paa-official

[paa-official]

Recording No. 11

It was hard to tell exactly what was happening to Xothar, but from the sounds of it, the creature had intended to make short work of her. Then Xothar extended a glowing green blade and lit up part of the wide corridor. I still couldn't see the creature completely, though the blade offered plenty of light as it lit up with an electric pop. But the size and body structure of the monster resembled the large lizard that held me. Then the hand reappeared and struck Xothar from above, knocking her to the ground. The blade was still in her hand and continued to light up the corridor. Then the monster came dragging closer to us, as if it had been exhausted.

The big man dropped me and looked for his blade on his belt, but the creature's claws were already flying towards his face. He stumbled against the wall and tried to get up, but the creature stomped on his knee and he buckled. A fist then hit his face and a large dent appeared in the wall.

Behind me were the guards' weapons and in front of me was this creature, of which I could only see the outline. It stood upright and slowly turned its head towards me. I wanted to finally get the weapons, but I couldn't see anything. The creature took a step towards me before falling forward and hitting its face on the ground. My heart was beating fast and uncontrollably and I felt a sharp pain again, but I breathed more evenly to calm my heartbeat, which slowly made the pain go away. The creature seemed to get smaller until a motionless human body laid before me. I carefully knelt down in front of him and felt his pulse. His heart was still beating, but his body was a little cold. I still couldn't make out who it was.

But then I heard Xothar coughing. She couldn't move, but tried to speak to her partner >> Rundor... where is it? Rundor? <<

I walked to the light of her blade and then knelt over her. After turning her around, I took her sword in my hand and used it as a lamp. She wasn't too pleased to see my face though >> Where is Rundor? <<

I looked over at the silhouettes of her probably dead partner and then back at her >> You're on your own now. <<

She spat blood >> Are you going to leave me here to die now? <<

>> Only after you answer a few questions for me. <<

>> Like I'd want to do that. <<

I looked at the sword and then held it to her throat >> I'm sure this is more than just a pretty LED lamp. What do you think? <<

She tried to laugh, though the pain was too much >> Even if you dared, you can't scare me with this. In fact, you'd be doing me a favor. <<

I slowly stood up again and walked back to the unconscious human. Xothar remained calm at first, but she still didn't like that I had left her behind >> Do you really think you're that cruel? You're nothing but a pathetic human. <<

>> No way. << I said absently and looked at Rundor's face. The scratch marks on his face had been deep, but his head had kept its shape as if there had been nothing to destroy it.

I stopped by the human and placed the sword in front of him so that I could lift him up. I could make out his face because of the light. It had been the sergeant who had tried to rescue me with his team. His uniform was gone and all he had left were his pants and torn shirt, both soaked in black blood.

I carefully picked him up and threw his arm around my shoulder before taking the sword again and walking slowly with him past Rundor and Xothar. She tried to speak to me one last time >> You won't get far. And if you do... The earth is already ours. <<

I stopped and looked over at her again >> That answers my question of why you did this to us. <<

Without waiting for an answer, I continued walking down the corridor. I quickly realized that every now and then an intersection would pop up, so I kept walking straight until I was too exhausted to carry Hawkins any further. At one point we approached another intersection where the lights were still working. I carried Hawkins there with the last of my strength and hid in a room with him. There were no other lizard people there and I was able to get some rest. I had leaned Hawkins' back against a wall and sat down opposite him. I had simply placed the sword next to me and the blade retracted by itself.

The room looked like a laboratory that had been abandoned. Presumably everyone was busy capturing me and defending themselves against the humans. I kept looking around but couldn't find anything useful. Then I took a closer look at Hawkins. There had been nothing wrong with him. Like me, he hadn't had a single scratch on his body.

Suddenly he gasped for air and finally woke up. He looked at me in a slight panic and then looked around the room. >> Where are we? << he asked, out of breath.

>> Still on the ship. <<

He looked at me perplexed and tried to form a sentence in his head >> What...? Where is the fighting machine? What happened to the others? <<

I didn't say anything, just looked down. Hawkings leaned his head back and exhaled a strained breath >> Fuck. <<

>> I'm sorry. <<

He looked at me silently before looking down and sighing >> There was nothing you could do. <<

His gaze lifted and he looked at me thoughtfully >> Wait a minute. Didn't you turn into a giant lizard? <<

>> I guess so. And I guess I shredded a few more lizard-people in the process. But you were one too. <<

Hawkins looked at me in shock. He probably hadn't realized that about himself any more than I had about myself >> How? <<

I glanced sideways for a moment and spotted a closet to my right. Before I answered him, I stood up slightly and sat down with my back to the cupboard to lean against it >> What do you remember before you turned? <<

Hawkins put his arms on his knees and tried to remember what had happened. Then he slowly turned his head towards me >> The machine stabbed me in the stomach. And when you fought it, your blood got into my wound. <<

>> So I gave you some kind of super Aids? << I asked him seriously. But Hawkins chuckled a little.

I didn't understand why he was laughing and looked at him confused, but he held out his hand to me >> Well, since we're blood brothers now, I guess you should know my name. My name is Brandon. <<

I shook his hand.

>> Do you have someone down there? << he asked me.

I nodded >> At least I know I have at least two good friends in college. And someone named Amanda. But I guess we broke up. I guess. <<

>> Is your memory still weak? <<

>> Yes. Otherwise I could remember the time with Amanda. Or who she is or what she even looks like. <<

>> Don't worry. I'll get you out of here and then you'll see her again. << Brandon promised me.

Irritated by his optimism, I looked at him a little strangely >> How are you going to manage that? <<

>> I know how the ship is built. We had some scouts who could scout it and the base could draw up a plan. <<

>> Do you also know the way back to the heli? <<

>> It will probably have flown away by now because time has already run out. Maybe if we can find a radio somewhere that we can use to contact the base. <<

>> How sure are you that we'll get out of here alive? <<

He maintained eye contact with me >> You don't think about that as a soldier. Either it works or it doesn't. <<

>> Is that your motto? <<

>> No. But in hopeless situations like this one, I don't like to think about bad things. Keeps my head clear. <<

Suddenly, heavy footsteps approached and the door opened. It was the badly injured Rundor, who had apparently followed my bloody footsteps and found us. Without giving it much thought, I immediately stood up and took the handle without the blade from the floor. Rundor's large mechanical hand swung once in my direction at head height, but I dropped to my knees to avoid his claws. I tried to activate the blade but didn't know how. Then the big one grabbed me and lifted me up. His face had been bloody, but his skull didn't seem to have been deformed, which didn't help his ugliness.

>> Stop running away. I have to take you to Xornud. << he said, annoyed, and wanted to carry me under his arm. But Brandon had gone to the lab tables in the meantime and found some kind of tool, which he held up to Runder. Shortly afterwards, he was hit by an electric shock and dropped me.

Rundor grudgingly turned to Brandon and lashed out with his fist. Brandon ducked and threw the tool at me as he rolled to the side away from Rundor. I caught the thing and immediately spotted a knob. I turned it all the way up to the maximum and caught Rundor's attention >> Hey, dickhead. <<

He turned to me with a skeptical look and I pressed the end of the stick into his eye, activating the electric shock. He cried out in excruciating pain and stumbled backwards a few steps until he fell and stopped moving. Brandon stood up carefully, keeping an eye on the large, motionless body. I walked over to him and kicked his foot, but he wasn't responding.

Brandon nodded impressed >> Huh, you and I could make a good team. <<

[paa-official]

Recording No. 10

The two lizards and I were already sitting in the shuttle waiting for someone. It turned out to be Apath and Becka. And she looked different from the last time I'd seen her. Just like Apath, she had blue skin, yellow eyes and red hair. Her face remained similar, but I could clearly see that she wasn't from Spain.

When they had entered the shuttle and sat down opposite us, Becka looked at me guiltily, avoiding eye contact. I just wanted to forget it all, no matter how significant the contact with alien life was or whatever they all were. Maybe I hadn't understood everything and there were good explanations for everything, but I didn't want to know them. But with my luck, something had hit the shuttle and we crashed. After that, everything had been black. I suddenly found myself in a living room. It looked like a suburban house that belonged to me. Or rather me and my family. There were two small children playing in front of me. A small, blond boy and a girl who was two or three years older and had a green streak in her dark blond hair. I was happy, probably because I had peace and quiet from all the stress.

Then suddenly the doorbell rang and the person knocked on it. I got up and went to the door. I couldn't see anyone through the peephole, so I assumed it was a stupid prank by some kids. But when I turned around, someone was knocking on the door again. At first I stood there skeptically, wondering if I had imagined it, but the knock came again.

I opened the door and looked out, a bag was put over my head and someone shocked me with a Taser. The electric shock had been so strong that I had lost my body tension and I was immediately caught by two people and dragged away. As I was thrown into a car, I heard a whispering voice pass by. It was a deep rumble that said >> I'll be back soon enough and this time I'm going to get what's coming to me. <<

Someone dragged me out of the car and I was carried somewhere again. Once we were in a building, I was thrown on the ground and the sack was pulled off my head. I tried to stand up, but someone came towards me from the front. The person knelt down in front of me and opened a small capsule in front of my face. Before I could react, a small, black cloud poured out and crawled up my nose.

I immediately fell down again. All strength had almost left my body and all I could do was slowly turn onto my back. Then I recognized the ceiling of the building. It seemed to be an old, abandoned church. On the ceiling was a red, hand-painted half-moon with a pentagram at the bottom. The symbol could have been painted in blood, I was expecting anything at this point.

A man, dressed in a red priestly cloak and black accents, came up to me and looked down at me. He was wearing a black phantom mask. He then took a step back and began to pray something in an unintelligible language. Several voices around us joined him and they led this strange prayer together. Then the priest raised his arms upwards and a black smoke enveloped them until a jet-black scythe manifested from them in his hands.

I didn't know what to do. My body couldn't move and the blade of the scythe was already pointing down at me. My breathing became frantic and the prayer became louder and faster. Until it stopped abruptly and a reverberation spread through the church. The priest waited a moment, held the scythe upright and looked up.

>> May this offering ensure that no one stands in your way. Rise from your depths and fulfill your duty. <<

He raised the scythe slowly and then quickly brought the blade down on me.

I opened my eyes in fear and breathed irregularly and quickly. It had just been a dream like the one before, so I didn't want to worry about it too much. Especially not when I felt an iron smell around me that was so strong it almost made me dizzy. Nevertheless, I got up and sat on the dark gray floor of the ship, which I now knew why I had been there.

My gaze wandered briefly around the room I was in and I immediately saw that there were a lot of corpses of these lizard people around me. At least what was left of their bodies. Some were missing their heads, others had huge holes in their chests and others were just puddles of black blood with bones and pieces of armor around them.

This room looked like a generator room that had been switched to its reserve power and in it were mainly the remains of these lizards, but there were also some human corpses lying around, although not very many. The human soldiers had been killed by the lizard-people before something had stormed in and left this mess. But it occurred to me that I might have had something to do with it and I felt sick. My stomach clenched and I knelt forward so I could vomit better, but it all stayed inside.

I stood up carefully and wanted to walk closer to the remains, but the dizziness from the stench and the nausea prevented me from doing so. I felt so sick that I had to support myself with one hand on a wall to slowly leave the room. And as I approached the door, the sliding door opened by itself. The walls of the corridor in front of me were all scratched up and there was a long black trail of blood on the floor.

There was no sign of the squad that had tried to rescue me or the machine that had attacked us. Just as there was no sign of any injuries on me. I felt a little weak, but I hadn't even had a single scratch on me. Only my clothes had suffered more and were indeed soaked with this black blood.

I took slow steps away from the door and walked along the trail of blood. I didn't know the ship and this trail might have led me to the soldiers, if they were still alive.

The longer I walked, the more I got the impression that the ship had a symmetrical layout and was unimaginably huge. The claw marks on the walls and floor had been quite deep and wide and when I turned a corner, I found corpses of lizard-men already lying around. Just like the ones in the room I'd woken up in, these had also been mutilated, so the sight of them made me sick.

I tried to ignore the corpses and walk past them when I heard voices around the next corner. It was that clicking sound again and there seemed to be two of them. Two voices that sounded very familiar to me. And they had also followed the trail of blood.

>> What are we going to do when we find him? << asked the deep voice.

>> We? You are the thug. You'll take care of him if he regains consciousness or is still a lizard. <<

>> How nice of you. << he then said sarcastically.

>> I didn't know you were smart enough for sarcasm. But you're lucky I trust you at all after that incident in Manhattan. <<

I looked over at the bodies in case their weapons were with them. But it was already too late for that, as the two had already turned the corner and spotted me. That's when I recognized the faces of those lizards. I would never have been able to forget that ugly face of the little lizard from the blue people's ship. And their big partner even had a mechanical prosthetic hand on his left arm this time.

They both looked at me in surprise, but Xothar immediately snapped back to reality and nudged the big one in the ribs with her elbow >> Come on! <<

I immediately ran in the opposite direction and tried to grab one of the spears, which for some reason had no tips. I wasn't surprised that they hadn't survived. And before I had finished with this disappointment, the lizard grabbed me by my leg and pulled me towards him. I had turned onto my back and saw the mechanical fist flying towards me, so I rolled to the side.

