SECRETARY-GENERAL MIYAMOTO
I understand your concerns, but there are certain protocols we must follow...
Junior and his mother had been led inside the UN building and into Secretary-General Miyamoto's office. The room was full of people, who, judging by their uniforms, were high military officers from different countries. Sitting right next to each others were the President of the United States Clarkson and who Junior recognized as the General Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, Kutuzov. Junior thought to himself: "Is that what it takes to bring people together? Visitors from outer space?"
PRIME MINISTER CARVER
Protocols? You have protocols for meeting aliens?
MIYAMOTO
No, but we have protocols for decision making, and this decision has already been taken.
CARVER
In the UK we are very concerned about the safety of this meeting. We believe it was a rushed decision, and that we should reconsider.
PRESIDENT CLARKSON
We are all concerned about the safety of this meeting, Mr Carver.
CARVER
I'm not just talking about the meeting! These... these beings have vastly superior technology! Aren't you worried about the kind of weapons they might possess?
CLARKSON
I can assure you we are taking every precaution.
CARVER
What do you mean?
CLARKSON
It means that we are prepared and ready, should the necessity present itself to utilize our nuclear arsenal...
JUNIOR
Are you planning to NUKE THEM?
He had spoken before he could stop himself.
Every eye, every head in the room turned in his direction. It felt like time had stopped. For just a moment, which to Junior felt like an eternity, everything that could be heard inside the office was the noise of the immense crowd outside.
Then his mother put her hand on his shoulder and spoke
AMANDA
My son apologizes for interrupting.
It took another very long moment for his brain to reboot, but finally Junior said
JUNIOR
I'm sorry...
He bowed his head down, trying to hide his embarrassment.
MIYAMOTO
You must be Junior.
JUNIOR
I am...
Said Junior in a feeble voice. He cleared his throat, but his voice got even softer.
JUNIOR
My name is John Junior Space.
CLARKSON
Junior! I'm glad we meet again under different circumstances...
President Clarkson started speaking, but he interrupted himself as Secretary Kutuzov got up from his armchair and went to stand in front of Junior, who kept his gaze fixed on the floor.
SECRETARY KUTUZOV
So you are son of astronaut...
JUNIOR
Yes...
KUTUZOV
Look at me kid, and speak up!
Junior looked up, straight into Kutuzov's face. His expression was serious, but not intimidating.
JUNIOR
Yes, sir. My father was the astronaut John Space Jr.
KUTUZOV
Better. Tell me, are you scared, like rest of them?
At those words, several people in the room started to angrily address Kutuzov, who simply raised his voice and continued
KUTUZOV
Mr. Carver you relax, and Mr. Clarkson, you should keep nuclear weapons for when you need them. If they wanted to attack they would have attacked already. Best we can do is go along. We can think of war after we meet. Which reminds me...
He gestured towards the back of the room. A blonde girl was sitting in the corner, and as Kutuzov spoke, she got up and approached him.
KUTUZOV
Since kid here is son of American astronaut, we think daughter of Russian cosmonaut should go meet alien with Secretary-General. This is Irina Petrova.
Irina Petrova. Irina Petrova. Junior immediately felt he wanted to remember that name. As she walked across the room, he found himself staring at her, and as their eyes met, Junior embarrassingly shifted his focus to what was going on around him. Once again Kutuzov's words had sparked animated protests among several people.
To let himself be heard, Miyamoto stood up and almost shouted
MIYAMOTO
Colleagues, please. Lower your voices.
As most people calmed down, Miyamoto went on in his normal tone
MIYAMOTO
Secretary Kutuzov, we have discussed this, and voted that Junior and I alone will be the ones to greet our visitor.
Your chance to oppose this is gone.
KUTUZOV
We should have put veto...
JUNIOR
I don't mind if she comes.
Once again words were coming out of his mouth without his consent. He glanced at Irina, but she didn't look at him.
MIYAMOTO
Junior, it's..
The phone on his desk started ringing and he picked up the receiver in an instant.
MIYAMOTO
Hello? Yes... OK... I understand.
He put the receiver down, straightened up his glasses and, instead of Junior, addressed the entire room.
MIYAMOTO
They tell me the spaceship of the alien Konos has entered Earth's orbit.
