Announcement

**Alexander Tau** · 05-22-2009, 01:38 PM

Chapter 2

I climb the stairs. My first look at Mark does not help my state of mind any. He looks like a wreck. Dark circles under his eyes and skin should not be that color unless you are a dead fish.

“Bobby man am I glad to see you.”

“You look like crap.”

“I feel worse and so will you in about 5 minutes.”

I just looked at him with the question on my face.

“Alright... alright. I have had a lot of time to think about how I was going to do this so here goes. Most of the last 24 hours has been spent trying to prove that what I am about to show you is fake. Somehow she found the cameras and fed this video to me. That is the only logical explanation.”

“But!”, Mark says jabbing a finger upwards. “But it is not a fake. Or if it is it is so good a fake that I cannot believe anyone outside of Steven Spielberg could have done it.”

“So what is Steven up to these days?” I joked.

“According to his publicist he is scouting locations in Brazil.” he replies deadpan.

“Your kidding?”

“I called. He has a public office. I called and I asked. Told you man I am going out of my mind.”

It was at this moment that my annoyance at being up and here gave way to worry about my friend. If he was not kidding then he was not well. Something was wrong.

“So tell me why it cannot be a fake?” I asked still feeling very much in the dark but wanting to play along for now.

He brightened a bit at my show of interest in his problem, my problem but I did not know that yet.
“Well first the cameras have not been touched. I have digital alignment references on all of them and nobody as as much as nudged them. Second I checked the feeds. There is no break anywhere. If someone had cut in there would have to be some little hiccup somewhere. Nothing. Then the moment itself man I have gone over that frame by frame. Every light source is perfect. The reflections are right. Nobody is that good. Nobody!” Mark explains in a bit of a rush,

“I guess you had better show it to me then.”

“Ok. Ok. But first I have to explain. When you asked me not to watch her get undressed I really did listen. I am a little surprised but at the first snap or button each night I cur off the tapes. I even deleted them so I would not be tempted. 8 days man. But then you started to think there was nothing really going on and I knew you would want to stop soon.”

“I am sorry but I watched. For a couple of days it was just her getting naked, taking a shower and going to bed. But then... But then something else happened.”

“What something else happened?” I asked with my annoyance coming back. I was impressed that he managed 8 days I wondered how I would have done had our positions been reversed.

“Ok. You better sit down. One last time. I swear on my life this is not a joke.”

I sit and look at the wide monitor screen before me. The image is of her bedroom, empty.

Isabelle opens the door and walks in. She tosses a jacket on the bed.

“So am I supposed to be looking for something here?” I ask in wonder.

Mike shakes his head a few more times than necessary before he says, “You'll see. Watch.”

She starts to undress. For a moment I smile looking at her. Then I remember when I am and I turn to glare at Mike. He should not have been watching this in the first place.

“I know. I know. But as painful as this is going to be I think you deserve to know.” he says with a look that would do Yoda proud.

I snort and turn back to screen.

Ok she is naked now. Wow is just not good enough.

But then...

Her skin started to change color. It grew darker.

Her beautiful blond hair became these light green tendrils. Her skin was green now. Those fine facial features became sharper and her nose almost disappeared.

Green.

Isabelle had been standing at a slight angle to the camera. Now she turns to directly face it. Mike taps his mouse and the image freezes.

“I do not know what she is my friend. But she ain't human.” says Mike in a voice straight out of the Twilight Zone.

I sat stunned beyond words. I wanted to reject the images. To deny what was in front of my eyes.

But I knew it was true. Somehow it just fit. All the weirdness, the sex, everything just added right up perfectly. To an insane conclusion but just to one insane conclusion.

My girlfriend was not human.

**Alexander Tau** · 05-22-2009, 02:24 PM

Chapter 3

How do you recover from a blow like this. If I ever do I will let you know. I think I sat for a very long time not really thinking at all. Mike seemed to understand and just waited for me to speak.

In that moment I felt my life slipping away from me. Everything I had done was fuzzy. Things of meaning were like smoke scented with hints of a memory.

Eventually I focused on Mike. He gave me a very weak smile.

“When we started this...” I began and then stopped. Another long moment of just sitting and then I continued as if I had not paused, “I was terrified beyond rational thought. I broke the law, I broke her trust, I let my scumdog best friend ogle my girl... all to prove what?”

I shook my head.

“I do not know what that is.” I say pointing at the screen.

“But I have to know. I hope you are a moron and missed something. That would mean I will lose my girl and perhaps have to talk to the police if she is feeling vindictive. Funny. That is the optimistic me talking.” a very mirth-free chuckle follows that last line.

“But if that image is real. Then I need to know. Maybe we all need to know.”

My brain kicked into gear. I had a goal now and from than a plan naturally formed. That was my particular talent. Tell me what you have and what you want and I will tell you how to make it happen. It has made me a reasonable amount of money so far.

“She will be on her way to work by now. I will meet her at her place when she gets home. Off schedule which might throw her a little. Usually I feel guilty when I do that but this time I am going to use it to my advantage. Wish me luck buddy.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” he asks.

“No I want you to get some sleep. Whatever this means it has happened and you are no good to me like you are now. I will call you after I talk to her.”

“Bobby I am sorry. For well... that.”

“Mike I never should have asked you to do any of this. I hope I am about to be mocked and ridiculed by the woman I love. Even that will not be what I deserve for doing this to her, to you, and to myself.”

Amazing how clear you see things when it is far too late.

'Just in case the insane is true I am going to need something. My pistol.' I thought to myself as I left Mike sputtering promises to get some rest.

**Alexander Tau** · 05-22-2009, 02:28 PM

Author's Comments

That is all I have written so far but I have the whole Story plotted out. In movie pitch terms this is 'Romeo and Juliet meets the X-Files'. But I promise the first part of that is not a simple plot steal.

Like MetaWar this too started as an idea for a Radio-style series of episodes. Always wanted to see how many cliff-hanger moments I could come up with.

It has changed a bit since then but still pretty similar.

A.T
(-)

**Alexander Tau** · 05-23-2009, 02:25 PM

Chapter 4

I have a lot of time to think while she is working.

Would it be trite to say too much? Probably. But I think I had reached a fairly calm state by the time I was driving over to her condo. I had come to believe that the only possible answer was that she had discovered the cameras. Despite Mike's protests I think anyone can be fooled and that just had to be it.

Once I really decided this I could look at the other possibility with more detachment. Could she be alien? Ok yes she could. I am not one of those people who think humans are it. Science has found billions of galaxies out there. The number of stars is beyond comprehension.

It is not a fantastic conclusion hell I made it when I was 12 years old. What we do not know about our own planet is still a pretty big list. What we do not know about the universe is an infinite list. Essentially we know nothing. Only human arrogance makes us shout 'We are it!'.

So could she be an alien or some other form of life, yes. Was she? No.

Despite what I had seen I just did not believe it.

I parked down the street from her usual spot and waited. She came home at 5:47 which was pretty close to normal. Watching her go inside was like watching the walls close in. I had come to accept I was about to lose her. My heart hurt already and I knew it would only get worse.

Getting out of the car was hard. Walking even harder. I will not embarrass myself by admitting how long I stood before her door. The sound of the door bell was so normal but at that moment they were the 'Chimes of Doom'.

Life had taken on a heightened quality. I heard her footsteps as she walked to the door. Her hand touching the latch was like a thunderclap, the click of the lock even louder. The door knob rattled as she wrapped her delicate fingers about it's smooth metal surface.

I wondered how I was going to get through this. All my preparation and resolve melted into the sweat suddenly pouring out of me.
Shifting from one foot to the other the weight of the gun in it's holster brought me back. Hooked to my belt at the small of my back it reminded me this was no childish matter.

She smiled when she saw me. But her expression drooped a little as she looked at me.

“Robert is something wrong?” became her first question.

“Seems so babe.” I say as I walk past her into her place. Seeing the condo from my new perspective I was impressed again with how much subtle luxury was on display. She had a great job, big bucks, but still this place spoke of more than that. I had always just accepted it but now it bothered me.

A few steps takes me in the the main room. High ceilings and lots of windows make for a very open place. Mostly done in light earth tones the condo is a very relaxing place. Big plants cover whole swaths of wall space.

I run both hands across my face. Delaying. How to start?

She does not seem angry. Concerned is all I can see. Is she that good an actress? Does she want to really stick the knife in and twist it? A baseball bat when I walked in the door I would have understood. Welcomed really. At least that would have been quick with little need to talk about it.