Then Xothar shouted at her partner >> We need him alive! <<

He rolled his eyes and reached out for me again. I was still trying to crawl away from him as fast as I could, but he had already grabbed me by my half-torn shirt and lifted me up. I hit his prosthetic hand out of desperation, but it had been hopeless.

>> Very well. Now we take him back to his chamber and deal with the rest of these humans before their reinforcements arrive. << Xothar said and turned around, satisfied.

Then a deep growl appeared around the corner. Exactly where the two had come from. They suddenly froze, especially Xothar, as she turned to us >> Did that come from him? <<

The big one looked at me hopefully for a moment, but then looked at Xothar in horror >> I don't think so. <<

A scaly, large hand with long, black claws slowly appeared. Almost as if this creature had been trying to sneak. And when it growled again, they both took a step back and the lights suddenly went out. It had gone pitch black, but that didn't seem to have stopped the creature, as the sound of its claws on the steel floor came closer and closer until Xothar cried out and the creature roared with her.

[paa-official]

Recording No. 9

Since the rescue mission was launched, I was able to relax a little and stayed with Becka in the office where I had fallen asleep a few hours earlier. Becka seemed to have been relieved too. I was sitting on the couch and she was sitting on a chair next to the desk. She had started to look happier again and was no longer hanging her head and happily drinking the coffee we were given. I, for one, still couldn't understand how people liked to drink something so bitter. But I thought it was a good time to ask her a few questions.

>> Can I ask you something? <<

She looked at me with a barely noticeable smile >> Sure, shoot. <<

I held my cup tightly with both hands >> How did you meet Eriny? And how did you two spend time together? <<

She giggled lightly >> Are you asking this because of the woman you met? <<

>> Her name is Jennifer. <<

She held up her hands defensively >> Ok, sorry. << she said with a laugh. I smiled in response >> So? <<

She told me how she met him by chance at the Washington Monument. With the task of our mission at the forefront of her mind, she wanted him to show her around Washington and tell her about the people there. And the next afternoon he called her and set up a meeting where he gave her a tour and told her about the city and its people. He also talked about the history.

He didn't seem very enthusiastic at first, but for some reason he met up with her anyway and took her to a café afterwards. She had tried to get information from him to make her job easier. But they met a second time and Eriny unwittingly began to tell her about herself.

He began to trust her and his open-minded nature gradually built up something in her unnoticed. Through him and her own research and encounters with other people, she came to the same conclusion as I did. Not only that. She even grew fond of him, just as Jenny had done with me.

The end of the mission was approaching and she had formed a certain bond with him. They started meeting up more often, sometimes in his dorm room. She even remembered how other of Eriny's fellow students had looked after the two of them, but he had liked that less than she did.

Up until that point, Eriny had opened up to her a little. He had told her how he and his girlfriend had broken up a week before they met. He also told her that he had been living with a foster family for 16 years because his parents had been in a car accident. Unlike me, Becka hadn't thought about the unrealistic possibility that our people would spare the humans and wanted to bring Eriny with her on the ship, where he might be safer. So she arranged to meet him for a movie night the night we were brought back to the ship. As it was also Halloween night, they wanted to watch horror movies. And they had started with an old classic from the 80s called Predator. By the way, I watched it with Jenny some time later and if it comes out in 18 years, I recommend you watch it. I was also amazed at how many similarities the monster had to the Phalanx.

>> The movie had only been half over and I had had enormous goosebumps when the flash from the teleporter appeared and we were on the ship. Some guards had joined us and I had pointed out to them that they should take him to a lab. Only... Unfortunately, I hadn't had a chance to explain everything to Eriny. <<

I remained silent, remembering how he wouldn't pay any attention to Becka in the shuttle. It would have been surprising, too, if you weren't mad at someone who lied to you and kidnapped you. I could see it coming, how hard it would be to apologize to him since we had taken him straight to the next ones. Mitchell walked into the office and not exactly relaxed >> You two might want to see this. <<

We both stood up anxiously and I put my cup down on the table >> What happened? <<

Without saying another word, he led the way, forcing us to follow him. Everyone in the control center had turned their attention to the large screen on the wall and I immediately understood why.

>> This is the live feed from the bodycams of the soldiers who infiltrated the ship. The transmissions were recorded and now everyone is trying to understand what's going on up there. << Mitchell said as he walked with us between the tables.

He sat down, but we stood still and looked at the recordings in shock. In the left half were the feeds from reconnaissance team 1. They were walking through a long corridor, probably in an outer ring of the ship. It was clear that there was some kind of chamber with numerous monsters inside. There was also a pane of glass through which they could see. These monsters were huge lizards with human faces. They were all two heads taller than the soldiers and behaved like wild animals.

I crossed my arms >> I didn't know they had pets. <<

>> We don't think they're just their pets. << Mitchell replied >> Look at the right half. <<

Reconnaissance team 5 had found Eriny and were about to leave the ship with him. But a machine had attacked them, killing one soldier after another. One of the soldiers was with Eriny and spoke to him, but he didn't seem to be able to answer him. Instead, he cried out in pain until his voice became distorted and the left side of his face turned green with scales. Only moments later, all the cameras went off and a static image filled the right side of the screen.

Me and Becka remained silent and couldn't tear our eyes away from the screen. From one moment to the next, the situation became increasingly difficult and confusing. Especially when Commander Parker's voice was heard again >> Gather all forces. I want this ship on the ground as soon as possible and at any cost. Call every military in the world that is closest and let them know we are on our way. <<

Becka looked at him in disbelief and I still stood there shocked by the recording. There was no reason for this guy to help us anymore. He was going to shoot this pest out of the sky regardless. It was only when I unconsciously looked back at the screen that I spotted the name of one of the soldiers. J. Parker. Looking at his emotional state, I felt no anger or hatred. Rather fear and regret.

I may have saved humanity from its demise, but that didn't mean it wouldn't have been better if I hadn't done it. But I couldn't allow myself such thoughts. How was I supposed to represent a species if I couldn't believe in myself?

Two blue people had taken me to a kind of laboratory. There was a curtain at the very back of the room and behind it I was put into a narrow chamber. There was only one block on which I could sit and sleep. And in the wall behind me was a door to a small toilet room. Opposite me were two more chambers, each containing a lizard-man. I had more questions than you could possibly imagine, and something had told me that I didn't want to know the answers. Especially not when the smaller, female lizard looked at me thoughtfully. Until that moment, I could never have imagined seeing something so hideously ugly.

>> How often do you dye your hair? << the lizard asked me.

I was way too thrown off my game though, as every life form there could understand and speak the English language. It could have just been a dream, I couldn't explain it any other way. Maybe I had just fallen asleep in the middle of the movie.

The lizard snapped its fingers once >> Hey, are you still there? How often do you dye your hair? <<

I shook my head slightly and had shaken myself awake enough to more or less answer >> Not at all. It's naturally green. <<

Both lizards looked at me thoughtfully for a moment before they began to speak in their own language. And then I was surprised again that I understood what they were saying to each other. The big one asked the little one >> Has he met Xhomat? <<

>> Probably. We'll have to take him to Xornud and have a closer look on the ship. <<

>> What about Xaeros? <<

>> One thing at a time. We have to get out of here first. Then we can look further. <<

Then more blue people with red or black hair joined us. All sorts of things were tested and measured on me. These beings tried to find out as much as possible about me, but they were careful and didn't want to cause me any pain. They did the same with the lizard-people, although the big one, who was also missing his left hand, resisted a little and was quite grumpy.

Two days after I was brought there, someone suddenly asked everyone to leave the lab, and someone else had entered the area where we were locked up. He had noticed me briefly, but then quickly turned to the lizards and introduced himself as Apath. His face looked like he'd been in a fight, and it also seemed to me that he and the two already knew each other.

Nevertheless, he asked for their help to stop an invasion and in return he would free us. The lizards didn't show any sign that they wanted to take me with them, but Apath had intended to take me back home anyway.

The next day we were supposed to take a shuttle back to Earth, which is why I stayed quiet most of the time. I had no idea that we hadn't been on Earth. I should never have talked to Becka, otherwise I wouldn't have been dragged into something I only understood half of. I hadn't asked for that.

[paa-official]

Recording No. 8

A large fighting machine made of dark gray steel and golden decorations on its chest ran past me and extended two green blades made of some kind of energy and attacked the human soldiers. My heart began to race with fear as the thing attacked Hawkins. He dodged the first two blows and rolled to the side, but when he started emptying his magazine on the machine with the others, it had apparently had no effect. Instead of falling over or malfunctioning, it swung its blades around and dismembered two more soldiers.

My breathing became frantic and erratic and suddenly I got that stabbing pain inside me again, synchronized with my heartbeat. It felt like countless needles were piercing me again and I fell to my knees. Hawkins noticed and came to me, even though he was actually fighting the machine. The remaining two soldiers distracted it so he could take care of me >> Eriny, what's wrong? <<

I tried to fight the pain to be able to say something >> I don't know. Fuck, this is the second time this has happened. <<

>> Please hold on a little longer. We'll get you out of here in a minute and... What's wrong with your face? <<

I grabbed my face and my skin felt scaly. And when I looked at my hand, it was also covered in green scales. But I couldn't have reacted any further. Instead, my voice changed and I gradually lost my body. The sounds of fighting with the machine stopped and my vision disappeared. Soon I could no longer feel anything and everything around me had disappeared for good. But new noises soon appeared. People walking around near me and talking to each other. A cool breeze brushed my face as I sat on a bench. I picked my head up and looked directly at the Washington Monument. The wind continued to blow gently, so I rolled up the collar of my coat and leaned on my knees. I had tried to keep my mind off Amanda, but I had been unsuccessful and just looked down at the ground, powerless.

But I quickly realized that someone was sitting next to me on the bench. I glanced to the side and a woman with black hair was looking at my hair, which is why she hadn't noticed my gaze immediately. So I asked her >> Can I help? <<

She startled and her cheeks reddened >> Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to stare at you. I've just never seen green hair before. <<

I straightened up and looked at her in astonishment >> Oh, right. << but immediately looked back at the monument to get out of a conversation. But she had other plans >> I come from somewhere else, that's why I was so surprised. <<

>> I see. << was all I said when I looked at her again for a moment. Then she held out her hand >> I'm Becka, by the way. <<

But I didn't return the greeting immediately, but answered her first as I stood up and put my sports bag over my shoulder next to me. >> And I'm Eriny. Unfortunately, I have to go too. << I said, accepting her greeting before I left.

She stood up as well >> I'm really sorry for staring. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. <<

>> Don't worry about it. Can happen to anyone. << should have been the last thing I wanted to say to her before I walked back to my dorm, but she walked beside me.

>> If you don't mind me asking, where do you have to go now? <<

I sighed inwardly >> To my dorm. I have an important lecture tomorrow. <<

>> Oh, that's convenient. I have to go that way too. <<

>> That's great. << I said with an ironic undertone and continued walking. She didn't seem to have noticed the tone and continued talking to me >> Are you actually from somewhere else or have you always lived in Washington? <<

>> I've lived here with my foster family since I was five. Now I just live in a dorm because of college. <<

>> Ah, I see. So you know your way around here? I'm just asking because it's my first time here. <<

>> You can kind of tell. << I said, slightly amused.

But she looked at me, slightly startled >> Really? What gave it away? << she tried to sound calm.

>> You talk to strangers, so I figured you didn't grow up in a big city. <<

She laughed in relief >> I see. <<

>> What did you think it gave away? Where are you from anyway? <<

>> Uh... << Her eyes looked wildly back and forth >> From Spain. <<

I looked at her again and saw that her skin was more tanned than mine >> Ah, I see. Probably from a smaller town, right? <<

She nodded with a satisfied smile >> You seem to know people well, don't you? <<

>> More or less. <<

She had walked with me all the way to my dorm and talked to me, though I had hoped she would have to walk in a different direction at some point. I hadn't had anything against her, but I hadn't really been in the mood to talk to someone I didn't know. But she walked with me all the way to the dorm and kept the conversation going.

When we were finally a few meters from the campus, I wanted to say goodbye to her, but she stopped me for a moment >> I have one more question. Would you be so kind as to give me a tour of Washington sometime? I'm here until the end of next month and would like to get to know the city better before I have to go back home. <<

I looked at her a little strangely, as I hadn't expected such a request. >> Sure, just give me your number and I'll call you. << I then falsely said.

She happily took out her smartphone and dictated her number to me. When we had finished and finally said goodbye, Jonny, a mutual buddy of mine and Derek, came up to me from behind >> Wow, I could have guessed that you were such a player, but that you really... <<

>> That's enough now. << I interrupted him and started walking to my room.

But he nudged me lightly with his elbow as I walked >> Come on, tell me. Where did you pick her up? <<

I stopped in the hallway and turned to face him. I then looked at him with an annoyed look >> If you're so interested in her, I can give you her number. <<

But he just looked at me confused >> Why would you do that? Erin, are you blind? <<

>> As far as I remember correctly, I'm not. But at least she'd have someone to show her around town. <<

You could see the resemblance between him and Derek even if you were blind. Even though the two of them were really alright and practically the only two I had gotten along with very well, they could only think of one thing.

