From Science Monthly (May 6th)

WE’RE NOT ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE! NOW WHAT?

Following the immediate shock of alien life visiting our planet, the opportunity to stand in wonder was quickly eclipsed by terror. There was alien life, but it was incredibly hostile. Fighting for survival does not offer much time for reflection. But now, in the wake of Earth’s Victory, and a sudden glut of information being leaked out of several world governments regarding the nature of the invasion, we have time to stop and get an idea of the better picture.

The facts that we have come to understand are as follows:

At some time around February 22nd, pieces of alien technology known as menus were forcibly implanted into random people (and at least two animals) across the globe. We now know that these menus were sent by creatures who identify themselves as “The Engineers.”

These menus had the capacity to bestow power and knowledge in supernatural amounts to the menu hosts in a dizzying array.

Shortly after the menus hit Earth, they were followed by roughly 1,000 hostile aliens. These hostile aliens, known by the Engineers as “Gnosiphages,” or “Knowledge Eaters,” began to hunt and kill menu hosts at a staggering rate, as well as any normal humans who happened to be in the area.

The invasion culminated in the appearance of a massive asteroid dubbed “Willis,” crawling with millions of the gnosiphages, but which were all destroyed by the hosts known as Renn, Warden, Major Longsight, and many others.

Now, with Earth saved and the immediate threat of destruction averted, we’re left to wonder where to go from here. One of the first questions that comes to mind regarding the alien incursion is, “Why now?”

For many years, the Fermi Paradox has been pointed to in order to explain our prior loneliness in a universe so large that other life seemed inevitable, maybe even natural. How, in such an infinite place, could we alone exist? We now know this isn’t the case, but given recent events, it seems one hypothesis related to the Fermi Paradox is more likely than ever.

The concept of an interstellar super-predator doing away with other civilized species on other worlds would explain why things have been so quiet in our neck of the woods. Given the hostile aliens’ name, it would imply they solely seek out those races that have some level of technological and social development.

It’s unclear whether or not that the invasion force that was destroyed constituted the entire race of gnosiphages, or only one part. If the latter is true, then perhaps we still have more to prepare for.

As for the Engineers themselves, there has been no further information regarding contact with them, or what plans, if any, they have for the hosts they have bestowed the menus to.

From The New York Times (May 6th)

EARTH, VICTORIOUS!

Multiple sources confirmed this morning at 3:00 AM standard time that the last pack of invading aliens were identified and killed 380 miles north of Chita, Russia. They were hunted down and eliminated by a combination of Russian, Chinese, and American military, a host from each country, and a number of mechanical combat units from China and America. Earth’s forces suffered zero casualties save a few destroyed robots.

President Hanover declared an end to the alien menace that has terrorized our planet since late February of this year, and has caused the last few months to be filled with turmoil, fear, and dread.

“The aliens are defeated. Earth is victorious, mankind has emerged as the decisive winner in this conflict, and we have let whatever else may be in the galaxy or beyond know that our race, and our planet, are not to be taken lightly,” the President said at a press conference at the White House just as dawn was breaking. “It’s a new day, but one which we are prepared and able to meet, and more, succeed.”

President Hanover and all of Congress unanimously agreed not long after that May 6th would become a national holiday known as E.V. Day, in which all of Earth’s protectors, most notably the dozens of hosts, fought for the safety and survival of the human race.

While it is a day for celebration——and indeed, much of New York is already celebrating by the sound of it——it is also a day when we finally have space to breathe, without the threat of looming extinction, and ask some important questions.

Where did the aliens come from, and why did they come to Earth?

How, exactly, did the Hosts gain their superhuman abilities?

How many Hosts are there, and are they all dedicated to protecting Earth?

Was this the end of the aliens, or merely a break between attacks?

Will Earth attempt retaliatory actions against the alien invaders?

Will agencies such as the Unites States Anti-Invasion Force continue to exist, now that the invasion is over?

That last question, at least, had a clear answer.

Director of the USAIF Suzanne MacDougal herself was in attendance at the dawn announcement.

“Yes, the USAIF will continue to function as it has. While this alien threat has been terminated, we are fully aware that we are not alone in the universe. Our intelligence on extra-terrestrial life is next to nothing, at the moment, and collecting such information to better guard ourselves against another incident such as this will be one of the primary directives of the USAIF. The universe is a very big place, and we’re going to figure out where we stand in it, and make sure we don’t get knocked down ever again,” MacDougal said.

Whether Director MacDougal’s assurances hold true or not remain to be seen. However, for today, Earth is victorious, and there’s a party outside.

From Le Monde (Translated from French) (May 7th)

PRESIDENT BISSET AWARDS HOSTS HIGHEST HONORS

The French host known only as Renn was one of three hosts who were instrumental in the destruction of Asteroid Willis. He was honored today in a public ceremony by President Bisset, along with the American host known as Warden. Both were inducted into the Legion of Honor and awarded the rank of Grand Cross. Warden was also made an honorary citizen of France. The third host who delivered the final blow to the remains of asteroid Willis was the late Chinese host, Major Longsight, who died during the attack but was given the same honors as Warden and Renn. General Huang of the People’s Army accepted the awards on her behalf.

