Thriexa Aizih POV

  The air in the meeting room was charged with significance, heavier than it had been the last time I stood before the President of the United States. The weight of history pressed down on us both, though neither of us spoke of it. This was a moment that would define the relationship between my people and his.

  Across the long table, the President studied the treaty document before him, the formal agreement between Earth and the Eova. His advisors sat around him, their expressions ranging from cautious to hopeful. To my right, Tocci and Trenal flanked me, silent but ever-watchful. Jace and Sam sat near the President’s security team, their presence an anchor in the unfamiliar tension of this negotiation.

  The President exhaled, setting the document down. “This treaty marks a new chapter—not just for our nations, but for the world itself. The existence of your people changes everything, Aizih.”

  As he spoke, I reached out with my ability, carefully reading the energy around him. His words were sincere—he did want peace, and he believed that this treaty was the right step forward. But beneath that, there was something else. Uncertainty. Caution. A flicker of nervousness buried beneath his composed exterior.

  He wasn’t just thinking about peace. He was considering his position, his power, and what would happen if the Eova ever turned against him. He wanted something—something he could hold in reserve, leverage if necessary. A safeguard against us.

  I kept my expression neutral, but the weight of that realization settled deep in my chest. Trust, yes. But not without conditions.

  I inclined my head. “That is why this treaty must be built on trust and transparency. The Eova do not wish to take from your world, nor to wield power over it. We ask only for a home, a place to coexist peacefully. In return, we offer our knowledge—advancements in medicine, in technology—so long as they are used to benefit all, not just a select few.”

  One of the advisors, a stern-looking woman with sharp eyes, leaned forward. “And if another nation does not respect these terms? If they seek to claim you and your advancements for themselves?”

  I met her gaze steadily. “Then they will find that the Eova do not bow to conquerors. We have survived by adapting, by choosing peace, but make no mistake—our kindness is not weakness. We will not be used.”

  A brief silence followed before the President nodded. “I believe you. And I believe that this treaty is the right path forward. But there will be fear, resistance—people who do not welcome change. That is why today’s announcement is just as important as the treaty itself. The world will have questions, and they will look to both of us for answers.”

  I straightened in my chair, reaching out once more with my abilities. The President’s unease was still there, lingering beneath the surface, quiet but undeniable.

  I met his gaze, letting my words carry the weight of my understanding. “I realize why you want to develop weapons to be used against us,” I said evenly. “But they will not be necessary.”

  His expression didn’t change, but I could feel the sharp spike of surprise ripple through him.

  “You know?” he asked carefully.

  I inclined my head. “I do. The Eova have traveled to many worlds, and we have faced distrust before. I understand your caution. But let me remind you—I do not just hear words. I understand intent.”

  I let the silence stretch just long enough for the gravity of my statement to settle. “If we had come as conquerors, you would already know it. If we had come as threats, no treaty could contain us. We come in peace, and we offer our knowledge in good faith. That is why your contingency plan will never be needed.”

  The President exhaled slowly, studying me for a long moment. “You’re asking me to trust you.”

  I nodded. “Just as I am trusting you.”

  The President’s expression remained composed, but his eyes darkened slightly. “That’s not trust, Aizih. That’s power. You’re not asking me to trust you—you’re ensuring that I don’t retaliate.”

  His words carried no anger, only measured wariness. He wasn’t wrong to be cautious, and yet, he still didn’t understand. Before I could respond, Jace leaned forward, his voice firm but steady.

  “Jace exhaled and straightened, glancing between us. “Mr. President, I apologize if I’m overstepping by getting in the middle of this discussion, but with all due respect, I have deep respect for both of you, and I think there’s something that needs to be said.”

  The President’s expression remained unreadable, but he gestured for Jace to continue. Jace ran a hand through his hair, choosing his words carefully. “You’re looking at this from a human perspective. You think this is a power play, but the Eova don’t operate that way. Thriexa isn’t threatening you—she’s telling you the truth. She doesn’t need to manipulate, she doesn’t need leverage. She knows your intent, just like she knew mine before I ever trusted her. And I’ll admit, when I first realized what she could do, I wasn’t exactly comfortable with it either. It felt invasive, like she could see right through me. But that’s just how her people survive. It’s not about control—it’s about understanding.”