I kept walking when I was sure he didn't want the number. And of course Jonny followed me >> Listen, I know about Amanda. And I know how upsetting that is for you. <<

I just sighed >> I only told him less than two hours ago. How could he have told you already? <<

>> You know Derek. Wait a minute. << he said as he tried to catch up to me before I could reach my room door >> I know your heart is a bit broken right now, but you really should find a distraction. Not necessarily in the way me and Derek always do, but more like yours. My point is, get rid of your gray thoughts. <<

I didn't want to listen to him and kept walking until we were outside my room. Then I took out my key and opened the door, which opened out into the corridor. But Jonny leaned against the door with his arm and closed it again >> Are you even listening to me? <<

>> I tried not to. <<

>> Then you heard me. Think about it again. She looked nice. <<

He pushed away from the door and walked backwards to his room first, keeping an eye on me.

>> Looks say nothing about someone's personality. << I shouted after him.

But he just smiled at me and turned around.

[paa-official]

Recording No. 7

All the chambers, apart from my own, had been empty and two lizard-people looked at me with uncomprehending faces. One of them looked female and had dark green scales. Her head was that of a Komodo dragon and she had light blue eyes. The other was slightly smaller than her and had dark red scales with yellow diamond patterns. He had a crest on his head which only went down to his neck and his eyes were yellow.

They had some measuring devices connected to me and were writing something down on their tablets, which they held with their three fingers on each hand. Then another lizard came back with the results of a blood test. He was about the same size as the female lizard, but his scales were the same color and pattern as the other. The only difference between the two was that he didn't have a crest on his head, he had a cobra head.

>> What did you find out? << asked the female lizard.

>> You better ask me how many new questions I have as a result. <<

They both looked at him intently as he looked over the results again >> I don't understand. His DNA is different from other humans. <<

>> In what way? <<

>> He has some kind of resistance to the gas, but I don't know from where. <<

>> Maybe a mutation? <<

>> Maybe, but it's still unlikely that's why he was stronger than the humans before he inhaled the gas. I don't think he ever came into contact with the gas before. <<

I sat on the floor and watched them try to decipher this riddle. What I wanted to know, though, was why my T-shirt had a few rips in it, as if it had been worn by someone for whom it was clearly too small. When I had asked them about it, they hadn't wanted to give me an answer and simply ignored me.

Then the female lizard looked at me and she realized something. She came closer to the protective glass and asked me >> How often do you color your hair? <<

I shifted my eyebrows but replied >> I don't. They've been green since I was five. <<

>> How long ago was that and why are they green? <<

>> I don't know. They've been green for 16 years. Why do you want to know? <<

I didn't get an answer because she turned to the other two and spoke quietly to them. I stood up carefully and walked to the plexiglass window.

>> How likely is it that he met Xhomat 16 years ago? << she asked in their language.

One of the two others looked to the side, slightly shocked, so that he saw me and something lit up inside him >> I'll check his blood sample again. << and walked away again.

The other two turned back to me and looked at me in surprise. Then the female lizard whispered to the other >> Xornud did say that one of the humans can understand us, right? <<

He whispered back >> I'm beginning to think there might be something to your theory. <<

Several hours had passed when the lights in the corridor changed from their neutral color to a red one and a slight rumble could be heard. The two lizards looked up in surprise and exchanged a glance. Then the male lizard asked >> Are the blue skins attacking again? <<

Something inside me was triggered, as if I had heard something familiar or had a déjà vu, and I looked at the two lizards.

>> As long as the lights aren't flashing, we know everything is fine. << replied the female lizard.

But then there was a loud bang with a violent shake, much closer to us and the lights even stopped for a moment until they started flashing again. The two lizards lost their footing and fell to their knees, their tablets falling out of their hands and landing further away. They both straightened up, leaning on the glass of my chamber, until one of them noticed and yanked his hand away from the glass. The third limped over to us in a hurry and leaned on his knees, breathing heavily, when he arrived. The others asked him what was wrong, but he had no answer to that >> I have no idea who is attacking us, but I have found out why his DNA is different from the other humans. <<

>> Does it have something to do with Xhomat? <<

He nodded vigorously and swallowed hard >> I think he met him then. Everything points to that. <<

The female lizard clutched her head >> Fuck. So he made it before he was caught after all. <<

I stood up and asked her >> Who are you talking about? What did he do before he was caught. <<

They looked at me not a bit surprised and moved away from my chamber to continue whispering to each other, but I could still hear them >> We need to pass this on as soon as possible before it's too late. <<

>> Don't worry, I already passed this on to the warlord before I came here. <<

>> Very quick question. << the little one interjected >> What does this actually mean for us now? Do we have to do something? I mean, the alarm has gone off, in case you haven't forgotten. <<

The female lizard looked expectantly at the third >> Did you inform the guards? <<

His eyes widened and fear erupted in him >> Shit! << he shouted and was about to leave to get reinforcements, but as he turned around, his head exploded with a loud bang and the brain matter and black blood splattered his two colleagues and the window of an empty chamber. His body fell backwards and with the last impulse from his brain he raised his arm before his body hit the floor limply. His colleagues stood there in shock, not moving a bit. They just stared at the dead body and had forgotten to breathe.

I reflexively stepped back from the window and looked where the bullet had come from, but I couldn't see anyone yet. Just the firing of more guns and very quiet footsteps below. The bullets flew straight at the other two lizards and it wasn't long before their pierced bodies fell to the ground, forming a large black puddle. >> Check every chamber and every corner. Dereth, Mark and Kyle, you've got our backs. << a male voice ordered in the familiar English language.

The soldiers approached the bodies and thus my chamber, but they didn't notice me at first. Instead, the three kept an eye on the corpses in case they moved. The leader of the group looked around and finally spotted me. When the red light flashed on again and he took off his helmet, I got a better look at his face. He was an African-American soldier with a short haircut. He didn't look much older than I was.

>> I'm Sergeant Hawkins. Are you all right? We're here to get you out. <<

I exhaled in relief >> Finally some good news. <<

Hawkins smiled kindly at me >> I'd hate to be in your shoes too. Don't worry, we'll have this thing open in a minute. John. <<

One of two other soldiers also came to the chamber and helped his sergeant open it. He took a crowbar out of his backpack and they started to break down the door. It didn't take long before the lock popped open and the door opened. I was finally able to leave this stupid chamber and was even protected by a squad of soldiers. Hawkins pulled his mask back up and put his helmet on >> Back to the helicopter. <<

He held his radio and spoke into it >> Tower, this is 5-0. We have the V.I.P. and are on our way back. <<

Hawkins and John ran ahead while I ran behind with two other soldiers. The remaining two were behind us, watching our backs. We followed a trail of red powder that the squad had left behind, as well as a few more corpses of lizard-men. We stopped at a crossing and Hawkins peered around a corner.

Then he asked me before we continued walking >> What was your name again? <<

>> Eriny. << I answered him quietly, in case there were any guards around. >> Eriny? Interesting name. Where are you from? <<

>> Washington, D.C. I think. My memory is a bit patchy. <<

>> Do you know if there are any more people on the ship? <<

>> The entire corridor was filled with people. Wait, did you just say ship? <<

Hawkins kept the inside palm of his hand pointed at us and the squad stopped in another intersection of two hallways. >> Do you know where they are now? << he asked as he turned to face me.

I shook my head >> I passed out when they finished knocking us out with a gas or something. I have no idea what they're up to or have planned. <<

Everyone in the squad exchanged glances with each other before Hawkins spoke again >> Dereth, contact the commander. We need to delay the attack even further and get the people out of here. <<

Dereth nodded and wanted to speak into his contact device, but another soldier pointed behind Hawkin's back with a nod. He turned around quietly and in front of us was a large squad of lizardmen who had also spotted us at that moment. They raised their bows, on which green arrows materialized and pointed them at us.

>> Take cover! << Hawkins shouted and everyone threw themselves behind the corners of the intersection, Hawkins pulling me along. John was on the other side and took a small mirror to peek behind the corner. Then he held up seven fingers, to which Hawkins nodded and took a flash grenade from his belt. He held it up for the others to see, and they nodded in acknowledgement.

Footsteps from the guards approached, so Hawkins pulled the ring on the flashbang grenade and tossed it around the corner into the hallway. Without hesitation and almost in sync with the explosion, the entire squad peered around the corner and shot all seven lizardmen. My ears were ringing from the gunfire and I held them closed, hoping I could hear again quickly.

Dereth helped me up and tried to tell me something, but I couldn't hear him. From lip reading I could make out that we should continue on our way. I saw something running towards us behind him. I pointed to the big, gray thing behind him. But when he turned around, he hadn't been able to react fast enough before a mechanical arm ripped his head off. The rest of the squad immediately started firing at the something and my beeping continued.

But then I could finally make out something on the giant. It was a two-meter something tall fighting machine whose arms had turned into green blades and was charging at the soldiers without paying much attention to me.

[paa-official]

Recording No. 6

Only a few days had passed and I entered the Pentagon for the second time. But this time people weren't going about their daily lives and preparing for a meeting, instead they were all running back and forth trying to find the Phalanx ship before something bad could happen. During the ride to Washington, D.C., the thought that they had left Earth did cross my mind, but the bomb in Xornud's sword hilt immediately knocked that assumption out of my head. I also hoped they had stayed on Earth, because then I could have gotten back at Xornud for what happened to Luke.

Finally, we entered a large control room with countless computers and people sitting behind screens. Everyone was running around wildly there too, taking documents and other things to the relevant people. But as we ran past them, they slowed down and looked after us. A mixture of confusion, fear and admiration built up in them as they realized who we were.

The FBI agent had finally gotten us all the way to the front with Staff Officer Bristol and tapped him on the shoulder >> Mitch, here are your special friends. <<

He turned and smiled as if he had actually seen the face of an old friend again >> Thanks a lot, Andy. You make my life a lot easier. <<

The agent smiled and they both clapped their hands together >> I hope we're both even now. <<

Bristol nodded and then they said goodbye again. I looked back at the staff officer and smiled kindly >> Mitchell, huh. <<

He returned it with a half-hearted smile and turned to the large monitor >> Still to you Mr. Bristol. While I am grateful to you for convincing my daughter to go to safety, that doesn't mean anything. <<

Becka leaned a little closer to me and whispered >> Hmph, wow. I think he likes you. <<

>> Very funny. << I whispered back.

Then I moved closer to Mitchel and asked him >> So, how can we be of help here? <<

A familiar voice called to us from further to the right >> How about you two stay out of our way and don't swing the moral club like last time. <<

We all turned to the person who had spoken and looked at the commander who wanted to blow up our ship immediately. Unless the occupants of the ship had died because the systems had failed, I could have bet he had a hand in it.

>> Parker, your comments were unnecessary even at the meeting. If you didn't mind, could you be so kind as to mind your own business? << replied Mitchell.

>> Yeah, sure, I just want to know why you brought them here. What if they're working with those lizard people and just want to sabotage us? <<

>> Ever heard of trust? <<

Parker remained silent and thought about how to answer that. But Mitchell hadn't intended to wait for him or look at him while he spoke to him >> I thought so. Otherwise you wouldn't have gotten divorced. <<

Parker crossed his arms in annoyance and went back to his seat.

Mitchell then turned to us and pointed to the screen of his computer on the table. There were pictures and videos of the dark gray pod fighting the Griever armada. Down in one corner, a video was running on a continuous loop, apparently filmed from the ground with a cell phone. The ship flew up to the clouds and then disappeared.

>> We only have footage of civilians and other soldiers who saw the ship. Most of them have already been uploaded to YouTube and have millions of clicks. And five hours ago, the camera of a fighter jet had spotted the ship somewhere in the airspace over the Atlantic, but the jet was immediately shot down. <<

>> That means the Phalanx have not left Earth. << I stated.

>> That's right. And what gives me a much bigger headache is that they're moving around in the airspace instead of hiding somewhere stationary. So that means it will be much harder to find them if they are constantly on the move. <<

Becka took a closer look at the video of the ship ascending to the clouds until an idea popped into her head >> Where was this taken? <<

>> Somewhere over Tennessee. <<

>> Do you have the coordinates of this place and the place where the jet was shot down? Preferably also the times when the shots were taken. <<

>> Our people have been trying for a while. I can give you the data if anyone has found it. <<

>> I also have a question. << I said >> Have you already checked with the remaining satellites where radio interference could occur? <<

Mitchell looked at me as if I had asked something completely stupid and tried to understand how I had come up with it. But Becka immediately understood what I was getting at.

>> What do you mean, son? << Mitchell asked me.

>> You use satellites to send radio signals, don't you? << I asked, to make sure I was remembering my research correctly. And Mitchell nodded.

>> Then pay attention. Have a seat. <<

He sat down on a chair in front of the computer and I sat down next to him >> During my scouting mission, I read a lot about your satellite systems and how they work. Especially everything else about radio signals. <<

>> That's all well and good, but how does it help us? <<

>> Here's the genius part. A few days before we were sent back, I was trying to find out as much as I could about lizard people, only to think they were just conspiracies. In any case, I read several reports of people having radio interference near Dulce, and also therefore listening in on the police radio or something. <<

>> And you're telling me that the ship is sending out jamming signals? <<

>> No, that wouldn't make any sense. << Becka interjected >> Why would the Phalanx be emitting jamming signals while they were trapped underground? <<

>> Then what would it have been? <<

>> It is very likely to be their own radio signals that they are using to communicate with each other. Their technology is different from Earth's. And if the two signals overlap, they will interfere with each other. <<

Becka sat on the edge of the table behind us and crossed her arms >> And if we know the ship's approximate course, we can point the satellites at it to measure abnormal radio interference. <<

Mitchell let the thought run through his head for a long time until he came to a decision. Then he looked back at the commander and smiled >> That's why I brought them here, Parker. << he called out.

