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you their weapons will make yours look like bows and arrows.”
    The Secretary of Defense flared up at him. “I appreciate your concern , but my men will be fine.”
    “Let’s keep it civil,” the President said, and waved his hand to stop them both and defuse the tension. Then he addressed the Secretary of Defense. “Are you sure that’s wise?”
    “Of course, Mr. President. We’ll go armed and prepared. The military has negotiation experts, too.”
    “How?” Jack asked. “We don’t know if we can communicate with them.”
    The Secretary of Defense shot to his feet. “How are your agents any different?”
    Jack stood up, leaned forward, and waved his index in the man’s face. “At least my agents won’t go in, guns blazing.”
    “Enough!” The President said. He motioned the two of them to sit down. “I’m giving this to the military as long as they use force only as a last resort.”
    “Thank you, Mr. President,” the Secretary of Defense said, smiling. He glanced at Jack who looked away.
    “Keep me updated,” the President said and watched them leave one by one before he motioned Jack to wait. “Stick around.”
    Jack sat down in his chair again, hoping the President shared his concerns about the military handling the assignment,
    The President waited until his staff closed the door. He knitted his hands on the desk and leaned forward with a wide grin. “You’re not easy to read, but I sense you want this assignment.”
    Although he hoped the President would give him the assignment, Jack knew there was a possibility the army could land it. He could’ve handled it with more grace.
    “Sorry about that Mr. President. He gets on my nerves.”
    “Mine, too, but he has a point. He can send armed soldiers and negotiation experts.”
    Jack took a deep breath and relaxed in his seat. “I fear if the military resorts to violence, it can turn what should be a peaceful mission to a blood bath. Not to mention, it’s difficult to cover up a large military operation on US soil.”
    “That’s a good point, but if they’re hostile, at least the army might have a chance. We can tie up loose ends afterwards.”
    Jack didn’t comment.
    “You don’t agree?”
    Another deep breath. “The information gathering stage is our specialty.”
    The President was quiet for a moment. “This is just the start. I need everyone working together, and that includes you, Jack. There is a lot we don’t know…” The President drifted for a while, then he stood up from behind his desk and walked around until he was between Jack and the desk. The President leaned back against the desk and clasped his hands on the edges. “But, just in case, have your team ready to salvage the situation.”
    “It’s easier to convince them before we open fire,” Jack said in a final attempt to sway the President’s mind.
    “The CIA was my first choice, but the aliens didn’t contact us. That’s more hostile than friendly. I’m sorry, my decision is final.”
    *****
     

Hala
     
    December 20, 2030 - Giza, Egypt
    Hala woke up to her alarm. It was eight o’clock in the morning when the smell of hot falafel from the open window went straight to her nose. She put on a warm jacket and made her way to the street. The small shop in the building across made the best falafel in the neighborhood, and this early in the morning on a Friday, it wasn’t too busy.
    “Good morning,” Hala said, with a smile. “Two falafel sandwiches and pickles, please.”
    Her smile was genuine. Although the day was shaping up to be a cold one, Friday was the beginning of her weekend. One of the perks of working for a university was having a two-day weekend while most businesses only gave Fridays off. When the sandwiches were ready, Hala picked them up and strolled to the coffee shop next door to get a cup of tea.
    Minutes later, Hala sat down in the bedroom balcony and had her breakfast. The falafel was hot, and her pickles were spicy. Just the way she