Nick
Nick looked at the aliens in silent awe. He had never seen one up close before, only on screens, filtered through documentaries, news feeds, and endless online speculation. Seeing them in person was something else entirely. The ambassadors stationed at NEAE were famous, more recognizable than any movie star, their faces known across the planet.
And among them, the most famous of all were the Grosh.
They were the only species that resembled humans closely enough to unsettle them. The others were so starkly different, so alien in form and structure, that it often astonished humans they possessed the intelligence and capability for interplanetary travel at all. In fact, two of those species hadn't even made the journey on their own; they had been brought to Earth by humans, not the other way around.
There were a total of fourteen aliens, multiple from each alien species. But Dan was nowhere to be seen. This was supposed to be a formal introduction. Not that any of the aliens needed any introduction. Everyone had seen them on television more than they had seen any human. Nick could guess why the Grosh wasn't here. According to Dr Desai Dan was known to be the moody. He came and went at his wish.
It could be that his people were not social creatures, or it could be a personal trait. It was more likely the latter. As far as Nick knew the Grosh before him had a certain pride, but nothing compared to Dan's sheer arrogance. For most people, that level of self-importance would be repellent, but Dan seemed to get away with it all. He could push boundaries and still come out unscathed. Personally, Nick hated it.
Nick stared in awe as the aliens introduced themselves to each intern one by one. First ones were the three Zeta, the most bizarre creatures Nick had ever seen. Zeta didn't have hands or legs, and instead, they resembled a blob of shifting brownish mass. Their body was composed primarily of sulfur compounds, giving off a pungent odor of rotten eggs. Despite their unconventional appearance, Zeta were intelligence. They was sophisticated enough understand basic intelligent interactions, even though their cognitive abilities were slightly less developed than the humans.
Next, Nick was introduced to the Canopusarians. These massive smoky beings hovered in the air like wisps of smoke. They looked more ghostly than solid, with smoky tendrils trailing behind them. Their gaseous forms were translucent and swirled with dark hues, and although they didn't have a discernible body, they exuded a sense of ancient wisdom and immense intelligence. The Canopusarians' presence at the NEAE was evidence of their highly developed civilization, which had mastered the art of interstellar travel long before humans even considered the possibility.
Then there was Zoradians and Merkanas.
The Zoradians were tall and narrow-boned, their skin plated in overlapping scales. Their movements were slow, deliberate, almost cautious, as if every step required careful consideration. The Merkanas, by contrast, were insectoid in form, segmented bodies supported by jointed limbs, translucent carapaces faintly veined with color. Their mandibles clicked softly when they communicated, producing a rhythm that translators struggled to smooth into human speech.
Neither species had arrived at NEAE under their own power.
Humans had found them, not the other way around.
Both had been brought from their home planets after first contact revealed a level of intelligence sufficient for cooperation, if not true parity. Even now, centuries later, humanity was uncertain how much the Zoradians and Merkanas truly understood. Their responses were consistent, agreeable, almost rehearsed. They coordinated well, followed directives without resistance, and rarely questioned the structures imposed upon them.
Some argued that this made them ideal partners. Others whispered that it made them unsettling.
What could not be denied was their adaptability. Their home worlds shared striking similarities with Earth, comparable gravity, atmospheric composition, even seasonal cycles which allowed them to adjust quickly to life on New Earth. They thrived in controlled environments, learned routines, and acclimated with an ease that more advanced species often lacked.
Finally, Nick met the Vaigan aliens, who were the smallest of the group. Vaigans were roughly the size of a small baseball, floating in a transparent sphere filled with liquid ammonium hydroxide. The spherical contraption, which kept the Vaigan pressurized and mobile, was unlike anything Nick had ever seen. The sphere looked like a head, while the gas cylinder and wheels, necessary for the Vaigan's environment, acted as a body. This self-contained device was custom-made by the Vaigan species to help them navigate the human world. Through it, the Vaigan communicated using a mechanical, computerized voice that echoed with a cold, metallic undertone.
"The Grosh didn't show up, did he?" Rita said in a mocking tone. Nick didn't know how to respond to that comment. He decided to ignore her instead.
Later that day, after the introductions, Nick and the other interns were taken to a nursery. The facility was an astounding blend of cutting-edge technology and nature's wonder. It housed animals and plants from the various alien planets humans had come to know, bred and cultivated for both consumption and research. The diversity of life forms was astonishing, each one more intriguing than the last. Nick couldn't help but feel a strange mix of fascination and unease as they moved through the various exhibits.
His gaze lingered on the ammonium nitrate aquarium, where a fluorescent, snake-like creature slithered with incredible speed. Its glowing body seemed to ripple in the water as if it were made of liquid light, darting between the currents. Nick felt his stomach turn slightly at the sight, though he couldn't deny its beauty. It was an alien species unlike anything on Earth, and yet it had evolved in ways that humans were only beginning to understand.