The Commander just looked at him confused from a distance >> What's your problem now? <<

It had taken a few hours and night had fallen, but someone had finally managed to locate the coordinates and times from the recordings, which allowed the approximate flight path and estimated location of the ship to be calculated. Immediately afterwards, all the other satellites were placed along the route so that the radio interference could also be determined.

Another few hours passed and I even fell asleep on a sofa in an office. I actually just wanted to retreat there so that I didn't have to put up with Parker's nagging. Most of the time he just complained that we were wasting our time with the satellites.

But when one of the satellites bit, Becka burst into the office and ripped me from my unplanned slumber. I was immediately startled and disoriented. For a while, I also struggled to understand what Becka was trying to say to me. So she came to me and pulled me out by my arm.

The satellite that had picked up the radio interference had even taken a picture of the ship. It was the huge, round, dark gray ship that was also hidden under Dulce. And it was over Spain, still heading north-east.

Suddenly Parker clapped his hands and shouted into the room >> All right. I want bombers, fighter jets and everything else to attack this UFO and take it out of the sky. Contact all the other countries. Tell them to surround the damn thing with their forces. <<

I was still sluggish from the worst five hours of sleep of my life, which is why Becka walked much faster than me in Parker's direction >> Commander, excuse me. I would advise against attacking. <<

He looked at her extremely skeptically as he turned around >> And why exactly? <<

>> There may be people on the ship. How do you think the public will react to the fact that you didn't save these people, but left them to certain death? <<

>> How are you going to guarantee me that there really are people there? << he asked her with a mocking tone.

In the meantime, I had also reached the two of them and helped Becka out >> We know for sure that the Phalanx are holding at least one person captive. So it stands to reason that there are more there. <<

>> How do you know that so well? <<

I sighed briefly >> We trusted them with a person and now he's with them. <<

Parker looked over at Mitchel once more before turning and slowly walking away >> Pff, so much to trust. Fair enough. I'll initiate a scouting and rescue mission first before we blow this thing up. <<

[paa-official]

Recording No. 5

The floor had a black and white checkerboard pattern, the walls were painted light gray and the ceiling was white. Although the two ceiling lights were enough to illuminate the room, there was also a desk lamp on the metal table where Becka and I sat on two chairs. No matter how pleasant the room could have been, nothing could have changed my annoyance. Becka noticed this immediately as I sat there sighing with my arms crossed. And the handcuffs on my wrists were a little distracting me.

I spent most of my time looking at the mirror and enjoyed making the people behind it nervous. Every time I sensed them feeling uncomfortable or watched, I smiled at the mirror and felt a greater sense of unease building up inside them. But then the wooden door with a pane of glass to see through finally opened and the third interrogator of the day came in. An older man in a thick FBI winter jacket entered the room. He held a file in his arm, trying to hide the trembling in his fingers. Except for this barely noticeable detail, he had been able to control his body language surprisingly well, but unfortunately for him, I could have just gotten inside his head.

The agent placed the file in front of him and sat down in his chair opposite us. First he opened the slim file, looked at a few pictures of the invasion, the destroyed Area 51 base and some snapshots of the Grievers and Phalanx. Meanwhile, you could clearly see the trembling in his fingers before he folded his hands together and looked at us >> If I heard correctly, the invasion wasn't your first time on Earth. <<

>> I'm glad for you that your hearing is still good. << I replied in a friendly tone.

You could see his fear of us slowly diminishing and he looked at me almost disappointed.

>> I see the other two have already warned you. So I suggest that we take this explanation of why the invasion and why we wanted to stop it. How would that be? Because I don't fancy a third round. << I said. Becka nudged me lightly with her elbow and whispered to me that I should calm down a bit.

>> You must understand that you and your people have left a great devastation on our planet. Because of your armada, we are even greatly weakened and now there is a huge UFO floating around somewhere on Earth and no one can locate it. <<

I leaned on the table with my arms >> I understand all that, but without us two we wouldn't be sitting here right now. <<

The agent flinched and leaned back on the seat back >> We're well aware of that. <<

>> Then what's the problem? << I interrupted him impatiently.

>> The problem is that we can't find the UFO that helped defend against the invasion. And we want answers. <<

I put my face in my hands >> We've already told you everything and advised you to look in Dulce, New Mexico. We even gave you the exact location of the entrance to their underground city. <<

>> That's why I want to talk to you. Our forces have found this underground city, or what's left of it. <<

Becka and I raised an eyebrow. Then the agent took another picture from his file and presented it to us. It was a picture of a huge crater in the New Mexico desert, near Dulce. Then he showed us another picture. One that was taken in the underground passage to the town, which was closed off with an avalanche of rocks. The inhabitants of the city were evacuated so that the launch of the ship would not shatter them.

>> We want to know if you know of another place where they could be hiding. <<

I shook my head.

>> Can't your satellites find the ship? << Becka then asked.

>> That would be easier if half of it hadn't been destroyed because of the invasion. <<

I put my face in my hands once more and took a deep breath. Then I wondered if it could be that the Phalanx had lied to us to possibly make their own invasion easier. If that was the case, what had they done with Eriny?

Then he nodded to the people behind the mirror and shortly afterwards I could no longer detect their presence >> Staff Officer Bristol spoke to me. He wanted authorization to take you two in to help with the search. <<

>> How can we help? << I asked skeptically.

>> He believes that you at least have a different understanding of technology that you can use to improve our radar systems. Or at least use it in ways we are not yet aware of. <<

Becka giggled and mumbled to me >> Like we have magical mechanic powers. <<

>> It's worth a try. Otherwise, you and the rest of your people will be taken into custody until a leader has an idea of what to do with you. <<

I scowled at him and lost the last drop of my politeness >> Are you trying to blackmail us? <<

>> I'm only offering you one chance. Either you help with the search and we press the government to assimilate your people into the population, or you'll all be deported to an uninhabited piece of land in the middle of nowhere until everyone forgets about you. Or worse. <<

Becka leaned on the table as well >> Can we have a moment, please? <<

The agent nodded and left the room. Becka then turned to me >> He's just trying to scare us. The governments of this world can't just ignore a problem like alien refugees. <<

I remembered back to the meeting at the Pentagon >> What if? We've both seen how humans can act with a lot of power. <<

>> If you mean this commander... <<

>> That's exactly who I mean. We can't just sit around and expect the weakened humans to lose to the Phalanx. We fought to make sure the humans don't die needlessly. And even if they could do it without us, what happens afterwards? Another civil war between the Grievers? Perhaps a revolution against humanity? That was not our goal, Becka. <<

>> Then why did you want to save the humans if you now think that not all of them are worth saving? <<

I looked at her in astonishment until I realized that I had contradicted myself. So I could no longer look her in the eye and searched for something on the table.

>> Did you want to do that because you saw how defenceless they are compared to us? Did something only change after Luke revealed our secret to you? Or do you have someone here that you can't let die? <<

My gaze snapped back to her >> Then what about you? You were suspicious yourself when the Phalanx took Eriny away from you. Do you really think they brought him back home? Why would they have done that? <<

A great worry built up inside her and she broke eye contact with me. I felt bad for giving her that worry just to get what I thought was right. Then she sighed and hesitated a little before speaking >> At least now I know I'm not the only one with this thought. All right, let's find them and get Eriny back to safety. <<

[paa-official]

Recording No. 4

A lot of time passed before anything happened. It felt like there was no end to it and the other people remained silent, which is why it felt like I was alone in that cell wing. To be honest, it also felt like I wasn't even alive anymore. But that finally changed when I heard the doors open on both sides and the lizards had entered the corridor.

The humans panicked as the lizards opened the cell doors one by one and led the humans away. I got up from the floor and approached the bars, but couldn't see anything. After a short while, however, three of these lizards came to our cell and I immediately took a few steps backwards. One of them took out the key to the door and I immediately had a very stupid idea. My escape was unlikely because I didn't know how many of these lizard-people were still hanging around in the corridor, but I wanted to do something.

The lizard opened the door and entered the cell. The other four tried to press themselves against the wall as the other two lizards tried to get them out and the old lady even started to whimper. The lizards then held out their staffs, whereupon a green spearhead sprang out.

The one with the keys came towards me and tried to grab my arm, but I kicked his leg with all my strength, causing him to fall to his knees. I took the opportunity to run out of the cell into the corridor and was immediately jumped on from the side by a lizard. I was lying on the floor with the lizard holding me and could see the corridor filled with these lizards, which were gradually taking people out of the cells. The lizard on top of me spoke in the clicking language to the one with the keys >> Have you grown weak over the years or what? How could a human bring you to your knees? <<

I wriggled around a bit and tried to free myself from his grip, but he was just able to hold me to the ground. Then the lizard replied >> The moss head is stronger than you think. <<

>> Yes, I realize that too. << he said a little tensely.

Two more lizards came and helped to hold me still and get me out of the corridor. Their grips had been very strong and firm and I hadn't been able to free myself. However, they had been very annoyed that I had resisted for some time. I hadn't intended to give them a break so that I might still be able to get free, but instead I was punched in the pit of my stomach, which almost made me breathless.

It wasn't long before we arrived in another section. This facility or ship – I wasn't quite sure what it was yet – had been divided into rings. And each ring seemed to have been good for one thing. Because where we arrived, there were many glass panes behind which there had been chambers. And the people were put into a chamber one by one. There were no beds or anything else there. Just a white floor and a white ceiling with lamps.

The two lizards threw me into one of the chambers and locked it immediately. As they ran away, one of them gave me a slightly disturbed look. They probably hadn't expected that they could barely keep a human under control and I wondered why. I banged my fists against the window and shouted after them >> What the fuck? << But I got no answer.

Just a sob from the chamber opposite me, from Klarissa, who had sat down on the floor and hugged her legs. I looked down and immediately realized that something was wrong with the floor. It looked as if there had been valves there. Just like on the ceiling. Before I had finished realizing it, they opened and a light green gas poured into my chamber.

My stomach acid came up and I looked in front of me again. The other chambers were also filled with this gas and the people were quickly enveloped in it. Then the gas blocked my vision and I held my breath. But my skin began to feel as if I had been pricked by an infinite number of needles. I quickly expelled the air and inadvertently drew in the gas. My throat started to burn and I was overcome by a cough that I couldn't shake off.

My knees went weak and I fell down. The coughing got worse and worse and I even spat blood onto the floor. Tears blurred my vision and I felt enormous pressure in my head, as if it could burst at any moment. Soon the air valves closed and the gas quickly dissipated into the air. I could breathe again, but the coughing continued. I looked over at Klarissa and she was lying flat on the floor, without any movement.

I struggled greedily and desperately for air and my lungs slowly calmed down. I spat out blood again and took a deep breath. Then I heard footsteps approaching. Xornud walked past my chamber and stopped when he saw me. He looked at me in surprise and told another lizard to keep an eye on me. I looked at him with contempt, to which he replied with a disgusted look.

Then a twitch ran through my entire body and the pain returned in sync with my heartbeat. I lost my body tension and fell to the side. The pain returned again and again and at shorter intervals as my heart beat faster. Before I lost consciousness, I could still see my skin changing. It turned green and scaly, but that was all I could see as my eyes suddenly went black.

I was haunted by another memory. I had been around five years old and was sitting in the back seat of my father's car. My parents were both in the front and we were driving back to Baltimore. We had been visiting my grandparents and were on our way home. It was already dark and it was raining heavily, so my dad slowed down. I tried to fight my tiredness, but my eyelids had been too heavy for me. I was able to look in the rear view mirror again and see that I had brown hair at the time, but after that my eyes closed and all I could do was listen to my parents talking and the rain hitting the car.

Then came a >> What the... << from my father and a car rammed into us from behind. I went into shock and saw through the windshield that we had left the road. A tree approached us far too quickly and then everything went black.

Two voices had been talking to each other about me. Apparently a nurse talking to a doctor >> Is he going to make it? <<

>> He was less badly hit than his parents. He's got a concussion, but he'll get over it all right. <<

>> And what about his parents? <<

The question was met with silence. But my eyes suddenly opened and I was lying in the front seat of another car. The airbags had deployed and had already deflated. The windshield had been smashed in and the hood was missing. That was no longer a memory. It was a dream.

The sun was shining down between the skyscrapers of New York and a few passers-by were talking to each other. The passenger side had been rammed by a military truck, smashing the windshield. Steam was rising from the engine, which was also hissing a little.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and leaned my body against my door so that it would open. It opened immediately and I fell onto the scratched asphalt full of broken glass. I was bleeding a little and had obviously had scratches on my head. The gloves I was wearing were torn, but I didn't pay any attention to it. Instead, I crawled away from the car with the last of my strength. Only to be surrounded by soldiers seconds later as I got to my feet. They had their guns pointed at me and one of them shouted at me to surrender before there were serious consequences.

I finally woke up, but still in this chamber. Xornud and another lizard were still standing in front of me. When I looked past them, the chambers opposite me had already been empty.