“When did you find the cameras?” I ask. Start bold no other choice now.

She looks puzzled.

“What cameras? My digital one is in the drawer over there if you need it?” she asks. The picture of innocence.

“Isabelle if you wanted to fuck with me you succeeded. You scrambled my brains and made a nervous wreck out of Mark. I have never been slammed so hard in my life. You are the Queen of payback. I bow before you. Now please just cut off my head and be done with it. You win. I'm pondscum and I fully admit it.” I say in an angry rush.

I am breathing hard by the time I am done.

She is shaking her head. Her eyes are wide and emotions play across her features. Confusion. Hurt, Worry, Fear... and oh yeah Anger.

“What the HELL are you talking about? What happened to you? Something is wrong with Mark? I do not understand anything you just SAID!”

Wow. So that is what she looks like angry. Even prettier. I am so doomed.

“So that is how you wish to play it?” my anger goes up a notch. Enough is enough.

“I am not playing anything you moron.” she throws back.

I stalk across the room. The luxury of her condo includes a fireplace. On the right side at about 5 feet up is a small access grate. Not something anyone normally uses it is meant to qualified maint people to work on the gas mechanisms.

It was a perfect spot for camera #1. I pull it out and toss it across the room into her lap.

Isabelle picks it up and looks at it. I think she recognizes what it is but I am not sure as I say, “Follow me.” and head into the bedroom.

Her footsteps are slow. I get to her room and up into the air vent before she reaches the door. The mini screwdriver I had carried with me makes short work of extracting camera #2.

I toss it on the bed.

She is standing in the doorway. I see a tear run down one cheek.

I look at her. All my words seems pointless. She simply has to pronounce my doom and I will slink off into my hole. Drinking myself to death seems appropriate.

SLAP “Bastard!” both of them hurt.

She turns and runs out of the room. I follow.

When I reach the living room she is on the love seat that looks out across her backyard. We have sat there often watching people play volleyball or children chase each other. I feel I should say something before I leave so I begin to walk across the room towards her.

“Stop.” She says.

I freeze.

“Why? Why did you do this?” she asks in a voice that is awash with tears and pain.

“Why is the reason. I had to know why we cannot have a normal life. I love you. You must know that but I had to know the rest.” I explain slowly.

“Well now we will have no life at all.” she says with a long sad sigh.

“I know. I am sorry. I will go and leave you alone.” I say the line I have been waiting to say.

Her eyes narrow. Anger returns.

“You think that will matter? You could not have told me all this tonight when it was safe could you? Did you ever stop to think for one second that maybe everything weird about our life was to protect you? Run anywhere you like, the end will be the same. Yours, and mine.”

She breaks down sobbing.

Now I was confused.

“Look you do not really think I bought your little special effects show do you? Ok you blew Mark's mind and whoever you got must have cost a fortune. But I am not that gullible. You found the cameras and you set up the show. Drop the act. Please?” I half blustered and half pleaded with her.

A long moment of silence.

Her crying stops. Loud snuffles and bright red eyes make her pretty face ugly.

“How did I fall in love with such a fool.” she says in a voice that drips contempt.

Her skin begins to change.

It darkens. Her face sharpens and her nose almost vanishes. Looking at her the texture of her skin is even different. Hair becomes fine tendrils and the whole event takes about 10 seconds.

“Now you know.” Her voice is only slightly altered. My Isabelle's voice.

“And now we are both going to die.”

Turns out I was right. She did pronounce my doom.

**Alexander Tau** · 05-23-2009, 06:22 PM

Chapter 5

I was scared now. I never really faced this possibility and that was a mistake.

All on it's own my right hand went behind my back. The snap seemed loud as I released the pistol and pulled it free. I brought my arm around so the gun would be visible but I did not point it at her.

“Are you threatening me Isabelle?” I asked in a shaky voice.

She did not answer but her form slowly shifted back to human.

“We are all watched. Constantly. By now we have been seen and someone has been notified. We have a little time. Robert... I do not know what to say. I do love you. That is honest and real. It is also forbidden. I wish I could do something to change what is going to happen.” She sounded so sad.

It cut through my fear but my confusion remained, “Who is they? Who are you? Explain this to me please because I feel like I am losing my mind here! Is this some sort of invasion?” I demanded.

“We have lived on your planet for centuries. The invasion is over but we do not want control over your planet. What we do want is a steady supply of your resources. Each planet has a unique set of elements. Similar but special. Even your common carbon is very useful to us, very profitable to sell. ” she explains in a flat voice.

“What we do is capture material out of your air and transport it off your planet. Because of our particular methods this is better than direct mining or other extraction. We have... encouraged your society to pollute your air. As long as there is a massive and constant flow of material into your atmosphere our operations remain undetected.” her words were not what I expected. Too commercial. Too simple for aliens.

Still though, I did not like it.

“So what happens if we continue like this? If we never stop polluting so you can keep making money?” I asked.

She looks down for a moment and then says, “Eventually your Eco-system will reach a crisis point. This will start a destructive spiral that could easily destroy half the life on your planet.”

“How long?”

“10 years. We cannot be sure but the signs are everywhere. That. That is the reason for you. I mean that is the reason that you and I. I am not saying this right. Because after all my years here I know that I will be leaving soon. I wanted to experience human love, human sex, before I had to go. It was selfish and dangerous of me. Despite all my years of service the penalty for breaking these kinds of rules is inflexible. “

She stands up and moves a few steps towards me. The gun is down at my side and my finger is not on the trigger.

“I never thought you would know I swear to you. I never would have put you into danger. If I had thought for a moment you had real suspicions about me I would have kept you away. You have to believe that. Please believe that.” she pleads.

I take a couple of steps back and feel instantly guilty. The hurt in her eyes is obvious.

“Sorry. I am freaked out. But lets say I believe you. Lets go to the cops. If your people are going to kill us then what do we have to lose?” I ask.

She shakes her head.

“The authorities will not help us. We do have controls Robert we simply do not use them. There are ways to program the minds of human beings. It only takes moments but can be very comprehensive. Nobody will help us.” she tells me sadly.

I hold up the gun.

“Then we will have to fight them ourselves. You may be an alien but I am an American. We do not just give up we are too ornery for that.” I felt a little pride saying that. Even more pride that it was really true.

Again she shakes her head.

“No point. Too many of them. Give me the gun Robert lets die with dignity.”

“Are you kidding me? No.”

She moves closer. I am feeling scared.

I cock the hammer and clear the safety.

“Stop Is. Really stop. If people are really going to come for me, for us, I am not just going to quit.”

She moves forward again. I level the gun. My hand shakes.

“Don't Isabelle. Please don't.”

She stops. I lower the gun a little.

“Robert you do not understand.” and she moves for the gun. I panic.

The gun comes up.

BANG!

She grunts and falls backward. Blood. Red Blood.

“Isabelle!” I cry and fall down next to her.

“Run Robert. I love you but run!” she tells me before her eyes close and her breathing ceases.

**Alexander Tau** · 05-24-2009, 02:36 PM

Chapter 6

Not sure why but my brain was working. I wiped my hands on a towel and put my gun away. With one last look at the body that used to be the woman I loved I ran.

Out the door. To my car. Pulling away. No sign of anybody looking for me.

Calling Mike I get nothing. I try a couple times but still no luck. Every time I see a cop I get cold chills but nothing happens.

Mike's house goes by on the right and I find an open slot about a block down. A nice empty space directly in front of a different house. I walk quickly to Mike's place. Knocking gets me nowhere so I go for his 'drunk key'. Making sure to lock the door behind me I call out his name.

“Mike?”

Nothing.

“YO MIKE!” I shout.

“what?” comes the sleepy reply.

“Get up we got big trouble coming pal.” I say still rather loudly.

Suddenly realizing my need for something to drink I head into his kitchen. There was a small entranceway that leads into the main room. From there you could go upstairs or directly across into the kitchen.

Mike always had some Vodka and I went for it. By the time he was downstairs and looking at me with sleep-filled eyes I was on my fourth long draw on the bottle.

“What the hell happened to you? You do not sound like a eunuch so I guess you have not talked to the hottie yet.” he joked.

The look on my face could have killed a deer at ten paces.

“She really was an alien. It was not a joke. Turns out there are a lot of them and they are helping us screw up the planet so they can make a credit or whatever they call it. We talked. We fought. And she tried to take my gun away from me. She said that people would kill me because I know all this. And when she tried to take the gun, I fired. She is dead Mike.”

