The R Factor
At First Glance
A Short
By
Jennifer Hampton
SMASHWORDS EDITION
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PUBLISHED BY:
Jennifer Hampton on Smashwords
Copyright © 2008-2011 by Jennifer Hampton
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
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PLEASE READ BEFORE CONTINUING TO THE STORY
The R Factor is a collection of shorts ranging from 10,000-20,000 words. If you have more questions about the series, please feel to visit my personal website at http://jennifer-hampton.com
Decisions
The decision was made. I knew my choice the moment I decided to visit these so called humans and study them. Humans were such perplex creatures. Each day that passed gave me new insight on these unique creatures. However, one thing remained the same—they were heavily flawed. Each human I came in contact with held a certain hole in their hearts. Metaphorically speaking of course—what I really saw was this missing link; a certain lust for power. In both the male and female of them, they all seemed to want one thing….To be in control of something.
Humans were the most selfish creatures I’ve ever examined. Over the centuries, I’ve studied many species over the galaxy, but nothing came close to the comparison of humans. I’ve never encountered such a selfish, self-destroying species. Their world was on the brink of a massive extinction, and yet, they still continued with their daily lives. There were very few humans that world hard to inform their kind of what was to come, yet the humans passed their scientists for raging lunatics and continued with their selfish lives.
I found it humorous that these humans found me as this new fascinating creature. Over the past century, humans seemed to be searching for me—something completely different from them. It was in a star they found me, resting peacefully. I had grown weary of studying creatures of the galaxy and decided to take my rest in a star which, I assumed I would find it a peaceful slumber.
I was very wide of the mark.
When made my first study of the humans thousands of years ago, they were aligning pyramids with the stars. Today, the perplex creatures were shining bright satellites towards my star, awakening me from my rest. During my rest, I could hear the crying please of their people, as they were beginning to encounter many massive destructing storms—not unusual for the humans, but unusually frequent this century. Had the humans not realized what their destructive ways would not have a ripple effect?
Awakened by the madness, I found their cries alarming amusing. I’ve studied the universe in entirety during my reign, and I have even saved dying civilizations, I’ve ruled entire planets regaining the structure, but I’ve never faced anything like the humans before. I’ve never watched a race of creatures so self-destructive—I saw them almost as suicidal. Self-preservation seemed to be something of the past to them. They only cared about the now, never the future of their planet.
I could see it coming—the end of them, the end of human life. It would be written all over the galaxy of these creatures—the creatures that destroyed their own planet. How could they be so selfish? Why would they destroy their only source of living? These questions would rocky the stars to thousands of years. And then, the inevitable would happen. The humans would fade away in time. Their destroyed planet would be studied like the dead moons that surrounded many planets throughout the galaxy.
I felt compelled to help them, show them the true ways of life before they met their end. It was unavoidable though, I would not be able to save them all. The damage was done. Massive destruction awaited them. As I watched from my small star, the planet had enough of the destructive, abusive creatures. The planet was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. Only a few of the humans had the unique ability to see this, but it would take all of them to save the planet.
I shook my head, realizing that this was never going to happen. Each human was very unique. Not one of the creatures created the same. They broke into many different civilizations. They ate differently, they loved differently, and she shared different beliefs. What surprised me the most about them was how they seemed to fight often over land. They categorized themselves, not realizing that even though they were different, they still breathed the same, held the same life expectancy, and like every human on the planet Earth, they all bled the same.
So why all the hatred between the creatures?
Why was it so often that one race of humans felt superior over another? Did they not know they were just as fragile as the snail that slithered by their feet?
My first impression was to let such a self-destructing race wither away as time would have it; but the preservation that flowed within my veins screamed for me to save them. I understood why no species in space would come in contact with them; the greed and selfishness of humans seemed to pollute their planet like a plague. Many creatures of space and time believed in the preservation of their planets. They would never allow such a self-destructive species to walk with them. Humans raped and murdered their own women and children, men killed their fellow fathers and brothers. They took from each other without remorse.
I saw no good coming from this.
Yet, my star continued to head through space for Earth. And as I passed the brightly lit Sun, I felt they were not worthy of the light that shun down on them. My flesh changed into the one thing many humans felt sympatric to; the flesh of a child. A young boy, my body decided.
On Earth, men were the rulers of the world. Women held their ground, but nothing was as powerful as man. Men were written as the superiors of their planet, the decision makers of the coming destruction of their own planet.
What a flawed decision that was made.
Humans study Gods that I’ve never seen before, entities that they believe brought them into existence. They believe in good and evil, yet I find that they more so practice evil more than good. Even the most influential humans of their time were heavily flawed. What would they say to me if I were to tell them that they were destroyers of the Earth? What would they say to me if I were to tell them that they were their own “Devil”, the one entity that humans seemed to fear the most? Would they believe me?
Or would I be the one extraterrestrial that classified as a raging lunatic as they classified their chosen saviors? I shook my head as my star drew closer to the Earth’s core. Once I entered, I would only have one chance to make them see the error of their ways. But I would not aid them; I would not save them and end their destructive habits. I would only watch, observe, and give them the tools they needed to save themselves. What they chose to do with this knowledge would be totally up to them. I cannot save a species that did not want to be saved.
Why was I doing this at all?
