The year is 2142. Space travel has
become a normal part of life, as humans have started travelling further into the
unknown. Citizens of Earth have entered the new space race with many countries
sending out ships in an attempt to find new species. Vala is a 28-year-old ex-astronaut.
After 10 years of expeditions, Vala became pregnant and decided to quit being
an astronaut and return to Earth for a less intense job. She settled for a lead
extraterrestrial research position. Vala found passion in what she was doing,
and was glad she never had to return to her previous job as an astronaut -especially
since she was 6 months pregnant. One night, after a long day at the research
lab, Vala returned home and passed out in bed next to her husband. She was
awoken by strange noises and lights coming from the screens in her room.
Cryptic messages in foreign language were sprawled across the screens. She
heard a disembodied voice tell her that she must go on the expedition to Lumaria,
which was leaving tomorrow, or humanity as she knew it would never be the same.
With that, the screens went dark, the room fell silent, and Vala quickly fell
back asleep as though she had never woken up in the first place.
The
next morning, Vala woke up feeling confused. She asked her husband if anything
woke him up last night, but since he responded that he slept soundly, she
ultimately wrote it off as a dream. She went to get ready for another day at
work and started undressing for a shower. As she looked in the mirror, she
noticed a strange marking on her chest. Upon further inspection it was almost
as though she had been branded. The marking was a mysterious symbol, much like
the ones which had appeared on the screens in her room last night. A sense of
dread descended upon her as she realized that last night had really happened.
Fearing that the prophecy she received would come true and not wanting to
frighten her husband, she fabricated excuses for him and her work about why
this mission was essential. She felt bad about the lies, but thankfully, she
was left unquestioned. Vala quickly assembled her bag for the expedition and went
on her way. Arriving at the space center, Vala demanded to see her former
Commander. With trust in her previous Commander, Vala explained the urgency of
her attending this mission and told her about the strange experience. At first,
she was met with disbelief, however Commander Hill changed her disposition when
Vala revealed the strange marking on her chest. Vala asked about whether her
baby would be safe during space travel, and Commander Hill replied that
technology has allowed for pregnant women to travel safely in space for years
now. Believing she could be key to the mission, she accepted Vala’s request and
helped her get ready for travel. They boarded the space shuttle and took off
for the 5-day flight.
A few
days had passed after landing, and an exploration party was sent out to scout
unfamiliar areas. While hiking the mountains, Vala stumbled upon a cave which
seemed to be calling out to her. With piqued interest, she wandered in alone,
weapon brandished. The further Vala went, the more the cave began to glow until
she discovered a wall with writing like what she had seen the night of her prophecy.
Suddenly, the wall opened, revealing a long, small corridor. A voice came into
Vala’s head and commanded her to enter, which she did. Everything cut to black
as she was quickly grabbed and forced into a vehicle. Inside were two creatures
with gas masks. All of a sudden, the cabin filled with a hazy smoke, and Vala
fell asleep.
Vala awoke in a room being held by
the two creatures she had been kidnapped by. In front of her was another
creature in a large throne. Frightened, she asked why she was brought here. The
Leader explained that the baby she was carrying was part of his species.
Confused, Vala said that that was simply impossible, as she was married to her
human husband. The Leader laughed and said that her husband was not human, but
actually Lumarian. He explained that many Lumarians lived among humans on Earth
in order to study and learn about them in hopes that it could help their
society. He also revealed that she was the first to become pregnant by the
species. Vala then questioned how it could be possible that her husband was one
of them, when he looked like a normal human. The Leader explained that
Lumarians can shape shift, and he transformed into his human counterpart before
her eyes. Every Lumarian sent to Earth was trained and outfitted with a
backstory so that there would never be any suspicion.
Still feeling disbelief, she asked
what this all meant. The Leader explained that it was crucial for her to give
the baby back to them once it was born, so they may begin research on
human-Lumarian hybrids. However, Vala protested saying that regardless of the
situation, it was still her child and therefore she would not be giving it up. However,
the Leader then explained that the species was dying out and that their only
hope is the child and the potential for human-Lumarian hybrids. Vala reached a
compromise with the leader, which was that he would send ambassadors back to
Earth with her so they could reveal the situation after the baby was born. Three
months later, Vala gave birth to her baby. Despite their differences, Vala’s
husband revealed that he still truly loved her and hoped that she would
continue to stay with him. She agreed and together they showed the world the
baby that would save the Lumarians and unite the galaxy.
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