Echoes of Proxima

Chapter 8: Convincing the Skeptic

The pale sun shone brightly through the clouds over Portland, but David and Steve felt the weight of their secret more than ever as they made their way to the small café where they had arranged to meet Mariah. They had meticulously copied the document, hiding the originals in a safe place, and now carried only the copies. Every precaution mattered.

Mariah was already at a corner booth when they arrived, her laptop open and a steaming cup of coffee at her side. She greeted them with a warm smile that quickly turned serious when she saw the tension etched on their faces.

"Alright, you two. What's going on?" Mariah asked, her journalistic instincts on high alert.

David and Steve exchanged a glance before David began. "Mariah, we need your help. What we're about to show you is... it's extraordinary and dangerous."

They handed her the copies of the document. As Mariah read, her eyes widened, and her expression shifted from curiosity to shock and then to a focused intensity. She looked up, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is this real?"

David nodded. "We believe it is. And we need to verify it before anything else happens."

Mariah leaned back, absorbing the magnitude of what she had just read. "This changes everything. But we need to be very careful. If what happened to Isiah is any indication, there are powerful people who want this kept secret."

Steve nodded. "We thought you could help us craft a plan to approach Dr. Helen Marsh. We need her to validate the document without raising suspicions."

Mariah considered this, her mind racing with possibilities. "Dr. Marsh is highly respected. If we can get her on board, it will lend immense credibility to this. But we can't just walk up to her with this. We need to approach her carefully."

They spent the next hour strategizing. Mariah would reach out to Dr. Marsh under the guise of a potential interview about her work, a common enough request that wouldn't raise any red flags. During the meeting, she would present the document carefully, ensuring Dr. Marsh understood its importance without exposing them to undue risk.

As they finalized their plan, Mariah looked at David and Steve with determination. "We're going to do this. But we need to be prepared for anything. This could get dangerous."

David felt a mix of relief and anxiety. "We know. And we're ready. Thank you, Mariah."

She smiled reassuringly. "We're in this together. Now, let's make sure the truth comes out."

The following days were a blur of cautious preparation. Mariah drafted an email to Dr. Marsh, carefully wording it to pique the scientist's interest without revealing too much. David and Steve continued to lay low, avoiding any actions that might draw attention.

In the meantime, David and Steve continued to pore over the document, discovering more details that deepened their understanding of the beings from Proxima Centauri b and the urgent need to contact them.

"Look at this section," David said, pointing to a page that described the beings in detail. "They're human, just like us, but with one key difference."

Steve leaned in, reading aloud, "Their entire population has dark skin, what we would call black. This is due to their harsh environment and millions of years of integration among their races."

David nodded, absorbing the significance. "They've overcome the divisions that still plague us. The document warns that our racial politics, nationalism, and ethnic strife are leading us down a path of decreased diversity, exclusion, and ongoing wars."

Steve's face grew serious. "They're showing us the perils of division. If we don't change, we're headed for disaster."

The document further explained that the beings from Proxima Centauri b had achieved a level of unity and cooperation that Earth had yet to grasp. They viewed humanity's divisions as a significant threat to our survival, warning that continued strife could lead to extinction.

"We need to contact them not just because of the asteroid but because they can guide us away from self-destruction," David said, the urgency clear in his voice.

Steve nodded. "We have to act fast. We need Dr. Marsh's help to validate this and then figure out a way to get this information to the right people."

Finally, Mariah received a response. Dr. Marsh was intrigued and agreed to meet her at her office. The time had come to take the next step.

On the day of the meeting, Mariah went alone, as planned. David and Steve waited anxiously at a nearby café, their nerves on edge. They knew the risks, but they also knew they had no choice.

Mariah walked into the stately building that housed Dr. Marsh's office, her heart pounding. She was ushered into a small, well-lit office where Dr. Marsh greeted her with a polite, curious smile.

"Thank you for meeting with me, Dr. Marsh," Mariah began, settling into a chair. "I've come across something extraordinary in the course of my work, and I believe it falls within your area of expertise."

She handed Dr. Marsh the carefully prepared document. The scientist's eyes scanned the pages, her expression shifting from professional detachment to deep interest.

"This is... remarkable," Dr. Marsh said finally, looking up at Mariah. "If this is authentic, it has profound implications."

Mariah nodded. "That's why we need your help. We need to verify its authenticity without drawing too much attention. Can you help us?"

Dr. Marsh leaned back, considering. "I can help you. But we must proceed with the utmost caution. If this information is as significant as it appears, there will be those who want to keep it hidden."

Relief washed over Mariah. "Thank you, Dr. Marsh. We're ready to do whatever it takes to ensure this truth comes to light."

As Mariah left the office, she felt a surge of hope. They had taken a crucial step, but the road ahead was still fraught with danger. She quickly relayed the good news to David and Steve, who were waiting anxiously.

Back at the café, David and Steve listened intently as Mariah recounted the meeting. "She's on board," Mariah said, her eyes shining with determination. "But we need to be careful. Dr. Marsh will start the verification process discreetly. We'll know more in a few days."

David nodded, a sense of relief mingling with the ever-present anxiety. "We're doing the right thing. But we have to stay vigilant."

Steve placed a reassuring hand on David's shoulder. "We'll get through this together. One step at a time."

As they left the café, the weight of their mission pressed heavily on their shoulders, but so did the hope that the truth would soon see the light of day. The echoes of Proxima Centauri b had reached them, and they were determined to listen—and respond.