Helena's Story: Part 1

[simgaroop]

(by cambritariatale)


Their arrival is always unexpected.


(by gotaluvsims2)


They all share the same characteristics:
An unusual interest for the stars.
An intense thirst for knowledge.
An open mind.
And a heart sensible enough to carry on an important and unexpected mission.


(by gotaluvsims2)


Despite the signs, those who are chosen can't even imagine how much their lives are going to change in an instant.
At least, not until the bright light of the Mother Ship's transporter suddenly breaks through the dark night sky.


(by gotaluvsims2)


And before they know it, they're gone.


(by simnels)


Few remember the marvelous and at the same time frightening journey they embark on for a few hours.
The human's memories are wiped as soon as the process is over.
And in the case of some subjects that's not even necessary, for they experiment a terror so intense that their minds block the memories on its own.


(by kingmike1224)


That's why those who share the secret behind the Graslaxian abductions have asked the same question across the years.
What do the subjects think when they are being abducted?
Are they afraid? Or angry?


(by aeiounasims)


Are they worried about their own lives?


(by abbycat90)


Or perhaps they are worried about their loved ones?


(by serenitysims2)


What if they never returned home?
Who'd look after their families, their children?


(by simnels)


But with the exception of a woman, who was abducted almost 100 years ago, all of them have made it back to their homes.


(by rainbowflyer)


They return home terrified and exhausted.
They have trouble sleeping for a few nights after the abduction.
But with time, they move on from such an outrageous experience.
It's all in the past, or so they think.


(by simnels)


What they don't know is that the abduction is just the beginning.
Before they know it, their bodies start to change.
A new life, carrying the hopes and dreams of an ancient civilization is growing inside them.


(by simnels)


Despite the terror from the abduction and the pain and exhaustion from their incredible pregnancies, the chosen ones welcome their new children with open arms.


(by rainbowflyer)


As soon as they gaze into their extraordinary eyes, they accept them as their sons and daughters, no matter the differences between their races.


(by tarynrx)



But raising such an extraordinary child is no easy task.
They know nothing about the Graslaxian culture.
They know nothing about the mission to keep the alien culture alive.
And the surprising and terrifying way in which they are abducted only creates more fear among their neighbors.
The families of the abducted humans and their alien spawn are rejected and have no other choice but to hide.

Many families have been separated for that same reason.
Many children have grown up feeling hate for their green brother.
And many lives have been destroyed.


If only there was another way to abduct the chosen humans.
If only this process didn't involve fear and despair.
If only the chosen ones were taught about their new babies and the importance of their mission.
If only the community accepted the aliens instead of fearing them...




Those were the reasons behind Calvin and Helena's decision to leave everything they knew and loved behind.
Inspired by the words of their Grandfather, the two of them went on a mission to change the Sim World's perception of the Graslaxian culture.
They took the first steps during their college years, with the help of their cousins Tim and Rose Mary.
But deep inside they knew that wasn't enough.
Calvin left his home planet to join the Graslaxian forces and promote a change from inside.
And Helena... she decided to travel around the world to promote a change from the outside.

And so for the next 12 months, Helena’s journeys took her to the mountains and the sea.
To the forests. To gigantic cities and tiny villages.
She worked hard to teach the people she met everything about the Graslaxian and the advantages of a true merge between both races.

But after a year, she began to feel lonely.
She missed her family, her friends.
And she missed her home town.
So, she took a small detour and established in the desert, far away from any town or city.
She needed time to think.




She still worked on her paintings, for those were the vehicles she used to teach others about the alien culture.




And with the help of what little she had learned about gardening from her cousin Tim, she was able to grow her own food.




She spent several hours studying Graslaxian books, and writing all her thoughts and learning from her journey.




She kept notes of everything, for she didn't want to forget a single detail.
When Calvin returned to SimEarth, he'd want to know everything about her mission.




Helena missed him dearly.
She often "talked" to him at night, wondering if her words could reach him among the stars.




As she looked at the clear sky of the desert, Helena wished that the bright light of the teleporter would cover her.




She hoped that one day, Calvin would come back to her...




"What's that noise?!"- she gasped as she heard footsteps not far from her.
That made absolutely no sense! She was all alone in the middle of the desert!




"Who's there?!"




"Don't move or I'll shoot!"- screamed a loud, masculine voice.- "You'll never get me aliv... Helena? Is that you?"




"Yes...Who are? Oh my Goodness! I can't believe this!"

_________________




The unexpected visitor was no other but Ripp Grunt, Buck's older brother, who'd been missing for almost 8 years.
The Grunt family even believed he was dead, just like their mother.
"I don't really use that name anymore... I'm mostly known as Nick Parker, Matt Simpson or just Agent 051 these days."