>> I don't understand this. << Xornud said thoughtfully >> How is that possible? <<

>> We don't know that either, General. <<

Xornud gave him a contemptuous look >> I'm the new warlord now, you good-for-nothing. Find out why he turned back and then give me the results. If it turns out that your gas isn't fully mature, I'll personally make sure that you experience Earth first hand once more. We must not waste time while the humans are still defenseless from the Griever attack and have not yet found us. <<

The other lizard saluted in agreement and Xornud then disappeared.

[paa-official]

Recording No. 3

Becka's voice echoed a little and was interrupted by explosions. The cool grass of Central Park wrapped carefully around my head, but Luke's warm blood warmed my right shoulder. Once again, as still images with a lifespan of milliseconds, the red, fiery face with the black horns loomed over me. The shrieks of the people in Manhattan blurred with those of the black creatures around me.

Then Becka shouted my name from a distance and I opened my eyes. I was in a hospital room. In a human hospital room, all alone. My hands had both been handcuffed to the frame under the mattress. I was hooked up to a monitor that measured my vitals and a needle on a tube was in my left arm through which an IV was being fed into my body.

For some reason, the human devices were able to keep me alive without any serious side effects, but I didn't have long to worry about it. The door in front of me opened and a doctor entered my room with Staff Officer Bristol. There were other policemen behind them, but Bristol reassured them that they didn't need to worry about me.

I tried to sit up, but my whole body ached and my head was spinning >> I would have been surprised if human medicine worked that well. << I then said in a rough and exhausted voice.

>> The dizziness is not caused by our medicines, but by a toxin in your body. In small doses, it can be healing and pain-relieving, but it seems you have overdosed. <<

I chuckled sarcastically >> Let's hope I don't develop an addiction. <<

Bristol stepped closer to my bed >> Apath, right? If you're up to it, I'd like to get a few questions answered from you. <<

>> First, tell me what happened with the invasion. <<

He looked at the doctor >> Do you need anything else, Doc? If not, I would ask you to leave the room. <<

The doctor nodded and walked out of the single room. Bristol took a chair and sat on it next to my bed >> The Grievers have retreated. Those flying pods must have put them on the run. <<

>> And what about Becka? << I interrupted him immediately.

>> She was asked some questions while you were recovering here. And she answered all of them openly and honestly. For now, you don't have to worry about politics yet, but we have another problem. <<

I sighed >> Which one? <<

Bristol leaned forward >> Who, or what, was in the pods? And where did they come from? <<

I hesitated at first, wondering if I was even allowed to tell them. But then I remembered that the Phalanx had talked about revealing themselves to the humans when they fought the Grievers >> The Men In Black, just like Agent X, are lizard people and they were trying to beat back the Grievers. <<

He leaned back again and crossed his arms >> And where do you think they are now? <<

I turned my head jerkily to Bristol >> What do you mean? <<

>> Where did those lizard people go? Our satellite systems couldn't locate them. <<

>> Have you looked under Dulce in New Mexico? <<

He shook his head >> There's just a huge crater there. If that's the size of the ship, we need to find out where it is before anything can happen. <<

I had to swallow >> Well, I'm sorry, but I know as much as you do. << >> Then you're going to help us find those lizardmen. <<

>> How? <<

He propped himself up on his knees and rose from his chair >> I'll try to get permission to take you under my supervision. << he said and walked towards the door.

I lifted my head and looked after the staff officer >> Wait, but why do you want me there? <<

>> You and Becka are going to help us find those lizard people. As you can imagine, we don't think it's a good thing that they suddenly disappeared after driving the Grievers away. By the way, there's someone here who also wanted to visit you. <<

He opened the door and let two Grievers in before stepping out of the room and closing the door behind him. The two Grievers were my parents, who looked at me worriedly and approached my bed. My mother had tears running down her cheeks when she saw me there >> My darling, what has happened to you? << she asked me in a trembling voice. She hugged me and tried to stifle her sobs.

>> Mom, Dad, how did you get to Earth? << I then asked the two of them.

My father answered me, as my mother was no longer able to speak >> Just before the troops were sent out, someone had sent files about our people's past to every inhabitant. The next day after the retreat, a civil war broke out between those who were in favor of the regime and those who were against it. <<

>> As many Grievers as possible tried to escape from the ship in the escape pods. We and the others had no choice but to flee to Earth. << my mother continued with a sniffle.

I carefully propped myself up on my elbows >> And where is the ship now? <<

They both looked down, but my father then spoke >> Due to the fighting all over the ship, the systems are down in almost all areas. That's why as many Grievers as possible wanted to escape from Naglfari. And two days ago... <<

My father stopped and couldn't finish the sentence. Instead, he calmly took a deep breath and began a new sentence >> Around 50,000 Grievers made it to Earth. The rest had suffered other circumstances along with the ship. <<

We all remained silent and I processed what had been said. But then I remembered what Markus had told me. It might not have been the best time, but I couldn't take it any longer. I finally had to know >> I have one more question. << I then said calmly >> I found out from someone that I got my empathy artificially. Is that true? <<

I looked at both of them expectantly and they exchanged a worried glance. They couldn't keep it from me any longer. My father wanted to start telling me everything, but my mother beat him to it >> Your father and I didn't manage to have a child. Not for a very long time. It had been our only wish. Not the arrival on the new planet or that our child would make all our people in the military proud. We just wanted a child. <<

>> Then one day... << my father interrupted >> an old friend of ours knocked on our door and brought you to us. She looked completely terrified and kept looking around as if someone was following her. She had kidnapped you from a laboratory where you were being experimented on. <<

>> She knew about our wish, which we couldn't fulfill. But she didn't bring you to us because of that. It was because she couldn't allow the life of a one-year-old child to be taken so that it could be used as a weapon. << said my mother.

>> We promised her we would protect you and keep you hidden from the military. << My father looked at the ground again >> That was the last time we saw her. Since then, we've done everything we could to make sure no one found out about your empathy. But we didn't know what would happen if we let you join the military. <<

I dropped back onto the pillow and stared at the ceiling >> Did I come out of a test tube then? <<

>> No. << my mom said >> Your biological parents were told that you didn't make it through the birth. Michelle could have brought you to them, but it seemed like they sniffed too much themselves and were removed. <<

A shiver ran down my spine. This regime had been pure horror. At that moment, I knew it was the right decision to speak out against it and hunt it down. However, I hadn't been convinced by the way we had done it. There could have been so many better ways to talk sense into the Grievers. And yet you can't undo what you've already done. I had to live with the fact that I was responsible for the extinction of a large part of my people.

[paa-official]

Recording No. 2

The force pressing down on me eased and I was able to sit down again. The others in my cell had huddled in a corner and were looking at the lizards in fear. Then a door opened at the other end of the corridor, which was much closer to us, and someone came towards the lizards. A little later, a smaller lizard-man stood in front of them, with swamp green scales, the head of a cobra and dark gray armor.

He stood with his hands behind his back and looked at the two waiting >> How can I help, Xaeros? <<

The gray one stood next to the green one, who looked down at the little one indignantly >> How do you explain this to me, Xornud? <<

He looked at the cells and spotted me. When he saw me, his gaze was surprised for a millisecond, but he seemed to remember me, as he gave a small sardonic smile >> I put my people in charge of bringing these people here. <<

Xaeros leaned his arms on his hips >> And is there a good reason why you did that? <<

Xornud chuckled mockingly >> Whether the reason is good depends on your mindset, my lord. <<

>> We'll decide on morality later. I want to know why you did this? <<

Klarissa realized that I was listening intently to the conversation and joined me on the floor >> Don't tell me you can understand their language. << she whispered.

>> I don't understand why myself, but I can roughly interpret what they're saying to each other. << I whispered back, but the lizards had overheard.

The gray one looked at me in amazement and muttered to himself >> How can a human do that? <<

Xornud giggled again and suddenly shouted across the corridor in English >> If they understand us here anyway, then we don't have to hide anything from these humans. <<

Xaeros also spoke to him in English >> Come on then. Enlighten us all. <<

>> Oh, with the greatest pleasure. << he said, glancing quickly at the gray. He then walked behind Xaeros and pretended to be interested in me, which was probably true. But he focused on the others' conversation.

>> I'm pretty sure we can beat back the blueskins. Especially with the help of that would-be hero Apath. After that, we can take advantage of the fact that the humans' defenses are weakened and take over the planet ourselves. <<

Xaeros snorted skeptically >> Why would we do that? We've been protecting the humans for centuries. <<

Xornud walked around a bit, with his hands still behind his back >> And we've been hiding in this hole in the ground we just left for just as long. <<

>> If you're not happy with our situation, General, I can give you some relief. We are revealing ourselves to all of humanity. If you are so confident of victory over the Grievers, then you probably know that the humans will thank us for it and we may not have to hide anymore. <<

He chuckled softly >> That's my problem. I don't want maybe or probably. I want guarantees. And I want the results now. <<

The gray one finally turned from me and turned to Xaeros. Klarissa whispered to me again >> Do you understand what's happening? <<

But I just shook my head. I already had trouble remembering the last few days, how was I supposed to understand what happened there? >> And what do the humans have to do with it? << Xaeros asked.

Xornud pointed to the cells with his hand >> These ones will help us achieve this goal. <<

>> In what way? What goal? <<

>> I won't tell you until I'm sure you're on our side too. <<

>> That doesn't look so good for you right now. <<

A devilish grin formed on Xornud's face >> We figured as much. <<

The gray quickly took a sword hilt and held it to Xaero's back. Before I could blink, a glowing green blade extended and pierced his chest, causing him to put on a shocked look. The blade retracted and Xaeros fell to his knees, causing Xornud to come closer to him and bend down in front of his face >> This is what happens to you when you neglect your people's desire to live on the surface and instead protect these worms. << he spat at him >> Selfless piece of shit. <<

Xaeros coughed up black blood, but couldn't get another word out. He raised his hand and tried to grab Xornud's face with it, but he just held his head up and took a sword like the gray's and slit Xaeros' throat. More black blood gushed out and splattered Xornud's face. He let go of the gasping body, which immediately fell to the ground, and stood up again, breathing deeply. All the people who had seen this gasped in shock and some of them tried to crawl further back, even though there was a wall in their way.

The gray lizzard then spoke to Xornud in their own language >> Well done. You are now the warlord of the Phalanx. <<

Xornud bowed >> Thank you, Torx. Let us now save our Earth. <<

>> Where did your second sword go? << Torx asked as they walked along the corridor and were about to leave us. Meanwhile, two more lizards came and took the dead body away.

>> I gave it to Apath. If he doesn't die from the high dose of our painkillers, it will be from the bomb I planted in my hilt. <<

The two of them eventually disappeared and we were all left in the cells. I just remember clutching my legs and sitting still in place. The noises around me either died away or no one dared to make a sound. But then everything blurred except for a light and formed a new environment. An environment that I remembered well. The gym I had visited with a friend from college.

The black-haired Canadian, who was only a few centimeters taller than me, was called Derek. The most memorable thing about him was probably his laid-back demeanor and the charm with which he dragged the girls into our room. Which is why he usually had to claim the room for himself or had slept somewhere else during the night.

We were both in a boxing ring and did a bit of sparring training together. But I felt a bit different that day than I usually did. It wasn't because Derek had dragged me to a party before the end of the previous semester and then forced me into a game of beer pong, which is why I had to jog around campus in a maid's dress that night. I felt rather distressed, but couldn't remember what for. Derek blocked my attacks, but he didn't get to land a hit himself. I hadn't given him time to do so. Unintentionally, to be more precise. But when he dared to hit me with a hook, I ducked down and wiped his legs off the ground with my foot. He fell and had to catch himself with his arms. When he landed, I buckled back and immediately offered him my hand.

>> You can be a bit more gentle with me, Bruce Lee. << he said jokingly. >> Sorry, I didn't mean to. << I replied and patted him on the shoulder. We left the ring and went to the bench next to it. I started to take off my gloves and Derek took a towel, which he pressed to his face >> Do you know what I've noticed about you over the last few days? << he then asked me.

When he put the towel on his lap, I shook my head.

>> You're calmer than usual. Is everything really all right? And don't lie to me this time. <<

I put my gloves in my bag and sighed >> You don't need to worry. Really. <<

>> Then why do you look so depressed? Did someone call you broccoli head again? <<

I smiled at him >> No. It's all good. <<

He shook his head in disbelief and pulled off his gloves so he could drink from his bottle.

>> So how's Amanda doing? << he then asked and I felt caught out about something.

>> Fine. Why do you ask? <<

He chuckled slightly >> I don't like your short answers. Tell me, what's going on? Did you have a fight with her? <<

I was getting a little uncomfortable with it all, but I knew I could trust Derek and stop lying to him. He helped me get through most of college and supported me. He even left his hook-up dates for me in return.

I rummaged around in my bag some more and then dropped my head back with a sigh >> We didn't fight. We're... Are taking a break. <<

I looked over at him again and could see the shocked look on his face, which he tried to hide >> Break... This... This is... <<

>> Not exactly the best. << I then said with a sarcastic tone, to which Derek immediately nodded with a smile.

