ã€ŠMana Pool Snippets - The Days Afterã€‹


 Part 1

    Temecula, CA

    December 24, 2012

    10:07 AM

    Crog. Not again.

    Jaruka Teal swerved off the road, managing to avoid two human corpses and a few Wave crystals on his head-long collision into the bush laden riverbed on his Howler Cycle. He could have attempted to not let his bike crash onto its side into the muddy bank, but caring for the body paint was beyond him.

    Two hours. It had only been two annoying hours on Terra Firma and he had almost run into human authorities. Again.

    He cut the engine and ducked under the bushes. Several police cars with screaming sirens that irritated the mercenary¡¯s hearing sped down the road toward town, one after another. Jaruka was fortunate enough to have spotted them earlier when they drove behind a small hill. What with the new terran transformations, crumbling society and governments, and zombie corpses littering a department store''s parking lot they had much bigger priorities than a dreadlocked islander riding a wide-wheeled motorcycle from another world.

    Jaruka stood up once the cops were gone, and then spat at the ground. He happened to peer at a male human corpse on the side of the road. Though there were scuff marks on his clothes the outward head burst and dried blood was not from a hit and run incident. There were more zombie corpses up and down the road with the same head injury, thousands dead with no evidence of why or how, just speculation. Corpses littered towns, cities, and the country¡¯s capitol. Jaruka shuddered remembering the event and Groom Lake, Griffon¡­.

    Jaruka had no time to remember that painful moment. Who would? Getting to safety was all that mattered, and getting drunk enough to forget hopefully.

    He picked up and revved the Howler Cycle''s fusion engine on. Jaruka remounted the cycle and rolled onto the road and just as he did, a sheriff¡¯s car drove passed him.

    The deputy looked at Jaruka, and Jaruka looked back.

    "Crog." Jaruka opened the throttle and raced off.

    Officer Charles was following his fellow officers when he came across the strange, wicked-built motorcycle and its unknown rider. Curiosity got the better of him, just as it had with all of the events since the Wave. The tires kicked up smoke as Charles turned the car around and gunned the gas. He reached for the mic on the dashboard as the car sped in pursuit.

    "This is 572. Officer in pursuit. Suspect is on an unknown vehicle going over sixty on Glen Oaks Road heading east."

    He was nowhere close to understanding magic. The events of the pre-Wave, post-Wave, and then the sudden onset of zombies that nearly turned Temecula into a blood-stained ghost town were weighing down on Charles¡¯ otherwise rational mind. Aliens had destroyed Area 51 and a Gray had apologized on the morning news. What scared him the most were the daily mutations of humans that had come without warning. It seemed to be only a matter of time before his son or even his wife changed.

    "Copy, 572. Charles, you were supposed to be with Anderson on the bank robbery on Rancho," the dispatcher said.

    "The truck nearly clipped me, I had to catch up. I''ll join her after this." The Ford Interceptor''s engine was at full horsepower, but the unknown motorcycle was faster. Much faster.

    The rider was at forty miles per hour as he turned the corner with ease and grace, losing no momentum.

    "Son of a? Who made that thing? Shit!"

    Charles slammed the brakes and turned the wheel left. His heart skipped several beats. He was grateful for the lockdown in effect, there were no civilians out and about to be put into danger. Dispatch repeated his orders, but Charles was focused now on the motorcyclist, certain that he had the answers to his questions. As Charles ended the turn, he surveyed the road for the motorcyclist, but he was gone.

    Charles cursed, despite all his questions about this new world, it was useless to pursue the motorcyclist when the police department was so low on officers. Still cursing, he turned the car around while avoiding crystals and bodies on the curb.

    A mile down the road, Jaruka was laughing inside his helmet. "Those are human authority vehicles? They need to step up on their tech!" He kept laughing until he was out of city limits. Opening the throttle invigorated him.

    His eccentric use of his Howler Cycle was stifled when he had to transport Scott and Katie to the winery hours ago. They were fortunate enough to avoid a police cruiser, but having both on the motorcycle was an annoying balancing act for Jaruka. It was the hairiest ten seconds for the terran couple even after the airbase attack. An alien ship flying over and landing on the winery¡¯s parking lot would have caused local panic and questions about him, using the cycle to transport was a necessity. It was Katie¡¯s idea not to.

    He rode far from Temecula, but not beyond the designated radius from Walsh Estate Winery.

    Stupid, pointless rules, Jaruka thought.

    He wanted to rip the ankle brace off, but there were serious reasons not to besides appeasing Denverbay¡¯s orders. Jaruka was irritated enough to fantasize socking Denverbay in his quill-covered face.

    Jaruka drove toward Vail Lake and then onto a dirt road. The area seemed fitting for Jaruka, it served as a reminder of good times on other worlds, even Creos. He stopped in front of a grass clearing near the lake, killing the engine. He got off the cycle, reached into his pocket for a small black box, and shook it three times. Light shimmered off of the grass and rose like a stage curtain, revealing Jaruka''s temporary home. He grumbled from under his helmet out of dread from the look of it.

    The Marin''zal gunnery dropship, a new vessel of Nova Company¡ªor it was. The vessel was modified to an extent of being suitable to live in. For starters, the majority of the plasma cannons had been removed and Jaruka was left with a single sonic cannon mounted under the bridge. Less cannons meant less humans dead, Denverbay mentioned. The dual bulkheads on both sides of the ship for quick loading and unloading of troops were welded and jerry-rigged to never open. The stern airlock hatch was left for two-way entry. The two gyroscope side thrusters that made up most of the thrust while several anti-gravity pads provided suitable lift were downgraded for air travel only. So much for any hope of off-world food and supplies shopping.

    For lack of a better expression, his friends, commanding officer, and dunderhead councilman gave him a passive-aggressive flying box.

    It''s...not...home, Jaruka screamed to himself. He missed the Lunar Spear. He missed his stuff. I shouldn''t have taken that job.

    With his helmet off, Jaruka walked up to the ship with disgust on his face. His Howler Cycle was parked beside it. He swiped the black box over a key port and the hatch opened inward with a hiss. He stepped inside and the hatch closed behind out of generosity, Marin¡¯zal dropships are not known to be equipped with A.I.s.

    What used to be four rows of seats was reduced to just one in the middle. Towards the stern of the ship there was a kitchenette, a small bathroom in an enclosed box, a workbench, and a few installed shelves. The empty weapon racks were for storage, but most of his stuff recovered from the Lunar Spear was stacked in metal crates. Jaruka¡¯s plasma rifle and priceless katana were hung on the wall beside the airlock, perhaps as a gesture of respect from the Endeavour¡¯s crew. The only possessions that could be not recovered were his glassblowing tools, and with their loss went Jaruka¡¯s mental therapy.

    Jaruka inhaled familiar smells of the Endeavour''s hangar bay. He focused for a second, picking out multiple hard working and dedicated species. His friends¡ªand personal enemies¡ªhad done their best to make things comfortable for him.

    The smell would fade and be replaced with Terra Firma and his own.

    Homesickness sank in.

    He took a few breaths, cracked his knuckles, and whispered, "Damn him."

    All of his pent up rage burst out, taking control of his actions. Crates, tools, and other objects were thrown everywhere. He cursed repeatedly, blaming the Councilman, the missing client that offered the ill-fated job, and sometimes even Brill, his best friend and captain of Nova Company. He collapsed onto his knees, screaming, crying, and begging for the head-flipping nightmare to end.

    <hr>

    The fire in the rock circle crackled under the night sky, fed by bush branches and one tree that had fallen years before Jaruka arrived. The fire cast an orange glow on Jaruka and the dropship''s dark chrome hull.

    The fire pit was Jaruka''s second form of therapy. The flames ignited pleasant memories that almost dulled his drunken hate.

    "Throw that bastard into a black hole," Jaruka yelled into the night, his green, three-fingered hand clutched a bottle of brew. "Yeah. Maybe piss into the gravity wake. Ice spikes of piss through the bastard''s little body. That''ll teach that Gnogal to not mess with Halcunacs! Swish. Bang. Pow!" He kicked up dirt and then screamed at his ankle band. "You hear that, Benali!? Right into a croging black hole! And the same to you, Denverbay. Crog! You!"

    He drank a large sum of brew from the bottle, made from the Endeavour''s kitchen staff. It had been a gift, found amongst the crates along with a note saying, ¡°Keep yourself together.¡± Words only Brill would say. After three bottles of the brew, back in the comfort of his own Halcunac body without a DNA mask, he felt better. He slunk into the folding chair; his skindreads draped behind the chair, they were starting to grow out rough and rigid like pine tree bark. His tunic was splattered with brew stains, mostly from his own dribbles.

    Jaruka let out a heavy chuckle. "Maybe a flaming bag of shit at his ship''s bridge. Attract mud fleas. Yeah. Perfect!" Smiling, his chuckle turned into a heavy laugh.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    His T31ZK plasma rifle was in his lap. He pawed at the rifle, feeling secure in his drunken state. His sword was left inside, there was no need for it. In the country he occupied the humans seemed to be more interested in guns. Jaruka wanted to sleep under the stars rather than inside the trashed dropship. He missed the Lunar Spear, the thought of it made his chest ache, and another sip of brew followed.

    The idea of waiting for the next shipment of brew prodded at the sober portion of Jaruka¡¯s brain. It was aggravating to think of having to set rations and large gulps followed.

    It was a starry Christmas night on Terra Firma. Humans and terrans were sleeping, or celebrating (if any of them could after the events of the Wave) with people. Jaruka could not care less about their holiday festivities, but he was slightly curious about how anyone could celebrate with all of the uncertain emotions swimming around. How the government would handle the terrans and their magic and if anyone would try to stop the changes and retain their humanity still remained to be seen.

    A small sound jerked Jaruka in his chair, he wobbled as he stood up and some of the brew dribbled from his mouth. "Wha...Who''s there? Griffon?" The hill beside the ship caught some of the fire''s glow. "Are you human? Terran? Show yourself!" His rifle charged up and he aimed it at the cliff.

    In a drunken haze Jaruka fired a green plasma ball from the barrel, blasting rock and dirt into a charred and molten mass. Burned oxygen blew into his face and he fired a couple more shots, just to be sure. The shots were bright enough to light up the hill in green light.

    "I mean it! I''m one croging dangerous bastard!"

    Jaruka fired a few more shots. One shrub became a two-foot wide charred crater, and a few more were set on fire only to be quickly snuffed out by the plasma bullet''s specialized magic.

    He dropped the spent rifle, fell to his knees in dizziness, and then screamed into the night sky. Jaruka hoped his threats and screams went toward Creos, the capitol planet of the galaxy. "Crogen laws! I hate you! Rot away you tripodic, pin branch politician!" He punched the ground in defeat.

    Why? He thought. Why me?

    He looked at the bottle he had dropped, all of the remaining brew had soaked into the soil. "Dammit," he grumbled. He grabbed the bottle and smashed it against the dropship''s hull. Screw rations.

    Jaruka stood, still dizzy, and went back into the ship. Inside, he noticed movement near his belongings. The species of the visitor was hard to distinguish because of his blurry sight, but he swore he saw fur.

    ¡°The hell do you want?!" He screamed before being hit in the face with fowl smelling water, and he gagged on the rancid taste. Jaruka fell backwards, hitting his head on a post.

    <hr>

    Walsh Estate Winery

    December 26, 2012

    9:20 AM

    "Breathe in. Breathe out. In with the good, out with the bad."

    Katie repeated the mantra five times; her concentration increased and anxiety decreased. She stood with arms in front and palms facing each other a couple inches apart. Her forced relaxation flowed through her terran body; she was calm, collected, undistracted, and in control of herself.

    Focusing on the space between her hands, she felt the familiar, tingling shift of terran energy from within her spine flowing down to her arms and fingertips. She smiled as she felt the strong mana charge manifest.

    Both of Katie''s parents and her two brothers were sitting on the living room couch while her boyfriend, Scott Dunne was in the recliner. There had been some previous apprehension from the family concerning the totems in the room¡ªScott''s husky, Keeji, and Katie''s red-tailed hawk, Arana¡ªbut the past two days had eased the family. "Okay, I got it working,¡± Katie said. "Don''t make me laugh."

    Brenda, Katie¡¯s mother, took a nervous breath. ¡°Why doesn''t that make me feel safe, Katie?"

    The mana charge disappeared and Katie dropped her hands as both Robert, Katie¡¯s brother, and Scott gave exasperated sighs. "Mom. Please. You asked about it, I''m doing it. Don''t be afraid. I got this."

    "I get that, Katie. It''s just¡­I¡¯m not sure you won''t blow stuff up in front of us. Like on the news.¡±

    "Oh God, she won''t, just let her," Robert said, feeling as frustrated as Katie.

    Brenda opened her mouth to continue, but Robert stopped her. She dipped her head and nodded.

    "Anyway," Katie said as she restarted the process. Within three seconds of beginning the steady breaths and internally repeating her mantra, the mana charge returned.

    It had taken an hour of convincing Brenda, and two hours of Katie convincing Jonathan, her father, for either of her parents to allow her to practice. The local news had been painting terran magic as evil, loose, and uncontrollable energy that was ready to explode at any moment. Katie hoped that showing her family that she could control her mana would negate the propaganda.

