Chapter 21

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me:

I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

-Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus: Inscription for the Statue of Liberty

After a couple of weeks, they flew across the Atlantic to New York, in what was once the United States, but now was part of a much larger realm, comprising North, Central, and South America, called the United Federation of States. Elizabeth was excited to visit the Statue of Liberty, which she had never seen before except on TV and in pictures. The Vellorians seemed to view it as magnificent also, and Christoph read the inscription aloud. "What does it mean?" he asked.

"The French gave this statue to the United States in the late 1800's as a gift and show of friendship. The inscription is to welcome immigrants to swell the lands of the United States. As you know, the United States ceased to exist in the last twenty years, but this is still a symbol of liberty and law," said the guide.

"So the United State let just anyone into their country?" asked Laufa.

"Oh, yes. It became a proverbial 'melting pot.' It is very ethnically diverse, especially now, since the formation of the U.F.S."

"What is engraved on the tablet she's holding?" asked Christoph.

"It's the Declaration of Independence of the United States, which no longer exists; but a new constitution has been rewritten for the U.F.S. based on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

"What is 'the pursuit of happiness'? I do not understand the term," said Svaltu.

"Property," replied the guide, "according to Locke, after whose ideas the founding fathers wrote the Constitution. You will be able to see some of the old Founding Fathers' homes when we get to Virginia."

Even Elizabeth was learning a lot about the United States, which the public schools had not taught when she was in high school. She was feeling thoroughly well again, and she and Dresle were closer friends than ever. Elizabeth found it an inexpressible relief not to hide so much of herself, but to have someone she trusted know and understand. She knew Dresle would tell no one: they both had secrets. Elizabeth had been making rapid progress in the spoken language of Vellorum, although Dresle still refused to teach her the written language.

They travelled next to Washington D.C., where the President was waiting to meet them at the White House. This was by far the most heavily guarded place Elizabeth had been. There were cameras at every corner, hundreds of security guards armed to the teeth. It took them all an hour just to get past the security screening, and all of their phones and computers were taken, to be given back upon their departure. Each person was also patted down (the Vellorians were at first offended by this, but mollified once they saw that women would be searching the women, and the men, men). No photographers or media were allowed inside. There had been many terrorist threats against the new U.F.S. government in the last twenty years, especially by those who opposed the dissolution of the United States. One wing of the White House had been destroyed fifteen years before, and since then had been rebuilt and expanded.

They had a tour of the White House first, where they got to see the Lincoln bedroom, the red and blue room, the Presidential Suite, and the Oval Office (which was now ornamented with the flag of the U.F.S, rather than the old stars and stripes). Along the walls in the hallways and rooms were hanging all the flags of the states in the U.F.S. – not only the fifty U.S. States, but those of Peru, Nicaragua, Brazil, Guatemala, Jamaica, Canada, and all the others in South and Central America. These countries had now become states with the currency of the dollar, which had considerably strengthened since the U.S.'s fall.

There were portraits of all the Presidents of the U.S. hanging in a long hallway, ending with the last President, Margery Williams. On the other side of the hall began the Presidents of the new nation of the U.F.S. There were only four Presidents so far, including the current, Jason Hernandez, whom they were about to meet.

He was half-Peruvian and half-Honduran, and had moved to Miami when he was a teenager. He therefore spoke fluently both official languages of the U.F.S. He greeted his guests in both English and Spanish in a state room, and gave them a short little speech (in English), welcoming them and assuring them that they would have all they needed while they were in his country. Elizabeth did not know much about politics – she had never voted because she had been out of the country in all but one of the elections for which she was eligible. She remembered how it had been in the U.S.A after the Pandemic and with the economic meltdown. Countless orphaned children had been shoved into unwilling foster homes; the value of the dollar had decreased to such a level that it took a thousand dollars to buy a gallon of gas. Shortages in food, fuel, and medical personnel had caused riots, fires, and a crash in the stock market. She remembered seeing it on TV as President Williams resigned from office. It was a day as infamous as 9/11 had been in U.S. history. Elizabeth was therefore greatly excited and humbled to meet the President who had aided her country.

When it was her turn to greet him, she shook his hand and spoke to him in Spanish – she loved the Spanish language and people. He was obviously pleased and told her, "Secretary of Defense Neil Liam has told me what a help you have been to us. I want to thank you."

She blushed, looking around at Dresle and feeling a bit guilty.

"Don't worry," said President Hernandez, evidently interpreting her look, "the information you've given us won't harm you in any way. It just helps us to be better prepared."

"Thank you, sir," replied Elizabeth, feeling slightly relieved.

The President then invited them to a dinner with him, his family, and some of the upper-statesmen. They were led by Secret Service guards to a grand dining room, where they met the First Lady, a dark Panamanian woman by the name of Carla, and their five children. The oldest was a young man of twenty-seven, who seemed to have been knocked over the head when he looked at Dresle, Esma, and Svaltu, staring with giddy anticipation; and then when he spoke to them stammering like a drunken baby. His three sisters looked at him with contempt, but they were soon overawed by the charms of the Vellorian men, especially Marco, who had a way with women. The youngest child, a boy of twelve, was simply bouncing off the walls in his excitement. He went around showing the Vellorians his Pokemon cards and the graphic novels he'd been reading, until the First Lady threatened to send him to bed if he didn't calm down.

