Bored

In order to snag expats to interview, I kinda have to shadow the embassy on Endard. I really cannot enter the embassy because of the warrants for my arrest. The ambassador has said he would not enforce the warrants – interesting since he used to be a sheriff’s deputy – but I just don’t want to chance it.

So, I camp out in the residential part of the apartment building. The upper stories serve as the actual embassy. The lower stories are residences. Several of the occupants here became unwitting residents here on Endard. Not that anyone is complaining. The embassy has a gate so they can visit Earth anytime they want. Heck, some still commute to their jobs on Earth, though many telecommute nowadays.

The apartment building is so… Earthling. It sits on a bluff that overlooks a bay on Endard. Down there you can see one of the mangrove cities that the Selkies live in. We’re like four hundred feet up, I think. Looks like it. Or five hundred. Tropical, exotic plants, little insect-like butterfly-dragons flitting about. Larger dragons flying overhead. And, the apartment building. What a stark contrast.

It’s fifteen stories tall, covers like a quarter of a city block, and actually has a parking garage, though it’s no longer accessible from outside. Not that there are any cars here anyway. Brick, concrete, and windows from bottom to the top story, and there’s actually a greenhouse on the roof. And a penthouse apartment, if you can call it that. Now that apartment is part of the embassy gate complex. I cannot go up there, sadly. But it’s easy to see from the shuttles here.

I typically hang out in the reception area on the main floor. It’s risky, I know. But I always keep the front door in view. There used to be apartments down here, but they ripped out a couple of them to make this area. Thankfully, they kept the almost vintage motif in the decor. Looks like an upscale hotel lobby from the ’30s.

My first interview was James Coventry. I was able to snag him when he arrived for an appointment with the ambassador. That fella is a character. And he is supposed to be the founder of the Cooperative. Seriously. A human, or rather, a Terran. The Cooperative has humans who are not quite human, but who am I to argue? James is a Terran and he, one of us, is going to form what will become an alliance of over a thousand alien worlds? Just blows my mind. He expects to leave one day, traveling over a hundred thousand years into the past. The next time we hear from him will be from archeologists.

Since nearly all expats filter through the embassy at some time or another, I am opting to camp out here and try to grab one for some coffee and a chat. Local coffee, even. Jonah brought several of his coffee trees from his greenhouse at the Homestead and got them growing here on Endard. That’s right. We are putting our mark on alien worlds. Coffee. An apartment building. What’s next?

Okay, so I am doodling now. Creating a B-roll blog post while I wait. It gets kinda boring, sometimes. If someone doesn’t arrive, I may start hunting them down. Sally and Jonah spend a lot of time in Fahele on Syagria. Brandon Williams spends his days on Dherring. That dude is getting some serious quads on that high-gravity planet. The rest of the Williams clan tends to stick to their village down on the coast. I could go down there.

But I am really hoping Steven Crow stops by. He is everywhere, it seems. And nowhere. Fella is hard to nail down. But I’ll tie him down if I have to. Okay, maybe not. He is sort of a god nowadays, but still very much a person. But he and Asherah are kinda why I am exiled in the first place, so he owes me an interview.

Oh, I see Ambassador Ashley Loren. And now he sees me. I think we’re either going to have that interview I want, or I am about to sprint to the door.

Interviewing

James Coventry

Hello, welcome, and thanks for reading my blog. I am Mark Ellis, the infamous Video Guy. I am a wartime correspondent who was embedded with the US delegation for the Tour and was honored to visit several alien worlds. And I am the guy who sent uncensored video copy of my trip back to Earth, you are so welcome. Sadly, or not so sadly, I am now a permanent or semi-permanent guest of the Cooperative since there is now a warrant out for my arrest in every US-aligned nation. I would like to see that cleared up. After all, I did not leak CIA secrets or anything, right?

Anyway, once a journalist, always a journalist. Since I am stuck here, I may as well exploit this opportunity. My current project is to interview the Earthling expats who now reside in the Cooperative. This is going to be fun.

~ ~ ~

ME: Today I am talking to James Coventry, sitting in a lovely tree house on the exotic tropical planet called Endard. He is or was a computer analyst for the Anderson Labs firm in Washington.

James: Was.

ME: Was. Okay. I would say you’re in a much cooler place now. Do you miss it? Anderson Labs?

James: [shrugs] I liked the work. I did remote when I moved to England. Coming here kinda put an end to it.

ME: What brought you to England?

