Standing at the forefront of the strike-team, Hunter Hae-in Cha coolly and keenly observed as the blue haired woman step out of the gate. She held a weapon in her right hand.
'Definitely an Apostle…even though she is suppressing her mana…there is no doubt she is an Apostle of Itarim,' thought Hae-in Cha.
Next came a young and beautiful girl...early 20s…pink hair, light complexion, and beautiful eyes that sparkled like stars in the night sky. She held a familiar sword in her hand.
'A-rank it seems…but she feels almost human…who is she?' Hae-in Cha thought as she assessed the young girl exiting the portal.
What came next was shocking not only to Hae-in but also to the entire world…teenagers, elderly, nursing mothers with babies in their arms…and even children emerged from the gate!
Hunter Hae-in Cha and Hunter Il-Hwan Sung turned to face each other…both bewilder beyond words. The strike team standing closely behind suddenly felt their will to fight diminish…could they really fight elderly, women, and children?
While the strike-team and the world were struggling to process the events unfolding before them, the blue haired woman and the pink haired girl rose their hands high into the sky, dropped their weapons…knelt to the floor and placed their hands over their heads.
The elderly and children did the same gesture. They kneeled on the ground with their hands on their heads…in surrender and submission.
"Wait…did they just surrender?" Miho asked completely bewildered.
In an instant, the world's social media sites were ablaze! The entire world was watching the unbelievable turn of events…struggling to process what had just occurred.
'Who are they?' 'Who is that blue haired woman?' 'What about the pink girl?'
Others commented, 'She is hot! Is she single?'
'Where did they come from?'
'Why are they surrendering?'
'Are they hostile?'
One user quickly noted, 'Where are the men…I don't see any?'
That was quickly followed by more comments, 'Why are there just women, children, and elderly?'
Other users were quick to comment, 'why do they look almost human?' 'Is this some sort of trick to get us to lower our guard?'
The social media posts flooded the internet…meanwhile journalist and reporters from all over the world were having a field day! Phones rang, favors were called in, strings were pulled…everyone wanted to know the scoop first.
Meanwhile, Hae-in Cha decided to approach the invaders. She said to the strike team, "stay here and watch my back."
She turned to her father-in-law and said, "please come with me…in case they speak an Apostle language…maybe you will have some luck translating."
Hunter Il-Hwan Sung nodded in agreement. The two approached the group cautiously.
"Who are you and where did you come from?" Hae-in Cha asked in a neutral voice…desperately trying to hide her surprise and curiosity.
Gaia unable to understand the language, turned her head slowly toward Thalia and nodded.
Before crossing the gate, Gaia and Thalia had spent time formulating a plan and contingencies. In the event language was a barrier, Gaia reasoned Thalia would be able to communicate thanks to the System. In such event, Gaia would signal to Thalia with a head nod to take the lead in the discussion.
"We are refugees…" Thalia said calmly. She added, "we came here to request asylum…our home…our universe was destroyed…we have nowhere else to go." Her voice broke midway as she fought back tears.
Hae-in's eyes began to water-up. She could feel the anxiety, fear, and stress coming from the young girl. She was so young…no older than her son Suho…yet having to shoulder an enormous burden. Hae-in Cha's heart sank deep…as a mother, she felt deep empathy for the group.
After a pause, Il-Hwan Sung said with a kind fatherly voice, "my name is Il-Hwan Sung, this is my daughter Hae-in Cha. It's customary to give one's name when meeting someone for the fist time."
"Oh, sorry…my name is Thalia. This is my mother Gaia…and my brother Kesi…we are all together. We have travel far and for a very long time to get here…please we have nowhere else to go."
Hae-in scanned their faces…young and old…there was no trace of deceit or treachery in any of them. All the faces had the same pleading look…faces yearning for mercy and help.
"As captain of the strike team, I officially accept your surrender and do hereby take you into custody. Our leaders will decide on your request for asylum. In the meantime, I promise you no harm will be done to any of you so long as you do not threaten us. You have my world." There was a sudden change in Hae-in's voice and eyes…both were solemn and determined.
Il-Hwan Sung signaled to the strike team to lower their weapons and prepare the trucks for transport. Soon the team loaded all the refugees and their supplies into military trucks.
"Should we…ummm…put restraining cuffs on them?" Miho asked.
"That won't be necessary," answered Hae-in Cha, "the restraints do nothing against an Apostle…and besides it doesn't feel right putting restrains on frightened women and children."
The world watched in shock the events unfold.
What happened next was nothing short of a magnitude 20 earthquake on the Richter scale. The world learned these invaders were in fact refugees seeking asylum.
One drone happened to be close enough to audibly record the conversation between Thalia and Hae-in Cha. Within minutes the audio clip went panademic-level viral…the entire world now knew their names and where they came from.
Debates quickly erupted.
News outlets, social media sites, water coolers groups, school classrooms, and even dinner table conversations all revolved around this controversial topic.
What should be done with refugees from outside our universe?
Do we have a moral obligation to help?
What about future petitions? Would this set a dangerous precedent?
Who should pay for it? Where? When?
If allowed asylum, would they qualify to be citizens of earth? Should they be allowed to vote? Pay taxes?
Would the children be allowed to attend public schools? Should they be kept separate?
Opinions varied wildly on all these issues.
Some people were quick to say, "NO!!! KICK THEM OUT! EARTH FIRST!"
Others were quick to point out that most of the Rulers and Monarch who protected the earth were not from earth…should they be kicked out too?
"We have no moral obligation to help…they are not even human!" Some people said.
Others replied, "Oh! That is just heartless and stupid!!! Where would we be if everyone thought that way? The planet has been saved 3 times! 3 Times by individuals not obligated to help!"
"KICK THEM OUT!" became a popular slogan…followed by "KEEP EARTH GREAT!"
Other groups quickly fought back against isolistic rhetoric with public protests and signs saying,
"MERCY"
"TOGETHER WE ARE GREATER"
"SHOW THEM EARTH IS GREAT"
Other signs said:
"WE ARE ALL ONE", or,
"LOVE IS THE STRONGEST POWER."