I'm so sorry it takes so long for a new chapter these days. I'll try to put my focus back on writing since I really like to finish it and I'm very happy that you're still interested in the story.
"… The Oceanpeople are perfectly adapted to an environment mostly consisting of water. Their planet`s oceans span almost 92% of its surface. Their swimming and diving skills are therefore developed similar to those of Earth`s whales. Their physical appearance is alike to humans but their DNA structure shows significant differences. Another feature is their high potential for telepathy which is also highly resembling the communication between certain kinds of whales and potent animals. The women show especially high developed abilities in this area which was part the reason for the Oceanpeople to establish a matriarchal society. The government consists of a Queen and a council with elected members by the common folk.
The current acting Queen Shalamorn is pleading for asylum for her people. The so-called Red Virus which has also caused a lot of damage to Earth`s marine ecosystems appeared almost two decades ago on the Oceanplanet. It destroyed over 80% of the ecosystems. Most species went extinct and the Oceanpeople are facing extinction themselves from famines.
The cure for the Red Virus has been found on Earth and the application forced the Red Virus to retreat on both planets but the damage to the Oceanplanet has been so severe that a complete recovery will take decades up to centuries.
Queen Shalamorn is therefore not just asking for a place to stay for her people to recover but also for resources like seeds and minor stocks of animals to repopulate the Oceanplanet..."
"Abilities, societal structure, history, the pyramids... but no word of Malakat," Brett said and lowered the paper everyone had been given.
"We had to take this part out," Diane replied. "The presence of Zheri and Sherkat make things complicated."
"Yeah, but people gonna ask soon how the Virus got here," Brett answered. "They ain`t stupid."
"Let`s just hope they will focus on other parts first," Diane sighed. "It`s a lot to take in anyway."
The huge assembly hall was crowded and Jason was already sweating in his suit. Partly due to the warm air, and partly because he was nervous after all. He had gotten used to talking to politicians and other high-ranking officials but being in the centre of attention of over 500 people was something else entirely.
Of course, they had enough chairs for everyone but the scientists and politicians were all on their feet and craned to get a glimpse of the aliens standing on a platform in front of them. There were big screens everywhere in the room, so even people at the back of the hall could see them. Still, they didn't seem to trust the technology and rather tried to see them with their own eyes.
The councilor's arrival had been smooth, their move to a deserted island quick and unsuspicious. Froggy's software took care of most new conspiracy sites and articles on the internet. Most of their friends had to go back to their lives. Only Froggy, Lena and Anja had joined them, all three of them looking as nervous as Jason felt.
Shalamorn was deep in conversation with Rugeaux and De Souza. Zheri and Sherkat stood next to them, listening closely, watching the crowd with great suspicion. The girls, Diane, Brett and their friends were waiting in a corner for the whole show to get started.
Jason could tell Neri felt uncomfortable. Her gaze flickered around, probably trying to get a hold of all the emotions and thoughts which were summoned to this room. Jason saw a lot of curiosity but not every face looked friendly. He took Neri's hand in his.
"Focus on me," he whispered. "Take a deep breath and remember that you're strong and beautiful and that you like stamping bananas with your feet."
Neri laughed. "I'm sure that will make them like me. I learned from you that it is weird."
"Yeah, you are a weirdo," Jason grinned. "But all the people in here, they are weirdos too. Geeks and nerds, brilliant in their own way but many of them are certainly socially awkward. You'll fit right in there."
The lights flickered twice – the sign for everyone to get seated. It took a few minutes and Rugeaux waited patiently at the lectern until the whispers died down.
"Good morning, and welcome to this historic event," Madame President began. "You all have been briefed about our guests and the current situation. I know you have a million questions – at least! – and there will be time for them to be answered. Humanity had always wondered if we are alone in the universe and now we discovered that we are not. There are countless stories about First Encounters, about our future. Half of them painted a very dark, dystrophic picture – a picture of scarce resources, of wars and hostile aliens. The other half dreamed of space exploration as the ultimate adventure, dreamed of a galaxy filled with friendly extraterrestrials who would teach us about miraculous new technologies and a new view of the world as we know it. "
Rugeaux paused and exchanged a quick look with Shalamorn before she continued. "As it turns out, it is a little bit of both and not in the romantic way many of us have been hoping for. The recent events reminded us of our vulnerability and we are faced with a very difficult situation. What I ask of you is a challenging task but you are the Earth's best and brightest. You're scientists, politicians, explorers, researchers and every single one of you is extraordinary in a specific field. But you're also human and we need all the pages of the book to solve this crisis. We will need your ideas, your skills as professionals but we also depend on your compassion and your curiosity as human beings."
She paused again and on the screen appeared a schedule. "You all have been given this schedule," she went on. "During the next week, we will have several speakers on different topics. They will explain the situation further and outline the opportunities we have at hand for the moment. Today`s focus is on getting to know each other. Queen Shalamorn will introduce herself and her people to you. There will be time for questions. Also, members of the Bates family who happen to be very close to the royal family will tell about the first contact and their involvement the last couple of years. Senator DeSouza will furthermore inform you about the decisions made so far. I have to remind you that it is crucial to keep the secrecy we managed to obtain so far. Thank you for understanding. And with no further due, I give you Her Majesty Queen Shalamorn."
