The engines shut off and Do’Lânqwa took a beat to prepare himself. The look on her face said it all. Her crossed arms said it all. And Do’Lânqwa knew as soon as the jet landed and he got out, her words were going to say it all.

In front of him, through the windshield of the cockpit stood Madam Secretary and roughly two dozen armed officers from The GRAB Team and about two dozen Air Force personnel. All guns aimed and ready.

“Good luck out there,” said Blane, putting a reassuring hand on the grëhman’s shoulder.

“Quite the welcoming party,” Fo’Vylrian stated from the back.

“Shut up. You don’t say a word until I tell you,” Do’Lânqwa snapped back, getting out of his seat.

Do’Lânqwa had gone back to Earthgrë to salvage some more Kugreycium when he stumbled upon a band of survivors who led him to finding The 45th, who had somehow escaped from the meteor shower that rained down on him last year. He then had The Power of Three join him on Earthgrë to finish The 45th off for the last time.

The reason for the welcome committee though was because of their decision to bring back someone when they weren’t authorised to do so, even though he said he knew how to work with Kugreycium.

The triplets weren’t sure it was their place to bring back someone new to Earthuu, whilst Do’Lânqwa on the other hand, thought his help was going to be needed.

Now, The Secretary was going to tell him what she thought of it all.

“Secretary, I-”

“I do not want to hear another word from you right now. I cannot begin to fathom where you think you have the authority to bring back others from another planet. Whoever it is back there will be going into custody and we will all be having a chat about this.” She stared hard at Do’Lânqwa and then the triplets who were stood behind him. Holt gave her a look as if to say ‘don’t blame us’ and she shook her head in dismay.

Clicking her fingers, the armed soldiers moved in and boarded the craft to apprehend Fo’Vylrian.

“Leave the jet there and we’ll unload the Kugreycium shortly,” she added. “Follow me.” And with that, she turned and walked off.

The four non-humans silently obeyed, like naughty children heading to the school principal’s office.

***

Five days later.

“We’ve called this emergency meeting to discuss the matter of five days ago. Thank you for all coming,” explained The Secretary. “For those not familiar, we also have present Do’Lânqwa Th’mari, Holt, Mindy and Blane Daltom and Brad Jacobs-Brown. Over there is Amber Hamilton, the Secretary of Defence in charge of Homeland Security. We also have Purcell Richardson, Vice President of the United States and we welcome Glói Valtersson the President of the United Nations General Assembly. Thank you for coming.”

In the five days leading to this meeting, it was almost as if all hell had broken loose. Do’Lânqwa had received the sternest telling off in the immediate aftermath, whilst the triplets were reprimanded for leaving Earth without authorisation and for not doing more to stop Do’Lânqwa from bringing back another refugee from another world.

Then, word went higher through the channels to Homeland Security, to the White House and it was debated on Capitol Hill.

The purpose of the meetings were to discuss, if any, sanctions for Do’Lânqwa and the triplets, what to do with Fo’Vylrian and finally how to minimise the subsequent risk to America and the planet itself.

When it was suggested that the other Governments were pissed about what had been allowed to happen, it was no understatement. In the UN meetings, America had a new hole ripped into it.

“Thank you Secretary for the introductions,” began Amber Hamilton. She was a stern and serious looking woman with her black hair tied back and a face aged from the weight of the pressures of her job. Her no-nonsense power suit was a rich eggplant in colour paired with a pastel green blouse. “Your actions have put America in a delicate position. It’s put us at risk, and the world in a state of panic. Through our conversations with UN representatives, we are now in danger of severe sanctions over the fear that we are irresponsibly collecting alien beings from other planets. Russia, China, North Korea and even our reliable allies in the UK and Europe are scared, feel threatened and are prepared to take action against us. The President is extremely concerned too. Purcell, would you like to continue?”

