[Rocket] The Gathering

[Nailah Weaver]

Nailah blinks and subtly places her half-empty glass of wine back on the table.

[Will Stanton]

"This...this is some kind of joke, right? Some test..."

[Steve Jones]

"Not all roads lead to Moscow good Captain."

[Will Stanton]

"Well, what would you have me believe? This is....I mean, you're not....this isn't logical. It doesn't make sense."

[Samantha McManus]

"Aye... can't be really sure that I can believe what I'm seeing right now..."

[Nailah Weaver]

"It's certainly hard to swallow." Nailah adds, maybe a tad less disbelieving than the others.

[Narrator]

"Not logical?" Anu asks gently, "Why?"

[Will Stanton]

"Well, life? Outside of Earth? That's a fairy story. Nothing we've detected so far has shown any signs of there being any sorts of life, much less intelligent ones."

[Nash Riley]

Nash got closer to get a better look at their host.

"I'm not sure what to think right now, but it sure doesn't look like any of that Hollywood rubber suits or make-up to me, and I've seen some good ones."

[Byrna Cooper]

"I've seen, like, lots of wierd stuff, man. Stuff that would turn your hair white. This? This is a relief."

She quickly grabbed her fruity gin and downed it, intent on maximizing the high vibes.

[Steve Jones]

"Yet I'd wager at least one of us believes in one unprovable god or another," Steve said in response to Will.

[Samantha McManus]

"Mister Jones, may I point out that even if our host is on the level as to his otherworldly origins, you can't assume that he isn't religious."

[Rachel O'Brien]

"Their bound to have God in outer space." Rachel said, going back to the conversation after getting lost in observing their, apparently non-human host "And this isn't the first hint of alien contact."

[Steve Jones]

"You can't assume I'm not. Faith in God's existence and undeniable proof of it are mutually exclusive."

"Now, faith in a weather balloon..." he smirked.

[Byrna Cooper]

"God is everywhere. It just doesn't realize it." Bear said, slurred.

[Will Stanton]

"Mr. Jones, the totality of things you are not aware of could fill more tomes than you've churned out."

[Narrator]

"There are two reasons your current society has not detected other life. Your rather limited perspective and the fact that my fellow races did not wish you to," Anu says as diplomatically as possible.

"The truth is that your planet is just beginning to advance towards the technological treshold of being on a level playing field with the more developed worlds out there."

[Steve Jones]

Steve just leaned back in his chair, looking incredibly pleased with himself. He was being vindicated.

[Samantha McManus]

"Then... if this is all true... why now? Why us?"

[Narrator]

"Now, because your race is quickly racing toward the infant stages of space travel and will need guidance."

"As for your group specifically..." he begins.

"Samantha McManus, you have been chosen for both your expertise and your respect for cultures other than your own."

"Nailah Weaver, you have been chosen for your unparalleled mastery of language."

"Byrna Cooper, you have been chosen for your ability to see the beauty hidden in all things."

"Stephen Jones, you have been chosen for your deep love and respect for the strange and the unknown. Most of your race fears such."

"Rachel O'Brien, you have been chosen for both your compassion and your talents as a healer."

"Nash Riley, you have been chosen for your impressive innate skill with machinery."

"And lastly William Stanton, you have been chosen for both your flying prowess and your resolve and determination in harrowing situations in which most would run screaming."

[Will Stanton]

'"You have to understand the...the enormity of what you're claiming. I mean...this is beyond..."

[Nailah Weaver]

"And if what you say is true and you're asking us to... what... accompany you? For what purpose?"

[Narrator]

"I'm asking you to experience other worlds and in so doing show those worlds the potential of the humanity that I have come to know."

[Rachel O'Brien]

"wow" Rachel said softly, before tossing down the rest of her drink "I'm in."

[Steve Jones]

"You had me at 'I'm an alien'," Steve grinned.

[Byrna Cooper]

"I'm.. I'm going to need a lot more flashbulbs. And film. And underwear."

Byrna whistled a short tune expressing her feelings. A tune of adventure.

[Will Stanton]

"Why me. There have been a number of pilots already chosen for spacework."

[Narrator]

"Chosen for primitive unreliable test craft by men inexperienced with space travel. You will be piloting a real spaceship."

[Will Stanton]

"...Fair enough."

[Nailah Weaver]

"When would you want us to leave?"

[Narrator]

"There is no time like the present, but I understand if there are matters to be settled before departure."

[Nash Riley]

"Yes, some matters will need to be settled, but I'm in. Can't turn an opportunity like this down."

[Steve Jones]

"I only need to call my publisher and tell my editor he can... well you can fill in the rest. No more churning out the vapid volumes that philistine insists on."

[Byrna Cooper]

"I've got a few things to wrap up, for sure."

[Rachel O'Brien]

"I'll need a couple days to get my patients shifted around and get some supplies together." Rachel said.