His face fell and he sputtered a bit.

“Yeah take a moment to process it. You have a couple. Or at least you have until someone bangs on that door over there with orders to kill me. And if they know about you I suspect they will kill you too.”

Another long pull on the bottle. I was feeling it now.

“So buddy you have a choice. Go on the run with me. Or sit here and hope they do not know about anything you have done. I will need all the recordings. Not sure what I can do with them but I will take whatever advantage I can get.” I offered my friend in a slightly slurred voice.

“Wait Bobby. Slow down and tell me what happened again.” mike asks looking for some time to think about what is happening.

I look at the bottle in my hands and find it empty. With a snort of disgust I toss it towards the sink. CRASH and it breaks. Glass flys across the counter.

“Bobby Dammit! What did you do that for?” mike asks angrily.

I smile. I am deep in the darkness now. Acceptance has come along with the wave of booze.

“You are not going to care about that when this all finally sinks in my friend. You will gather your stuff and load your van pretty soon. Come with me.” I say as I head out of the room.

Upstairs to that bloody computer.

I watched him enough this last week to be able to call up the feed from the living room camera. I find the proper spot and set it playing.

Mike watches us enter the room and listens to us speak. I need more vodka but he says that he does not have anymore.

We reach the point at which I pull the camera out of the fireplace. The video starts to bobble but the sound stays clear. When we leave the room I tell him, “I got the other camera too but we will be back in the living room.”

And of course we are.

The rest of the afternoon at Isabelle plays out. He gets to hear all of it. As the end approaches I cannot sit there. I am up pacing the length of the room. When she says we should accept death I leave the room.

Down the stars!
All the way to the front door.
I slam into it. Probably feel that in the morning.
Tears.
Even this far away I still hear the shot.
Sobs.

“Isabelle.” even as a whisper my voice cracks.

I realize that no matter what she was, no matter how many lies she told, there was one thing that was the truth. She loved me. I loved her too.

And I killed her out of fear.

I deserve to die. I deserve to be punished.

The gun is a heavy weight at my back. I have worn it so long now I am used to it. But it can bring justice. For one long moment I hang on the edge of that thought.

No. No not that easy.

I was already dead. The Reaper was nearing my name on his list. But there are aliens on my planet. They would have killed her. They will kill me.

Eventually. And oh the smile that came across my face. The entire focus of the remainder of my existence would be spent killing the people that would have killed my Isabelle. First them, then me.

Life took on a new sharpness because I now had focus. Still blurry from the vodka but when a human being puts 100% of their mind, body, and spirit on one task they can do amazing things.

It also means you become a world-class asshole. But that is just how it goes.

I go back up the stairs.

Mike is just sitting slumped forward a bit. Eyes half open.

“You did not get my cameras.” he says in a heavy voice.

“No I did not. But I do not think that matters.” I say flatly.

“You don't think it matters! Accessory to murder ring a bell?” he asks with sarcasm dripping.

I sigh and shake my head. Time to get a little mean because we do not have time to waste. Something tells me to hurry.

“Mike get your head screwed on straight. I know there is a brain in that HUGE head so please use it. Isabelle was not HUMAN! “ I shout the last line and both of my hands come up, fingers curled tight, then my hands pop open all my fingers to make the BIG point.

“Take even the thought that this is all somehow a joke and throw it the fuck away. Right now you have 5 minutes to make a decision. Are you with me or not? I am on the run from some world controlling alien sons of bitches and I have very little time.”

This comes fast now, “I am going to grab money and some of my wilder friends. We are going to run like hell and kill anybody who comes to take us. We will all of course die. I freely admit that is my personal goal. But I am going to take some of them with me. For her. And then I will die because I killed her.”

I walk away from him. Afraid that if he asks some childish question I might shoot him. Funny that has always been an idle threat between us. Nothing is idle anymore. Nothing but getting a whole bunch of them matters at all. I owe Mike that chance but I do not know if he will take it.

Don't much care in all honesty.

I waited anyway.

**Alexander Tau** · 05-24-2009, 11:27 PM

Chapter 7

Mike was locked in indecision. I was starting to think I should get going without him when a knock at a door made up both jump. My heart sank to my feet. Then I realized it was coming over the net from the cameras I had left behind.

Another knock followed then silence.

We jumped again when someone walked right by the still active camera. Black pants were visible for a moment.

“Mike if you are coming with me now would be the time to get your stuff.” I say offhandedly.

He says nothing.

In Isabelle's apartment we hear, “Yeah she is here and bloody. Bring the crew up.”

A few moment later there is more noise. People begin to move about and both camera's show flashes of activity. Very quiet though nobody seems to be saying much. Both cameras are picked up and deposited together in the living room.

They move about for maybe 10 minutes. Before anything understandable comes across.

“Can you believe this? Her? With one of them?” says a male voice.

“This is going to generate new directives. All our lives are going to be difficult because of her.” says a female voice.

“How could she do it? Did these have something to do with it.?” the first voice asks. The camera's show fingers pushing them around.

“No those are human. Somehow she got a personal friend assigned to late night monitor duty. That gave her a window of freedom every night.” answers the female.

My head came up at this statement. Someone had helped her?

“We have her. I expect an example to be made.” says another male voice.

“So what about these?” again with the fingers pushing the cameras around.

“We think he put them in to spy on her. Typical human. No trust.” says the female.

“Do we have him yet?”

“No. He has not returned to his apartment. I have a team waiting for him. Probably out getting drunk.” says the female voice.

I flipped the screen the bird. Her insight into my actions pissed me off.

“They are waiting for you dude.” says Mike in a scared voice.

“I am never going back there. They will be waiting for a while. Stay or go buddy. Decide now.” I say.

“Do you want anything from all of this?” he asks with his hand sweeping his whole electronics set-up.

“Yes. I need the initial transformation recording and copies of today and right now. Load your van but leave room for a couple of other people. Do you still have that remote model rocket trigger?” I ask with my mind racing though possibilities.

“Sure?” he replies obviously not understanding why I would want that.

“Get your shit. I have some stuff to do.”

I turn the volume on his computer all the way up so I can keep listening. They do not say much for a while but they are moving around doing something. The remote trigger could fire off multiple rockets without a reset. Mike always had to go that extra step. It was wireless and he had a bunch of the receiver/igniter pairs.

Most of what I needed was in the garage and was easy to find. Mike was hauling half-closed bags of clothes into his van. His electronic gear was much more carefully packed.

He was going to cut the connection to the cameras but I stopped him.

“Leave it running.” I said to his puzzled face.

“And I want the laptop that runs your home system on my seat in your van.” I also ordered.

That made a little sense to him so he did not argue.

We were about done when there was a little more discussion at Isabelle's.

“So what about these?” asked the second male voice. The image from the cameras showed them in his hand. Audio begins to break up a bit.

“Track them. They are still run <inaudible> be easy.” says the female.

“Dammit! I told you.” Mike curses.

“Yes it will bring them right here. I hate to wait. Lets go.” I order with a smile.

Someone helped Isabelle and I. She was beyond my reach and might stay that way. But it was something.

I have Mike drive about a mile away. We pull over in a out of the way spot. The laptop gives me interior and exterior views of Mike's former residence. The rocket control is on the dash.

We don't have long to wait. Four black SUVs pull up in front of the house. Only a few people get out at first. A pair go to check out my car down the street.

'Ok so they are not fooled by simple tricks. I will remember that.' I think to myself. I had hoped the car might confuse them. Someone without an exact address might have thought the house my car was in front of was Mike's. They were dead on.

I tap the control to activate the speakers inside the entranceway and say “COME IN.”

The pair at the door look at each other and walk inside.

They look surprised not to see me. I activate the speakers upstairs.

“I would rather keep some distance between us.” I say in a more normal voice.

“I think you should come downstairs. You are under arrest for the murder of Isabelle Clark.” says the male of the pair. I have gotten a good look at both of them, the other is young and female. Both have long coats that could be covering a lot. They look human.

“Well on this planet the authorities always identify themselves.” I say.

“FBI. Come downstairs or we will come up and get you.” says the man.

Hmmm... They are not that smart. That was lame.

“I would not be too hasty. I still have a gun.” I say just to slow them down.

They have guns too. Damn. Not kidding around either. The man has a large pistol that I think is a Desert Eagle. The girl has a Scorpion auto pistol.

Suddenly very glad I am sitting way over here.

“I would like to ask something first.” I say with a silent request to Isabelle to help me make this work.

