章 5: The Weeks Pass By

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

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

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

~~~(Date, Time, Year: March 28th, 7:22 AM PST, 2022)~~~

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

Mom and I are sitting on the couch eating breakfast. She made waffles and sausage; she was tempted to make something else. It's been so long since we had it she decided on this instead.

We're watching a news segment about what happened in the Antarctic. The US government is denying the footage and photos released by the Chilean and Australian governments.

They were in Antarctica researching when the signal I tracked there was initially released. The US military weren't the only people with eyes on the site. There is supposed to be a congressional hearing today.

Fridays aren't usually the best day to start such events, but they're in a panic. It's been a little over eight days since I got back. Eleven days in total since I retrieved the spacecraft.

People all over the world are reacting in various ways. I'm still unsure about what I'm to do about this. I plan on using my powers to help people, but I'm trying to convince myself the world is ready for me.

Everything I'm watching and listening to says the opposite.

Mom tugs on the sleeve of my shirt to get my attention. I look at her, and she points at the TV. That's when I'm taken out of my thoughts.

"So you're telling me that an individual that could fly and break through the ice retrieved the alien ship before the military could? Do you have any proof to back up this statement?"

There is an exclusive live interview happening right now on CNN with a Chilean military engineer who was helping the US military at their camp.

Which is a fact I found surprising when I heard it.

The interview is being conducted by Hodgins Parkman, but everyone in the news world calls him Hoppity Hodgins. Many claim his reporting and journalistic tendencies jump the gun and bounce around.

"Uh, yes. How do you say... Incredible!! He moved so fast you could not see him."

The Chilean engineer doesn't speak English as a first language, but he's pretty good, in my opinion. It's easy to understand him if he's taking his time.

"You're word about the events isn't proof of what happened. Did you get a video or a picture of this individual?"

That would be hard to do; the best anyone got of me was probably a blurry picture. Not that I wasn't captured on camera, but it won't lead to any identification.

The Chilean engineer smiles as he pulls his phone from his back pocket. His fingers seem to move around, and he hands the phone to Hodgins. There is sound from the phone, and we watch Hodgin's eyes widen.

His attention turns to the backstage area that's out of view, and he waves someone over. An assistant quickly makes his way over.

"Tell Arnold to put this on the big screen."

Mom leans forward from the couch, and after a couple of minutes, a video is projected into the large flat wall behind them. It shows a perspective from behind a barricade with a good view of the hole they were drilling.

I didn't know the US military allowed the Chilean military to help them with their drilling operation. Well, the Antarctic doesn't belong to anyone. So, it makes sense they'd work a deal out to do the search together.

Gunfire and explosions are heard, and the in-person crowd reacts accordingly. The next thing that appears is me standing in front of the hole. You can barely hear the soldier yelling for me to identify myself.

Everyone's gasps and slight yelps of surprise can be heard as they watch me lift off the ground in the phone recording. There is gunfire and a large slam as I dive through the caved-in tunnel, and that's when the recording ends.

Hodgins is silent as he stares at the replay button on the projected recording. Seems to be lost in thought. He slowly turns in his swivel chair and looks at the main camera.

"We're going to take a short break and be right back."

There is disbelief in his voice as he has a look comparable to something changing his perspective on everything in life.

That's when it cuts to a commercial, and we're left listening to a promotion about Canadian Oil. Mom leans back on the couch and releases a sigh of relief. It's impossible to see my face on the screen.

Nothing on the clothes I was wearing indicated my identity. I'm positive this engineer isn't the only one with a recording of what happened.

I ignored who might've been recording or what was watching. It was a necessary risk to retrieve my species' ship.

Mom's eyes turn to me with deep tiredness in them. She's been stressed about this more than me. She hasn't been sleeping well since it happened.

"You got lucky that time. It'd suck if the first time people saw your face, it'd be when you were getting attacked by the military. I'm glad this isn't your debut into the world."

Well, one can argue it is. I get where Mom is coming from. There are better ways for people to find out about me than a poor-quality phone recording taken in a firefight.

Was it a firefight?

Ah, that's unimportant.

"Either way, this will spread. People know that someone like me exists out there. I'm hoping the world doesn't take it poorly."

All I can do is wait for the world's reaction to me, either from videos cropping up from the Antarctic incident or when I start helping people. I have a lot coming up in my future. How I handle it will define my place on Earth.

Among humanity.

Mom gains a large smile and loses just a little of the tiredness in her eyes. Her hand rests on my shoulder, and she gently rubs it in support.

"Don't worry, sweetie. They'll accept you when the world learns about the man I raised. It'll take time, no doubt about that. All you have to do is be yourself, Dannon. If you never betray that, you have nothing to fear."

She stands up, takes my empty plate, and moves to the kitchen. Placing them in the sink and begins cleaning them.

There will be a lot of meetings and talks happening in the next few days. The only consequence since my appearance is the government cracking down on military secrets and operations.

Ultimately, I can't say if that's a positive or negative repercussion of this. I'm intelligent, but I don't know the ins and outs of the government. The UN. The world stage. How this will affect the wars happening in Ukraine and Russia...

"I was wondering when you plan on making your first appearance to the public! You probably don't know now, but I'd like you to tell me so I can be there if you need my help!"

She's in the kitchen as I hear her. Speaking loudly over the rushing water from the faucet. Mom is aware of what'll happen when it comes to that day. I've yet to decide if I'll hide my face or not.

I've changed since high school, but people in my graduating class will recognize me. Unlike the comics I grew up reading about Superman, like every other kid in my school, my situation and reality are different.

"I'll be sure to do that, Mom."

I hear an amused giggle at my exasperated tone coming from her direction. Having Mom support any decision I make with this entire situation is a great help.

When I decide if I show my face or not is when I'll make my first appearance to the public. Until then, I should be patient and keep up with the news. How the world is reacting. It's smart to wait for now.

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

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

