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Eva Stratt knows she will never forget the day that Dr. Ryland Grace’s coffin is lowered into the ground. The world certainly won’t.
It is a clear day, the sun shining down on the ceremony below. It has been so long now that Eva cannot remember if it has ever been much hotter than this. The light and residual warmth is a constant reminder of just how close they came to failure.
It is a strange affair. The funeral. There is Eva Stratt herself, of course, and a few other scientists and guards who remember Ryland. Some of his former students are here too, of varying different ages. Strangers to each other for the most part, yet united by a kinship of having once long ago been a student of Dr. Ryland Grace.
It is unsurprising really, Eva reflects. He really was a good teacher. Some distance away, lined along the edge of the concrete are security guards, their backs to the descending coffin. The reason for this being is that they are primarily focussed on holding back the swarming crowd of journalists and influencers fighting to record Ryland’s coffin.
That said, Ryland’s coffin is not actually the target of their struggle. It is instead the two other mourners who are crouched, carapaces bowed, beside the platform.
As a woman who prides herself on managing possibilities, Eva Stratt had once considered herself impossible to surprise. Yet even she had been taken aback when the alien spaceship had appeared in the sky. It had been massive, its solid surface blocking out the sun. Across America, traffic had come to a standstill as people had stared up and gawked. Within minutes, it was being recorded by thousands of people and watched all over the globe.
Eva remembers watching on her own screen, as a shaky camera had zoomed in when the hatch had opened. And from it, had stepped an alien. Its blackish brown exterior was large and boulderish, pulling itself out of the hold with its five claw-like limbs. It was covered in some kind of see-through material. And as it had stared down at all the open-mouthed humans, it had lifted on of its limbs and waved.
She had recognised it immediately, of course. It was the alien from Ryland’s video blog.
And with it…had come a coffin.
Tears threaten to blur Eva’s vision. She clenches her jaw and forces them back as the coffin is lowered into the ground. She never thought she’d actually see the day Ryland died, and yet here he is, gone twenty years too soon.
It had been the blog that had first made her emotional. She’d always prided herself on locking such emotions away. And yet somehow seeing Ryland’s scared, uncertain face appear on the screen had made it all come back. She had watched with growing trepidation as he’d grown and laughed, explaining scientific concepts in strangely flippant terms. And as he became more excited with each new breakthrough, she grew equally scared for the day he’d regain all his memories.
Not regretful though. Never regretful. She had been through too much – this planet had been through too much - for her to regret sending Dr. Ryland Grace into space.
But when the time came that Ryland had stared hollowly into the camera lens, a piece of herself had cracked. Eva Stratt had never allowed herself to dwell on ‘if onlys’. They were foolish and a waste of time. But she had thought to herself then: If only there could have been someone else I could have sent instead.
The coffin is in the ground, shown up large on the screen beside the platform. One of Ryland’s former students makes her way to the stage. She has dark skin, with long braided hair twisting down her back. Her hands shake slightly as she unfolds her paper.
The woman leans into the microphone. She taps it, clears her throat once, then twice. And begins.
“My name is Mia Varane. Like so many other people here today, I was fortunate to be one of Dr. Ryland Grace’s students. He was funny and he did his best to make science interesting. But the best part about him was that he always told the truth. We all knew we could rely on him to give us the answers that out parents and teachers did not want to give.”
Mia laughs slightly, and there are murmurs of assent from the other students.
“He was kind and unflinchingly human, so it came as no surprise at all to hear that he had volunteered into Space.” She smiles and tucks an errant strand of hair behind her ear, before gesturing to the audience. “I remember – as I am sure so many of you do – watching that spaceship go up and feeling so very proud and hopeful knowing that Dr. Grace was doing his very best to save us all.”
Eva swallows. Opposite her the two aliens turn slightly in her direction. One she knows to be Rocky. The other – slightly smaller with a pale blue carapace – she does not know. They have no eyes, but they seem to be staring directly at her. They must know, as surely as she does, that Ryland Grace did not go to space a hero.
“He faced and conquered every hurdle,” Mia continues, “and found a way to save us all. I know that we would not be here, standing here today, if not for Dr. Grace. And I think I speak for all of us by saying that he continues to inspire me in more ways than one. He will always be remembered as a brave man, a hero, and of course…an amazing teacher.”