James: Castles. My best friend is a castle nut and I kinda became one too. We traveled Europe for a bit. My pilot’s license came in handy. Then I came here.

ME: But, no one just comes here, right?

James: [laughs] Well, I wasn’t one of Steven’s rescues, if that’s what you mean. I, um, I had something happen and I came here looking for Steven.

ME: The time trip.

James: You know about that? Man, I am still having trouble getting my mind around that. But it’s been eating at me. So… here I am.

ME: I think it’s a well-known secret by now. [chuckles] You gated to Tel’range like, a hundred THOUSAND years ago.

James: That’s what they tell me. I honestly don’t know how far back. But it turns out, I’m married. To an Elf. [pantomimes head exploding with hands]. I have been trying to scratch that itch ever since I got back.

ME: So, you used your position to sneak back here to Endard?

James: Really? You know about that too?”

ME: [chuckles] I’d like to say it’s because of my fact-digging prowess, but there are no secrets here, so…

James: [sighs] That’s why I got fired. But, I was going mad. Have you ever had an itch you just cannot reach, just digging into your skin and getting worse and worse until you just want to… I don’t know. Dig it out?

ME: [holds up hands] No. No, I have not. No judgment here, though.

James: I’m judging myself. I worked hard to build that career. Did you know they had the Crows on their payroll? Sally and Jonah. Back when it was Morrison Labs? That’s what… I found out and used their tricks to get access to the servers at the Endard embassy.

ME: I would say it was fortuitous you got caught.

James: By the guy I was looking for, no less. Yeah, fortuitous is an understatement.

ME: He’s everywhere, it seems. So, you’re here now. What have you been up to?

James: They sent me to Tel’range to help with the castle ruins there. I remember it when it looked brand new. Freaky.

ME: So they’re comparing your memories to what exists now?

James: Not much more than a pile of stone blocks now. Part of the cliff is gone so half of the castle is down on the beach below. It’s pretty sad. But yeah. They see what I saw… my memory of it…  and used that to map the site.

ME: What an assignment.

James: Oh, they’re trying to teach me stuff too. History, cultures, worlds, technology, and that gating thing. I still haven’t mastered that.

ME: I have heard it takes years of training at their Temples to really master that teleportation stuff.

James: You heard right. And I am trying to master it in a few weeks. It is brutal.

ME: Why the hurry?

James: I don’t know if… when I go back. I don’t know when that will happen. I didn’t know the first time either. Just bam, I was there. This time I am trying to be halfway prepared. Core languages too. I feel like my brain is oozing out my ears.

ME: Cram session on steroids.

James: No kidding. But, I’m stuck here on Endard now. This damned conflict.

ME: They hit Tel’range?

James: No. But it’s less protected and me being who I am, they did not want to risk it.

ME: They restricted my travels too. Things are going nuts, man. War back home, and now the Venda raids here.

James: Makes me wish I was back playing on computers. [shrugs] But they’ll get it sorted, right? Have you seen a Keratian in action? Like machines. Literally.

ME: I have seen underdogs win, however. But, fingers crossed, right? Do you think you’ll go back to Tel’range?

James: No. Ashley said they’re rotating me back to Earth soon. Cory is surveying war damage to the castles in England, so, I’ll probably fly the camera around for him.

ME: You mean they don’t think Endard is safe enough?

James: Kinda the impression I got. Crazy, right? Earth is safer for me than this hundred-thousand-year-old civilization.

ME: Okay, so, what is the best thing you like about being here?

James: Everyone tries to take care of you. Seriously, I have not been hungry or thirsty once. And these clothes? Legracians know how to dress. You’re looking quite dapper yourself.

ME: I don’t think my original clothing even exists anymore here. But, yeah. They never measured me but these fit perfectly. Food? Mine’s Syagrian cuisine.

James: Blegh. Too many insects. Frankly, I’m surprised they don’t have some sort of instant food machine. Just tell it what you want and beep, it’s there.

ME: That would get boring really quick. I like that they’ve held onto traditional food. And frankly, those insects are yummy. Kinda like miniature lobsters or something.

James: Yeah. Still grosses me a bit. Hmm, I like the food here on Endard. Have always been partial to seafood. And the way they love to spice things up.

ME: [laughs] Crying at every meal. Reminds me of India. Or Thailand. Spicy as hell. But delicious.

James: Yep. I never was a spicy person, but the way they balance things out is just perfect. I think, though, I think these people, the Selkies, I think they probably know. They help me choose and I’m never overwhelmed, yeah? A few tears maybe, but never too hot.