The host continued with his lecture on the various plant species, each one more bizarre than the last. Some emitted faint pulses of light, while others seemed to hum softly when touched. The air in the room was thick with the scent of unfamiliar, exotic flowers. Nick was the only one diligently scribbling notes, jotting down every name and detail. The others seemed more content to stare at the strange creatures and plants with a mixture of amusement and curiosity.
His eyes flicked back to the fluorescent snake, now coiling in on itself as it swam lazily through the water.
The Vaigan planet, from which many of these plants and animals were taken from, was the largest of the four alien worlds. It made sense that the Vaigans, small creatures with large, black eyes, had evolved to thrive in such a vast, dark environment. Their ability to see in near-total darkness was a necessity. From a human perspective, they were undeniably cute, small, almost childlike in their features but Nick had heard rumors about their temperament. Vaigans could be surprisingly aggressive if they didn't get their way, their innocence masking a cunning intelligence that could turn mean in the blink of an eye.
Nick couldn't help but wonder what other secrets these life forms held.
The Canopusarian aliens were his favorite. They were polite, floating around in a thick cloud of smoke. Their planet did not have land mass, it only had gas and all the species developed in it. The Canopusarian aliens were somewhat human-like with four limbs, a head. But they could easily change form according to their wishes. On their planet, they had a more defined shape, like a big sphere; on Earth, due to low atmospheric pressure, they were more spread out.
Zeta aliens didn't have a nose; like earth amphibians, they breathed through their skin.
The Canopusarian ambassador, Ghost, which was the name given by humans, had his food imported from Canopusarian. It was estimated that NEAE dedicated a significant portion of its budget to sustaining Ghost. Despite the high costs, it didn't matter. NEAE was the largest recipient of global funding on New Earth, a result of the critical importance it held in bridging human and alien relations. Governments around the world contributed to support the Embassy, understanding that their cooperation with powerful extraterrestrial species, like the Grosh, was vital for humanity's future. With its vast resources, NEAE had the means to maintain the delicate balance of diplomacy, technology, and survival, ensuring that even the extravagant expenses of maintaining various aliens were just another part of a much larger, essential effort.
Nick's communication device buzzed at his side, jolting him. He scrambled to get the thing out of his pocket.
"To my office Nick," Dr Desai's voice echoed through the speaker.
"I will be there in a second," Nick said, pocketing the device. He walked briskly to Dr Desai's office.
When Nick entered the office, Dr Desai was looking at something under the microscope.
"Wear that white coat," Dr Desai pointed her chin to the corner of the room where a white coat was laying the metal stool. His heart leapt, he was getting his first assignment. He didn't waste time picking up the coat and putting it on. He made his way towards Dr Desai and stood beside her, making sure not to disturb her in whatever she was doing.
"Dan's monthly check-up is due," Dr Desai muttered as she wrote down her observations from the slide she was studying. "He will be walking in any moment now. When he does, check his blood pressure first, make sure it's within normal range, and then take a blood sample for the usual biomarkers: electrolyte balance, glucose, and lipid profile. I also want a full CBC and check for any signs of immune system stress. His metabolic markers are always fluctuating, so be thorough. He's also due for a renal function test, so don't forget that. Once you have the sample, hand him the form on my table. Ask him to fill in the details about his daily intake, medications, and any irregular symptoms. If there are any changes in his behavior, like lethargy or sudden irritability, make a note of it. It's crucial we track any subtle changes. I'm going to need that data to adjust his treatment plan."
Nick bit the inside of his cheek nervously. He had never dealt with someone like Dan before. Grosh physiology was so different from human biology, and even though he knew the basics, he still felt nervous. He focused on what Dr. Desai had said, reminding himself that this was the opportunity of a lifetime, he had to get it right.
"Won't you be here?" Nick asked.
"I have some work at the main lab. Can I trust you with this?" Dr Desai asked, looking at him above her glasses with a pointed stare. How could he say no? Even though he knew this was a bad idea and he was shaking just at the thought of interacting with a Grosh, he nodded. "I will take care of it."
Good thing was that Dan could communicate in human language unlike the other aliens for whom you needed to put on translation devices.
Dr Desai was wrong when she said Dan will walk in at any moment. Nick waited for almost two hours without any work, getting bored out of his guts. Dan didn't show up even after two and a half hours. Nick wasn't sure if he would show up at all.
Dr. Desai returned from lunch, her expression a mix of curiosity and amusement. "He hasn't shown up yet?" she asked, as though she fully expected the delay. Nick shook his head, wondering how she remained so nonchalant about being kept waiting by someone so notoriously tardy.
"Wait until he arrives," she instructed before retreating to her desk.
It was nearly an hour later when the office door finally swished open, and Nick's world seemed to tilt off its axis. He had to consciously close his mouth before his jaw hit the floor. Dan strode in with the kind of confidence that demanded the universe rearrange itself around him. He wasn't just late, he was three hours late but carried himself as though time itself worked on his schedule.