It is the cheesiest speech Eva has ever heard, but the other students lap it up, cheering as Mia makes her way down from the stage.
Then the aliens step forwards and Eva hears the clamouring from the reporters. As soon as she had released Ryland’s edited video blog, ‘Rocky the Alien’ had become internet famous within two days. All across the world, he was turned into a meme and starred in so many clips and videos. Eva wonders idly if the alien is even aware it’s trending across the internet. Probably not.
The alien makes its way ungainly to the stage, its limbs reaching out over the concrete as it moves. The blue alien follows, keeping at a distance behind. The microphone is lowered down by one of the bewildered staff, and the alien emits a string of high notes in thanks. Eva hears the whispers of excitement from the reporters as the camera trains eagerly on Rocky the Alien.
The alien shifts slightly towards the coffin. Behind it, the other alien makes a clicking noise. The first alien responds in kind, before shifting slightly towards the microphone.
Using what they know from Ryland’s videos, they have a basic translation system set up on the large screen. Musicians, linguists and internet-addicted teenagers alike have started trying to mimic and learn the Eridian language, sharing ideas and notation worldwide.
But as the alien moves towards the microphone, what comes out isn’t the slow, simplistic translatable words that humans have come to expect. Instead, it is a series of notes and clicks, faster than the screen can translate. Words flash up on the screen, seemingly unrelated to the next.
The music - which this can only be described as - is beautiful. Notes shift, ascending lightly upwards as if seeking to harmonise with the next. And somehow they are harmonising, notes remaining suspended in place so that the alien can add further flourishes and trills, resulting in overlapping chords. The effect is incredible and it seems impossible that one creature can create such a sound.
Then, the other alien joins in, shuffling forwards to stand beside the first alien so that their carapaces are touching. Their notes join together, creating deeper, richer harmonies as they transition from one chord to the next.
It is unlike anything Eva has ever witnessed. Former students and reporters both stare open-mouthed, and despite her steely façade, Eva feels her bottom lip trembling. An irrational thought springs unbidden into her mind: If only Ryland were alive to hear this.
The funeral has ended, the coffin gone and ground sealed. Eva watches as the students begin to disperse. The aliens stop to speak to Mia. The one with the pale, blue carapace is holding something metallic and oblong. As it reaches over and flips it open, Eva realises what it is. Ryland’s laptop. They’re using it to translate. Rocky trills something and an electronic voice comes from the laptop. Mia nods and murmurs something that Eva can’t hear. Then she turns away and joins the other adults.
Eva watches her go. Not all of Ryland’s students went on to become scientists, and of those that did, only some of them put it down to Ryland’s teaching. A few are genuine; the rest likely due to a desire to lap up their former teacher’s fame. But it’s undeniable that he had an impact – however small – on their lives.
Rocky the Alien is now making its way towards Eva. It is carrying the laptop now, the other staying further behind but seemingly watching. If this is out of consideration for her to not feel overwhelmed and outnumbered by two large aliens, then she appreciates it. But really it makes no difference whether it’s here or not. It will still be able to hear everything they say.
The alien comes to a stop beside Eva and places the laptop carefully on the grass between them. It makes a clicking noise, moving slightly from side to side as it does so.
The deep electronic voice states: “You are Stratt, question.”
“And you’re the one Ryland called ‘Rocky’.”
What a ridiculous name but so, so like Ryland.
“Yes.”
The answer comes immediately. The alien clearly needs no translation of the English language. Impressive…and deeply concerning.
“That was beautiful,” Eva says, “what you did just now.”
“It Grief Song. No human understand.”
Well done, alien.
Eva sighs, focussing her gaze on the ground where Ryland now lies six feet deep, “Thank you for saving Ryland. Tell me, how did he live on Erid?”
A click; a series of notes. Then: “Happy.”
Eva nods. It is not the answer she was looking for, but perhaps it is all she needs to know.
There is another sound from the alien. This noise is longer and more akin to humming.
“You sent Grace into space to die.”
Somehow, there is a faint tone of threat from the computerised voice. Eva glances over at the alien. It is strangely still.
“He knew the risks,” she says neutrally.
The alien stamps its limbs. The notes seem less controlled now, ascending and descending haphazardly, before clashing.
