According to Junior, of all the things that had happened until then, and of all the things that would happen on that extraordinary day, one the oddest was the sight of the dignitaries, military officials and authorities being guided like schoolboys outside of the UN building.
A landing pad had been set up outside, and everyone was taking their place around it. Before Junior could exit, his mother pulled him aside
BEATRIX
Junior, come here.
JUNIOR
Mom, we've discussed this, we have to go with them...
BEATRIX
I know, I know... just for second.
She was visibly upset. Her face was pale and her voice almost broke as she spoke. Junior thought she would try to persuade him not to go, or beg him to be careful, but he was wrong.
BEATRIX
Junior, you have to promise me one thing.
JUNIOR
I promise.
BEATRIX
Don't fool around and listen: You have to behave, do you understand? Remember your manners!
JUNIOR
Mom...
BEATRIX
No, no, no, no, no! Promise me that you will not interrupt anyone anymore, and that you will speak only if spoken to. Can you do that for me?
JUNIOR
Fine... I promise I will keep my mouth shut.
BEATRIX
Good. How are you feeling? Are you afraid?
He hadn't realized it until then, but yes, he was scared.
JUNIOR
A bit...
She hugged him.
BEATRIX
Well, don't be. We are going to be okay.
JUNIOR
I'm not worried for us... I'm worried for the alien...
BEATRIX
Why is that?
JUNIOR
You've heard the President! They have nuclear weapons ready! They probably have snipers nearby! What if they kill it?
BEATRIX
Don't worry about that... These alien people are smart! I'm sure they thought about such things before coming here.
He was reassured, but couldn't shake the feeling that the ones who hadn't thought things through were the humans around him.
Junior and his mother left the building and caught up with Miyamoto. He was standing by the landing pad and was arguing with Kutuzov. He looked relieved when he saw the two of them approach him. Excusing himself from Kutuzov, he addressed Beatrix
MIYAMOTO
Mrs. Space, we thought you could sit with your President, Mr. Clarkson, is that ok?
BEATRIX
Sure, whatever works for you.
She ran her hand through her son's hair.
BEATRIX
I'll be right there.
She said, indicating the president sitting a few meters away.
She then pulled Junior close to her and kissed him on the forehead.
BEATRIX
Remember what we talked about, and try not to worry, ok?
JUNIOR
Yes mom...
As she left, he duly waited for Miyamoto to speak.
MIYAMOTO
So Junior, what do you think of the starship?
JUNIOR
I haven't really seen it...
MIYAMOTO
Look! it's right there.
Miyamoto was indicating a point in the clear sky, and sure enough, there it was. The familiar thin slice of the waning Moon, and poking from behind it, Junior could make out the shape of a vast cylindrical object, far bigger than he thought anything could be. No wonder it affected gravity that much. It was almost as broad as the Moon, and twice as long.
His jaw dropped, and his expression must have looked very dumb, as he heard Miyamoto chuckle.
JUNIOR
How are they going to land that ship here?
He said, gesturing towards the landing spot. Miyamoto chuckled again.
MIYAMOTO
They won't. We have been told they don't require much space to land. Hopefully the pad will be big enough.
JUNIOR
So, how long before they arrive?
MIYAMOTO
I have been informed that a small object has entered Earth's atmosphere a few minutes ago. They should be here soon.
And sure enough, a few moments later, cries of joy and surprise started erupting from the crowd. The ones who saw it first pointed their fingers to the sky, and in the blink of an eye, everybody was looking up.
It flew like a plane, but it had no wings. As it came closer, Junior could see that much like the Apollo and Soyuz Descent Modules, it was bell shaped, only much bigger. It maneuvered itself pointy side up, hovered for a second, and began its slow, controlled descent.
Spontaneous applause broke out from the crowd, but it only lasted until the spacecraft, instead of using the pad, landed on top of the UN building.
Junior looked at the Secretary-General, who had a shocked expression on his face. Miyamoto turned around looking for somebody to give him an explanation, but everybody was just as stunned as him.
JUNIOR
Did you.. check the coordinates you gave them?
Said Junior, looking towards the roof. To his surprise, what looked like a tall human figure emerged from the top of the railing, stood there for a moment, threw its arms in the air and disappeared. Within a few seconds the spacecraft was airborne again, this time headed for the intended landing spot.
The engines propelled hot air towards them, and everyone situated close enough to the pad had to bow down, arms covering their heads, to protect themselves.
Once it had shut down its engines, Junior could look at the spacecraft directly, and noticed the typical charred look of a spacecraft that had penetrated Earth's atmosphere.
MIYAMOTO
Let's go, Junior!
Said Miyamoto, as he climbed onto the pad. Junior followed him up the steps, and almost bumped into him, as he stopped dead in his tracks looking at the person who had just emerged from the vessel.
KONOS
My name is Konos. I come in peace.