“What would that be?” asks the woman. Her voice is no-nonsense and a little harsh. She smokes cigarettes I would bet. No wonder he does the talking.

“Isabelle had a friend. She was the one who watched the cameras at night. But I never knew her name and I would like to.” I explain.

“I believe that traditionally it will be we who are asking the questions. So I must decline your request.” she says.

“I noticed your species does not have much of a nose. Does that mean you sense of smell is limited?” I ask.

The two have moved forward into the middle room. They are looking up the stairs. They would have to be most of the way up to see anything but they try.

They both look puzzled. Looking first at each other and then around the room. The man glances into the kitchen and shakes his head.

“Why?” the female agent finally asks.

“Because despite all the masking spray I used I bet you can still smell the gasoline if you try,” I say.

Mike looks shocked. Then a huge grin spreads across his face. He slaps the seat three or four times and puts his other hand over his mouth to stifle the laughs.

I grin too but it is not a pretty sight.

On the screen the two are obviously trying to smell. Both are looking around the room more pointedly. They find one of the small containers of gas with the igniter attached.

The female waves the man to look to for more.

“Ah ah. No more touching. Please move to the center of the room.” I say.

They comply. They look pissed. Ok so they are tough. Good for them.

“Tell me her name and I will let you run out the front door. Otherwise you can burn.” I demand.

“Very well. Her name is Angelica Urbanto. Not that it will do you any good.” spits out the female.

“Thank you.” I say

I reach out and pick up the remote. I flip all the safeties off and one by one press all the triggers.

BAWOOSH BAWOOSH BAWOOSH

Muffled explosions fill the house with flames. I press the power button on the laptop to shut it down.

I only hear a loud curse before the screen goes blank.

“Drive Mike. Kat's house first.” I order.

He is as white as a ghost.

“But you said you would let them go.” he sputters as he puts the van in drive.

Why do people always make you say the most obvious of things?

“I lied. That's 2.” I say.

**Alexander Tau** · 05-25-2009, 01:51 PM

Chapter 8

Katherine Edwards lives on the edge of town. Not the best area but it allowed her to buy a big place. She is not a survivalist nut but she does love her guns. Spent a number of years in the army. Despite the ban on women in combat she manged to get into a a few serious firefughts.

Did well too. The Army does not ignore valor under fire and she was honored for her actions.

We called her Kat as a reference to kitty cat which she was not. She did favor women over men which was fine with me. She and Mike never got along but that was just not a factor anymore.

“You know she hates me right?” Mike asks as we near her house.

“She is not fond of you granted. But that seems unimportant right now.”

“It will be important if she pounds me into hamburger.” he retorts.

“Has she ever even said that?” I ask knowing the answer.

“Well no but still. She does not have to.”

That tells you a lot about her. She is formidable looking and has the skills to back it up. She does not like Mike much but never threatened him. The implied threat was all Mike's imagination. Kat did not think enough about him to work up a threat.

Mike stopped in the long driveway. I started to get out and said, “Pull up to the garage. I will get her ok for you to park there. Make sure to close the door. Bring the laptop with the recordings on it.”

Mike looks confused again.

“We are going to leave your Van here if she agrees to help. They will be looking for it now so we cannot take it until we head out.” I explain.

“Oh.” is all he says.

I walk to the front door and knock.

It takes a minute before she comes to the door. Not expecting guests I see.

“Hey Bobby. What cha doing here?” she asks through the screen.

“Need to talk Kar. Mike is with me. Can we park in your garage?” I ask.

She looks puzzled as this is not a normal request. We did it one other time when we were all going up into the mountains together. We left Mark's van here that time.

“Sure. Then come on in.”

I walk the few steps to wave at Mark. He gets out and goes for the garage door. I go back and inside the house.

Kat is dressed in a tight tanktop and light shorts. She is almost 6 feet tall and works out everyday. Hair is short but has a tendency to get shaggy. Right now it is getting close to her shoulders. The color is variable but right now it was a deep brown.

She is watching me as she offers a drink. When I ask for vodka she just nods as if expecting it.

Mike comes in with a laptop. He looks like a wreck. Kat offers him a beer which he grabs at like a dying man.

“Ok. Let's hear it.” she asks as she sits down across from me. Her living room was large. The huge TV dominated but there was a lot of space to get comfy.

I take a deep breath. Until I speak she is in no danger. Do I have the right to do this?

I need her.

“Kat. We are going to play some recordings for you. Your first thought is going to be that we are playing a trick on you. Look at me, look at him, we are not here to mess with you. I am in deep, deep shit and I need your help. Just watch.” I explain slowly looking right into her eyes the whole time.

She nods with a serious look on her face.

“Ok but if its porn there better not be in guys in it.” she jokes.

I tell her the basic story. When I get to the part about the cameras the look on her face turns dark. But I fill her in completely up to the first time I saw her transform on the screen and then Mike jumps in.

“We recorded this a few days ago.” Mike says as the initial scene plays out.

“Wow impressive effects.” Kat smirks.

“Then I went to talk to her.” I say with a nod to Mike.

He begins the playback right as I come into the living room with Isabelle. I decide I am going to stay this time. I know what is coming but I am not going to run from it. I did it. It happened. Nothing will change that and nothing will make it worse.

Kat's expression slowly changes. When we reach the point at which Isabelle changes before my eyes Kat looks at me. I nod and say, “Right in front of me. It is no trick Kat.”

Her eyes widen but she keeps her attention on the recording.

BANG!

One tear. That is all. But the pain is still raw and fresh.

“Mike can you show her the agents?” I ask. I believe she is convinced but she might as well see the rest of it.

“Sure. Give me a second.” Mike replies.

“You want to fight back don't cha Bobby” Kat asks me.

I nod.

“Already started. You told me once that you regretted you never really got your chance. No bullshit Kat they are going to blow me to hell. But before they do I have to hit back. I have no right to ask. I know that. I also know that if you say yes you will die along with me. But I am asking anyway.”

I pause, Mike is still working.

“If what Isabelle told me is true they are destroying the planet. I have to do something about that. I do not know what. I have no illusions I can stop them. But I can hurt them. I can try. And I have to try for her. Help me hurt them Kat.”

“I loved her too you know.” she says. That was true. I never understood the friendship between them. Always worried me a touch because Kat made no secret that if Isabelle and I ever broke up she would be waiting for her. All the other women in Isabelle's social circles could not stand Kat. Too different.

“Got it.” Mike says.

He plays the views from his home. Kat studies the agents and says “Pros. Well trained but not FBI. military I would say.”

When the explosions start and the recording ends she has a small smile on her face.

“That was pretty good boss. Here I was thinking we were just going to Bonny and Clyde our way to glory. But that was pretty slick. We might actually have a chance.” she says.

“Does that mean you are in?” I ask hopefully.

“Hell yes. What do we do first?” she asks.

**Alexander Tau** · 05-26-2009, 07:10 PM

Chapter 9

Kat had a nice four door car with fully tinted windows. Mike gathered up his gear and we went into the Garage.

Kat drove this time. We had three people to visit and some things to do. I had no idea how much time we had so our stops at two different banks came first. I had about $9,000 in my accounts all of which I took leaving only enough to keep the accounts open. Mike only had about $2,000 but Kat came back with a bag with nearly $20,000.

“Clean living” was all she said when mike whistled at the pile.

With money I felt a little better. We could move now and not leave a huge trail. But I still knew we had to get out of the city. Sooner would be better.

The three other stops we had to make were all guys. Close friends but more importantly each with skills that I could use. Skills I needed if I was going to do anything more than die with style.

I thought about all the people I wanted to say goodbye too. I have always been very social. From my parents on down a lot of people are going to miss me. They won't know what I did or why but they are part of why I am doing this.

Already past the moral question of should I tell them it was easier to present the story to each of them in turn. The reactions made a nice curve. Instant horror. Instant Acceptance. Instant Amazement. But in rapid time each decided to go along with me. They all have their reasons but what matters is they came along. After the first one agreed and came along we sent the other two directly to Kat's place.

From this moment onward we operated as a team. I was the boss and Kat was number two. Never had to discuss it much it just was a natural fit.

I was the most worried when we were all back at Kat's place. The decision to get money from our new recruit's accounts from outside the city had already been made. We swapped a set of license plates from one of Kat's old cars onto Mike's van. Between that and the car with the tinted windows we just barely had room for everything and everyone.

