Capítulo 10: Recoil
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~~~(POV: Dannon Mayer)~~~
~~~(Location: Flying, Melbourne, Australia)~~~
~~~(Date, Time, Year: April 24th, 7:18 AM ACT, 2022)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 21 Years)~~~
BBOOOOMMM!
WOOOOSHHH!!
As I finish my last check of the majorly affected areas, the air rushes and booms around me. All I can hear are sirens now. No more cries or screams for help. I've saved as many lives as possible, but many people still died.
My flight stops above the beautiful city of Melbourne. The scorch marks where the fires blazed are visible but don't take away the beauty. The sun has risen over the horizon of Earth, and it's early morning on this part of the planet.
Every hospital in Melbourne is busy. Taking care of as many survivors as possible. I didn't count how many I saved. It wasn't important at the time.
There are many things I can do to help more than I already have today. There is technology on S-SS 919 that could save lives.
Humanity isn't ready for that technology.
It's best if I return home. Sticking around for photos and interviews isn't something I have to do.
Not when I can fly.
I'm sure paparazzi would be a plague to anyone bound by gravity.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Honing my senses to filter every sound that I can hear. Making my world silent. Australia doesn't need me anymore. Time for me to go home. My eyes open slowly, and I look higher in the sky than I already am.
KRRRRRAAAAABBBBOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!
A monstrous sonic blast follows me as I exit into the stratosphere. Flying above the planet, I've come to call home. The Pacific Ocean passes below me in a blur. My hair is blown back as my speed breaks any records held by humans.
My vision captures the Oregon coast below me. Slowing down and descending from the stratosphere forces several booms to follow behind me.
I level out over the water and pass over a coastal city. Adjusting my course for Northeastern Oregon, where my ranch is. It only takes a couple minutes at the slower speed I'm traveling. Once the farm comes into view, I slow down into a calm float.
Landing softly with my right foot, entering a walk with my left. Instead of continuing my way to the house, I take a moment and stop.
"It's only a matter of time..."
I wouldn't be surprised if they already knew it was me... I don't know when the government will come knocking at my door... If they will at all...
A deep breath fills my lungs with air. The ranch I grew up on won't be the quiet place I've always loved.
Military, media, people...
They'll all find their way here. I worry for the farm animals and people in Umatilla County. Everyone in this part of Oregon will find it crowded soon. I'm sure the small businesses will be happy for the customers, but that's only one group.
The opening of a door takes my attention from the fields of corn I'm looking at. Once fully turned around, I see Mom looking at me from the porch.
A smile on her lips.
She leaves the porch and begins walking in my direction. It's funny... I don't remember coming over here. I still found my way to a place that would ease my mind. After a minute of walking, Mom leans against the wooden fence with me.
Looking out at the crops we've got growing.
"You did amazing, sweetie... Saving so many lives... My son, the hero..."
Her voice starts to shake at the end of her words. Showing the emotions pouring through. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and hug her sideways. Gently rubbing her shoulder as she wipes small tears away.
"There are so many videos of you appearing all over the internet. The media, government, and everyday people are talking about you... Showing optimism... They're starting to see it..."
See that I'm not a threat...
"That you can help so many people. Save lives that would be lost. Seeing you for the man I know you to be."
The rattling of her tone as she speaks is a mixture of happiness and lethargy. She's tired. It's been an emotional rollercoaster for her today. It's still April 23rd here in Oregon. Actually, it's around 4:30 PM here.
Jumping from Australia time to Pacific time within a few minutes is a bit jarring.
Doing that is something I'll have to get used to. Since I'll be helping people a lot more from now on.
"I don't know what the future holds from here... But at least I don't have to hide anymore."
The joking energy in my response does help Mom smile a little. It's time that I get something to eat.
Filling my stomach with good food will take my mind off what's coming.