Helena listened to Ripp's incredible story in silence.
Eight years ago, Ripp left Strangetown after accepting a job as a deep sea excavator near Twiki Islands. For almost two years, he enjoyed his new life at the beach, surrounded by the Island's thick flora and the salty smell of the sea, so different from the arid landscape he had grown up at.
But then, he discovered an ancient Graslaxian relic during one of his expeditions. It contained the exact location of Graslax, so it'd be a disaster for the alien population if it fell on the wrong hands.
For the next four years, Ripp hid the precious data the best he could. He joined a band of pirates that protected taught him several self-defense techniques that became truly useful a few months later.




One day, we were all captured by the army. I was sure they'd send me to prison or torture me until I gave them the Graslaxian coordinates. To my surprise, when they learned I was General Buzz's son, they set me free... on the condition I'd work for them as an undercover agent. See, after my dear father's failure during his last Alien destruction mission, the army closed that department. Or that's what most of the elements thought.
The truth is that after they learned about the way the alien and the human race have integrated with each other these last few decades, they knew it was futile to keep fighting them. You know what they say, "If you can't beat them, join them."
That's how the Graslaxian project was founded. My boss, Captain John Smith, is a descendant of the original Pollination Technician of Strangetown and we've become good friends. I can't really tell you many details about our mission, but we've worked hard to protect all the half-breeds like you, Helena. We've dealt with several criminal bands who want to get access to the Graslaxian advanced technology to take over the world... and the Universe.




- "Of course we've noticed your personal mission, Helena. We've made sure you were protected at all time, for there are still individuals who are against a true merge between our races..."
- "So you are here to protect me?"
- "Not exactly... I didn't even know you were here, to be honest. My airplane crashed a couple weeks ago and I've been wandering around the desert. For some reason, I haven't been able to contact my Captain in this area. But it's sure nice to see a familiar face for a change... So tell me, how are everyone at Strangetown?"




Ripp couldn't hide his surprise as Helena told him about the several changes that his family had gone through during his absence.
He was shocked by Buck's sudden marriage and the birth of Lyla, and he was glad that Tank had finally found a girl who understood and loved him, besides a job that really suited him.
"Your father misses you too, Ripp. He's changed so much..."
"I... I miss them too. At the beginning, I thought I didn't need my family anymore but..."




"Everyone needs their family, Ripp! Why haven't you called them? They've been so worried! They even think you are dead!"
"Perhaps that's the best thing it could happened to them..."
"What? Are you insane?"




"Of course not! And I'd give everything to see them again, Helena, but it's not safe. If my enemies knew about my real identity they'd target the General and my family. They'd all be in danger! Actually... you might be in danger too... now that you know several details about my job... You must promise you won't tell a word of this to anyone, Helena! Not even my family!"




"All... all right... I promise.."

_____________________________




Unable to get in contact with Captain Smith, Ripp had no other choice but to remain in the desert for a long time. He could been able to survive on his own, of course, but Helena eventually convinced him to stay with her... at least until he felt strong enough to continue his mission on his own.
Three months later, Ripp didn't look as pale and sickly as he had during their first encounter, and was glad to live a seemingly normal life for a change.




The two of them helped each other with the chores around their small house.
Ripp was in charge of fishing, while Helena was in charge of the gardening.








For the first time in years, Ripp had someone to talk to at dinner.
They often chatted about the places they'd had visited through the years.




And eventually, the topic was directed to Helena's mission and her art.




"I visited one of your exhibitions once and was impressed by your paintings, especially the ones depicting the normal routine of the families who are raising alien children."
"Thanks, Ripp. I wanted to show people the difficulties, but also the joy that raising an alien baby can represent to a human family. I've visited several of these families and had a lot of fun painting them... it's been a while since I was last able to paint a portrait..."




"Ummm... unless...."

___________________________________

Six months later,








"This is all so damn funny!"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"




"Life! Life is hilarious!"
"How come?"
"Well, when I was a kid, there was nothing I hated more than the Army. Those stupid pricks that had brainwashed my father and my older brother's minds. Their stupid rules and discipline. I also hated Strangetown, and I couldn't wait for the moment I'd be old enough to get the hell out of my house and never look back. I was sick of the boring landscape and the intense heat. When I left for college, I swore I'd never live like that ever again..."




"And here I am, working for the Army and living the best months of my life in the middle of the damn desert! I'm sure Tank would have the laugh of his life if he saw me right now."




"Yeah, I'm sure he'd be pretty amused. I can't wait to see that..."




"I told you, Helena. I can't come back to Strangetown!"
"But..."
"Let's just change the topic, shall we? For example...you've never told me the reason why you are here right now. I know you are working to achieve your Grandfather's ideals but something tells me that's not the complete story..."




"There's not much to say, Ripp. The answer to your question is floating among the starts right now..."




"Really? So that's the reason you come here every night? Are you looking for something in the outer space? Helena?"