Kat had quite the array of weapons. Nothing illegal but pushing it in a few cases. She handed everyone a pistol and holster and loaded a box with a couple of shotguns and tools. Three more cases brought two high power hunting pieces and a semi-auto Mp5 model.

Handling the guns made it all very real to everyone. The jokes were lame and the laughs a bit strained.

The Six of us stood in Kat's living room. I felt like I had to say something.

What do you say to five people willing to sacrifice their lives for you? Not just me I knew. For Isabelle and maybe for the entire freaking planet too. But I asked.

I looked at all of them. Uneasy smiles. A wink from Kat.

“I do not know what I should say so I guess I just go with what I feel. I cannot thank each of you. To even try would be an insult. You are here and I am grateful just know that. Right now we need to get the hell out of town. Lets get.”

Ok not very good. But it got them moving.

Our trip out of town was uneventful. I did not let this go to my head as it seemed obvious I had done the radically unexpected. Isabelle said they did not really control the world but could influence any part of it. So they would set the whole machinery of law enforcement on our heads but it would take time.

Kat and I debated the rule of engagement as we rode in the van.

“Any of them, whatever they are called, is fair game. Lethal force encouraged. If it is a human and we somehow learn to tell the difference we go non-lethal if we can.” I say.

Kat snorts.

“Anybody who comes after us is going to be using lethal force. You are not telling me I have to play nice when they are not?” she throws back.

“If we can tell the difference...” I begin

“Then we will just have a whole lot more target to shoot at. She said that they can mind control us easily. So is the cop coming at me doing it because he is a cop and I have a warrant or is he doing it under the control of them? Do you think we will be able to tell the difference. And what the fuck does it matter anyway.” she asks.

I muse with pursed lips for a moment.

“We do what we have to do. If the planet really is at risk then that will be our justification.” I finally say.

“Works for me.” she says with a smile.

'She thinks she just won something,' I think to myself. 'But she just asked for permission to kill humans just doing their job. And I just said yes. We just both lost part of our souls.'

We travel all night. I want to put a lot of distance between us and our former home. When dawn finally breaks we stop in a very small town. Cheap motel that barely takes credit cards (which we do not use) and does not seem to have a security cam in sight.

Our cover story as a family was worked out along the way. It was weak but something for now. Traveling to a reunion across the country. Not having something to say makes people look awkward and that draws attention.

As it was we all got to sleep for a while. Kat came knocking at my door at Noon. 6 hours of sleep had helped but the hangover was not fun.

She wanted orders. I wanted coffee. We settled on the little diner attached to the motel. They would know what the town had to offer and she was welcome to ask as far as I was concerned.

While I drank and ate some decent eggs and bacon she went out and visited the two use car dealers in town. Both had an abundance of vans and other vehicles available. When she returned we discussed picking up a new set. Dumping the van and car well away from here would help cover our trail.

Dealer plates would do along with a nice story about a breakdown along the way. As long as our money held out we could swap vehicles a few times.

Just have to live that long.

Going in separately we would purchase 3 vehicles. Another sedan, a larger van and a specialty hauler. Not sure where this sucker came from but it was half a full semi-trailer in length. The back third held 2 dirt bikes and the front was living space.

Turns out it used to belong to a small local race team who fell on hard times. Kat took possession of this truck immediately. She promised to get the bikes ready to go in a couple of days.

Almost all of us had to drive something to get out of town and I do not think we were as subtle about it as I would have hoped. But soon enough we were 100 miles west and dumping the Van and car.

It was a bit emotional for Mike. He had had the van for a while.

“The sooner we get some distance between us and it the safer we will be.” I was not in a mood to be nice about it. We needed to go and we did.

Another days travel this time slanting south a bit and we found a very out of the way place. A tiny town that seemed a safe place to hunker down a bit and plan. We had a lot to learn and no idea where to begin.

**Alexander Tau** · 05-28-2009, 10:08 AM

Chapter 10

Sitting in our little cabin we finally had time to make some plans. Despite the fact that I was doing everything under the most extreme of duress I chose well. Each had their own reasons for coming along. Friendship was a big factor. I had know these people most of my life. One had only been a friend for a ten years but the others went back with me much further.

Neal Bailey had been my buddy since junior high. His profession was electronics engineer but he was also an inventor with some patents to his credit. He was tall and slim with the kind of looks that remain youthful for almost a person's entire life. Because of that he got into martial arts young and just last year attained his first black belt.

He was a pleasant guy with a quick wit. He and Mike worked together well. I once watched him put down 2 big drunks in exactly 4 seconds. Having him around had always made me feel secure and I was very glad he came along. He wore his brown hair a little shaggy in an attempt to add a little 'danger' to his look. Never worked but we never told him that.

Franklin 'Frank' Ames had known me since high school. We met the same year he won his first pistol competition beating out people twice his age. He had a MBA and knew pretty much everything there was to know about finance and all things business.

He was average build with short blond hair. Not a bad looking guy but he always said girls liked him more for his money than his face and he was ok with that. He competed in combat course competitions as well as long distance shooting. He could bullseye a target at a range normally reserved for rifles with scopes.

Frank had always wanted to really test himself. He was not some psycho who wanted to go out shooting people but he still had the desire to know what he could really do. He was one person that I was sure was going to come along.

Wynton 'Wyn' Ellis had only been a friend for about a decade. I might him in college. Born in Texas he still had a touch of the accent. He also had an insane IQ and a Masters in Sociology. Except when Wyn was around I was always the smartest guy in the room. Wyn did a couple of tours in the military and unlike Kat he had found plenty of combat.

When he decided that the military life was not for him he entered college. He shaved a whole year off the normal time to get a Masters. He was good.

Sandy brown hair and western good looks made him a popular fellow.

So the 6 of us sat around an empty table. Hard to know where to start but I knew it was up to me.

“Lets start with what we know and see where that gets us.” I say.

“Hokay boss. We know there are aliens on this planet masquerading as humans. We know their purpose is to encourage us to pollute so they can steal our resources. They have the ability to program human beings and we assume they are in every level of government along with business. Unlimited resources and eyes everywhere basically. And finally we have a potential world wide disaster in 10 years or so because of whatever it is the aliens are doing.” Wyn summed everything up smoothly.

“We have about 50k in cash and a handful of guns.” adds Neal with a touch of bitterness.

Our enemies had handed us our first defeat that afternoon. Neal and Kat had traveled a couple of towns away and tried to access Neal's bank accounts. No luck, they were all frozen. This was a blow because he could have easily quadrupled our cash.

The scary thing about this little event is that it meant they knew Neal with with us. That was fast work and it did not bode well for our chances.

“On the positive side I think we have a lead on how to find what we need to know.” Wyn says and gets everyone's attention.
“A few years ago a friend of mine did a paper on the 'Middle Rich'. These are the families that do not get attention but play a vital role in business. They are not the Gettys or the Rockefellers but collectively they hold quite a bit of power. There was some weirdness my friend found that made no sense at the time but now I am thinking I know the answer. Some of these families are our thieving aliens.” Wyn explains.

“What kind of weirdness?” Kat asks.

“Well they avoid publicity like the plague. They give plenty to charity but always secretly. Most rich people love to see their names on things, 'The Estelle Getty Library' and such. Not these guys. They also almost always give money to medical-related charities. Again the norm is to spread money around a bit because there are a lot of worthy causes.” Wyn explains further.

“Sounds promising.” Frank interjects.

“Yeah it does. There was more that I cannot remember but the one that originally caught my eye is really strange. These people never build mansions. One of the hallmarks of great wealth throughout the ages is the building of a personal palace. The people my friend was studying buy existing homes and estates. Again the point seems to be a low profile.”

I am frankly amazed. I expected us to have to work really hard to get even the beginnings of a plan. But not one to look a gift horse in the mouth I say, “What do you need to dig deeper?”

“Just some time Mark and Neal have us up and running on the net. I can do most of what needs to be done that way. I think I can at least narrow down the list to some real probables.” Wyn says with a touch of self-satisfaction as once again he proves his intelligence.

“We need to make someone talk.” Kat voices something we all know.

“We will get one and they will talk.” I promise.

“Fair enough.” she replies.

The discussion gets into details and eventually winds down. At least now we have the beginnings of a plan.

**Alexander Tau** · 05-28-2009, 10:12 AM

Chapter 11

The next three days went by in a blur. Mark and Neal took a day trip and bought a few more laptops and pretty soon all of us were Wyn's research assistants. The picture started to take shape. We found certain key indicators that lead us even deeper.

