“Their technology is far more advanced than anything we’ve ever seen,” Kenneth replied. The pallid, frazzled scientist sitting in front of his desk nodded an agreement. The invasion left Dr. Wynn little time for sleep; she put her talents to work finding the origin of the invading soldiers. The answer was surprisingly easy to find. The difficult part proved to be getting anyone to listen to a 53-year-old woman that hadn’t slept in days.
She visited Kenneth as a last resort. He wasn’t a government or military official in any way; but, his tech company was the only other place Dr. Wynn could find the equipment she needed.
“But you’re saying they’re not from the future?” Kenneth asked. Again, Dr. Wynn nodded. “So, then where?” Dr. Wynn took in a deep breath. This was the moment of truth. If he rejected her, their Earth was doomed.
“A parallel reality,” she replied. “Our Earth vibrates at a certain frequency. I tested scraps of their equipment and discovered it has a different frequency from our own.” Kenneth tilted his head at her and narrowed his eyes. He didn’t create the world’s greatest tech company by dismissing radical ideas. He studied the silver-haired woman. Her greasy skin, mussed hair, and dark bags under her eyes told Kenneth that she was tired beyond tired. Though, determination flickered in her eyes. Kenneth knew that look; she was about to give up.
“I do find that a bit easier to believe than our descendants attacking us. At least, their motive is more identifiable. If they’re from another Earth, they probably want our resources,” Kenneth reasoned his thought process out loud. Dr. Wynn sat up straighter and seemed more hopeful with every word. “The question is: what now? What can you do with this information and why bring it to me?” Dr. Wynn breathed a sigh of relief. This was the furthest she’d ever gotten in getting someone to listen.
“No one else will listen. And you have access to the equipment I need for my plan. I think I can save us.”
“Well, I can’t say I believe you,” Kenneth said. “But, there’s literally nothing to lose. If you fail, it’s still the same outcome as not trying. What’s your plan?” Kenneth asked. Dr. Wynn smiled for the first time in a week.
“Call for help,” she said. She eagerly placed a list on his desk. “I need these things.” Kenneth didn’t even glance at the list, he picked it up and held it out for his assistant. A young woman in a red suit that had been quiet since Dr. Wynn entered the office. She took the list and walked out.
“While she gets that together, give me more details. Call whom?” Dr. Wynn shrugged.
“Anyone that answers. There has to be more universes out there than us and our invaders. I believe there are good samaritans out there with the capability to save us.”
“You’re making some assumptions there, aren’t you?” Kenneth asked. Dr. Wynn shook her head.
“Nothing happens once,” she said. “Maybe once a millennia, once in a trillion years,.. but never once. If something can be done, it can be done by anyone.”
“Six hours,” A woman’s voice came in over the intercom.
“Well, it seems you have some time to kill,” Kenneth said. “Please don’t think me rude, but you look like you could use a nap and a shower,” he said. Dr. Wynn nodded politely.
“Most of my staff is gone so you’re welcome to use any of the employee rest quarters. You’ll find a shower and a cot in them,” Kenneth smiled to put her at ease.
“You can relax now, we’ll help you. Get some rest, I’ll have someone wake you when everything’s ready.”
“Thank you!” Dr. Wynn stood from the seat but clasped her hands and lowered her head slightly in Kenneth’s direction. “Thank you so much.”
“When this works, I expect you to let everyone know who saved our Earth,” Kenneth chuckled.
“Of course!” Dr. Wynn smiled and left the room.
Seven and a half hours later Dr. Wynn was in one of Kenneth’s labs next to him and his red-suited assistant. An array of massive speakers formed a circle in the center of the room and they all pointed inward. Kenneth read over a sheet of paper in his hands.
“Earth Pineapple?” Kenneth asked. “Where’d you get that name from?”
“I made it up,” Dr. Wynn shrugged. “It doesn’t actually matter what we’re called. Assuming the rest of the multiverse uses a numbering system, I wanted something that would stand out. There could be countless Earths out there,” Dr. Wynn smiled. “Even if it’s not a numbering system, I doubt any of them are named Pineapple.”
“Since it doesn’t matter…,” Kenneth said. “…change it to KenTech. If this works, it’ll be a good opportunity to inform the multiverse about my brand.”
“Okay,” Dr. Wynn agreed. It didn’t matter enough to jeopardize the world any longer. She typed the corrections into the computer, then nodded at Kenneth. “Ready to broadcast,” she said. Kenneth nodded the go ahead and Dr. Wynn pressed a button.
Immediately the room filled with a low rumble from the speakers. After a few seconds the rumbling came to an end with a beep. Then, it started again.
“First broadcast successful,” Dr. Wynn said. “Now we just have to keep it looping until someone answers.” 60 repeats later, about 10 minutes, Kenneth decided it might take longer than he was willing to stand around.
“Keep at it, let me know if you hear something back,” he said to Dr. Wynn. She nodded.
“You’re hearing something back” a woman’s voice said in the quiet lull between the end of one message and its replay. Dr. Wynn, Kenneth, and his assistant whirled around to find a pair of women standing in the center of the speaker array.
One wore a white suite and the shorter, fuller woman wore a black suit; both seemed to be the exact same style with color being the only difference.
Dr. Wynn’s hand flew down to the pause button as the message started again, and the room was quiet. Then, the woman in white spoke. Her voice was distinctly different than the one that revealed their presence.
“My name is Dana Sharp. I’m here to save your Earth.”
