Part 12 of some new science fiction. If you're just tuning in, consider starting with part 1. The image above was created with stable diffusion.
"Wake up," said Yarn, nudging James with a foot. "Wake up! The ships are gone!"
"I'm awake," muttered James. "What's happening?"
"The Object disappeared," said Yarn. "In its place, when it vanished, was a smaller object and twenty Visitors. They're still at the site. They look like us, just with slightly bigger eyes and maybe heads."
"Right on," said James. "What are the Visitors doing? And the government?"
"Suit wants you to go talk to them," said Yarn. "Like, now."
"Figures," said James, getting up. "I'll just materialize a couple of things for the meeting."
Wearing an all-beige outfit, James had been hoping to convey neutrality, but felt instead like he was on safari. Heading to the landing site with Yarn close behind, he found Suit standing with a group of soldiers. The Object was gone, which felt strange. Where the Object had been, there was now a small tower of some sort, with a group of Visitors standing in a circle around it, illuminated only by the park's streetlights.
"Mr Wayne," said Suit. "Would you be so kind as to explain to me what happened here?"
"Uhh, maybe the next phase is beginning?" said James.
"What next phase?" asked Suit. "Our people can't even get close. Some kind of field effect makes them fall asleep at about thirty yards. We were hoping you could get through. Open the lines of communication."
"I can try," said James. "I mean, give me a phone or a radio or something and I'll see if one of them accepts it."
"Get him a radio," barked Suit. "And for god's sake make sure the snipers know he's a friendly."
Five minutes later, James walked up to the site, encountering no resistance. Seeing the new Visitors up close, he laughed. They appeared very much like the improved human he'd designed during his time in the Object. There were ten males and ten females, all holding hands in a circle, swaying gently as if to music.
"Hey guys," said James from a few feet away. "Umm, do you have a leader I can talk to?"
For an awkward moment, nothing happened. Then one of them broke away from the larger group and came to stand in front of James. "You are our first designer," she said. "I am called Aqua. Have you come to bring us home?"
"Uhh," said James. "What exactly do you mean by that? Who are you anyway?"
"Your confusion is understandable," said Aqua. "Yet you harbor no fear of us, unlike the others waiting on the edge of our safe zone. It is as the creators said. You will help us become part of your society. Will you use your Servant to make us a meal? We are very hungry."
"Guess I can do that," said James. "Any food restrictions I should know about?"
"We only eat fruit that has naturally fallen from trees onto the ground," said Aqua.
"Seriously?" asked James.
A fit of giggles erupted from Aqua. "It is my first human joke!" she said. "Our hunger is serious but I made light of it! We can eat anything you can eat."
Smiling at these antics, James used his Servant to materialize eight pizzas on a nearby picnic table. Selecting a slice, he took a bite, and Aqua copied him. Following Aqua's lead, the others fell upon the pizza and consumed it. Their eating was unhurried and almost playful.
"So," said James eventually. "A government guy I call Suit wants to talk to you. Will you talk to him on the radio?"
"Is it wise to talk to him?" asked Aqua. "Can we not talk to him after you have brought us to your home?"
"My two bedroom house can barely accommodate me and my nonsense," said James.
"Very funny," said Aqua. "One bedroom is acceptable for us. You can share a room with your nonsense and we can inhabit the other room."
James wanted to argue, but he wanted more to see how this would play out. Fiddling with the radio he'd been given, he looked around at the crowd of Visitors in bodies he'd somehow helped design. "Suit," he said into the radio. "Their leader is named Aqua and we've just had pizza. They all want to come over to my house, and have agreed to talk to you after we're there. Over."
"Negative, Mr Wayne," said Suit. "The Visitors are not to leave the site."
Aqua took the radio from James and spoke into it. "This is Aqua," she said. "We are going to the house of James. Our form is based on his designs, so our relationship with him is special. Do not fear. Your world will not be contaminated by us."
"Maam, on behalf of the United States, let me stress that we want peaceful relations," said Suit. "Can we at least agree on diplomatic protocols before you enter a populated area?"
"We will do as we see fit and treat everyone we encounter with respect," said Aqua. "If someone threatens our wellbeing, we'll simply put them to sleep."
"Please do not put anyone to sleep," said Suit. "If you must leave, use the east exit. A team will meet you there and escort you to the residence."
"Acceptable," said Aqua. "Thank you for being reasonable."
"I do have questions," said Suit. "Why did they leave? Why were you left here? Are you an advance guard to an invasion?"
"They left because they were done for now," said Aqua. "They left us here because we were made for this place. And why would anybody want to invade Earth? This planet is a shitshow."
"Excuse me?" said Suit.
"Sorry, was I not using the right word?" asked Aqua. "Your language is new to me. What I meant was that your planet is a mess of crises. No intelligent species would want control of this sinking ship."
"Good to know," said Suit. "So what exactly are your plans while you're here?"
"We are social creatures," said Aqua. "We plan to socialize."
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