Didn’t humans deserve a chance at rehabilitation? My knowledge of the destructive creatures screamed for me to say NO; but my heart, my blood said otherwise. These were the days when I truly hated what I was. The one creature in the entire galaxy that had the ability to make the decisions whether species—I was what these creatures would call God in a sense. I was not their creator; even in my studies I never truly understood why planets formed, how life found a way on each vibrant planet throughout the galaxy—I never questioned these things the way humans do each day in their lives. Something I’ve noticed about these perplex creatures each one of them always ask the same question—Why? I’ve always wondered why these creatures always questioned the unknown.
Maybe this is the reason I feel so compelled to help them see their error in their way on living before it is too late. They remind me so much of myself. Maybe I was asking the wrong questions. My job was to study each species as they evolved in this growing galaxy. However, I was taught never to question why.
Questions that sometimes plagued me as the humans do; why was I created? Am I forever destined to be alone? Why me? I knew it was wrong to have those thoughts. We were all created for a reason; and it was that reason to be without question. This was life, and my life was destined to live without what I saw as the blessing of death itself. Every creature in the galaxy held a life expectancy; even the star that took me on my journey to the dying planet. Except for my kind… We were born in very limited numbers; in fact, I was number six, the youngest of my kind. During my studies with the remaining five, the oldest of my kind, I was often told I was the last.
We each chose a key point in the galaxy to do our studies. I had grown weary of the same tedious task and took my rest, hoping that I would never awaken. But it was the humans, the one volatile species that had awakened me from such a peaceful slumber. They angered me at first, because they left me asking the one question for myself that I was not allowed to ask: Why?
Humans
I was here, in the body of a seven year old boy. I looked down at my hands, examining my small fingers. I wiggled them, wondering why they moved upon my command. My own hands never did that. They moved at their own will, and without question. Hmmm, I had only been on the planet a mere five minutes, and I was already asking questions, forming a hypothesis as graveled my feet in what the humans called “sand” at my own command. I smiled, it was such a unique ability that I was yet to discover. Originally, when I first arrived on this planet thousands of years ago, I came as myself, the original being that I was. Humans relished me; I was so different to them; unique. Today, I was one in the same.
I drew in the air, and a strong scowl quickly spread across my face. For lack of better words at the time, the world stunk. The air was heavily polluted from the man-made materials humans like to call machines.
My star had abandoned me, relieving itself of me from its vessel and shot me into the planet like what the humans called a shooting star. I landed somewhere in the waters of this planet. Whereabouts unknown, my small assumingly fragile body found land and I was ready to begin my mission.
The humans were ready for me; anticipating my arrival. They watched outer area of their planet carefully, their satellites picking up on any intrusion. From the looks of the soldier’s appearance, I quickly found that I had landed in a very unique position on the planet, and it was called North America. I grinned as the smug soldiers approached me with their weapons, assuming that their man-made material would be able to harm such a power creature as myself. I did not feel threatened, for, these creatures did not know what stood before them. I was the intruder and they were merely protecting their land.
How could I not be sympathetic to that?
However, I felt compelled to make them aware of what they were dealing with. To them, I was an intruder, and it made them even more wary that I had decided to mask my true identity as one of the most innocent creatures on their planet, a young human boy. Would it be wise to inform them that my body makes these decisions? That I don’t have the ability to decide what form I take upon entrance of each planet…? Maybe my body decided that it would be easier this way. I don’t question these things.
With the lift of my hand, the automatic weapons lifted from their hands and drifted towards me. I knew their language; I knew every language on the galaxy.
“I’m not here for war humans.” I told them. Humans have always assumed that the first words they would hear from an extraterrestrial would be “I come in peace”. Originally, I wanted to hold up my two fingers, symbolizing the peace sign, and assure these humans that my true visitation to their planet was of a peaceful nature however, this century was not a time for unwelcomed visits. I had journeyed here on the brink of what humans called World War Three. It was considered one of the most prolific wars on their entire planet. The humans grew fearful of me quickly, as they watch with the swift movement of my hand; I had the ability to defy the laws of gravity. Their weapons floated effortlessly over their heads, and I waited for their next tactics.
I could tell immediately that they were curious of me, this creature in the body of a young child. One of the soldier’s leaders cautiously approached me. I could sense the fear in him as he looked up, staring briefly at the floating weapons over their heads. I was impressed; he held is poise beyond his fear, facing me as I suspected a leader would.
He held up his hand, signaling for his men to hold down what defenses they had left. Their leader was older, wiser, and perhaps more qualified to approach me than the others. He pointed his large finger to his chest as he spoke.
“My name is General Atkins.” He introduced. He waited along with the others for me to respond. I deliberated for a moment. I hadn’t thought of my introduction. Only the mission—the mission to warn them what was coming, to show them how to prepare for their end, preservation of what resources they could save.
“I have many names.” I replied. And in so, I did have many names. The last name I recalled being given from humanity was “Geb.” They thought of me as their God of Earth during my first visit to the planet. I assumed this name was given to me in honor because of the wisdom of preservation that I left behind. I remembered a young girl explaining that Nut, the Goddess of stars and sky had sent me to them. I also assumed this was because of the way of my arrival. I entered the Earth the same as I did now, like a shooting star from what the humans called the heavens. Unfortunately, I knew of no heaven. I only knew what was coming, and it would be the end of them all.
Humans treated their impending doom like any other day. The phrase “life must go on”, drummed in my mind as I watched them observe me. General Atkins fearlessly took a step closer to me. He was fearful of me though, I could feel it in every step he took towards me. As a human leader, he had to do what others feared the most. This was General Atkins gift. I watched him curiously as he kneeled down to me, his eyes meeting my own.
“One of my soldiers informed me that you are not here for war.” He said. I nodded.
