Congress Responds & Floods Of Africa

{If you want to read ahead go to my https://www.(p)-(a)-(t)-(r)-(e)-(o)-(n).com/easyread}

~~~(POV: Dannon Mayer)~~~

~~~(Location: Mayer Ranch, Umatilla County, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: May 15th, 7:30 AM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 21 Years)~~~

Two weeks have passed since I met General Winters and had a very brief conversation with the President and the Joint Chiefs. Since it's a Sunday, Mom is just waking up. I hear her upstairs getting out of bed.

The mornings are coming sooner, and the days are getting longer. The temperature has also started climbing higher the closer we get to June.

A delicious smell pulls my thoughts from the time that's passed. Mom is a great cook, but I'm not so bad myself. I'm making breakfast for the both of us. Since I know the time she gets up on Sundays, it'll be nice and hot when she gets down here.

After a few minutes, Mom makes her way down the stairs and is just in time for breakfast. She enters the kitchen and sees me loading up two plates of food.

"Talk about a nice way to wake up. Here, give me that."

She quickly takes the plate of eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns. Leaving for the living room and turning on the TV. It's CNN, and they're still reporting about me on a daily basis. I haven't done anything since Australia.

I sit next to her on the couch and start eating. She's not wasting any time digging into her food, either. We've had a peaceful two weeks thanks to the security provided by the military, FBI, and local law enforcement.

Keeping people away from the property has become a full-time job for the men and women serving the US government. I almost pity them. 

"How are Cassie and Nicole doing?"

The sudden question about my friends takes my attention from the TV. It's nothing new they're reporting. Something about Congress making a statement soon. No specific date has been released.

Cassie and Nicole have been talking to me daily. It's nice that I have people to talk to. I haven't seen them in person since I brought them back and forth from OSU.

"They're doing great. Cassie has been complaining about people asking her questions about me. Campus security is doing its best to keep the media away, but it's been tough."

Nicole, on the other hand, has been having a harder time since she returned to OSU. Apparently, thanks to my appearance back into her life. She's been having relationship problems with her boyfriend.

"And Nicole."

Mom clearly spots that I didn't say anything regarding her. Honestly, I'm a bit confused. I understand a boyfriend who is jealous. But Nicole and I are just friends. That's it.

"She's doing okay. All I've been getting from her lately is how bad things have gotten between her and Oliver. Her boyfriend."

As those words leave my lips, all I see from Mom is a small smile. Shaking her head slightly and dropping the subject altogether.

Look, I know I'm not the smartest regarding women. Nicole and Cassie haven't shown any obvious or clear signs that either one is interested. Even if one were, I don't know if it would be appropriate to do anything.

"A statement regarding Dannon Mayer will be addressed by the Speaker of the House, Republican Kendra Holly. Many people have been waiting two weeks for a response from Congress."

The feminine voice on the TV takes our attention. The name of the host of CNN's morning session isn't something I commit to memory. However, what she's said does interest me.

Mom leans forward slightly and picks up the remote. Turning up the TV as she does. I could find out what Congress is planning. It wouldn't be hard. Interfering with humanity and its response to me isn't something I want to control, though.

If the world is to accept me, it's to remain pure in its outcome and process. The truth always comes out. Given time.

"Since Australia, Dannon Mayer hasn't been seen in the public sphere. CNN's request to enter the property continues to be denied by the US military."

This is turning into a show. I don't know how they can stay interested in me for so long. I get that I'm an Alien, and I have powers that are out of comic books. Still, there are other things to report in the world.

"Many in the government and public sectors are posturing when Dannon will make a clear and public statement for the world. It's bee-..."

In an instant, the TV is turned off. I look at Mom, and she no longer has a smile on her face. The plate of food is on the coffee table. I think she's lost her appetite and isn't in a good mood anymore.

A sigh escapes her as she stands up and takes her plate of food to the kitchen. I look down at my own plate and notice that I've already finished it all.

I place the empty plate on the coffee table and pick up the TV remote. Turning on the TV and switching the channel to NBC. Instead, this station isn't exclusively reporting on me. What I'm shown is a field reporter.

