**Chapter One: **A Glimpse into Time
Trapped within the bowels of the sinister alien mothership, Alex Arthur, a dauntless youth of 32, with steely determination, plotted his escape. Bound by the cold, metallic restraints, his mind raced, seeking a glimmer of hope amidst the sea of alien technology that surrounded him.
The alien mothership, pulsating with eerie lights and pulsating energy, held Alex Arthur captive within its sinister walls. As a member of the special force deployed by the United Nations to combat the extraterrestrial annihilation sweeping across the globe, his capture posed a great threat to the human resistance.
Alex's mind raced, seeking an opportunity to break free from the clutches of his alien captors. With each passing moment, he could sense his comrades fighting desperately on the surface of Earth, in a bid to fend off the relentless invaders. Determination fueled his every move as he scoured his surroundings for an advantage.
Amidst the labyrinthine corridors and pulsating alien technology, a curious sight caught Alex's eye. A device, exquisitely crafted and shimmering with an ethereal energy, suspended a pair of contact lenses in mid-air. Levitating magnetically within its pod, they seemed to beckon him with a faint glimmer of hope. Eager to seize any opportunity, Alex cautiously approached the mesmerizing spectacle.
As he neared the device, the magnetic field generated by the pod pulled the contact lenses closer, almost as if they were alive and yearning to be freed. Curiosity mingled with a dash of trepidation as Alex reached out, his fingers trembling with anticipation.
With a steady hand, he plucked the levitating lenses from their magnetic embrace. As they settled comfortably onto his palm, a surge of unusual energy coursed through his veins.
Alex Arthur's heart pounded with a relentless mixture of fear and determination as he carefully placed the levitating contact lenses onto his eyes. Instantly, a surge of electrifying energy coursed through his body, connecting his mind to the advanced alien technology before him.
To his astonishment, the bewildering symbols that had previously plagued his vision transformed into clear, concise English. It was as if these futuristic lenses were designed solely for him, bridging the profound divide between humanity and the extraterrestrial invaders. Recalling his rigorous training and steeling himself for what lay ahead, Alex focused his mind on finding an escape from the suffocating, steel confines of the alien ship.
With this newfound clarity, an intricate map unfolded before his eyes, revealing the hidden pathways and intricacies of the colossal vessel. Alex's eyes traced the labyrinthine corridors, skillfully evading patrolling guards and the piercing gaze of hidden surveillance systems. The contact lenses acted as a silent compass, guiding him deeper into the pulsating heart of the ship—an enigmatic path that few humans had ever dared to traverse.
After what seemed like an eternity of stealth and cunning, the meticulously crafted map unveiled an area of profound interest—the core of the alien control panel. It was within this nerve center that the immense power of the ship emanated and where its most closely guarded secrets were entwined with the intricacies of its seemingly impenetrable system. Determination etched in his every movement, Alex pressed forward towards his target, every fiber of his being attuned to the task at hand. He skillfully circumvented the sophisticated security measures that would send any ordinary human reeling.
As he infiltrated the control panel area, a sight of awe and wonder greeted his eyes: a time travel machine of breathtaking beauty, reminiscent of a sleek sports car, pulsated with an otherworldly allure. Its gleaming exterior seemed to emit a magnetic pull, beckoning him towards an uncharted realm of infinite possibilities, offering the tantalizing promise of transcending the limitations of time and space. Simultaneously, a warning signal began to blare throughout the ship, and the alien inhabitants launched into a frantic search for the intruder—an imminent threat to their secrets and dominion.
Yet, in the face of looming danger, Alex's mind raced with an overwhelming surge of possibilities. Could this magnificent device grant him the power to alter the course of events, preventing the cataclysmic invasion altogether? Was it within his grasp to rewrite the annals of history, ensuring that humanity would forever remain vigilant and prepared to fend off future intergalactic threats? The cold sweat of trepidation trickled down his forehead as the realization of his imminent discovery dawned upon him.
Yet, in the core of his being, a fierce conviction surged forth. If he possessed the ability to influence the past, he could singlehandedly reshape the future, fortifying humanity's survival in the face of overwhelming odds. However, there was an urgent need to journey back to the critical juncture of his own life—a destined moment that held the key to an encounter with his past self, a meeting laced with both hope and uncertainty.