~~~(Date, Time, Year: April 3rd, 9:41 AM PST, 2022)~~~

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

Dannon is outside on the farm, working with the animals. He's been pretty quiet these last few days. Ever since Hoppity Hodgin's interview of the Chilean engineer, he's been lost in his head. I'm worried about him, but not nearly as much as before.

I'm just happy he's home and safe.

But I know it won't always be that way. I know my son; he'll enter the world, not hiding his face. People will find out he goes by Dannon Mayer, and they'll come here looking for him.

That's gonna be the hard part about this. I don't know how he plans to handle that part. People can be crazy, especially those that can't take the idea of Dannon. I don't even want to think about the women.

I wish I could protect my son from all of that and still have him be a hero. That's not something I can do, though. As a Mom, that hurts to say.

But that's the way it is.

Soon, my attention on Dannon outside is snatched away.

"The congressional hearing of Admiral Kenneth Randel is scheduled for 11 AM EST today. We're reporting live from the Capitol to hear the direct testimony from the man in charge of the Antarctic incident."

The TV behind me voices the current state of the US Congress. They've been scorching and tearing apart anyone involved with what happened almost two weeks ago.

I'm not a politician, and I'm not into politics. Those that are into politics probably have a huge problem with what happened. Or maybe they have no problem at all. Personally, I've always believed it comes down to the person.

The workings of such locations and people are beyond my understanding. Still, it'd be good to know more. It might help Dannon someday.

"Senator Rollins and his close allies are in charge of the hearing. They've been voicing transparency from the US military for years. There will be experts on biology, physics, and various other fields of science testifying today."

It's obvious why experts in said fields will be talking. Opinions on Dannon are going to start popping up from this hearing.

"Not only will there be continued hearings for the next two or three weeks, the President of the United States will be giving a statement to the American people. When this is, we don't know."

With the knowledge that someone like Dannon existing is out now, many governments and bodies of power will have to discuss what to do and how to handle the situation at length.

The stock market took a hit over the last week and a half. It's been a hectic time to trade. There will be meetings from the federal reserve discussing how to control the damage.

With Covid and the war in Ukraine, adding my son's existence to all this, you've got yourself a cocktail of problems.

"I'm here today with the District of Columbia Attorney General, Cathy Roseline."

The camera follows the reporter as she approaches the woman in question. The attorney general looks around 50. Slight grey in her hair and the beginning of wrinkles around her eyes and mouth.

I don't know what an attorney general is, but she sounds important.

"You're here representing Admiral Randel, correct? What sort of punishment do you see the Marshall administration taking when the hearings are concluded?"

A bunch of terms within the government I don't understand. All I know is Nick Marshall is the current President of the United States. Ms. Roseline looks at the reporter who is forcing an interview as if she's an idiot.

