Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In a world just like our own, but aliens come down from the sky. Their leader, a powerful and magical being, offers gifts to our planet. What this leader bargains for? A mere teenage girl.

Who is this girl? No one of importance.

At least on Earth...

Chapter Text

They came on a regular Thursday morning. I remember we got the day off from school because the roads were too icy. It was late November, a week after Thanksgiving. November 30th. The last day of the month.

I didn't mind having the day off. I was a junior in high school at the time, and I remember I had to finish homework from the night before. There was an essay I had to write and it took up so much time that I forgot to do my math homework too. So the snow day began as a gift for me.

I woke up in my quiet, cozy room. My blankets were all huddled around me and everything felt so perfect. I debated whether to go back to sleep for a little while longer, but I could hear my mom cooking breakfast downstairs, and I love food, so I got up for the day.

I put on grey sweatpants and a black long-sleeve shirt, then went to my bathroom to do my skincare. I decided not to put on mascara simply ply for the fact that I was hungry and didn't care. Usually, I did, but like that day, I made an exception.

I went downstairs and my parents were already at the table. The TV was on in the living room and the news had been on, talking about the snowy weather. My mom had made pancakes and bacon, and my dad made eggs. One of their favorite things to do together was cook or bake.

"Happy snow day!" Dad greeted me.

My mom smiled at me and took a sip of her coffee.

I was adopted as a baby. My mom got ovarian cancer so she ended up having to get a hysterectomy. But she and Dad always wanted kids so they adopted me. They were lovely parents.

"Mornin'," I went for the kitchen area and got a mug from the cupboard.

I first heard of their coming when I was pouring myself coffee. The TV cut from the weather forecast to a black screen, then to an emergency broadcast from the government.

I heard my mom gasp and that's what made me stop pouring my coffee and turn to see. My whole family was staring at the screen.

The screen read in big letters: ALIENS ARRIVE.

A news reporter came on screen and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, this just in, extraterrestrial visitors have come to Earth. At 9:54 this morning, seven massive spacecraft appeared in the sky above Washington DC. An army and guards, escorting their leader, came down from their spacecraft just outside of the White House."

The video cut to a clip of one huge chevron-shaped spaceship, which dwarfed the other — already giant — six spaceships in size. Another clip showed a tall, armored figure walking down the ramp of the biggest ship, which landed in the middle of the White House's lawn. Slightly shorter beings in less-elaborate and eye-catching armor walked down with the tall figure, carrying various weapons and shields. Masks covered their faces, too. Onlookers were seen in the background, being held back by police and the US military.

"Oh my God..." Mom whispered, clutching Dad's hand.

He squeezed her hand back reassuringly.

I was still trying to get a look at the beings from my spot in the kitchen, when the TV cut back to the news reporter.

The reporter continued, "The intentions of these visitors are unknown to the public at this time. However, we do know that their leader had requested an audience with President Dawson. The President has issued a nationwide statement saying to go on a temporary lockdown and to stay home until further notice. Ladies and gentlemen, we will keep you updated on these events. I am Evelyn McGill for Channel Eight News."

I just stood there. I guess I was in shock or disbelief because I felt indifferent. Like this was just another daily event. I had to be dreaming. My appetite for anything was gone, though, so maybe I was anxious about this news.

My mom started freaking out like she always did for storms or tornado warnings. She got out all of our candles and had them ready to be lit "just in case", and she shut all of the blinds in the house so no one would have to look outside and "see something that scared them". Her worrying was a little obnoxious but it was one of her quirks and I loved my mom, so I just helped her with whatever she needed help with.

My dad sat on the couch, watching the news reports on the aliens. He occasionally looked up things on social media about them and he reported it to the rest of the family. We weren't even sure if they were aliens. What if they were humans? I kept thinking about Star Wars and the humans from other galaxies there. And the beings coming down were human-shaped. They all had two legs and two arms and one head. But all of them were wearing masks. So maybe they couldn't breathe oxygen as humans could? It could just be another part of their armor, too.

This whole situation was weird.

I got emails from my teachers saying to ignore any tests we would have tomorrow or that the homework would be due next week. Not too long later, the school called off for the next day altogether.

But one thing would make everything weirder. Everything would get more stressful. My day would go even further downhill. And all because of a knock on the door.

Chapter Text

I had made myself eat an orange because I knew I needed to eat even though my nerves made my appetite nonexistent. The orange helped me feel a little less freaked out and for a while I felt pretty calm and even relaxed with this whole alien thing.

And then there was a knock at our front door. The knock came just after one o'clock that day. Everyone in the house froze. I remember the air seemingly getting colder suddenly and I got goosebumps along my arms and legs.

Something wasn't right. My gut was warning me of some danger approaching but I didn't know what to do.

A second, firmer knock came and Dad went to go. check it out. Mom followed him not far behind.

"Stay here," she told me.

I went to a window and lifted one of the blinds to look outside. There were four police cars lining our street. I stepped away from the window as Dad opened the door. Two tall police officers stood at our door.

"Reymond Letcher?" One with black hair asked.

"This is him," Dad answered.

"Father of Mavra Letcher?" the other one with red hair asked.

"...Yes." Dad nodded.

My heart dropped at the sound of my name. Why was I being brought into this? What was happening? My heart thundered in my chest.

I walked over to Mom and she wrapped her arms around me.

"Sir, we are here to inform you that by order of President Henrik Dawson, your daughter, Mavra Letcher, is to report to the White House immediately." The black haired officer stated.

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid we don't understand. Has my daughter done something?" Dad questioned.

The two officers looked at each other.

"We are unable to answer any questions at this time. All we know is that the President wants her at the White House as soon as possible." The red head spoke.

"Because she is a minor, we can have a parent or guardian come with her," Black Hair added, "Please, If you will gather any necessary belongings, we will drive you to the airport. A helicopter is waiting there to take you."

"Yes, officer, my daughter and a parent will be out shortly," the officers nodded and Dad shut the door.

He turned and looked at Mom.

"What's going on? Why do I have to go to the White House? I swear I didn't do anything!" I said.

"I don't know, sweetheart, I don't know," Mom sniffled, "But it's the government so we really have no choice."

"Go pack a bag, Mavra, and hurry. Your mother and I have to talk," Dad said.

"Ok..." I went upstairs and went to my room. I pulled a backpack from my closet and started packing up a few things. My movements felt slow and my arms felt heavy. This was the second time in one day where I felt like I was dreaming. I had to be.

I packed some clothes, a book, phone charger, and mostly basic stuff like that. I got a coat out from the closet too and put it on. It was cold outside, and that was as much as I knew about where I was headed.

I double checked everything and then just sort of stood there in my room. None of this felt real. And all in one day? First, normal. Then, aliens. Now, the President asked for me — by name — to come see him. Next, what? I get sent to jail for some reason?

"Mavra? It's time to go," Mom called from downstairs.

I took a look around my room, assuring myself that I would return. I would come back. This would just be a small trip for a few days. I'd be back in time for school on Monday.

I zipped my bag. I found a pair of black and white shoes to wear and went downstairs. My parents were in the kitchen, both of them looking tired and stressed.

"Mavra?" Mom began, "Your dad will take you to Washington, I'll be staying here."

"Are you ready?" Dad asked with a half-hearted smile.

"I guess," I looked down at my dirty shoes.

They were a birthday present two years ago in September. They only got so muddy because I ran around the woods with my friends one spring day and I was so carefree that I didn't notice how dirty they got. But I didn't mind the dirt. I liked to think that it added character to them.

"Be sure to take some snacks," Mom went to the pantry and pulled out some granola bars and a one-serving package of Oreos.

"Do you need anything else? Water? Money?"

"Mom, I'll be fine. I'll be back before you know it, okay? I'm sure this is nothing," I reassured her.

"Okay, just don't let any of those aliens get you," she teased.

"I won't," I smiled, following Dad to the door.

"Alright, be safe," Mom waved, "I love you!"