The only person who's eyes were not red from staring at a screen was Kat. She said that somebody had to keep their eyes on the outside world.

There were two other people around us at this time. The cabins were owned by a pair of Sisters. Although the oldest was just 19 they did a pretty good job running the place. They had lost their parents just a year ago. Seven days after the oldest daughter had turned 18. If it had been before her birthday they would have lost this place.

Sonya was the older, and her 17 year old sister was Abby.

I should not have let them hang around so much. When Kat wanted to invite them to dinner she told me it was probably a bad idea and if I said no she would understand. She gave me the out and I did not take it.

Kat and Sonya were all shy looks and smiles when they were together. Never seen Kat act like this and it was frankly kinda disturbing. I needed Kat the scary killer bitch not a love struck teen. But I said sure why not.

The sisters hauled over a big grill and they and Kat fired it up. Mark and Frank headed into town and came back with raw meat and a big slab of salmon for me. They also brought a whole lot of booze.

Night falls.

Food is cooked, people eat and drink, we laugh. Yeah for a little while we forget.

I think it was the first time since this all started that I relaxed. At one point I did think of Isabelle but only of the good times. We had a lot of those and I did so love her. The kind of love that made every damn thing she did the very definition of good. Nothing will ever touch those memories or sour those feelings. Love is an absolute in a world painted in shades of grey.

Those feelings gave me power. Raw strength that burned in my limbs. It gave me purpose and focus. Odds? Bah! Bring 'em. All of them. I do not believe in god but I do believe in Love. For her I will bring them down.

Yeah I was a little drunk. But I still mean those words now stone cold sober. Even after what happened that night.

We were all inside. Fires were out. Everyone was drinking a little.

B O O O O O O O M

A flash of red light and then the shock wave rattled the entire front of our cabin.

Kat flew up and out of her chair. I knew her bag was next to her so seeing the mp5 in her hand was not a surprise. She flew to the window.

“They just took out the empty cabin we rented under our actual names.” she turns and shouts to me.

“Oh fuck. I see the guy and damn it looks like a fucking RPG! Are we in Iraq now?” she says in a voice that is calm but loud.

Kat pushes both of the windows open. She had taken off all of the screens the day we arrived.

She sights down her rifle for a moment and says, “I might be able to scare him but he is too far. Frank!”

Franklin has his pistol in his hands but unlike me he has not moved to the window. I hover behind Kat and to her right. The guy is well beyond the burned out cabin and I can see him pulling a second round from a backpack on the ground.

Frank moves to the other open window. He extends his arm and lines up on the target. I expect him to shoot. One second ticks by.

“He is reloading. They must know we are here.” I say as calmly as I can manage.

“That is not a target. It's a man.” Frank says in a low voice.

“He dies or we do and you get to choose Franklin.” Kat says in a cold voice.

The pistol shot is painfully loud in the enclosed room. The man drops.

“Everybody grab your shit and get out the back door.” I shout with my ears ringing.

Sonya and Abby. Crap.

Kat is way ahead of me.

“You two come with us. You can break off part way and head into town. Go to a friend and say you were there all night. Forget everything about us except me renting the cabins and you will be ok.” she says quickly but clearly.

Sonya snorts and takes two steps over to Kat's chair. She reaches down and pulls out the short barrel shotgun that Kat completed this afternoon. With a touch she opens it to eye the 2 unfired shells inside and then snaps it closed with a one handed flip.

She then pulls the barrels almost straight up with her other hand. I am impressed.

“Fuck that. I have waited my whole life for a woman like you to come along. Abby and I been shootin since we were 6 and those ain't no cops. We are going with you.“ she says in a her sweet voice.

She takes 3 steps and keeps the gun pointing up but lets go of the barrels to put that arm around Kat. She kisses her hard for about 3 seconds.

“Now lets git!” Sonya says as Kat reels from the kiss.

We git.

Gunfire rakes the front of our cabin as we exit.

I am the last out the back door. We are not all that heavily loaded down. All the clothes and misc stuff was left behind. We had the computers and notes, the cash, and our weapons. The 8 of us head right into the woods. No actual path here but we know where we are going.

There is a farm on the other side of the woods. Owned by a family that Sonya and her sister had known all their lives. The sisters had arraigned for us to park our vehicles there for a small fee. The large barn had been perfect to keep them all under cover.

Once we got deeply into the woods Kat called for us to stop.

“Boss I want to go back and take a look.” she asked much to my amazement.

“Why do you want to do this insane thing?” I had to ask.

“We know nothing about them. Like what kind of vehicles they are using or how many they sent. I can double back take a look at meet you at the vehicles. A quick look and you will hardly have to pause at all to wait for me.” she explains in the calm voice of someone who has been in combat before and knows what needs to be done.

“I second that idea boss and I want in. No solos Kat.” says Wyn.

She nods and looks at me.

“Go. Make it fast.” I say.

Before they head out Kat says to Frank, “You are on guard duty buddy. Stay alert. Us or them. Remember that. They blew up that building without warning.”

He nods with a very serious look on his face. He hand rests on his pistol at his hip.

The pair take off and we move towards the farm. The Barn is not locked so we do not wake up the family as we move inside. We get everything put into the vehicles and I tell everyone who drives and who rides where.

“Just be ready to get in and go as soon as they get back.” I finish up.

Frank is at the door watching outside.

I get Abby alone for a moment and tell her, “You do not have to come with us just because Sonya is. Just go to the house and stay there. I am sure they will be willing to cover for us. I will come up with what you need to tell them so they can do that.”

She starts shaking her head and keeps it up until I stop.

“No. If Sonya is going them I am going. She is the only family I have. Just tell me why is all of this happening?” she is pretty strong willed for a teen I note. Not nearly as rattled as I would have expected.

“There are some... people doing a very bad thing. I know about it and I mean to stop it. They intend to stop me.” I explain in the simplest possible terms.

She eyes me for a moment with one eyebrow a little higher than the other. Who is this kid?

“Okay but we will have to talk about this 'very bad thing' sometime. I am not 12.” she says and walks away to find her sister.

I am watching the time. 10 minutes pass very slowly before Frank says he sees them heading in. We open up the doors and everybody gets in. Vehicles fire up and the pair follow my wave into the Van with me.

“Lets go.” I order and Mark pulls out. The other two vehicles follow and we head off down the road.

I have the sisters in the Van as well. Kat goes right to Sonya who had of course been worried the whole time about her. Wyn fills me in.

“Four big black SUVs. Stealthy these guys are not. Counted 9 plus the one Frank tagged. They have military grade weapons too. Kat got a license plate.”

“Laptop 5. Icon DMV. Take about an hour. Just start it and close the Laptop.” Mike calls out from the driver's seat. My people had been busy these last few days. The dinner had been our first real break. Hopefully that would not be a pattern in the future. Take a break, get attacked, that would suck.

“Well done Wyn, you too Kat.” I say.

Kat separates enough from Sonya to smile and nod at me.

“How far til the first split?” I ask Mike.

“About 10 miles. Once we are past that I think we will be clear.” he says. And that is what happens.

**Alexander Tau** · 06-02-2009, 10:05 PM

Chapter 12

I kept us on the road for a while. Since we had started out slanting southwest we went a little northwest now. Well after nightfall we spotted a camp grounds and I decided we needed a break.

The guy that rented us the spot barely seemed to wake up let alone take any real notice of us.

We had been attacked a little before midnight and it was now nearly 9pm. Exhausted was just not the word.

Sonya, Abby and Mark make a campfire and broke out some sleeping bags. Between the Van, the truck and the bags everybody had a place to sleep. Kat and Wyn took off to recon the place. This was the first night we did something that would become standard from now on.

Whenever we stopped for any length of time someone would print up small maps for all of us. Folded in half they fit inside a paperback book. They gave us a common reference that turned out to be handy for quite a number of times.

Once we had looked the place over and gotten settled in a bit we started to talk. I knew that Mike, Wyn and Neal had been busy while we were on the road and I was anxious for information. I knew almost nothing about my enemies and that haunted my thoughts. You cannot fight what you do not understand.

“So guys have you learned anything I can use?” I asked with any preamble. Being shot at tends to make one want to get to the point of things.

Mark and Neal both looked at Wynton. He nods at them and says, “We have expanded our original list and worked up two distinct profiles. Us and them basically. The us people seem a nice varied human lot. They do not avoid publicity they simply do little to merit it. They do not generally have the sort of money it takes to endow an entire hospital or anything of that size. Frank found one interesting angle we had not checked.”