~~~(POV: Eloise Mayer)~~~
~~~(Location: Mayer Ranch, Umatilla County, Oregon)~~~
~~~(Date, Time, Year: April 26th, 11:12 AM PST, 2022)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 38 Years)~~~
It's been a relaxing Monday morning for us. Dannon is outside working on the ranch. Working on the fence posts since he was unsatisfied with his work the last time he did it.
Three days have slowly passed since my son saved thousands of lives in Australia.
According to released reports, the exact number is 7,141 people saved by the Alien everyone is trying to find. It's my pride as a Mother to know that number. A reason to brag about my amazing boy when I get the chance.
The identity of Dannon hasn't been discovered yet. Not by the public, but I'm willing to bet it's only a matter of time before someone from his school days steps forward for a cash reward.
My attention turns to the TV, a series of YouTube videos showing Dannon saving people. The internet is already making compilations of what he did in Australia.
I start to scroll through the tabs on YouTube. Looking for anything that reveals the identity of Dannon, and nothing has popped up yet.
Meaning we'll get a day or two of solitude before the planet starts coming to the farm. That's if someone else doesn't show up first.
A few minutes pass by, and Dannon enters through the back porch. It's not a second before he's completely changed and sitting on the couch with me. He puts his feet up on the coffee table.
"I take it you're still patrolling the internet for anyone who leaks who I am?"
The sardonic tone in his voice causes me to smack his shoulder lightly. A small chuckle leaves him as I click on a video.
I can't say I recognize who the person speaking is. It's a video from the CNN YouTube channel. It's showing clips of what happened three days ago.
"Governments worldwide are offering the person or persons who know the Alien to step forward. Offering cash rewards for any critical information. The UN is pleading for the Alien responsible to reveal himself."
That's proof it's only a matter of hours before someone says they recognize Dannon from the articles and videos on the internet.
"Well, with so many after that cash reward. Chances are good it'll be at least a day before anyone gets a credible piece of information."
The amused tone in his voice does cause a smile to appear on me.
He's not wrong. Such a massive flow of information will only cause problems until they filter out the people telling lies from the ones telling the truth.
The clips shift from Dannon to those at the hospitals in Australia, where people are healing from the fires.
"One lucky woman the Alien saved is Laura Beckson and her only daughter, Lillian. They're able to tell their story for an exclusive for CNN."
I watch Dannon lean forward with a smile on his face. He hasn't really talked about who he saved. I don't think he spent a lot of time talking to people.
But I guess this one is special.
"A crack of sound almost knocked me off the roof of my home. Before I fell, he caught me and lifted my daughter and me into the sky."
Laura lightly rocks the little girl in her arms as the camera and reporter give them their full attention.
"Is it true that the Alien revived your daughter?"
Uh-oh.
Judging from the look on Dannon's face, that's not what happened at all.
"Yeah, he rested his finger over her chest. And the next second, she was breathing and crying again."
Her voice is weak and on the verge of tears as she says that.
"I thought my baby girl was dead, but thanks to him. I have her again."
The interview shifts to another person that I don't know. He's wearing fireman fatigues, and a fire engine is in the background behind him.
Dannon leans back and smirks. It must be one of the firefighters he worked with in Australia. The caption below says Kai Jackson.
"It was like the sky exploded above us. Some of us had to get our bearings for a second. After I stood up, that's when I saw him. Floating above us. About 15 to 16 feet off the ground."
The news channels on YouTube are doing better than the ones on broadcasted networks.
"What was the first thing he said to you."
The captain gains a small smile and looks away from the camera for a second. Only to look back with genuine sincerity.
"How can I help."
My heart burst with joy and happiness hearing that. This is all going way better than I thought it would. The interviews are showing Dannon in the way I've always seen him. That's how the world should see him.
"That was the first thing he said to you? How can I help?"
The interviewer has a happy voice as he repeats what he just heard.
"Yep, and then he helped us."
God, this is better than I thought.