Rugeaux stepped aside and opened her arm in direction of Shalamorn in an inviting gesture. Shalamorn smiled and nodded. She took the lectern and as discussed, the girls took a step forward, as well. Jason, Brett, Diane and the rest stayed behind but Jason made sure to stand close to Neri.
"Thank you, Madame President for your kind introduction," she began. "I am Shalamorn, anointed Queen of the Ocean of Planets, and these are my heirs: my daughters Neri and Mera. We, the people of the Oceanplanet, have been watching humanity for a long time. With curiosity and wonder we observed your developments, your achievements in science and technology, admired your imagination and waited patiently for the time, when you would be ready for us. But as the centuries passed by, we grew concerned for you neglected your care for Earth in your striving for wealth. We watched you as you ripped ores and wood from the ground, as animal species got instinct and you filled your atmosphere with toxic gases and dust while the oceans were poisoned with … plastic and oil."
De Souza's jaw ground. Shalamorn shot a glance at her and Jason oppressed a sigh of relief as Shalamorn got the hint. This was certainly not the moment to accuse humanity of killing Earth while pleading to settle down on it.
"We decided it was time to intervene. Almost two decades ago, my husband was sent to Earth, along with a small science team and our daughters. His mission was to establish a dialogue with humans, to build a bridge and to prevent you from making the same mistakes we made. Earth is essential to the well-being of the whole galaxy, the consequences of its death unpredictable."
Jason could hear Brett huffing and he knew, he was thinking of the simulation they had seen in the spaceship. He shot him a warning look.
"The spacecraft crashed on Earth," Shalamorn continued. "My husband and my daughters survived but soon my husband died of a fever. My daughters grew up on Earth as Diane, Jason and Brett Bates" – she gave each of them a warm smile, "welcomed them into their family, protected and helped them fulfilling the task they had been given by my people."
Shalamorn paused for a second, her expression growing very serious. "I could not be there for my daughters for I was a prisoner by the time the spacecraft had arrived on Earth. The Red Virus had appeared only a few months before they began their voyage to Earth and fear was growing among my people. The best scientists were working day and night to find a cure but it was highly resistant to our efforts and we only managed to slow it down for some time. There were – are – critical voices among my people who could not understand why I sent both my daughters and an important bit of technology to Earth instead of focusing on their needs. As we lost contact with my husband, I boarded a spacecraft myself to retrieve my daughters and the machine which has the ability to heal our oceans. Unfortunately, a radical ambitious man named Malakat, a man I had trusted for years as an advisor, had become the leader of the opposition. Right before the craft took off, he imprisoned me and convinced my people of my death as the craft exploded right in front of their eyes. It was only three months ago that I was freed and able to intervene before both our planets were destroyed. During my imprisonment, I could only catch glimpses of the events happening around me, had to watch how fear and anger took over my people when their children starved, unable to stop Malakat from using that for his own gain. He is now in detention but the consequences of his actions led to this desperate situation. The Red Virus has been cured but the ecosystem of the whole planet has taken such great damage, we face starvation. I am standing in front of you, not as an alien Queen, but simply as a woman with a big family and I am asking to help me save my people by granting us asylum."
Shalamorn took a step back and let her words sink in. The big hall was silent at first. Then, whispers swelled up. Finally, one man stood up, adjusting his glasses and waiting for a signal which allowed him to speak. Rugeaux gave it with a nod.
"Dr. Carl Svenson from the Californian Institut of Technology. Madame… Your Majesty … how did the Red Virus end up on Earth?"
"Straight to the point," Brett murmured.
For a moment, the room went silent, everyone staring at Shalamorn and waiting for a response. Those on the stage exchanged glances while Shalamorn hesitated. Jason's eyes locked with De Souza's. She gave a tiny shake of her head, warning him to interfere – as if he had any idea how to react properly in the first place. He felt helpless and most people around him had great difficulties hiding the panic on their faces. How could they be so unprepared? Did they really think they could fool these people?
De Souza was watching Shalamorn intensely and Jason got the feeling, she took this as another test if the Queen was the right person to handle this situation. Rugeaux looked ready to interfere but before she could take action, Shalamorn finally spoke again.
"I wish that was a question easy to answer," she said slowly. "Everything surrounding the Red Virus is a highly flammable political subject, not just between both our people but also among my own."
Svenson kept eye contact with her. "So you brought it here?"
This time, Shalamorn didn't hesitate. "Yes."
"Was the virus a natural phenomenon?"
"No, it was created."
"Its release, was it accidentally or intentionally?"
"The latter."
Shocked whispers filled the room. De Souza looked surprised but also unwillingly impressed. Obviously, she had not expected Shalamorn to be so bluntly honest.
"By whom and for what purpose?"
"By Malakat. To create fear and abuse it for his striving for power."
"Lies!" hissed Zheri. Loudly.
"As I said before", Shalamorn continued calmly, locking eyes with Zheri for a second before turning back to the waiting audience, "the Red Virus is a difficult subject to dispute until you have the whole picture."
"It seems that picture has different sides."
"Indeed. And now you've heard my story, it is up to these people beside and behind me to tell their own."
Svenson nodded. "Sounds like a long tale."
"Yes, so we better start at the beginning."