From Roswell to Area 51
First Contact • Clean Sci-Fi • 1947 Roswell
They didn’t invade, they asked for help!
When the pacifist planet Zalma is attacked by violent invaders, researcher and humanoid observer Geogram proposes a solution. Ask the Earthlings for help.
Geogram makes first contact in 1947 with teens Malcolm Dow and Adam Rabinowitz. They agree to help the life-form, contact General Frank Jones while avoiding the anti-alien majority.
With junior reporter Charlotte Baker hot on their heels, hunting for the scoop of a lifetime, time is of the essence before panic sweeps the nation and the globe.
They recruit Mary Goss, a teen scientist, to help with the alien tech into their desperate mission. Failure means not only the destruction of Zalma, but also placing a target on Earth.
If you love Star Trek, Star Wars and Stargate, you will love this uplifting science fantasy / military fiction filled with nanotech, diverse characters, strategy, deduction, mentors, and reluctant heroes. They use their hunches, intuition, and differences to battle the enemy in this woundless war.
Contains mild references to adult themes (alcohol and relationships) and non-graphic depictions of military conflict and violence. Recommended for readers 15 and up.
Genres & tags
First Contact • Alternate History • Historical Sci-Fi • Clean Sci-Fi • Hopepunk • Military-adjacent (non-grim)
Ideal for
13+ readers who enjoy smart, hopeful sci-fi; teachers & librarians seeking high-interest, low-barrier entry points.
Reading Paths
Start with this Novel
From Roswell to Area 51 expands the early episodes (including this one) and threads Charlie’s retrospective narration.
Or read by Episode
- Roswell: First Contact — Malcolm Dow: Ep. 1
- Negotiations — Ryan Wilcox: Ep. 1
- The Good, The Bad, and the Undecided — Greg Newman: Ep. 1
- Defying Gravity — Mary Goss: Ep. 1
- Charlie’s Big Chance — Charlotte “Charlie” Baker
- The Woundless War — General Frank Jones
Each stands alone; reading order adds depth.
Look Inside
Forward
Before you read this book, there is one truth you must accept: life exists on other planets. Aliens are real. How do I know this? Well, I’ve met them. It all started in 1947, when I, at twelve years old, stumbled upon the truth. I was there when the UFO crashed in New Mexico. I was there in the aftermath as they covered it up.
The US government wanted to keep it secret, but I’ve always been an investigative journalist—even then. I knew too much, so they offered me a job. What choice did they have? Hire me, or…well, what could they do to a young girl in a wheelchair? In this role, I was tasked with compiling reports and interviewing the humans and otherworldly visitors alike. Geogram was a great help. The Zalmen transcripts filled in many of the details, and helped the others remember even more.
I’ve kept it secret all these years, but finally the truth will be revealed to the public. Now, seventy-five years later, the United States government lifted the censorship. All information regarding the event has been made public, but what is the truth?
I’m here to help you sort through the rumors. Some conversations I witnessed firsthand; others I’ve reconstructed from documents, recordings, and interviews with those who were there. Where I’ve had to piece things together, I’ve noted it. The truth is too important for anything less than complete honesty. Here’s what really happened all those years ago.
Charlotte “Charlie” Baker
Part One: Malcolm and Adam’s First Contact
Chapter One
Geogram Fights for Earth
Geogram
The Planet Zalma
February 1947
Charlie’s note: [When Geogram first shared the council’s translated transcripts with me years later, I could barely believe what I was reading. The fate of two worlds decided in a single meeting, and it all hinged on human compassion. Looking back, I wonder if we deserved it.]
The sky itself was on fire, and Geogram watched with snow-white skin of fear. Though the planetary deflectors held, he knew that it was only a matter of time before his precious planet burned too. The Moadites had increased the frequency and strength of their attacks over the last hundred years.
Geogram’s neutral color was light purple, but he and many of the others in the council chambers were now pure white, or in emotional flux between red, green, and blue. None of their prior attempts at peace had worked, and they were surely doomed.
He fidgeted with his silver robes and turned his attention to First Minister Ronderra, who stood at the head of the council. With a wave of his hand, the first minister dismissed the viewing screen and addressed the room. “I once again ask our council for suggestions of peace. Do any wish to speak?”
