Another Life (Oc x reader)

Chapter 30 - Ready to Talk

(S1:E7)
Erik asks Marcus to double check his numbers when he is approached by Egan Harrison, Secretary of Defense and Sasha's father.

The two go for a walk, and Erik tells him of the plan to shine lights at the Artifact, which is very complex. After that, Erik believes that they'll be able to get to another level of their puzzle and tells him that he would work on more simulations, but the Secretary tells him to begin at sundown.

...

At sundown, Erik's team gives it a go. It appears to be working at first, and when they turn the last light on, the power goes out.

The Secretary starts telling the soldiers to move into position, but Erik tells them to wait. A door opens underneath the Artifact bright white light shining from inside.

"It's ready to talk." Erik says.

...

Harper is locked inside a room. Then Egan comes in, he tells her that he transferred Dubois. He tells her he knows that she stole another person's story and then asks her if she has met Sasha. She says she knows his story, that he wants to be president. He tells her that the stories portray it like he's pulling all the strings, and that it should just be about Sasha. Harper tells him that she won't risk her reputation for his personal goals.

...

Later, Erik is approached by Harper while he works. She tells him that she was approached by Egan.

They begin the trials, sending a drone into the Artifact. However, as soon as the drone went in, they lose signal. But Harper notices some movement in the video and they see Sasha's image is displayed.

...

You're on the observation deck with Ethan and Beauchamp.

".. No idea. That's what's so exciting about dark matter. It's a mysterious subatomic glue that holds our universe together."

You and Ethan glance at each other with smile.

"What? Do I have something in my teeth?" He asks you.

"No. It's just nice." You tell him. "Your excitement and enthusiasm is.."

You turn to Sasha walking in. "William said you wanted me." He tells Ethan.

"Yes. We're just getting up to speed on what'll happen when we get to Canis Majoris. And I wanted to make sure you met our new crew member. Beauchamp, Sasha." Ethan introduces them.

"Thirty-one. A last-minute addition to our crew. An expert in teary negotiations, which makes you an ideal diplomatic liaison to the aliens."

You all look at Beauchamp.

He shrugs. "Nothing wrong with being prepared."

"No, there isn't." Ethan agrees. "Like being prepared for what will happen when we enter that field of dark matter."

"What can happen?" Sasha asks. "It's nothing, right? It's literally nothing."

"I don't like things I can't see." Ethan tells him.

"We can't see anything inside. These aliens. What do we call them by the way?" Beauchamp asks. "Canises? Majorians? Anyways, for all we know, this dark matter is a.. it's a smokescreen. It's camouflage. What if it's a chock-full of alien tech? What if it's a defence line? What if by crossing into it, we launch into an interstellar war? What do we then?"

"He raises a good point, Ethan." Sasha tells him. "I'm here under the assumption that we'll meet these.. aliens. And form diplomatic relations, but.. what happens if we trigger a war?"

"Protocol is clear." Ethan tells them. "If we deem the aliens to be a threat, we turn around and head back to Earth."

"And if we can't retreat? If we're forced to defend ourselves, can we defend ourselves?"

"Like I said, we have no idea what's inside the field of dark matter, but if it's something that needs to be dealt with-"

"How.. will we?"

You frown at Sasha's behaviour and sudden curiosity about the security.

Ethan turns to him. "The situation is under control, Sasha."

...

Ethan sees Jason walking with three bags and run up to offer help. "You need some help?"

"No."

"How are you feeling?"

"I also don't need a check-up or an intervention or anyone's concern, Ethan."

"Look, Jason, I am just trying to help. And before you say you don't need help, you're about to drop that bag, so.." He says and Jason pulls the bag up before he loses it. "Would you at least talk to Zayn?"

Jason stops and turn to him. "Do you think Michelle's the only person I've seen die? I watched my parents die, my brother, my sister."

"And it never gets any easier, okay? Just.. take the time you need, alright? Just-"

"Yeah."

"Jason, here. You're gonna need these." Ethan holds up earplugs. "Bernie snores. You can hear him through the walls."

Jason just grabs it and leaves. Ethan sighs to himself.

...

Egan wants to send a team into the Artifact. Erik tells him that they shouldn't be baited into it, suggesting that they should send someone inside from his team. Singh agrees to go, and get prepped into a hazmat suit, but when the helmet get put on, she feels trapped inside the suit and bails.

...

Erik greets Jana and tells her that the Artifact has opened a door and lets her know that he's the one going in. Jana doesn't want him to go, and hat to be taken away by her nanny, Mila.

...

Jason is counting rations with William. He has a short temper, and is in a bad mood. Sasha is asking a lot of questions, trying to figure out how to turn off William without waking too much suspicion. He gets a bit snappy when he doesn't get all the answers he wants or rather the alien in his head wants.

Bernie brings Sasha with him to get high, he has a secret stash of that flower that got Ethan and Jason stoned on the moon. Being high, Bernie tells him that if anyone knows how to turn off William, it's Javier.

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