Outskirts Press, INC.

The world is experiencing a period of unusual peace and harmony when Second Lieutenant Jason Paige meets Pania Atamoe—an MIT-educated chemist from a highland Maori village in New Zealand. Jason, who has a PhD in astrophysics from MIT, is working on a unique high-tech government research project examining advanced sensor technologies, but he is rendered speechless when he meets the spectacularly beautiful chemist. Together, the brilliant young scientists from two vastly different cultures will set in motion events that rock their world, as the inhabitants of Earth learn, undeniably, that they are not alone. The technology Jason and Pania produce will catapult them on a fast-paced adventure with unforeseen and unintended consequences—bringing both joy and fear and forcing people to contemplate, in an entirely new light, age-old questions about the true nature of life.

The President paused for several moments and then sharpened his eyes as he gazed across the now still audience. Most were leaning forward in their seats in anticipation of what he might say next. This was far from a typical UN speech. “What if we were to be presented with an opportunity to dramatically advance our medical skills, to generate limitless clean power, to explore vast reaches of the universe, and most importantly, to better understand life and its meaning? Would we be able to realize the opportunity, or would we squander it, lose it to political and economic greed? Would we be able to organize to embrace a new beginning, or is it our nature to continue on the path we have been on? “Well, I have the answers . . . no, it is not unavoidably our nature to be combative, aggressive and greedy. And yes, humanity could take a new path to peace, progress, prosperity. We can overcome ignorance and fear. How do I know? I know because we humans actually already have taken that path! “You are all aware of recent events. People from another planet have come to visit our world. The media, as usual, is stirring up fear and confusion, abuzz with a great deal of uninformed speculation and opinion as to who they really are, and what they really want. I think you will all agree that what we need here is not theatrics and hype, it is facts and understanding.