Codename Alpha

Chapter 18

The air was hot and humid, like it had been yesterday. The sun was also beating down hard. The air had the definite indescribable smell of 'farms' to it. The sky was still fairly clear, but I did notice that there were some thick clouds approaching on the horizon.

After taking in the environment, I walked to the bed of the truck. Max pulled it down and we both hopped up and sat down. Jack soon came around and sat next to Max as well.

"What do you guys think life is gonna be like, if this all turns out alright?" I asked, as I opened the nutrient brick. "After all, if it does, we're gonna be here for quite some time."

"Hmm..." Jack began, since Max was already chewing on his food. "Well, we're definitely aliens. If I had to guess, we'd be pretty famous for a long while, so we'd also be living in a military base or something, away from the prying eyes of the public."

"Yeah, I'm thinking something similar. I can't imagine they'd be particularly angry once they know we're friendly. Some settlements might have to be made here and there, for, well, obvious reasons," he said, patting the truck bed. "We'd have shuttlecraft, too. I can see us establishing some sort of base of operations on this planet, and exploring their solar system. Maybe even as a collaborative effort."

"That'd be neat," I said. "You know, we could probably also use the shuttlecraft to fly from one side of this planet to another within a day, just for the sake of going to concerts. I'm thinking that we're going to be having some pretty lengthy planetside leave, when all is said and done." I took a bite from the tasteless brick.

"I love it. Might have to be careful with fuel usage, but that would honestly be awesome," Jack said. "Wow, in addition to an entire planet, plus solar system, we've got a gigantic culture to explore. Many cultures, as a matter of fact."

"I can only hope that they've got alright medical technology. When we were leaving, most of the injured had been stabilized, but I'd be lying if I said I was confident about all their conditions. It'd be great if the worst could be transferred to some proper medical facilities," I said.

"Yeah," Max said. "We'll have to be careful with foods and contact with the aliens for a bit, too. No telling what can be poisonous when consumed without proper equipment, and who knows what could happen when our diseases spread to them, and vice versa."

"Well, although we've got the same body structure, there's also who knows how many years of evolution in different environments. It's entirely possible that our diseases don't affect them, and in reverse," I said. After taking a second bite from the nutrient brick I continued. "However, we haven't come into direct contact with any of them, either. I'd certainly hope that whoever previously owned that truck wasn't dispersing virus cultures on the seats."

Jack and Max were both still eating, but I had finished. I looked at the town and the other farm fields, as well as the distant hills peeking just above the treeline. After a few seconds, I noticed an odd sound, which I quickly realized was a helicopter. It was odd, however, as I couldn't see any in the sky.

"You guys hear that?" I asked. "I'm thinking we've got a helicopter somewhere nearby. Can't see it, though."

Jack climbed down from the truck's bed, and walked a bit forwards, looking around for the source. "I think it's coming from that way," he said, pointing towards the west. "I'm gonna go get the car started. I don't want to be caught out when whatever this is comes overhead."

"Good call," Max said, climbing down as well. I did the same, and quickly made my way back to the cab, climbing over the passenger seat and back onto the bench. As I hurriedly buckled myself in, I became able to make out two distinct helicopter sounds. They were certainly approaching, and quickly.

"Here they come!" Jack said, as he slammed his door shut.

I looked closely out the window to my left. Sure enough, three dark green helicopters appeared over the treeline. Two smaller ones which were making the more distinct sound passed overhead, with another, somewhat bigger one, following close in tow. I couldn't make out much on them other than the phrase 'BUNDESGRENZSCHUTZ.' Something else to add to the list of things I didn't even know how to pronounce.