After a short silence, he dared to say something >> I just remembered, do you have any plans tonight? I'm meeting someone and I could ask her to bring her friend for you. You know, as a distraction. <<

I had already packed my things in my bag and was zipping it up >> I appreciate your help. I don't know what I'd do without you, but I don't feel like distracting myself right now. <<

>> Oh yeah, sure. << He stood up and packed his things as well >> If you need anything, just let me know. I'll be happy to help. <<

After this sentence, I returned to the cell where we had been for several hours without anything happening. There had only been machine noises from outside and much further away there was also something that was too quiet for me to interpret.

[paa-official]

Recording No. 1

I was asleep and dreaming something, but it was a memory. I had retreated to my room and curled up on my bed. Something had thrown me off track that day, which was why I didn't want to talk to anyone. I had avoided human contact all day and wanted to leave it at that. But then someone knocked on the door and a blonde girl came in. I had been about 15 years old in this memory, as was the girl, but I had forgotten her name. I had forgotten a few things.

She was definitely not related to me, otherwise I would have noticed any similarities with me. The only question was why she was with me. She sat down next to me on the bed and hugged me from the side without saying anything. The warm feeling that came from the hug, maybe it hadn't been as strong in memory as it actually was, but it was very comfortable and felt like my own home. Something I seemed to miss. Maybe I had been homesick.

I opened up from my huddled position and took her in my arms myself and she leaned into me. >> It's ok. << her soft voice said. My eyes glazed over and I leaned my head on hers. What had happened that day that I couldn't hold back my tears? Normally – I still remembered this – I had always hidden my tears so that no one would recognize my weakness. But it was okay with her. She was allowed to see me weak.

I woke up and was lying in a bed, but unfortunately not my own. It had been an old folding mattress with an equally old, checkered, thin blanket over me and a flat, white pillow. I was lying on my stomach with my face turned to the side. There were three more beds like this next to me, each with one person sitting on it. A middle-aged woman in jogging clothes, a presumably Indian letter carrier and a man in a gray suit, who had put away his jacket.

I slowly sat up and immediately felt a headache. As I sat on the mattress, I noticed that there was another old lady sitting on a bed on the other side, looking at me, slightly startled. I grabbed my head >> Where are we? << I asked into the room. But no one answered. It remained quiet.

Then the woman opposite me dared to say something and spoke with a slight German accent >> If only we knew. We were all kidnapped here a few days ago. <<

>> Kidnapped? By whom? <<

Her lips trembled as she tried to speak, but finally managed to say something >> By men in black suits. <<

I giggled at her in disbelief >> We were abducted by the Men in Black? What for? <<

>> Hey, newcomer. << the man in the suit said >> We don't know any more than you do. So could you please be quiet? I'm trying to suppress my panic. <<

I looked at him with a hysterical look and shook my head slightly. This made me realize something in the corner of my eye. There was no wall to the right of us, but bars. Before I noticed them, I hadn't noticed that the walls, floor and ceiling were made of the same dark gray steel. Everything outside this cell was also made of this steel. And opposite our cell, on the other side of a very wide corridor, the wall consisted of other cells with five people in each.

I stood up slowly and walked to the bars. The entire corridor had had these cells with people in them. And every single person looked down in fear, trying to avoid eye contact with me. The woman came over to me and crossed her arms >> What's your name anyway? << she asked me.

I hadn't noticed her and my gaze snapped over to her. Her long, brown hair had probably not been washed for a few days and she also had some dust on her face, as if someone had dragged her across the floor.

>> Eriny. Eriny Jackson. << I could still remember.

She looked at me and held out her hand >> Klarissa Neufeld. <<

I took her hand >> Why are you calmer than the others? <<

The corner of her mouth twitched upwards and she replied with her accent >> You can only scare us Germans with the tax office. Where are you from anyway? <<

I turned my gaze away from her and thought about it >> Washington. As far as I remember correctly. <<

>> Have you lost your memory? <<

>> Could be. I must have hit my head a bit too hard. <<

>> What do you still remember? <<

>> Besides my name and where I'm from... << I scratched the back of my head >> I had a family. And I think I'm even going to college. <<

>> And your hair? <<

>> What about them? <<

She pointed to it >> They're green. <<

>> They have always been green. <<

Suddenly, a sliding door opened in the distance and a few people walked through the corridor. The people who had been whispering to each other earlier, even though there weren't many of them, were immediately silent, as if they weren't there. The footsteps slowed down now and again, but the people didn't stop. Then they started talking to each other in a clicking and hissing language. That threw me off again. They didn't sound like humans at all. And although I didn't know this language, I understood what they were saying to each other.

Klarissa tried to lean closer to the bars and see who was coming from there, but she saw nothing as two large shadows appeared on the floor. Meanwhile, I tried to concentrate on the conversation. The first had been horrified that there were so many people in the cells and asked the other if he knew anything about it.

But he replied more calmly >> I had no idea. But I have seen Xornud's assistants entering and leaving this part of the ship many times. << was roughly the wording. At least that was what I could interpret.

The two stopped and the first spoke to someone else >> Bring him here. I want to speak to him now. <<

They kept walking and talking to each other again >> If it turns out he's responsible, I'll throw him out of the ship in front of everyone when it's in the air. <<

>> Shouldn't we let him live until we've stopped the invasion? <<

>> If we don't punish him, everyone will think they can do whatever they want too. <<

The footsteps came closer and closer to our cell and I slowly backed away. Klarissa looked at me in astonishment >> What is it? << she whispered to me.

Before I could answer her, the two stood in front of our cell and looked inside. Two large lizards, at least two heads taller than I was. One of them was slender and had poisonous green scales and yellow on its belly. Its eyes were blue and it had the head shape of a Komodo dragon. He wore golden armor and a red cloak. The other, however, was much more muscular, had gray scales and black diamond patterns. On its head was a crest with red fans that reached down to its back. There was another small part of the crest on its tail. Its eyes were glowing red and fangs protruded from its jaws. Unlike the other, he wore dark gray armor, without cloaks or anything else.

When Klarissa turned to them, she immediately froze and fell silent. The green one looked at us with concern and shock, while the gray one looked down at us somewhat dismissively and crossed his arms as they stopped in front of our cell. The green one turned to the gray one and Klarissa walked slowly to the back. I tried not to distract myself from her and concentrated on the conversation.

>> We mustn't tell the two Grievers that. We have built up a peaceful relationship with them. We must not jeopardize that. Otherwise we will have lost their trust. <<

The gray one nodded >> I agree with you. Especially since this one was brought here by those two. << he then pointed at me.

The green one's gaze lingered on me. I looked at both of them with wide eyes and began to sweat. Then the floor started to shake. So much so that I couldn't keep my balance and fell backwards. The two lizards, however, remained upright. They were wearing some kind of shoes, which I assumed meant they were able to keep their footing.

After a minute, the jolting stopped, even if a deep rumbling further away wouldn't stop. And then I felt a force pressing down on me. Similar to an elevator, but a little stronger.

The lizards continued their conversation >> If we have repelled the invasion, then we will release the humans. But let's not forget that we have to erase this part from their memories. <<

>> Let's worry about that when we've survived the invasion and saved humanity. << the gray one concluded.

As he spoke of saving, a disgusted look appeared on his face. I didn't know how I ended up there, who or what these lizards were, what they were up to or what invasion they were talking about. But something told me that the gray one had been hiding something from the other.

[paa-official]

Dialogue

[clicking audio tape]

My name is Alethia Wilson and I am reporting from a small police station in Alamo, Nevada on August 18, 1969. Today I am interviewing another person who was also involved in the Area 51 break-in. Apath Wilson answered my questions sparsely and instead of telling me why and how they broke into the base, he told me how he came to earth. Needless to say, his story gave me more questions than it answered. But I have a suspicion that he will have a reason for telling me this story, but I'm not sure I want to know it.

Anyway, today I continue my work with someone else. According to the data from the physical observation, we have here a white man with green hair and eyes. He has a large scar on his face that goes from his forehead down to his left cheek. His left eye appears to be unharmed. According to the measurements, he is 1.75 m tall and has a muscular build.

Among the items he was carrying was a screen similar to Apath's and it displayed the same time and date. In addition to the armor, which strongly resembled Apath's, he also had two metal bracers, the purpose of which I haven't quite figured out yet. There were also two pistols that could fold up. I don't know what they're supposed to do, or if they're just broken.

[sighs] Intentions and motivation are unknown. His fingerprints were also sent everywhere and there were no results anywhere. The results of a saliva sample, however, indicate a relationship to a certain... Harold Jackson. He had already been asked if he knew this person, but this lead came to nothing. Of course, a saliva sample was also taken from Apath, but the result was not a match. The only question that remains is whether this can all be true or whether four people are playing the prank of the century on the American government. Either way, I'm getting ready for the interrogation. [Clicking noise]

Good morning. My name is Alethia Wilson. Would you mind telling me your name?

Pff. I think you already know it. After all, Apath did tell you how he came to Earth.

... The cells aren't far apart, are they?

What did you expect from a police station in Alamo? There are fewer inhabitants here than words in my file, which was recently opened by you.

I see, then I'll make a note of your first name, since you confirmed it for me. What's your last name?

Jackson. ... Jackson. Did you hear about the result of your saliva sample?

First of all, just call me by my first name. Otherwise I feel older than I am. Secondly, I'm aware of what the test has revealed.

Then I think you'll understand that it can't be a coincidence that you and... [scrolls around] Harold have the same last name, right?

You and Apath have the same last name too.

Yes, and he said he'd explain it to me, but that now wasn't the time. Could you please enlighten me on that?

... As far as the Apath thing is concerned, it's actually still a bit too early. But Harold... is my grandfather. And his son, who will be born in three years' time, is my father. I'll be born in 1997.

... That didn't help me at all.

I come from a different time. Just like Apath and the other two. However, Apath and I come from the same timeline, and the others come from a different one.

Okay, let's assume that's actually true about the time travel...or makes any sense at all.

It's not time travel. It's a little more complicated than that.

For all I care. What happened after the Grievers retreated?

[paa-official]

Case Description - Cold Blood Case

Name of the interrogator: Alethia Wilson

Suspects name: Eriny Jackson, Apath Wilson

Location: Lincoln County Sheriff's Department Alamo Substation

Date of interrogation start: August 18th 1969

Origin of suspect: Baltimore, USA

Physical observation: Caucasion, green hair color, scar on the face

Reason for custody: Infiltrating Area 51

Motivation: Unknown

Methods: Unknown

Note:

Objects carried by the individual seem to have no plausible purpose, because of their strange built and origin

First attempt of talking unsuccessful

Recordings:

Dialogue / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11

Gathered Information through interrogation:

[paa-official]

Recording No. 25

The shuttles and the pods began a firefight in which the Phalanx's surprise gave them the advantage. The Griever army slowly shrunk, but the wrecks of the shuttles crashed into the skyscrapers and caused even more damage. But at least humanity had had a chance to survive.

Luke watched it all with a shocked expression on his face and then turned to us >> That's enough, you've messed up enough. << and walked back towards me with his sword.

>> That's enough now. Before you hurt yourself. << someone called out from Luke's shuttle. It had been the gruff voice I had heard in the recordings on the ship, and Becka seemed to have recognized it as well.

A male Griever in a white robe stepped out slowly and flipped his large hood back. Miran looked older than us, but younger than he should've been. His hair was still deep black, with no sign of a single gray hair. But his face had several scars, scars from the war on Aurora.

>> Step aside, good-for-nothing. << he ordered Luke as he continued to walk towards us. Confused, but respectful, he took a step to the side and let Miran through, who came to a halt a meter or two away from me.

>> You've given me a real headache, Empath. If it hadn't been so difficult to get into your head, I would have erased your memory long ago. And now this. <<

>> Excuse me, but where did you come from all of a sudden? << Luke intervened.

Miran turned his head slightly to the side >> I was in your shuttle the whole time. You just didn't see me because I didn't let you. <<

>> Yes, all well and good, but I don't think you should be here. <<

Now he turned completely to Luke >> I decide where I can and can't be. And you should have listened to my advice better. <<

Luke looked at him puzzled and slowly walked towards him >> I had trusted him. <<

>> And where did your trust get you? <<

I extended the middle part of my sword again and stood ready. Becka noticed this and also extended the middle part of her sword. >> I'm sorry, but what are you doing here? << Luke then asked.

Without saying anything, Miran grabbed Luke by his vest and lifted him up with one hand. All our eyes widened and I even stepped backwards.

>> I'm here to sort something out. And you're interrupting me. <<

Before Luke could respond, Miran threw him across the park. He landed somewhere behind the trees, but I couldn't see him. The sound of his landing was also drowned out by the noise above us, which made me sick with worry.

>> And now for you two. << Miran said menacingly and came towards us. Becka activated her blade, but she had been too slow and Miran had already grabbed her from behind. Before he threw her backwards, I realized that it wasn't Becka who was too slow, but Miran who was too fast. There was something wrong with him and I had the feeling that Markus hadn't told me everything.

Becka wasn't thrown far, instead she rolled a few meters behind us on the grass until she came to a stop. Then Miran turned back to me. Panicked, I clutched my sword with both hands and activated my blade, even though I feared it wouldn't be enough.

