Leaders

Gathering their handhelds and IDs Blake and Alex prepare to go back to the IIF Headquarters. The atmosphere inside the motel room is cloudy. The hearing has them on edge. They walk out the motel doors.

Entering a fast line station they board a transport with their token. During the ride they tank very little, keeping their thoughts to themselves. The red light above the door signals their stop. Out in the street, they enter among other people. Standing at the edge of the curb, Alex stretches his arm. A cab pulls up.

“Where to?” asks the cab driver.

“1503 Honey Ave,” says Alex.

“Climb aboard,” says the cab driver.

Black follows Alex into the yellow cab. Blake watched as the people smudged together. Building mixed in a swirl from the cab window. A few stoplights later they reached their destination.

Alex and Blake walk into the glass building, going directly to the FRONT INQUIRES.

“How may the IIF be of assistance?” asks the worker behind the desk.

“Yes, we were notified of a hearing for our case,” says Blake.

“Fill this entrance slip, turn in, and grab a number. Someone will be with you shortly,” she says.

Blake fills the one-page slip asking for basic information on his reason to visit today. He stands to turn it to the desk and grab a number. They wait for twenty-five minutes. The door behind the desk opens and out walks Manager Bill.

“Blake Sharp and Alexander Han” manager Bill says.

Blake and Alex rise from their seats and walk towards him.

“If you would follow me towards the back,” says Bill.

Walking to the left side of the hallway, they stop outside a double door.

“Behind these doors is a virtual set up with world leaders from all over the world. They have their web cameras on to talk to you two” says Bill.

Blake takes a deep breath. He walks behind Alex. He sits down at a table across from a

desktop with the webcam on. On the screen are multiple adult faces. The adults introduce themselves.

“I am President Harmony of the United States,” says President Harmony.

“I am Asia’s Supreme Ruler Xian Chi,” says Ruler Xian Chi.

“I am Prime Minister Steinbeck” says Prime Minister Steinbeck.

“I am Queen Elena,” says Queen Elena.

Out of the four, Ruler Xian Chi looks to be the oldest. He wears a red and gold outfit. Queen Elena has her hair plaited into a beautiful hairstyle adorned with pins that match her purple outfit. Prime Minister Steinbeck and President Mrs. Harmony both wore black suits.

“How is it that you found these alien forms?” says President Harmony.

“We were not the ones to have discovered them. My father aboard the exploring crew Esperanza led by scientists found them. We are simply bringing back the evidence.” says Blake.

“Would you describe them to us?” asks Queen Elena.

“The Vexes is about seven feet tall. They have large black eyes and slits for a nose and six webbed fingers. Their skiing is a light blue color that looks leathery in texture.” says Alex.

“Do they speak?” asks Prime Minister Steinbeck.

“The Vexes can make noises. My father and the other scientist have taught them sign language to communicate,” says Blake.

“Are they a threat?” asks Ruler Xian Chi.

“No, they were never threatening towards us. I do not believe they would be a threat to mankind,” says Blake.

“That is all the questions we will be answering for now kind rulers thank you, we will keep you posted,” says Bill to the people on the webcam.

Bill disconnects the call.

“The next webcam call is with three world-class scientists who want to talk about the

finding,” says Bill.

Bill fiddles with the desktop until the call is connected, On the screen are three other people: two men and one woman. Blake almost expected them to have on white gowns scientist gowns for lab work, but they are dressers in civilian clothing that is more formal.

“Hello, I am Scientist Frank Klein,” says Scientist Frank.

“Hello, I am Scientist Trixie Smith,” says Scientist Trixie.

“Hello, I am Scientist Richard Oakley,” says Scientist Richard.

“Let us begin with the questions shall we,” says Scientist Frank.

“Yes,” says Blake and Alex in unison.

“What is the environment they live in?” asks Scientist Trixie.

“They live inside caves, as far as I can see. These caves have little light. The planet they live on, I am not too sure of its climate as I was there for only a couple of days.” says Blake.

“How long have these Vexes been living on the planet?” asks Scientist Frank.

“That would be something that my father could better answer. He is still there on the planet with the Vexes. I am not sure.” says Blake.

“To what extent can they communicate with people?” asks Scientist Frank.

“The only thing I witnessed was the sign language of hello and goodbye. I am not sure what other words were taught to the Vexes. They do not speak words to people.” says Alex.

“Well that is all the time, for now, thank you all,” says Bill.

Bill turns off the webcam and writes down notes on a clipboard.

“Would you two wait here in this room for a few minutes? Will I enter some information into the computer?” asks Bill.

“Yes,” says Blake.

Blake and Alex are left to wait in the large room alone.

“How do you think it went?” asks Blake.

“I think it went well, I hope we gave them the answers they were looking for,” says Alex.

“I wish my father would have come, he could have given more information,” says Blake.

“Yeah,” says Alex.

Manager Bill walks into the room and leads them back out the hallway into the waiting area.

“We will send further messages about the progress of your case, expect at least additional questioning,” says Bill.

“Thank you,” says Blake.

Alex and Blake walk out of IIF Headquarters and onto the busy streets. Taking a cab then fast line they are brought back to the motel.

Morning comes and they decide to go to the gym to destress. They do a circuit workout to target different parts of their bodies resting in between. They are beaten by the end.

Once they reach the motel Blake opens his handheld to find a message from the IIF.

TO: Blake Sharp

CASE: 209431067

MESSAGE: This case will be having a court hearing to determine the fate of The Vexes and their stay in human-populated areas. The Vexes Vs. IIF will take place in two weeks from this date at 709 East 5th St, New York City, NY, USA, Earth. At 8:00 am.

<11.23.78>

Blake feels queasy, this mission is turning complicated.