Purcell was the Vice President speaking on behalf of the White House. He was a big guy in stature, a former college football player from inner city Detroit, Purcell rose through the ranks of the Democratic Party and was the obvious choice for the President’s right hand man. “Thank you Ms Hamilton. Yes, the President and I are gravely concerned about how vulnerable our Earth has become now under after your voyage through the stars. We’re aware of the Pact in place and we’re worried that your relaxed attitude towards coming and going is going to jeopardise our safe exclusion from it. What is to say we won’t be attacked in some sort of retaliation for your trips?” he asked, showing his palms in a questioning way.

“Well I’m pretty sure no one will want to seek retaliation for our trips,” argued Do’Lânqwa.

“You say that, but the United States are not governed on the assurances of alien beings, I’m afraid. Need I remind you of what happened to your planet? A defenceless, passivist planet completely wiped out, which then drew enough attention to you returning to our Earth and turned London into a burning wreck. No, we are really worried about this, Do’Lânqwa.”

“And the rest of the world is,” chipped in the Icelandic UN General Assembly President, Glói Valtersson. “We not exaggerate when we say that the world is scared. No country, no matter how advanced, have the means to defend themselves against beings of your calibre. Even our Enhanceds in the G7 would struggle,” he admitted.

Do’Lânqwa sat back and let them talk. He could see the triplets were looking concerned. He was too. He wasn’t sure where this was going, and by this point it didn’t sound too good for them.

Despite what Do’Lânqwa thought, the main thing was, the officials looked worried. These were genuine fears they had and whilst he had tried his best to soothe their concerns, he couldn’t swear by what he told them. He just knew that Earthuu was seen as a poorer, lowly runt of a technologically disadvantaged planet. But this moment was not the right time to say so.

“We find ourselves having to blindly react and second guess without the means to do so, and that makes us vulnerable,” Amber explained, taking the conversation baton. “We have Fo’Vylrian in custody, but I’m losing men to illnesses and we are racing to develop defensive satellites just in case... These are dark times for humankind. I cannot stress that enough.”

“So what’s the plan? Has anything been decided?” Brad asked.

“Well there aren’t many options available. We are not ready or capable enough yet to react to any other worldly threats. Neither are we willing to accept sanctions or consequences from other countries. Playing a reactive role is not ideal for us,” stated Amber.

Feeling dubious about what the answer to his question was going to be, Brad asked, “So there’s a proactive option then?”

“Yes,” Glói answered simply. He turned to Do’Lânqwa. “You’re taking us up there and we’re going to speak with the Council of the Universes ourselves.”

“Woah, are you kidding?” Brad blurted out.

The Secretary stepped in, “Brad, it’s been discussed at great length. Rather than sitting, waiting and not knowing-”

“You want to go direct to the source and seek assurances?” Do’Lânqwa said, figuring it out for himself.

“Exactly.”

“Do you know what you’re saying though? You would literally be going into the unknown. With no idea of what to expect, or how they would view your appearance,” Brad argued. “And who will be going?”

Purcell waved his hand to announce he would be, as did Glói Valtersson and The Secretary of The Collective.

“And so will Do’Lânqwa and one of The Power of Three,” the Vice President added, looking over at them. “We just need to discuss with you where we’re going and how it will work.”

“Brad’s right. It is risky,” Do’Lânqwa began saying. “The triplets and I come from a planet that has crumbled and a planet that caused it. Sure we know of the other Earths, but we don’t know about their tensions and the stances that they may take against you. Us. What if we refuse?”

“All four of you will be detained and locked up,” Amber replied bluntly, with no emotion in her voice. “They’re the options available. We could punish you for your actions with imprisonment or you do this to make it right.”

Do’Lânqwa knew she wasn’t lying. The triplets turned to look at him.

“We’re doing this,” Mindy said telepathically to Do’Lânqwa.

“Count us in,” announced Blane. “We’d do anything to make this right.”

“And Do’Lânqwa?” Purcell asked.

