Short on Time

Chapter 54

"You want to open S. T. A. R. Labs to the public?" I asked HR.

"In two weeks?" Barry added.

"Soft open. Not a hard open. But, you know, I'll use your input. All right? Right now, it's very important 'cause the clock is ticking. My vision is set to include, but not limited to bam a personal transportation tour of the facility. Or, for the faint of heart, we have pow a virtual reality alternative.

"Both set to include particle vision," HR said.

"Particle vision?" I asked at the same time Barry did.

"Particle vision, which is a moment-to-moment reenactment of the particle accelerator explosion, but seen from the point of view of..."

"Listen, H. R," Barry said. "I know that you're trying to figure out how you add value to the team, I get it, but this..."

"Let me stop you right there, B. A," HR said.

"Okay, don't call me B. A," Barry said.

"I can make S. T. A. R. Labs the powerhouse in the scientific community that it once was, and, moreover, earn back the people's trust. Look at you guys. You just your faces are so darn gloomy. Here's what we'll do. I'm gonna make you guys a," HR said and then he was cut off by a ringing.

"Was that was that the satellite?" I asked.

"I hope that wasn't the satellite," Cisco said.

"Is that a meteor?" Barry asked.

"Why, yes, that is a meteor, and yes, it is heading for downtown," Cisco said.

"I got to go," Barry said.

"Can't we get a break?" I demanded.

"Guys."

"What is it? Barry, what do you see?" Cisco asked.

"This isn't a meteor."

"Barry? Hey, Barry, come in."

"Can you hear me?" I asked.

"Oh, come on. Aliens!" Barry said.

"Yep, just a normal day," I muttered.

~*~

"Aliens?" Joe asked.

"Are they 'Alien' aliens or little green men?" Cisco asked.

"Or, are the Stargate version?" I asked.

"Both, sort of. Since we learned of them, we've been calling them the Dominators," Lyla said.

"That is not the name of a species that comes in peace," Barry said.

"No, no, it's very aggressive," Lyla said.

"So how long have you known about these Dominators?" Cisco asked.

"Since the fifties. That was them. Redmond, Oregon," Lyla said.

"The government tried to cover it up," Joe said. "What? I watch Syfy channel."

"In 1951, they appeared under the same sort of circumstances. A ship crash-landed. Little to no communication. We learned they were abducting humans to gather intel about us. They attacked, and hundreds of soldiers lost their lives. Then, for some inexplicable reason, they left. All contact had been lost until three months ago when the DOD received this," Lyla said.

"We pose no threat, human inhabitants. Understanding is our purpose. Any action against us, as shown to us in the past, will prompt swift retaliation," a voice said.