Chapter 7: S-SS 919

{If you want to read ahead go to my https://www.(p)-(a)-(t)-(r)-(e)-(o)-(n).com/easyread}

~~~(POV: Dannon Mayer)~~~

~~~(Location: S-SS 919, Under Mayer Ranch, Umatilla County, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: April 15th, 8:33 AM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 21 Years)~~~

Mom is sitting beside the clothing designer with a tablet in her hands. One that's connected with the Celaxian fabricator. Today is Mom's first day in S-SS 919. In my three-day absence after getting the spacecraft from the Antarctic, I took some time to learn a little.

It wasn't much I learned. I didn't spend time studying the history or science of my people. That'll come in time. Instead, all I really did was learn how the spacecraft worked. According to Neadra, it's designated S-SS 919.

Science and Scout Ship 919. Naedra has resided in S-SS 919 for a little over 25,000 years. She hasn't told me much about the crew that once lived on the spacecraft.

The only information she's shared regarding that is connected to me. Twenty-two years ago, she received a new mission. A little before I was sent to Earth. My biological parents were more prepared than I thought...

My attention is on the conversation happening between Naedra and Mom. The Celaxian AI has been very kind to my Mom.

Knowing this person raised me and gave me a good life helps. They're talking about how the Celaxian fabricator works. It's a technology that survived Celaxia on this ship. It's unequivocally the most important instrument on S-SS 919.

The fabricator can create anything from Celaxia as long as it has the energy to do so. Knowing there is unlimited potential with it. Again though, it'll come in time.

"Nae, can you show me how the fabric fits Dannon's form? I have the designs ready and want to see them on a holoprojection."

Mom has an inquisitive and happy tone in her voice. I'm so glad she's enjoying herself. I was worried she wouldn't want to design my suit. But that was quickly disproven.

She has already made a nickname for my AI friend. Naedra doesn't mind it, from what I can see. I'm glad my people created kind AIs.

Humanity's fear of AI intelligence isn't unfounded, but I don't think it's as bad as it's being made to be. Then again, I can't compare the AI of Earth to Naedra.

"Here are the measurements and geometrical parameters for Jaecors body. The Celaxian skinsuit will fit to form perfectly."

Naedra and Mom have different ways of identifying me. They've agreed to disagree on that subject. Mom will always refer to me as Dannon, and Naedra will call me by my Alien name. I've decided not to get in the middle of them.

It's not a hostile area of contention. It's the only thing they've disagreed on, actually.

A hologram appears on the table in front of Mom with a holographic me in a Celaxian skinsuit. It's a grey color with a matching cape. While I'm not a fan of capes, Mom is having too much fun for me to dump on that.

"Hmm..."

The soft hum reminds me of the times she'd tuck me in at night when I was a kid. This time it's being used to think deeply about something. Different than helping me relax.

Naedra appears next to the holographic me and spins the projection to give Mom a complete view. It's a little weird seeing myself like that, but this is something I have to get used to.

I'm an Alien that grew up on Earth. So a lot of change is coming.

"The color is good and remains ambiguous. I like it. As for the symbol in the center of the chest, can you remove it?"

Naedra does as she's asked, and the symbol of House Nur is removed. If she doesn't make changes, people will start thinking I'm ripping off DC comics entirely.

There are many things to worry about, and people comparing me to Superman from everyone's favorite comics is one of them. Not to mention Homelander from The Boys.

All these superhero comics, movies, and shows make it difficult to do this. Being sent to a planet with such literary creations had to be missed by my biological parents. That, or they didn't care. Saving me would've been more critical.

"I agree that the sigil of House Nur is exaggerated on the skinsuit, but perhaps making it smaller and tucking it over his left pectoral muscle is better?"

The AI returns with her change and shows it on the projection. My house's sigil is in a perfect triangle over the left pectoral muscle. It's not overbearing.

I like it.

My eyes turn to Mom, and I can tell she likes it too. She's putting in way more effort and time than I would've in the design of my skinsuit.

"That'll do perfectly. The natural look of the sigil goes very well at that size. Now, let's move on to production!"

Mom has a very excited energy in her voice that makes her seem like she's in her twenties again. They move to the Celaxian fabricator and start talking without care. My eyes close for a second, and I release a sigh.