Miran took a deep breath and calmed down >> You know what? We can still save all of this. Our people may be splitting, but we can still turn the situation around. <<

I took up a fighting stance >> Why should I work with you? <<

He tilted his head for a moment >> Reveal our secret to everyone? That was a good move. I want to team up with you because unlike your friend, you have something on your mind. <<

I charged at him and swung for his neck. But I missed. Miran dodged to the side in a flash and stood there with his arms behind his back. As I straightened up again, I saw his eyes light up briefly. >> I know you can't influence me. But you're not going to persuade me anyway. <<

With a disappointed look on his face, he ran at me, but I lashed out again, hoping to catch him. But he dodged every one of my blows and grabbed my arm with which I was holding my sword. He then spoke to me calmly >> We can still save the future of our people. <<

His features were completely serious. I could forget to use my empathy against him, but it hadn't been necessary. You could see the pain in him. >> Yes, we can. << I answered him calmly >> But not like this. <<

I dropped the sword in my other hand and struck at his neck again. He let go of my arm again and stumbled backwards. At the end of the swing, I picked up the sword again with my other hand and slashed down at him from above. I was sure I could finally hit him, but his skin quickly turned to a rock-hard crust and the blade bounced off against it.

Perplexed, I stood there and Miran wiped my legs off the floor with his feet. I closed my eyes and felt my shoulder hit the ground. Footsteps approached quickly and when I opened my eyes, Becka was trying to catch Miran's head with her sword as he stood over me. But instead of dodging, he hardened his hands and held the blade. Then he pulled the sword away from her and threw it behind him. Her astonishment prevented her from reacting and he grabbed her by the neck.

>> No! << I shouted and pushed myself up as fast as I could. Then I reached out from underneath and cut off his arm, as the crust had already disappeared. Blood shot out of his arm, but he showed no reaction. Just a mock astonished face and within seconds his arm grew back.

Miran chuckled mockingly >> How cute. But now let's all come to our senses. <<

Desperate, Becka kicked at Miran, but he simply grabbed her foot and pushed her backwards so that she fell onto her back.

>> We could have asked the humans for asylum. << I then said, trying to talk some sense into Miran himself.

He lifted his chin a little >> I will not show weakness in front of these insects. And I certainly won't explain the mistakes of my ancestors to them. <<

I retracted the blade again >> The humans would have helped. None of this would have been necessary. <<

>> The humans are poisoning their own planet, as my people did on Aurora. << He paused for a moment and took an indignant breath >> I will not allow history to repeat itself. <<

>> We could have told the humans about it. So that they could learn from it and we could help them. <<

Miran became horrified and started to speak up, his eyes lighting up again >> The humans are the same as my people were. I can change everything. We will not have to live with this shame and we will raise this planet again. This will be our new Aurora, even better than the real one and this time it won't go down in global disasters! <<

He was no longer in control of himself and a shockwave emanated from his hands, throwing me backwards. I lost my grip on the sword in flight and couldn't follow him with my gaze. My entire focus was on the pain in my stomach and the pressure I felt as I hit the ground. My vision blurred immediately and I felt dizzy. I started to see everything double and triple as Miran then approached me.

When he was close enough to me, my dizziness eased and I started to see normally again. But I could hardly move because the pain in my stomach pinned me to the floor. Then he knelt down and put his hand on my shoulder.

>> I was hoping you would understand me. <<

I strained to be able to say something >> And I had no hope left for you. <<

His pitying look quickly distorted into pure rage and he hardened his other hand to slap my face with it. >> Scum. You're jeopardizing our future. An affair with a human. What do you call something like that? <<

He continued to punch me in the face until Becka's voice rang out behind him >> This isn't an affair, you cold-hearted bastard. <<

She slashed along his spine with her sword, but his reaction was the same as with his arm. Only this time he exhaled in annoyance and turned to her. Becka could barely stand upright and had suffered minor injuries to her face. And Miran was ready to end it all for her. Which is why I tried to sit up, but then spat out blood. My nose felt like it had been broken and everything smelled and tasted like iron, which made me feel sick.

Then Luke suddenly appeared behind Miran and rammed my blade into his shoulder from above. He groaned slightly in pain, but then sighed >> When will you finally realize that? You can't kill me. <<

>> Then I'll aim for the head next time. <<

Miran chuckled mockingly >> Have fun with that. <<

The communication device in Luke's watch suddenly spoke up >> All units, immediate abort. We are retreating to the ship. I repeat, immediate retreat. <<

Miran growled angrily >> I hope that wasn't your doing. <<

His eyes slowly lit up again, but there was no further shockwave. Instead, the hilt of Xornud's blade exploded and the blast enveloped Miran's face. Luke was thrown backwards, with one arm less, and the headless body slumped lifelessly to the ground. Blood gushed from his neck and soaked the grass.

Shocked, I pushed myself off the ground and limped over to Luke, who was lying on the ground breathing shallowly. At that moment, I had forgotten everything. I threw myself over him, kneeling down, and carefully held him by his body and head. He was breathing heavily and looked at me disoriented >> Apath. << he whispered >> I did this... For you... << He started coughing.

I started sobbing uncontrollably and couldn't stop myself from crying >> Please. Save your strength. <<

He lifted his hand and stroked my cheek. His palm had already started to get cold >> I'm... I'm sorry. For... Everything. << he whispered softly with the last of his strength, then his hand dropped and his gaze froze.

My eyes went black, but I could still see Becka standing next to us in the corner of my eye. Before I could see nothing but black, I wanted to turn towards her, but then I fell to the side. I could still feel her shaking me and heard her calling my name. I opened my eyes again and saw the Griever shuttles disappear and the Phalanx pods fly off in a different direction. After that, everything was black. And the noise slowly faded in my head.

It had been quiet until a female voice spoke to someone >> This is abnormal. They shouldn't be here. We have to intervene. <<

A male responded >> It's too late. Too much has changed. All we can do now is watch this strand and make sure it doesn't come into contact with others. <<

>> But... <<

>> Do as I said. <<

[paa-official]

Recording No. 24

The noises from the street had suddenly returned. Or they just suddenly appeared because they weren't there before. Jenny looked me in the eye again and then she also noticed the noise from outside, so she got up and ran to the window. Cars were driving through the area with screeching tires and passers-by were running back and forth frantically.

I went over to her and looked outside too, but instead of looking down, I turned my attention upwards. The armada of our army had arrived and it looked like they had followed exactly what I had inadvertently told Luke to do. Then Jenny's phone rang. It was her father >> Dad? <<

The staff officer's voice had been heard softly through the speaker >> Honey. Are you out with James yet? <<

>> No, I didn't want to go with him. <<

>> At least you're not in one of the bases. They've all been destroyed. Please make your way out of Manhattan before the aliens get you. <<

The two were still talking while I noticed a single shuttle fly towards Central Park and land in the middle of it.

I immediately turned to Jenny “ Please do as your father says. And please take care of yourself. “ I told her and ran out the door.

>> Wait, where are you going? <<

I turned around and took on my human form >> I need to talk to a friend one last time. <<

Outside the door, James was still waiting >> Aye, what's your hurry? <<

I simply pushed him aside and ran down the fire escape. The streets were pure chaos. People were all bumping into each other and not caring if anyone fell. Drivers were speeding through the streets, squealing their tires. Some even took garbage cans with them and didn't seem to care about pedestrians either.

I carefully tried to cross the road, avoiding a few cars. They all honked at me as if I had been the problem, forgetting what was buzzing around in their skies. Surprising as it was, the shuttles and warships hadn't fired yet. They were actually just buzzing around Manhattan like vultures, waiting for something.

The park had been empty, not a soul far and wide, so I took on my own shape again. And the closer I got to the center where the shuttle had landed, the slower the shuttles moved in the sky. They had spread out all over Manhattan and were taking up specific positions.

Then I arrived at the shuttle and there were two Grievers. Luke, who was holding Becka and tapping his foot impatiently on the ground >> Looks like you weren't lying. << he said to Becka.

>> Hey, let her go. She's not to blame. This was all me. << I shouted to Luke when I was only a few meters away from him.

>> Oh really? Then why did she publicly reveal secret information from the archives? <<

Becka resisted, but Luke's grip had been too strong. He probably hadn't minded her wriggling around. And to calm her down, he squeezed her arm tighter, causing her to cry out and lose her grip on her legs. I jerked forward, but stopped myself from rushing to her.

>> You must have recovered well from last night. A few scratches are still there, but you seem to be able to move well. <<

>> Come on. You know as well as I do that none of this is necessary. << I called out again.

>> Which one? This meeting or the attack? Thanks for your tactical advice, by the way. The humans really are an easy target. All I have to do is give the command and your beautiful city will be dust and ashes. <<

Becka took advantage of the moment he was distracted and kicked him in the soft parts with her knee. His grip loosened and she was free, but I knew she wouldn't make it far. >> Becka! << I shouted and ran to them. Because before she could hit him in the side of the face, he had caught her with his fist and she fell backwards. I was with him at that moment and activated Xornud's blade. I swung sideways, but Luke dodged backwards and I missed his throat by a little.

>> Nice piece. Did your scaly friends give it to you? <<

I held the sword in front of me with both hands and stood with my legs apart >> Luke, do you really want to serve someone who betrays his own people? <<

>> Miran has been dead for a long time. I serve the military. <<

>> That doesn't make it any better. <<

>> Are you saying that you can't understand why the military kept the truth from everyone? If everyone had known that from the beginning, many would have spoken out against the invasion and we wouldn't have gotten anywhere. <<

>> You are about to wipe out an innocent species. How can you be so blinded? <<

>> I am the deluded one? You would sacrifice yourself for a primitive species that is slaughtering itself . <<

>> And the Grievers didn't have a similar story? <<

He pulled out his hilt and activated his blade >> Just tell me if you've really been my friend all these years . <<

Becka slowly got up and stood next to me. I gave Luke an uncomprehending look.

>> All these years, were my feelings towards you even real? <<

My eyes widened >> Who told you that? <<

>> A telepath from the archives. You probably noticed him too, otherwise you wouldn't have had a headache, would you? <<

My fingers gripped the handle much tighter >> You were just testing me. <<

>> That's the normal procedure when someone is initiated. And you even slipped away from him. <<

I took another swing from above, but Luke stepped aside. Then I tried to hit him from the side, but he took a step back. Suddenly, fighter jets and helicopters appeared in the sky and fired their missiles at the shuttles, but they were repelled by their shields. Fighting vehicles appeared on the streets and shot into the sky, but the bullets had no effect. The humans were hopelessly outgunned by the Grievers.

Then Luke spoke into his radio watch >> Launch the attack. <<

Without hesitation, the air units began shooting at the human machines and the skyscrapers. One shot each was enough to disable the military technology. One missile tore a huge hole in each of the buildings. The guns tore through the defenceless people and their vehicles as if they had never been there.

I quickly took out my own sword hilt and gave it to Becka. Then I charged at Luke again, slashing at him in short bursts. But he blocked every one of my attacks until he had the chance to punch me in the face with his fist. I fell onto the floor with the back of my head. And as long as I was lying there, Luke tried to ram his sword into me, but I rolled to the side. Before I could get up properly, he went straight for the next blow, tearing the earth out of the ground.

The blade had been too heavy for me to lift it up in time to block his blow. But suddenly another blue blade appeared in front of me and stopped Luke's blow. Becka held her sword with all her strength and pushed against its enormous strength. He kept pushing and she had to swipe his blade upwards. But that didn't stop him and he took another sideways swing at Becka. We both took a step backwards and dodged his sword.

A burning jet had been crashing above us and was spinning on its own axis. The ensuing explosion shook the ground and bent the trees with the shockwave.

>> You know what? << Luke then spoke >> I'm not actually here to deal with you two. <<

He tapped something on his watch and walked over to his shuttle. Becka wanted to run after him and stab her blade into his back, but I quickly restrained her. But I quickly regretted that decision, because another shuttle soon appeared behind us and kept its guns on us. I could already hear them charging and saw the plasma light up in the barrel.

Then there was a bang. Something had hit the hull of the shuttle, causing it to start burning. This was followed by two more shots and the shuttle fell to the ground. Its turbines shredded the grass as it skidded sideways along the ground and when it hit a tree, it finally exploded. We all looked up and many smaller, dark gray pods flew towards the Griever air units.

[paa-official]

Recording No. 23

Becka had put on Markus' clothes and equipment, which were taken from him before he was put in his cell. Then, as she took off her watch and strapped his around her wrist, she pressed the home button, which told the ship that she was ready to teleport. We were both outside the ship, where she also took the form of Markus >> How do I look? << she then asked.

I just made a face >> Horrible. <<

She pulled an offended face >> It's not my fault he's so old. Where am I going to meet you? <<

>> I'll wait for you in Central Park. <<

>> Why do you want to go to Manhattan? <<

>> I have something to do there. <<

>> Hey. << Xornud called over from the entrance to the ship >> Wait a minute. <<

He took one of his sword hilts from his belt and handed it to me >> You'll probably need it, whatever you're up to. <<

I took his sword hilt >> Don't you need it yourself? <<

But he shook his head >> We're trying to make our ship fly. The sword won't help much. <<“

>> But it hasn't flown for many years, why would it do that now? <<

He looked around first, then came closer to me >> Not many people know this, but we've been tinkering with this thing for ages. And I'm optimistic that it will fly. We'll give you air support if your military attacks. <<

I took a closer look at the hilt of the sword. The hilt was made of the dark gray steel and felt a little heavier than my own hilt. Then I extended the steel center section where the plasma came from. The shape was a little curved and was actually only one-sided. Only at the end of the blade was there plasma on both sides.

