Matt’s phone buzzed again, crawling across the table like it wanted out. “Answer it,” T’mari said, eyes on her tablet. “Or turn it off.” “If I turn it off, Angelina will materialize by sheer will,” Matt said. The wall screen floated with edits. “That title is dead,” T’mari added.
When alien refugees descend toward Earth, a military command center scrambles to understand their intentions as Missouri becomes ground zero for humanity’s future.
Samuel Darrin joins Matt Marmaduke and T’mari Th’ron in the Freeholder’s private theater for a pointed discussion on sovereignty, logistics, integration, and the reality behind the starships parked in orbit—and one in the yard.
At the Freehold’s first real evening gathering with their new V’ren neighbors, jokes, food, and quiet moments of trust reveal just how much—and how quickly—life is changing for everyone involved.
Matt and L’tani’s high-speed road trip to the lake turns from reckless fun into a heartfelt mission of healing as they meet with Matt’s cousin and her blind daughter. Amid teasing, threats, and tenderness, a bond forms—and the possibility of restoring sight brings new hope.
In a single day, Matt Marmaduke buried his past, saved two lives, welcomed spies, and fielded millions of opinions. June 3, 2440 saw Freehold tested—and strengthened—by blood, barbecue, and diplomacy. From social media flare-ups to citizenship offers and sacred rituals, the world saw a new kind of power take root on Missouri soil.
Global headlines and social media explode as Matt Marmaduke, Freeholder of Missouri, offers sanctuary to 120,000 V’ren refugees. His defiant, grounded leadership redefines first contact—turning a cornfield into the fulcrum of human history.
On June 1, 2440, less than 24 hours after the Calnareth’s unplanned Missouri landing, Freeholder Matt Marmaduke answers direct questions about first contact, rapid response, and the challenges of welcoming 100,000 alien refugees into the Freehold.
Over a simple farm dinner, Matt offers T’mari the ancient welcome of his family’s land—guest right at his hearth and table. Between shared histories, cultural respect, and talk of futures under open skies, a bond begins to form, rooted in hospitality and the promise of sanctuary.
T’monn stared out the window, the Missouri night rolling past in streaks of dark and light.
“If you told them to leave,” she said, “they would. But most would rather stay.”
Matt didn’t answer right away. The red demon called Pickup growled beneath them, chasing its own headlights through the gravel dark.
“They’re not going anywhere,” he said. “This is home now.”
Matt and T’mari face the cameras for the first time since the V’ren’s unplanned arrival. She offers grace, he offers grounded reassurance—and when the first silly question lands, he sighs, answers, and moves on. It’s diplomacy, Freehold-style: do the work, absorb the nonsense, keep the mission on track.
At noon local time, V’ren medics announced two new vaccines—one for their crew, one for humans. Matt Marmaduke took the first dose personally. A public Q&A is scheduled for later this evening.