~~~(POV: Edward Celson)~~~
~~~(Location: Outside Mayer Ranch, Umatilla County, Oregon)~~~
~~~(Date, Time, Year: April 26th, 12:48 PM PST, 2022)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 42 Years)~~~
The surveillance teams tell me they're just relaxing inside the house. We're to make first contact at 1:00 PM PST. Myself and Agent James are on the edges of our seats. Isabella has been a dear friend of mine for a long time.
I didn't expect to deal with extraterrestrials when I transferred to the Oregon FBI office. However, that's not to say I'm not excited.
"Less than 10 minutes, Ed. What if he becomes hostile?"
Her fear isn't unwarranted. Based on the limited videos and simulations the government has given us. We don't stand a chance if he were to become violent. However, I doubt such a thing will happen. His actions in Australia show us otherwise.
"Then you have 10 minutes to pray to whatever God you believe in."
My sense of humor has never been one to make anyone laugh. This time isn't an exception either. Isabella looks at me crookedly and smacks my arm.
Pretty hard.
"Not funny."
She doesn't sound amused. At this rate, it's the best we can do. Make some dumb jokes before doing something that scares the pants off you.
Usually, situations involving significant threats would involve the military. But I've been informed that the President wants peaceful contact. No guns. No threats. No demands. Just talking, and that's what we're being sent in to do.
As an accomplished FBI agent and negotiator, I was selected for the job. A part of me wants to say it should be someone else's job.
But no way in hell am I passing up a chance to talk with an Alien face-to-face.
"What else do you think he can do? The military has confirmed some of his powers. They're not convinced they have all of them yet."
That's a question best left to the scientists. He's straight out of a comic book. Dannon Mayer is a real-life hero. DC and Marvel comics have always been limited to the pages and TV screens. Not with this guy. He's the real deal.
It'd mean trouble in the sense of no deterrents against him.
"I wouldn't know, Bella. Maybe he'll laser your brains out if you look at him wrong."
Another hard smack to my arm is a clear signal to cut the jokes.
~~~(POV: Dannon Mayer)~~~
~~~(Location: Mayer Ranch, Umatilla County, Oregon)~~~
~~~(Date, Time, Year: April 26th, 12:58 PM PST, 2022)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 21 Years)~~~
I wouldn't have thought the FBI agents outside would be making jokes before coming here. Super hearing proves to be an excellent tool for situations like this. Mom doesn't know that we're about to get a visit.
I don't want her getting all pre-hostile on them and making the conversations ahead any more difficult than they'll be.
The last few minutes pass, and a singular vehicle starts driving down the driveway. I calmly take a breath. Centering myself in the moments before I talk with people representing the American Government.
It feels like only seconds later, a knock comes from the door. Mom looks at me as I open my eyes, and I nod once to indicate it's someone here for me.
She instantly stands up and marches to the front door. Opening it with a bit more force than she should.
I stand up from the couch and look at the front door. Two FBI agents look at my Mom for a moment, and then look around her and see me. Standing in the middle of the living room.
"Who are you, and what do you want?"
Mom has a protective edge to her voice. Folding her arms and staring at the two agents. The woman of the pair reaches into the suit and pulls out her badge.
"We're FBI, ma'am. We'd like to talk about your son."
There is only reassurance in her voice. Showing no signs of lies or threats. Before Mom can respond, I lightly float off the ground. Both the agent's hands reach for their holsters, but they don't take them out.
I can hear someone barking orders in their ears. I gently float down the hall and silently land behind Mom.
"The Feds, huh? Here I was thinking the military would roll up with tanks and choppers. It's nice to see President Marshall is a man of his word."
I push the door open a little more for them and move out of the way so they can enter. However, Mom isn't moving. It takes a second, but I'm able to pull her out of the way. Letting the two agents in our home.
As we make it to the living room, I pick up the remote and turn off the TV. They're the first to sit down, and Mom slowly follows.
I'm left standing and staring at the two of them.
"And no, I don't laser people when they look at me wrong."
That's when their eyes slowly widen. The voices in their earpieces and the vans on the road leading to the ranch start cussing.
I'll admit, it's a little funny.
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