The minister of research raised his hand. “I nominate Geogram to speak. He has been studying the planet Earth and has come to me with an idea.”
Geogram swallowed. He ran through his proposal in his mind once more. After studying human languages, his native tongue felt strange in his mouth. “Earth’s nations are fractured, but they have recently succeeded in ending a great conflict through diplomacy.”
A great murmur filled the room. It was broken by the minister of resources. “Why have they experienced conflict in the first place?”
“Well, this is their second world conflict, which they call war,” Geogram explained, using the human term. “Their technology is primitive, but it mirrors the Moadites—meaning they might actually understand our enemy.”
“You wish us to ally with aggressive beings?” cried the yellow-skinned minister of medicine.
Geogram rallied his nerve. “I understand your concern, Minister, but this is why I believe they will be invaluable to us. They were aggressive with one another, I admit, but the inhabitants of Earth are also capable of great compassion and forgiveness.”
“How can you assure us that their peace is reliable?” the minister of resources spoke again. “A second world conflict only proves that they are a changeable species. How would we be able to trust their resolve to help us?”
“My research shows that the inhabitants of Earth—humans—do not have a single planetary government. They are composed of multiple nations and have multiple leaders. The closest they have to a planetary-wide governing body is what they call their United Nations, in which they aim to work in harmony,” Geogram explained.
“How does that help us?” asked the minister of education. Her skin rippled green.
“One such nation, the Americans, did not initiate their world conflict, but were instrumental in ending it. I am sure that if we contact the Americans first, they will help us end our own conflict without the need of weapons.”
The minister of education stared back at him blankly. “What is a weapon?”
“I apologize for my slip of language.” Geogram looked around to see that the ministers were all waiting for an explanation. “A weapon is a tool used for inflicting harm or injury upon another. That which the Moadites use against us can be considered as such.” As if to emphasize his point, a distant assault on their deflectors caused the council chambers to rumble. Everyone in the room ducked and eyed the ceiling.
The minister rippled green again, thinking, and said, “I see, but even if they are capable of bringing peace, why would the people of Earth help us?”
“Computer, if we should not petition the humans for their help, what is the most likely course to follow?” Geogram called out.
A voice answered him, ringing throughout the room. “If you do not petition the humans for their help, there is a ninety-seven percent certainty that the Moadites shall capture Zalma within the next decade. There is a seventy-three percent certainty that Earth will be their next target.”
Another murmur filled the council chamber, but it was the minister of medicine who spoke up once again. “Be that as it may, we should not consider dealing with a species that inflicts injury upon one another. First Minister Ronderra, please put a stop to this.”
Ronderra addressed the council. “I share your concerns, Minister. I too do not wish to broker an alliance with this violent species, but Geogram speaks the truth. These Americans were not the aggressors, and yet they have found a way to end their world’s conflict. That is what we need.”
Geogram inclined his head. “Thank you, First Minister.”
“All you know is what they choose to transmit,” Geogram heard the minister of education grumble as her green skin took on a more yellowish hue.
“My daughter and I have cross-referenced transmissions from different governments to verify the information,” he said, loud enough for her and others to hear.
“So, what are you proposing?” she asked, clearly still not convinced.
Geogram’s mind raced, his daughter’s translations of Earth’s peace talks sparking a daring plan to seek their aid. “I propose we send a ship. I will go to negotiate with them, taking on the role of ambassador, a human term for those who represent their people. Since my daughter has also learned their languages well, I believe she will be useful for communication.”
The minister of transportation leaned forward. “Are you both planning to go alone?”
“The journey will take many moons, far longer than any of us have traveled among the stars before. No. If my daughter and I are to go, we will require a team to fly and attend to the ship—a captain, an engineer, a scientist, and perhaps others,” Geogram replied.
“And what would you do when you arrive there?” asked the minister of habitation. She seemed worried, her skin fluttering back and forth between white and its usual pinkish hue.
Geogram was glad to have an answer for her. “We plan to observe and determine those who are safe to contact. I will then petition them for aid.”
The minister of medicine turned up his nose. “What kind of aid do you expect from them?”
