THE MOMENT
"It looks like a pair of scissors...," Commander Wheeler held the red flag at arm's length to get a better look. The white logo in the center of the flag resembled scissors.
"What does it mean and who put it there?" Dr. Davis asked and tilted her head at the flag. The survey team had gone out to investigate some strange activity. They returned with the red flag and reports that they'd seen someone that wasn't part of their group plant the flag. But, the stranger was gone by the time they reached it.
"But we're the only ones here...," Commander Wheeler said. The entire crew of a dozen was accounted for and present in the command pod. They were some of the brightest and bravest people on Earth chosen for the mission. Each one was a professional that thrived under pressure; and, every single one jumped in their seat when a heavy knock pounded at the door. A dozen confused faces exchanged glances and shrugs for several moments until the pounding came again. Three times in a short burst; someone intelligent was deliberately knocking.
One of the crew turned out the outside camera on the biggest display. A tall pale woman with pink hair stood patiently at the door. She wore a white suit that had the same scissor logo in red on the front breast pocket.
"She's not wearing a suit..," Commander Wheeler commented as the rest of the crew stared at the screen.
"HELLO!??" The woman screamed from the other side. "Did you guys take my flag?"
"She speaks English...," Dr. Davis was surprised. Her professional curiosity encouraged her to decide for the whole group. Before they could debate it, she rushed to the door and opened the decontamination chamber before anyone could stop her. The woman walked in and closed the outer door behind her. Then, Dr. Davis opened the interior door to let her in.
"Hi," The woman smiled as she walked in. "I don't want to sound like I'm accusing you guys... but you're kind of the only ones on the planet," she shrugged. "There it is," she spotted the flag in Commander Wheeler's hands and took a step towards him. The Commander finally got his mind to work and took a step back from her; he hid the flag behind his back.
"Who are you? Where did you come from?" he asked.
"My name is Lyra," she said. "I came from Earth like you."
"How? I wasn't aware of any other launches..." Commander Wheeler said. Lyra sighed.
"I'm not really feeling the questions right now," she said. "Just give me back the flag and I'll go back to minding my own business."
"I'm sorry but that's not good enough," Commander Wheeler shook his head. "I need to know how you got here and how you survived without protection."
"That's not good enough?" Lyra asked with a giggle. "Sure, okay," She turned and focused on Dr. Davis. "Mars belongs to Sharp Development," Lyra said. "It is private property, do not send any more missions or they'll die too. Got that?" she asked Dr. Davis. The woman nodded with a confused expression.
"Good," Lyra nodded, then dismissed Dr. Davis with wave of her hand. A red portal opened under the woman's feet and swallowed her before it disappeared again. "As for the rest of you...," Lyra smiled as her hands began to glow with blue light.
"What'd you do with her?" Commander Wheeler asked as three of the crewmembers drew their weapons.
"She's back on Earth now, hopefully delivering my message," Lyra grinned. "I let her live because she was nice enough to let me in."