Chapter 53 - Apollo

In two days, TV signals were restored again. Because the red planet destroyed most of the satellites during its descent, only two remained it took it twenty days to revolve around the earth. So Only for two days in a month were they able to get any kind of signal.

Mina and Momma Jade were already sitting comfortably in front of the Tv, with a blow of hot popcorn. Mark was also with them, but he sat a considerable distance away from them.

"What did I miss, what did I miss," Reya shouted as she ran into the room.

Her mom called, gestured for her to sit. "It's yet to start. But Lucas said that they will be announcing something very important," she said, patting her daughter's soft cheeks. "Ah, where is Clive? I thought he would be with you,"

"I don't know, these days he is acting very weird. If I say something, he turns red and runs away from me." Reya shrugged and raked a hand full of popcorn from her mother's bowl.

Jade gaze a knowing look towards Mark and refused to comment on it.

Soon the static television cleared up to reveal a tired faced vice president on the screen.

"Wow," everyone exclaimed with a cheerful look, but there was a deep anticipation in their heart to know what is going on.

"Good morning, my fellow citizens. I know that everyone is expecting news about the red planet. Well..... we have good news. The red planet it is inhabited by an intelligent species that we have identified as terrilians." He paused dramatically.

Everyone in the room took a deep breath, for Reya and mina was old news, but for the other it was a new revelation. "What do you think these aliens look like," her mum softly whispered next to her ear.

Reya grimaced. "It's better not to address them as aliens, they are... much more than that," Reya whispered back.

"shh, no talking," Mina shushed them and listed the news with rapt attention.

"These aliens.... they... they are willing to cooperate with us to help improve our chance of survival and to help govern our sparse population."

As soon as he said that, a deep murmur started in the room. Both mark and jade were enraged by this declaration. "Who are they to help govern us? Besides, if not for them our world would have been intact," jade whispered bitterly taking a huge bite of the popcorn.

Mark leaned over and softly patted her shoulders. "Let's listen to the announcement complete," he whispered this calmed her mother down swiftly.

Reya gazed at them and sighed. 'if they knew that our politicians took cash under the table and cause this disaster, how would mum react? She would probably toss eggs at the Tv by then,' she thought and softly chuckled.

Momma jade glared at her and shushed.

Reya zipped her mouth and listened to the rest of the announcement.

There was nothing spectacular improved after. The vice president was informing how they are going to reform the population and how they are going to re-house anyone who was lacking basic needs. Manhattan was one of the worst hit parts of the country because the moon fragment fell right over it, smashing almost three fold of the population.

Reya sighed and emotionlessly chewed on the salted popcorn. Suddenly the screen went black and a blond curly haired man appeared on it.

Her ears perked up.

"Testing testing, humans, humans, we the gods and goddesses come in peace. Am I Right?" he whispered to someone off camera. "We the gods are here to help you. Not to harm you. I don't want to explain too much, but some of you lucky little ones might be lucky to join us," he cheerfully said.

Momma jade and mark peered at him. "Is he the said alien? He is handsome," Jade whispered thoughtfully.

For a second mark's eyes went wide, and he scooted closer to her and whispered, "Oh, yes, yes, I agree too," he coughed awkwardly.

Reya noticed this small exchange and chuckled. 'Looks like mark is going to be our new father, hehe,' she thought and softly nudged Mina. But her eyes stayed to the blond man. 'He looks so similar to someone I've seen, but who?' she thought as she pondered over it.

Suddenly it came to her. "He is Apollo!!" she shouted. "He is Artemis's brother, Apollo. He looks just like her," she said, glancing at her mum.