“Then why have you come?” He asked, and I could not the human smile that spread across my face. It was the question I expected, anticipated. It was the question I wanted to answer. Why?
“I have come only in warning.” I answered. It was vague, but I found General Atkins and the soldiers that stood behind him unworthy of the knowledge I had come to give.
“What is the warning?” He asked. I had expected this response as well.
“I will only give heed to someone worth deserving of the words.” I answered. The General held a perplex expression. His poise remained the same as he responded.
“Why have you disarmed us if war is not what you seek?” He questioned to me, his hand gesturing up towards the floating weapons. I cocked my head to the side, somewhat surprised that their leader had questioned my motives. Out of generosity, and to assure this skeptical human, I flickered my small slender fingers, and the weapons fell roughly into the sand. I watched in amusement as the soldiers ducked and dodged the impact of the dangerous weapons the held defensively in front of me.
“So strange to watch you afraid of something you are so confident of when in your possession.” I told the General.
“These weapons are dangerous to us.” The General explained.
“So I see.” I replied.
“What do you expect from us?” The General asked. I looked down at my damp, naked body, the annoyance of the sand that clung to my feet.
“I expect some sort of hospitality for the moment.” I said, staring down at myself. The General smiled, stood to his feet, and held out his hand to me.
“Come with me, let’s get you all cleaned up.” He said. I deliberated for a moment. Probably a normal reaction a human boy of this nature would have in the company of a stranger.
“It’s okay.” The General said. “You can trust me.”
“Trust, is something to be earned.” I spat. These humans seemed to think that certain words could fall from their mouths and leaves fell from trees during the transition from summer to fall.
However, the phenomenal leader said something I hadn’t expected to come from his lips.
“Have I given you a reason not to trust me?” He asked. Had his soldiers asked me that question, I would have told him yes… But the General, he had not given me reason; at least not yet. The General continued to hold out his hand to me as I waited, still deliberating I suppose. He waited patiently like a father would for his developing child.
Finally, after a few moments, I took his hand in mine. I watched curiously as a sense of relief filled the air from the General. He walked me to a large vehicle, too large for me to climb in myself. The General opened the door, pulled out a warm blanket, and wrapped it carefully around my naked body. He placed his firm around my waist, pulled me from the ground, and placed me inside of the vehicle.
I could only think of one place where he would take me--the one place, the only place where I wanted to be.
Area 51.
Science Experiment
Time was not of an essence for these humans, yet they seemed not to care. I was where I wanted to be, Area 51 seemed to be the one place where they would take me anyway, since I wasn’t of a human classification. For a month, I was a science experiment—A walking, breathing, living, extraterrestrial being on their planet. I had expected to be studied, examined, probed and prodded. This was a natural reaction in human nature, to try to understand me from a scientific view. They had questions however; I knew right now none of them would be the one question I wanted them to ask.
They were too busy trying to clarify what I was, where I came from, if there were others like me. The question why I had come had not festered in their thoughts. Frustration ruled me as I silently allowed them to investigate my body, day after day, night after night. I did not say anything, I simply waited…and waited…again, I waited just a little more. Any yet, the question still did not come.
It was on the thirty-third day when I felt a sort of what I called “human depression”. This day was a sad and difficult day. These humans did not have time for this sort of behavior. They had given me a name; they called me R-6, only because when they asked me if there were others, my only answer was that I was the sixth. Immediately, I had gone from God to a product of research. I was not trapped in this place, I could leave and search for a human worthy of my knowledge, but I decided to stay where the power lied. These probing, curious humans had the power to inform their leaders—leaders to could implement action to their people of what was to come.
Such a disappointment they were, it was there greed for knowledge of what I was that disappointed me the most. What about what I wanted to hear? What about the reason why I am here?
Still, they didn’t seem to care. So, this day…. I had no more answers for them. The only answers I had were the answers to the “whys”. It was the only way I could make them see.
A young, youthful, and vibrant doctor entered my resting area this time, and It had come to me as a surprise; the humans only trusted me with their most effective physicians in their race. There must have been something different about this particular physician, something worthy of my presence. I could not think of another reason why they would send him.
I knew much about this planet from my listening’s during my slumber. However, their growing technology made it easier for me to replenish myself with the knowledge of the planets past. They developed a useful tool they liked to call the “Internet”. It was one of their creations I found most useful. They had watched me often as I absorbed their history, I frowned as they watched curiously, hoping that I would find their way of living most impressive. I felt sorry for these humans. Not much existed in their history. I saw mostly, greed and corruption. Few of them tried to preserve their planet, but it was not enough in numbers to save them.
“Hello.” The young physician greeted. I ignored him for the briefest moment, turning off the computer give him my full attention.
“R-6.” He called me. I scowled at the sound of my name and I it made me wonder why I loathed my new label. Did I think I deserved more gratification than what these humans were giving me?
“You don’t like it when I call you R-6, do you?” The doctor questioned. I didn’t answer. I turned in my chair to give him my full attention. The doctor smiled.
“You’ve been stubborn the past few days.” The physician observed. Still, I didn’t respond. I remained mute, waiting to the right questions to be asked. The doctor paused for a brief moment. He looked down at his pen and clipboard that he held in his hands. He placed them abruptly on the counter and pulled off his long white robe. It was the first time since my arrival that I had seen a man casually dressed.
“Let’s talk, man to man.” He offered. I waited, still listening, waiting.
