The Habit of Crystals (Open Novella Contest)

Five

Too much to do. Too much to understand. Jade had never been so overwhelmed. This wasn't a test or an assignment. This wasn't her senior project before graduation. This impacted the fate of human lives, especially those that lived in close quarters with volcanic activity.

This was way bigger than her, Lawrence, Michelle, and three dogs.

And on top of that, they needed to get Nesilva off of their planet before any more of Earth's natural minerals became a problem for humanity. Who knew what other types of gems the Krisoala would find worth destroying or harvesting? This was the foundation of their planet on the line. Their soil, their mountains, their businesses. Well, that last one could be fixed, but the economic problem could possibly trickle into other issues.

Why couldn't it have been diamonds? Jade would've loved if the aliens ruined that industry, economic repercussions be damned.

Michelle went outside to have a smoke as Jade and Lawrence argued over their next course of action. At this point, the situation was completely out of their hands and handing Nesilva over to someone more capable to deal with his predicament would be the best route. Only, Lawrence didn't think it worth it to call anyone. Jade would try herself, but she didn't want to waste time connecting with an interpreter and then possibly get hung up on by an operator that thought the interpreter's voice sounded too similar to a scam call.

But it might just be worth the trouble now if this kept up.

"We can't just call the government," Lawrence said.

"911." Jade's hands were in his face, mirroring his own quick and frustrated signing.

"Oh, yeah, that'll go well. Hi, yes, we've got an alien in our house."

She threw her hands in the air. "There are strange ships flying through the sky leaving trails of red smoke. I think they'd be inclined to listen."

He rolled his eyes. "They'll just say that's actually Russia or whatever."

"Just try."

She saw his gaze shift over her head and followed it. Nesilva had not stopped panicking, his gem-half seeming to glow all the while. He had been watching them argue, twisting his fingers around in restless movements. Now, his panic invited confusion. "Your people have so many rulers. Why?"

"Lot of reasons. Doesn't matter." Even on a good day, that was not the conversation Jade intended to have.

"How can you manage anything split up into different groups?"

"I don't know!" She turned back to Lawrence, ready to get him to call 911, only to find him focused on Michelle. She looked frantic, wide-eyed with her cell phone at her ear. She spoke rapidly, though her attention looked to be on Lawrence and not whomever was on the line with her.

Nesilva had given up on trying to talk to Jade and now had his hands on his head, chattering away in his native tongue while walking circles into the carpet.

Jade took the hint and grabbed her own phone to see if perhaps another message came through. Nothing new. But Michelle was speaking to someone, and now Lawrence had his phone out.

So she tried to place a call as well, but instead of going to her video camera, the screen that popped up only had text scrolling through it.

Be patient. We will leave soon. We've come to collect our own. Nothing will be done to your planet.

The aliens had not been cutting off their communication before. Now, however, no matter who Jade tried to contact, that was all she saw. She tried her email and found the WiFi down. Her texts failed. And judging by Michelle now turning on the TV, and Lawrence tapping away at his phone, they were experiencing the same problems.