    Katie adjusted her stance and the charge increased along her spine and arms. She then closed her eyes and said, "Luchtaigh."

    The violent transformation experienced by the humans who had become terrans had gratefully caused no trauma. The transformation redesigned their nervous systems, allowing for a new heart, a mana heart, to be directly connected to the spinal column. It was the mana heart that gave them the reservoir they needed to practice magic, an ability that humans would be leery of for years to come.

    The heart squeezed as liquefied mana raced through Katie¡¯s nerves, running through her arms, and seeped out from glowing Celtic tribal tattoos on her fingertips and wrists. The mana flowed out as blue and white wisps of viscous liquid, collecting into a molten ball between Katie¡¯s hands, defying the laws of gravity. Drops of the liquefied energy fell onto the carpet and evaporated without a scorch mark.

    Her sight did not leave the ball. The display was the simplest spell she could show her family without frightening them.

    "Now imagine her, saving my life. And me nearly killing a demon alien at Area 51," Scott said.

    Brenda Walsh gulped.

    "Yeah, that¡¯ll help the coping, dummy,¡± Keeji said.

    ¡°Look who¡¯s talking.¡±

    The demonstration lasted only seconds before Katie broke a sweat and her hands shook, she assumed that she would need more practice before she could hold the mana longer. She exhaled and let her concentration slip. Without her direction or motivation, the mana ceased. Katie¡¯s tattoos disappeared, the nerve tingles subsided, and the energy she had summoned evaporated into harmless smoke.

    Katie took a few breaths, keeping her composure with a smile. "So," Katie said, "What do you think?"

    Jacob was first to respond, he stood from the couch and walked up the stairs. "I''ll be in my room," he said in monotone.

    Robert was next. ¡°Um¡­What do I think? It''s a start but...damn. That tail still creeps me out."

    "Magic is real and you''re still freaked out about my tail?" Katie asked. ¡°You will get one eventually.¡±

    ¡°That will cramp my style. Any chance I''ll offend people with a fifth limb? I can''t handle that.¡±

    Katie turned her finger in a circle. ¡°And the magic?¡±

    Robert paused, and then said, ¡°Cool but cautionary. I¡¯ll give a full report soon.¡±

    His words translated as never to Katie.

    "But what about the shit load of possibilities?" Katie said fervently, the possibilities were her only reason for even showing her magic.

    "Like a mushroom cloud?" Robert turned his head to address Scott. "You have been skeptical of Katie''s hobby since high school and you pulled that off?"

    "I was unconscious, so¡­¡± Scott twitched, placing a hand over his still healing chest scar. ¡°So stop fighting about it and take this seriously.¡±

    Katie nodded. "Yeah, Robert," she said sticking her tongue out. "Mom, Dad, your thoughts?¡±

    There had been tension between Katie and her parents before the Wave. Magic and New Age paraphernalia had been a hobby for her and her parents failed to understand her fascination with them. The same could have been said for Scott, but he had looked past her hobbies. After Katie''s mana demonstration neither Brenda nor Jonathan could bring themselves to doubt the very real magic that they had witnessed in their living room. Although Brenda was usually the most vocal family member, she sat silent, covering her mouth and shaking with the realization that her daughter would never be human again.

    Jonathan fidgeted in his seat, but he spoke for his wife. ¡°Me? Katie¡­.What do you expect us to say?¡±

    "A little support maybe,¡± Katie said. ¡°With time, it might be used for¡­¡±

    "Support my ass, Katie,¡± Jonathan said. Katie held her breath and he continued, ¡°Support is out. I still have trouble catching up with the news but do you have any slightest idea what all this means to us? To your family?"

    "Do you?" Scott asked. ¡°You''ve been disappointed in Katie ever since we left for Big Bear. Give us a break. Maybe you forgot our stories how we survived being prisoners in a government base, how we were saved by aliens. And my near death expe...." Scott winced again from his chest pain. "Jonathan, for all it¡¯s worth, this is what we have, and hard to believe, I¡¯m for finding out our limitations.¡±

    "Preach it, buddy!" Keeji barked.

    Jonathan did not like Scott¡¯s statement. "Or maybe who I''m looking at is not my little girl anymore.¡±

    Only a few deep breaths stopped Katie from yelling at Jonathan. Her tail jerked from side to side and she hoped that he understood that his words had hit a nerve. Part of the negative propaganda surrounding terrans in the news was that after the transformation there was nothing left of the human personality, and Jonathan''s accusation stung.

    "Dad, please. Hear me out," Katie said. "You hope this will go away and hear what the President says." Brenda swallowed as Katie¡¯s tail continued to sway. "This is happening. This was not our choice, Dad. What I''m learning and what I know might protect this family, maybe improve our lives."

    "''Might'' and ''maybe'' unsettle me, Katie."

    Arana flew onto the coffee table and stood in front of Katie''s parents, startling them. "I hate to disagree there, Mr. Walsh," she said. "Katie has tools and she is not afraid of finding out how to use them. More and more humans are changing. We have to adapt."

    "You''re talking to someone in his fifties," Jonathan said to the bird. "And still, the animals. Look, I''m the man of the house and for this whole family, and Scott, we need to take this slow before we barge and blow something up."

    Before Katie could add anything to the argument, the front door was kicked in. The two hinges of the door were ripped from the threshold and the doorknob had punched a hole through the wall.

    The humans in the room screamed at Jaruka Teal, standing in the doorway in his alien form with his green four-fingered hand pressed onto the door, pushing it still more from the frame. He was caked in mud, and his right eye twitched in rage.

    "You two. We talk. Now!" Jaruka yelled, he pointed at the terrans with a dead skunk in his other hand.

    The round of reactions was simultaneous.

    Keeji screamed, "Crazy alien in the house!" He ran to the kitchen.

    Arana was startled and flew back to the fireplace mantle.

    Robert cursed and jumped off the couch and followed Keeji.

    Jonathan stood and yelled incoherently.

    Brenda, in fear, could not leave the couch. "Forget what Jonathan said, Katie. Kill...whatever it is!"

    "Wait just a second, just cool it!" Scott stood from the recliner but his chest burned with pain. "Jaruka, what the hell is wrong with you? You promised we''d introduce you slowly?"

    "Drop that deal, kid," Jaruka yelled. "I spent two days scrubbing my skin raw to no relief! The mud doesn''t do crog at all and the leaves around the site makes everything itch!" Jaruka came in and slammed the skunk carcass onto the coffee table. The smell from the Halcunac was horrendous enough to make the couple and family gag. "Please tell me there''s a remedy to get rid of this smell. I am one step closer to set my skin on fire!"

    "Who in god''s name are you? We''re you human?" Jonathan yelled. "How do you know my daughter?"

    "Stay out of this, old man." Jaruka shook his head. "For goddess'' sake, I need hel¡­¡°

    There was a loud clunk and the few seconds of terror ended with a shimmer of light that enveloped Jaruka for a second. Jaruka fell forward and crushed the coffee table and skunk carcass. The couple backed away and Brenda jumped out and behind the couch before anybody else was hurt.

    Robert dropped his lucky shovel, gasping for air. No one had seen him come from the dining room with his tool amongst the confusion. ¡°Jesus fucking Christ," he said. "Dad, call the cops. Right now.¡±

    Jonathan had already put the number into his phone before Robert had said anything.

    ¡°No, not the cops,¡± Katie said with a gasp as she stood between her family and Jaruka¡¯s unconscious body. ¡°Nobody is calling the cops. Dad, stop, we can explain."

    "Explain? You explained enough," Jonathan said. The phone was at his ear.

    Katie grabbed the phone from him and ended the call, her fight with him would have to wait. She knelt beside Jaruka, ignoring her parents¡¯ and Robert''s pleas to stay away. Jaruka snored soundly and Katie figured that there were no injuries to his head, she was more concerned and curious about the light that had appeared. ¡°I hope he wakes up.¡±

    "He looks like a Predator knockoff, keep him knocked out. And how the hell does this guy know you two?¡± Robert asked.

    ¡°This guy you hit,¡± Scott started, ¡°happens to be our cellmate at Area 51.¡± The Walsh family went quiet. ¡°We we¡¯re hoping to tell you guys later before you guys have a spaz attack.¡±

    ¡°And his alien friends saved our lives,¡± Katie added.

    ¡°That too.¡±

    Robert looked back at Jaruka. ¡°Wait, wait, wait,¡± he said. ¡°He looks like that guy at the gate when you got back.¡±

    ¡°The same person.¡± Katie was concerned for Jaruka, more than ever, and somehow that bothered her. Jaruka seemed okay, but getting rid of the smell on him would be another ordeal.

 Part 2

    Serene darkness surrounded Jaruka. His body floated in the emptiness with no pain, no hate, and no cares.

    So this is what bliss feels like. Finally. He smiled.

    It felt right. There were no more worries to juggle; no more Denverbay, no more Galactic Council, no more Terra Firma, and certainly, no more staying afloat in space. Nova Company and his family would miss him, but life kept going, at least his wants were met.

    Peaceit was what Jaruka strived for in his life, and he had gotten it. He thought for a moment that staying in the darkness would not be so bad.

    A disturbing idea surfaced. He could not remember how it had happened and horrific childhood memories jarred him awake.

    Oh goddess, my promise!

    Jaruka opened his eyes and red water obscured his sight. Blood, he thought. "Crog!" As he spoke water rushed down his throat, tasting sweet and acidic. My blood! Some dipshit stabbed me! He flailed his body as water splashed, he gripped a sturdy edge and pulled himself out of the water.

    Once he was able to sit up, Jaruka coughed and took huge, gasping breaths. His skindreads felt heavier; it had to have been three hours in the water, or his blood, to swell them twice the size as before, but they were still strong enough to withstand a blade. He pushed his skindreads back from his face, letting the remaining water splash onto the window and wallpapered walls.

    He checked himself for stab wounds, mostly on his back. There was nothing so.

    Jaruka jerked his head to the left felt an intense headache that caused him to yell. He had no mirror to see, but he was certain that there was a blue and purple bruising lump on the back of his head.

    Ah...what the...," he said. "What the crog happened?"

    Blinking, looked at the white bathtub he had been in, filled with the red water. The smell was the same, but it did not match to anything he had come across before. The rancid smell from the furry animal was gone. "Aw, did I get sneezed on?" His clothes were still on, soaked, strained, and weighing him down, but his universal translator was on the white tiled floor. He grabbed the translator and froze as he realized where he was.

    The bathroom decor was alien to him, there were too many odd knickknacks for comfort. He cursed under his breath. It was a human bathroom, the bathroom at the winery. "Just my luck. I got to get out of here before bullets fly."

    He buckled his universal translator back around his neck and stuck the earbuds into his earholes. A red-tailed hawk perched on a towel rack across the bathroom let out a short cough to gain his attention, unamused by Jaruka''s actions.

    "Oh, it''s you," Jaruka said in clear English. "You must be...what''s your name..." He snapped his fingers. "Ms. Walsh''s bird...Kisada!

    "It''s Arana," she corrected him sourly. "No doubt some brain damage is present."

    "It''s a headache, smartass," he lied. He barely knew Scott and Katie''s totems, having only spoken to them for a few seconds at Groom Lake. "So tell me. What Terra Firma creature sneezed on me? And why am I not itchy or smelly? I can think of a dozen creatures hocking red mucus at me but none with medicinal properties."

    Arana said nothing, and did not move.

    Alright. Please tell me the truth. Jaruka ground his teeth with the second word.

    After what you did? You aint going nowhere until you apologize.

    Not from me.

    Arana jabbed a wing at him. Deal with it.

    Jaruka shook his head as he grappled with the idea of listening to a spirit animal. He looked through the window toward the sky. Its afternoon?

    Yes.

    Crog! How long...

    Were you out? Arana finished for him, and Jaruka slouched. A few hours.

    Crap! Not good!

    "Forget it, bird, I need to leave before--"

    "Ah, no, you are not, mercenary," Arana said and jumped off the rack. "You have some explaining to do. You stay put." She skipped to the cracked door.

    No wait um...I have bird seed!

    Meeting Scott and Katie again had to wait, just until he knew he would not jeopardize them. Jaruka struggled getting out of the tub, but Arana left before he could lift himself from the water. His soaked clothes were far heavier than he had thought. The water sloshed and pushed him forward onto the floor chest first as more water spilled out.

    "Teal is awake!" The bird yelled.

    Jaruka stood as he heard footsteps coming up the stairs. "Crap, crap, crap."

    Jaruka went for the door, but Scott pushed it open before Jaruka could lock it. He blamed his clothes for slowing him down. He was not sure how far Scotts mana heart had healed and did not want to test it.

    "Finally," Scott said. "Explain yourself." Katie was right behind him.

    Jaruka grumbled. "I get it. You two are mad. I have no reason to fight. Look at me, I''m soaked. Several spits of water flew from his long tunic cuffs, right onto the couple. Why don''t you two let me go and we''ll settle this later."

    "No, right now," Katie said harshly. "You promised. We had a deal before you left. You scared my parents half to death.

    She went past Scott to stand between him and mercenary. Somehow, it reminded Jaruka too much of the cell at the airbase.

