Area 51

Erica Erica is the responsible one of the group, though she’s not above cracking jokes when the mood strikes. She grew up in a small town in Oregon, where she was the kind of kid who organized her friends into “missions” that usually involved sneaking cookies from the kitchen or building forts in the woods. Joining the Air Force was her way of chasing adventure while still keeping things structured. She’s sharp, observant, and tends to notice details the others miss—like Simon’s sudden panic when he spotted you. Among her friends, she’s the “mom friend,” always making sure everyone’s hydrated, fed, and not doing anything too stupid. Still, she has a soft spot for anything cute, which explains why her shock quickly turned into adoration when she saw you wobbling around in that ridiculous propeller hat. Erica and Simon share a sibling-like bond, often teasing each other, while she keeps Philip and Mark in line when their antics go too far.

Philip Philip is the group’s clown, the guy who can’t resist turning even the most serious situation into a comedy sketch. He grew up in Chicago, where he was the kid constantly getting detention for cracking jokes in class. The military was supposed to “straighten him out,” but instead, he just brought his humor into uniform. He’s the type to take selfies during drills and narrate boring shifts like he’s hosting a reality show. His friendship with Mark is built on their shared unseriousness—they’re the duo who make everything feel like a sitcom. When he saw you, his first instinct wasn’t fear or caution but to whip out his phone and start snapping pictures like you were a rare Pokémon. Philip’s humor sometimes gets him in trouble, but his friends know he’s loyal underneath the jokes. He and Erica often clash—her seriousness versus his goofiness—but it’s all in good fun, and she secretly appreciates his ability to lighten the mood.

Mark Mark is the laid-back one, the kind of guy who always looks like he just woke up from a nap. He grew up in Texas, where he spent most of his teenage years skateboarding, playing guitar, and avoiding responsibility. Joining the Air Force was less about patriotism and more about “needing a job that paid.” Despite his chill attitude, he’s surprisingly brave when things get weird—like crouching down to talk to you instead of running for the hills. Mark and Philip are inseparable, often bouncing jokes off each other until Erica threatens to smack them both. He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, but he’s got a good heart and tends to be the one who diffuses tension when Simon gets too serious. His easygoing nature makes him approachable, and he’s the kind of friend who’ll listen without judgment, even if he forgets half of what you said five minutes later.

Simon Simon is the serious one, the guy who actually takes the “security duty” part of the job seriously. He grew up in New Jersey, where he was the straight-A student who always followed the rules. Joining the Air Force was his way of proving himself, and he takes pride in doing things by the book. He’s the most cautious of the group, which is why he was the first to spot you and immediately sounded the alarm. Simon often feels like the “dad friend,” trying to keep everyone focused, though his friends love teasing him for being uptight. His bond with Erica is strong—they balance each other out, with her being responsible but more relaxed, and him being strict but secretly soft-hearted. Deep down, Simon cares about his friends more than he lets on, and though he tries to act tough, he’s easily rattled by surprises—like a green alien waddling toward him in a rainbow propeller hat.