“My name is Dr. Jimmy Hearn. You can call me Dr. Hearn, Jimmy, or whatever makes you feel more comfortable.” He assured. And that did make me feel somewhat comfortable. I shifted in my chair a bit, realizing that this small body was quite uncomfortable from my true form.
“Dr. Hearn.” I murmured, feeling that out of respect, I would address him as the stature he had worked so hard to earn.
“He speaks.” Dr. Hearn mocked. I did not find it amusing. I was still waiting.
“You don’t like all the tests do you?” He asked. I gave him no answer.
“Dr. Hearn turned to my computer, not surprised to find that my capacity for internet research had yet again, fried another motherboard. He shook his head, watching the smoke drift from the computer.
“What have you learned of our kind so far?” He asked. I remained silent. Dr. Hearn sighed, frustration heavy in his exhaled breath.
“You still don’t trust me. I wish I knew why.” He said. My eyes widened at the phrase “why” and he seemed to notice that I had been anticipating a certain question.”
“You’re waiting for something aren’t you? Perhaps, the right question.” He wondered aloud, and judging from his observation, he waited for a reaction out of me. He sat back in his seat, deliberating what to ask me. I could sense a great deal of thought in him. However, this wasn’t rocket science. I was looking for a small, simple question; a question that these humans asked themselves all the time—why?
“Why?” He asked me. I sighed—like an anxious human child waiting for an anticipated gift from my father. Dr. Hearn watched curiously as my mood changed.
“It’s about time.” I muttered.
“Why have you been waiting for me to ask you such a question?” And I smiled from his words; he had victoriously asked me again.
“You humans annoy me.” I had to make certain he knew of my detest of him before I answered. He took that in for amusement and waited for my answer.
“It is because I can only answer the reason why? I cannot give you the answers you have the ability to discover yourselves. What, when, where, and how, are easy questions to answer. It is always the why that is most difficult.” I explained.
“You’re a very intelligent creature.” Dr. Hearn blurted. I remained silent, folding my arms over my chest like a stubborn child.
“I suppose I should continue with my whys then?” The doctor offered. I nodded in agreement, my face still holding a child-like pout.
“Why the body of a child?” He asked. I shrugged indifferently; certainly he could ask me a better question.
“It wasn’t a choice of my own.” I answered.
“But why?”
“When I enter the planet I intend to study, my body decides which form the species will be most comfortable with.” I answered.
“You didn’t think we would be comfortable with your true form?” He asked. I didn’t answer his question. He sighed.
“Right, the whys.” He remembered. I however, had some questions of my own.
“Do you intend to keep me in this vessel forever?” Was my first question. Dr. Hearn seemed surprised that I had spoken.
“Do you think you will spend forever in this vessel?” He asked.
“You cannot answer a question with another question.” I spat in a child-like manner.
“Why not?” He asked holding a smug expression.
“Because it’s not fair!” I shouted. I snapped my mouth shut, surprised by my behavior. My body was beginning to take the characteristic traits of the child-like body I held. I was pouting, complaining, and throwing tantrums as a normal child this size would.
“Having some trouble with your new body, little one?” He teased. I frowned again, but I did not answer.
“The answers to your own questions are not on the internet. I can help you with that, if you learn to trust me.” He said. There goes that word again.
“Fine. What do you want?” I asked.
“How about, if you answer more than just the “whys” for a start, then I’ll help you adjust to your new body?” He offered me.
“Only you?” I asked; only to make sure the rule applied to the doctor and I. Dr. Hearn nodded and held out his hand. I stared at it strangely, wondering why…..
Tests
Dr. Hearn had my trust, and in turn, I had his assistance. So it was true, my body was had taking the form of the child, and I was to endure the growth as a male human. I did not like this, and with my first thought as why, I was determined not to ask such a human question.
Dr. Hearn visited me regularly as the next month had passed. I learned that my behavior was natural for an adolescent boy, but Dr. Hearn found it profoundly intriguing, debating politics with a child he classified of nearly eight years of age. Of course, I informed him that I was much older than that. My age could not be classified in years, or eons for that matter.
Dr. Hearn would journal each visit, documenting our conversations as if they would be a great remembrance to his history. Still, I had not informed him of my true reasons for my abrupt and unannounced visitation however, he still had not asked. I pitied the naive doctor, yet I also found him as a friend. Could I help these feelings? It didn’t seem so. My eyes would light up like what Dr. Hearn liked to call a “Christmas Tree” whenever he would return for another one of our daily debates.
Dr. Hearn would in turn, make me hold up the end of my bargain, as he would ask a series of questions each day. I could tell immediately that he was trying to figure out the motives behind my arrival. The answer was simple; he only had to ask me why. I had no other motives than to answer that question, and the follow up question behind it. However, Dr. Hearn still kept his end of the bargain, explaining any questions I had about my new “human body”.
“I can feel my body changing.” I told him.
“You’re growing. A young boy grows often during this time.” He answered. I thought about that for a moment, and in astonishment, I found myself no longer able to fit my shoes.
“It’s time for a new pair he said.”
“Where do you get my shoes from?” I wondered.
“I purchase them personally from the mall.”
“Hmmn, I said, knowing I would run an internet search on malls.”
“Don’t you have anything better to ask me than questions of your shoes?” Dr. Hearn seemed disappointed. I shrugged. But it did surprise me that he found me more intellectually inclined than his subordinates.
“You don’t see me like the others.” I observed.
“And what way is that?” Dr. Hearn wondered.
“Like a scientific prodigy.” He knew where I was going with this. Dr. Hearn laughed lightly.