ME: I’ve noticed that. Syagria too. I’m a bit more adventurous, but then I’ve had to rough it with locals in war zones, so… can’t be too picky. But it’s like they have this sense as to what I like and dislike. Have never had a dish I haven’t liked. Just amazing. Sharon loves it.

James: I may have to try Syagria. Just don’t know about the insects.

ME: They’re more like, think land crabs. Or think mussels or oysters for their grubs and worms. Cooked to perfection. And delicious. But it’s more of a slight accent to the overall meal. If you weren’t looking for it, you probably wouldn’t notice it.

James: Sir, sir, there’s a grub in my soup.

ME: [laughing] Yeah, probably not as obvious as that. No shock value there. Just practical dishes.

James: Okay, have you… the Keratians. Have you tried their Rodan blood drinks? Sally let me try some she prepared for Lohet and, it was really good. And it’s white, so you don’t think blood.

ME: Seriously? You have a thing about Syagria cuisine but blood-in-a-mug is fine? Okay, yeah, I’ve thought about it. Just never had the guts.

James: Try it. You might be surprised. I was. Really surprised. I didn’t know what it was until I told Sally how delicious it was. She couldn’t stop laughing at my expression when she told me.

ME: Okay, the elephant in the room is insisting. Father of the Cooperative?

James: Can we just talk about alien food and the weather? [laughs] Okay, I have never been a chosen one sort of guy. I think stories like that are lazy and corny. And now, I end up being one? I just cannot wrap my head around that. I just… [sighs] I need to get back to Aris. That’s all. That’s my only motivation.

ME: I get it. Sharon and I are tying the knot here in the Cooperative. I would go crazy knowing she is beyond my reach.

James: It’s worse even. I really do not know Aris. We have no relationship of any kind. But we are married? It is like a piece of me is being twisted and ripped apart. I threw away a satisfying career to find her, to find some sort of… to stop hurting. And in all this, I’m supposed to be the creator of the Cooperative? I just want peace again. That’s all.

ME: I am sure people we now venerate today did not set out to become, you know, heroes or something. They were just faced with a problem and set about solving it. And suddenly, the rest of the world thinks they’re all that. So, don’t think of it as being The One. Just be. Find that peace you’re looking for.

James: You’re the first voice of reason I’ve heard since I got here. Everyone else is treating me like I’m special. I haven’t done anything. This all started because I was looking for a painting back when Cory moved to England.

ME: Well, Dr. Ellis is in. You’ve been such a good patient, I think I have a lollipop around here too.

James: [laughing] I get a lolly for my boo-boo. Love it. I think, you know, Steven has been cool too. Treating me like a regular person. He is not what I expected. Fur?

ME: That fella scares me a little. You know he caused the Great Earthquake on Earth, right? By accident. But, just being able to. And yet, he is the gentlest person I have ever met. Polite to a fault.

James: Can you imagine the burden he shoulders? And they’re calling me special? Sheesh.

ME: But you are special. Any day now you’re going to go back a hundred thousand years, hook up with your wife and just have a dandy time of it.

James: Dandy. Sure. I don’t even know if I have any children. What, great great great great grandkids? How many generations removed? I’ve been afraid to look in the Archives.

ME: Great. Now I‘m going to be looking at people to see if they look like you.

James: [laughs] I hope they don’t get my nose. I’m like a walking wind-vane.

ME: Well, you always know what direction the wind is blowing.

James: Pfft. And then some. I’m hungry. Want to get something?

ME: Syagria?

~ ~ ~

Believe it or not, he actually went to Syagria with me and ate bugs. Well, it’s not like it’s obvious. Almost no complaining. James is a character. I will miss him when he leaves, but it was nice to sit with him and shoot the breeze for a bit. Now I am off to find my next victim. Oh, and thanks to Sharon for transcribing this.

Introducing ME

Mark Ellis

Normally, I would be resigned to my fate of being exiled from Earth. Terra. For you guys, Earth. Hey, I was naughty. I admit it. I believed the government was censuring what I reported, and what I saw simply should not have been censored. Hopefully, you agree. Perhaps one day you can convince our government to lift the arrest warrants and drop the charges. But until then, I am stuck. Here.

