It hit the news station two days ago that an unidentified flying object had been seen entering Earth’s atmosphere, specifically above Antarctica.

A large storm had halted immediate investigation, but now it’s clear.

Unlike the rest of the public I had more access to what was seen, and it either has to be one of the world powers lacking to announce a secret spaceship program or some freak of nature asteroid that out of an infinite amount of chances looks like an alien ship.

Either way I’m only here to take photos of the site, which as the transport truck pulls up too I see many people clad in red at the base of the... ship. Spaceship. Definitely spaceship.

The truck comes to a stop and I get out to be greeted with a wall of sharp cold. Digging into my pocket for the baggie with new memory chips, I pluck open the camera’s slot for it.

“You must be the photographer, Beth, never met a man with that name before.” I assume it’s the leader of this investigation that’s approached me.

I don’t look him in the eye and instead fiddle with the settings of my camera, “Isn’t it more formal to refer to each other by last names? Or are you doing fancy code names out here?” I raise my eyebrow more at my camera than him.

“Nah, me and the crew are on a first name basis, wouldn’t make sense to leave you out.” He offers a gloved hand to me, “Finnegan, he/him.”

I take his hand and shake it, “You already know my name, but, Beth, he/they”

I see a slight panic take his eyes and he smiles embarrassed, “Ah, sorry about a moment ago then.” He says it more as a question.

“It’s not a big deal, just a misunderstanding that’s been addressed. Anyway, where should I start?” I look back to my camera and wonder if I should go get the other one.

“Ah, over there perhaps?” I look up to see him pointing to a part of the ship that seems ripped open, “Maria and Jamie said the hole in the side of this thing should be analyzed first from what they’ve seen of it so far.”

“Okay, but I’m gonna go get my other camera before that.” I turn and start heading back to the truck.

“Okay, come talk to me if you need any help.”

I signal a thanks as I hike my way over to the truck. and hop inside.

The driver has the engine turned off and it’s already as cold inside as it is outside. She looks at me, “Something wrong?”

“Camera is unhappy. Airport bag handlers must have thrown it around or something.” I reach under the seat and take out my pack.

The driver looks at the ship, “Or maybe it’s an alien electro magnetic wave signal that’s messing with it.”

I look at her until she looks at me, and in that second I decide to humor her, “I guess we’ll find out.”

I close the door and pop a memory chip into the camera. It seems to work so I make my way to the rip in the side of the ship.

I see either Jamie or Maria wave to me, and then begin to point at the rip... or, the inside of the ship?

Whichever one isn’t waving stumbles backward and the ship suddenly lights up, a loud whirring noise coming from it. Then just as suddenly as it happened it stopped. I see Jamie and Maria run to who I assume is Finnegan as the whirring stops.

I raise my camera up to take a picture and snap a few, then I wait to see if it’ll turn on again.

A loud, metallic creak comes from the ship and a large hatch swings down, narrowly missing someone. A long shadow is cast from the light inside and I hold my breath as my camera clicks rapidly.

The figure steps forward and... it’s a human? In red. I can hear them from where I am “Finnegan! You won’t believe this!”

I hear Finnegan spurt swears and concern as he marches towards the person, scolding them for going inside.

I laugh in a relived but panicked way for a moment, but a small chirping on my left takes my attention. I turn to see an alien... Towering over me... Looks like a mini Cthulhu...

Well then.