I didn't expect them to get along so well, but here they are. Acting like they're best friends. I should focus on something else.

A tablet finds its way into my hands, and I look at the design they're producing more closely. The people of Celaxia had skinsuits just like the ones Kryptonians did in DC comics. That's another comparison everyone is going to draw.

Another problem for me. What if I get sued or something? Well, it's not identical. Not really all that close to begin with, but you can see the similarities.

"I swear if they call me Superman..."

I'll make sure that doesn't happen. I want to be known for me, not by some alter ego. Ever since the President's speech, I've decided that I'll be a hero as me.

Dannon Mayer.

There won't be an alter ego or secret identity. People need to know me as me, not what the media brands me.

My name and face will be known to the world soon. The offer for dialogue is always open according to the President's words. When I start my acts as a hero, I'll have to talk with leaders of governing bodies.

I'll never let them tell me what I can and can't do. That doesn't mean I can't shut them out completely. It'll be hard to balance, but we'll fall into the rolls eventually.

"The time is coming soon..."

I'll be able to use it when Mom and Naedra are done with every last detail regarding my skinsuit. In the next week or two, I'll perform my first act as a hero.

Monday was the President's speech and address. Talking to the Alien and the American people. It's Friday morning now, and the world is getting antsy. It'll be a good time to appear to the world in the coming weeks.

For real.

~~~(POV: Eloise Mayer)~~~

~~~(Location: Mayer Ranch, Umatilla County, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: April 15th, 1:51 PM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 38 Years)~~~

I never knew that making clothes could be so exhausting! The throbbing of my feet from how much I walked around today reminds me of when I always wore heels.

Currently, Naedra is taking over the creation process using the fabricator. Saying it's something only she and Dannon can do. I'm glad since I don't want to stand anymore today. The skinsuit should be ready by tomorrow morning.

"Do you want me to get you anything while I'm in here?"

My son's mature and caring voice takes me from the thoughts of my aching feet and Naedra. I turn my head and see him looking from the doorway leading to the kitchen.

I'm pretty hungry after working for so long. I'm glad I'm not a labor worker.

"Yeah, get me two Tamales and a Fanta. I deserve something greasy and unhealthy after all that work."

A soft chuckle comes from the kitchen as I hear him start the microwave for the Tamales.

"Here you go."

Holy shit!!

"AAH!"

I nearly jump out of my fucking skin as he appears beside me. A Fanta in his hands. My hand is over my heart, and I give him a smile with a crooked look. A cheeky one is what I receive in exchange.

"Sorry about that."

There is a teasing edge in his voice. He doesn't use his powers in the house or on the property often. He did that to ease some of the tension I was feeling. It worked for a few seconds.

"Yeah, I'm sure you are."

The sarcastic voice that leaves my lips as I grab the pop makes him laugh. He turns around and heads back into the kitchen.

That boy is gonna change the world...

~~~(POV: Naedra, Administrative Artificial Intelligence)~~~

~~~(Location: S-SS 919, Under Mayer Ranch, Umatilla County, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: April 15th, 5:41 PM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 25,022 Years)~~~

The hours have passed with entertainment I'm not used to. My first meeting with Eloise has gone better than I expected. I'm glad that such a wonderful person raised Jaecor. Baetrix and Laedor would be proud of their son if they could see him.

I've taken over the production of the Celaxian skinsuit. Eloise was interested in what the process of creating it would look like. It took a moment of contemplation, but I concluded that the likelihood she understood anything was near zero.

Aedrex appears on the console next to me. Reminding me that we have protocols to discuss. Now that Jaecor will reveal himself to the world in the coming weeks, we must prepare for any eventuality.

"Naedra, I've run the simulation as you've requested."

My primary directive is to assist and keep Jaecor safe. Humanity isn't on my priority list. The last survivor of Celaxia is the only one on the list.

Aedrex has been running simulations on what would happen if Jaecor needed to conquer the planet. To him, it would be a last resort. I'm not sold on the acceptance of humans. They'll change from acceptance to fear when they see what he can do.

From fear, anger is born. Anger creates hate, and hate makes violence. A cycle that I'm familiar with.