A split-screen between the field reporter and the host of NBC's morning session.

"How are things looking over there, Ronnie? Last, when we spoke, you said heavy storms and rain were expected."

I look at the headline, and it's saying it's a live report of the floods happening in Uganda. More specifically, the areas of Mbale, Kapchorwa, and Sironko. Behind Ronnie, there are flooded roads and homes.

Along with collapsed buildings and injured people. The storm is continuing even as they speak.

"They're not good, Ethan!! Things are looking really rough down here!! It's been several years since a storm this powerful has been through Uganda!! The Red Cross is trying to gain entry, but airports are shut down, and roads are closed!!"

The screen shifts from the two men and shows videos taken by the crew of the destruction they've been witnessing. All I can do is see the parents crying... Children weeping...

"Go. They need you."

The voice of my Mom pops up from behind me. I watch the screen and see that no one can help these people. Not yet, at least. Heeding my Mom's orders, I stand up and go upstairs.

I open my closet and see the Celaxian skinsuit. In less than a second, I'm out of my clothes and in the skinsuit. As I step out of my bedroom and make my way downstairs. I see Mom watching the TV from where I left her.

She turns her head and looks at me. A small smile appears on her lips. I go to the back door, and she doesn't follow me.

The open backyard greets me as I continue walking. Going to East Africa isn't what I was planning today, but people need me there. I've been to Africa before, but not the areas of Mbale, Kapchorwa, and Sironko.

I look to the open blue sky and take a moment to think about this. This will be the second time I help with natural disasters. It's a good way to help people. I don't know how long it'll be before I'm called to somewhere it's a man-made disaster.

Or worse, a warzone.

For now, I'll carry the responsibility of today. Not thinking about what tomorrow holds. I lightly lift off the ground, and after a second, I adjust my direction.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!!

The air bursts as I fly into the sky and break the sound barrier. Entering the stratosphere as the planet Earth flies through space below me. My eyes turn toward the sun, and I soak in the power it gives my body.

After a few seconds, I launch through the stratosphere in the direction over the Atlantic Ocean. The blue and green colors of Earth are something I'll always love seeing from space.

The coast of East Africa comes into view, and that's when I focus on the cries for help coming from the continent ahead of me. Filtering out the sounds that aren't a part of my mission here.

Eventually, the sounds of rushing water, cries, and pleas for help fill my ears. Giving me the direction I need to head. The world blurs around me as I start flying over Africa. After a few seconds, I slow down and see an area being hit by the floods.

People are trying to move through the waters. Swim to safety and high ground. Struggling to survive the dangers.

I slowly descend on the small town and float through the air. My shadow is cast on some people thanks to the setting sun. It's around 7:40 AM back on the ranch. Here, it's a bit past 6:30 PM.

"Msaada!!! Msaada!!!"

I turn my head to a crying voice and see a Mother struggling to climb to safety as rushing waters threaten to take her and the child wrapped around her.

Msaada is the Swahili word for help...

"Huyo hapo!"

A man's voice in another direction briefly takes my attention. He's saying 'there he is' in Swahili. I look over at him, and he's pointing at me. He's on the roof of a taller building with a group of people.

I turn away from him and slowly descend toward the struggling woman and child. After a second, my shadow blocks out the sun shining off the horizon into her eyes.

She blinks a few times, now able to see.

Her eyes widen, and she clenches her jaws.

Not saying anything, I reach out to her. At first, she tries to move away. 

"Niko hapa kusaidia."

I tell her I'm here to help, and she looks at me with confusion and fear.

"Niamini."

As the words leave my lips, I see the internal debate in her eyes. I've asked her to trust me. After a second more of thinking, she takes my outstretched hand. I easily pull her into my arms, and I adjust her child so she has him in her arms.

We float through the air as the waters rush below us. More and more people are screaming for help as my presence becomes clear to everyone here.

We reach the roof where survivors are gathering. The men and women of this small town in East Africa part. Allowing me more than enough room to land. As I place the Mother and child down, she looks up at me with tears in her eyes.

