Sarah's perspective
The week after the invitation to speak with the aliens arrived was hectic and busy. A wave of excitement and anxiety swept across every team working on monitoring the alien spacecraft, especially the diplomatic team. As we scrambled to prepare for this unprecedented journey, it was a whirlwind of activity.
Our team, consisting of representatives from various nations, had already undergone a basic orientation in space travel. But now, we had to undergo an intensive crash course in everything related to space travel, from navigation to communication systems, as we needed to be fully prepared for any possible scenario. We went with a science, engineering, and military team. Still, in space, everyone needed to be able to replace everyone in an emergency.
I was one of the fortunate or unfortunate five who qualified to go, alongside my boss and representatives from the European Union, China, and the African Union. We were tasked with representing not only our individual nations but the entire human race, and the weight of this responsibility was not lost on us.
The rest of our team was able to make the journey. Physicals revealed that some of our colleagues were pregnant, and the harsh physical stresses of the launch would be too much for them to handle. Others were not physically fit enough to withstand the rigors of space travel.
Issac wasn't selected to go on the mission to meet the aliens. There just wasn't a need for an astronomer on a first-contact mission, and the list of specialists the aliens sent didn't have an astronomer listed so he was out of luck. While part of me was relieved that our kids would have one parent staying behind, another part was disappointed that we wouldn't be able to share this incredible experience.
Luckily, Ethan and Ryan had promised to help out as much as was necessary while I was away. They kept teasing me about "negotiating hard" with the aliens. They promised to keep everything running and everyone alive and healthy while I was gone.
Issac and I had already had many conversations about me going on this mission to meet the aliens. He was worried about my safety and suggested that I drop out. But I knew I couldn't back out now. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I couldn't let my fears or Isaac's concerns hold me back.
I could tell he was still smoldering about the whole thing, and I understood why. He wanted me to be safe, and I wanted to be safe, too, but a bigger picture was at play here. Who knew what could happen if we didn't make contact with the aliens and establish some sort of communication? We could be at the mercy of their technology and intentions.
With only 37 hours left before the launch, I knew it was time to say goodbye to my kids and husband, possibly for the last time. The weight of that realization was almost too much to bear. I wanted to stay on the couch with my children, snuggled up together, and never leave their side.
But I had to go.
I had to explain myself to them and make them feel okay with me going and going.
I took a deep breath and tried to push my emotions down. I didn't want to upset my children any more than they needed to be. They asked me questions about the aliens and what it would be like up in space. I tried my best to answer each one as truthfully as possible, but the lump in my throat made it difficult to speak.
"Mommy, where are you going?" Leo asked, looking up at me with big, curious eyes.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself before answering. "It's like when I have to go to other countries to talk to people," I explained, hoping to make it relatable to them. "But a little bit further."
Aurora furrowed her brows, "How long will you be gone?" she asked, concern evident in his voice.
I felt a lump form in my throat. "I'm not sure," I answered honestly, trying to keep my voice steady.
