KONOS
我的名字是KONOS我为和平而来.
Mеня зовут Kонос. Я пришел с миром.
Konos repeated, in Chinese and Russian.
Junior's body went numb with shock. He couldn't move, he couldn't speak, he couldn't think.
Konos was standing right in front of him and Miyamoto, towering over both of them, at least seven feet tall. What shook Junior to his core, wasn't the size of the alien, but how much Konos was at the same time familiar and foreign. He looked so human that, were it not for his size, he could have been mistaken for one. Just like them, he had two arms, two legs and one head with two eyes, one long nose and one mouth. He had no hair except for his eyebrows. Unlike them though, his hands only sported one thumb and three other fingers, and he didn't have ears, but what looked like metallic implants on both sides of his head.
Miyamoto cleared his throat and extended his right arm, intending to shake Konos' hand.
MIYAMOTO
My name is Miyamoto Hisashi. I am the Secretary-General of the United Nations. I am honored to welcome you to planet Earth.
Konos was staring at Miyamoto. He raised his right hand too, but didn't take up Miyamoto's offer to shake. He just kept his arm hanging in the air for several seconds, imitating what Miyamoto was doing, and then lowered it. The Secretary-General, feeling silly, lowered his hand as well.
Junior carefully observed Konos, and was struck by the lack of expression on his face and emotion in his eyes.
It was an historic moment. Miyamoto was sweating profusely and nervously clenching his fists, Junior was so excited he had to remind himself to breathe, but Konos looked calm, so calm that Junior wondered how many times he had done this before.
KONOS
Miyamoto Hisashi.
Said Konos, acknowledging the Secretary-General.
KONOS
My name is Konos. I come in peace.
Konos repeated, this time only in English.
The fact that Konos used only one language to answer, the very same that Miyamoto addressed him with, probably meant he could understand them, Junior thought. The Secretary-General must have thought the same thing, as he continued
MIYAMOTO
We welcome you in peace, and we are glad to offer you hospitality or anything else you may need.
Konos took notice of a single word, which he repeated looking at Miyamoto and nodding
KONOS
Peace... peace. I come in peace.
Konos raised his head and looked around, examining the number of officials behind Junior and Miyamoto, the crowd in the distance and the buildings around them.
Miyamoto turned towards Junior and introduced him.
MIYAMOTO
Konos, this is the boy who found your ship. His name is John Junior Space.
In an instant Konos knelt down, looking Junior straight in the eyes, an inch away from his face.
Junior didn't have time to react. Paralyzed by fear, he stood there, frozen, staring at Konos, trying not to blink. In Konos' eyes, he saw a gleam that wasn't there before.
KONOS
Space?
It took a few seconds for Junior to remember how to speak.
JUNIOR
Yes.
He nodded.
JUNIOR
My name is John Junior Space.
For just a moment, Konos gave Junior the warmest of smiles, then suddenly rose, looking up at the sky with a very stern expression on his face. He stood there like that for a couple of minutes, undeterred by Miyamoto's attempts to gain his attention back.
MIYAMOTO
I would like to introduce you to the highest ranking authorities of our planet.
Konos appeared not to have heard him, and kept staring up in the distance.
Miyamoto turned towards his aides standing besides the landing pad, but they looked just as baffled as he was.
Still looking up, Konos spoke softly
KONOS
Spira...
"What did he just say?" Junior thought.
JUNIOR
Spira?
Said Junior aloud.
KONOS
Yes. Spira.
JUNIOR
What does it mean?
Junior wasn't sure Konos would understand, but after some thought he replied
KONOS
John Junior Spira.
Indicating Junior he said
KONOS
Space.
And indicating himself he said
KONOS
Spira.
All of a sudden, it dawned on him.
JUNIOR
Spira means space.
Konos nodded.
KONOS
Space means spira.
The two of them looked at each others and smiled, then Junior raised his arm and Konos did the same, but this time Junior was quick and grabbed his hand, shaking it. At first Konos looked disoriented, but soon realized what he was supposed to do and shook back.
Miyamoto smiled and tried, once more, to speak to Konos.
MIYAMOTO
Konos, I would like you to meet someone else.
He nodded towards his aides, and they addressed President Clarkson, Secretary Kutuzov and other officials, who got up from their chairs and made their way towards the pad.
All of this went unnoticed by Konos, whose attention was entirely devoted to Junior.
KONOS
Space, I... I...
He pondered his words.
KONOS
I... need information. I find information?
JUNIOR
You need to find information?
KONOS
Yes. Information. You. Everything.
JUNIOR
You need information. About us?
KONOS
Yes.
Junior thought about it for a moment.
JUNIOR
There is a pretty big library on 5th Avenue...
Said Junior, indicating with his finger roughly in the direction of the New York Public Library.
Before Junior or Miyamoto could do anything, Konos had sprinted off in that direction, leaving everyone behind.
