PROLOGUE
The Breeding Program
Ambassador Ramses of the Planet Aries
Outlined are the final 5 steps of our First Contact plan with the alien planet Terra I, known as “Earth” to its inhabitants. Every government shall send a report detailing the physiological, genetic, and anatomical data about their selected specimen before launch day in 14 planet rotations.
(1) Select an alien specimen well suited to enduring multiple alien environments not limited to temperatures of 0 degrees Celsius and 100 degrees Celsius. Specimens should expect harsh testing by the primitive species during captivity.
(2) Selected specimens shall be launched into Earth’s atmosphere on their assigned due dates and capsules should land within 400 meters of major scientific labs dedicated to studying astronomy or extraterrestrial life.
(3) Specimens should be trained to induce captivity if humans appear unwilling or terrified to capture them.
(4) While in captivity, specimens will begin making scientific observations about human behavior and are expected to explore every aspect of human behavior possible.
(5) When enough data has been collected after a period of 1/2 solar rotation (six Terran months) on Terra I, specimens will return to their home planet and send detailed reports to Alliance representatives.
Once these reports have been received, affiliated members of The Alliance will decide the best way to induce official First Contact with the primitive world.
RAMSES
ONE
MINNIE HSU
Workingon a top secret military base wasn’t as exciting as you might think. When I hit the bar on Friday and Saturday night, my friends who worked in politics, and the typical Washington, DC lobbyist circle, always thought I was sitting on some big secret because my work was confidential.
“Minnie, does the government really make the mosquitos stronger every year?”
“Minnie, is it true you met the president?”
“Minnie, is it true the flu shot is designed to kill immigrants?”
(Yes, a drunk guy actually asked me that once. Can you believe it?)
I got used to fielding these insane conspiracy theory sorts of questions so I usually could come up with some kind of snappy response. The reality of working on a top secret military base? It’swaymore boring than you’d expect.
And I got the job because my dad, the original Dr. Hsu, helped me get the internship right after my PhD program finished up. I never mentioned that part to my friends, even if everyone in this city gets help one way or another.
At work on Monday, after Labor Day weekend, I prepared for another boring day at the lab. My boss, Dr. Trout would be waiting to make some rude, awkward comment about my appearance, and I figured that I’d settle into a typical boring lab day poring over results and coming up with simple conclusions.
Before work, I slipped into a long-sleeved black wool dress with grey patterned tights and black flats. I twisted my black hair into a bun, and stuck pearls in my ears — a gift from my mom after I graduated from Georgetown. As usual, my mom called before work.
“Hi mom,” I answered drably, tiptoeing towards my coffeemaker as I whispered, trying not to wake my roommates.
“Good morning, Minnie. Just checking in since we didn’t see you this weekend.”
“I’m fine. Just getting ready for work. Preparing for another hellish day with Dr. Trout.”
“You can’t let him get to you, sweetheart. Just hold your head high and remember that you’re a scientist. These men shouldn’t be allowed to intimidate you.”
“I know.”
Mom was a six foot tall, blonde-haired, former Olympic skier. Few people could manage to intimidate her, especially not nerdy scientists. In fact, my dad had been intimidated by her when they met in college. They’d been inseparable ever since — the short, nerdy Asian man and the tall, Nordic, girl-jock — the last couple anyone expected to last forty-five years.
“I want you to know that your dad and I have your back. If you want your dad to talk to anyone —“
“No mom, I’m fine,” I interrupted, “I don’t need dad to keep cleaning up messes for me.”