He looked around at the officials, and tried to read the Secretary. She looked back at him before then averting her gaze away.

“Of course,” he finally answered.

“Can we just take a moment to discuss the fact that we are sending our Vice President and UN General Assembly President up into space?” said Brad.

“That’s why you’re here,” explained The Secretary. “This is a top secret mission. We have to send people with responsibility to show that we are serious and are then able to make necessary complex negotiations. Us and a select few will know that this is happening. Amber will take responsibility for The Collective whilst continuing with Homeland Security matters. Brad, you’ll be on high alert with Mindy and Holt who will be staying here. Blane and Do’Lânqwa will escort us and provide protection. It’s going to be a small diplomatic convoy.”

“This is mad,” muttered Brad, leaning back in his chair.

“And what else do we do? How do we fix things? Do you have any ideas?” snapped Amber.

Vice President Richardson didn’t give Brad the chance to answer, wanting to keep things on track. “Look, what we need is advice on how we go about it. Where the Council meet, for example?”

“Ok, well I’ll make the argument for going to Earthsle, if you three agree?” Do’Lânqwa said. The triplets nodded to confirm. “Earthsle is probably the most liberal planet of them all.”

“And can we make contact with the Council from there?” asked Glói.

“Each planet has a consulate where the meetings can take place on a rotation,” Do’Lânqwa explained.

“Do you have contacts on your planet?” Amber asked the triplets.

“If you insist on me going," Do’Lânqwa said, feeling undermined. "You need to remember that I’m not welcome on Earthtun, not after what happened on Earthgrë. No, if you want my help... our help, then we go to Earthsle.”

“You’re right, forgive me. Okay, Earthsle it is. We have expectations to be gone in three days. Can you all work to that?” Amber requested.

Do’Lânqwa and the triplets looked at each other. Blane shrugged in an ‘it’s fine with me’ way.

“Sure, three days it is. Thank you. Can I speak to my team in private?” The Secretary asked, turning to the Government officials. They got up in turn and left the room. “Alright, what are we all thinking?”

“That sending you to another planet is a bit crazy,” Brad replied first.

“You know why I'm going, though?”

“I do, yes. I just wish there was another way.”

“And you three? Are you ok with the plan?” The Secretary asked the triplets.

“Sure,” said Blane. “It’s fine with me. Do’Lânqwa and I can get you there no problem. Anything to keep us out of trouble.”

“Yeah, so this alternative plan of Amber's,” Holt said, his body language showing how unimpressed he was. “Out of interest, what were you going to do? Lock us up? For how long? And where? Have you got somewhere strong enough to even hold us?”

“In the same place you’re keeping Fo’Vylrian?” Do’Lânqwa asked.

“Yeah,” she admitted, sighing heavily. She knew he knew when people were lying.

“But we’re not the enemy, Ma’am,” Mindy said.

“I know. I know that. Regardless of what happened last week, I know you’re not, but ultimately I can only say and do so much and the people love a scapegoat. But doing this will help you. It'll help us all.”

“This was all down to me though. I made it difficult for them to argue with me,” Do’Lânqwa offered again.

“I know, you said that last time. Look, let’s not do this again now. We leave in three days. Mindy, Holt and Brad, not a word to the others. I just need you to be ready if something happens in our absence.”

“Copy that, Ma’am,” said Brad. Holt and Mindy nodded.

***

Three days later.

“Right. Ground rules,” announced Blane from his seat in the cockpit. “It’s my shop, so I’m in charge and I make the decisions until I get you to Earthsle. Comprende?”

His passengers nodded in agreement. Their knowledge of space and the jets that flew through it was non-existent anyway, so no one knew how to argue otherwise.

“In that case, buckle up, enjoy the ride and no bothering the driver unless in an emergency.”

Do’Lânqwa, who was sat with The Secretary, turned to her. She looked anxious, so he smiled reassuringly. “We better be right about this Ma’am.”