“We require a peacemaker, do we not?” Geogram asked. “I shall ask them for one. And, should our negotiations with the Moadites fail, I will ask for their help to defend our planet.”
The council’s skin flickered in a rainbow of doubt, but Geogram pressed on.
The minister of education spoke, “You will bring their peacemakers here?”
“I will, and, if necessary, those trained to deter conflict.” These words brought forth an outcry.
The minister of medicine was the first to rise from his seat. “You plan to bring aggressors? Here?”
“What if they bring harm to us?” exclaimed the minister of resources.
“It is the only way for us to be properly prepared. They will not be a threat to us. We all know that the Land will protect us from a few humans, but there is only so much our guardian can do against the aggressors of Moad,” Geogram replied, keeping his voice calm.
“There is no way for you to be certain,” the minister of education accused.
“Our nanite technology will not bring harm. If they use it to build their weapons, then their weapons will not work against us,” Geogram assured her.
First Minister Ronderra, who had stayed out of the discussion thus far, gave an approving nod. “And you will ensure this how? They have already proven quite capable of destruction with their own weapons.”
Geogram paused. How will we ensure this? “They will see the advantage of our technology. In return for their help, we will share with them our fabricators and our teachings. Any weapon or tool they create using the fabricators shall contain nanites, and therefore will be unable to cause harm to us. We shall be safe, and we shall resolve this peacefully.”
The council members murmured again, but one by one, they nodded in agreement.
“I am certain of our success,” Geogram continued with confidence. “The Land has protected our home and people thus far, but our deflectors are failing, and the Moadites’ attacks of fire are getting bigger and causing more damage. This is our only hope to stop them.”
“My concern now is for the Moadites. Will the humans bring harm to them?” the minister of medicine asked.
Geogram hesitated. “If necessary…,” he began quietly, and the room filled with a buzz of dissent, but Geogram spoke over them. “If necessary, they will use their weapons, not to bring harm, but as a deterrent against further harm. We shall not accept harm inflicted upon our aggressors, and I will make this clear to the humans. With the Land’s guidance, we shall prevail without injury.”
As soon as he was done, voices filled the room louder than ever before.
Ronderra raised his hands, and the voices died down. “Are there any other options?” The room was silent. “Then, we will now vote. Who wishes to move forward with the suggestion that Geogram has put forth?”
Most of the council members begrudgingly raised a hand. Geogram’s skin flickered blue and red as his hope and fear twisted together. Zalma’s fate was now in his hands.
“The vote is in favor. Is there anything else we wish the council to address?”
No one spoke.
“Very well. Geogram, you may proceed. We send you and your chosen team to Earth to recruit help against our aggressors. May the Land protect and guide you. Meeting adjourned.”
[Geogram’s mission began out of desperation, but it would end in hope. Sometimes the most important decisions are made not by leaders, but by ordinary people willing to take extraordinary risks.]
Length: 12k words
Formats: eBook • Paperback • Audiobook (planned)
ISBNs: 978-1-7781914-9-7 • 978-1-0688457-0-3
Reviews & Reader Notes
- I’ve always wondered what could have happened after the Roswell crash.
Tony B. Richard has fleshed out one possibility. From the crash and the people involved in covering and keeping secrets to the creation of Area 51 and how it got its name. - I really enjoyed this story. The first contact between humans and aliens likely won’t go well. In this scenario, the Zalmen are fortunate enough to have contact with humans who want to help them, not kill or imprison them, which in itself is refreshing. It’s as much a study in human nature, gender and racial equality, and learning lessons in humility as it is about aliens. It’s also refreshing to have a sci-fi story where girls and women contribute equally in a man’s world and are treated with respect – mostly. A very imaginative and complex story.
- Set in the late 1940s, this storyline has a different point of view than the typical “found tech” theme. Add to that the staunchly pacifist nature of the aliens and you get a mellow story, with interesting conflicts, no major deaths and the anticipated outcome. Well written with good character development, and hopefully the beginning of a new series.
For Educators & Parents
High-interest, classroom-friendly. Discussion prompts available in the Classroom Guide. Themes: courage, conscience, bystander intervention, diplomacy vs. fear, bias & first impressions.
This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is purely coincidental.