Okay, who am I kidding? I really don’t care. Seriously. I feel like some minimum wage laborer from rural Texas suddenly landing an open-ended high-paying gig in… Hawaii or some other exotic locale. I hear Tahiti is a magical place. Staying at some high-dollar resort. Treated with respect and well-fed. Why the hell would I want to throw this away and go back to grunt work as a war-time correspondent?

Of course, getting my gigs as a war-time correspondent was kinda like that too. Fresh out of college, barely able to make ends meet, and suddenly, bam. I’m in the middle of a war zone covering the action. And not sleeping. Often being sent out of the warzone when things got too hot. Roughing it with hopefully friendly locals while bombs were being dropped a few miles away. But still, at the time it was a dream come true.

I lived my life in a small rural town and dreamed of faraway places while subsisting off minimum wage jobs. I would have enlisted, but I actually do have a foot problem. Or did. Got that fixed recently. I love Cooperative medicine. But, I was too poor to just drop everything and go. Nor did I have the guts to… you know, just drop everything and go. I know some people who did that and it worked out great for them. But not me. A journalism degree ended up being my ticket.

I had hoped to maybe work through the ranks at some minor network and just maybe get assigned overseas, covering culture or economics or anything. But instead, I was honored to be an expendable journalist’s aid and later an actual journalist in the nations the US deemed fit to send their troops for a little bomb-hockey and target practice. Okay, that wasn’t fair. I was assigned to some spectacular young men and women who really held up their own under extreme pressure and nearly no sleep.

I did a great job. Always looking to my future. Not ruffling any feathers. I didn’t agree with a single conflict I was embedded in, but I managed to swallow that and do the job. I apparently got noticed. I was a stand-up guy who towed the company line and did not deviate left or right. And I was still expendable. So, I ended up with a gig I would never have dreamed of. One that would take me off-world. Off. World. As in, aliens.

They’re not aliens anymore. Not to me. Just people. Even my fiancée finally accepted them. Sharon was terrified that first night we pulled up to the Crow homestead. But a sweet furry alien named Aileen took her under her wing and now Sharon is jet-setting across the Cooperative on her own journalism projects. Maybe she’ll get a blog here too. His and Hers.

My assignment was to specifically document the industrial capabilities of the Cooperative, as well as the military if I got access. The powers that be wanted to see just what economic leveraging they could use to get the Cooperative to agree to a trade agreement and I was their tool. And frankly, the obedient Boy Scout that I am, that is exactly what I would have done. Except for Sharon.

She had never questioned my work before. Or the motives of those who hired me. It was wartime. We understood that some things would not get reported and some things would. But this time was different. She wasn’t even supposed to come. But, amazingly, the commander of the Cooperative defense forces invited her after meeting her. Aradia. Keratian lady. Gorgeous but terrifying at the same time. I digress. It would seem that Aradia knew exactly what our governments were up to, and was impressed with Sharon’s sensitivity to people rather than economics or military agendas. Aradia is a brilliant, savvy alien, I give her that.

And naturally, Sharon has been a huge influence on me. She taught me that sometimes you need to step out of your tight little shell and bust out of the box. In this case, we went far beyond the mandates of our boss. Oh, they got what they wanted. The footage of the gunships probably gave them a military-gasm. But then they already had extensive footage from the F22 jets the Cooperative “recovered.” They also got footage of the farms, and manufacturing capabilities, the stunning resources of the Cooperative. Like riverbanks littered with gold nuggets. That was hilarious. The delegates came back with bulging pockets, begging for more bags. If not from us, the video documentation would have come from the other delegations.

But they got a lot more. We set about introducing Earth to the actual people of the Cooperative. Uncensored. The Tour took us on a wide circuit of worlds, and while the dignitaries were trying to play their partisan games, we were encouraged to slink off and rub shoulders with the locals. It was absolutely transcendent. The aliens quickly stopped being aliens to us, and I hope to you if you have watched our footage.

I have to admit, I have never done this before. I kinda like being a little rebellious now. Naughty. The end result is you get exposed to this fantastic and diverse universe unfettered by censors and secrets. I knew I was marrying up when Sharon said yes. She has opened a whole new mentality to journalism for me. Of course, part of that new mentality means I am now a longtime guest of the Cooperative. While I miss my family back home, I am starting to see this universe as home more and more.

In the spirit of becoming a true expat, I am going to embark on a journey of interviews. Digging a little into the lives of our fellow expats here in the Cooperative. My fiancée has set herself to digging into the lives of the actual people of the Cooperative proper. Between the two of us, hopefully, you’ll get a neat little window into life here on the worlds of the Cooperative.