out, her voice echoed about the stairwell.
There was no reply.
She started to make her way down the stairwell not noticing a shadowy silhouette watching her from the landing above...
VVV
Dr Vincent Lee poured himself a whiskey from his crystal decanter just as the phone started to ring. With a sigh and wondering who could be calling him this late at night, he reached for the TV remote and lowered the volume down for tonight's edition of 'Capital Talk'
He answered the phone and put the receiver to his ear, "hello..."
"Vincent...it's...it's Phyllis..."
Vincent was suddenly alerted to Phyllis' voice...it was rather shaky.
"Phyllis? What is it? Are you alright?"
"no, I'm at a phone booth...I think I am being..."
Without warning the line went dead.
"Phyllis? Phyllis?", he repeated. He pressed the connection button several times but the line wouldn't reconnect.
Slowly replacing the receiver to the cradle, Vincent picked up his glass and sipped the whiskey, "That's strange..."
-CHAPTER FIVE_
Over at the T.V studios, Ralph Harrison stood with Commander Gerald and Sub-Commander Michele, just as Kristine Walsh was about to interview the Supreme Commander for a world exclusive.
The studio director counted down and when he gave the nod, the intro tune to the news magazine programme 'Capital Talk' played out around them. Ralph faced the camera with a welcoming smile, his voice held an air of confidence even though he felt a little nervous because Gerald was nearby.
"This is Ralph Harrison, and may I welcome you ladies and gentlemen to tonight's edition of 'Capital Talk' - Tonight, highly regarded journalist Kristine Walsh - the very personality that brought us that astonishing feature aboard the New York mothership, is here with the Visitors Supreme Commander, John - so please join me in putting your hands together for... John..."
There was an amazing studio applause as John came onto the set with his arms out stretched and carried that warm smile on his face.
The applause lasted for quite awhile, as Kristine Walsh ushered to the pair of seats on stage and they both sat down.
Ralph turned to the camera, "over to you Kristine..."
Kristine gave him a quick smile and began her interview with a, "So...welcome to Washington, John - or should I say welcome to Planet Earth...I am gathering this is your first TV interview here on Earth, tell me...", she asked, "...do you get much media attention back home...?"
John warmly smiled at the camera close up, "Well, Kristine...I'll just begin with this...it is an absolute pleasure to be here tonight..."
Ralph watched the interview from the side lines, as he swallowed down a carton of water. Susan Feldman glanced at the monitor and came forward, Ralph was quite surprized to see her.
"Susan! I didn't know you were still here..."
Susan rose her eyebrows at him as she glanced towards the set, "Why not - I am apart of this news team, although you'd hardly credit it with the lack of interest getting me involved in anything..."
Ralph said nothing - he didn't know how to respond to that. Susan stared at the Visitor leader as he answered Kristine's question, then leaned in towards Ralph.
"did you know that we are not allowed to put the Visitors in a negative prospective? Orders from above..."
Ralph rose his eyebrows and noticed Gerald looking over to them...the Visitors eyes seem to narrow at them.
VVV
Ben Greene was not having a good day. He was being forced up against the wall by Randy Revell, who was having a bit of fun at his expense.
"Go on then...say it...tell me how much of a queer fuck you are...come on..."
Ben stared at his tormentor with complete contempt. How he wished this bully would die a horrible death someday.
Joey Carter stood on the side lines and did nothing to stop the situation. He felt the same inside although he was sometimes conflicted because he only seemed to let it happen because he wanted to be part of the gang. His parents were doctors, he should've have known better, but he just let it happen.
Randy shoved Ben to the ground and kicked him in the shins - laughed - and then decided to wrap up this latest bullying campaign.
Caitlin Ryan was running across the grass just as Ben was getting up and gathering up his college books, "Ben!"
"I okay!", he dismissed with a wave. Before Caitlin would respond, Ben marched off up the path towards the glass facade of the college.
Caitlin sighed and was about to follow when she noticed the media crew. Instantly she knew what it was all about. It was all about the 'Visitor friends youth scheme' she had seen advertised by Kristine Walsh on 'Good Morning America' while having breakfast that morning.
A Visitor squad vehicle was present on the grass and Randy and his friends were making a bee-line towards it, she could hear Zac Hargraves full of excitement, "I've just registered! They are recruiting at the gym hall"
VVV
Ross Morrell crossed the catwalks of the chemical plant at Baltimore. The sun was warm for the time of year, a balmy 77 degrees the weather girl had said as he ate breakfast that morning.
Alex Fisher was then hurrying towards him. He looked pretty much all hyped up.
"Ross! Ross I've been waiting for you"
Ross frowned - what the heck had got his goat up this morning? But he was starting to realise just as Alex started to answer.
"Adam is here - He and his team have come aboard to start the re-tooling this morning...surely you haven't forgotten?"
Ross was noticing the army-load of Visitor transport shuttles in the car-lot below, and he had clocked a couple as he drove in earlier.