I deactivated the blade and thanked Xornud. He nodded and re-entered the ship. The doors closed behind him. Then I said goodbye to Becka and walked to the train station to take the automated train to Manhattan.

It was now afternoon when I arrived at Jenny's house. People had still been clueless and were going about their lives as if there were no problems. One man even held the door open for me when he wanted to leave the house. There was the kindness of the people. Why was it that there were only such great personalities among the common folk, but as soon as someone had power, they were ready to wipe out an alien species?

I stood outside her door and heard Jenny arguing with someone. I didn't recognize the voice, but to her it was someone she had known for a while. And not in a positive way. I knocked on the door, but the conversation didn't stop. Instead, they continued discussing when Jenny came to the door and opened it. She froze in mid-sentence when she saw me and stared at me open-mouthed.

I smiled embarrassedly >> Hi. <<

The male voice called out from the apartment, snapping Jenny back to reality >> Who's there? <<

She shook her head quickly and stepped aside to let me in. Once inside, I walked further in and saw a man standing in the living room. His brown hair was slicked back and he was wearing a black flight jacket over a white shirt. He looked at me obliquely >> Do we know each other? <<

>> I don't think so. << I held out my hand to him >> I'm Apath, by the way. <<

He didn't accept my handshake >> Cool, I'm James. Sorry, but you came at an inconvenient moment. <<

>> Oh, I heard that outside. <<

James looked at me in surprise and was about to say something, but Jenny took a closer look at my face. I had taken on my human form, but I couldn't hide the wounds. >> What happened to your face? << she asked anxiously.

>> Oh, nothing at all. Just a little fight. <<

>> But it doesn't look very little. <<

>> Pff. You never said that to me. << James muttered under his breath and Jenny gave him a > Are you serious? < look.

Then she turned back to me >> Sorry, Apath. This is my ex. James, this is Apath. We met two months ago. <<

My thinking went out of me and I stood there petrified. My eyes showed fear as I looked at James, but I tried to cover it up.

>> Before or after we broke up? << James asked discontentedly.

>> You know what? I think I'd rather wait outside. << I said and wanted to leave the apartment.

But James declined this offer >> No, why don't you stay here? At least we can both get to know each other now and end this conversation more quickly. <<

>> James. << Jenny appealed.

>> What? I want to make friends with your new boyfriend. I'm allowed to do that, right? << he defended himself and came towards me.

He gently pushed Jenny aside and put his arm over my shoulder >> What are you going to do with her? <<

I just sighed and grabbed my face.

He looked over at Jenny with a smile >> I think we're already getting on well. <<

>> No, you don't. Now get out of here. << Jenny said, completely annoyed.

>> But your father asked me to take you to him. <<

>> Yes, only because he can't ask anyone else and he wanted to recruit you into the military anyway. <<

>> He said it was for your safety. <<

Jenny pulled James away from me and addressed him sternly >> Should I remind you what you told me last time? Why are you worried about my safety now? <<

He pulled his shoulders up innocently >> Because he threatened to give me a second asshole. <<

I looked over at them, distraught. I had taken the staff officer seriously, but that was just terrifying, it sent shivers down my spine. >> That sounds like my father. << she said approvingly >> But why does he want to take me to safety? And where to? <<

>> I have no idea. He told me about some threat that's coming our way soon. That's all he's allowed to say. <<

>> That also sounds like my father. <<

I spoke up cautiously, clearing my throat >> Well, that's why I'm here. <<

They both looked at me intently, James looking at me rather skeptically with one eyebrow raised. I thought about what I should say to make it sound credible. But I got the suspicion that the two of them, or at least James, wouldn't believe me, so I breathed out >> Fuck it, you won't believe my words anyway. << and took on my real form.

They both froze to stone and stared at me with wide eyes. James came back to himself first and asked Jenny >> Did you know that? <<

Instead of saying anything, she shook her head, not believing what was happening. Then James grabbed his head >> Shit. You fucked an alien? <<

>> No... Why does everyone think of that right away? << I said desperately.

James carefully came closer to me and looked at my yellow eyes >> Woah. So that's why they're yellow. I thought you wore contact lenses. <<

I rolled my eyes >> Yeah, great James. Would you mind waiting outside then? I'm really only here to talk to Jenny. <<

>> You want me to leave her alone with you? <<

>> James. Fuck off. << Jenny ordered, to which he gave her a dirty look.

>> James, do what she tells you. <<

>> Else what? Are you going to shove a probe up my ass? <<

I grabbed him by the back of the neck and dragged him to the door. I opened it and kicked him out before closing the door again and turning back to Jenny.

>> I'm sorry, but this can't wait. <<

>> Yes, I can see that. << she replied, crossing her arms.

>> Jenny, I'm here because I don't know if I'll see you again. <<

>> Did you call home and will be picked up soon? <<

>> No, my people want to take your planet. And I actually want to prevent that, but I'm not sure if I'll survive. <<

Her arms loosened and her jaw dropped >> What?! <<

>> I know how that sounds. << I tried to reassure her >> But I really just want to help. <<

She grabbed her head and walked over to her couch, where she sat down. I followed her and sat down next to her.

>> Oh my god. And those two men in black who were here a few days ago, are they real or what? <<

>> Well, they are lizard people... <<

She looked at me, completely stunned. I don't know what was going on in her head, but I would have thought the same thing if I were her.

>> I don't... I don't even know what it's all about. Why were you even here if you have to stop your people? <<

I hesitated at first and grabbed the back of my own neck >> So... I should have gathered information about you humans. <<

She carefully slid away from me and gave me a critical look.

>> But then I got to know you. << I added, looking down at the floor in shame >> You brought me closer to humans. Because of you, I was in conflict with myself at first. But I can understand if you'd rather slap me. <<

>> How did I do that? << she then asked me.

I looked up and looked her in the eye >> You showed me that people are not what they were portrayed to be. You are kind-hearted, open-minded and... loving. And if I'm honest, I've never been happier to have met someone than you. It's been the best two months on earth I've ever had. <<

She slid closer to me again and looked deep into my eyes. Her gaze warmed me somehow. As if something had become complete. This feeling scared me a little because I'd never had it before, but it felt like home. But then she came closer and closer until her lips touched mine. I suddenly lost the feeling of space and time, as if I had been everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

[paa-official]

Recording No. 22

The town was in turmoil. The inhabitants packed their belongings and made their way to other, deeper caves. These had been more difficult to reach and were only used in extreme emergencies. I watched them from an elevated position at the edge of the cave. I actually wanted to head out to the surface and leave them all alone. I had already caused enough trouble with my actions.

I leaned against one of the rotten wooden railings and looked down on the city. It consisted of only a small selection of materials, but it had its own charm. How neatly the houses were arranged and the streets were therefore all laid out in a straight grid structure. And these streets were used by vehicles, all of which drove out of the city center.

With a deep sigh, I took off my watch and looked at it. In the reflection, I could see my injuries on my face. This medicine had eased the pain, but it couldn't close the wounds. I would have found that difficult with these wounds. Then I tilted my watch a little to the side and saw Becka behind me. Startled, I turned around and looked at her >> Becka. I wasn't expecting you here. <<

>> It's okay. << she said, sighing as she leaned against the railing herself >> Do you think that's it now? Either the Grievers or the Phalanx? <<

I leaned again and looked down at the city. There were a lot of vehicles leaving the city, but parts of the army were entering the ship. Then I looked at my watch again. The last reminder that I had served my people and threw it into the depths >> I wish it were different. But I guess not everything can be the way we want it to be. <<

She looked at me from the side >> I thought you were the optimist of the two of us. <<

>> Then what was that last night with you? <<

She exhaled >> I didn't want to believe it. Quite simply. And what about you now? <<

>> Well, I've been living in a fantasy world where I can save everything and everyone without any major consequences. And now I'm here. I can't even save the ones I care about. And I probably won't see my parents again. If they are my parents at all, after the conversation with Markus I'm no longer sure. <<

>> If it makes you feel any better, at least you brought Eriny back home. << she put her hand on my shoulder.

>> Whether he's killed on the ship or on Earth doesn't make much difference now, does it? << I sighed again >> I didn't even say goodbye to Jenny before I was teleported with the lizards. <<

>> Who is Jenny? <<

I looked her in the eye >> It doesn't matter now. <<

She nodded and turned her gaze back down to the city >> What did Luke actually tell you yesterday? <<

>> Well, he had been extremely angry because he thought I was trying to take you away from him. <<

She turned back to me and smiled at me as if I had said something absurd >> Excuse me? <<

>> Oh yeah, I totally forgot. He likes you and he thought I was doing all this because I wanted to appeal to you. <<

She immediately started laughing and couldn't keep it under control >> All this? For me? Wow and I thought there must be a reason why he became a general. <<

When she had calmed her laughter, she looked at me more insightfully >> I'm sorry. I know he's your buddy. <<

>> Was. I don't think he can be soothed again. << I interrupted her.

Silence spread between us. But the city below us remained noisy. It had taken a long time for all the inhabitants to evacuate, if only because of the size of the city. But then something caught my eye. Soldiers had been entering the ship the whole time, but so far not a single one had left.

Then I remembered something >> Do you think I can talk to Markus again? << I asked her.

Becka just looked at me in confusion >> Why do you want to talk to him? <<

I straightened up and walked back to the town >> Come with me. I have an idea. <<

We stood at the entrance to the ship and argued with the guards about letting us in. But they remained stubborn until Xornud appeared and pulled us inside >> Why have you returned? I saw you trying to leave the city. <<

>> Can you take us to Markus? I have an idea how we can still stop the invasion. <<

>> Apath, come on. It's too late. <<

>> I know. But please give us one more chance. <<

>> What are you up to anyway? << he asked me, stopping in the middle of the corridor.

>> I want to ask him a few questions. And Becka, meanwhile, will take his things and his watch to teleport back to the ship. <<

>> And what's the point? <<

>> She reveals the truth of our people to everyone on the ship. <<

He propped his arms on his hips >> It will divide your people. <<

>> Yes, but it will also turn the people against the military. Please, we must try this. <<

Xornud grumbled in annoyance. You could see the discord tearing him apart >> Fine. I'll give you this chance, but if anything goes wrong again, you take the responsibility. <<

I entered Markus' cell, which was much more comfortably furnished than the chambers on the ship. To be honest, you couldn't call it a cell, because it looked like a small apartment, furnished with more or less comfortable furniture. Whether it was actually comfortable or not was hard to say.

Markus was lying on the bed and throwing a ball against the wall until he noticed me and held the ball in his hand >> How can I help you today? <<

I took the chair at his table and sat down on it >> That Miran, I don't think anyone knows he's still alive. <<

>> What did you expect? He doesn't want the public to know about him. Yet everyone is convinced of his disposition. <<

>> That makes sense. I guess I had been naive to expect Luke to listen to me. <<

He started giggling wickedly at first, then laughed at me mockingly >> Did you really talk to your buddy? Shit, I didn't expect that to work. <<

I leaned forward and waited for him to finish laughing, but there seemed to be no end to his laughter. Eventually I'd had enough of it too and stood up. >> You really talked to your friend? How... How did the conversation go? Not as well as you expected, did it? <<

I came over to the bed and knelt down next to him >> Look at me. How do you think it went? << I said to him calmly.

When he looked at me, he started laughing even louder. I stood up and reached for my sword hilt >> Are you kidding me? <<

>> Listen, I didn't expect this myself. <<

>> That doesn't make it any better. The earth is under attack because of you. <<

>> I don't think it's because of me. You talked to him, not me. <<

I took out the hilt and activated the blade, which I held to his throat. But he still seemed very amused by it >> And what good is that going to do you now? <<

But I didn't take the blade away >> I know you can regenerate, but not if your head is missing. <<

His teasing grin slowly faded. >> I know you don't have enough cells to grow a new body. <<

>> But it could grow my head back. <<

>> You mean your body would create a new brain? Without a command from the brain? <<

He exhaled in annoyance and tried to sit up. So I gave him the space and raised the blade a little. >> You don't want to kill me. << he still said.

>> I don't want that. But I didn't want to the first time either. So please explain to me where we both got our abilities from. << I replied and deactivated my blade.

Then Markus sat down on the edge of the bed >> What's the point of answering anyway? You've lost anyway. <<

>> Just answer my question. As my last wish. <<

>> Fair enough. A year after the ship took off, our people found a way to give a Griever abilities. I was one of the first people it worked on. But I didn't get anything more than regeneration. <<

>> Why not? <<

>> They immediately wanted to try to give a newborn as many dangerous abilities as they could. A little shapeshifter baby who got empathy first. <<

I took the chair and sat down on it >> What did they do after that? <<

His lips twitched upwards >> It disappeared. They looked for you for a long time, but they never found you. The superweapon was lost forever. But I think Miran recognized you when you were taken to the archives. <<

> If he recognized me, why did he want me dead? <<

>> It wouldn't have been a good idea to continue with you and then control you telepathically. Too much could go wrong. <<

>> And was this project continued with someone else? <<

He leaned backwards >> From there, the files are black. Anyone who was involved and could reveal anything has lost their memory. Or was never born. <<

>> But not you. <<

He grinned again >> I'm his personal mercenary. <<

Someone knocked on the door and then opened it. Xornud poked his head through >> Apath, your time is up. <<