“Should I look at you that way?” He asked.
“That is a choice of your own.” I countered. “However, that is not how you look at me.”
“Sounds like you want to ask my why…” He trailed off. A stubborn frown quickly spread across my face.
“It’s okay to ask me.” He assured. I shook my head in disagreement.
“No, it’s not okay for me.” I disagreed.
“Why?” He asked me, knowing if loved the sound of the one word as it instantly formed a questioned.
“My kind is trained not to question why thing are.” I answered. Dr. Hearn stared at me strangely.
“I would think that everything in the universe asks that question in some way.” He assumed. I shook my head again.
“No, just you humans.” I muttered. He laughed again. It was odd to him, being classified as such in a world where his classification was the ruler of things.
“Is that why you’re here.” I shook my head, but inside I was heavily anticipating the next question he would ask.
“No. However, I will admit that it was a question I fought hard not to ask.” I said. And here it was; the question I had been waiting for him to ask me. The question I wanted desperately to hear. The question that would hopefully save his people.
“Why are you here?” Dr. Hearn finally asked.
“Finally.” I breathed.
“Huh?” Dr. Hearn hummed. I looked up at him in my child-like manner and said, “What took you so long?” I complained.
“That’s the why you’ve been waiting for?” I nodded, relief washing over me. And just as I was about to answer, a familiar face entered my resting area. A face I trusted; a face I no longer trusted. It was General Atkins.
Dr. Hearn made a huge adjustment in his posture, as I noticed many lower level humans would do when a man in uniform would cross their path. I didn’t approve of the respect the doctor gave the General, but of course it would be something of discussion in our next debate.
“General.” Dr. Hearn announced, clearing his throat. He stood still like a statue, waiting for the General to give him permission to relax. This, I did not approve of as well. Dr. Hearn was well respected in my eyes, and well deserving to be shown the same classification as the worthless human that stood before him.
“At ease, Hearn.” The General told him. Immediately, Dr. Hearn’s muscles relaxed, and he resumed his causal posture. Such unnecessary tactics. The General examined my room and stared down at me as he spoke.
“How’s your progress with R-6?” He asked. Dr. Hearn reached quickly for his clipboard.
“The child is highly intelligent.” Dr. Hearn answered. The General seemed displeased with my classification as a child.
“It’s not a child doctor. I thought you were aware of that.”
“Yes but…”
“Get him dressed. I have a few tests scheduled for him.” The General demanded. Dr. Hearn nodded and saluted him as the General made his exit from my room.
“Tests?” I questioned. Dr. Hearn sighed. He reached into his bag and pulled out a brand new pair of white sneakers.
“You knew I would need them?” I asked.
“I know how a boy grows.” He reminded me.
“Do you have young boys of your own?” Dr. Hearn shook his head as he assisted me, placing my feet in each of the sneakers.
“No. I have a young girl, a daughter actually.”
“Then how do you know so well?” I wondered. He stared at me curiously as he spoke.
“For someone as intelligent as yourself, I think you would know.” He mocked. “I was once a boy. I went through the exact changes you are experiencing today.”
“Oh.” I said in my child-like voice. “I did not think of it that way.”
Dr. Hearn held my hand as he led me outside to an outdoor area that looked more like an arena, a large enclosed outdoor area that I discovered during my studies. And it made me wonder, “What sort of tests am I to perform?” I asked Dr. Hearn. He seemed unhappy to be leading me here.
“I don’t know R-6. I wasn’t aware such tests had been assigned to you.”
“So they keep things from you too? Is this because of our friendship?” I asked. Dr. Hearn looked down at me and smiled.
“You consider me a friend?” He wondered.
“I have been studying friendship over the past few weeks. Things that we do together do express friendship. Are my assumptions wrong?” I asked him.
“No!” Dr. Hearn shouted. He seemed ecstatically pleased that I would classify him as such.
He kneeled down to me to whisper something in my ear.
“I worry of this test. I promise you; if it gets out of hand, I will end it.” He vowed. I stared at him strangely. He walked me to the middle of the area and pulled my hand from his. Suddenly I felt a suddenly feeling of disconnect as I walked away from him.
I focused my eyes on my audience. It seemed to be a group on leaders joined alongside General Atkins. Immediately, I knew exactly what tests they were going to perform.
Loss of Trust
I stood quietly in place, waiting for the first of the tests. Two soldiers entered the arena, carrying two hand guns in each of their hands. This was a test of strength. The humans were curious of just how much power I held. My head turned to Dr. Hearn’s direction. He was there, in the crowd of curious leaders, but he watched fearfully from a distance. He didn’t seem happy about this test at all.
I however, was extremely amused. Humans had not nor will they ever see a power as great as mine. Still, I remained in place. Even as the two armed soldiers drew closer towards me. The paused in unison several feet from me and held up their weapons, aiming towards me. The General stood from his seat and slowly raised his hand.
“Fire.” He shouted. Without question, the soldiers fired both their weapons at me.
I stood firmly in place, waiting for the bullets to meet me. I watched in amusement as the soldiers lowered their weapons, watching in awe as the four bullets froze in place just a few feet from me. I took my first steps, walking to collect all four of the frozen bullets. The heat from each bullet burned my hand as I collected them. I stared at them strangely for a moment, surprised that I was feeling pain. But the burning scars from my flesh quickly faded, and my skin was renewed.
