A Special Kind of Resonance
writing·@mada·
0.000 HBDA Special Kind of Resonance
 _Part 13 of some new science fiction. If you're just tuning in, consider starting with [part 1](https://hive.blog/writing/@mada/an-invisible-barrier). The image above was created with stable diffusion and gimp._ ## A Special Kind of Resonance A wordless, haunting song came from the Visitors' mouths as they walked. The melody reminded James of something, but he wasn't sure what. Back at his house, the Visitors quieted down and crowded in. The unused exercise machine in the second bedroom was dematerialized to make room. New soft mats were materialized to make the room more comfortable. "Thank you for this," said Aqua. "Our arrival was probably surprising." "Yes and no," said James. "But I am curious about what you plan to do now that you're here." "Think of it this way," said Aqua. "It is as if we are playing characters in a computer game, and your world is that game." "So I'm just another character?" asked James. "What's the game? You know what? I don't care right now. I'm going back to bed. You guys need anything else before I pass out?" "We will sleep when you sleep," said Aqua. The next day, James was again awakened by Yarn's foot. "Hey," said Yarn. "Suit and Janet are both here. Aqua is talking with them now." "Shit," said James. "Okay, I'll be out in a minute." Materializing a cup of coffee, James peeked into the spare room and saw most of the Visitors still sleeping on the floor, using one another for pillows. Finding Yarn and the officials in the living room, he said hello and sat down. "What did I miss?" he asked. "Aqua was just telling us that you're their leader, so we should consult you about their plans here on Earth," said Suit. "We can't allow you to proceed before they're cleared by medical," said Janet. "Set up a tent in back to do your physicals," said James. "I'll keep them here until you're done. Assuming you can get it done today." "We have a mobile unit in a trailer that can be here in thirty minutes," said Janet. "But we do need scans that the mobile unit can't produce." "A trailer parked in front works," said James. "The scans will have to wait." "We won't know that the public is safe without those scans," said Janet. "I know what to do!" said Aqua, who scrunched her nose. Janet fell suddenly asleep. James laughed. Suit appeared about to object, but he held his peace. "Yeah, they hate it when you do that," said Yarn. "That's true," said James. "Try to use the sleep command only in emergency situations." "I understand," said Aqua. "While she rests, would you tell me more of your plans for us?" "Well, the first thing you need is a place of your own," said James. "Yarn, do I have enough money to buy a giant house or small apartment building?" "Probably not," said Yarn. "The houses on either side of this one were purchased by the federal government following the arrival of the Object," said Suit. "We'll agree to allow the Visitors to occupy the properties if they agree to our scans." "If they'd have to be injected with dye or drink chemicals or anything like that, the answer is no," said James. "Yes, well, I'm sure we can work something out," said Suit. "We'll get a team on the properties today. Make sure they're fit for habitation." "And tonight?" asked Aqua. "We were told by our creators that this is a world of music and dancing. First Designer, can we dance tonight?" James grinned. Yarn gave him a look of strong disapproval. "Totally," he said. "We can all go to the Turf Bar. It's just a few blocks away. They're not going to want to let you in since you don't have government identification. But maybe Suit here could pull some strings?" "We'll see," said Suit. "I still have many questions. Are all of you named after colors? Were you born in the traditional sense, or materialized? How long do you intend to stay here?" "Each vessel on your planet produced a different group of twenty, according to the specifications of its first designer," said Aqua. "Our group is named for colors. Other groups were named according to other patterns. These forms we inhabit were materialized, but their animating spark comes from our souls, which developed in other bodies before being transferred into these new forms. We intend to live out our natural lifespans here." "I see," said Suit, who didn't quite see. "So the other Visitors left you to fend for yourselves? What is the device they left in place of the Object? Is it a beacon? A weapon? My people can't seem to get a read on it." Janet stirred. "What?" she asked. "What happened?" "You fell asleep," said Aqua lightly. "I was just telling Suit that the device at our landing site allows us to communicate with our families back home. We will visit the device from time to time, and expect not to be disturbed when using it." "So you have families?" asked Janet. "How does the device connect with them? We know it's not using EMF or sound. How does it work?" "It relies on a special kind of resonance," said Aqua. "And please, do not attempt to tamper with it. The device is well-protected." "How long is the device to remain where it is?" asked Janet. "Indefinitely," said Aqua. "We would like you to think of it as a piece of art. It is inert in all of the ways you can measure, and we assume that many of your people will want to observe it up close." "You ... want us to allow members of the public at the site?" asked Suit. "We regret that our activities deprived the public of their park for a time," said Aqua. "Should I have a sign made?" asked Yarn. "For the new sculpture at the park?" "My office will handle it," said Suit quickly. "Will you come dancing tonight?" asked Aqua, her grin flashing mischief. "All of you?" ___ **Read my novels:** - **Small Gods of Time Travel** is available as a [web book on IPFS](https://rstory.mypinata.cloud/ipfs/QmVt9kp8CJKwUm2cvD1mhMVtswsdFh3iEH8AFGEUxnrMu1/). - **The Paradise Anomaly** is available in [print via Blurb](https://www.blurb.com/b/10994168-the-paradise-anomaly) and [for Kindle on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NLB95NZ). - **Psychic Avalanche** is available in [print via Blurb](https://www.blurb.com/b/10891426-psychic-avalanche) and for [Kindle on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JS6CV9X). - **One Man Embassy** is available in [print via Blurb](https://blurb.com/b/9876573-one-man-embassy) and for [Kindle on Amazon](https://amazon.com/One-Man-Embassy-Mark-Bailey-ebook/dp/B0836SRC8K). - **Flying Saucer Shenanigans** is available in [print via Blurb](https://blurb.com/b/10002213-flying-saucer-shenanigans) and for [Kindle on Amazon](https://amazon.com/Flying-Saucer-Shenanigans-Mark-Bailey-ebook/dp/B0863FRJN2). - **Rainbow Lullaby** is available in [print via Blurb](https://blurb.com/b/9330918-rainbow-lullaby) and for [Kindle on Amazon](https://amazon.com/Rainbow-Lullaby-Mark-Bailey-ebook/dp/B07P4MYTGT). - **The Ostermann Method** is available in [print via Blurb](https://blurb.com/b/9660167-the-ostermann-method) and for [Kindle on Amazon](https://amazon.com/Ostermann-Method-Mark-Bailey-ebook/dp/B07Y6RDTJF). - **Blue Dragon Mississippi** is available in [print via Blurb](https://blurb.com/b/10192086-blue-dragon-mississippi) and for [Kindle on Amazon](https://amazon.com/Blue-Dragon-Mississippi-Mark-Bailey-ebook/dp/B08C54F99R). **See my NFTs:** - **Small Gods of Time Travel** is a 41 piece Tezos [NFT collection on Objkt](https://objkt.com/collection/KT1TJEWFRDcudZYwPVfm2j1HAANen3TL7fof) that goes with my book by the same name. - **History and the Machine** is a 20 piece Tezos [NFT collection on Objkt](https://objkt.com/collection/KT1KmnSSXykx4SA6pdVVh9PweSqK5tkDRsLX) based on my series of oil paintings of interesting people from history. - **Artifacts of Mind Control** is a 15 piece Tezos [NFT collection on Objkt](https://objkt.com/collection/KT1Fc7naXm8XApN1EHoJXkC1Tggv2jK9eeZK) based on declassified CIA documents from the MKULTRA program.