Alex set the vital coordinates with unyielding purpose: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the illustrious haven of scientific brilliance and vast knowledge where his younger self still resided, unknowing of the paramount destiny that awaited him. With a flicker of hope kindling within him, he imagined the immense impact his presence, guided by the extraordinary contact lenses, could have on his past self—an encounter that could alter the very fabric of their shared existence.
As the time travel machine whirred to life, a potent rush of anticipation surged through Alex's veins. The familiar sights of the MIT campus materialized around him, evoking a whirlwind of nostalgia and reaffirming his sense of purpose. Unshakeable determination filled every fiber of his being, for he knew that this moment would be the turning point, the fulcrum from which humanity's fight against the impending alien invasion would forever be altered.
Alex Arthur, an 18-year-old Ghanaian boy, was walking towards his dormitory at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It had been a long day of classes, and Alex was looking forward to getting a good night's sleep. As he made his way through the corridors, he couldn't help but notice a pair of white students, who were also his classmates, approaching him.
Unfortunately, the encounters with these particular individuals in the past had been unpleasant. They seemed to take delight in bullying Alex, targeting him specifically because of his intelligence and academic success. As they taunted him with their hurtful words and derogatory slurs, Alex felt his anger rise.
Deciding not to engage with them, Alex quickened his pace and hurried into his empty room. His roommate, Bryan Miles, was sick and had been admitted to the hospital, leaving Alex alone for the time being. Bryan, although white, was Alex's best friend at the school and a source of support amidst the racial challenges he faced.
Breathing heavily, Alex slumped onto his bed and stared at the ceiling. He was tired of being treated this way, simply because he excelled academically. These experiences had given him a sense of alienation, making him yearn for acceptance and equality within the campus community.
Lost in his thoughts, Alex began to drift off into a much-needed sleep. However, in the midst of his slumber, he was startled awake by the sound of someone barging into his room. Quickly regaining his senses, Alex's instincts kicked in, and he reached for something nearby to defend himself.
His eyes widened to meet the gaze of a black man in his early thirties who stood before him. Confusion and fear filled Alex's mind, wondering how this person had managed to enter his room without his knowledge or permission. Clenching his makeshift weapon tightly, he threatened the intruder, warning him to stay away or face dire consequences.
But instead of showing aggression, the man's calm demeanor remained intact as he raised his hands in a gesture of peace. With a soothing tone, he assured Alex that he meant no harm and urged him to calm down. Intrigued but still on edge, Alex reluctantly loosened his grip, allowing the tension in the room to settle.
"Who are you? What do you want from me?" Alex snapped, his fear still lingering in his voice as he tried to comprehend the sudden presence of the stranger before him.
"Please, just take a moment to calm down," the man replied, his voice soothing and patient.
Reluctantly, Alex began to ease up, his tense posture slowly relaxing as he cautiously took a seat on the edge of his bed. The man, sensing Alex's apprehension, calmly sat beside him.
"I understand your confusion, but I need you to listen," the man continued, his tone earnest. "I may appear calm, but I don't have much time. I'm here to tell you something that may seem impossible - I am actually you."
Alex's eyes widened in disbelief, his mind struggling to process the man's words and the uncanny resemblance between them.
"Impossible! Are you trying to tell me you're from the future?"
"Definitely" the man's demeanor was solemn "now I need you to listen, as I am speaking with you, the future of humanity depends on this conversation and more especially, you"
At this point, Alex was confused.
"In the future, humanity is facing an annihilation and the earth is almost desolate. I am one of the few surviving members of the Resistance Force set up by the United Nations to fight these aliens"
As he said this, he reached for his pocket and bought out something resembling an airpod and flicked it open. It was almost like magic; floating inside this airpod was a pair of transparent contact lenses. The man promptly wore them and suddenly, his expression turned grave.
"I must leave now, they are getting ready to track me down" he declared.
"Who are "they"?" Alex asked puzzled.
"I mean the aliens. You see this device?" The man asked pointing at his own eye "I stole it from them when I was escaping from their mothership. Now, they are tracking me down"
"Then isn't it going to be dangerous for you to return?" Alex asked with concern.
"It will even be more dangerous for me to stay" at this point, the man's expression became solemn "They will track me down and kill both of us. Who know? They might even start an annihilation in this timeline"
At that point, the man stripped the lenses from his eyes, put them back in the pod and handed it to Alex. Alex watched with teary eyed as his future self departed to meet his impending doom.