    I had to talk them out of calling the National Guard for hours while you were unconscious, but somehow Deryl found out. That smell from you nearly made Mom puke.

    "And the skunk you squashed," Scott said nodding.

    "Oh so that''s the creature''s name," Jaruka said. "Wait. Squashed? I kicked it at a rock."

    Before, maybe. I dont know. Robert smacked you in the head pretty hard with a shovel though. Then you dropped, hard. Im not sure how you did that.

    Jaruka thought for a second. He had been hit in the head with metal blocks, staffs, hard-shelled fruits, and fists from countless species before, but not garden tools.

    "At least thank us for dragging you up here and stick you in a tomato sauce and calamine gel bath," Scott said. "How much do you weigh exactly? I nearly broke my back and ripped my chest open, no thanks to Robert."

    Jaruka thought for a moment. "About...hundred four kilos,"

    "Pounds, Jaruka, pounds," Katie said. "Look, I''m going to get some clothes for you to wear. Just don''t go anywhere."

    Jaruka''s eyes widened. "Human clothes? Ah no, not for me. I''d rather leave with my dignity intact."

    "In this house, we like to keep things clean, especially selling wine," Katie retaliated. "And another thing. Deryl is here.

    Whos he? Jaruka asked with suspicion, but he already knew the answer to his question.

    Hes your other watcher besides us, and some agent with him. Who he is I dont care. God. Katie stomped out.

    Scott shrugged and nodded. "Thats her pissed off mode," he said. "You must have been messed up bad to screw this up, or did you do it on purpose?"

    "Kid, it wasnt my fault, those leaves were horrible," Jaruka said.

    "With poison ivy? Why?"

    "Oh so that''s what that plant was," Jaruka said raising his chin. Its noted that I have no Terra Firma survival guide. Brill forgot that.

    "Answer the question."

    So much for that joke. "I thought that some plants rub off fowl smells. If I found them on other worlds, why not here? Sucks not having a guide, and being too drunk to have second thoughts."

    Scott coughed, but was really holding back a laugh. Okay, maybe not.

    "You know, we never agreed with Denverbay to watch you."

    "And nobody has to."

    "But, if you are stuck here for two years, can you at least act...normal here? Like taking a shower? And don''t get me started on Jacob."

    "Kid, I''m pissed. I''m covered in that stuff you said. I need to leave before things turn bad for all of us."

    "For what?" Scott asked as he squinted.

    "Because the..."

    "Here, take this," Katie said holding a bundle of clothes, startling Scott. "These are Dad''s old clothes he''s been meaning to get rid of. Take them. I''m hoping they fit."

    Jaruka stared at the clothes. "You expect me to dress like a human?"

    "You''re filthy! We have standards," Katie said.

    "Eating local food is one problem I''m successfully avoiding, but clothes is another. Granted I''ll be happy to accept other species'' clothes. Maybe nothing at all and show everybody how Halcunacs reproduce."

    Katie closed her mouth and swallowed, but kept her composure enough to push the clothes in Jaruka''s arms. "Do it quick, then come down for your papers, I think." Katie stomped out again.

    You just had to put that image in our heads, Scott said, then followed Katie out.

    At least Im not ashamed for what the goddess gave me.

    The couple kept on walking.

    "Does anybody take me seriously on this planet?" He yelled to himself.

    Avoid the family and visitors by any means had been his quick plan. Hospitality had to wait until things had settled. He wanted least of all for the government, the one power of Terra Firma, to get involved more than they had been told to.

    Jaruka hoped that Brill had spoken to the government, or someone. He wondered if they had listened at all. He could only hope and continue to keep himself isolated.

    His dropship was unattended, between the knockout and waking up, he had no memory of whether or not he had locked and cloaked the ship.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    The satellites were coming and he was scared to think that they could already be there.

    <hr>

    Jaruka had no choice but to clean up, thinking that might help alleviate the hate from the Walsh family.

    His clothesstill soaked from the tomato juice bathhad been stashed in a white trash bag in his hand. The Halcunac mercenary glared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, grimacing at the loaner human clothes. He had been given a red and white plaid buttoned shirt that was a bit tight but long enough to cover his toned stomach. The dark brown pants were not even close to covering the digitigrade middle of his legs, their bunching up could prove to be a problem later. He found the fabric, which he found out later was cotton, to be itchier than he would have liked.

    He had gone from mercenary to urbanite and grimaced at the thought of everything he owned turning out to be Terra Firma loaners. First the Lunar Spear, and then his style. He took a breath to stop himself from punching the mirror.

    "Treat this as temporary," he said. "Just leave without meeting the family, hear what those two want, and get back quick. Good plan." He walked out of the bathroom.

    A window was over the staircase as Jaruka peered at the leafless vineyard. Jaruka remembered they were grapevines; he hoped to avoid the wine, just like the countrys obsession with processed fast food. He walked closer to the stairs and could hear the couples distressed voices as they talked about their bodies, the state of the world, and Katies parents. He paused when they moved the conversation onto him.

    I cant tell how lucky or unlucky you two are, a man said. Scott, are you sure those aliens didnt take anything out of you, or put things in?

    Oh, now you make me worry, Deryl, thank you, Scott said. Can you be grateful he saved us? Saved me?

    Scott, we dont know much about him. He needs to be contained. Questioned. Examined for parasites and viruses for God sake, he was in a bathtub.

    He seemed fine, were fine. He probably has some alien tech to keep us healthy.

    But still in a bathtub. This must be controlled.

    This is going to suck, Jaruka muttered.

    He walked down the stairs briskly, determined to make no eye contact. The house felt stifled; his mood and the gasps that came from the family and newcomers when he came into view did nothing to help.

    Jaruka, stop, Scott said.

    He ignored them.

    Corporal gunslinger Jaruka Teal? Deryl Porter asked.

    The U.S. Marshals authoritative tone, and the fact that he knew Jarukas full title with Nova Company, made Jaruka stop before opening the door. He hummed. Dammit. He turned toward the crowd.

    Deryl Porter was a middle-aged man, still physically fit from his years in the Marines, stood tall in a suit. Despite his age and the years of stress, he kept a full head of brown hair. Jaruka noted the gold ring on his left finger and he assumed that it was a human custom. Deryls dark blue suit jacket was open and Jaruka could see the gun holster and badge next to his chest. Deryl looked content with himself, but gulped as Jarukas eyes fell on him.

    Good God, Deryl said. Big difference from the Gray and that red bodyguard.

    Jaruka flexed his shoulders. Thats what you call Brill and Kantra? Have some respect, they are family to me, he said. Except Kantra, hes a cheater.

    Deryl nodded. They also warned me of your attitude.

    Which one? Brill is trustworthy.

    Jaruka glanced at the other man beside Deryl, he was the same height as the Marshal, but wore a black suit, a spring microphone earpiece, and a very hard stare on his green eyes. His black hair was slicked back and he was rigid, full of pride, and serious; he could take on Jaruka. He reminded Jaruka of many hard-tailed bodyguards, but the human did not wear pounds of metal body armor.

    To note, he did not flinch as Deryl had, which could mean he had psyched himself to go against the alien.

    Jessica Bane came to mind and he shoved the memory behind him.

    Scott, Katie, and their totems were in the middle of the living room while the rest of the Walsh family, including little Jacob, stood near the kitchen.

    Youre Scotts godfather? Jaruka asked.

    Y-Yes. How

    Scott muttered about you and Brill mentioned you. See, not all brain cells are dead.

    Arana blinked.

    Yes again, Deryl said. Not sure what to say for being your babysitter. For a military man, he seemed able to keep his composure. And to not feel left out, Deryl continued, I read about the conditions. Risky stuff. Ill respect them, sir.

    Jaruka nodded once. Memorize them, he said. At least one human here is smart.

    Wait, what conditions? Katie asked.

    Deryl shifted his weight from right to left. The sa

    Later, Jaruka said. I have to go.

    Not just yet, the unknown man said. If I recall yourfriends contacted Marshal Porter and the White House about your visitation and made Porter a candidate, but certainly to no other agency, including mine. Those conditions are non-negotiable for one cent. He took a few steps toward Jaruka. You may be here on this planet, our country, for two years, but that doesnt give you the right to shove us out of your motive.

    Deryl coughed and said, Corporal Teal, this is

    CIA Foreign Affairs Officer Victor Mathews, he interrupted. Im the one overseeing your visitation.

    On whose authority? Jaruka asked.

    You tell me, alien.

    Well, dont make it a bigger deal. And youre ticking me off. And I smell something rank on you.

    Mathews clenched his jaw.

    Whatever. Keep your thoughts about me to yourself. Im out. Jaruka reached for and turned the doorknob.

    Unacceptable, Mathews said.

    Here we go.

    Mathews walked closer to Jaruka. The CIA, including me, cannot let your parade out in public or park your space ship on private property.

    Its a loaner.

    There are rules, sir. We had protocols for hosting extraterrestrials.

    And I have mine, and my governments. Follow them.

    No, Mathews said. All that planning is shoved out the window because of your governments orders. What about this family and the mutant couple? You terrorized and harassed the parents. You think those conditions keep us out? Forget it. I have orders and you are coming with us.

    They werent harassed, he needed help, Katie said.

    Dont tell him anything, Katie, Jonathan said. He threatened my little girl. He owes me new furniture. Arrest him already.

    But

    Jonathan cleared his throat and quieted Katie.

    Amidst the argument, Jaruka laughed under his breath.

    This is no joke, alien, Mathews said.

    It kind of is.

    By scaring American citizens?

    Nope. The arresting part.

    Jaruka blinked, Mathews attitude did not waver. The agent was determined to go through with the arrest. It seemed that the human culture did not understand that they were too far below and behind the political spectrum to have any weight on the galaxy''s hierarchy of politics.

    He was certain of one thing: he had to leave, fast.

    Look, are you going to criticize me anymore, Jaruka said, or do you have those citizenship papers Brill told me about? Otherwise, Ill head back to my ship and deal with myself for the next two years.

    We do, but I, Deryl said as he held the envelope in his hand, but Mathews raised his hand in protest.

    Some of the humans seemed smart enough to follow rules, but Mathews was a prime example of a human not evolved enough. It saddened Jaruka that Terra Firma was occupied by them, even though it was technically their home world.

    Those paper are ours still, Mathews said. We have protocols. Background checks for one. I dont know who you really are.

    Jaruka grumbled. Im a multi-system sociopathic mercenary without a care for anything except fulfilling my engorging ego on fear, destruction, and death. Is that what you want to hear?

    Mathews was quiet for a second. Thats a lie.

    Jaruka hummed. Youre good.

    Mathews opened his suit jacket enough for Jaruka to see the gun holster similar to Deryls. Dont make me do something drastic.

    Because that is what you humans want? To make what you believe is true?

    Youre an ass, Brenda said.

    Agreed, Scott added.

    How about a different task, Jaruka said. Stop worrying about me. Focus on your countrys security, like those rotting bodies on the street, and wherever Griffon skipped off to. And the terrans? Come on, be reasonable. Whos the real threat to your countrys way of life? Me, or the extinction of human culture?

    Mathews jaw moved slightly. Wash your mouth, he said. Ive lost men and women. Good people. Close friends. From the Wave, and as zombies. I shot some with the same firearm. Dont you fucking test me.

    Jaruka glanced at Deryl and grabbed the envelope from him. Mathews kept his footing and did not sway for the Halcunac.

    How about you dont test me. You know what will happen. Jaruka said and walked out.

    Subdue the suspect! Mathews yelled.

    As he walked onto the porch, two shadows converged on Jarukas sides. One fist hit his skull, and a strong arm made impact with his right ribcage. The patio came up fast at his face. He had little strength or readiness as the two humans pushed him down, grabbing his arms and pulling them behind him. It was too late for Jaruka to pull his hands from the cuffs, the same cuffs that he had broken out of in Area 51.

    Bastards! Let me go! Jaruka yelled.

    He was hauled up to his feet by two strong Marines in full gear and enough ammunition in their pockets to blow through Jarukas chest.

    Deryl rushed out of the house but was grabbed by another Marine and pinned to the wall. Mathews this is stupid, youll trigger them!

    We have our laws. His government must follow them, Mathews said after coming out of the house and onto the porch. Jaruka is being detained. If anybody has any real information about what happened at Groom Lake, its you and the terran couple. Take him.

    Jaruka was led off the porch with Deryl as four more Marines marched into the house with guns drawn. Jaruka looked out toward the driveway and cursed at the sight of his Howler Cycle on its side on the front lawn.

    The driveway was packed with military personnel and vehicles. he wondered how long they had been there Every one of the soldiers had rifles drawn, aiming at him and he wondered if they knew the conditions of his stay on Terra Firma or were working on orders alone.

    You might not know that the House and Senate are broken. My agency, Porters and the NSA are scrounging for every resource we can grab. Our strong military is shattered. You think we would leave you alone? Priorities and securities must be set, Mathews said, as if he was telling everybody.

    Youre going to die you croging idiot, Jaruka yelled. Youre probably pissing off the satellites right now!

    No alien is dumb enough to attack us. Whatever those two aliens said was nonsense. NASA confirmed it.