But Helena said nothing else, and returned to their small refuge. She remained silent for a long while. And that's when Ripp finally noticed the only portrait that was hanging right next to her bed.




He never had paid much attention to it, for he considered it just another portrait of an alien.
"Who is he?"
"He's Calvin... he's Rose Mary and Tim's cousin..."
"Oh... and are you together..?"




But Helena's answer was cut short by her tears.
Ripp mentally kicked himself.
"Smooth one, Grunt..."




"Helena? I... I'm sorry; I didn't mean to hurt you..."
"You don't get it, right? You are all on your missions, not caring how much you are hurting those who are left behind. Your family is suffering...and as much as I've tried to remain strong, I miss him so much it hurts. And I fear he won't come back..."
"Back?"
"Calvin's in Graslax... or some other planet. He's so far away... and I haven't heard from him in so long. I know he's working on an important mission, just like you and I but... it's hard."




"I... I know it's hard, Helena. I've never been able to get close to a girl, for I'm afraid I'd hurt her. I also miss my family very much... I'm sure Calvin is feeling the same. But you've got to trust him! If... If he's half the man I imagine he is, I'm sure he'd rather die before leaving you for good, Helena. You are an awesome woman and I'm sure he's proud of you and..."














































Everything happened so fast, none of them registered until it was all over.
"I... I..."
"Thanks..."
"You are welcome..."

__________________________________________




Helena's words stroke a chord inside Ripp, for he spent the following weeks writing down a long letter for his family.
Perhaps he wouldn't be able to see them in a long time, but at least they deserved to know he was alive.
He knew that was the kind of news he'd had liked to get from his own mother back when he was child...




Ripp and Helena had been living together for almost a year, and he wasn't still able to contact the Army.
He was worried he'd been left there for good.




Helena, on the other hand, had other things to worry about.
She'd been noticing several changes in her body, and she wasn't stupid.
She knew that pretty soon there would be an addition to their strange family.








"That looks pretty good, Helena! You made me look so... athletic and heroic!"




"It was no easy feat with such a lazy and slouchy subject."




"Hey!"
"I'm only stating the truth! I just hope our child won't inherit that particular trait of yours..."




"What? What are you talking about?!"
"Do you remember that night... several months ago...?"
"How could I forget about it... You don't say..."




"I've been pollinated, Ripp. I guess it was finally time I fulfilled my destiny as a Graslaxian and spawned a new member of my race...
Don't worry; this won't interfere with your life plans or anything..."




"Are you kidding?! I want to be part of this!"
"Really? So you aren't worried about..."
"Of course I'm worried! And I'm absolutely terrified! You have no idea how dangerous this is... But at the same time I couldn't be happier!"




"I... I love you, Helena... and I'll do anything to make you happy too..."

_________________________________




But Ripp and Helena's plans were cut short when he finally got in contact with Captain Smith.
After 14 months of searching, the Gralaxian Project forces had located Ripp's plane and had followed his trail up to his current residence.
"Fifty-One, I need you back at our base in 24 hours. The location of the Graslaxian planet has been discovered by our enemies. We had a spy among our soldiers and he stole the coordinates. We need to stop them before they blow up the planet..."
"I understand, Captain."




That night, Helena found him staring at Calvin's portrait, dressed in his old uniform.
She immediately knew that something was wrong.




"Ripp?"




"The Graslaxian Project has found me, Helena. I need to go back to the base..."
"Does that mean..."
"A ship is going to pick me up in twenty minutes. I suggest you leave this place as soon as possible, Helena. Our enemies keep a close eye on our air forces, and I don't want to think what they'd do to you if they found you. They are anti-alien forces..."




"So that's it? You are leaving too?!"
"Correct... I'm sorry, Helena. I'm not sure when I'd be able to see you..."
"What about your son! You said you wanted to be involved with his life and..."




"Don't make this more complicated, Helena! Do you really think I want to leave the both of you? But I'm doing this to protect you. I told you that being close to me was dangerous, so I have no other choice."




"I know you are right... and I understand... it's just that... what if you don't return... it's hard enough without Calvin and..."




"I said I'd do anything to make you happy, Helena. I'm grateful for your company all these months... you are the best friend I could ever wish for. I told you to trust Calvin and now I'm asking you to trust me. Everything is going to be all right, I promise..."




"I'll come back as soon as it's safe. Please give this letter to the General and my brothers... tell them I'm sorry..."
"I will...."




"Good-bye, Ripp..."
"See you later, Helena..."





___________________________________

Click here to go to Part 2:
http://simgaroop.livejournal.com/23778.html

Comments

[amaryssobellus.livejournal.com]

I was so suprised to see my pics there since I wasn't able to get them to you. But I'm glad that you got some use out of them. :)

Great story. I really should be in bed right now but I want to comment and let you know.