Slowly, I approached the two soldiers who stood fearfully in place. I had no fear in harming them; my mission had already been accomplished. It was the fear I needed them to feel. The idea that they no longer held any superiority was just as wounding to their pride as the four bullets that could have pierced my flesh. I paused, standing before the two of them and held out my hand. The four bullets sparked more fear in the two soldiers than my ability to control the air that brought them to me.
“Here.” I said and my words sent them running fearfully from the arena. They ran, dropping their weapons to the floor. Angered, I used my thoughts, and lifted the two weapons to the floor, holding aiming them towards General Atkins.
“What the hell is he doing?” He asked, looking towards Dr. Hearn. I could sense the fear in his guests and I grinned as they cleared an opening for him.
“Tell him to stop!” The General warned.
“He doesn’t answer to me.” Dr. Hearn reminded.
“He listens to you!” The General yelled!
“And… That does not mean I give him orders to follow. We merely struck a deal, that’s all.” Dr. Hearn reminded.
The General held up his both his hands in surrender. I allowed my words to enter their thoughts.
“Now I have a test for you. Let’s see how well you perform during this test. Will you pass?” I asked him, making certain everyone else heard. Dr. Hearn stared at me in amazement.
“Dr. Hearn!” The General yelled again. Dr. Hearn shook his head, and quickly put his focus on me.
“R-6! Don’t.” He demanded.
“You have demands as well now? How well would you perform such a test?” I asked him, making certain one of the two weapons was focused on him. Dr. Hearn stiffened.
My anger would now allow me to let down my defenses. They needed to know what stood before them and my thoughts fired both the weapons twice. Dr. Hearn closed his eyes, anticipating his death. He thought of nothing more than his wife and child. How much he would miss him, how much he yearned to hold his little girl in his arms one final time. It was those quick flashes of his life that kept the bullets from impacting them both. Dr. Hearn opened his eyes, gasping as he watched the bullets frozen just inches from his chest.
“Dr. Hearn?” I yelled out with my child-like voice. I wanted him to hear my words from my youthful lips.
“The deal is off!” I shouted. My final words caused the four bullets to fall to the floor. The General seemed to lose that poise I thought so well of, and he fell into his chair.
I however, made my way back to my resting chambers. The scientists and soldiers watched fearfully as I walked the halls of Area 51 like a smug child. I made my entrance into my room and climbed onto my bed, kicking off my brand new shoes. I waited; I listened, anticipating when Dr. Hearn would make his entrance to explain his actions.
The footsteps of Dr. Hearn came in heavy. He was on the pathway to my room, but he wasn’t alone. The General easily kept pace with him.
“I had no choice.” The General defended. “You’re not the only person that has to answer to someone around here.”
“You think he can be controlled. You’re wrong!” Dr. Hearn shouted. “We’ve only been conversing for the briefest during our sessions and you’ve destroyed any relationship I have with the boy!” Dr. Hearn yelled. Their footsteps paused.
“Look, I favor you, you know I do Jimmy. And if it weren’t for your marriage to my daughter, and my granddaughter, I would have you removed from this project all together.” The General warned.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Dr. Hearn asked.
“What you cease to understand is that creature in there is not a human boy. It’s masking its true nature from us.”
“You’re wrong. He’s experiencing life as a human boy for the first time. I was finally making progress with him.” Dr. Hearn countered.
“What? By purchasing him shoes for his growing feet? You call that progress?” The General complained.
“You know nothing about progress. Your only concern is a new weapon for your war.”
“Yes, a weapon I hired you to make for me. Don’t you see? It’s standing right in front of you. That thing is not your friend!”
“R-6 should never have stopped those bullets.” Dr. Hearn spat.” I shuttered, as I listened to Dr. Hearn fall into a table from the impact of the General’s heavy fist.
“You son of bitch! Do you know who you’re talking to?” The General yelled. I listened as other footsteps approached them. I smile spread across my face as Dr. Hearn climbed to his feet, and defended himself. The General did not expect Dr. Hearn to strike him back.
“That’s it! You’re finished around here! I’ll make certain of it!” The General threatened.
“Go ahead and try. See if there’s another human worthy enough of the boy.” Dr. Hearn yelled. He made his way to my room, leaving the General shouting cursing threats as distance closed between the two of them.
Dr. Hearn entered my room shortly after, and immediately, I could smell the blood. It was a strong metallic smell that put heavy distaste in my stomach. He walked over to the sink, wet a towel, and placed it quickly over his nose to stop the bleeding. He pulled a chair in front of my bed and sat down.
“I’m sorry.” He apologized, holding his head up. I shook my head, and I was surprised to find myself climbing off the bed to assist him. He sat frozen in place as I pulled the towel from his face. With two of my small fingers, I gently pinched the bridge of his nose, watching him stare at me in awe.
“It was broken.” He said.
“And now it’s healed.” I reminded him, climbing back onto my bed.
“You humans are too fragile. You break so easily.” I muttered.
“We all can’t be what you are. I guess that explains why they’re only six of your kind.”
“I’m not in the mood for talking.” I told him. I had not forgotten the betrayal of humanity.
“I understand your anger with us. Not all of us see you as a weapon.”
“That may be so, but it’s not enough.” I countered.
“It’s gone isn’t it? I lost your trust.” Dr. Hearn asked. I nodded silently. And suddenly, it felt like more than a loss of trust. It also felt like a loss of friendship.
“I’m not going to give up.” He warned me. I nodded, understanding, but I couldn’t help the silence that returned.