    Jaruka thrashed in the Marines grasp; he looked back at Mathews as Scott and Katie were escorted out. You selfish bastard! I hope one of these soldiers is enthralled and Ill let them rip you apart!

    Look whos talking. Tell the rest at Langley, Mathews said. He pulled his cell phone out and dialed a number.

    As the couple were taken, the family came out screaming for their release. Keeji and Arana ran out of the house and a soldier by the motorcycle shot them. Hold your fire! A fellow soldier ordered. Both totems dropped to the asphalt and became light before being absorbed into the terrans bodies. Scott and Katies eyes glowed blue and their skin lit up with their terran markings. Neither terran attempted to break free, but the soldiers quickly aimed their guns at the couple. The terrans were returned to the porch with Scott yelling from chest pains.

    Jaruka grunted. Mathews, free me! Its all true. Contain me and horrible things will happen.

    Save it. The bluff wont work.

    The Galactic Council doesnt croging bluff you dunderhead! This is a mistake and you croging know it!

    Jaruka was shoved into the back of a black van by three soldiers, all with rifles aimed at his head.

    Mathews produced a smug look at the mercenary as he spoke on the phone. Ah, sir, I have the objective. Ill be seWhat?

    Mathews expression turned from I have an alien. I might get a raise today to downright disbelief. Mathews was confused for a bit, sneered at Jaruka, then turned his back on him.

    Bluff you said? Jaruka asked with a smile.

    Soon, every soldiers radios blared with chatter. Deryls cell phone went off but the Marine holding him prevented him from answering.

    Jaruka sighed and let his head hang. Idiots.

    DearGod, Mathews said, slowly turning to Jaruka. With disbelief plastered on the agents face he lowered and closed his phone.

    "Tell me. What area did it hit? Jaruka asked. Must be somewhere important. Somewhere personal.

    Mathews shook his head, with more shake than normal. "What the fuck did you do?" Mathews asked.

    Me? How could I? Your planet is a threat. You free me and that spire shuts down, or elseand I''m being hypothetical about thisa spire fires on this town and gets everybody here killed. Drop the authority crap and follow what your galaxys government as ordered.

    Mathews hand shook, still holding his phone tightly. "Le-let him go, he said lowly, then repeated louder, true fear evident in his voice.

    Jarukas hands were freed, his wrists were sore from the cuffs.

    The chatter from the radios and cell phones went steady, and without another order, every soldier lowered their weapons.

    Before leaving, Jaruka approached Mathews.

    "Word of advice, he said low in Mathews ear, pay attention to your gods. Brill never lies. Get over yourself. He went to his Howler Cycle and mounted it. The engine came to life and he rode off the property

 Part 3

    Why did Jaruka keep the satellites from them?

    The news announced the attack on Langley once Jaruka had left the winery. As a journalism major, Katie was overwhelmed as she tried to keep up through her cellphones web browser. The banter between Scott, Deryl and Mathews did not help her concentration. All the articles made the terran threat a whisper compared to what had happened.

    The internet showed a quarter mile circle of forest gone, northwest of CIA headquarters. Gone, no life, just black soil. Security footage and cellphone video captured a column of red and yellow light from the sky and there were mentions of shockwaves and intense heat. The time of the attack coincided with Jarukas arrest, and once the cuffs came off, the laser disappeared. Mathews said that it was coincidence, but Katie was sure that he was scared out of his pants.

    NASA published intimidating photos as Katie, Scott, the totems, and Deryl were in the SUV driving toward Veil Lake with the small military squad following behind. A military satellite had captured pictures of the alien weapon in orbit over Virginia. The weapon was twice the height of the Eiffel Tower, wide at the top and slopped down to a narrow barrel, the hull was sleek metal, colored gold. A droplet hole showed the exposed power core, but Katie knew that shielding would protect it. Three more of the inverted cones were spotted by radar over Australia, United Kingdom, and North Korea.

    Katie heard Mathews talking to NASA, confirming that the satellites were not there two days ago, but they were there now. They had to have arrived recently.

    Why did Jaruka not tell the truth?

    The terran couple wanted to know why the satellites had attacked, and needed to make sure that Mathews did not try to cuff Jaruka again in the event that the attack was linked. Mathews had wanted Katie and Scott to stay back at the winery, but another look from their glowing eyes told him otherwise.

    Another perk for terrans: intimidation at its finest.

    Deryl shared the couple the Galactic Councils conditions once Scott had asked him for the fifth time and the couples words of the rules were not favorable.

    <hr>

    They were traveling on a dirt road with recently fresh tracks when Katie saw the military near the ship next to the lake.

    Ah, shit, Mathews said. Who the fuck told them to come? He kept on driving closer until Katie could see the reason for his comment.

    Cars, trucks and camper trailers were parked in front of the military, along with people who might have outnumbered the soldiers, but they kept their distance. Their base of operations was set up just as the SUV stopped and parked.

    Maybe Jaruka was right about their mixed priorities, she thought. Maybe the president had made the order, or not; Mathews did not mention him, but his superiors must have. Maybe, they did not want to deal with what had happened to her and Scott and risk sparking another confrontation with the countrys citizens.

    Let me scope the area, Arana said in Katies head.

    Good idea. See if Jaruka arrived already.

    Katie opened the car window and stuck out her left hand. Blue mana streams came from her skin, collected themselves, and then formed Arana mid-flight over the military presence.

    What was that? Mathews beamed. Better not be

    Thats my totem, she said. Shes just flying.

    More like spying.

    Now your tone is annoying, Deryl said in light of Katies feelings. Its bad enough your need to arrest him was proof enough.

    They left the SUV and joined the military holdout a hundred yards from Jarukas dropship. No soldiers were mixed in with the citizens as they surrounded the dropship, searching for ways to look inside and find a way inside. Two news trucks were next to a pair of Humvees broadcasting the commotion, but soldiers were already cutting their airtime.

    Katie and Scott walked up a small hill for a better look, along with Deryl, Mathews, and Keeji when he materialized from Scotts right hand.

    Oh, boy, Katie said.

    People, from hippies to scientists, crowded the area, touching the hull, examining the side thrusters and anti-gravity pods, and peeking through the bridges window. Some sat in music circles, religious communes, and one group even treated the gathering as a massive party, but everybody was there to see the evidence of life from space.

    Arana flew back, landing on Katies shoulder. I counted a few dozen people, some with guns I suspect. Jarukas Howler Cycle is here, but not Jaruka himself, she said.

    Take a good look, Mathews said beside Katie. That alien has no sense of secrecy. Look, he made a pubic example of his stay. This must be part of his plan.

    Really? A faction? Scott shook his head. I dont think thats like him. Maybe. Could be. No.

    What else why? It has to be.

    How about a hangover and stunk like hell!

    The terrans, totems and humans turned around as the mercenary walked towards them from the temporary communications truck. I forgot the cloak, but Id be damned to forget to lock it. He showed them a black cube than pocketed it. Mathews, youre ridiculous.

    Every soldier kept their eyes on him and their distance far. Jaruka did not care if they had gotten the order to keep away or heeded the warnings unlike Mathews, but they seemed to understand the issue.

    Jaruka walked up to the group, managing to keep himself from being seen by the civilians. Wonder who tipped them off about where I was? He eyed at Mathews.

    Perhaps you riding that thing you call a motorcycle, Mathews scorned, and then spotted the commanding officer. Captain Britt, you had orders to clear those crackpots from the ship hours ago. I see no movement. Explain.

    The mid-forties man folded his arms. Sorry, sir, new orders came. I love this country but Im not liable to turn it into a scorched desert. Those alien conditions might apply to the ship.

    Just me, Captain, no technology, Jaruka said, then muttered, like you could listen to that. Looking back at the dropship, the little bug behind his neck told him the hull or the bridges glass would not hold the civilians back any longer.

    Mathews mentioned containing Jaruka again, but Britt was wise enough to disagree. Soon the group fought for an agreement as to what to do with Jaruka, but he tuned out the fight as he focused on the squabble at the ship.

    Come on, think, big guy, he thought. Think of something. His eyes moved from one group of humans to another, he spotted a few terrans but they were not an issue. Negotiations were out, the moment he showed himself to them everybody would run at him. The military was of no use to him.

    One solution came to mind and he remembered what Nova Company had installed.

    Jaruka went back to his Howler Cycle, parked behind a tree; the terrans and agents had not noticed him leaving. He detached and lifted the seat; the storage compartment had his wet clothes in the trash bag, but he went for a weapon he rarely used. His plasma rifle and katana were his default choice, but the pistol was a better choice for his current circumstances.

    The plasma pistol was a heavy-duty revolver-type gun, custom made, and used the same plasma bullets as his rifle. Under the rubber grip wood frame dangled a woven leather lanyard ending with a Vyroken cog. He pushed the cylinder to the right, checked the ammo, and clicked it back into place.

    A few soldiers were watching him by the time Jaruka noticed and a short stink eye made them look away. After mounting the bike he revved the engine alive, opened the throttle and sped past the military and the couple without kicking dirt at Mathews.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Over the hill and with some airtime, he landed and fired his pistol in the air screaming, Out of my way! Pissed off drunk coming through!

    The crowd turned and then panicked. The people were confused, scared, and curious: the military would need riot teams to subdue the chaos. A few religious followers bowed to him, while the rest got out of the way, clearing the way to the dropship.

    One human shot at him, but white light appeared and blocked the bullet from his body.

    Somebodys courageous and stupid, Jaruka thought

    He jumped off the motorcycle, rolled in front of the hatch, and let the Howler Cycle drop to its side, nearly colliding with some people. As Jaruka stood up the humans started to run at him.

    The cube was shaken. The hatch door opened. Jaruka jumped inside as the hatch quickly locked itself closed. People banged on the door and hull, yelling, but Jaruka did not want to see any of them.

    Dude, check out his bike! Thats some Akira shit right there! A hippie said.

    You touch my baby, your head goes straight into a rocket! Jaruka yelled.

    He ran for the bridge after tripping over crates and clothes and banging his head on a shelf, managing to sit down as the terminal came on. The bridge was not covered and people spotted him and started banging on the glass while others just stared at him. Jaruka saw one person lift a finger at him, and Jaruka returned the favor. He had to look up what that really meant, or if that finger meant what he thought it did.

    Jaruka typed several commands on the terminal and then pricked his finger on a small device on the terminal. Three beeps followed.

    Screams came from outside. A man, probably religious, raised his gun at the bridges window. Jaruka smirked as the man fired.

    The bullet ricocheted off the thick space-rated glass and punctured through the mans right foot. There was more screaming, but the mans screams were drowned out. I have to kill him! He will bring doom to us all!

    How about you, dumbass? Jaruka said.

    DNA signature catalogued, the terminal said. Activating repulsion shield.

    A white shield rippled into existence an inch off the ships hull and windows. People that were banging on the hull were pushed back a few feet from the recoiled force. The shield shifted and expanded outward, pushing humans and vehicles back like a bulldozer pushing soil. The dome shield extended out a hundred feet then shimmered away, invisible, but still present. No humans or human tech were left inside the dome.

    Jaruka said, Thank you, Nova, while patting the terminal.

    He came out of the dropship as he stuck his pistol behind him in his pants. The humans and the few terrans gasped at his appearance. So many eyes. Is this how its going to be for two years?

    Now whos got the high tech stuff, huh? Jaruka asked smiling. Bang all you want and see all you can, you will never get to me.

    Even his words held value to them. Scientists wrote and recorded everything they saw and heard, hippies were stunned, religious nuts preached, still, and curious citizens either stood still or walked away, not sure what to believe. A few curious bunches touched the invisible shield only to be pushed back and off their feet.

    Jaruka spotted the terran couple and the agents pushing through the crowd and stopped a foot from the shield.

    I knew it. This is a public spectacle. Secretary of Defense will be furious over this, Mathews said with scorn in his eyes.

    Impressive, huh? Nova uses this tech every time on missions. Just for assurance, this croger is tough as diamond shields.

    But how are you in there and not everybody else?

    Its a selective force field, Jaruka explained. My DNA and alien tech is catalogued in the terminal, and allowed. You on the other hand arent because, well, youre an ass.

    Mathews cursed and walked off to settle the crowd with Captain Britt.

    What about us? Were your friends, Scott said. Let us in.

    Other people asked as well, including one religious nut palming a blade.

    Alright, alright! Jaruka yelled and the crowd settled. Give me a sec. The crowd began to complain as he walked back to the dropship.

    So much for being alone for a while, he thought.

    He came back with a handheld device from the terminal, as big as a credit card machine. He watched the device carefully as Scott and Katie added their blood samples, making sure that no one else got their DNA into the device. Deryl was added after Scotts fervent reasoning. Mathews wanted inside as well, but Jaruka let him sit anxiously as he pretended to think about it, long enough to irritate the agent before accepting Mathews blood sample.

    Walk on through, Jaruka said.

    At first the humans and terrans hesitated, and then simply slipped through as the shield shimmered. One homeless woman grabbed Katies arm, she had a Celtic glowing tattoo on the back of her left hand. Scott removed the woman''s hand and pulled Katie inside before she tried again.

    Please, she said with tears down her cheeks. I need answers. Tell me. Does it hurt? Do you lose yourself to the pain? I need to know!