She herself was a charming and warm hostess, who had ordered the preparation of special meals just for the Vellorians. It was a large dining room, with a full bar and waiters handing out glasses of champagne. Carla introduced them to the statesmen from South and Central America, as well Defense Secretary Liam, whom they had already met. Elizabeth had a chance to have a quick private chat with him in the course of the evening, while they were serving dessert. He brought her over to the fireplace where they both stood and sipped champagne.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Bennet, that I haven't been able to speak with you personally, but I got all the messages you sent to my secretary. It has been very helpful. I hope you've been enjoying yourself?"

"Oh, immensely," she said. "Thank you so much for the opportunity."

"You've earned it with your own talent and hard work. Although I was sorry to hear you were sick over New Years."

"Oh – it was – that was nothing. Just the flu…" she replied, amazed at how much he seemed to know and wondering how much more he knew that he wasn't telling.

"Sir – I hope you don't mind my asking – but I still would really like to see the inside of the space craft. Is it still in the Arctic, or –"

"Oh, no, it's been moved finally," said Secretary Liam. "Laufa helped us with the logistics of moving it. It's now at U.N. headquarters being studied, I can tell you in confidence. I don't know that it would be possible at this time for you to go inside. Why?"

"I think I could learn more about their language and their purpose if I could see the inside. I still have the Captain's log you gave me and am working harder than ever to translate it."

"But how? Even our advanced decoding computers couldn't do that."

"I've been learning some of their spoken language," said Elizabeth in a low voice. "I implore you not to reveal this to anyone. Someone I care about could get into a lot of trouble." She glanced into the crowd.

"I see…" said Secretary Liam, following her eyes. "You have my promise. I will see what I can do about letting you see the inside of the ship."

Just then his wife came up. "Ah, Dr. Bennet, I don't believe you've met my wife, Melorin?"

"No, but I received your beautiful Christmas card. It was so thoughtful of you to send it."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth. Darling," she turned to her husband. "Ted is looking for you."

"Thanks, dear." He kissed her cheek, said goodbye to Elizabeth, and took off toward the crowd.

Elizabeth and Melorin had a nice light conversation, and then walked back arm-in-arm to the table for dessert.

They were all given rooms that night at the White House, and Elizabeth had her own bedroom. The Vellorians all had rooms near her, and she noticed, in the dark, Marco sneaking by, holding the hand of a giggling blonde woman, whom he led to his bedroom, and shut the door.

Elizabeth was too excited for a while to sleep, and read Dombey and Son, which she had brought with her, until she fell asleep.

The next day they got up early to tour the many monuments at the Capital. There were protestors standing with signs around the White House fence, reading such things as "ALIENS ARE SCUM" and "SEND THEM BACK WHERE THEY CAME FROM." There were others, however, of a more friendly nature, such as "WELCOME TO AMERICA, VELLORIANS!" and "EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALIENS!"

A camera crew followed behind the Vellorians as they saw the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Vietnam War Memorial, and the newest addition – the memorial set up by the U.F.S. for those lost in the Pandemic. It had a statue of a doctor checking a little boy's pulse as the mother stood over them, weeping. It brought tears into her own eyes so that Darius, who was standing by, asked her what was wrong. She wiped her eyes quickly and replied, "Nothing." She noticed Dresle looking at her with pity, but said nothing.

After Washington D.C., they visited Virginia, which was full of historical sites: Montpelier, Monticello, and Mount Vernon were all presidential homes; and Jamestown and the Wilderness Battlefield. They went up and down the East Coast, stopping in Maryland at Johns Hopkins so that Laufa could give a lecture and meet some of the professors.

While they were waiting to go into the lecture hall, Elizabeth's old roommate from the Arctic, Charlotte Lucas, came up and gave her a hug. "It's wonderful to see you!" she said. "I heard the Vellorians were coming and I was hoping you were with them. How's the travelling been going?"

"Really well," said Elizabeth.

"And how's your little kitty? Do you still have him with you?"

"Yep. He's at the hotel."

"I'd love to get together and talk sometime – maybe after the lecture. Are you free to get coffee?"

"Sure!"

"Okay, great. I'll see you then!"

After the lecture, Elizabeth told Dresle she'd see her later at the hotel, and Charlotte drove them both to a coffee house nearby.

"Fascinating lecture, didn't you think?" she asked Elizabeth as they sat in traffic.

"Hmm…I don't know. I didn't really understand it at all. Will – my friend Will, he's an anatomist who was also called up to the Arctic –"

"Oh, yes, British fellow?"

"Yes. He would have understood it. He would have probably been fascinated to hear it."

"Are you two – well – you know what I mean – together?"

"Will and I? No," she laughed. "We're just friends." But she noted how forced the laugh seemed, and she remembered his warm cheek as she had embraced him when she was sick. "He's very good at explaining scientific things," she added hastily.