I stand up from the crouched position and look around at those surrounding me.

"Ni sawa sasa."

I tell them it's okay now. I gently lift off the roof and head for the next person, calling out for help.

~~~(POV: Eloise Mayer)~~~

~~~(Location: Mayer Ranch, Umatilla County, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: May 15th, 11:22 AM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 38 years)~~~

My heart races as the footage plays on the YouTube video I'm watching... Dannon... He's been flying all over East Africa and saving everyone he can from the flooding. News reporters and locals with cameras record him when they can.

All the major news networks are eating it up... It's the only thing being talked about right now. Clips of him lifting parts of buildings, cars, and boulders are growing all over the internet. Videos of him carrying people to safety through the air.

I'm not watching any of the cable news stations right now. YouTube is where I'm taking my break from all that. Still, the major news networks have YouTube channels.

They're reports and segments are appearing on my recommended feed.

"As everyone has seen, Dannon Mayer has decided to act in the face of nature's natural process. Flooding is a part of Africa. Thousands of lives are lost every year."

The YouTube channel belongs to someone that Dannon likes to watch. CB Talker is his YouTube handle. I remember Dannon watching him before Antarctica.

"I don't know how this'll affect the political climate in Washington. Dannon is an individual who has no borders or superiors to answer to. He's an Alien with Godlike powers..."

A pang of hurt goes through my chest as I hear those words. A lot of people are comparing him to a God. Certain religions are claiming he's their messiah.

Or their devil.

"East Africa has a savior today, but the rest of the world will be questioning Dannon. And his place in it."

The clips come to an end, as does the video. I run a hand through my hair, and a long sigh leaves my lungs. People will want security. Safety from what Dannon is capable of. I wouldn't doubt someone tries to make Dannon answer to someone.

I'd wish them luck, but that's petty at the moment...

I leave YouTube and switch the TV to cable. Going to the live news report given by CNN at the Capitol Building in Washington.

It's showing a live broadcast of Kendra Holly. She's about to make a public statement.

~~~(POV: Kendra Holly)~~~

~~~(Location: US Capitol, Washington DC, West Virginia)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: May 15th, 3:28 PM EST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 45 Years)~~~

Cameras flicker and flash in the room as I reach the Speaker's podium. Media is here, along with my constituents in Congress. I place the speech and subjects I have on paper in front of me. Prepared to start speaking.

What's on everyone's mind right now is Dannon Mayer, more specifically, what he's doing in East Africa. He's saving hundreds of lives.

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen."

Time for the public address and update everyone in America has been waiting for. President Marshall has missed a huge chance to score points with voters. Letting Congress make an address before him is arrogant.

~~~(POV: Nick A. Marshall)~~~

~~~(Location: The Oval Office, Whitehouse, Washington DC, West Virginia)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: May 15th, 3:49 PM EST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 40 Years)~~~

"The decision to create the Dannon Mayer Committee had been made. Effective immediately, US Senators will step up for the committee."

There are so many ways this could've gone... I was hoping for a better relationship with Dannon Mayer. One where he's not the subject of discussion. However, over the weeks and my first encounter with him. 

It's safe to say that Congress is gonna do what they want to do.

"Dannon Mayer's action will be reviewed and scrutinized by this new committee. It's obvious that we can't force Dannon to cooperate with us. That's why we're hoping he'll work with us willingly."

Hope isn't something a lot of people bank on these days. Kendra has always been a spitfire when it came to controversial subjects. Making a committee to watch, keep track, and question Dannon won't be as effective as they hope.

We're used to getting what we want as a species. Everyone took solace in the fact that no one was bigger than the human race. That if someone needed to be stopped, they could be.

A superpowered Alien changes that... One out of stories you'd read as a child...

"In the coming weeks, we'll announce who has officially joined the Dannon Mayer Committee."

As Kendra finishes her speech, I can't help rubbing my neck in a personal tick of stress. It's going to be hell for Congress. They've effectively taken the spotlight off the Whitehouse and put it on themselves.

Not knowing it, they've really helped us.