    Scott and Katie did not answer even though they were simple questions, Jaruka wondered about their silence briefly. Arana flew through the shield and other terrans totems tried but were kicked back, Jaruka surmised that it was because the totems shared their hosts blood, but it was something that he would have to look into further.

    Mathews and Deryl looked over the ship. Impressive, Deryl said. Never believed Id be standing in front of one in my lifetime.

    Mathews did not relish the sight. He went to the open hatch and peered inside. And I thought aliens were extremely disgusting, he said. This is a petree dish of potential viral pandemics.

    Look up immunity nanites, Jaruka said. You got your look. You see how I can protect myself. What more do you want?

    What about them digging under the shield? Mathews asked.

    This penetrates through solid mass. Dont ask for any technical stuff, Im not the inventor.

    The couple joined in and Scott said, Jaruka, nows the time to talk about the spires. Deryl explained it to us.

    Yeah, whats really going on? Katie asked.

    Before Jaruka could answer, an alarm went off in the dropship. Of all the distractions! He yelled. The particular alarm caught his attention,it was a quick on-off alarm, an incoming attack. Hold that thought, he said.

    He walked into the ship as Mathews failed to order him to stop. In the bridge, red lights flashed on the terminal. The radar on the center console showed multiple targets coming from the south.

    Jaruka squinted at the twelve targets descriptions, than dropped the DNA device. Scott and Katie joined him in the bridge. If there is a reason for not telling us, forget it, Scott said. So stop acting so closed off and tell us.

    Crog, Jaruka cursed.

    Now the defensive act?

    No, not that, Jaruka said and pointed at the screen. That.

    There was no Halcunac to English translation. I dont get it, Katie said.

    Does a Mogaran mudpig shit gold bricks? Jaruka asked.

    Scott blinked. Mudpig?

    Gold bricks? Katie asked.

    Stay inside. Jaruka pushed past the couple. I have a bone to rip out.

    Hey, watch it! Katie yelled.

    Computer, activate secondary shield, three hundred feet, biological entities and technology allowed.

    Acknowledged, the computer said.

    Jaruka left the ship as the second shield appeared, larger than the first and covering most of the crowd. He pushed Deryl aside and grabbed Mathews by the jacket, lifting him up eye level. Hey, what the hell! Put me do

    Listen here, you sniveling bug, Jaruka said, there are a dozen missiles heading our way and if you had anything to do with this, consider yourself the croging traitor of the year!

    He threw Mathews to the ground and ran toward the crowd. Some were leaving the shield out of fear. Stay in the shield! Look up! Get inside! Say under the shield!

    Soon the missiles passed over the Palomar Mountain range. The crowd got the message and ran under the shield.

    The military far from the shield became frantic, dropped their tasks, and sprinted for the shield. A few brave souls sought shelter in the vehicles but were dragged out by others.

    Jarukastill mad that he had no chance to tell the couple about the spireshated interruptions. Cover your ears, he yelled. He dropped to the ground and plugged his earholes.

    The first two missiles hit. The first blasted half of the temporary military camp to scrap and fire. The second hit the shield directly. None of the heat or force penetrated the shield and the dome merely shimmered, but the ground-shaking sonic boom filled the air.

    Mathews ran inside the ship for cover as Scott and Katie came out with fingers in their elf ears, but the next three missiles made them run back inside. Deryl found shelter under the ships port-side thruster.

    Trucks and cars were destroyed and propelled into the air and plant life was obliterated. The communication trailer opened up like a flower of twisted metal, spitting fire and sparks from its center. Three more missiles slammed into the shield and Jaruka saw it flex a bit from the force.

    Strong and reliable Vyroken tech.

    It was a good thing he had kept the lifesaving technology before befriending the senior engineer, or else he would not have been standing on Terra Firma without his eardrums blowing out.

    The last four missiles came late, laying waste to the unprotected ground.

    Jaruka opened his eyes and stood, pulling his fingers out of his ears. Inside the shield, frightened and stunned humans stood in safety, looking grateful.

    Outside the shield, the land was a war zone. Jaruka swore that he could see several charred bodies in the rubble. The citizens must have had little sense of what real explosions did, the shock on their faces would last for a good long while, followed by smiles for being alive. Soldiers sounded off their status and all of them were alright save for some ringing ear drums.

    Jaruka turned back toward the dropship.

    Deryl came from under the ship. Tha-Those were ballistic missiles, he said. Short range. Jesus.

    They came south. Whats in the south? Jaruka asked.

    Deryl blinked. Pendleton. San Diego. Army and navy bases. Who the hell did this?

    Jaruka looked back at the dropship and spotted Mathews in the port-side window. I have a hunch.

 Part 4

    Terra Firma, the planet that fights over pointless reasons. A fitting tagline. Another good one. Victor Mathews, the CIA agent too dumb for his britches. Jaruka smiled.

    Jaruka cracked his knuckles and neck as he paced toward the dropship. ¡°Victor,¡± he yelled, ¡°come out so I can rearrange your spine!¡±

    ¡°Teal, no, this is ridiculous,¡± Deryl said getting in front of the alien. ¡°You really assume Victor did this?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯ll just take a sec.¡± Jaruka placed his hand on Deryl¡¯s face and pushed him aside, nearly knocking him down. ¡°Don¡¯t bother calling a medic.¡±

    Mathews disappeared from the windows as Jaruka got closer.

    Jaruka cracked all eight knuckles again.

    The only exit was the hatch, if Mathews ran he would have to sprint before Jaruka could grab him. If Katie could use her magic to stop him perhaps it would be easier, but she was new to it and Jaruka had less than great experience with newbie sorcerers.

    ¡°Victor, come on out and fight like¡ª¡±

    Someone screamed from the crowd.

    ¡°Oh, for Goddess sake,¡± Jaruka said turning. ¡°Can I ever talk without interruption today?¡±

    Jaruka and Deryl spotted the screamer amongst a crowd of local hippies. People backed away from him fearing the worst. He was dressed in hand-me-down clothes from a thrift store with sandals, screaming and writhing with a major headache. ¡°Ah, God, stop! Get out! Get out!¡± He repeated with every scream. Two humans asked the man what was wrong but the hippie did not respond and continued screaming.

    Jaruka watched the humans curiously, momentarily he forgot about Mathews, what was happening in the crowd felt familiar.

    The hippie fell to his knees, yelling at the sky. At first Jaruka thought that it was a ruse, but he looked at the man closer and realized what he was seeing.

    The man¡¯s eyes were bloodshot.

    ¡°Can¡¯t be,¡± he whispered. Jaruka pulled out his plasma pistol. He still had two shots left.

    The hippie¡¯s neck and spine cracked by themselves, easily heardover the people¡¯s screams. Jaruka pulled back the pistol¡¯s hammer.

    The hippie dropped to his back.

    Two humans ran to the body. ¡°John! Oh, John, no!¡± Screamed the woman in tears. She must have been his girlfriend or wife from her similar rags. Some extremists in the crowd called it ¡°demon magic¡± and tried blaming it on Jaruka.

    ¡°Close,¡± he said.

    Deryl walked up but not closer, Jaruka¡¯s face and his pistol out told him that he did not want to get too close.

    The other man knelt beside the body, but screamed, ¡°He¡¯s breathing! Thank God he¡¯s alive!¡±

    The ¡°dead¡± hippie opened his blood-gushing eyes and screamed the awful screech Jaruka knew too well.

    The zombie grabbed the surprised man¡¯s arm and swung him over his head, colliding with the woman. Jaruka blinked. The zombie was on his feet and the two humans were still on the ground.

    ¡°John! Bro! Cut it out!¡± The man yelled.

    ¡°John who?¡± It growled, sending chills through Jaruka.

    The zombie grabbed the man by the collar and the woman was too scared to pull him back. Within seconds, the zombie twisted the man¡¯s head around, then dug his hand into the man¡¯s mouth. Jaruka¡¯s stomach twisted as the zombie ripped out the man¡¯s lower jaw, holding the flesh in his hand.

    ¡°John¡± stared down at the woman like a drunk hyped up on drugs. She did nothing but shiver in fear, traumatized by the gruesome murder. The zombie then jumped at her, the woman screamed, and he jammed the lower jaw into the woman¡¯s right temple before driving his foot into her spine.

    Ten seconds.

    A newscaster described the event as her cameraman captured the footage. As if the zombie were annoyed, he took a stick from the ground and hurled it at the newscaster¡¯s right shoulder. The cameraman dropped his equipment to grab her, but the deep wound was oozing blood fast from a severed vein.

    Afterwards the zombie turned and screamed at Jaruka. Blood dripped off his eyes down his thin cheeks as he started running at the Halcunac.

    Without his honor dead, he was still able to sense magical energies and he felt them from the zombie¡ªthe deep, black magic from Area 51. The zombie¡¯s mouth was wide, baring his cavities. His muscles bulked up with every step, but that tipped Jaruka off. Enthralled zombies never bulk up that much, especially with a victim so thin before.

    Which meant¡­.

    The zombie slammed into the inner shield. The shield rebounded the force, sailing the zombie twenty feet back where he landed on his feet.

    ¡°Mercenary!¡± He yelled, silencing the crowd. ¡°You coward! Fight me!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll pass,¡± Jaruka said, but the garbled voice became familiar. ¡°Wait¡­Griffon?¡±

    The right side of the zombie¡¯s face went numb, down to the bobbling eyeball and his right arm was next.

    ¡°Look wha¡­that punk Dunne did to me!¡± He grunted. ¡°I¡­this human was difficult to take¡­This¡­this pain. By Jove. What happened? What did that¡­pecker do to me!?¡± He paused for a breath. ¡°Tell me¡ªAH!¡±

    His left knee and shin broke by itself, without action from the zombie. Bone cracked and muscle ripped apart, but the zombie kept his stance. The soldiers aimed their rifles, but did not fire even though the zombie attack across the country days ago permeated their minds.

    ¡°I¡¯m immortal! This¡­cannot be happening!¡±

    Jaruka smirked. ¡°Well. I¡¯ll give points to Scott. He crippled you good. Must be running on empty, right, Griffon? From the rapid decay, I¡¯d say five minutes.¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s Griffon?¡± Deryl asked.

    ¡°The one that captured me, Scott, and the sorceress.¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± Deryl said and half raised his Sig Saur. ¡°Wait. Sorceress?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t bother.¡±

    The zombie yelled with a hand on his chest. ¡°The host¡¯s heart and kidney ruptured. Good deduction, Halcunac,¡± Griffon said.

    ¡°Make that seconds.¡± Jaruka sneered.

    There was another bone snap. The zombie made irregular breaths as he held the left side of his chest.

    ¡°Y-You think you¡¯re safe?¡± The zombie said, he gave a small laugh, but winced as he spoke. ¡°You won¡¯t¡­last a week on¡­this planet. Gah. Just wait, Halcunac. I will get you, and those kids.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you don¡¯t.¡± Jaruka showed his pistol, not pointing it in any direction in particular. ¡°They are my watchers, and witnesses.¡±

    The zombie licked his lips, tasting the blood. ¡°My people will enjoy watching you die. Just you wait.¡±

    Jaruka glanced back at the dropship. Scott and Katie were outside with their totems. Scott stood rigid with a hand on his chest scar, Katie kept him from getting closer.

    ¡°Oh yes, mercenary, there are more¡­lots more,¡± Griffon said before both femurs broke and he dropped to the ground. ¡°We will get you¡­Especially¡­that witch Dunne bangs.¡±

    Katie stepped closer, but Scott kept her from getting too far away from the dropship.

    The zombie made a predatory laugh, low and menacing.

    A scream from the tattooed woman earlier, standing yards from the zombie broke his act. People backed away as she gripped her tattooed hand. Her hand ruptured as blue and white marbling liquid began to cover her arm. ¡°Somebody! Help me!¡± She yelled.

    The circle formed as her clothes were consumed. Nobody helped her, or dared to. All watched in silence as she transformed into a terran like Scott and Katie.

    The zombie snickered at her. ¡°Pitiful,¡± he said, and then he screamed before his head exploded clean off its neck. The body convulsed for a second, blood staining the soil.

    Deryl and the humans looked away, but not Jaruka and the terrans.

    ¡°Just like all the others,¡± Jaruka said.

    <hr>

    Half mile southeast of Lake Skinner

    Temecula, CA

    Few hours later¡­

    The dropship hovered a hundred feet above ground as it slowly lowered onto its new location. The sky was filled with an orange glow from the setting sun, and the ship appeared as a misshapen black object. People tracked it, even built a caravan of cars and busses, but they were diverted away by the military.

    It was Deryl¡¯s idea to move Jaruka, not Mathews¡¯.

    The first site was declared unlivable once word came out what those missiles were and what they were capable of carrying. Evacuating the charred area was a safe bet.

    The new location¡ªone acre of land west of a small hill¡ªwas cleared by City Council and Forest Service as a dedicated extraterrestrial campsite, as long as the local wildlife and vegetation were not disturbed or threatened. Jaruka accepted the terms and location without question. It was not hard at all for Scott and Katie to convince Jaruka to move, he would be closer to the winery, but far from major pockets of people.