"Love you, too!" I called back.

"Bye, honey!" Dad blew Mom a kiss, which she reached out her hand to catch.

We walked out of the front door and cold wind hit our faces. The two policemen stood a few steps away from the steps to the porch. They looked up when the door opened.

"Ready?" Red Hair asked.

Dad looked at me and I gave a slight nod.

"Yeah, we are," he said.

"Follow me," Black Hair said.

Dad put a hand on my shoulder and together we walked down the porch steps and followed the black-haired officer down our driveway. The red head followed behind us, probably making sure we didn't try to run off or something.

We were led to a police car and Bkack Hair opened the backseat door for us, motioning for us to get in. He then shut the door and got in the passenger side while Red Hair got in the drivers seat.

"Sit tight, you two, it's about a twenty minute drive to the airport from here," Black Hair spoke up.

Dad and I knew that. Last year we took a plane to California to visit family friends. Dad made Mom and I get up at four in the morning to get to the airport nearly five hours early. But we both kept our mouth shut and just nodded.

Our car drove off and the other police cars lined up on our street followed us close behind. I almost felt like a celebrity, but I also felt like a criminal getting arrested.

Yeah, just like a criminal. More like a wrongfully accused criminal. I hadn't the slightest clue of what I did or why I was being called to the capital of my country by the President during an alien invasion.

I would get my answers in less than two hours.

Chapter Text

The ride to the airport was both too long and too short. I stared out the window, listening to the sounds the car made and feeling my heart beat harder and harder with each second that passed.

My mind was racing. My stomach was churning. Subconsciously, my hands began to fidget with themselves in my lap.

Why? Why? Why?

I felt the car come to a stop. I looked out the windshield. No. Not the airport, just a red light. Black Hair's eyes were staring into me through the rearview mirror.

I let out a breath and turned back to my window.  Snow still covered the ground from the weather last night. It looked so perfect. Part of me wanted to go jump around in it like I did as a kid. But I wasn't a kid. I had things to worry about and a President to go talk about aliens with.

"We're here," Red Hair broke the tense silence in the car.

I snapped out of my daze and blinked. We were pulling into the airport now. Black Hair drove past the parking lot and into the section where private jets and helicopters were kept. He drove towards one particular landing, where a red, white, and blue helicopter with the United States Presidency seal was printed on the sides of it.

Black Hair parked, shut off the car, and the two of them got out. Red Hair came to my side and let me out, and Black Hair opened the door for Dad. I grabbed my backpack and stepped out of the car.

"Head over there," Red Hair pointed to a group of people in military uniforms and a guy in a suit, "They'll take you to DC from here."

"Alright, thank you," Dad nodded to them.

"And, kid?" Red Hair spoke again.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Good luck over there," He nodded before heading back to the police car, his face painted sympathetic expression. Black Hair looked at me a final time before following him.

I looked at them getting into the car, then I felt Dad tug on my arm to go to the group of people standing near the helicopter.

"We should get going," he said.

"Alright," I looked down at the ground and walked with Dad to where the guy in the suit was.

"Are you Mavra Letcher?" The guy in the suit asked.

He was about 5'10 with medium grey-brown hair in a crew cut. He looked to be in his mid-forties, but he had the wrinkles of a senior citizen. A cold, calculating expression was written on his face, and his blue eyes looked at me like I had committed war crimes.

"Yes, I am," I shivered, either from the cold weather or his cold gaze.

"Good," he nodded once, "I am Agent Williams. Get in the helicopter. We're taking you to the President."

Yeah, I knew that.

"We will, thank you," Dad spoke up, guiding me with a hand on my back.

The people in military uniforms helped me into the helicopter first. A woman with an Air Force badge on her jacket tightly strapped me into a seat, gave me a slight smile, then turned to the pilot. I looked at Dad, watching him wait for the woman to come help him into the helicopter.

The pilot started up the aircraft. Agent Williams turned to my dad and began speaking to him. I could barely hear what they were saying through the propellers starting up, but I could make out a few words.

My dad wasn't coming with us.

My heart sank into my stomach. But they said I was a minor? That I could have a parent with me? I couldn't go through this without my dad.

"Dad?" I called out to him.

He looked at me apologetically. I could've sworn he had tears in his eyes.

I opened my mouth to call out to him again, but no words came out. I watched him step away from the helicopter and Agent Williams climbed in. As he got himself settled in his seat, I kept watching Dad walk away from me.

"Sorry, Ms. Letcher, but President Dawson made his instructions clear. He just wants you to come speak with him," Agent Williams explained.

"Why? We were told because I was a minor, I needed a parent with me?" I asked.

"President Dawson made it very imperative that his instructions were strictly followed. The only thing we know is that you have something to do with the extraterrestrial beings and their meeting with the leader. No other information has been given," he added.

"Oh..." I mumbled.

Air Force Lady got settled in the copilot's chair and people from the outside shut the doors to the helicopter, sealing us in.

"The flight should take approximately ninety minutes," Air Force Lady spoke to us from her seat.

The pilot said a bunch of formal stuff into his mouthpiece about our departure time and our estimated time of arrival. I heard a faint voice speak back to him, confirming stuff.

"Affirmative, subject is on the way, departing now."

The pilot and Air Force Lady got the helicopter into the air and we started our trip to Washington DC. I didn't know how to feel. So many things were happening. Too many things. My head was spinning and I wanted to go home and take a nap.

Why couldn't my dad come with me? Why the hell was I going to the White House to fall about aliens? Who were the aliens? Why did I matter?

"So," I heard the pilot speak, "what'd you do?"

I shook my head, staring out the window, "I have no clue."

Chapter Text

The majority of the flight was spend in silence. Usually, I would try to start up a conversation but I didn't quite feel myself at the moment. Just like the car ride, I kept looking out of the window next to me. I always thought I would be excited to ride in a helicopter, but I felt miserable. My day started off well, but then everything went downhill. Everything happened too fast. It was like my brain couldn't process what was happening so it just shut down.

I wanted my dad here. He would help me feel better. But he wasn't allowed to. I had to go through this alone and with no answers to my endless questions, just like in the movies. If my life was turning into a movie, then I should expect to get my answers very slowly and probably have to figure them out on my own.

Someone shook me by my arm, and I snapped out of yet another daze. I looked at who touched me and it was Agent Williams.

"We've landed," he started undoing my seat belt.

"About time you snapped out," Air Force Lady laughed, "He called you five times!"

I glanced at her and then looked down at my lap, a bit embarrassed. There was too much going on. I needed a break soon or I was going to lose it.

"Hey, kid, I didn't mean to upset you or anything," she added, "Just trying to lighten up the mood."

"No, you're fine. I'm just a bit nervous I guess. I can't seem to relax," I shrugged. "It's been a rough day."

"Understandable," she gave a smile, "I'm sure we'll be getting you back home by tomorrow, don't worry too much."

I forced myself to slightly smile back at her. I did appreciate some kindness from someone for once. Everyone else had been so cold and freaked out — well, aliens had come Earth —but Air Force Lady was pretty relaxed. It was relieving.

"Follow me," Agent Williams told me, "There's a car waiting to drive us to the White House."

"Okay," I followed him out of the helicopter.

The cold air hit me once again and goosebumps raised on my entire body. My thin coat didn't help to keep the wind off of me. Washington DC didn't get as much snow as my home did, but that wasn't a big concern at the moment. I wrapped my arms around myself to preserve heat.

As we walked toward an all-black SUV, Air Force Lady followed behind us. I wondered if she was coming to guard me or to make sure I didn't try to get away. Not that I would try to. I'm not a coward, just an anxious teenager.

Agent Williams opened the door for me and I climbed into the back of the SUV. He got in after me and shut the door. Air Force Lady got into the vehicle from the right side door and sat on my right, placing me in the middle between them.

Yup, I was definitely being kept watch over. My babysitters were a cranky middle-aged man and an unconcerned woman in her possibly early thirties. And the kid they were watching together was a teenage girl who just wanted to take a nap.

"Ms Letcher? Do you have clothes to change into?" Agent Williams questioned, looking at my sweatpants.

"No, I didn't have time to change or anything when the police officers came to get me," I responded.

"I see," he frowned.

Definitely a cranky middle-aged man. I probably would've changed but I don't know what to wear to a meeting with the President during an alien invasion. Besides, I was silently manifesting that this would either be a mistake or it would only take ten minutes, and then I could go home back to my warm house with my parents and my cozy bed with all my blankets and all of my snacks—

"Ms. Letcher," Agent Williams sighed.

"Hm?"

Damn. I zoned out again.

"We're here."

I looked out of the window and we were pulling into view of the White House. People were held back further down the road, taking pictures and trying to get in sight of the news camera stationed there. And just off to the right, right on the front lawn of the White House, was the spaceship. It was chevron-shaped, the point of it facing the White House, and it was matte black. Steam was released from it through vents and the vapor swirled around it in the cold air. I kept my eyes on its beauty while the driver pulled around to the front entrance of the White House.

"Everyone is to return to their homes!" A police officer yelled to the crowd of onlookers.

"Now!" he snapped.

He continued yelling at the people while we got out of the SUV. A few people started to leave, probably deciding that they'd seen enough and that they were cold. Lucky them, they got to go home.

Once again, I followed Agent Williams as he guided me closer to my answers. Air Force Lady followed behind me again. We walked up the pristine stairs and passed men in suits and more military personnel. They stepped aside to let us through the front doors. We continued walking and got to a small room on the first floor. There was no one inside and all of the windows were covered by curtains.

"You will stay here. President Dawson will call for you shortly," Agent Williams instructed me.

"Alright," I replied quietly with a nod of my head.

"I suggest you prepare for what you may see in the following amount of time," he added before turning to leave, "Someone will be in soon."

He left the room, Air Force Lady following him. She turned to shut the door and made eye contact with me. She gave me another smile, as though telling me things would be fine, then she shut the door. I heard their footsteps fade down the hall, and I was left completely alone. In a room. In the White House. About to talk to the President and possibly meet aliens.

Chapter Text

There was a chair in the room, in the back by one of the covered windows. I put my backpack down on the floor and sat in the chair while I waited. My stomach was twisting and turning and my hands felt clammy. I wiped them off on my shirt and started trying to take deep breaths. My heart beat so harshly in my chest that it felt like my whole torso vibrated from it. I felt sick.

A clock on the wall told me that it was 3:45 in the afternoon.

Maybe I was hungry? I didn't have breakfast and my lunch consisted of a single orange, but that was long digested by now. I hope I didn't faint or anything. I'm not a fainter, but the worry always crosses my mind when I don't feel good.

My eyes darted back to the clock to find over ten minutes had passed. It was 3:56 now. Holy hell, why was time moving so quickly?

I lifted my hand and it trembled violently in the air. Maybe I needed to step away from the cold window. I got out of my chair and walked to the middle of the room. When did I get so hot? I felt a bead of sweat slide down my back. My coat came off and I placed it on the chair I was sitting in.

My shaking legs started taking me around the room. After a couple more minutes, my body started calming down and I managed to slow my breaths.

Okay. Okay. I kept repeating the word in my head.

Okay, this was happening.

I was going to be okay.

Everything would turn out okay.

Placing my hands over my eyes, I sucked in a bunch of air and slowly released it, imagining my anxieties leaving my body with the exhale. I was relieved to feel that it worked. I felt calmer now. Clearer.

Okay. Okay.

A knock came from the door and it opened. A woman in a navy blue pencil skirt and a white button-up blouse peaked her head through the opening. She looked around the room before landing her eyes on me in the middle of the room. She smiled.

"Ms. Letcher?" she asked, opening the door wider.

Behind her stood two of the armored alien beings. They wore armor of dark blood red and black. In their left hands, they carried dark grey spears, seven feet long with sharpened points. Full-coverage angular masks similar to Spartan helmets with black eye slits concealed their heads and faces. Ten-inch horns curling inwards rested on top. They looked like demons. Both of them towered over the woman. My best guess was that they were six-foot or taller. The woman was about my height, maybe an inch or two more with her high heels on.

"Yes?" With my newfound calmness, I stood a little straighter and told myself to at least act like I was confident and fearless.

"President Dawson is ready for you, Miss," she stepped away from the door for me to exit the room.

Outside the door, the guards simultaneously faced each other, then stepped back to make a pathway between them.

I nodded to her, walking through the door. She followed me out. I let her take the lead and we passed the alien guards, who turned to follow behind me. Was I really untrustworthy enough to need armed guards to follow me wherever I went? I swear I've never been in the presence of a real weapon before in my seventeen years of life.

I followed the woman through the ornate halls of the White House. The walls were decorated with old paintings and pictures from the past. Behind me the footsteps of the guards made the floor vibrate a bit. Their presence definitely couldn't be ignored.

The woman took us to an elevator and pressed the 'up' arrow. When the doors opened, she and I got in first and we stood side by side. The guards stood in front of us, facing the doors as they shut. My eyes looked them over. On their backs was a seal, likely from their homeworld. It was a circle with a vicious-looking dragon in it. Encasing the dragon was a sun, and in the extra space were broken arrows and fire.

Next to me the woman leaned in and whispered in my ear, "They're quite the sight, aren't they?"

The guard in front of me seemed to stand a little straighter. He probably heard the woman's comment. Well, they understand English, then.

"Mhm," I hummed in agreement.

The elevator stopped at the floor we needed to be on and the doors slid open. The guards stepped out first and stationed themselves on either side of the doors for the woman and I to get out.

The woman began leading me around the place again, presumably towards the President's office. I'm not sure why they didn't just put me in a room on this floor if that's where we were, but this is the government so they probably had a reason.

I was mostly calm for the last few minutes but I felt a slight wave of anxiety come back to me as we kept walking. I continued with my deep breaths, clenching my fists at my sides to try and release my stress. Twenty or so seconds passed and soon we came across a door with the President's seal on it.

Oh shit, this was it.

Okay. Okay. I kept telling myself.

"Stay here for just a moment, Ms. Letcher, I will let the President know of your arrival," the woman smiled again.

I could tell her smiles were half forced, half genuine. She was a happy person, but right now she seemed upset — sad or pitiful — but she was trying to act like she always did.

I was getting pity from a lot of people today, which I understand. But it felt like there was more of a reason to feel sorry for me than just that I had to leave my home on a snow day to meet with the President during a visit from aliens.

"I'll be here," I smiled back at her.

She opened the door a crack and slipped in, shutting it behind her. In the brief amount of time that the door was open, I could hear a mix of voices, that sounded like they were arguing. I was able to make out one voice before the door shut.

"Mr. President, please reconsider, we can't just give—"

That man seemed pretty concerned about something. Hopefully my time in the room would be quick and I could get home. I really wanted to eat. Maybe chicken nuggets—

The door opened a bit and the woman peeked out. She had that smile on her face again. Inside, the room was quiet now, apart from hushed whispers.

"Ms. Letcher? They're ready for you," she stated gently.

I took a deep breath, my heart racing.

"Okay," I murmured.

I stepped through the doorway and into the President's office.

Chapter Text

When I walked into the room, all eyes were on me. I first noticed the big desk in the back of the circular room. Behind it sat President Dawson, his hands clasped together on top of the desk. Just behind him stood Vice President Marks.

On one side of the room, several military officers with awards on their uniforms stood, hats off and standing tall. There were two secretaries writing things down.

On the other side, the foreigners stood. About a dozen more guards stood lined up like statues in a museum against the wall. Their tall, armored leader stood in front of them, nearby the President's desk.

The Leader of the beings was around six and a half feet tall, dressed in all black. Chrome-colored armor could be seen on the chest, arms, and legs. He wore a black cape that draped down his back and stopped a couple of inches before touching the ground. Silver and red jewels adorned the shoulders of the cape and it was clasped together by a silver chain in from of the neck. And the mask he wore was round on top and the two front panels came together to make a raised line. The material was reflective and I could see myself walking. The mask followed me as I walked.

"Wonderful to have you here, Ms. Letcher," President Dawson greeted, sounding relieved, "If you will sit, we can get started," he gestured to a chair in front of his desk.

I sat in it. The two guards that had been following me stationed themselves with the others against the wall. The woman who came to get me waited for me to sit down before heading to stand with the rest of the Americans.

"Ms. Letcher," President Dawson began, "I have called you here today because... well," he glanced at the masked leader, who slowly turned his head to eye the President.

My eyes darted from President Dawson to the Leader, then back to Dawson.

"Well, there are certain matters of... business that requires your understanding and cooperation," the President turned back to me.

"...What kind of business?" I asked.

I could feel my hands start to play together in my lap. It's fine, Mavra, just remember to breathe.

The Leader's head perked up more when I spoke.

"As I'm sure you know, some," he paused to find the word he was looking for, "visitors have come to our planet and their leader has made me an offer."

I glanced back at the Leader, who was now looking at the President.

"Ms. Letcher, this is the Queen of Arkney," President Dawson gestured to the Leader.

Queen. The Leader was the Queen. A woman, not a man. Unless their version of a queen was male or non-binary.

Damn, I thought to myself, looking at her. That is a tall woman. I didn't know if I was supposed to wave or smile or bow, so I just sat there quietly. The Queen tilted her head slightly at me. I turned back to the President, waiting for him to start talking again.

But President Dawson did not start speaking again. No, a feminine voice began talking. Her voice was deep, smooth, and clear. It cut through the air of the President's office like a red-hot knife cut through butter. A strange, thick accent coated her words. It was an accent I didn't recognize from any part of Earth, but the way she pronounced certain vowels or words made me think of maybe an English or possibly a Russian accent, but it was so different and unique that I wasn't quite sure how to describe it.

"I have offered your President this: I will bring riches and good fortune for your beautiful world and its future for hundreds of years," The Queen said, "In return, I ask that you," she gestured to me, "come with me to my planet."

I didn't know what to say or what to do. I sat in my chair, feeling like an ant under a magnifying glass. Everyone's eyes were on me it felt like. My stomach hurt. I wanted this to be over and I wanted to go home and crawl into my bed. This was too much. Why couldn't my parents be here?

"I- I um..." What did I even say to that? My jaw was starting to quiver. God, I hope I didn't start crying. That always happens when I feel overwhelmed.

The whole room was dead quiet. I looked at the floor. Come on, Mav, don't sit there like an idiot, find something to say. I started lining up questions in my head to say. I swallowed the lump in my throat and lifted my head.

"Why?," I wet my lips, "Why do you need me? Specifically me?"

I glanced between her and the President, who looked at the Queen for an answer. The Queen thought of an answer for a few seconds before speaking again.

"Culture," she responded to me, "To put it simply."

"Your culture is to take people from other planets?" I frowned.

"No. This is the first and likely only occasion," she said.

Ugh, I wish Mom or Dad were here. I don't know how to handle serious, possibly life-changing, situations like this. I'm only seventeen.

My heart jumped. A new realization came to me.

"Are you aware that I'm under the age of eighteen?" I asked, looking at the President.

I heard murmurs from the military officers behind me.

"She's a minor?" came a whisper.

The President looked at me, then behind him to Vice President Marks. Strange how the government didn't think to consider anything about who I was before dragging my ass over to the White House to meet aliens who want to kidnap me.

"That— that would be a big thing to consider," Marks noted.

Yeah. No shit.

"I'm still a child in the eyes of the government," I added.

"Hm," The Queen hummed, "That would make things more difficult, wouldn't it?"

"Yes," President Dawson nodded,  "It does. Ms. Letcher, I'm sorry. I should have read more on your file before calling you here."

Let me go home already.

"I must tell you that her age does not affect my plans," The Queen spoke.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean that I plan to bring you back to my world one way or another. I'm simply allowing you to choose whether that is by abidance or by force. This has been made very clear to your dear President," she explained.

She's very demanding. That much I can see.

"I-if I do go with you, you won't hurt anyone?"

"No. I will even be pleased enough to reward them."

"And what will I be doing when I get to your planet? What is it that you need me for?"

I swear she smiled as she said, "Culture."

My head hurt. I rubbed my temple with a hand and sighed. I just wanted to go home. I wanted this to be a dream.

"Your Majesty, are you seriously believing that our country will give up a child in exchange for wealth?" Vice President Marks questioned, his voice laced with bitterness.

"Would you rather your entire planet slowly suffer until it is left in ruins and still be left with one less child? She's barely a child now. I'm sure the girl can make her choice on her own," she asserted.

"Do I have to choose now? Right now?" I asked.

"No, Ms. Letcher. Please, take all—"

The Queen cut the President off, saying, "My people and I must return to our world very soon. There is a storm on its way and if we return too late, operating the ships can be a tedious task to do. So I kindly suggest that you decide within the next hour, dear girl."

Oh great. Even more stress to an already stressful situation. I took a deep breath.

"Look, I'm sure us two adults can work out something. A deal or a compromise?" President Dawson suggested.

"I do not offer much room for modifications, President. I have limited time and my patience dwindles," the Queen warned, her fists clenched at her sides.

"Your technology is very advanced, can't you come back again when the timing is more appropriate?" Marks took a step forward.

"Absolutely not. I came here with clear intentions and I will not leave without the girl," she snapped.

"And why do you need a seventeen-year-old girl?" one of the military officers spoke out harshly.

Heads whipped around to look at the red-faced man. He looked pissed.

"Colonel, please," President Dawson sighed, exasperated.

"No! Why should we let these creatures with their weapons and masks enter our country and make demands!" The Colonel yelled, stepping away from the wall.

"What right does she have to order that a child be taken back to her planet with her? What are her plans anyway? She won't even make her intentions for the girl clear!" He spat.

The people started muttering to each other again. The tension in the air thickened, causing my heart to speed up more. All the pressure was focusing itself on me; the girl. I never liked being the center of people's attention. It was too stressful.

"Watch yourself, old man, you do not know quite what you are saying," the Queen said lowly, "Do not trifle with me — any of you. You will regret it dearly."

I didn't know what to do. I needed an advisor or something. Someone to guide me.

If I said no, hell would break loose. And I didn't know exactly what this woman was capable of or what she planned to do if we didn't comply with her. Something about regretting that choice? She would take me by force and hurt my planet, my country, my parents. If I said yes, the only person who would suffer would be me. My world would be okay. Everyone would be rewarded for my loss. The world would be better... without me.

The noise in the room doubled as the tensions rose. I could feel my ears ringing. The President and Vice President were turned towards one another, conversing in hushed tones. The military officers off to my side argued back and forth, some saying that I should just agree to go, and some claimed that I was a stupid little girl or that I shouldn't have to be made to choose between such a thing. On the other side of the room, the Queen was looking back at her soldiers, possibly considering taking action soon. Whatever was going on in her head, I was terrified to find out.

I stared ahead at the President's desk in front of me. I knew I had to say something, and soon. The pressure was on me. Only I could decide what would be done. Me. A junior in high school. I closed my eyes, filled my lungs with air, then slowly released it. My eyes opened and I accepted what I was about to say, not sure if I would even be able to find the words I needed.

"I'll do it," I announced loud enough for the whole room to hear.

Conversations trailed off mid-sentence and the attention was back on me. The President ad Vice President both looked at me with stunned expressions. I shifted in my seat. The new silence made me uncomfortable.

"I'll go with her," I spoke again, this time quieter with my head lowering to avoid anyone's gaze.

"Ms. Letcher, I assure you, you do not have to feel pressured to answer yes. We can compromise," President Dawson suggested, but I shook my head.

"No, I agree to go with you," I turned to the Queen, her mask facing me, "But I have some conditions of my own."

"Proceed," she sounded curious.

"I want to call my parents," I glanced at the President, who nodded, "I want to be sure that my planet, my home, will not be harmed in any way," the Queen nodded slowly as if carefully taking in every word, "And I want to be able to come back one day. T-to see my parents again."

I took a breath. Who knew talking could be so exhausting?

The President's office was so quiet, for a moment I wondered if I had become deaf somehow. The Queen stood there for several long moments. Finally, she straightened her spine and everyone in the room held their breath to hear her answer.

"I accept all of those terms, except for the latter. As for now, no visits will be allowed," she declared.

"That's," I sighed a bit, glancing down then back up at her, "That's alright. I understand."

"Wonderful," The Queen purred. I felt goosebumps cover my arms and neck at the word. She continued, "Shall we shake on it?"

She stepped toward me and I stood from my chair. My head tilted up to look at her mask. She stuck out her right hand and I looked down at it, slowly bringing my own right hand to take hers. She and I locked hands together and our clasped hands created a small shake. I looked up at her mask and I could just feel that a smirk was painted on her face. She squeezed my hand and I winced. I realized that I just gave myself away with the shake of my hand. I was agreeing to be taken away.

"It's done then. Ms. Letcher will go with Her Majesty, and our planet will not suffer any damages," President Dawson announced to the room.

The Queen let go of my hand.

"Oh, what a load of bullsh—"

With a twitch of her head, the Colonel slammed into the wall behind him. One of the secretaries shrieked and the room of people gasped. I turned to see what had happened. The outraged Colonel had made a dent in the wall and he now sat in a daze on the floor.

Oh great, this woman could use the Force, too. I blinked several times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. My head swiveled around to look at her again. She looked from the dazed Colonel down to me. Her head tilted slightly to the side.

"Ms. Letcher," the President spoke up, "Mrs. Tershing will take you to a room where you can. make your phone call," The woman who led me into the room stepped forward again, "Then, we will meet you by the front doors of the White House."

I nodded to show my understanding, then stepped away from the Queen. Her head followed me as I turned to follow the woman — Mrs. Tershing — out of the office. I glanced back to see her still looking in my direction and I felt a wave of anxiety pass through me. I kept my eyes forward as I left the office through the door I entered through, her gaze still heavily on my back.

There was a clock on the wall. It read 5:02. That meeting took an hour. One hour to decide the fate of the world. One hour to give myself away. I kept my eyes on the floor as I was taken to the room where I would speak to my parents for the last time.

"Right in here, Ms. Letcher," Mrs. Tershing opened a door to a small room with a phone and a chair with a coffee table next to it, "Go ahead and make your call, I will let you know when it is time to leave."

She gave me an assuring smile that made me feel a little calmer, and I smiled weakly back. I walked into the room and she shut the door quietly behind me. I stood in the small room by myself for a moment.

I took yet another deep breath and picked up the phone. I needed to talk to my parents before I faced my reality. I needed to hear their voices again. That would help ground me from this whole fiasco.

Chapter Text

The table in the phone room had a landline on it. I hadn't used one of those in years, but it wouldn't be any different than using a touch screen. I picked up the phone before realizing that my phone was in my bag back in the room I had waited in. I'd have to remember to get it before I left.

My trembling fingers hesitantly pressed the buttons of the phone, entering Mom's phone number. Just before I hit the call button, I paused.

What was I even going to tell my parents? There was no way to sugar-coat this whole thing. I mean how do you tell your parents that you agreed to go with a masked stranger to another planet to do... whatever it is they wanted with you? And that it was unlikely that you'll ever see them again?

I groaned to myself, rubbing my head with my free hand. I just wanted a nap...

I pressed the button

The phone started to ring, and I held my breath to see if Mom would pick it up. The phone kept ringing.

Ringing.

Ringing.

"Your call has been-" I pulled the phone away from my ear as the automated response trailed on.

Tears pricked behind my eyes. My mom always kept her phone on silent. She claimed it was easier to just silence it than to adjust all of her settings. I never cared until right now. Calling Dad wasn't an option because I couldn't remember his phone number.

My eyes trailed over the time shown in the top left corner of the phone. The minutes kept ticking by. I called again.

Ringing.

Ringing.

Ringing.

"Your call-"

I winced at the words.

I watched another minute change on the face of the phone. Judging by the Queen's attitude and her level of patience, I would either have 10 more seconds or maybe 5-7 minutes before I would be dragged towards my fate.

The decision was made. If my mom did not pick up on the third call, I would have to leave a voicemail.

I typed in her phone number again.

If she didn't pick up, the last time she would hear my voice would be over a recording from an old phone in the White House. I didn't just want her to pick up for me, but for her sake, too. Imagine the guilt you could feel as a parent, deciding to keep your phone on silent and missing your last chance to talk to your daughter before she's taken from you.

I pressed the call button and waited with bated breath as it rang.

Please just pick up the phone...

And rang.

And rang.

"Your call-"

I felt like screaming or throwing something but nothing would happen. My body stood still as I heard the automated message tell me how to leave a voicemail. My fingers did as told and pressed the "1" button on the landline.

"Please leave your message at the tone."

A long, high-pitched beep sounded into my ear and I hesitated before forcing my mouth to create words. I knew I had to leave my parents some explanation, some reassurance that I would be okay.

"Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. I just got out of my meeting with the President. The whole thing only took about an hour, which was... probably the most exciting hour of my life," I let out a half-hearted laugh, "Um, I met the leader of the alien people, too. She's a girl, actually. A woman. And, oh my god," I laughed again, "She's so tall! And with her armor and her mask on, I thought she was a man at first."

I smiled to myself. My parents and I had talked about my sexuality before — not that I thought the Queen was hot or anything — but I find this to be an important trait about me to mention.

I was a freshman when Mom brought the topic up at dinner one night. She had asked if any boys asked me to the homecoming dance and one boy had, so I said yes. When my parents got all excited and started asking more questions, I then added that I had told the boy no. My mom was a bit upset, asked me why I said no, and I answered honestly. I didn't see him in that way. I didn't see any boys in that kind of way and I never had.

Mom nodded her head and went back to her food for a few moments before asking, "What about the girls?". I remember I tried not to break into a giddy grin as my cheeks flushed with red. At my reaction, both of my parents smiled and gave me encouraging compliments.

I sighed. I was a lucky kid.

"She's not just physically intimidating, though," I continued, "She's very demanding. And she demanded one thing in particular," I paused momentarily to collect my thoughts, "The Queen told President Dawson that she will gift our planet with money and other good things, but in return, she demanded that... that I go back to her planet."

I paused again.

"The choice was mine to make. But the Queen said she would get her way either by force or by compliance," I explained, "Everyone in the room started arguing with each other and soon I just made up my mind, I guess. I agreed to go with her, but I said I wanted to make sure she kept her word to not hurt the planet and I wanted to call my parents. And here I am, calling to tell you I'm not coming home."

I wasn't quite sure what to say now. That last sentence stung me. I can imagine my parents would hurt to hear those words, too.

"I'm sorry. I swear I'll come back home eventually. I don't-"

A knock on the door.

"Ms. Letcher? We must get going now," Mrs. Tershing spoke from the other side.

"I'll be out in a moment," I called back with a wavering voice.

"I don't want you guys to beat yourselves up over my decision. This whole situation was a mess and it was no one's fault. I'll come back one day, I promise. Take care, I love you," a drop of water trickled down my cheek as I said my final goodbye and I ended my phone call.

I looked at the time. Seven minutes to tell my parents goodbye.

"Ms, Letcher, please! We have to go!" Mrs. Tershing knocked on the door again, this time urgently.

I wiped my cheek off and took a few deep breaths. It'll be fine. I can do this. I can do this.

Opening the door, I found a particularly antsy Mrs. Tershing standing outside. She smiled at me, though with noticeable tension. My gaze focused on two of the foreign soldiers a few paces down the hall. They were probably there on the Queen's behalf to make sure her side of the negotiations wasn't slipping away. They stood still like statues. Part of me wondered if they were even breathing.

"My sincerest apologies, Ms. Letcher, I would have given you all the time in the world, but time is not on our side," Mrs. Tershing said to me.

"It's okay," I smiled, "It's a Thursday. That can be our excuse."

Her eyes lightened at my words, "I suppose so. Oh, I feel terrible. I don't mean to upset or offend you, but you look so sad. Your eyes are so tired."

"You're fine," I gave another weak smile, "I feel tired. My day hasn't been the very best."

"That I can understand. No teenager — nobody! — should have to go through something like this. And all in less than a day?" she tsked, "Most people consider these sort of circumstances a horror story. You are the bravest girl I have ever met, Ms. Letcher. I admire you."

My gaze lowered, my weak smile fading from my face. I didn't feel much like someone to be admired, but the thought was nice. Mrs. Tershing took a deep breath and sighed.

"Well, follow me this way, the Queen is waiting for you and President Dawson has something to give you before you leave."

"Really?" I frowned, looking back up at her.

She nodded with an affirming hum, "A surprise. I won't spoil it for you."

She started down the hall and the soldiers stepped apart to let her through. I followed her tentatively with my eyes to the carpeting of the hallways. Behind me, the guards followed immediately. It felt like my heart was aching. My stomach rolled around inside of me, hungry and uneasy. My head felt like it was malfunctioning. I still hoped that I was dreaming. This was all a nightmare and I was actually still at home in bed, about to wake up underneath all of my blankets on a snow day. Then, I'd go downstairs and my two lovely adoptive parents would have made breakfast and I'd eat with them and enjoy my day off with no interruptions.

But this wasn't the case. I knew I wasn't dreaming because when we turned a corner, I wasn't paying enough attention and my shoulder hit the wall. I paused, wincing at the throbbing pain in my shoulder. Yeah, definitely not a dream.

I flinched as something touched my back. It pressed against me as if saying to move. My head whipped around and the two guards stood less than an arm's length away from me. The one on my left-hand side was bringing his spear back to his side, probably what was used to nudge me. I looked between the two of them, shock written on my face before I got the message and turned to follow Mrs. Tershing. She had stopped walking a few paces ahead of us after she had noticed I wasn't behind her. I sped walked to get back to her side. We walked in silence and without pause until we finally got to the entrance hall where I first walked into the building.

In the middle of the room stood the President with some of his security and a few of his officials. The rest of the armored soldiers stood in a uniform line off to the left. Facing the President was their Queen. She was facing the President and the two were probably talking before I walked in. President Dawson was about six feet tall, but he looked so short compared to the Queen. She towered over him, having to bend her neck to look at him. The sight was kinda funny. I would have smiled to myself if my nerves weren't a wreck.

When I walked in, Mrs. Tershing greeted "Mr. President, Ms. Letcher is here."

She gestured to me, who was right behind her. His brows raised and he took a breath at the sight of me standing there. The Queen's head swiveled to look at me, too.

"Oh, good. Ms. Letcher," he motioned for me to walk over to them.

I forced my shaking legs to carry me over to them and then waited as President Dawson turned to one of his officers, who was holding a navy blue leather case.

"Ms. Letcher, I would be honored to gift you with the highest honor I can bestow upon an American citizen: The Presidential Medal of Freedom," he declared, opening the case and reverently lifting an intricate gold medal with a blue and white striped ribbon.

President Dawson shifted towards me again and stepped forward, lifting his hands to place the medal on me. In shock, I bowed my head to allow him to put it around my neck.

"Thank you for your act of bravery and selflessness for your people, your country, and your planet," he smiled brightly.

He and I shook hands. I smiled back at him, some pride showing through.

A couple of people snapped pictures of us, then I noticed movement to my left. The Queen stepped forward.

"We are leaving now," she asserted to us.

President Dawson looked up at her and solemnly nodded his head. He turned back to me and touched my shoulder, looking dead into my eyes.

"Thank you," he reiterated in a whisper.

The hairs on my body stood on end at the two words. I'm not completly sure what struck me about them at that moment. I had heard those words before by many different people in many different ways. Maybe this was because of the desperation behind his voice. The whole world depended upon the action he was thanking me for.

"Your welcome," I murmured back.

The Queen's hand rested on my mid-back, pressing me towards the door. I jumped at her touch.

"Time slips from us," she reminded.

"I know," I quietly sighed to myself.

She turned to Pesident Dawson one last time.

"I appreciate your compliance, President. Expect your gratuities soon," she spoke, her hand motioning to her soldiers to follow her.

She guided me towards the doors. The heavy steps of the armored soliders rattled the ground behind us. I could see her black shuttle through the glass of the windows on either side of the door. A light blanket of snow rested on top of the foreign vehicle.

Two American soldiers opened the doors for us to exit through and the cold winter air hit us. It was then that I realized I did not have my coat nor my backpack of belongings with me. I felt my heart sink further into my stomach and my trembling legs continued to carry me forward.

Chapter Text

Without my jacket and with the ever-dropping temperatures of the winter evening, I was freezing as soon as I walked out of the White House. I felt sick knowing that my belongings were still in that room, but it was too late. And there was no way the Queen would allow me to go get them.

A particularly strong gust blew in from my right, nearly knocking me over. Instead, I bumped into the Queen, who still had her hand on my back. With her armor, it was like hitting a steel wall.

I was about to step away from her, not wanting to be that close to her, but she took the edge of her cloak and wrapped me in it. Her arm rested on my shoulders. Heat rushed to my ears at the feeling. Even though I was anxious and stressed, I felt my stomach flutter.

I knew I was a hopeless romantic, but damn, why do I have to get flustered at these kinds of moments? It's terrible timing to feel attraction when you're being kidnapped.

This is fine, I'll just move away from her when we get back on the ship, I thought to myself.

I didn't mind the warmth she provided, though. Her cloak was made of a soft, though heavy material. The outside had a texture like something weatherproof, but the inside was wooly. The weight of her arm around me kept throwing me off. I couldn't stop thinking about it.

I wondered what she was thinking. Did she mean this as just a way to keep me warm or did she have something else in mind?

A new type of material was under my feet now. We were ascending the ramp into the shuttle. The inside was black like the outside. The Queen led me straight inside and we continued further into the vehicle, heading towards the front of it. Computers, moniter screens were attached along the walls of the ship. Along the lower part of the walls were cupboards and hard-looking benches. The armored soldiers folloing us stationed themselves uniformly around the shuttle in this area.

Further inside, we walked into a section at the nose of the shuttle, which was the cockpit. Two seats were positioned bhind the control panels. Two men occupied the seats. Like the rest of the foreigners, these two also wore masks, which were simple, reflective, blackvisors. They wore different uniforms than the rest. Theirs were all-over navy blue jumpsuits with Mandarin collars, black belts, and matching breton hats. Behind the pilots' seats was a third seat that rested a few feet bewteen the first two. It was bigger and more elaborate, closer to a throne than the other seats.

The Queen went for that one. She took the edge of her cloak off of me and released me from her embrace. I ignored the feeling of warmth that I lost from this and I watched from beside the chair as she adjuted her cloak behind her to sit down in her seat. She shifted herself to get comfrtable, resting her arms on the armrests, then her masked face turned to me.

A hum sound came from the back of the shuttle. I looked back to see what was the cause. The ramp was raising. With a clang, it sealed shut, encasing all of us inside the shuttle. Back at te cockpit, the pilots worked away at the controls, each action they did caused the engines of the vehicle to whirr to life. The walls of the craft shook for a moment.

"Sit," The Queen's vocoded voice commanded.

I looked at her, then around the shuttle, "Where?"

She shifted to her right to mae room a her left side.

"Here," She gestured to the space.

"No, no that's okay," I shook my head, "That's your seat."

I didn't want to be so close to her again. It was too weird. Too intimate and personal.

"I said here," she snapped, hand snatching hold of my elbow.

She pulled me to her like a puppet. I fell awkwardly into the seat, landng mostly in the space she made for me. My free hand, however, reaached out to brace myself and it ended up grabbing her upper thigh. I snatched my hand away, bringing it to my chest and glancing up at the reflective mask she wore. The only expression I could see was my own, reflecting back to me. I looked surprised.

"I'm sor-" I started mumbling out.

The Queen ignored me, "You will do as I say."

I swallowed hard at her tone.

"Do you understand?"

I slowly nodded, but I felt her hand move up to the back of my head. She grabbed me from the back of my neck, applying mild pressure as she forced my head to closely face her.

"I have already asked you once. Do you understand?"

"Yes, your majesty," I whispered, ignoring the pain in my neck and my worsening headache.

She released me and i pulled away from her as much as I could. Her leather-gloved hand reached up again. With her thumb, she caressed my jaw. Her touch was light and careful. She pulled her hand away and my cheek felt strange after her hand had left.

"General," she called, still facing me.

A masked soldier like the others but with white markings on his shoulders stepped into the cockpit.

"Inform the other crafts that we are setting course for home. I have what I came here for."

"Yes, my Queen," he bowed slightly at the waist and left the cockpit.

The shuttle shuddered and began rising into the air. I could see out of the windshield in front of us and i felt my eyes widen. Reality was really begining to set in. My stomach turned itself every which way and I knew I was starting to panic again.

Just breathe. Just breathe.

Oh god, I was going to be sick.

What did I just do to myself? I practically set up my whole abduction. Was this an abduction? It's not like they actually kidapped me, I agreed to this, but I was kinda forced to. A consensual kidnapping?

Ugh, too many things to think about. I needed fresh air. Perhaps a walk. Maybe food and water. Definitely a nap. I needed to take one of the stress naps I would take after long days at school. This day was one of those long days.

"I am aware of the fact that you have never been in a shuttle like this before. Space travel is new to you," The Queen looked down at me.

I could feel her eyes studying my every movement and breath. I hated this. I wanted Mom and Dad, not this scary woman in a mask.

"Remember to relax. This trip will not take long once we're in lightspeed, she faced forward.

I internally groaned and rubbed my head. I could tell the ship was still flying higher and higher into the atmosphere with each second, but I didn't want to look. I didn't want to imagine myself getting further and further from my home. Oh, my parents. The thought reminded me that I didn't get to give them a proper goodbye. I didn't get to explain things to them.

I let out a soft noise. It wasn't a sigh o a whimper. I think it was closer to a whine waybe? I don't know, but it sounded pitiful. The Queen glanced over my way and I forced myself to not look at her. After a few seconds, she turned away again.

For several minutes, we all sat quietly. The Queen sat still at my side and I was at hers with my arms hugging myself, trying to take deep breaths and not pass out. Or throw up. Or do something stupid. Or cry.

"Look at this," she finally spoke, softly touching my arm.

I jumped the touch and looked at her and she simply gestured to the window. I glanced outside again and we were flying in a sea of stars. The pilots turned the ship just enough so that Earth was in our view. So this was the final frontier. And I was there.

This morning, I woke up thinking I would spend the day at home, but here I was on an alien spaceship, looking back at my own planet. I looked at that beautiful world, backed by a vast sea of stars for several minutes. I studied every aspect of it, the continents, the oceans the clouds. I saw more of my home planet in those ten seconds than I had seen by living seventeen years on its soil. I looked and I looked until my view was obstructed by flashes of light rushing past the window and I was on my way to a new world.

I would never see Earth again.

I continued to sit there, staring at the same spot through the window. The Queen's eyes were continuously examining me. I could feel them scanning my face and the rest of me as well. Finally, I looked at her again.

"Can you tell me what you've taken me for now?" I asked. My voice sounded tired.

"I have told you already," she recalled, "Culture."

"Be specific," I sighed, my headache throbbing. I rubbed my eye with a hand, "I haven't had the best day ever, so I'd appreciate some clear explanations," I waited a moment before adding, "Please."

"In time, I will tell you everything," she simply answered, "Would you like a drink?"

I did want something to drink. Ginger ale fo my churning stomach sounded great right now. I was dehydrated and I hadn't had anything to eat or drink in several hours now, but not desperate enough to take something from an extraterrestrial being — a stranger. Especially one with telepathic powers. I remembered what happened back in the President's office, wondering if what happened to the Colonel had actually happened or if I was starting to lose my mind.

"I'm fine, thanks," I adverted my gaze to look through the window in front of me.

She hummed her understanding, "Perhaps later, yes?"

"Your Majesty," one of the pilots spoke up, "We will arrive outside Terrace's atmosphere in ten minutes."

"Good," The Queen noted, then she turned to me, "Terrace is the name of our planet."

"Oh," I remarked, "Didn't you say you had a kingdom earlier?"

She nodded, "Yes. The Kingdom of Arkney."

"Is it big?"

"The largest kingdom on the planet. Some say it is an empire, but I prefer to label it a kingdom. And I have been its sole ruler for a very long time."

"And what characteristic of your kingdom calls for kidnapping people from other planets?"

"Culture."

I laughed through my nose, unsmiling. This woman was no help.

"There will me a time and a place to explain this situation. Now let me ask you a question."

I let out an aggitted breath, "Go for it."

"Are you tired?"

I was expecting her to ask for my name or my age, maybe even my favorite color, but not about how tired I probably looked. I answered nonetheless.

"Yeah," I nearly laughed, "There's so much happening right now."

"You're overwhelmed."

I nodded, "I feel like I can't process what's going on. My head is spinning."

"Hm, you're in shock. That's to be expected," she remarked, "I wanted to know your condition for when we arrive at my castle. I don't ant to force even more onto you than I already have."

Okay, so she is not totally an asshole.

"Nice of you to do that," I said.

"You appear so worn out, even more so than when I first saw you," her hand lifted up, holding the side of my face. Her thumb caressed my cheek and it brushed underneath my eye.

I felt the butterflies in my stomach return. The leather of her gloved hand was so soft against my skin, and she was so gentle with her movements. I felt mysef relax and even lean into her touch. My eye lids felt heavy. For some reason, thetone of her voice and her touching me made me feel so content and safe. It was both cozy and alarming.

"I assure you that after a good night's rest, you will be in better conditions to hear what I have to say to you," she murmured as she continued with her motions.

This was like torture. My body was on the verge of falling asleep, but part of my brain was warning me of the reality I was in and that I needed to stay awake in case anything happened. But I was just so exhausted...

She pulled her hand away and I snapped back into full conciousness, looking at her with a look of perplexity. I couldn't see her face with her mask on, but I felt like she had become aware of something.

The pilots worked at the contrls of the shuttle. With a jolt, we left lightspeed and through the window, I could see a planet very similar to Earth. It was green and blue, but the land was shaped with different continents and slightly less water.

The Queen addressed the scene before us, "That is Terrace. We're home now."

Chapter Text

As we entered Terrace's atmosphere, the walls of the shuttle rattled and the whole vehicle shook violently. Another wave of uneasiness engulfed me and my nausea came back with the sudden movements. I winced and pinched my eyes shut as my vision began to blur.

God, I hated feeling dizzy. And of course I was dizzy at a time when I needed my head straight.

The violent shakes ended and we flew smoothly again. Eventually, my discomfort lessened.

I opened my eyes and light poured in from the front window. Ease flooded through me and my mouth opened in an inaudible gasp at the sight.

I was back on Earth...

This place looked just like home. Green trees covered the land and lakes glinted under the bright sun. We passed over fields with animal grazing and resting in sunny spots.

It looked so familiar and I felt so relieved, then in the distance, there were shapes forming. They were mountains. The mountains ranged from being more like large hills to so enormous that their tips rested amoung the clouds up above.