Ross quickly chased after Alex down the catwalk . On route, he noticed a clear mix of human workers and Visitor Technicians. They were already starting to integrate with one another with ease.
Adam, the lead Visitor Supervisor was briefing some of his men as Alex stepped up to him.
"Adam? I am so sorry to interrupt, but I said I'd introduce you to my foreman, Ross Morrell..."
Adam turned and shook hands with Ross, "Nice to meet you Mr Morrell...", Ross instantly noticed how cool the aliens skin was on his own, "...I see you have a fine workforce here...I am pleased to report that they are picking up their new routines quickly and efficiently"
Ross shook his head overwhelmed that the Visitor was pleased with his men, "thank you Adam...your men, I am sure, will have a great effect on them - I am sure together we are going to achieve great things...and at the same time set this plant as one of the best in the country...if not the best"
Alex couldn't help smiling at that - he was thinking that himself, and was already wondering whether there was a bonus if it was.
-CHAPTER SIX-
The evening was in full swing over at the Kennedy's place in George town. Edward and Rosemary had invited the flagship commander, Gerald and his closest staff members to their mansion for welcoming drinks.
Rosemary was in her element as she offered the alien flagship commander a silver service platter of duck meat rolls - but the alien politely declined them with a wave of the hand.
Robyn Colburn of the Presidents office crossed over to her in an overly glamorous dress that Rosemary, in her opinion, thought it was mutton for, they both watched as Gerald moved across the room to chat to a few other important guests.
"The Visitors don't seem to like what you are serving up Rose...It's a bit unusual, isn't it? Your spreads normally go down a treat"
Rosemary chuckled at Robyn, but not taking her eyes off Gerald, "their scientists haven't yet given the all clear whether their digestive systems can accommodate our food consumptions - it's all routine I'm sure...", and with that she picked up her glass of champagne and and strolled off.
Her daughter Angela crossed the landing upstairs and came down the oak staircase, and stopped dead in mid flow. There was four alien guests standing in the great hall way mingling with the other guests. The male Visitors could only be described as movie stars.
Commander Gerald with his blond waves combed neatly back and then there was a younger Visitor guy she didn't know the name of yet, he was flashing a gorgeous smile over in her direction.
Her friend Kerry Laden stood at the base of the staircase as Angela continued her way down with her hand on the oak rail.
"I wonder what it would be like to go out with a Visitor? See how the same physically we really are!", Kerry teased.
Angela smiled at her - she was sharing those same thoughts herself.
Senator Cole Landsbury turned to Edward where they stood over at the bay window, "I thought the President was going to be joining us?"
Edward felt like his tight collar was going to strangle him as he answered, "no, he called a little while ago, and left a message - he's in a meeting with the Visitors' Supreme Commander. He said he'd stop by if the meeting ended early enough"
Cole was disappointed - it clearly was caste all over his face, but he mustered up a thin smile as he looked up, "well...I do hope this meeting irons out a few matters...I heard today that John demanded some changes to be made at the presidency office to accommodate some of his Visitor officials - I hope he told them that they are the guests on Planet Earth and not us - damned cheek - we're really got to advise Morrow to keep a firm hand with these people"
Sub- Commander Michele was stood nearby with the Visitor relations officer, Deborah. Michele narrowed her eyes at them and looked across to Gerald who in turned looked at Cole and Edward, who was now speaking.
"Look Cole, I'm sure William knows what he is doing - he is the President after all -and anyway, John hasn't demanded anything - he's requested some changes, that is all - it's William's call, not ours, so lighten up will you...
VVV
Cole Landsbury decided to stay until midnight. He called it a night when it became clear that the President wasn't going to make it after his meeting. Edward and Rosemary bade him farewell on the door step, "I am so glad you came...it's a pity that William never made it", smiled Edward.
Cole put his jacket on, "never mind - but I did do what I told you - I had a chat with our Visitor friends - you know - reminding them that it is them who are the Visitors here, and not us"
Rosemary and Edward glanced at one another, so Cole waved a hand, "in the politest way possible of course! Hey, where is your sense of humour guys?"
"Good night"
Cole nodded and headed out across the gravel driveway away from the lights of the house.
"Dear, I hope he wasn't too rude to them, you know how aloof he can come across at times", worried Rosemary.
Edward took her arm and led her back inside to the party, "I'm sure the Visitors won't be too offended by him - I'm sure they will just take it like a pinch of salt"
As the front doors closed both of them hadn't noticed Gerald staring out of the bay window. He had witnessed Cole's exit. Rosemary turned around and smiled as she went over to him, "Gerald there are some more guests I don't believe you have met..."
Gerald smiled back at her and let himself be led away from the window...
VVV
Cole looked back to the house as he neared the gate. Maybe he was a touch on the rude side - but within the few short weeks the Visitors had been on Earth - they had made themselves a little too at home for his liking.
He paused to light up a cigarette, and was then aware of footsteps crunching down onto the gravel in the darkness - but he was standing on the spot so it wasn't himself.