Frank was not paying as much attention as he should have been but he catches up quick. “Oh, yeah, right. I was looking over the lists of traits that the profiles have. I started thinking that the them one seemed like... well not unknown for humans but very rare. That many rare things seemed something in and of itself. So I did some research and I was right. All the things that define the them class are rare psychological traits in human beings. And if you get that many of them you should end up with a person who acts very differently in every aspect of their lives.”

He seems to grope for an example for a moment.

“Let me put it this way. You cannot be Gandhi and shoot machine guns as a hobby. Not calling these people Gandhi but they are that different from the rest of us. Yet to the casual observer that are nothing special whatsoever except a bit rich. I think we can be pretty certain that anyone who fits the them profile is not human.” he finishes sounding pretty confident.

“Or someone trying to be like them. Right? People do copy others.” says Sonya.

“True.” says Wyn, “And we need to know more about their race to be sure of who we select. But we are thinking that a little direct observation and horribly illegal surveillance might help. “ and he finishes with one of his trade-mark smiles at the young lady.

Kat stands up. She looks around the circle at all of us.

“I want to say something to everybody. Robert had me register the cabin under my own name with his right under it. We figured they would just see that and head towards it. They did.”

She looks at all of us again. She starts to talk, and pace, around the circle.

“Then they blew it to hell. Our music was low. If they had shouted 'Police. Come out with your hands up or whatever they say these days then fine. That is not what happened. These are not the forces of law and order coming after us. These are alien scumbags.”

“They would have killed Sonya and Abby along with us. Think about that.”

I had thought about that. Accepting it would take a while but facts are facts.

“This is not Robert on the run from the Law. We are not criminals. We are an army and we have a mission. There are rodents on our planet. Time to stomp on 'em.”

“So here is the way it goes... Robert is our Captain. What he says goes. This is his mission and I know he will get it done with our help. I am the Sargent and you will all curse my name before the sun sets 7 more times.” this is said with a smile. Not a nice smile though.

“Three Rules. Nice and simple for ya. Rule number one. The buddy system. Nobody does anything alone ever. A single person is vulnerable. They can be taken and used against us or turned against us if that whole mind control bit is true. Rule number 2. Teach & Learn. We all need to learn to do the things that the others do. Everybody with a mission useful skill needs to pass it on to someone else along the way. I know that sounds long term but no matter how intense the mission there are always downtimes. Use 'em. And rule number 3. You are always on duty. Always. Never be without at least a weapon.”

“We were stupid and we should be dead. We had a party and forgot to watch outside. That will not happen again. Everyone except Abby and Robert gets guard duty slots from now on.”

“I guess that is all I have. Back to you my Captain.” she finishes up and sits back down.

“Alright. Here is what we are going to do. We leave tomorrow morning. We are going to keep zig-zagging our way west. Wyn I guessing a fair number of the families on your list live in California.” I start.

He nods and I continue, “So that is where we will end up. But to keep our pursuers at bay we will take our time about it. We have a side mission to complete first, a couple really. First we need more money. Then we need to spend that on gear.”

“Mark, Neal, remember that night around my kitchen table where you two got to talking about the security around small town banks?” I ask my buddies.

“Sure.” replies Mark.

“Well then you said with 20 mins on a direct terminal you could set-up a hidden tap. After that you could manipulate the system remotely to do anything. Can we do better than that 20 mins?” I ask with a sly smile on my face.

“I am not going to ask if you are serious cause I know you are. What exactly do you want to do?” Neal asks me.

“Get a large amount of money as painlessly as possible.” is my answer.

Mark has been thinking and says, “If I knew a few things about the system I could do a virus. Load it onto a USB launcher and we are down to 5 seconds. It would have to be plugged into one of their machines but it would take a few seconds at most. The virus would open a door for us. Still need that 20 mins but we could do that remotely.”

Neal nods, “Yeah that is simple enough. Virus would take a couple of days to write and I assume you would want it tested somehow. But yeah. Yeah. We could do it. Damn it is cool to think like a criminal. For a good cause Sarge.” nodding to Kat.

“So we need to put someone with the launcher next to a computer inside the bank. Then we need to get them a very short time to do the job. I cannot plan without seeing the actual place but I have some ideas. Start putting the virus together guys. We need a lot of money and I see no other way to get it. I am not going to walk into someplace with a gun looking for money. Not even worth discussing.” I say.

“So we get a bunch of money and then what boss?” this from Sonya. She was picking up a number of habits from Kat.

“More guns, computers, vehicles, whatever we need. It takes money to make things happen and so we are going to get it. We will have to work our deals as we get closer to California. I hear Vegas is a good place to get guns.” is my answer.

“We will work on the plans more tomorrow. I am going to get some sleep.” I say and wander off towards the truck.

**Alexander Tau** · 06-02-2009, 10:09 PM

Chapter 13

A few days pass. We work on our plans and visit new campsites each night. Well into the southwestern part of the country now.

We have been planning our days to make stops in a lot of small towns. We take a look at their banks and compare notes on each. After a couple of days we start to see patterns in layout and security.

A town bank is selected. 2 days of observation and we decided this will be the one. Now we settle in a bit. Our campsite is 2 hours away but we rent some rooms in town as well. Watching, recording, creating maps, we are rather busy. We get to know people by name. Learn whatever we can about them without drawing attention to ourselves. Wyn opens an account.

Our plan comes together with one small hitch.

“Not only am I not wearing that two phrases just come SCREAMNG to my mind. One is of course 'Go to hell' but the other is 'I have a gun'.” Kat explained her feelings to all of us.

The 'that' in question was the dress that Sonya had purchased to my specifications.

“But honey...” Sonya began.

“Don't but honey me little girl. I am not amused.” Kat says evenly with still with heat.

Sonya was prepared for this reaction and does not let Kat's tone slow her down, “You are gonna look hot in that so what is the problem?”

“The problem is that my part of the plan is to let some guy stare at my boobs! That is the freaking problem!” Kat exclaims.

“Kat. There is only a 50% chance that we will be able to erase their video surveillance when we do this. Do you want Sonya to do it? 10 seconds. All you have to do is get him away from his desk and looking your way for 10 fucking seconds.” I explain in a very reasonable voice.

“No dammit I do not want her to do it.” Kay retorts.

“I will not let Abby do it. That leaves you. Are you really telling me you won't do this? I need you to do this Kat. And think of it this way. If something goes wrong you might get to punch the guy.” I offer.

Kat does brighten a bit.

“But that would be bad and would mean we would not get the money. If you are going to do it Kat do it right.” I caution and I am not kidding. She and I lock eyes.

We have not had a moment like this since we first met. That night my attempt to pick up her girlfriend almost ended in a fight. I backed down that time because I was in the wrong. I was not going to do that now.

Two long seconds tick by.

“I know. I know” she says in a more muted tone and looks away.

Moment pass. Sonya leans in and whispers something in Kat's ear.

“Ok. I'm in.” Kat says with a faint smile. Sonya hugs her. I take a deep breath and get back to work.

Day 6 in the same place. I am more than a bit worried but we had to wait until today to take our shot. Monday 1 pm was the best window we were going to get. Everyone was in place and ready when it was time to go.

For this operation everyone was wearing non-matching ear pieces connected to cell phones. The phones all connected to a computer server of our very own. Abby was sitting at that computer and would act as communications switcher for me. She could easily connect any number of us together or run multiple channels as needed.

Neal, Sonya and I were in a Van 3 blocks south of the Bank. We had a nice view of the front. Neal was in a car down to the east. Kat and Wyn would both walk to the bank from a cafe and a bookstore nearby. Mark was with Abby back at camp.

I watched two of the bank employees leave for lunch right on time. That leaves two. One cashier and one assistant manager.

“Abby link me to everyone please.” I say touching my earpiece to send.

“You are on boss.” she says after a delay of a few seconds.

“Everyone is clear. Wyn you are up. Good luck buddy.” I say

“On my way.” is his response.

“You ready Kat?” I ask

“Yes.” is all she says.

“Abby link me to Kat and Wyn only for now.” I say.

“You have them, and me now.” she says.

“Fine. I am just listening now Wyn, lock your mike open.” I say

“Done.” he says in a muted voice.

I see him go into the bank. Don't hear much for a moment. Then the creek of the swinging wooden gate separating the floor of the Bank from the offices.

“Mr. Ellis. Good to see you again. What can I do for you.” says Albert Gilroy the assistant manager.