Makes me feel even worse since I know less than the reporter...

"Listen carefully; this isn't a trial. Admiral Randel isn't charged or will be charged with criminal or civil crimes. Now, if you'll excuse me. I have a hearing to attend."

Roseline pushes past the reporter and is allowed inside the hearing room. The camera zooms in on the doors and the security guards standing at the doors.

After a few seconds, the camera turns back to the reporter.

"This has been Shelly Miranda, CNN."

The live news segment ends, and I can't help feeling a little bad for the people at the hearing. I fear the day that Dannon might have to stand before such a tall task...

~~~(POV: Cathy Roseline)~~~

~~~(Location: Congressional Hearing, US Capitol, Washington DC)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: April 3rd, 11:10 AM EST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 49 Years)~~~

Senators Rollins, Henry, and Gallows whisper amongst themselves as the swearing process is about to begin. We're already 10 minutes behind schedule. Admiral Randel looks as if, at any moment, his patience will run out.

I lean to my side in my seat and tap on his shoulder. I'm sitting next to him. He turns to me and tips to the side so we can whisper.

"The Senators you're dealing with today are the most critical of military operations. Their questions will be directed at the Antarctic incident and why the public wasn't made aware."

Mr. President has tasked me to help Admiral Randel in any way he needs. Since this isn't a trial, he doesn't need a defense attorney. But he's allowed to have one here to help him answer questions.

What to answer to, and how to answer. That's where I come in. But I doubt he'll ask for any advice. Admiral Randel has a reputation when it comes to this sort of thing.

"I've had run-ins with Rollins and Gallows in the past, they talk big, but they've got no bite to their barking. I'm not worried."

He gives a reassuring chuckle and sits up straight. There is a lot that'll happen in the next couple hours. I hope a curveball isn't thrown, but the odds are high. This is an event dealing with first contact with an extraterrestrial entity.

~~~(POV: Kenneth L. Randel)~~~

~~~(Location: Congressional Hearing, US Capitol, Washington DC)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: April 3rd, 1:35 PM EST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 62 Years)~~~

An expert in the field of biology is being questioned about the alien we encountered in Antarctica. Thanks to all the videos and photos being released, we couldn't keep the truth hidden.

Chilean, Australian, and European countries don't have the same thoughts on secrets as we do. Sure as hell made my job harder, not to mention it was the last thing the world needed.

This hearing is a perfect example of making my job harder.

The truth would've stayed hidden longer if not for the Chilean government. I was against letting the Chilean military help us dig into the ice, but orders are orders.

"Dr. Harper, in your professional opinion, after everything you've testified today. Do you believe humanity is safe from this extraterrestrial entity?"

About 40 minutes ago, Ms. Roseline informed me the committee is changing tactics from what I had prepared for in this hearing beforehand. I'm to consult her before I answer any questions now.

Now, with all this extra shit coming in, I'll have to defer to my expert in defense. My attention is on Dr. Harper as she chooses her words wisely. Taking in the question as she heard it.

"In my professional opinion?"

She repeats an important piece of the question asked.

"Yes, in your professional opinion."

She sits up straight and takes a small breath.

"I don't have a professional opinion regarding your question. I'm just a biologist. I have no idea what this individual is capable of. Only that he wields impressive abilities that aren't human."

Ms. Roseline smiles at the answer Dr. Harper gives in response. The way the law works is something I'll never fully understand. I don't know why that's a good answer. I think it's a bad one. In different words, she admitted the entity was a threat.

Right?

"Okay, how about your personal opinion?"

That's when Ms. Roseline loses her smile. She looks like she'd object to that question, but this isn't a trial. She can't do that. It's an investigative hearing on the events that transpired in Antarctica.

Which it hasn't been about for the last hour.

"In my personal opinion... I think the argument can be made that the entity in the video is a threat to the safety of humanity."

This is turning more into a show than a hearing. If I could, I'd walk out of here and head home for a bottle of brandy. Instead, I'm stuck here listening to all this crap.

"Thank you, Dr. Harper. I have no further questions."

That's when Dr. Harper isn't the focus of the hearing anymore, and it shifts to a man that's also a Ph.D. in the field of science.

This'll drag on till I'm in the grave, won't it...