Was he being followed? He turned around but he couldn't see anybody in the darkness of the driveway - nothing but limousines and expensive cars - and of course - a squad vehicle that belonged to the flagships commander and his party.
After lighting his cigarette, he hurried over to his car - fumbling with the keys he was aware of a shadow in the dim street light that shone through the line of back conifers.
Turning his head, there was nobody - until out from literally nowhere, a black gloved hand suddenly clamped around tightly on his mouth from behind -
...and it stopped him from crying out for help...
VVV
Alex Fisher clapped his hands together proudly as he squinted in the morning sun. He stood upon the catwalk of the Baltimore plant looking down as his foreman, Ross Morrell, was yelling out instructions to the other workers as they readily attached the hose to the Visitor tanker shuttle.
The first batch of life-saving chemical was being loaded into the tanker craft, the mix of human and Visitor technicians both proud of their hard work.
Adam, the Visitors Supervisor, glanced around as the plant cylinder dial was drifting towards the empty. Once the chemical was all on the craft, he signalled for the men to detach the hose from the tanker.
In doing so, the super-cooled gases wafted about the vicinity of the tanker craft. Alex came down the metal stairwell and watched as the hose was completely detached - there was a sudden cheer from both humans and aliens alike, Alex came to Ross's side and proudly patted him on the back, "Well...I'm gathering our first shipment is ready to transport to the mothership..."
Ross shook his head, removing his yellow hard hat to mop his brow, "Yes...it feels like such an achievement!"
Adam came forward and straightened his cap, "No...you have excelled yourselves today - you are all really a true saviour of lives..."
Ross in turn, patted the young Visitors shoulder, "that's okay mac...it's a pleasure...and anyways, your people are giving us so much in return!"
Again there was cheers and a mass applause as the mixed crowd of human workers and Visitor technicians watched as the cargo tanker started to lift up into the blue skies over the chemical plant - and rose towards the mothership over nearby Washington.
VVV
Toni Morrell and Amy Appleton strolled down the steps to Lincoln Memorial. The needle like asp pointing up to the belly of the huge Mothership in the sky.
Amy bit into her sandwich and turned, "So...Dr Lee hasn't heard from Phyllis at all?"
Toni nodded her head as they came to a bench to sit to finish their lunch, "no...it's been over a week now since anybody spoke to her..."
"maybe she's just gone away on vacation?", suggested Amy - but even she had to admit that was pretty much unlikely, especially with Phyllis being such a social person - it was out of her character to just up and leave without telling anybody, let alone her work that she loved.
"I'm sure she'll turn up...", reasoned Toni, "...I mean nobody just vanishes off into thin air do they?"
Amy agreed and broke into a smile, "Oh, Dr Lee said that the Visitors will be beginning their science seminars in a couple of weeks, that should be exciting, huh?"
She really wanted to attend one, everyone did, so Dr Lee had too work out a rota system so everybody at the laboratory could attend.
Toni shook her head and looked up to the vast gigantic saucer above them, "Ross is so lucky working at the plant, he gets to meet the Visitors on a day to day basis, he's even made a few friends amongst them, how cool's that, huh? And then there's us - what chance do we get being cooped up in a lab all day!"
There was disappointment in her tone.
Amy leaned forward and teased, "hey...why not get Ross to invite them around one evening and have a couple of swabs handy!"
Toni was opened mouthed at the sheer suggestion of it, " I couldn't do that! What would it look like - anyways as you've just said, the seminars will kick off in a couple of weeks, we'll meet our fair share of Visitors there, right?"
Amy stood and binned her trash, "yeah...I suppose...come on, we better start heading back to work..."
VVV
The Visitors Supreme Commander, John, looked at the office in the White House.
Cole Landsbury stood next to his secretary Rachel Spencer, "as I said...the President and his immediate team have no objections at all having you here at the White House, Supreme Commander - in fact it is a real pleasure..."
Rachel watched as the alien leader entered the vast ornate office with a huge bay window and turned around - the trademark smile warm as always, "why thank you Mr Landsbury, you and your staff have been so very kind to us since our arrival"
Cole was bashful, "no, no...the pleasures all mine, Supreme Commander"
Rachel smiled too - but there was something niggling her mind - her boss.
Cole Landsbury was never the most cheeriest of men she had the pleasure to work for, infact he 'didn't do' cheery at all period...until a few days ago...it was all so very unsettling.
"well, I must thank you again for accommodating us...it's good to know that we are being accepted into your society"
With that, John raised his arm and Cole and Rachel parted aside to let a Visitor team enter the office with a huge banner - the aliens draped it over the oak table.
Rachel was taken aback a bit - talk about blatantly making yourselves at home.
"please...treat this as a second home Supreme Commander - I'm assured to think the President would say the very same thing, " told Cole.
John stood looking at the table with his aids and then turned around, "yes...as you see...I already have..."
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CONTINUED IN PART TWO, LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP...