by Tom Holloway
I am thinking, I have been on so many lonely voyages, riding the thirty-four billion tons of starship plunging through the cold black emptiness, and after all these years, there’s not much to show for it. I think this trip is going to be our fate, a destiny for both of us, the Cyclone and me. We are both good soldiers.
I laugh. We both appreciate Anna! I smile. “Yes, Anna, Calabra! May the divine light embrace us. I love you, whatever happens!
Anna is walking the red carpet. John, Judy, and Nikki are helping her, making sure she doesn’t fall in her dress. It looks more like a wedding dress, silvery champagne in color, with soft, flowing multiple thin layers of chiffon and lace falling loosely from her empire waist. Anna now doubts her choice in dresses, wishes her mother were there to reassure her. Suddenly knowing how proud her mother would be right now greatly renews her spirit, giving her the confidence to walk tall and beautifully as she ascends the stairway into the coliseum.
My God! She thinks. No need to worry about an alien attack or any attack. There is security everywhere.
She knows one of the Consortium Eagles is hovering overhead and has laid out a security blanket—a shield, like a big electric fishnet around the entire building. The Secret Service is there because of the president. There are Consortium soldiers outside, lots of them on guard. The protesters keep their distance from them, terrified of them. Many people, thousands, are camped out in all directions, all wanting to have a glimpse of Anna. She is still shocked by this cult status; it’s hard to adjust to it.
There are little drones, too, lots of them, everywhere, like little pins of light darting around, inspecting everything. They are a constant part of Anna’s life, ever diligent. For the first time, there are also halos over Anna’s head about four feet up, orbiting slowly, three of them, projecting a security field around her. She knows it is her imagination, yet she thinks she can feel the force around her. These new things make everyone nervous, some fearful, and they are certainly not calming to Anna. Thank God they only activate when there is a threat.
She thinks, Still, I am here! Can you believe it, the Academy Awards? I am excited. How could I not be? I have a smile larger than my face. Every camera in the world is here. If Henry could see me, he would be proud of me. He hides it, yet I know his emotions run deep, and I know he will love being a wonderful father.
It is hard not to worry. She is anxious about Henry, as no word is not good. She needs to make herself think of other things, need to act confident. A happy thought is always her son. It is easy to focus on him, as he is really active now, kicking up a storm.
Everybody, even the President called her the previous night. The Chinese premier also called, a very sweet man. Many directors, producers, fellow actors, and fans sent notes wishing her well.
She thinks, I am grateful. My life is not going to be easy. No matter, I am appreciative.
As Anna walks down the aisle, she stops and says hello to the President and his wife. He tells her she looks gorgeous; she thanks him with a big smile.
Jeanie, Anna’s faithful business agent, is here, too. She ignores the halos, walks over to Anna, and hugs her, kissing her, saying she loves her. Anna tells her she’d better! Anna continues down the aisle, marveling at the number of people. She knows they are here for her; yet, more likely really here, because of Henry, all wanting to know about the aliens, fascinated by her relationship with them. Some of it is scary, as there are also hundreds of protesters with signs outside. They are being motivated by the fear of the unknown and the massive changes taking place.
She thinks, I understand, as I feel the same fear.
She pauses, looks around. There is music, spotlights beaming, beautiful charming people everywhere. It is the definition of glamour. If only Henry could be here to see it; he would love it. They find their seats. Nikki, John, and Judy sit first as they have seats next to her and Henry. She sits down next to his empty seat, close to the aisle.
Finally the lights dim, and it starts.
The host, a national comedian Anna likes, Mason Reilly, waves at her from the stage. She waves back. He jokes that he had to get permission from 120 levels of security just so he would not be shot when he waves at Anna. He says Henry found out Anna had one cooking in the oven, and then found out her father was coming tonight with a shotgun, so maybe he changed his mind, he is not coming. It might all become front-page news on the Universe Daily Herald.
Everyone laughs.
He laughs, too, and says, “Let me ask the audience: how many people think Henry is coming tonight?”
Everyone is laughing and raising their hands.
He says, “Does everyone know who Henry is?”
Everyone yells, “Yes!”
The night goes on. Anna knows they have her scheduled at the end of the awards in case Henry is late. The seat next to her remains empty. She is now beginning to realize it was unfair to push his being here for this; he could be trillions of miles from here. She created all this anticipation and the disappointment if he does not come. She also feels remorse for being selfish, maybe putting him at risk.
Then, just like that, Anna hears her name. She is called up for the award for best actress. Anna is truly delighted, a huge smile across her face. It is a big moment, especially as young as she is. She can’t help it; she is thrilled. The applause is wonderful. Everyone is standing and cheering. The movie’s soundtrack is playing. She slowly walks up, beaming, saying hi to everyone along the way.
Standing at the lectern, smiling, Anna starts out thanking everyone by name who worked on the film.
“Thank you!” she continues. “Of course I want to thank my mother, who recently passed away, always behind me in every endeavor. I thank my sister, Nikki, too, and also a thanks to John and Judy, two dear friends.”
“Please know I am grateful, and to everyone here, I am truly honored to be given this award. I have literally traveled trillions of miles to be here and am so delighted to actually be here, on Earth.”
Everyone laughs and applauds.
“I thank all the countries that have sent really important representatives to be here at this event, another kindness, one of many I have been blessed with, coming from so many wonderful people. I thank the President and the first lady for being here. I thank the Chinese premier and his first lady for being here.”
“The nominations are all about incredibly talented people, and I am truly privileged to stand here among the best. I love my work and love the people in my profession, my extended family. I know you all know I have had a busy year. Many of you have called, and I apologize for not talking to you. Life leads you in unexpected ways, and as you know, some really wild things have happened.”
The applause is overwhelming. Anna pauses. Everyone is looking around. One camera is on the door just in case.
Anna finally says, “I know you are all curious about me and Henry, my fiancé. I have been private about it, as it is hard to explain. He would be far better at telling you about his world than me. You will love him as I do. My hope is you hear it directly from him. I can’t stall any longer. I know many of you were hoping to see Henry. I guess he is not coming. Thank you all for being here. Thank you for this!”
Starting to leave the lectern, Anna suddenly stops and smiles. She feels it. She notices the floor is shaking just a little, can feel the vibration growing. She knows it is not an earthquake; the Cyclone is here, above them all. The building is pulsating. The huge starship must be descending. They can all hear rolling thunder above, and everyone is looking upward. They all know what is happening as this alien ship comes down on top of them. The excitement is astonishing; all are in awe.
Anna feels the presence. Henry! She feels him, warmed by the welcoming emotions of both Henry and the Cyclone. In this huge coliseum, the tremors are now easy to feel, and everyone knows he is here. It is more intense. All know there is something above them in the heavens that is massive. They all know it is a starship, and everyone is standing, looking at t
he main doors, excited, expecting to see a being from another alien civilization yet also a human, part of them.
Bammn! They all jump, startled. The locked closed door in the back bursts open with a loud explosion, and Henry is literally running down the aisle, many drones following him, swirling around him like fireflies. Henry is dodging the TV cameras, putting on his tux coat, yelling, “I’m here, Anna! I am here! What do I do? Congratulations! You are incredible! I made it!”
The coliseum is huge, and Henry is moving fast. The cameras try to follow him; the entire world is looking at him. Anna is waving at him, beaming, overjoyed, watching him run, and she thinks, He runs so easily, without effort, strong, graceful. What a great athlete.
He slows down, stops at the President’s row, says hi, smiles, and shakes his hand. Everyone is applauding and laughing. Henry waves at everyone.
Anna says into the microphone, “It’s about time, Captain Johnson! Come up here and say hello to everyone. I would like to introduce you to the world.”
He comes down the aisle and goes up the steps fast, two at a time. He strides up to the lectern and hugs Anna, kisses her, telling her he loves her. She loves his kiss, feels his joy, and knows he feels hers. She steps back to the lectern; Henry is behind her. She is wiping tears from her eyes.
TV cameras are everywhere as news networks from around the world are here, thousands of camera flashes; drones are everywhere, too, warning cameramen when they start to get too close. Smiling, Anna looks out at the audience and the citizens of the world, realizing just now how massive this audience is, as a good chance everyone in the world is watching her, either now or on the news tomorrow. Never before in history have so many people watched and listened to someone speak. Who would think it would be her? She is amazed and honored.
Anna laughs as she thinks everybody in the world is smiling, too. Henry is so handsome, her Starman, and she can’t help but be proud. She exclaims, “Let me introduce you to my fiancé, Henry Johnson, someone I think you are going to like and who will be of great interest to you. You all want to hear his story and he can explain it far better than I can. He is from the planet KA*AM, trillions of miles from here. He is friendly, I can assure you,” she says with a coy smile. Everyone laughs. “He looks like a human because he is from Earth originally. He has been employed by a Consortium of Civilizations spread across the universe. He is awesome, and you will love him.”
Looking at Henry, laughing, Anna says, “Henry, no telepathy. Please talk to these people.” He kisses her again, tears now rolling down her face.
Anna then feels it. She feels Henry’s emotions and thoughts. It is happening. Now everyone in the place feels Henry’s emotions and his thoughts, and there are astonished looks on their faces. All are now applauding; all are standing up; now everyone is tearing up, too. They feel him. Henry is projecting his powerful emotions, his longing for Anna, his love for Earth, and his love for them, all being intimately felt by every person here in their hearts and in their minds. None of them has ever experienced telepathy, much less a mind meld, or even thought such a thing possible. This telepathy stuff is great. Henry is going to do really well in Hollywood!
Henry asks them all to sit down and relax completely, and they will see what he sees. He will show them the universe and his home planet. Everyone is delighted, wanting this, and then they slowly enter into a mind meld, mesmerized by his thoughts. He tells them about himself using both telepathy and soothing out-loud words. Then he talks about KA*AM. They see this wonderful planet in their minds, just like they were there. Henry has gone deeply telepathic; it is very powerful as they can see what he sees and feel what he feels. Two older women faint, and then are quickly revived by ushers with wet towels. Everyone in the audience is in tears and laughing by the time he finishes. They love him! Anna knows they really love him. She knows, as she feels it, too.
Yet Anna’s mind is in other places. She knows nothing from Henry about what happened with Gabriel. She wonders what the next chapter in their lives is. Henry looks tired, worn out. What happened to him? Did they agree to his retirement? What is going to happen going forward for them, for the Earth, for their children? What will happen when their son is born? Will he be a citizen of KA*AM?
Anna remembers every television in the world is showing this. It is later reported that five billion households have viewed this event. Many changes will be taking place in the future. What will be Anna’s role? And Henry’s?
Cameras from around the world follow them, trying to crowd in, fighting for space, although are never allowed too close; as Anna and Henry walk backstage they continue to trail them. He asks her mentally about the baby. She smiles, and he knows all is well.
She looks at him and asks him out loud, “Henry, did you make a deal with Gabriel?”
He turns his head, looks at Anna, and smiles. She hears his thoughts. “Yes, Anna, all is well, or at least sort of. I will tell you all about it, and you will meet Gabriel tomorrow. He is coming here. We will be fine. Earth will be fine. Earth has been officially accepted into the Consortium. He wants to meet you and has come a long way. He wants to come to our wedding. There are ten fleets out there and two more Titans. We are here together now, Earth has been adopted, and we all have a new beginning.”
The End