Elizabeth
Two years had passed, and Dr. Hearn had yet ceased to amaze me. For two years, he tried to break my silence and today was no different from any other day. He entered, pen and clipboard, gaining a few hours of my attention each day. Surprisingly, my human body had grown as well. I held the body of what humans called a “teenager”.
Today, Dr. Hearn wanted to talk about teenagers and the growing hormonal changes in teenage boys. It was a conversation that I assumed every teenage boy loathed to hear. I wanted to speak, however silence consumed me again. I couldn’t bring myself to speak, no matter how much I wanted to.
During the session that I thought would be the end of me, Dr. Hearn seemed to be just as ecstatic about the end over our personal discussion as I was. It made me heavily curious. I didn’t have to speak; my curious expression was enough for him to explain.
“You have to forgive me, but I’m excited about seeing my daughter. I haven’t seen her since she was born. That was seven years ago. She’s almost eight now.” He explained.
I was genuinely happy for him, but this was the first time another child entered the confidential confines of Area 51. I too was now ecstatic about meeting the child. A female adolescent, I had been studying them often. I suppose that was the reason for such a discussion. This was the age when human boys began pick up on the pheromones of the female species. If I were truly a human boy, I would be developing my first human crush sometime during these years.
My power was too much for the human physicians throughout the facility. I was free to roam and do as I please, they were too fearful of me to give me any demands. For the first time in months, curiosity led me out of my room to track down Dr. Hearn. From a distance, I watched him waiting anxiously in the lobby where he was to meet this child he was so anxious about. The doors opened, and the bright light seemed to sting my eyes for a moment. A beautiful vibrant little girl, skipped into the facility with a woman behind her. She wore a doll-like pink dress, her hair was elegantly curled, and she held a round pink ball between her hands that seemed too big for her. The ball fell, bouncing away as she took notice of her father. I found myself lost in the little girls, large, innocent chocolate brown eyes. She was beautiful.
“Daddy.” She said nervously. She had not seen the man since infancy. He stood nervously from his seat, and I suddenly grew curious why he was suddenly fearful whether the girl would like him or not. They were nervous of each other. But to end her father’s anxiety and her own, she held out her hands for a hug. He pulled her into his arms without question.
“I missed you so much.” He said in a gurgled voice.
“How come you never visit?” She asked in his arms. He didn’t answer. He wept, holding her tightly, his hands playing in her long elegant curls as he held her.
Her ball drifted in my direction, bouncing carelessly into the confidential confines where she would not be able to retrieve it. My powers froze the ball, and I pulled it further into the room where I hid, and instantly, I hoped Dr. Hearn would not come looking for it.
“Jimmy.” The woman spoke. She held the features of the little girl, much stronger than her father and I immediately knew it was her mother. He put the little girl down and she searched around curiously for her ball.
“Hey, where’s my ball?” She said, a scowl flushing across the lovely features of her face. Her father looked down at her and frowned.
“Stay where we can see you.” Her mother told her.
“This is supposed to be time for us.” Dr. Hearn complained. He was not happy that she intervened.
“Jimmy, there’s something I need to discuss with you.” She pressed.
“Can’t this wait? Visitation here is limited.”
“It’s important.” He groaned, but he complied with her wishes, gesturing towards the empty visitation room within view of the little girl. The little girls probing eyes searched vigorously for her ball. The ball was still floating beside me in the air, and I turned to look at it.
“There it is.” She said, pointing at the ball. I stiffened. The girl looked directly at me. Her parents looked at her briefly as they watched her point towards the doorway, and continued with their intense conversation.
“Wow.” She said, staring in amazement at the floating ball. “You must be magical.” Magical? I certainly didn’t see any magic in my abilities. Of course, from her innocent eyes, that’s exactly how she would see me. I remained silent. She went to reach for her ball, she simply wasn’t tall enough.
“You’re so quiet.” She murmured. She stared at me strangely for a long moment. I could feel her eyes all over my body, examining me. Again, I wanted to speak. But my body remained in silence. I was waiting for the question to be asked again.
The beautiful little girl did not disappoint me. The next words that uttered out of her lovely little mouth were, “Why are you here?” She asked. I drew in a deep breath before I spoke.
“Because this is where I must be.” I answered her.
“Why?” She asked again.
“I’m searching for someone.” The little girl frowned.
“Well, they only thing you’ll find here are creepy doctors like my dad,” she said and then she walked as closely to me as she could. For the first time, I stood frozen in place, nervous from her closeness. I had never been in such close proximity with a human, other than Dr. Hearn himself. She whispered so softly, and her cool sweet breath blew gently across my face as she spoke.
“They’re Aliens back there.” She whispered as if she were telling a secret that shouldn’t be told. She moved away, stepping back to examine the floating ball. She still did not question why the ball was floating, nor did she assume that my abilities were that of something extraterrestrial.
“What do you know of Aliens?” I asked the innocent girl. She shrugged.
“Not much, just that they have those huge eyes.” She said, her hands mimicking large circles over her eyes.
“Can I tell you a secret?” I asked her. She nodded playfully.
“Okay.” I moved closer towards her to whisper.
“They don’t look as they are perceived on the television.” She gasped, placing her hand over her mouth as I moved away.
“You’ve seen one haven’t you?” She asked me. I purposely ignored her answer. I let my mind draw the floating ball between us. She watched the ball in awe as it paused just between my eyes.
“How do you do that?” She asked me. Her beautiful eyes left me in a state where I found it impossible to ignore her.
“It was a gift.” I answered.
“I don’t have a gift that special.” She muttered. I shook my head in disagreement.
