CHAPTER 2
1063 Words
The world’s largest private space company, Nova Frontier, suddenly held a press conference. During the broadcast, the company claimed that it had detected the same signal from the Moon several minutes before NASA did. The announcement immediately caught the media’s attention and sparked widespread speculation.
Within minutes, the story spread across television networks and social media. News outlets began questioning whether NASA was hiding something from the public. Some even accused the agency of covering up a major discovery on the Moon.
Meanwhile, the United States government demanded a full report on every activity related to the Artemis mission. The problem was, NASA didn’t have any answers yet.
“The media won’t stop calling,” one of the communications officers said. “Every network wants a statement.”
“Tell them we’re still reviewing the data,” the mission director replied without looking up from the monitor.
“Sir, that’s exactly what we told them twenty minutes ago.”
“Then tell them again.”
A staff member hurried into the room with a tablet in his hand.
“The White House is requesting an immediate briefing. They want to know if this has anything to do with extraterrestrial life.”
The mission director rubbed his forehead before answering.
“We don’t even know what we’re looking at yet. Nobody says the word ‘alien’ until we have proof. Is that clear?”
The conference room doors swung open. A man in his early fifties walked in with quick, steady steps. Every camera in the room immediately turned toward him.
It was Richard Hayes.
The Artemis Mission Director placed a folder on the table. He had already received a report from Washington before arriving at Mission Control.
“I only want one answer,” Richard said calmly. “What exactly did Willow find on the Moon?”
Gilbert rose from his chair.
“We don’t know yet, sir. The sensors detected an energy spike we’ve never seen before. It only lasted a few seconds, then it disappeared.”
“And Nova Frontier?”
“They’ve already gone public.”
Richard shifted to the television in the corner of the room, where Nova Frontier’s press conference was still being broadcast.
Reporters continued speculating about the possibility of life on the Moon.
“If we don’t get ahead of this,” Richard said, “by tomorrow morning, no one will be talking about the Artemis mission anymore. They’ll be talking about why NASA is accused of hiding the greatest discovery in human history.”
A communications officer hurried into the room, holding a tablet.
“Director Hayes, the White House is requesting a video conference in fifteen minutes. The Secretary of Defense has already joined the meeting. They want an explanation immediately.”
Richard closed the folder in front of him.
“Then do this,” he said, turning to Gilbert. “Contact Willow. Whatever she found out there, I want to see it before anyone else does.”
Back on the Moon.
“Willow, do you copy?”
“Willow?”
“Respond, please.”
Gilbert’s voice kept coming through the radio, but Willow doesn’t realize incoming call from monitor.
The object slowly split open down the middle, Willow stepped closer to them.
Willow gasped and stumbled backward. Before she could even process what was inside the metallic structure, the sudden blare of her spacesuit’s alarm system cut through the silence.
The indicator on her wrist flashed a brilliant, warning red, signaling a hazard fast approaching. The closer it got, the louder and more deafening the alarm became.
“Damn it, what kind of warning is this?!” Willow panicked.
“Mission Control, there’s danger approaching! Do you copy?!”
Her breath hitching, Willow whipped around. She braced herself to face a monster, but instead, her eyes widened in utter disbelief.
Standing right there before her was a tall, striking figure with a sharp jawline and incredibly perfect features.
For a split second, she was utterly captivated by his handsome face, before her common sense kicked back in, leaving her completely startled.
“Ow oh my god, stay away from me, what kind of creatures are you?” Willow shrieked, taking a defensive step back.
“Lower the device in your hand,” the figure said calmly.
“Stay back or I will hit you!” Willow threatened.
“You won’t be able to hurt me with that bulky suit on.”
Willow was struck with a whole new level of shock. The alien in front of her was actually speaking human language, and fluently at that! His voice was deep, rich, and incredibly resonant.
Somehow, that captivating voice and commanding presence pierced right through her defenses. In that very first look, Willow’s heart hammered wildly, and she knew she had fallen head over heels in love.
“My name is Mason, and I am not your enemy,” the alien said, breaking the silence as he stared intently into her eyes.
“M-Mason?” Willow stammered, trying to wrap her head around this insane situation while keeping her racing heart in check. “How do you even know my language? Are you... really an alien?”
“We have observed your planet long enough to learn everything,” Mason replied, his movements incredibly graceful as he took a step forward in the vacuum. “And you shouldn’t waste your time trying to call your base. I cut your connection to Mission Control the moment this structure opened.”
Willow hurriedly glanced at the monitor on her wrist. Sure enough, the communication indicator to Earth was completely dead. She was entirely on her own with this extraterrestrial being.
“Why did you cut it?! They must be looking for me!” Willow snapped.
“Because if they hear me, my existence will be exposed, and your life will be forfeit,” Mason cut in quickly, his jaw tightening.
Suddenly, the lunar ground beneath their feet trembled violently. The hazard indicator on Willow’s suit began to scream wildly again. A massive, towering shadow loomed over the crater where they stood.
“The danger signal... it wasn’t coming from your ship?” Willow asked, turning pale.
Mason gripped her spacesuit sleeve firmly, pulling her toward him. “No. It is those who are hunting me. If you want to live, get inside with me now!”
- Writer