“Well I was thinking about some investments and I had some questions.” Wyn says. His voice sounds very normal to me.

“Of course. Of course. What sort of thing did you have in mind?” Albert asks.

I hear the sounds of a chair moving and I hope that means Wyn is sitting down now.

“Kat. You are up. Good luck.” I say

“On the way.” is her reply.

I listen as Wyn asks some basic questions about what the Bank can offer in investment support. Things are sounding good.

For just a moment I cannot believe I am doing this. I am robbing a Bank.

Me, Robert Milton, former officer of the law.

I graduated with a BS in Criminology. Joined the next session of the Police Academy. I was not the top of my class but I was in the upper 10%.

Like most of the new officers on the force I was filled with the desire to do some good. I knew the laws we supported were not perfect but they are what we have. Working hard is second nature to me and I applied myself to my new life with zeal.

After a couple of years on the force I had done some good work. Then one night I responded to a call of 'Officer down'. We got serious when that call came and I was lucky enough to be close. My partner and I were on the front steps of a small apartment building within minutes.

The one officer on the scene said his partner was just inside. He had gone first and gotten gunned down. He had seen the shooter go upstairs and called for back-up.

I told him to hold this entrance and wait. We went around to look for other exits. More cars arrived by the time returned to the front. Six us went through the front door together, guns out. Our brother officer was alive but in bad shape. The Ambulance was coming. Two of us stayed behind and the rest moved after the perp. The radio told us where his apartment was located and we headed that way.

Now about this time a friend of our shooter arrived on the scene. He was spotted looking things over by more than one officer. Somehow he got around everybody and climbed up a fire escape to enter the building.

My group reached the proper floor and as soon as we did we took fire. Four pistol shot rang out and we ducked for cover. I saw the guy go left down a side corridor. We split up and moved forward.

I ended up getting almost to the perp's apartment when I heard a sound. He charged around the corner arms reaching for my throat. I fired.

It was not our suspect it was his friend. The other officers shot and killed the actual perp. At first I was afraid I had killed an innocent man. He had come at me but maybe that was somehow a mistake. Reading what we had on both victims made me feel a bit better. They were friends and had committed crimes together. Best of buddies it seems.

The guy was coming to help out his buddy. He attacked me because he could not get to the apartment. There were a number of weapons inside which he probably knew about. He attacked me I shot him. I felt as good about that as you can when you kill another human being.

Someone felt a lot worse and I was sued for a wrongful death. The Department cleared me there were no criminal charges. But they claimed their lost son was innocent.

I lost.

The Jury believed the story that the guy I shot was just going over to see a friend. The fact that he dodged cops and climbed up a fire escape to get in did not seem to matter. What really hurt was the lack of support from the Department. Sure they cleared me but that was about it. They were afraid of the public heat focused on my trial and decided a 'low profile' would be best.

Best for them, not for me. I felt abandoned and a few weeks after the verdict I resigned from the force.

And now I was robbing a Bank. Life sure is odd sometimes.

Kat entered the building. Now things would happen fast. Wyn and Albert were still talking. I hear Albert say “Miss?”. There is no response. Wyn is silent and I hear a chair being pushed back.

“Miss?” Albert asks again but I can only barely hear him. I look down at my watch.

10 seconds. Keep his attention for 10 seconds Kat.

Seconds tick. I hear Kat respond to Albert. Tell you the truth I have no idea what they said. More seconds go by. Close now.

“Well I think I have what I need.” Wyn says. That is the signal that means he got the job done.

“Neal get going.” I order in a soft voice.

“On the way.” he replies.

I hear Albert saying goodbye to Wyn. Everything looks good. Sonya and Frank want to whoop it up and I tell them., “Quiet! This is not over yet!”

A car pulls up directly in front of the bank. A man gets out. He looks familiar but I cannot see him all that well. No time to grab the binoculars before he is inside. Crap.

There is a long moment of silence and then I hear. “Hey just a moment you two.”

Then I hear a loud ZAPPP sound and more movement. Kat and Wyn come flying out the front door. Neal veers around the car in front of the bank to slam to a stop just past it. Kat and Wyn jump in and he takes off.

“Off duty fucking cop. He recognized us somehow. I do not believe this!” Kat exclaims.

“We got the job done and they did not notice.” Wyn replies in a voice that still has adrenaline running through it.

“Yeah but now they are going to be suspicious.” Kat shoots back.

“Abby?” I ask over the mike.

“Yes sir?” she replies instantly.

“Tell Mike to call in the big honking distraction and then the two of you get moving.” I order.

We had planned a couple of different distractions in case something went wrong. They all would lead at least some of the local law in the opposite direction. The big one involved recorded gunshots and Abby screaming like a little demon. I wanted all the help I could get.

“Will do.” she replies.

“Everybody. Follow the plan and get. We did it but now we have to put a whole lot of gone between us and this place.” I say and flip off the phone.

I just robbed a bank. Technically we had not taken anything yet but we would. The clock was ticking already. One off duty cop in the whole town and he had to walk into that Bank. I cannot fault the guy and I am still pleased that Kat did not kill him but still. Damn.

Greater Good.

I like the sound of that. That is why we are going this. Sometimes I just needed to remind myself.

**Alexander Tau** · 06-04-2009, 05:41 PM

Chapter 14

How long will it take them to figure out what we did?

This was not an abstract question. I needed to know and I had to be right. If I was wrong they would block us before we could do anything with the Bank computer systems.

With the distraction Mike called in I figure it would be a good hour before anyone got to looking at the tapes. They would care for the stunned officer and then talk to everyone. Then they would go for the video. Probably.

After that they have to get someone who can figure out what we did. At least one more hour could be much longer but play it safe. Up to 2 hours now.

Mark, Neal, and Wyn had lined up to tell me that it would take someone skilled a minimum of 2 hours to find the virus and close the open security breech.

So 4 hours minimum. 60 miles an hour for three and a half hours gave me 210 miles. We were in four different vehicles on 2 different paths. Everyone had headed out on their pre-assigned route without any problems. The original plan would have brought us all together about an hour later.

I flipped open the phone and called Abby. I told her to pass a message to all the drivers that would would be using an alternative meeting site. As Frank took us in the proper direction I thought about what Kat and Wyn had told me about the final moments in the Bank.

“He walked in and just stopped. He stared at me and then at Wyn. We kept moving forward but we both just knew he was going to make us.” Kat explained.

“Shit boss the boy went white. He made us big time.” Wyn added.

“We got to about 5 feet from him when he asked us to stop.” Kat continued. “I want the record to show that even in this damn dress I had two options, my Glock or the Taser.”

“Three options my amazon, you could have broken his neck.” Wyn tosses in with a small smile.

“True.” she acknowledges.

“Umm... The Taser was in that tiny purse. Where exactly was the pistol?” Wyn cannot help but ask.

“No place you will ever see.” Kat says with a glare.

“You two were perfect. The bitch that is Fate threw a curve and you still got it done. I do appreciate you not killing the young guy Kat. When we get some money I will buy you both a car.” I say. Everything except that last bit was very serious and heart-felt.

“Yeah new cars to drive for a week before we dump 'em. Great. Wait. Actually I like it. Toss them before you use up the new car smell!” whoops Kat.

No battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy. But this was looking like a victory so far.

Three hours and about 15 minutes later we pulled into the motel.

I exited the van and went over the the truck. Mike and Abby had about a 15 minutes jump on us when we left so they had been there for a bit. Neal, Wyn, and Kat had pushed the speed limit more than I liked and we also already there.

When I climbed into the truck heads all turned to look at me. Mike, Abby, Wyn, and Neal
all stopped whatever they were doing. They were all clustered around Mike who was at an open Laptop.

“If I have to tell you to start hacking I am going to be pleased at your discipline and really pissed at your stupidity.” I say, kidding, mostly. I was tired.

Everybody laughs.

“Already inside boss. The bitch is ours!” Mike proclaims.

“Just considering which order to do this in. We have a number of tasks.” Neal says.

“Get my money first.” I say.

“Right. Money transfers. Neal, ready?” Mark says.

“How long?” I ask.

“20 MINUTES” everybody except me chanted.

I shake my head and close my eyes briefly, “Do we have rooms?”

Abby tossed me a key. Exiting the truck I wondered if we were far enough. The bank had one external camera and it was out back. They should not have an image of us. They might get lucky and get a description from someone but it would be general. Guards? Kat would set things up. Two people would be on guard tonight.

Sleep called and I was happy to answer.

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