Just as he said he would, Jacob popped in and out of SETI to resume our current duties. Though he would disappear for sometimes up to a week at a time. We did our best to hold to our promise, never asking him where he went off to, or exactly how far along he was with his new work.

Tomiya kept me up to date with the general atmosphere within the government. Not long after the last White House meeting, she began to see the demeanor of her superior's change. She described it as an unspoken shift in the atmosphere. People were afraid to talk too much or too specifically about anything now, as if they were unsure of what actions might cause them to be removed from their positions. Because people were in fact being removed. Not many, but here and there a new person would rise in the ranks of the White House, and their predecessors would simply disappear. This concerned me for her, and for the rest of us. Luckily, we were some of those closest to the center of it all. They couldn't remove her without removing me and facing retaliation from the man who was responsible for doing the most crucial work of all, Jacob.

Still, times were becoming darker and more unsettling by the day. We might be safe but what was becoming of the few who were removed from their positions? We heard eventually just by word of mouth that one woman who spoke out against her superiors in the economic council that she was being held under some form of house arrest. An extreme act under normal circumstances but it brought us a little peace of mind during these uncertain days. At least they had not stooped so low as to start offing anyone who opposed the new regime. Tomiya and I speculated that they must just be keeping these people confined to their homes and limiting their access to the public in order to maintain the new order. This was harder to do with the general population, and we saw that as time crept on.

The government had blatantly begun to censor news outlets and social media platforms across the board. Yet they denied doing so. The only real reliable source of information now were the individual investigative journalists, pros and hobbyists alike. With this came quite a lot of misinformation as well. All the public really wanted was the truth about what was going on, understandably. In order to keep the peace, the White House passed another relief bill, further supporting individuals and small businesses. In truth, people were made very comfortable by this bill, most had more money than they required for their everyday basic needs. This is actually what began to spark a more widespread skepticism. People were becoming convinced now that the government was throwing money at them that they didn't even have. Rickner did his best to reassure them that we were economically in a very good position, without disclosing any actual evidence to back up his claims.

In a mass effort people gathered at the gates of the White House and across the nation's capitals. The most obvious question that now demanded an answer was, how were we going to defend ourselves if these extraterrestrials meant to do our world harm?

Up until now, in all of the President's weekly addresses, he only spoke vaguely of our new military advances, and the addresses were all filmed in private with no press ever present to question him. The crowds grew and the chaos grew with them. First peaceful gatherings turned into riots and even violent mobs in some areas. A movement was taking place filled with people who all shared the same fear and begged for the same explanation. How can we hope to defend our world? A most valid question.

Any person capable of exhibiting an even basic level capacity for critical thought would be able to look at our situation and know that a large extraterrestrial force would undoubtedly have technology and weaponry far superior to our own. Thus, rendering a species like us, advanced as we are, not advanced enough to withstand the likes of whatever was approaching. After all, the public presently believed we were still in the process of trying to make a successful manned trip to Mars.

Six months left until the enemy was nearly on our doorstep, and many mob related incidents later, President Rickner held a press conference at the White House, with a handful of no doubt handpicked news correspondents present to ask these questions, so that he may give them all the answer they desperately wanted. Vice President Murdock and General Walker stood by his side throughout.

He delivered his answers softly, appearing to be a caring gentle leader who battled for the good of all people, not just the American population. He apologized for not sooner informing the public and the world of the status of our technological advances, but the truth was they were just trying to keep them secret as long as they possibly could. His excuse was that because this technology was so new it was vital that it all be tested properly to ensure our safety here on the ground. More lies to save face, they never cared about the testing. It was only because of Jacob that everything was developed to such an exceptional standard that it didn't require testing in the first place.

He told the public what they needed to hear, answered a few scripted questions, and then turned the floor over to General Walker. This was a strategic move just like inside the closed doors of the White House. The General's close relationship with the President portrayed a unique and strongly united front between the President and the U.S. Military. It showed all those who watched that our Master and Chief truly was worthy of that title. The General spoke stern and proud, as if attempting to stir and rally all citizens to the common threat, reiterating the words of President Rickner and showing the world the example of our might.

They played a video, one of very high quality, that showcased a montage of our manufacturing efforts, as well as the new space capable ships and robots now at our disposal. It might as well have been something straight out of Hollywood, with the music, the visuals, and the tasteful directing. If I wasn't in the know it would have been inspirational to even me. And at the end of it all came the scene that would likely inspire both horror and pride in humanity all at once. The same scene that was also shown to us of that single ship releasing but a taste of its nuclear power in the vacuum of space. Followed by a few over-glorified words from Rickner and the conference was ended, leaving the world to decide where humanity now stood.

Immediately phones rang and buzzed off the hook. One notification after the next showcased these new revelations from outlets across the globe. It seemed our censorship had been lifted, to a degree. They must want people to talk and to speculate. This was meant to reach every corner of the world, probably in hopes to smite not only the doubt in America and its leaders, but also to bring in a new regime of patriotism for our "great" country, one that would know no borders. That was the hope, and it worked.

Of course there was backlash from the other leaders of the world. They demanded answers, and for our newfound knowledge and tech to be shared equally. But that demand carried no consequence for us now. A movement swept over the world like a great flood, it was unstoppable and consumed almost all in its path. Our civilization had been teetering, overcome with fear and uncertainty, but now it had a real semblance of hope, delivered to them by the United States of America.

Our country's flag was now being waved in places where we would never have imagined seeing in our lifetimes. News outlets and influencers posted candid videos of this in many instances. Throughout the Middle East, the streets of Moscow, and even outside the President of China's great palace. Tensions between governments still existed surely, but in the eyes of the human race, our nation had risen up to protect us all when others could not. With this single act, an attempt to ease tensions, born more out of desperation than what it became, the government of the United States thrusted itself into the very position it always desired. A true world order led by us alone.

Just like that, the threat of a third world war was eliminated. There was no fighting America in this new reality where we now found ourselves. The public outcry was nearly snuffed out now that people had answers, but for some these answers were not enough. There were those who still doubted our nation's power. They claimed it had all been staged, or deep-faked, to ensure some peace in the final days before the apocalypse. These were the same type of people who doubted the moon landing. Conspiracy theorists. They had their followings but after a little more time, evidence against these claims became too apparent for even the blindest of us to doubt.

The army of J-2's continued to grow, along with our Space Armada. Our surplus grew so much and so quickly, now to the point where America was ready to extend its "oh so generous" hand to the rest of the world. Squadrons of J-2's, along with small numbers of U.S. military personnel were dispersed into areas that our leaders deemed in need of help. Much like previous occupations, we began to infiltrate outside nations. But this time no force was needed, even countries like Iran and North Korea welcomed our help with open arms. For not only did we bring power to neutralize any who stood against us without the fear of retaliation, we brought supplies, and food.

In the days and months leading up to now much of the world had been in the same situation as the American public was. Overcome with doubt and fear of their futures, causing massive global shortages, famine, and a general lack of proper societal upkeep. In another stroke of what some might call genius, Rickner passed another relief bill, by far the largest the world had ever seen. Twenty trillion dollars, to be shared with all governments who deemed themselves allies to the United States.

Now no nation labeled themselves our enemy. Our robots brought relief to third world countries, rebuilt vital infrastructure, and assisted in all ways one could imagine. Our money was distributed to those in need, securing food and necessities to even those who had never known such comfort. These were unexpected days of true peace. A calm respite before the storm that was soon to come.