The pilots flew right into the mass dark grey of the mountains, passing them by and avoiding any in their path. The rest of the shuttles followed behind us, following the same path our pilots decided to take. The mountains were formed almost like a great wall, as though protecting something behind them. On the other side was another seemingly endless expanse of fields and forests.

"My kingdom is not far from here," said the Queen, "We will start to see the villages that make up the outskirts soon."

A pause.

"See there," she pointed off to the left of our line of sight, "That's Telgenia, the furthest villiage of my kingdom."

"That's a pretty name for a village," I commented quietly, looking at the tiny buildings below us.

"Telgenia means 'village of jewels'. It is the primary mining community of Arkney. The vast majority of the precious stones we have come from the Armende Mountains."

Telgenia's buidings were made of dark grey stones. I could see what looked like mills and countless little figures of people moved around through the village, going about their lives. A few looked up to the skies at the shuttles above them. A few children ran around and waved their arms.

I remembered doing that same thing when I was a kid and I saw a plane or a helicopter in the sky. I always imagined being in a helicopter and getting to see the land below me as I flew high above it. But I never imagined seeing the land of another planet pass below me from inside of a spaceship.

My arms crossed infront of me and I watched the great expanse of trees pass below us. More and more villages came into our sight. Each one became larger than the last. Each new village came with a greater population, greater buildings, and greater wealth. The Queen named them to me.

"Ramsden."

"Alburia."

"Tuksa."

Then came the lands closer to her kingdom, which were more connected. There was still plenty of land for building and for living space. This part was best described as the rural area of the kingdom. The farmers lived here. These were farming towns. And some merchants lived there to help with business deals to sell the crops to the larger villages and cities. The Queen explained all this to me.

This was the section of the kingdom that they referred to as the Grati. The Grati was made up of all of the farmers and the merchants that acted as liasons between the Grati class and the other two social classes. This group of people was basically the lower to lower-middle class. Those who did the "dirty" work that a lot of people found to be tedious. Jobs like repairmen, builders, and common craftsmen.

"This class was labeled 'Grati' after the word 'gratify'. These citizens work to satisfy needs, and the other classes are grateful for their work," she explained to me.

As we flew onwards, the buildings continued to get closer together. Now I saw more of a suburban area below us.

This was the Farah. The word derived from their word for happy or content. This was the middle class, full of richer merchants, small businesses, bakeries, artisans, performers, and low-end clothing makers.

The Farah section morphed into a greater and greater populated area and soon the builings were large and we were above a more urban area. The Queen explained how there were two ends of the Farah class; one was lower-middle and the other was upper-middle class. We were seeing the upper-middle class.

"Do you see that shape? There, in the distance?" She pointed through the window at the horizon.

I nodded my head, barely able to make out anything. But, she was right, there was something in the distance.

"That's my castle," she said, pride laced in her voice.

This distant castle rested upon a great hill from what I could make out at this distance from it. It was definitely a large structure and before it there was a vast city of intricate and rich-looking buildings. Something glistened from behind the castle.

We travelled over the Regis class of her kingdom, moving straight for her castle. The Regis class was made up of royal workers, government and military personel, and super wealthy citizens.

The biggest of the buildings out of all of the three classes were found here. There was this enormous colosseum with spotlights coming from it and large parks with fountains and statues. As I continued looking, I noticed that there were no people wandering the streets below. It was like one, giant, rich ghost town.

"Where is everyone?" I asked the Queen.

"There is a hurricane on its way. My people are busy preparing," she said, "The other classes will only have to worry about a bit of rain, but the Regis class is the one closest to the sea."

Oh, so that's the glistening thing I saw behind her castle. It was an ocean. I could see it better as we aprroached even further. And it was definitey not a calm sea. Waves crashed against the shoreline and trees were blown in every direction by the raging winds. Gray clouds covered the sky and dark — almost black — clouds were rapidly aproaching from further out into the sea.

The storm excited me, as I had always loved the rain and thunderstorms, but at the same time I was still extremely uneasy from the whole day I just had. I wanted to lay down in my own bed, maybe watch a comfort movie. Oh, and eat a lot of food. Maybe I'd make tea and then go relax in my room.

A flash of lighting brought me back to reality. Seven seconds passed before the thunder rumbled through the sky. If the heart ofthe storm was seven miles away, then what was all this? A sample? How bad was this storm?

We approached the castle further and from what I could see, her castle was a light beige color, with reddish-orange roofing. It looked like a gigantic stucco mansion. Its was structured like a medeival castle, but so much larger than the ones on Earth. There were about four or five towers connected to one huge building. The hill it was set on was more like an island. A stone bridge connected the main land with the island. Off to the side was a much smaller island with a stone bridge connecting it to the castle's island. On this smaller island was a large stucco-style house that had the same walls and roof as the castle.

There was a platform on the side of the castle, where other shuttles were along with hangar builings built to house the shuttles in conditions like this. The pilots landed us there, a bit rough with the growing winds, and the Queen wasted no time getting things sorted out.

"We need to get you inside," said the Queen, standing from her seat, "The storm is almost here."

She grabbed me by my bicep and forced me onto my feet, pulling me towards the back of the shuttle where the ramp was lowering itself. We went down the ramp and the wind howled and whipped around us. She held me close to her side.

The air was thick and humid. The landing platform was near the Western-most edge of the island, and the waves crashed against the side of it, some water rising over the side and sliding towards us. Workers and soldiers ran around, connecting wires and cables to the newly-landed shuttles. Pilots sterred the shuttles into the hangars with the help of aircraft marshalls on the ground to help guide them.

We didn't stay to watch them work. The Queen's iron grip forced me to follow her towards an entrance into the castle. Guards were stationed on either side of the open doors and inside there was a hallway that stretched for roughly thirty feet with lights lining the walls. The guards at the doors shut them as soon as we were inside. Just behind the doors stood a dark-skinned man in black garments. He was the first Arkenian I met who wasn't wearing a mask.

He bowed slightly at the waist when we reached him.

"Cutting it sort of close aren't we, My Queen?" He smiled up at her.

He was taller than me but the Queen still had a few inches on him.

I shuffled my weight from one foot to the other and the man's eyes glanced at me. He took a double-take and focused on me.. His smile widened and his eyes seemed to sparkle. His eyes were dark gray. I'd never seen gray eyes like his before.

"I'm aware, Advisor," The Queen snapped, tugging me forward again.

The man looked back at her again and his eyes looked like they held some sort of secret. The two of them shared a look before the Queen began walked down the hall.

The man followed us, the guards from the ship followed behind him. We headed further into the castle and soon came to a large, cavernous room. The floors were made of polished marble and a stained glass window made up the back wall. An intricate throne was in front of it on top of a platform with a grand set of marble stairs leading up to it.

We paused and the Queen turned to her guards.

"Take her to my chambers," she then turned to me and her tone lightened, "I will meet you there in a few minutes."

She let go of my arm, a movement done with the slightest hit of hesistation, and walked off in one direction of the castle.

The guards stepped forward. The one with the white marking on his shoulder looked down at me then turned in the other direction of the castle. I followed him and the other guards followed behind me as we treked through the never-ending twists and turns of the castle. My eyes were focused on the polished floors I walked on. I didn't notice anything about the castle except for the endless amounts of staircases we climbed and when we finally stopped.

I looked up and we were at the end of a long hallway with a giant double-door with gold designs on it. The doors reached several feet high. I glanced around the space we were in and noticed little besides more lights on the wall, chandeliers lighting up th ceiling, and paintings evenly spaced along both sides of the hallway.

The guard with the white markings opened one of the doors for me. It opened without a single creak. I bit the inside of my cheek, my heart still racing and I forced a half-hearted 'thank you' and stepped in through the small opening. He quickly shut the door behind me with a soft thud that echoed around the new space I was in.

And once again, I was alone in a strange room.