“Each of us in this universe was built for a purpose.” I assured her. She placed her innocent little finger over her lips and thought about that for a moment.
“I’m good at dancing. I’m going to be a ballerina when I grow up.” She assured me, twirling around for the briefest moment.
“An entertainer; I’ve studied the arts. Ballerinas are very elegant dancers.” I admired.
“And you’re very good magician. I’ve never seen magic like this before.” Her eyes widened at the floating ball. The argument between her parents intensified, causing the beautiful little girl’s mood to sadden. She held her head down and looked away from me. I listened for the briefest moment.
“All this time? Why didn’t you say anything?” Dr. Hearn shouted. He was furious with the little girl’s mother.
“My Mom is sick.” The little girl murmured in an ashamed tone.
“What’s wrong with her?” I asked.
“She calls it Cancer. I don’t know what it is, but it’s hurting her. She’s here to say goodbye to my dad. We don’t see him much, and she wants to say goodbye before it’s too late.” She explained. I could see the pain in her eyes as she spoke.
“What’s your name?” I felt compelled to ask her. She looked up at me and sighed again. “Elizabeth.” She answered and it was a name that would stay with me forever.
A New Name
Elizabeth, a name that seemed to make my heart soar in ways I could not imagine. I tried very hard not to question my human feelings, but it was very difficult. I had a strange feeling that I was experiencing my first human crush. This young naive girl; she had no idea what stood before her. However, this lovely child did not look at me that way.
“I wish I knew a way to fix her.” She sighed. I stared at her curiously.
“That’s a strange thing to say.” I snapped my mouth shut. It surprised me to hear this small human girl not selfishly ask for her mother to be fixed; she only wanted to be shown the way.
“Why strange?” She asked.
“Because I always hear humans ask for things. You’re not asking for anything.” I answered. She stared at me strangely.
“Humans? You’re weird.” She teased. I shrugged, understanding why she would see me that way.
“What is there to ask? I know no one can fix her. I’ve been to her doctor’s appointments. They all say the same thing. So how about I try to find my own way?” She suggested. I smiled.
“That is the smartest suggestion I’ve heard in my lifetime.” I complimented. She stared at me strangely again.
“So what’s your name?” She asked, ignoring my odd human behavior. I deliberated. I absolutely loathed the name R-6, and I certainly wasn’t going to great her with such a scientific lab-rat name. I lifted my shoulders broadly and said,
“I was once called Ged by your people.” I introduced. She frowned and shook her head.
“Oh that’s a horrible name.” She said. I paused, surprised by her distaste. I would have thought she would relish the idea that I held the name of a God.
“Do you even know what Ged means?” I asked her. She shook her head, her eyes still holding a look of distaste.
“No, but it sounds like a hideous bug.” She muttered. I sighed, and deliberated again. I would give another name, from another planet in her galaxy, but I quickly shuttered the thought. I wanted to please her, and the only other name I could think of what the new name I had been given.
“They also call me R-6.” I offered her. She stuck her tongue out at me.
“What are you? A lab rat?”
“I have no other names.” I told her, throwing my hands up exasperatedly. She placed her slender innocent little finger to her lips. She pulled a bag that she had hidden behind her back; I think humans called the contraption a “backpack”. She pulled a thick book from the bag, fumbled quickly through a few pages and she held out the book for me.
“I have the perfect new name for you. See, I’m studying European history right now, and there’s this King I like a great deal.” She explained. I frowned at the idea that she showed interest to another male. Was I jealous? I felt compelled to discover this competition. I frowned at her as I took in his appearance.
The human was an old, fat, out of shape King that I passed upon my studies. He was an arrogant King that murdered several of his wives. I looked up at her strangely. She rolled her eyes and snatched the book for me.
“His name is Henry.” She explained, slamming the book shut. She placed the book back in her bag and tossed the backpack back over her shoulders.
“I’m well aware of the human’s name.” I retorted.
“Well I don’t have any friends named Henry. Can I call you Henry?” She asked. Suddenly, the name didn’t sound so bad. I answered only with a just nod. And her beautiful smile was my reward.
“You said you were looking for someone.” She reminded, getting back to the subject on hand.
“You remembered?”
“I’m young, not stupid.” She retorted. I held up my hands in surrender. I was surprised, I found the human girl utterly amusing. I hadn’t smile this much, enjoyed the company of a human the way I enjoyed Elizabeth since my arrival. She had stolen my human breath—this child.
“Sorry.” I said.
“Are you going to tell me who?” She wondered. I shrugged my shoulders.
“I haven’t found the human yet.” I informed her.
“Oh, can I help you find this person?” I shook my head.
“It’s not that simple.” I declined.
“Why?” I loved how she asked all the right questions. I found Elizabeth more intelligent than her father.
“I’m looking for a human worthy of my information; a human that asks the right questions.” I explained.
“That is so vague Henry.” She chided.
“I don’t make the rules.”
“Well, why this place? You might find better/less creepier people someplace else.” I gasped, realizing this girl drew closer each time she spoke to discovering the truth. A small part of me didn’t want Elizabeth to realize what I was.
“This is the one place where humans will be most accepting of me. It’s also the one place where humans will also accept the warning I have come to give.” I answered. She sighed.
“You speak like you’re an Alien.” And she gasped as she quickly realized.
“Oh.” She said, staring at me curiously. “But you look like a regular boy.” I had underestimated this girl. She was much smarter than her father.
“You don’t look like a monster.” She said, suddenly feeling guilty. I wanted to comfort her shame.
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