Page 25 of Soros
“He’s asking about the role of NATO and other coalitions on Earth. He wants to know how many of those organizations are in contact with the Alien Federation.”
Angling my head, I glanced at Tania. “You’re probably more knowledgeable on that subject than I am.”
I listened as she explained about the network of alien agents that worked on Earth and how all communication was kept on a need-to-know basis. “Historically, there have been a few humans with this classified information who couldn’t keep silent.” Tania had been sitting on a sofa by the wall following my teachings, but now that she spoke to the audience, she stood in front of everyone. She looked stylish in her outfit with pearl earrings. The expression on her pretty face was stern as she warned, “Their professional and personal reputation always ended up destroyed. I’m not saying that to scare you, but to caution you not to make the same mistake. We understand the burden of carrying this kind of secret information around. But the friendship between humans and the Alien Federation has existed for tens of thousands of years. We don’t want the general population to worry about what that means to them. There are already too many movies about alien invasions out there. The reason you are given access to this information is in order to continue the bond of friendship with the Federation, which has resulted in progress for all humanity.”
The female scientist from NASA raised her hand again and I pointed to her once more. “What’s your question?”
“It’s not so much a question but a request. Could you help us avoid destroying the Earth? It seems we need help.”
Tania and I exchanged a long glance before I answered the woman. “As Tania said, we have researchers and scientists working on Earth at all times. I can’t discuss the specifics of their work because I don’t have the insight to do so. But finding alternative energy forms is one of the projects that’s being worked on. Humans have focused far too much on oil and we’re helping you develop clean energy. Again, the challenge is that with each technology we introduce you to, we worry that you might turn it into a weapon. There’s also the hurdle that we can’t just hand solutions to you, or it would look suspicious. It has to be developed with the right guidance and credited to humans who think they invented the technology.”
After we ended the seminar, Tania excused herself to use the bathroom. Some of the participants left in a hurry, but most of them came to thank me. The woman scientist from NASA lingered in the room until she was the last to thank me for my time. “How long are you staying in DC?” she asked me.
“A few more days, I believe. Tania has the schedule, and she makes sure that I turn up where I’m supposed to at the right time. I’m going to visit with more people and all I can remember is that one of the places we’re going to is a white house.”
The woman brushed her long black hair back and smiled. “If you don’t have any plans for tonight, maybe we could have dinner. I happen to know a very nice restaurant.”
I was flattered by her invitation and smiled until she said, “It would be a thrill to pick your brain over dinner.”
Not liking the sound of that suggestion, I stiffened and leaned away from the woman while making an excuse. “I can’t tonight.”
“Ohh…” Her face fell. “Well, then maybe tomorrow?”
“No.”
Her charming smile was gone and although I couldn’t read her mind, I could tell my rejection had changed her attitude toward me. Her voice sounded more formal when she said, “In that case, thank you again for your time teaching us about the different species in the Universe. I always grew up believing there had to be intelligent life in space. When I was entrusted with the information about the Federation it confirmed that I had been right. But I have to be honest, meeting you here today and getting to experience actually speaking to an alien is something that I’ll never forget. It’s been such a thrill.”
Using the Federation language archive, I struggled with the word thrill but didn’t want to ask what she meant. “I enjoyed your questions and hope that you learned something today,” I told her.
“Oh, I did. I definitely learned that we want to stay away from Malbreeans and that I’m happy Earth is a protected planet. I can imagine that if even one of those Malbreeans got here, they would turn our leaders into hypnotized puppets and have us all enslaved sooner or later.”
I felt a bit relieved when Tania joined us and told me that we needed to go. The pretty scientist thanked Tania and shook her hand. “I wish you both a pleasant evening.”
“Same to you,” Tania said before gathering her things.
I waited until we were completely along in the room before I told her, “That woman asked if I wanted to join her for dinner.”
Tania placed the strap of her bag over her shoulder and came toward me. “I can eat by myself and meet you later if you want to have some time with her.”
“No. I prefer to eat dinner with you. You’re much nicer.”
Tania gave me a wide grin showing off her straight teeth. “Why do you say that?”
I looked toward the door, making sure the woman was truly gone. “She seemed friendly, but then she revealed that she wanted to pick out my brain.” I made a grimace of disgust.
Both Tania’s eyebrows went up and then her face softened. “You didn’t think she was literally going to pick at your brain, did you? It’s an expression that means she wanted to ask you questions and have your answers.”
I felt stupid and wondered if I should chase down the scientist and apologize for thinking she wanted to hurt me.
“Don’t worry. It’s just a cultural misunderstanding,” Tania comforted me. “It happens all the time.”
“I should have asked what she meant instead of assuming the worst,” I said. “But trust me, I’ve heard stories about what humans are capable of and dissecting an alien brain sounded exactly like something your human scientists would be very interested in. I didn’t want to risk anything.”
Leaving the room, Tania and I walked side by side to the exit of the building. “I actually think you have a fair point, Soros. Although I would be more inclined to think she wanted to explore you in a different way.”
I thought about her words and wasn’t quite sure what Tania was hinting at. I was just about to ask her but then we got outside and looking up, I saw big white flakes falling from the sky. My hand went to pull Tania back into safety, but as I assessed the situation it was clear that the flakes couldn’t be toxic as people walked around without getting hurt by the downfall.
“What is that?” I asked and took a step forward.
