Star Crossed

Chapter: 1

Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. Everyone heard them scream as their spaceship collided into the ground.

The sound of the ship crashing, of metal contorting was undeniably like that of a scream - blood curdling, filled with horror. There’s a crater around the site of the crash, much bigger than their ship. What’s remarkable is that some of the aliens survived the crash; from the size and severity of the wreckage the possibility of anyone surviving seemed to be highly improbable.

Needless to say, this was the first time our planet had made contact with any aliens. This was certainly not what we’d imagined when we thought of aliens. I suppose our planet had imagined aliens to be of superior intellect or to possess advanced technology, but the truth is that the technology the aliens possess is far inferior to what we have achieved. The aliens are suspected to be fleeing for their lives. Their journey into outer space seems to be a desperate attempt to escape a planet that would no longer support them or their lifestyle. They are refugees fleeing a dying planet, a planet they killed. The fact that their planet died is their fault, but I can’t help pitying them. It’s not like we don’t have our fair share of planet-destroying crises, extinct species, entire habitats lost, we can hardly claim the moral high ground.

The discovery of alien species came with its own set of challenges. Even though the creatures had not yet demonstrated hostile behavior or any attempts to invade and establish control, it was considered best to stay vigilant. The survivors of the crash were taken into government facilities to run tests. We had to understand them before we could decide what to do with them. We have to know if it is safe to let these aliens into our society. I suppose the biggest challenge is the language barrier. These creatures seem to have a completely different set of vocal cords, which makes even hoping to understand their language difficult. They could be plotting to take us over and we wouldn’t have a clue. When the spaceship crashed and the first proof of alien life became evident, it was quickly covered up. The initial scene of the event was overrun by government officials and the local residents were hurriedly shooed away. Some days later, it was announced that none of the aliens had survived the crash and no discernible information could be gathered from the wreckage.

Fortunately, I was a scientist working in the field when the first reports of alien life emerged. During that time the government was looking for eligible candidates for a research team that would study these creatures. I don’t think I had much of a say in whether I wanted to work at their underground facility, when I was asked. I didn’t want to imagine what they’d do if I refused; after all, they couldn’t let the secret of alien life existing spread to the masses. But even if I could say no, I don’t think I would have. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I knew it. The selection process was rigorous. They reviewed my entire history, everything I’d been, everything I was, summed up on a screen - for everyone to see. Name, place and date of birth, occupation, status. After days of screening, the government was finally convinced that I was appropriate for the position.

On my second day at the facility, an assistant took me from my room to meet the head scientist, E^317N, on project ‘New Life’. I was taken to a small space with harsh lights that would have been completely unbearable if not for the glass walls. A long table at the center of the room took up most of the space. At the head of the table sat E^317N, leaning back in the chair.

“A17T3M1S”, he called my name. “Nice to finally meet you”, E^317N exclaimed when I entered the room. His free manners seemed ill suited to such a tense atmosphere but I was thankful for it.

“The pleasure is all mine,” I replied. We’d be working together for a while, it was best to start right.

“It‘s great to have an assistant to help me with such a daunting task.” He said.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity.”

“Come, it’s time to show you what you have been waiting for.” E^317N said as he led me out of the room. He didn’t have to specify what it was. There was only one thing I'd been waiting for - the chance to see an alien.

“The containment area below us is where the aliens are kept. For our research project we will only be focusing on one of the creatures.” He explained. I suspected that there were several such studies being conducted. “Once we have gathered enough information, we will combine it all together and form a report on whether or not these creatures are fit to be acclimatized here.” I wondered how large the facility really was and just how many projects and experiments were being run there. “Have you ever seen one before?” E^317N asked me as I followed him down the winding maze-like structure of the facility. “An alien?” I shook my head,

“Not something you get the chance to see everyday.” I told him. E^317N chuckled.

I’ve heard so much about aliens; rumors from colleagues I’ve met at the facility… Impossible things. It was hard for me to imagine. Someone told me that they could change colors. They didn’t know why or how exactly yet but according to them it had something to do with the way they were feeling. I heard that they can make their eyes smaller as a display of hostility, anger or mistrust and that they are known to excrete an unknown substance from glands that exist all over them.

Finally we reached the lab. I could barely contain myself. As E^317N went to open the door. I found myself holding my breath. Seeing this creature would end the speculations of my spiraling mind. The alien creature would no longer be a wild flurry of my imagination. It would be a singular being, finite - defined. I held my breath, the way you do when you know the news is bad - or really good.

The door creaked, opening up to a dimly lit room. It was filled with equipment, some of them even I was a stranger to. Large screens depicted data that had been salvaged from the wreck. Amidst it all, a stasis chamber towered over us. I took in the scene, my vitals racing - in a state of suspended animation, I saw it, the alien. It was unlike anything I'd ever witnessed. The delicate beauty of its features, its limbs, the symmetry of it all. I was mesmerized - afraid to look away, in case I was dreaming and woke up. E^317N entered the room behind me. He was saying something, something I was barely listening to:

“The deciphering of the data found in the wreckage leads us to believe that these aliens belong to a species called homo sapiens, from a distant planet called Earth.”