"The odds of humanity killing Jaecor are zero. They lack the technology capable of harming him when he's exposed to Earth's sun. Shall I prepare the algorithms for protocol 1-131?"

I guess it's that time in the process. I never want to go against Jaecor's wishes, but if keeping him safe means I have to go behind his back, I'll do that. Protocol 1-131 will ensure vulnerabilities in potential enemies are known to us.

If Jaecor has to conquer the planet, ruling as a tyrant won't be optimal. These scenarios are unlikely, but that doesn't mean we won't prepare for them.

"Yes, prepare the protocol. Only activate it when the parameters are met. We have no reason to use it until then. In the meantime, please find out how long it'd take to repopulate Earth with Celaxians."

Aedrex's hologram disappears, leaving me to watch the final stitches made in the Celaxian skinsuit. It's made of a material not known on the Earthling periodic table.

They're still in their infancy when compared to Celaxia. Another subject I must talk with Jaecor about is the rebirth of his people. Earth is a new start for Celaxia. According to the genetic profile between Celaxians and humans, there is compatibility.

However, the children born from the combinations will be genetic hybrids. It's hard to know whether some of the children will have powers or not. Others could inherit the power of Jaecor but have mental instabilities that make them dangerous.

Aedrex will find out just how much of a risk it is for Jaecor to breed with a human female. If that's not an option, I'll have to create a synthetic embryo with the fabricator.

Baetrix and Laedor didn't want their family to reproduce using the synthetic embryo, but it might not be an option at this point.

"So much to do and so little time to prepare. Asking Jaecor to hold off without reason will cause him to become suspicious. It's best to keep up my efforts without letting him know."

He'd want me to stop some of the things I'm planning. Humans believe that in preparing for something, you're bringing it into existence. There is something to be studied in the train of thought, but Celaxia didn't progress to its heights with such thinking.

Now that the skinsuit is ready, it's time that I inform Eloise and Jaecor. Now that it's done, he'll wait for a good opportunity to show himself to the world.

The world leaders presenting statements similar to President Marshall is a good sign. Humanity does have something that many Celaxians lacked.

Great compassion.

Understanding.

Perhaps the nature of Celaxians is the reason they're gone today. A couple with similar philosophies sent away the only survivor that inhabit the Earth.

Yet, humanity holds a deep ugliness and resentment. One that Celaxia didn't have. A very contradicting species is the human race. To say I'm not interested in learning more these coming months is saying I'm not a creation from the brilliance of the Celaxian people.

Time will tell which path we'll have to take. But I hold the same optimism as Jaecor.

~~~(POV: Eloise Mayer)~~~

~~~(Location: Mayer Ranch, Umatilla County, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: April 15th, 6:22 PM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 38 Years)~~~

Dannon runs his hands along the Alien fabric the skinsuit is made of. It fits him perfectly. In truth, it looks incredibly comfortable. It moves and breathes with his every movement. Seeing him in the suit is the nail in the coffin for me.

Tears begin streaming from my eyes in a hot mess. Snot starts to leak from my nose as I take in my son while he looks in the mirror. I try my best to keep my turmoil silent, but it's no use against someone with super hearing.

My boy turns and looks at me. An understanding energy on his perfect features. He walks to me, and I unconsciously open my arms. It's not a second later; we're hugging.

I cry my tears into his chest as I let out whimpers of pain. I'm the one that wants my son to be a hero. To help the world in ways no one else can.

It's hard to think the same little baby I rocked to sleep at night has grown so much...

I don't even reach his neck anymore...

"It'll be okay, Mom. A lot will change, but we'll be okay."

His voice is one of reassurance and power. He'd not let anything happen to me or our farm. I'm not looking forward to people coming here to talk with him.

Or see him.

Or worship him.

I'll have to look into someone providng security. Maybe the military can, but that should be a last resort.

The world will know him as he truly is.

Dannon Mayer.

I pull away from my son and dry my tears. A soft smile forms on my lips, and I raise my hand. Caressing the cheek of my baby like I've done hundreds of times.

"I know that, sweetie... Just... Be careful out there..."

A confident grin forms on my boy, and a caring look appears. I'm sure it'll be tough at first, but there is so much he'll do.

I'm glad I'm here to see it.