The man, or rather, the being was breathtaking. No, he wasn't entirely human. He was something beyond, like a living sculpture chiseled by the hands of gods. Towering above any man Nick had ever seen. Dan's physique was a paradox of lean strength and sheer size. His skin was an otherworldly shade of grey, as if crafted from smooth stone.
And then there were his eyes. Piercing, a weird shade of blue, as if they held the power to look straight into Nick's very soul. The weight of that gaze was almost unbearable, and Nick could only imagine what it would feel like directed at him. The t-shirt and jeans Dan wore, simple, human attire, did little to disguise the perfection beneath. The fabric clung in all the right places, his sleeves straining against biceps that seemed ready to burst free.
Nick's thoughts scattered. This was the man...no, the alien...he was supposed to work with?
Apparently, Dan was used to the protocol. He didn't spare Nick a glance as he walked through the adjoining door to the medical exam room, moving with the grace of a predator who knew his place at the top of the food chain. Nick could only sit there, rooted to his chair, trying not to ogle too obviously as Dan reclined on the examination bed, his muscular arm casually resting on the side, the veins stark against his grey skin as he pushed up his sleeve.
Nick swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. His face burned as his gaze betrayed him, lingering a second too long on the bulging veins and the sheer power they implied. *Get a grip, Nick! He scolded himself. But how could he, when the scene in front of him felt like something straight out of a forbidden fantasy?
Steeling himself, Nick stood and grabbed his equipment. He was here to do his job, not fall apart at the sight of the Grosh ambassador, no matter how maddeningly attractive the man was.
Dan closed his eyes and sighed. "Make it quick," he said.
Nick picked up the blood collection vial tentatively. When Nick touched his arm to tie the rubber strap on it Dan snapped his head to look at him. Before Nick could understand what was happening Dan had snached his hand away.
"Who are you?" he asked. His displeasure evident in the deep set of his brows.
"My name is Nick Allen," Nick said in a shaking voice.
Dan's frown somehow deepened as he muttered something foul.
"Ask Ira to call me when she is available," Dan said, lowering his sleeves and getting up.
"Mr Dan, you can trust me I am a qualified professional. I have done this many times."
"You have examined Grosh before?" he asked, pinning Nick with his gaze.
Nick gulped, shaking his head. "But Dr Desai..."
"That blood vial you are holding has human anticoagulants," Dan said, cutting him off. "Grosh anticoagulants are blue in colour. If you took my blood in that thing it would be useless. So clearly you are not qualified enough."
Nick gasped, looking at the vial horrified. Nick felt his ear burn with embarrassment. So much for doing his best to earn his place on NEAE. He was ashamed of his stupid mistake. Dr Desai did not mention anything about the anticoagulant but that wasn't an excuse. He should have been more careful.
He didn't have the words to stop Dan, so let Dan stand and leave the office without giving him a second glance.
Nick slumped down on a nearby chair cursing himself for being stupid. He had royally screwed the first task given to him. This would surely gain him a permanent position in NEAE, he thought sarcastically.
Dr. Desai came in few minutes later, setting a steaming cup of coffee on her desk. She gave Nick a passing glance, noting the way he slouched in the chair like a wilted plant.
"Did Dan come in?" she asked, her tone clipped as she shuffled through the stack of files on her desk.
Nick nodded silently, not trusting his voice.
"And?"
Nick swallowed hard. "It didn't go well."
Dr. Desai sighed, rubbing her temples. "Of course it didn't. The man couldn't cooperate if his life depended on it. Did you at least get the blood sample?"
Nick looked down at his hands, shaking his head. "No. He...he pointed out I used the wrong anticoagulant."
For a moment, Dr. Desai just stared at him, her expression unreadable. Then she let out a loud huff and gestured toward her desk drawer. "The blue-labeled vial. Right there. You didn't think to ask before going in blind?"
Nick shook his head, shrinking under her sharp gaze.
Dr Desai slammed the drawer shut after pulling out the correct vial and tossed it onto the desk in front of him. "There. Problem solved. Next time, check before you make yourself look like an idiot."
Nick fidgeted. "Do I really have to try again? He—he wouldn't want me to do it."
Dr. Desai's glare could have melted steel. "Oh, you think I care about what Dan wants? He doesn't run this office. I do. And you're the intern. Your job is to do as you're told, not sit here second-guessing yourself."
Nick looked down at his lap, his throat tightening. "Yes, ma'am."
"Good," she said briskly, returning to her files. "You'll try again tomorrow. And this time, don't screw it up. He's a pain, but he still needs his check-up. That's your job. So get it done."
Nick nodded mutely, swallowing his nerves as he pocketed the correct vial.
"Dismissed," she said without looking up, already lost in her work.
Nick left the office feeling chastised but determined. Tomorrow, he would face Dan again, no matter how much the idea made his stomach churn.
***
Next chapter will be updated on Monday.
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