  The President studied him, his fingers steepled in thought. The tension in the room didn’t fade, but something shifted, like the weight of misunderstanding had eased—if only slightly.

  I reached out with my mind, my telepathy brushing against Jace’s thoughts. Thank you. It was brief, just a whisper between us, but his posture changed ever so slightly, as if acknowledging my words without needing to speak.

  Across from me, the President exhaled, his gaze flickering between Jace and me. Slowly, he gave a small nod, the edges of his uncertainty softening. He didn’t fully trust us yet—perhaps he never would—but for now, I had planted a seed of understanding. And that was enough.

  The President exchanged a glance with Jace before turning back to me. “Let’s make history.”

  With a solemn nod, he took the pen and signed the treaty. One by one, the necessary signatures were placed, binding our agreement into something tangible. The moment was weighty, but it carried the promise of something greater—a future where my people might finally have stability.

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  “Now, we tell the world,” the President said.

  Jace Strickland POV

  The press conference was a spectacle unlike anything I had ever witnessed. The White House briefing room was packed, journalists shoulder to shoulder, their voices a constant hum of speculation. Cameras lined the back of the room, all pointed toward the stage where the President was about to address not just the nation, but the world.

  Beside me, Thriexa stood composed, her posture as regal as ever, despite the gravity of what was about to happen. This was her first step into the public eye, the moment when she would no longer be a secret hidden behind government walls.

  The President stepped up to the podium, clearing his throat before the room fell into absolute silence. “Good afternoon. Today, I stand before you not just as the leader of this nation, but as a representative of humanity. What I am about to share will redefine our understanding of the universe.”

  He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over the room before continuing. “We are not alone. The beings known as the Eova have traveled across the stars, seeking refuge, and they have chosen Earth as their home. Their people have lived on twenty-two planets before reaching us, and now, they wish to coexist with us, to share knowledge, to build a future together.”

  A ripple of shock spread through the reporters. Some whispered urgently into their microphones, others simply stared, wide-eyed. The President raised a hand to settle the growing tension before he gestured toward Thriexa.

  “I introduce to you Thriexa Aizih, the leader of the Eova, who will answer your questions.”

  Thriexa stepped forward with the same calm confidence I had come to expect from her, her gaze sweeping across the crowd. Then, she spoke.

  “Your world is beautiful,” she began, her voice steady, carrying through the room. “We have come not to take, but to give. To learn. To build a future where our people may exist alongside yours, not as rulers or conquerors, but as equals.”

  Hands shot up instantly, questions thrown from every direction, some with urgency, others with hesitation, as if trying to process the reality before them.

  “Why Earth?”

  “How long have you been here?”

  “How do we know you’re not a threat?”

  “What advancements are you offering exactly?”

  “How do the Eova govern themselves?”

  “How many of you are there?”

  Thriexa did not falter. Each answer was delivered with the same unwavering confidence, her tone measured, yet warm.

  “We chose Earth because it was the best option for our survival. It is habitable, stable, and with the right cooperation, it offers a future for our people.”

  “We arrived only recently, though we have been watching, learning, to better understand your cultures before making ourselves known. We did not wish to cause panic.”

  “You do not know for certain that we are not a threat,” she admitted honestly, “but you have seen our actions so far. We have not come to conquer, nor have we come to demand. We come to offer—knowledge, peace, and a future of mutual growth.”

  “Our advancements include medicine that cures diseases your people still suffer from, clean and sustainable energy sources that could replace harmful industries, and improvements in communication and transportation technologies that would make your world more connected. These are things we are willing to share.”

  “As for governance, the Eova have always led through unity. Our leadership is chosen not through war or power struggles, but through the guidance of those who carry the responsibility to protect and lead. The Aizih are those entrusted with ensuring the survival and well-being of our people. We do not rule—we serve.”

  “In terms of numbers, we are a small people compared to your vast population. There are thousands of us, not millions. We are not here to overtake humanity, only to coexist.”