    The landing struts extended from the hull as it glided down. Scott and Katie had stopped by the winery before returning, taking Robert¡¯s Jeep back with them to the new landing site. Katie carried a wrapped object in a paper bag in her arm, holding it tight like a treasure. They approached Deryl, standing by his own car and talking on his cellphone.

    The dropship touched down, the thrusters were killed and the lights flicked on.

    ¡°Yes, Yes, Mathews is leaving for Langley right now,¡± Deryl said on the phone. The couple did not speak to Mathews afterwards, and he had nothing to say to them. He was still shaken after the attack and the zombie¡¯s appearance. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll make sure of that, sir.¡± Deryl was too into the phone call to notice Scott. ¡°He say¡­.Oh, good. Finally¡­.Nobody goes near him without permission. Got it.¡±

    The dropship¡¯s shield activated and grew as it had before. Scott spotted Jaruka leaving the bridge, but he did not leave the ship.

    Deryl sat on the SUV¡¯s front bumper. ¡°Of course he has the paper¡­.Yes, I¡¯ll review them with him soon, but he said he can handle it¡­.Understood, sir. Uh huh. Uh huh. And what about the captain?¡± Deryl paused and his eyes widened. ¡°Jesus.¡±

    Scott and Katie exchanged worried glances. Their totems materialized, Keeji sat close to Scott, and Arana stood on the SUV¡¯s hood. Neither totem fazed Deryl.

    ¡°Understood, sir. Will have the report tomorrow at 0800. Talk to you¡ª¡± He moved the phone from his ear looking lost. ¡°He hung up,¡± he said and leaned forward holding his head, rubbing his face. ¡°God dammit.¡±

    ¡°Who was that?¡± Scott asked.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    Deryl did not speak for a moment, and then looked up at Scott. ¡°Do you have any idea how shocked I am you¡¯re this healthy?¡±

    Scott did not answer.

    ¡°You know,¡± Deryl continued, ¡°ever since you left the hospital, we tried. We tried everything to lose that weight. It took over six months just for you to lose one pound.¡±

    ¡°I remember,¡± Scott said nodding, ¡°and we have a reason to ignore it now. Come on, who was that on the phone?¡±

    ¡°Now look at you. Thin. Back to what you were before the tragedy. Except the whole¡­magic¡­tail¡­stuff.¡±

    Scott exhaled. ¡°Deryl, we can talk about my weight loss and mana heart later.¡± He asked again, firmer.

    Deryl shook his head, agreeing. ¡°Well. That was CIA Director Greg Haze. Mathews¡¯ superior.¡±

    ¡°I remember him.¡±

    ¡°Can you guess how scared and pissed he was?¡±

    ¡°More than the people surrounding the ship hours ago?¡± Katie asked.

    ¡°Like a raging bull,¡± Deryl said. ¡°He and Mathews sure learned their lesson, more for Mathews. He, the CIA, my employer, and every private organization is trying to be more aware of the Republic¡¯s conditions. The President himself is going on air to address everybody to stay away from Jaruka. So yes, I am in over my head in doing my job.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s good, I think. The more informed the better, right?¡± Scott said.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not, son. Besides being a secret, everybody will want to see him. Imagine North Korea or Al-Qaeda trolling over, asking how to operate his weapons. Having him here he¡­he¡¯s a dangerous tourist attraction for sure.¡±

    ¡°The shield will keep them out,¡± Katie reminded him.

    ¡°But not his mouth, or his presence pissing others off.¡± Deryl stood and kicked some dirt. ¡°Great idea, man. Move him here near Scott. Good for you.¡±

    Even if Deryl wanted to, Scott thought it would be best not to have Deryl and Denverbay talk face to face.

    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, you were pressured,¡± Arana said.

    ¡°Probably right.¡± He looked at the ship. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to keep a riot from happening here. I¡¯m just sure he has a plan.¡±

    Jaruka still had not come out. Scott noticed people getting passed the soldiers to make camp, but were turned around, even begging did not help.

    ¡°Speaking of riot,¡± Scott said. ¡°You mentioned captain. What captain? The one we just met?¡±

    ¡°Not him, the missiles,¡± Deryl said. ¡°Maybe you know this but it¡¯s the same MO as the zombie reports. A U.S. Navy destroyer in San Diego launched the missiles. None of them had warheads, thank God. My friend in forensics said the crew all had bloody eyes and mutilated bodies. How they killed themselves was not disclosed.¡±

    There are more¡­lots more, Scott thought and scratched his chest scar. ¡°You don¡¯t think?¡± He asked Katie.

    Katie shook her head saying, ¡°No, maybe not him. And stop scratching it.¡±

    ¡°Who?¡± Deryl asked.

    ¡°The one that spoke through that guy, but¡­it can¡¯t be. There has to be more than just one.¡±

    ¡°More?¡± Deryl asked.

    ¡°Reapers,¡± Scott said, but said no more.

    ¡°Tell me later.¡± Deryl shook his head. ¡°But the captain I¡¯ll tell you.¡± He paused. ¡°He was sliced in half in his cabin. Vertically.¡± Deryl paused again to swallow. ¡°Those are small rooms, and nothing on earth can do that with so little space, I don¡¯t know what would have that kind of agility. Not even the sharpest weapon could do that. Who does that? Or what?¡±

    ¡°Reapers. Bad motherfuckers,¡± Keeji answered.

    Katie shrugged in agreement.

    Deryl leaned back and said, ¡°Right. Later. God this headache is killing me.¡±

    Scott had known Deryl since he was a toddler. He was a true, close friend and godfather of Scott¡¯s late parents. Deryl was a Marine that had served on Navy cruisers for deployment, then retired and became a U.S. Marshal. He had a family, and Scott could tell that the terran concepts were frightening to Deryl, he dreaded to think of the transformation happening to his daughters.

    ¡°I got something,¡± Scott said. ¡°Go home. Grace and the kids must be worried about you. Katie and I will talk to Jaruka.¡±

    Deryl smirked. ¡°I¡¯ll do that. But¡­you sure? I¡¯ve seen the weapons this guy packs.¡±

    Scott pointed at the dropship. ¡°We know how to talk to him¡­I think.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Deryl said nodding, ¡°but still, a non-threat unless provoked. Never imagine dealing with this is my lifetime.¡±

    ¡°Those conditions,¡± Katie said. ¡°How is the government handling this?¡±

    ¡°Embedding those rules in their brains I guess,¡± Deryl said. ¡°Speaking of government. Word is getting out.¡±

    Keeji cocked his head to the right.

    Arana said, ¡°In what way, sir? I¡¯m aware that most of the House, Senate, and White House members were zombies and killed. Have they announced a plan to bounce back?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Deryl paused to scratch his hair. ¡°After the address ten minutes from now, the President will announce his resignation as of today. His oldest daughter got a tattoo.¡± He raked his hair back. ¡°And to think, I voted for that guy.¡±

    <hr>

    The documents were scattered on the bench. A United States passport with a missing photo and misspelled name. Jason Teal. Really? Official citizenship documents with the correct name, but race was listed as ¡°Pacific Islander.¡± A California green card, also with missing photo. An over-the-counter book of the United States Constitution, not translated to Halcunac. A stack of business cards for Deryl, Mathews, the Walsh family and company, Scott, and a few government officials for questions and inquiries. If only they would have left him a cellphone.

    And a hundred dollar bill.

    Jaruka expected more; a shuttle ticket off the planet, or a text translator. A bottle of Kimana Gin sounded better, that stuff made worries flush away for an hour.

    Jaruka was not sure if to keep the documents or burn them at night, his only worry was that destroying the documents would aggravate Brill and Denverbay.

    The dropship¡¯s hatch door was knocked on. Jaruka closed his eyes. ¡°If it¡¯s Mathews, I am not answering it,¡± he whispered.

    The knocking persisted, followed by Scott¡¯s voice. ¡°Hey, Jaruka. We want to come in.¡± Jaruka wanted to be alone, but even so, he answered, he trusted them.

    Jaruka stood, grabbed the bottle of Nova Company brew he had uncorked, and opened the hatch as he took a sip. ¡°Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m busy?¡±

    Scott, Katie, Keeji, and Arana looked up. ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± Katie said.

    Jaruka leaned out. ¡°Is Deryl with you?¡±

    ¡°I gave him a break,¡± Scott said. ¡°Can we talk?¡±

    ¡°About what?¡±

    ¡°The papers. Those spires Victor mentioned. What to do. What not to do. You know? Stuff. Important stuff.¡± Scott made emphasis on those remaining words.

    Jaruka took a long breath, and then nudged his head for them to come in. He turned toward the paper-covered bench and took a drink. ¡°Are you here to scold me for not telling you?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t look well,¡± Katie said.

    ¡°No crog.¡±

    ¡°Need help?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Get to the croging point,¡± he said setting the bottle down, making Katie jitter a little.

    ¡°Hey, enough with the attitude,¡± Scott said. ¡°You¡¯re not the only one with an interesting day. People are dead.¡±

    ¡°No shit.¡±

    ¡°And Victor was scared to shit.¡±

    ¡°Ain¡¯t that a surprise. He learned his lesson.¡±

    ¡°How could you say that, Mr. Teal?¡± Arana said. ¡°If you have any chance to cooperate with humans and terrans, might as well lighten your selfish attitude.¡±

    ¡°You really believe I¡¯m selfish, bird? I¡¯m useless here. This intel job is not what I wanted to do for two years. In any way I see it, the Council will put me down if I do or don¡¯t do the job.¡±

    ¡°Gathering information on us and the world is one thing, making an example of yourself is another, and will reflect on me and Katie¡¯s family. We get it,¡± Scott said. ¡°Now, from the very beginning tell us about the conditions and these spires. What are they?¡±

    Jaruka pulled back a few dreads with a smirk. He sat down on a clear bench seat and said, ¡°Who told you?¡±

    ¡°Deryl.¡±

    ¡°How much did he go over?¡± Jaruka asked.

    Katie said, ¡°Satellites targeting and attacking places on earth whenever anybody injures you.¡±

    It was true, but it was not everything. ¡°That¡¯s all he said?¡±

    ¡°Oh, and to treat you with respect and with high hospitality.¡±

    ¡°Not that formal.¡± Jaruka took a drink. ¡°Like every government member, there¡¯s always a layer of secrecy. He must be scared of you two knowing everything. That will get people killed.¡±

    Scott gulped.

    ¡°I¡¯m a tolerance test,¡± Jaruka said. ¡°Being an Archive¡¯s lackey, I¡¯m here to see how humans cope with off-worlders. Denverbay¡¯s brilliant plan in case I don¡¯t go to trial. I didn¡¯t care either way, my life is ruined as it is.¡±

    Katie said, ¡°Before trial? That¡¯s messed up.¡±

    ¡°Those satellites,¡± Jaruka said, pointing upwards, ¡°and you¡¯ll see them soon.¡±

    ¡°I have. Here,¡± Katie said. She revealed her cellphone and flicked to a picture she had saved earlier. ¡°Is this it?¡± She asked showing Jaruka the NASA photo.

    Jaruka nodded. ¡°That¡¯s it alright. They¡¯re called Titan Spires. A.I. controlled solar and nuclear powered plasma and chaotic energy cannons. The Galactic Council¡¯s sure fire way of eliminating real Republic threats without the loss of precious Royal Navy infantry or vehicles. You deal with one and your fleet is wiped out in seconds. No matter what, the Council never tolerates insurrections, especially with primitive species such as yourselves.¡±

    ¡°Hey,¡± Keeji said.

    ¡°Like a trump card, right?¡± Scott asked.

    ¡°Don¡¯t know what that human term means. I¡¯ve seen them work before, but also against planets. The energy compound never destroys, only transmutes, turning planet surfaces into desolate, fertile soil and ships into space rock. Organisms are¡­composted. Anything outside the beam is on fire, sonic blasted, or roasted. Check your news, some of Mathews¡¯ ¡®friends¡¯ were cooked, I think.¡±

    ¡°Jesus,¡± Scott said.

    ¡°Now here¡¯s where you¡¯ll hate Denverbay as I.¡± Jaruka propped his collared leg on an adjacent bench. ¡°The A.I. is probably somewhere close, but that is connected to this band.¡± The black band between his knees had distinctive grey stripes. ¡°The soulless A.I. is programmed to fire the spires if anything happens to me. It is listening, right now. Your ¡®internet.¡¯ My heartbeat. Those spires are coming, and there¡¯s nothing to stop them. Unless you swoon Denverbay off his spikes, that won¡¯t happen.¡±

    ¡°Wait, more. You said more?¡± Scott asked.

    Jaruka slowly nodded. ¡°Dozens. Standard against Red Flagged protected planets. They will orbit Terra Firma in the coming days. By then you¡¯ll see them by telescope and dotting the night sky picking up your sun¡¯s light.¡±

    Katie looked floored and she sat down on a crate. Arana flapped and perched next to her. ¡°Jesus. That¡¯s insane.¡±

    ¡°You think that¡¯s insane? The conditions are worse.¡±

    ¡°How so?¡± Scott asked.

