Chapter 69

"My name is Dr. Sophia Rodriguez," she began, her voice steadier than she felt. "What I'm about to tell you will change how you see our world forever."

Behind the camera, Victoria's phone lit up with incoming calls from government officials. Military commanders shouted orders outside the door. But for this brief moment, the world was listening.

"Today, humanity is not alone," Sophia continued. "We share this planet with another civilization, one that has lived beneath the waves since before recorded history."

On cue, carefully edited footage of Aquaria's bioluminescent cities appeared beside her on screen.

"I am not here to cause fear. I am here because both our worlds face the same threat-a biological contaminant spreading through our oceans."

The feed switched to sanitized images of the purple corruption.

"This is not an invasion. This is an opportunity for unprecedented cooperation between surface and sea."

Outside, something massive rose from the ocean again, purple tentacles reaching toward the institute. Military helicopters swarmed it like angry wasps, weapons firing.

But inside the studio, Sophia continued calmly, unaware of the chaos, focused only on finding the right words to save both worlds.

"What happens next is up to all of us," she said, looking directly into the camera. "We can choose fear, or we can choose a new beginning."

The building shook. The generator sputtered. The broadcast feed wavered.

"The people of Aquaria extend their hands in friendship," Sophia said, her voice growing urgent as warning lights flashed around her. "Will humanity accept?"

The feed cut to static just as the studio door burst open, soldiers rushing in with weapons raised.

"On the ground! Now!" they shouted.

Sophia stood her ground, Tharros, Kael and Arin moving protectively beside her.

"Did it work?" she asked Victoria, ignoring the soldiers.

Victoria was still staring at her phone, messages flooding in faster than she could read them. She looked up, eyes wide with disbelief.

"It's trending everywhere. #OceanNeighbors. #SaveTwoWorlds." She smiled faintly. "The President is calling for an immediate ceasefire and diplomatic contact."

A soldier stepped forward, his weapon lowering slightly. "Dr. Rodriguez? I have orders to escort you to Washington immediately." He glanced nervously at Tharros, Kael, and Arin. "All of you."

Outside, the sound of weapons fire had stopped. The building no longer shook.

"And the creature in the bay?" Sophia asked.

"Retreated," the soldier replied. "About thirty seconds into your broadcast. Just... disappeared beneath the waves."

Sophia exchanged looks with her partners. The Voidcallers hadn't expected this turn of events. Fear was their weapon-but she had just replaced fear with curiosity and hope.

It was only the beginning, she knew. The hardest parts were still ahead. The corruption would return. The Voidcallers would try again. And now they had to navigate the treacherous waters of human politics on top of everything else.

But as she faced the soldiers, her three partners beside her, the portal to Aquaria humming in the next room, and the eyes of the world upon them, Sophia felt something unexpected.

Hope.

"Let's go meet the President," she said.

The New World Order

"The President will see you now."

Sophia straightened her lab coat as she entered the Oval Office. Her heart raced as she led her unusual delegation-Tharros, Kael, and Arin-into the most powerful room in the human world.

The President rose from behind his desk, eyes widening slightly at the sight of the three Aquarians. Despite their human appearance, something about them radiated otherworldliness.

"Dr. Rodriguez," he said, extending his hand. "Your broadcast has created quite a stir."

"Mr. President," Sophia replied, her voice steadier than she felt. "Thank you for agreeing to meet us."

Secret Service agents lined the walls, hands hovering near their weapons. The tension in the room felt thick enough to cut.

"So," the President said, gesturing for them to sit, "you claim these individuals are representatives of an underwater civilization?"

Tharros stepped forward, his presence commanding even in his human form. "I am King Tharros of Aquaria. For thousands of years, our worlds have existed side by side, neither interfering with the other."

"Until now," the President noted.

"Until now," Tharros agreed, "because we face a common threat."

Outside the windows, protestors and supporters clashed beyond the White House gates. Signs reading "ALIENS GO HOME" competed with others proclaiming "SAVE OUR OCEANS TOGETHER."

Victoria slipped into the room, tablet in hand. "Sir, we're trending worldwide. Public opinion is splitting 60-40 in our favor."

The President frowned. "And the military?"

"Standing down, as ordered," Victoria replied. "But they're maintaining surveillance."

Sophia pulled up images of the purple corruption on a nearby screen. "This contaminant spreads through water, affecting all life it touches. It began in our oceans but won't stay there."

"And your people have been fighting it?" the President asked.

Kael nodded, his warrior's posture unmistakable. "For months. We're losing ground."

"Why come to us now?"

"Because we need each other," Sophia said simply. "Human science combined with Aquarian knowledge might be our only chance."

The President studied them with shrewd eyes. "You're not telling me everything."

Sophia exchanged glances with her partners. How much could they safely reveal?

"The corruption is not just biological," Arin said, speaking for the first time. Her melodic voice seemed to ripple through the room. "It feeds on fear and division. Those feelings make it stronger."

"Convenient," the President muttered.

A phone rang, interrupting them. The President answered, his expression growing grave.

"When? How bad?" He hung up, turning to them with new urgency. "The corruption has been spotted in the Potomac River. It's spreading faster than your reports indicated."

Sophia felt cold dread wash over her. "It's adapting."

"Show me," the President demanded.

Minutes later, they stood at the river's edge. Purple tendrils snaked through the water, killing fish and turning vegetation black. Military personnel kept bystanders back while scientists in hazmat suits collected samples.

"It wasn't supposed to reach here for weeks," Tharros said, his face grim.

Sophia watched the President's expression shift from skepticism to genuine concern. This was the turning point-would he choose cooperation or conflict?

"What do you need from us?" he finally asked.

Sophia took a deep breath. "A joint research facility. Access to your environmental agencies. And most importantly, public support for our alliance."

The President nodded slowly. "And in return?"

"Knowledge," Tharros replied. "Of our medicines, our technologies, our understanding of the oceans."

"Not weapons?"

"Tools for healing, not destruction," Arin clarified.