“I hope now that we can unite, and move forward into the future as one people, and leave our troubled past behind us,” Renn said. “Together we faced a great enemy, and we won. But now, without enemies, we must not fall into old habits. We have been given a gift, and we must trust one another to use it as best we can.”

“Thank you for the honors. I hope for what Renn hopes for, and what I think most people want: a peaceful future,” Warden said.

“None of us could have predicted this would happen at the beginning of the year, and none of us know what the next year will bring. But I am proud to honor these heroes today. And I predict that with people such as this, our future looks very good indeed,” President Bisset finished.

From The Daily Telegraph (May 7th)

WHO ARE THE INDEPENDENT HOSTS?

While the exact numbers are a relative secret amongst world governments, most reports agree that there are between 70-80 hosts currently working directly with their home countries in the wake of the alien invasion that ended last month. It’s estimated that 30-40 hosts remain on Earth, independent of any government or controlling body that we know of. And a further 40-50 hosts are known to have departed Earth at various times during the invasion for parts unknown. While some of the terrestrial independent hosts are believed to have combated the alien invasion in small pockets of loosely organized resistance, nobody has seen much of them, and none of those hosts who left the planet over the past several weeks and months.

Until the final days of the invasion.

Tokyo, Rio, Los Angeles, and several other major cities that were targeted by swarms of alien invaders all reported a sudden, well-coordinated intervention by non-military forces that repelled the alien attacks. It’s thanks to this intervention that casualties and collateral damage were kept to a minimum, but no government has claimed responsibility.

All cities reported similar instances of chrome ships with glowing green lights descending from the sky and unleashing mechanical troops as well as super-powered humans. A bipedal polar bear in armor was spotted in Tokyo, mauling its way through a small horde of aliens and rescuing a bus-load of school-children in one video recorded by a panicked student. A woman using blue fire was spotted in Los Angeles as she roasted a column of flying invaders.

When the alien threat was gone, these unknown hosts went back to their ships, and departed as quickly and with as little fanfare as they had arrived, back into space. All of them arrived at the various cities within minutes of each other and left in the same timespan, hinting at greater organization and tactical aptitude than was previously believed independent hosts capable of.

“We have it on good authority that any host who departed Earth is still within the solar system,” Director MacDougal said. “We believe these independent hosts who assisted Earth’s forces in defeating the aliens may belong to the same group. If they’re listening, we are eager to offer our thanks and partnership as we go forward, but we must make it clear that we would rather not have hosts running amok without supervision from duly elected officials that the people can trust. You are heroes, and should be recognized as such, and behave as such, committing to cooperation and honesty.”

While most people are eager to celebrate the saviors of several major cities, others are uncertain of the independent hosts’ behavior.

“They showed up here to help, yes, and we owe them more than we can say,” said Mayor Katsuhito of Tokyo to the Tokyo Shimbun. “But the idea of what can only be described as warships appearing over some of the most populated areas on Earth with no warning, and then disappearing just as quickly…it is unsettling. I think we would all feel better if we could meet these people, and come to some mutual understanding.”

The uncertainty of the independent hosts——nearly 100 in total——is high, nobody can say that we don’t at least owe them our gratitude for their efforts in saving our planet.

From The State (May 8th)

WARDEN’S IDENTITY REVEALED

The personal identities of the hosts, humans (and in two cases, animals) gifted with supernatural powers through some form of extra-terrestrial intervention, has been a well-kept secret since the invasion of Earth became known. Hosts have been given codenames or call-signs by their respective governments, the press, online communities, or themselves. One of the American hosts was known only as “Warden,” for several months.

Warden has seen significant news coverage. She was present during both attacks in New York City: the explosions in Prospect Park and at Federal Plaza the night of the Manhattan Tornado. She was also responsible for the destruction of much of Honolulu as well as the defeat of Alien Alpha. She was also directly responsible for saving much of London and killing Alien Omega, as well as the asteroid Willis and roughly half of the alien invasion force.

Her earlier exploits caused many, Senator Kalawai’a from Hawaii chief among them, to insist on Warden’s identity being made public knowledge, along with all hosts, so they might be held responsible. Now, that request has been renewed by many, but not for the same reasons.

“She’s a hero. She saved the planet!” said one man from Columbia.

“She rescued that super smart pangolin from the Riverbanks Zoo. And he went on to save who knows how many folks?” said another local.

“She ought to be rewarded properly. Have a day named after her or something,” added Mayor of Columbia, Frank Terrance.

And it seems somebody, somewhere, was listening to what people wanted. A leak from Washington, possibly from the USAIF itself, was discovered. Internal memos refer to “Host Warden,” as “Anya Nowicki,” who many have claimed grew up in nearby Clemson, South Carolina.

Yesterday, the USAIF refused to comment on the matter, but today, Director Suzanne MacDougal confirmed that Anya Nowicki is one of the hosts responsible for saving the planet.

“Oh I’ve always been proud of her,” said Martha Nowicki, Anya’s mother. “I was stern with her, but she knows it was out of love. It’s how she grew up into the person she is today. Just that tough love.”

Repeated attempts to reach Ms. Nowicki through the USAIF have been met with no comment.