Between two Worlds

Chapter 4

The funny thing about memory is just how clear some things are, and muddy others. Some remember every detail about the Wednesday it happened, while I can only recall what happened during.

Not that it matters what happened at work that morning. There was nothing out of the ordinary. I think Zack still had the feeling something was going to happen. But can't be certain.

It was Zack's turn to pick the place for lunch. We were at lunch at a family diner that didn't serve alcohol. Not that Willie drank that early, just that they didn't serve any.

The other two knew what they wanted, but I was taking my time going over the sandwiches. The waitress dropped off our water, while I was narrowing down my selection to a club.

Televisions were all tuned to the same channel with a kid's program on. Not having kids, I didn't know what it was. It must've been popular, since kids were watching, and laughing.

At 12:01, the program disappeared. I know it was 12:01, for the same reason as everyone else. That's when they appeared on split screens.

It was the next feather God used to get my attention. My eyes did get drawn to the heavens, but not looking where God wanted me to look. I told you I was stubborn.

The only thing anyone saw was two figures with their faces obscured. One by what looked like a hood, and the other a helmet. I know people disagree over what was covering their faces, but that's what I saw.

What stood out wasn't their hidden faces, but their hands. At least that's what stood out to me. Others took notice of the black and blue uniforms.

The one in black had four, long fingers with blue skin, while the one in blue had humanish hands with claws.

How could anyone not be drawn to those features before anything else?

"This is Commander Vrete," a mechanical voice spoke with authority from the one wearing black. "We are Atlantians wanting to return home. We seek safe passage to land."

The one in blue turned, before returning to the screen. "I am Admiral Gorth," came a second mechanical voice. "They are liars. They've never been to Earth. You can't trust them. Allow us safe passage and we'll prove it."

The voices sounded nothing like what was heard the previous day. They had to be using translators of some kind.

Just because they didn't have time for their computers to process all the languages of Earth, prior to taking up orbit, didn't mean they couldn't handle the information to create working translators by the time they took up orbit.

"The Viridians are known liars throughout the galaxy," Vrete replied. "They claim to want peace. All they want is war. Tell your governments to not let that happen."

Gorth laughed. "This coming from the people who always lie about origin of planets. Alrunians, which is who they really are, always lie about origin. If your government allows them to land, they will make war with your people."