  Jace watched her closely, impressed by how effortlessly she handled the barrage of questions. She wasn’t just answering—she was guiding the conversation, steering the narrative toward trust rather than fear. It was working. The murmurs in the room had shifted; skepticism still lingered, but there was something else now—curiosity.

  Beside him, Sam leaned in slightly. “She’s good,” she muttered, just loud enough for him to hear.

  Jace nodded, his eyes still fixed on Thriexa as she continued to engage with the press. “Yeah,” he said, his voice quieter. “She really is.”

  Sam exhaled, shaking her head. “I expected hesitation, nervousness—but she’s handling this like she’s done it a hundred times before.”

  “She has, in a way,” Jace replied. “She’s been on four other planets. She’s had to negotiate with species we can’t even imagine. A press conference? This is probably easy for her.”

  Sam smirked. “Still, she’s making an impression. I think she might just win them over.”

  Jace glanced around the room, his training kicking in as he scanned for threats, not just in body language, but in intent. Most of the reporters were focused, scribbling furiously or listening intently. But there were a few—eyes narrowed, arms crossed, tension in their posture. The kind of people who weren’t looking for an answer, just a reason to hold onto their fears.

  He wasn’t naive. This wasn’t over. The real battles hadn’t even begun. But watching Thriexa now, he couldn’t help but feel that they had already won their first victory.

  History had already changed.

  The President stepped forward again. “This is a moment of choice—for all of us. The treaty we have signed is just the beginning. The world is watching, and how we respond will define the next era of human history. I ask that we meet it with open minds and open hearts.”

  The briefing room was filled with voices, murmurs of uncertainty, of hope, of disbelief. But one thing was clear—there was no turning back now.

  History had already changed.

  The moment we stepped into the private room behind the press conference stage, Thriexa released a long, slow breath. Her shoulders, which had been held in perfect poise during the entire event, finally sagged slightly. Before anyone could say anything, she turned to Tocci, and without hesitation, the two embraced.

  I watched as they clung to each other, their grip tight, their eyes shut. It wasn’t just a hug—it was a release. Relief. Fear. Stress. All of it flowing between them in silence.

  Beside me, Sam shifted, arms crossed. “Well, that’s not the reaction I was expecting.”

  I frowned, looking between the two of them. “What’s going on? I thought that went well.”

  Tocci pulled back first, taking a deep breath before giving a wobbly smile. “It did. That’s the problem.”

  Thriexa exhaled, rubbing her temple before finally facing us. “The emotions in that room… the intentions swirling around us… it was overwhelming.”

  I furrowed my brow. “You mean, the questions? The reporters?”

  “Not just that,” Tocci said, shaking her head. “We could feel everything. The fear, the doubt, the curiosity. Every conflicting thought, every held breath, every moment of suspicion and wonder. Humans—your emotions are loud compared to other species we’ve encountered. And when we are surrounded by so many at once, it becomes difficult to shut out.”

  I exchanged a glance with Sam, who looked just as confused as I felt. “You’ve been around humans before. Why was this different?”

  Thriexa met my gaze, her violet eyes holding exhaustion beneath the usual strength. “Because today, they weren’t just looking at me. They were deciding what they believed about me. Every single one of them was forming their own conclusion, their own fears, their own hopes—and we felt all of it.”

  Tocci nodded. “And let’s just say… some of those feelings weren’t exactly comforting.”

  I let out a slow breath, suddenly understanding the weight they had been carrying during that entire press conference. It hadn’t just been answering questions—it had been standing in the middle of a hurricane of human emotion and trying to stay upright.

  Sam ran a hand through her hair, blowing out a breath. “Well… then I’d say you handled it better than anyone could have expected.”

  Thriexa let out a quiet chuckle. “Perhaps. But I wouldn’t mind a quiet room and a few moments to breathe.”

  Tocci grinned. “Agreed.”

  As they shared a glance, I realized just how much more there was to understand about them. They weren’t just adjusting to living on Earth. They were adjusting to us—to everything we were, everything we projected, everything we felt.

  And I wasn’t sure if the world would ever truly understand just how much they were carrying.