"Well, I didn't understand everything said, of course – I'm no Erik Jørgenson – I'm just a geneticist. But overall what he was talking about was vitamins and their different uses. He said that on their planet, they had discovered thirty or so vitamins that we haven't found yet on Earth. He said they have a special way of discovering them – that 100% of those vitamins are found in plants on Vellorum, but searching through the botanic gardens at Lichtenstein, Singapore, and all over the world he has been unable to find them. He said certain animals need different vitamins as well. The vitamins have special properties. One of them prevents senility. Another one promotes longevity, but has to be administered in the first week of life for it to be effective."

"Maybe that's why they live so long!" said Elizabeth.

"Probably," said Charlotte. "Then he started to talk about the Periodic Table. He said they have discovered elements on their planet that we haven't yet found. Three of them have strong medicinal properties – he was talking about the possibility of re-creating them in this atmosphere."

"So they could cure diseases?"

"Possibly," said Charlotte.

They arrived at last at the coffee-house. There were still Christmas decorations up and they were serving pumpkin lattes and peppermint mochas. Elizabeth got a hot chocolate and sat down to talk.

"So, how have things been going?" Charlotte asked eagerly. "You've been travelling around the world, right?"

Elizabeth told her about the different countries she had visited, and they talked for about an hour. Charlotte showed her a large diamond ring and told her she had just got engaged to her long-time boyfriend, and they hoped to be married in the next year. Elizabeth congratulated her, and started to ask more about it, but Charlotte burst out with a question she had clearly been wanting and waiting to ask all evening.

"Are the rumours true?"

"What rumours?" asked Elizabeth, confused.

"About the aliens – that there are more coming."

Elizabeth just stared at her.

"You've heard the rumours, right? Ever since Laufa's interview with Dr. Jørgenson it's been going around."

"No, I've never heard that rumour."

"Really? Well it's been all over the net."

"Conspiracy theorists, probably," said Elizabeth. "I assure you, there's no one else coming."

"How do you know?" asked Charlotte eagerly.

"I just – listen, I'm not supposed to talk about it, but there's no one else coming, I promise you. Where did you hear that, anyway?"

"Oh, it's all over the internet. There have been blogs and websites set up, dedicated to the Vellorians and news about them. A lot of them are conspiracy theories – some think they aren't really aliens but are angels – or demons. Some think they're just humans being dressed up and paraded around by the government –"

"But, for what purpose?" said Elizabeth. "That's ridiculous."

"I know it is, but you know how people get. Some people even think they're from the planet Krypton or Klingon, or whatever those old TV shows were."

Elizabeth laughed. "How absurd."

"I know. People are crazy."

When Charlotte dropped Elizabeth back at the hotel, it was late. Dresle was waiting up for her, obviously bored and wanting something new to read. She had finished the volume of poetry Ned had recommended, and so Elizabeth suggested Martin Chuzzlewit. "It's another book by Dickens, and part of it takes place in America. It's absolutely hilarious! You can see if Dickens' 19th Century satire has any true reflection in America today. I read it in college and thought it was so funny."

They travelled from Maryland down the coast and then went to see the great North American sites: the Everglades, Mount Rushmore, Niagara Falls, Yosemite Valley, Yellowstone and Redwood, and the Golden Gate Bridge. One day, about a month into their travels, Elizabeth got a message from her brother.

"Heard you would be in Texas soon. We can't wait to see you! Let us know when you're coming! Love, John and Erin."

In fact, they had just entered San Antonio to visit the Alamo and the Espada Aqueduct. Obviously John knew where they were and that they were coming to Houston – and if she declined to visit, John and his family would drive out to wherever she was to see her. She had not seen him for almost six years, and she'd never met any of his children except for the oldest, who had just been a baby at the time.

"Are you all right?" asked Dresle at once when Elizabeth came down for lunch.

"Fine," said Elizabeth; but, as Dresle pressed her, she added in a low tone, "My brother lives in Houston and he wants to see me when we go there next week."

"That sounds wonderful!" exclaimed Dresle. "May I come with you? I would love to meet your family!"

Elizabeth thought about it all through dinner. She did not want Dresle to see her private life and know even more than she already did about Elizabeth and John's relationship. On the other hand, if Dresle came with her, she would have an excuse to leave early. She delayed her decision for another time.


That evening she got into bed early to read. She was on Chapter Sixteen of Dombey and Son; and, little though she was prone to it, could not help weeping at those final lines:

"The golden ripple on the wall came back again, and nothing else stirred in the room. The old, old, fashion! The fashion that came in with our first garments, and will last unchanged until our race has run its course, and the wide firmament is rolled up like a scroll. That old, old fashion – Death!"

This brought back a flood of tears that was bittersweet – but became only bitter when she reached Chapter Eighteen: Father and Daughter. It was then Elizabeth sobbed until she thought there were no more tears left in her; and still she wept. As she curled up on her bed alone, she sobbed the words, "O, God! Why?"