    Jaruka finished the bottle and belched. He set the bottle down but it toppled and rolled off onto the floor. ¡°First, I think, you two and your family are exempt. Everybody else is watching their backs against me. What I do recall¡­¡± He hiccuped. ¡°¡­Any government or military member¡ªlike dumbass Mathews¡ªeven touch me without a threat, and that includes a single finger, a spire or more trigger and target an area the person works for or from.¡±

    Jaruka heard someone scream but he was unsure who it belonged to. Keeji shivered a little.

    ¡°Arrests, beatings, even a skin scratch, the spire fires, or spires. Normal citizens are exempt, I hope. Oh and the best part,¡± Jaruka said in a sarcastic tone, ¡°if I die, a quarter of the planet is composted from my location.¡±

    The terrans did not take that bit well. ¡°Fucking hell,¡± Scott said. ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°A message to never mess with the Galactic Council and somehow send your species a few hundred years behind in evolution. I don¡¯t know, it¡¯s my guess.¡±

    ¡°So,¡± Arana said. ¡°If you die here, the United States is eradicated?¡±

    ¡°Kuido,¡± Jaruka said.

    ¡°That¡¯s bingo, right?¡±

    ¡°Kuido.¡± Jaruka sniffed. ¡°No matter how you preach your gods, or parade nuclear weapons, the answer will always lead to death.¡±

    ¡°But what if a foreign power tries to kill you?¡± Scott asked.

    Jaruka laughed. ¡°I told you. The land is composted where I die.¡±

    ¡°I meant before.¡±

    ¡°Oh, then yeah. I¡¯ll check with the A.I., when I try talking to it.¡±

    ¡°Shit. So what about everybody else that¡¯s not a government member.¡±

    ¡°Oh, that,¡± Jaruka said leaning back. ¡°Any idiot human, or terran, can beat me up unless my life is threatened or I die.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Katie said. ¡°So what will you do to stop it from happening?¡±

    Jaruka stood up. ¡°For one, the dropship¡¯s shield. Two, this?¡± He lifted his loner shirt above his pecks.

    ¡°What the heck is that?¡± Keeji asked.

    Over Jaruka sternum was a clear, vertical stretched hexagon crystal, trapped in a chrome frame and seemingly attached to the bone. It brightened every few seconds.

    ¡°I saw that when we put you into the bathtub,¡± Katie said. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°A PSD.¡±

    ¡°English?¡±

    ¡°Personal shield device. Custom Vyroken hybrid tech.¡±

    ¡°Vyroken.¡± Katie thought.

    ¡°Don¡¯t think too hard. In fact, don¡¯t ask about them. Ever,¡± Jaruka said. ¡°It¡¯s what prevented your brother from breaking my neck, and that guy with the gun. Any threat and it protects me. Gives off a nasty kick and some whiplash sometimes but I never wander without it.¡± The shirt was lowered back down. ¡°Make this your only choice. Leave. Me. Alone.¡±

    The only sound was the military helicopter flying overhead, then leaving. Jaruka¡¯s black eyes and gold iris¡¯ made certain the terrans and totems understood, yet the husky wanted to blab.

    ¡°Well¡­what about holidays? Or when we are bored and what to bug you?¡± Keeji suggested, but he was ignored.

    Scott¡¯s hands went to his hips. ¡°That¡¯s it? You stay under a shield for two years?¡±

    Jaruka paused and then said, ¡°Pretty much.¡±

    ¡°There is food and cabin fever,¡± Katie said.

    Jaruka rolled his eyes. ¡°I have immunity nanites in my veins. Watching races will be figure out soon. I can eat your food when I want to, but not really. I¡¯ve seen your ¡®fast food.¡¯ Makes me sick just looking at it.¡±

    ¡°We have organic alternatives.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t trust it. I¡¯ll manage,¡± Jaruka beamed.

    ¡°Alright, fine. Keep your honor,¡± Katie stood, but kept talking. ¡°Those symbols, on your stained clothes and your shoulders. What are they?¡±

    ¡°Come on, Katie, not now,¡± Scott pressed.

    ¡°Hang on, just hear me out. This is important.¡±

    It was one thing to see and meet Jaruka face to face, but learning about his past was another. Katie was the most curious since Area 51, asking countless questions about other aliens, technology, magic, and certain spells correlating to the Wave. Jaruka was grateful that when he answered, Katie was satisfied. She was a curious woman and he was careful to not share sensitive information that could be used against him.

    Jaruka leaned over to the trash bag and fished out the stained white tunic, showing the left sleeve. ¡°This symbol is mine, my signature.¡±

    ¡°Got it,¡± Katie said. ¡°And that one?¡±

    Jaruka grumbled. ¡°The middle symbol is Nova Company¡¯s emblem. Rank. Class.¡±

    ¡°And the red one?¡±

    ¡°What are you getting at?¡± Scott asked her.

    ¡°Watch. And the red one?¡±

    ¡°This,¡± Jaruka started, and an instant, memories flashed through his head. ¡°The red one is called a demoncatcher, a symbol of the Kuzi species meaning ¡®patient hunter.¡¯ Earned that for fighting in the Goomash Raid. And these two¡­¡±

    He ripped off his loner shirt¡¯s sleeves clean off the seams to show two identical symbols on his shoulders; a circle, with one line connecting to a ring around his biceps. ¡°These are Wadik acceptance tattoos. After I rescued a politician¡¯s daughter from a war-stricken world, these make me an honorary Wadik citizen. Since then those magical beings got me out of a lot of jams.¡±

    Arana nodded. ¡°You must have tons of connections and respect.¡±

    ¡°Tons is an underrated word in space,¡± Jaruka said, ¡°and I can¡¯t call any of them.¡±

    Katie sighed. ¡°Then why not have respect from us? Honor from us? Why did you make that second shield and save those people? It¡¯s not right to burn this bridge just on prejudice alone.¡±

    ¡°Your point?¡±

    Katie pocketed her hands and her tail swished from right to left. ¡°I just said it. Don¡¯t shelter yourself from us. We¡¯re not here to annoy you. Brill told us to take care of you.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t see that happening.¡±

    ¡°Fine. Be that way,¡± Scott said, ¡°but don¡¯t come to us dirty and smelling of gym socks again. Come on, Katie. Let¡¯s leave him alone.¡± He tugged on Katie¡¯s arm, and did not question the gesture.

    ¡°Oh, one more thing,¡± Katie said holding out the brown bag to Jaruka. He had not asked about the bag, but no doubt the shape was similar.

    ¡°Not that. He said he¡¯ll live without earth food.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t help it,¡± she said. ¡°Jaruka, you saved us, and pretty much we helped save you. We¡¯re even. But if there¡¯s any humility in that alien brain of yours, show it.¡± She set the bag on the bench, it clanked on the metal. ¡°A welcoming gift, from us.¡±

    The paper bag was tied shut with a dark red ribbon, the Walsh Estate Winery symbol printed on the front. A bottle spout stuck out from the top, sealed tight in black plastic.

    Jaruka stared at it, and said nothing.

    Scott rolled his eyes.

    ¡°The winery is organic,¡± Katie said. ¡°Always has been. If for any reason you need help, let us know. Be calm about it.¡±

    Jaruka sniffed. ¡°Are you done?¡±

    Katie rolled her eyes. ¡°Yeah. We¡¯re done. Come.¡±

    The totems entered their hosts as the couple left. Scott stood in front of the open hatch, looking back at Jaruka. ¡°Welcome to Earth,¡± he said.

    Once the hatch closed itself, Jaruka was alone, staring at the wrapped wine bottle.

 Part 5

    Alien Campsite

    Temecula, CA

    January 20, 2013

    The rain slapped against the dropship¡¯s hull and windows and for a moment gave Jaruka the illusion of being still on Creos, before he had ever met Benali, despite the view of the valley.

    He flopped down onto a cot across from the table, and then ate a rationed energy bar. Neither he nor his clothes had been washed since the relocation; his skindreads were longer and unshaved to look like wooly tree bark.

    Jaruka drifted in and out of sleep until sirens broke the sound of the rainfall, indicating that someone was coming toward the ship.

    ¡°What now?¡± Jaruka wondered, he turned on his universal translator and prepared for the worst of his assumptions.

    Before Jaruka was off of the cot, someone had banged on the hatch.

    ¡°If Deryl, shake his hand. If Mathews, glare at him,¡± Jaruka said as he stood, using the support beam to steady himself.

    ¡°Teal, you in there?¡± Mathews asked through the hull.

    ¡°Glare.¡± His plasma pistol he rested on a crate was pocketed in his pants. He opened the hatch, resisting the urge to punch Mathews in the face.

    He held an open umbrella, dressed in his usual suit. ¡°I tried calling you. Where¡¯s that cellphone Porter gave you?¡±

    Jaruka paused. ¡°That junk tech?¡± he asked. ¡°I turn it off to not talk to you. What do you want? I need a nap.¡±

    ¡°Not me, her. If you had that phone on, you would be ready by now to welcome her, and you better allow her.¡± Mathews motioned towards the black SUVs close to the shield¡¯s boundary where armed Marines and umbrella-carrying Secret Service stood guard.

    ¡°Who?¡± Jaruka asked.

    Rolling his eyes, Mathews said, ¡°President Winchester. Remember?¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t ring a bell.¡±

    ¡°Right. Well, she wants to speak with you, personally.¡±

    ¡°My day is full.¡±

    ¡°She insisted. I wasted an hour to convince her otherwise but that woman never backed down.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Jaruka asked. ¡°She came here¡­to talk.¡±

    Although it was difficult for Jaruka to understand English due to his universal translator working on spoken words, he had come across several news articles and had heard about the country¡¯s new leader. The article about Winchester taking her oath of office had been a short break from the usual anti-terran and transformation articles.

    Mathews said, ¡°I want this over with, without any injuries or threats and you better not backstab me or this country. Give her permission through the shield.¡± Mathews reached into his jacket pocket for a plastic bag. ¡°I have her hair for the device.¡±

    Jaruka sighed. ¡°Look, the shield needs blood. Also, I am not in the croging mood to see anybody. Those ¡®movies¡¯ you toot about her kind and aliens never bode well.¡±

    ¡°Then join her in the van.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going out there, my dreads will swell up. And there¡¯s lighting. Ever seen a flaming Halcunac? I¡¯ll be bald and burned for weeks.¡± Lightning and thunder roared in the distance. ¡°See? Potential fire hazard you¡¯re looking at.¡±

    ¡°Teal!¡± Mathews yelled. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for your smartass remarks. Please, I promise this will be short. Do it and it will shut her up.¡±

    Jaruka looked back at the SUVs under the dark clouded sky. No doubt there was a sniper or two in the hills. A lightning bolt struck five miles out, and thunder rolled through the land.

    ¡°The least you can do is clean up.¡±

    ¡°Oh so now you care about my well-being. Know any hot springs? I got some nasty bugs under my¡ª¡±

    ¡°Just fucking say yes!¡±

    Jaruka laughed, still enjoying messing with Mathews. ¡°Okay, I give. Give me a second.¡±

    Jaruka¡ªbefore teaching Mathews¡ªprogrammed the scanner to allow one person and no more, in case Mathews got wise. Mathews ran to the closest SUV with the scanner through the mud and soaked grass. Resilient campers outside the shield watched as the Marines kept them away.

    It came to Jaruka finally. Why did she want to meet him, and in person?

    The SUV¡¯s rear door opened and Mathews entered. The bridge dinged from the DNA registration. ¡°It better be her,¡± Jaruka said.

    There were five humans registered¡ªScott, Katie, Deryl, Mathews, and Winchester. That thought made Jaruka¡¯s shorter skindreads curl a bit.

    Mathews stepped out of the SUV with Winchester, she walked with Mathews under his umbrella and passed through the shield; Secret Service became agitated as she went closer and closer to the ship.

    ¡°Like I want to hurt her,¡± Jaruka muttered.

    Winchester looked up and down the dropship. ¡°It¡¯s bigger than the photos,¡± she mentioned and then noticed Jaruka blocking the hatch. Not once did she show fear.

    ¡°Ma''am, keep moving, please,¡± Mathews said.

    She blinked. ¡°Of course. This rain is dreadful.¡±

    ¡°Back up, Jaruka. Let her in.¡± Mathews threw the device at Jaruka, and he caught it.

    ¡°Easy, Mathews. He¡¯s our guest.¡± She walked closer to the hatch. ¡°A rather¡­odd guest.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t mind doofus, his ego¡¯s all twisted,¡± Jaruka said.

    Winchester paused for a minute before entering. ¡°Can¡¯t believe I¡¯m doing this,¡± she whispered, but Jaruka caught it. ¡°Oh wait. Where are my manners?¡± She coughed. ¡°President Sarah Winchester. Nice to finally meet you on such circumstances.¡±

    She held out her hand to shake his. Jaruka, figuring that she was not like Mathews, accepted the gesture. His hand swallowed hers, and Jaruka caught a barely audible gulp from the President.

    She wore a dark grey pantsuit with a buttoned green shirt underneath, with tennis shoes for the weather and mud. She was young, Jaruka suspected that she as in her mid-thirties from what he had seen from human aging graphs. She had auburn hair styled just below her ears and stunning blue eyes that might cause someone to mistake her as a primed terran after plastic surgery to prevent tail and ear regrowth.