The computerised voice says: “You forced Grace to sleep. You took his memories.”
“Yes.”
More discordant notes. Then the voice shrills angrily, “You are not sorry, question?”
“He was the only one I could send,” Eva says, keeping her voice level.
There is silence. This time, the blue alien stirs. It occurs to Eva that perhaps it is not keeping its distance to reassure her, but instead to allow Rocky to kill her without any distractions.
The alien shifts in her direction and hums again. “In Erid, to send someone to long sleep is unthinkable. Is crime that no exist.”
“Yes, I think most countries on Earth would consider it a crime too,” Eva remarks drily.
More limb tapping and discordant notes. This continues as the computerised voice relays: “When Grace first told Rocky, Rocky furious. Rocky want come to Earth. Adrian support.”
‘Adrian’ must be the name of the blue alien. And support in what exactly?
“Ryland told you?”
“It took Grace time. Much courage. Rocky want bring Stratt to Erid. Make Stratt stand trial. But Grace say no. Grace know Erid find Stratt guilty. Stratt die.”
Eva does her best to hide her shock. She’s not surprised that the alien has been plotting her death – she thought she’d be killed long ago – but she is unsettled by its use of human terminology.
“You,” she manages, “know about our judicial systems?”
“Grace and Rocky discuss everything.”
Somehow the computer manages to convey both the alien’s fond tone and unmistakeable threat.
“Everything?” she repeats, numb.
Oh god. What has Ryland done?
“Everything.” The alien stresses with an air of satisfaction. “Grace tell Rocky about Earth culture. About countries. About technology. About human past. Humans cruel to one another. Over and over. Humans build. Humans destroy. Humans ruin planet even though they live on it. Humans attack and kill each other. Humans dangerous and cruel when scared.”
…And the only human who knows anything about Eridian culture is currently dead…
“Yes,” Eva sighs.
“But,” the alien continues, its movements more excited now. “Humans also kind. Humans also clever. When Grace scared, no hurt Rocky. No dissect Rocky.” To Eva’s surprise, this word is actually said. No computer translator needed. The word is plucked from the air in a slow string of sound. To Eva’s dismay, she realises that it must not have an equivalent in Eridian. “Grace help Rocky. Grace understand Rocky. This proof. Show Rocky humans also kind.”
Eva does not respond to this. She has seen enough of humanity to know that she’s witnessed it far more at its worst than its best.
“Earth dying.” The computer mirrors Rocky’s subdued tones, filling his voice with grief and determination. “Rocky will no let it. Grace sacrifice much to save it once. Rocky will no let it die again. Save Grace home. Save Grace students.”
“How?” Eva demands. “You want to stop war? Ecocide? What will you do? Camp out here and take over?”
“Rocky give Stratt one chance,” The alien says more calmly now, picking up the laptop with its claws. “Rocky watch. Eridians live long Earth years. Eridians remember. Eridians know all about Earth. So this Eridian message to Stratt: Go carefully.”
“Tread carefully,” Eva corrects on impulse as the alien turns and walks away. Then her brain catches up with her. “Wait. You want me to save Earth? That’s impossible. I was granted clearance by world leaders for Hail Mary. It won’t happen again. It was a national emergency. This is…the politics…I can’t-”
She stops as the alien turns back. It chitters something.
The alien’s next word comes out clipped and cold over the computer’s audio.
“Try.”
Eva Stratt nestles herself against a tree and lifts her buried face from her hands. Her sobs subside, leaving only her little finger trembling. She watches it still and imagines her grief and panic flowing out of her.
A sense of calm settles over her, and she smiles. Dr. Ryland Grace. Even now he is trying to save Earth and causing her problems.
She glances skyward, at that brilliant blue with no sign of extraterrestrial life. Somewhere, years away, Erid is watching them, ready to step in if humans should fail.
…And all this over one dead human…
Eva Stratt gets to her feet. Her limbs ache – another reminder that she is so much older than she used to be. The world leaders listened to her as a younger woman. Will they listen and respect her now? She supposes she’ll have to make them.
Go carefully, Rocky had threatened.
Well played, alien. Well played. She’ll do more than that. By the time she’s finished, Earth will be unrecognisable and Ryland will be singing in his grave. Squaring her shoulders, she marches forwards, off to save the world so that Rocky does not have to.