    Winchester smiled. ¡°And just like that, I shook hands with an alien from the stars.¡± She paused. ¡°Right, the rain. Can we have this inside?¡±

    Jaruka thought the requestfor a good moment. There was no use denying someone whose blood was already registered with the shield entry into the ship. ¡°Why not?¡± Jaruka stood back to let them in. ¡°Mind the trash.¡±

    Mathews was the first inside the dropship, he scoped the insides for just about anything he could think of, namely traps and weapons. He eyed Jaruka¡¯s plasma rifle and katana hanging on the wall. ¡°Clear,¡± he said.

    Winchester stepped inside. ¡°Trash never bothers me just¡­wow,¡± she said. ¡°Just what the reports said.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be star struck, Ms. President, we are here because you asked to come,¡± Mathews reminded her. ¡°Jaruka, close the hatch.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Winchester said firmly. ¡°It¡¯s please close the hatch. You weren¡¯t hired to make Jaruka mad.¡±If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    The muscles in Mathews¡¯ neck tightened, indicating that aggravating Jaruka may have been his intention.

    ¡°Anyway,¡± she said to Jaruka. ¡°I understand what happened last month. I¡¯m truly sorry no one with the right mindset to tend to your needs. For the record, I sincerely apologize how my country and the former administration¡­.¡±

    ¡°And Victor,¡± Jaruka added.

    ¡°And how Mathews treated you. I assure you that it will never happen again. Ain¡¯t that right, Mathews?¡± She eyed Mathews behind her and he looked away.

    Jaruka sniffed at the air, now laced with Winchester¡¯s floral perfume. ¡°That¡¯s it? An apology? You came all this way just to say your sorries? What a waste.¡±

    ¡°Among other matters today.¡± Winchester looked around the dropship. ¡°But not only to apologize. See I came here because I was against talking to you by phone or Skype. I didn¡¯t want you to travel to Washington with military personnel that might trigger the spires. I went through a lot of trouble within my administration to even come here in the event that I don¡¯t have another opportunity in the future.¡±

    ¡°So does every idiot from other countries.¡±

    ¡°I heard about Russia and Spain.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re okay, just not cool with one all nuclear prone.¡±

    ¡°Good point.¡±

    Jaruka crossed his arms and asked, ¡°Is that all?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re just getting started.¡± Winchester smiled. ¡°Mr. Mathews, can we have a moment alone?¡±

    ¡°Certainly. Come, ma¡¯am, before the storm gets stronger,¡± he said and approached the hatch.

    Winchester coughed. ¡°I mean me and Jaruka. Alone.¡±

    Mathews did a double take. ¡°Ma¡¯am, it¡¯s not wise¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m aware of the risks, Matthews.¡±

    ¡°Jaruka is unstable.¡±

    ¡°And so is this country. Be aware where you stand on this issue.¡±

    ¡°But he killed people. He¡¯s reckless. You¡¯ve seen Site A. You¡¯ve seen Groom Lake¡¯s devastation.¡±

    Winchester turned around and stared at Mathews with a hard jawline, making Jaruka rethink his image of her. ¡°Don¡¯t make me repeat what I said earlier, especially your status,¡± she said. ¡°Now, if you please, walk out.¡±

    The muscles in Mathews¡¯ neck tightened as she spoke. Winchester¡¯s authority had gotten Jaruka¡¯s attention, not that females in a male dominated sector mattered to him, it was the power in her voice compelled him to pay attention.

    ¡°Fine,¡± Mathews said, ¡°your call. Ignore what I said, this country is going to shit for all I care.¡± He walked out into the rain, but Jaruka heard an audible ¡°bitch¡± in Mathews¡¯ voice.

    Winchester turned back to Jaruka. ¡°Men,¡± she said, ¡°such power-hungry egos. Care to shut the door? This is something that I don¡¯t want eavesdroppers to hear.¡±

    Jaruka took a breath. ¡°Is this what you humans call ¡®you got balls coming here¡¯?¡±

    ¡°I got more than that, sir.¡±

    Jaruka hummed. ¡°Fair enough.¡± He closed the hatch. Winchester sat on a bench without asking, and simply watched him, ignoring the trash. ¡°Thank you. That man is atrocious for security,¡± she said.

    ¡°You tell me. Why isn¡¯t he fired already?¡±

    Winchester shrugged. ¡°Director Haze¡¯s orders, and the department is short staffed if you weren¡¯t aware.¡±

    ¡°I do.¡±

    ¡°So Mathews staying with the CIA is vital. Firing people in a time of need disfavors the people.¡±

    ¡°Threatening to go against my government is stupid. Remember that stunt?¡±

    Winchester nodded.

    ¡°Then listen,¡± Jaruka said while palming the plasma revolver between him and the President. ¡°Standing in this crap-hole dropship is a big mistake,¡± Jaruka said. ¡°Knowing there is more than one Reaper, and maybe you did not know, but wasting time to see me is not what I call resourceful, or necessary.¡± He turned the revolver¡¯s cylinder. ¡°If you are enthralled, I will not hesitate. It takes the same bullets at my rifle, but the rifle has a bigger kick, and I prefer it. Any blood in your eyes, I will not hesitate. Get me?¡±

    If the Secret Service had been with her, they would have had every right to draw their firearms at Jaruka, but Winchester was alone. Jaruka needed assurance, he had only theories to go on as far as how Reapers enthralled humans. He knew the signs due to recent research from other species, but none of the signs surfaced in Winchester. She had only ever seemed aggravated with Mathews.

    Winchester did not flinch from where she stood. ¡°Understood,¡± She said without a flutter.

    Jaruka hummed and put the pistol back in his pants pocket. ¡°That¡¯s one danger settled,¡± he said. ¡°Even with an empty weapon, you are resilient as the news said.¡±

    ¡°Oh so you heard of me?¡±

    ¡°When the terran news isn¡¯t on and my friends are asking for help, I learn much.¡± Jaruka sat across from her and she did too. ¡°Sarah Winchester. Daughter of Tony and Sammie Winchester, unrelated to that rifle company or the funhouse up north.¡±

    ¡°I hate that note.¡±

    ¡°Parents died when you were five and lived on Skid Row until seven. Put in an orphanage and at eighteen you graduated high school with honors and went to CSU to study ethics on a scholarship. After graduation, you busted yourself into politics, right to Secretary of the Interior. The former president¡¯s seat fell on your lap by default while you were in a hospital recovering after the zombie attack. You are an active boxer and hiker, hence why I tested your resilience.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure it was more than my boxing hobby,¡± Winchester said.

    ¡°Whatever. But it was the riots in New York that gave you the favoritism from the country when you called in the National Guard to stop it.¡± He leaned where he sat on the crate, resting his back on a support beam. ¡°Did I miss anything?¡±

    Winchester laughed a little. ¡°You¡¯re educated, but you missed that I wanted to be a president back in eighth grade.¡±

    ¡°I fell asleep before that, I swear,¡± Jaruka said.

    ¡°Does it bother you that I¡¯m a woman running a man¡¯s job?¡± Winchester asked.

    ¡°Do I look like I¡¯m from a culture with sexism issues?¡±

    Winchester paused and said, ¡°No?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Finally, an honest answer.¡± She paused again. ¡°How about my turn?¡±

    ¡°Is there?¡± Jaruka shrugged.

    ¡°You¡¯re a spire button.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that, it sounds degrading.¡±

    ¡°Apologies. The media calls you that,¡± Winchester said. ¡°There¡¯s that one page r¨¦sum¨¦ of your battles and association with the battlegroup¡­Nova Company, correct?¡±

    Jaruka nodded once. ¡°And that¡¯s all you need to know.¡±

    ¡°That is a trust breaker.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s to keep you and everyone in the country alive. Let it go.¡±

    ¡°But there are questions,¡± Winchester said and Jaruka immediately regretting inviting her inside. ¡°Who are you really? Who or what are your Halcunac people? Who do you work for? Have you done anything professionally besides being Nova¡¯s corporal?¡± She leaned forward. ¡°Why did you protect those people at Site A?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Winchester,¡± Jaruka said. ¡°That¡¯s far enough. What did I just say? I¡¯m not sharing my histo¡­.¡± He stopped himself and stood up abruptly. Jaruka towered over Winchester and he suddenly doubted her sincere intentions. ¡°Unless you tell me the reason you came to see me, then leave.¡±

    Winchester nodded, and then pulled her hair behind her right ear. ¡°An agreement.¡±

    Jaruka shrugged.

    ¡°Ever since I took the oath, my campaign is to restructure the government and rebuild from the Wave. People called me an idiot and other unappreciative words,¡± She said as she stood.

    ¡°I can think of a few.¡±

    ¡°Hear me out, Mr. Teal. I asked Congress, no, I begged them to hear reason to pull almost all of our troops back to the states. Filling the empty Congress seats after the zombie attack was difficult, even firing politicians that disagreed with change. We are finally assessing our laws to our Constitution that we never done, and should have since Nixon. Most of all, make sure that equality between humans and terrans is set. So it would be really app¡ª¡±

    ¡°Let me guess,¡± Jaruka interrupted her with leveled eyes. ¡°You want me to join you.¡±

    Winchester coughed. ¡°Yes.¡±

    Jaruka leaned in. ¡°No,¡± he said. Winchester blinked from the alien¡¯s breath. ¡°I¡¯m not involved.¡±

    ¡°You are. Those spires, you being a citizen of the United States, the research for your people. That makes you involved. More importantly, it¡¯s the magic. These people¡­some think of it as demon powers. I don¡¯t. You have to know magic. From what I deduced from the Groom Lake footage, magic exists in this universe. You are a valuable asset. Your experience is needed.

    ¡°Please, come to D.C. Let me put you in front of Congress and the UN. This world needs your help.¡±

    Jaruka shook his head and stood. ¡°I said no. I want to live out my two years on this rock in peace, not become political leverage. I have to stay close to Walsh Estate Winery.¡±

    ¡°With friends?¡± Winchester asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s called a boundary curfew.¡± Jaruka pointed at the black band on his ankle. Winchester said nothing else but thought for a minute. He stopped her before she could open her mouth, ¡°anything you say I¡¯ll counter, miss.¡±

    She turned back to Jaruka. ¡°You could tell us who Griffon is.¡±

    Jaruka laughed. ¡°I wondered when you¡¯d bring him up. One, I don¡¯t know. Nobody does. Second, and maybe this is the only advice I¡¯ll give you, Reapers are dangerous.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m aware, I¡¯ve read the reports.¡±

    ¡°Words and reality are two different worlds. After all, he¡¯s crippled and has only half a brain thanks to Mr. Dunne.¡± Jaruka went for the hatch. ¡°Talk to him, he knows.¡± He opened the hatch and motioned for Mathews to be ready.

    ¡°Porter told me you¡¯d be stubborn,¡± she said and stood, adjusting her jacket, ¡°but coming from an outdoors enthusiast, living in seclusion has its limits. I guarantee this country will need your help. Maybe the whole world.¡±

    ¡°Tell it to someone without an execution date.¡± Jaruka pointed his hand out the open hatch. ¡°Are we done here?¡±

    Winchester was disappointed, but she knew that there was no point in arguing. ¡°I still see you as a valuable asset,¡± she said as she offered her hand to him.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, just go,¡± Jaruka said without shaking her hand again.

    Winchester clenched her hand softly and slowly lowered it. ¡°I might understand your reasons, and I¡¯ll respect them,¡± she said as she left the ship. She turned back to Jaruka briefly. ¡°Other government ambassadors will come asking to join them.¡±

    ¡°And they will get the same answer.¡±

    ¡°Why? To protect humans or yourself?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t test me anymore, miss,¡± Jaruka said, grinding his teeth.

    Winchester sighed, and then nodded at Mathews.

    ¡°Thought you two would never come out,¡± Mathews said, holding the umbrella over her.

    ¡°I wished it was longer,¡± Winchester said.

    ¡°Don¡¯t flatter yourself, miss,¡± Jaruka said. ¡°My answer is just, but getting any information, and I mean anything, will be your species¡¯ downfall.¡±

    Winchester clasped her hands behind her. ¡°Are you saying that to protect us?¡±

    ¡°Miss, don¡¯t¡­¡±

    ¡°Or what? If history told me anything is that humans can adapt for the better. After all, plants evolve at rapid moments. Like autumn leaves or harvesting food, actions must be taken for change.¡±

    Jaruka was quiet, he could feel his short skindreads curl. He stood still, staring into Winchester¡¯s blue eyes.

    ¡°I left my card on your bench. If you want to talk, don¡¯t hesitate, but I will respect your privacy and security for the time being. You have my word.¡± Winchester bowed her head a little and walked off with Mathews.

    Jaruka watched until all the SUVs had left. Campers noticed Jaruka and waved, but he quickly closed the hatch afterwards. He leaned on the closed door, thinking over what Winchester had said last.

    Halcunacs were known to humans, Winchester could not have known how his biology worked. She might have been enthralled, but he noticed no signs, her strong stance might have given it away, but he had known people with similar characteristics.

    There was no way to trust Winchester without having solid proof that she was not enthralled. His head pounded with a headache from too many unanswered questions.

    Jaruka went back to the console to make notes, and then went straight to sleep.