by Bill Bush
“My people have an extraordinary ability, a special ability, really, to persuade, influence, even manipulate others. They have used their persuasive powers to overcome and destroy many worlds,” Dyson explained. “Yours is not the first.”
“How come Eric seems to be immune to their persuasion?” Flipper asked.
”Maybe he isn't immune. Maybe he knows the truth so the Snader can't persuade him,” Allison suggested.
”I've seen the persuasion work,” Flipper countered. “It's powerful.”
”Keep in mind that President Charles is a hybrid, so her ability may not be as strong as a full-blooded Snader,” Nicole offered.
“So all the world leaders getting together in one place would be a perfect opportunity to eliminate them,” Josh said.
“Yes, that’s exactly what the President and the Snaders have in mind,” Eric said.
“Do you know what they have planned?” Fox asked.
“They are going to use a spaceship to blow up the building minutes before the meeting begins. The President will conveniently excuse herself, so she will be spared, but they will be sacrificing many of her staff to make it look authentic.”
“Won’t the people blame the Snaders for that?” Josh asked.
“They are going to have Gudes on the spaceship,” Eric explained. “It’s a setup. They are going to have a reporter ‘just happen’ to get video of it, which will make it appear to be the Gudes on the attack.”
“Why are they doing that?” Allison asked.
“The President wants to send the Snader spaceships all over the world, but the people are afraid and Congress is resisting. Even though they blame the Gudes and not the Snaders, few are comfortable with that much alien presence around the world. The attack will give the President the excuse, and probably the support, if not demand, to send the Snaders all throughout the world. And with most countries losing their top leaders, she will have little resistance, at least organized resistance, to stop the action.”
“Once they get the Snader spaceships in place there won’t be much the world could do to stop their takeover,” Nicole said.
“They have also developed a poisonous goo,” Eric said. “They are testing it. The hope is to put it in the water systems around the world, especially those of the militaries. This would eliminate most of the major populations. Then their takeover and complete annihilation will be easy.”
“Why go to all this trouble?” Josh asked. “Couldn’t they just attack Earth and wipe us out now?”
“I don’t think so,” Dyson said. “The Snaders have limited resources here on Earth and your militaries around the world are on high alert. They couldn’t bring in additional resources from Rex without tipping off their intentions, and once a full-scale war begins, other species, specifically the Gudes, could become involved. They are looking for an edge. Once they get it, they won’t hesitate to completely destroy everyone.”
“Do you have a plan?” Allison asked.
“My plan was to rescue you guys and hope we could come up with something,” Eric said. “We have about thirty hours until we get to Washington D.C.”
“Then we better get to work,” Flipper said.
Chapter 32
Eric explained to Fox, Dyson and Nicole how to drive the van and told them the basic driving laws. They alternated driving so each could get some rest. The others tried to sleep the best they could during the night. Although there was room for them all in the van, there wasn’t enough room for them to lie down.
Morning and afternoon came and went and so did Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Eric bought food at a grocery store for them to eat and restroom breaks were taken on side roads in wooded areas.
Nearing the half-way point of their drive Dyson sat in the front seat as Fox drove. Eric was in the back examining the poison he stole from the Snaders.
“What is the poison that they are developing?” Nicole asked.
“I don't know.” Eric pulled out a gallon jug full of a dark purple substance from one of his cases. “I haven’t been able to identify it yet.”
“That looks like the color of Robb’s skin.” Flipper observed.
“What does that mean?” Josh asked.
“That means that the poison is made of a mixture of Snader and Gude goo!” Allison said.
“What are their goos?” Eric asked.
“Aliens are not like us,” Flipper started.
“Whoa!” Josh interrupted. “Who told you that nonsense?”
Allison smacked him as he laughed.
“What I mean is the Snaders and the Gudes only have one liquid in their body,” Flipper explained.
“You mean they don’t have water, blood, saliva?” Josh asked.
“No,” Nicole said. “We have what we call goo. Just one liquid.”
“So do you sweat and bleed?” Josh asked.
“Yes, but it’s all the same substance,” Nicole said.
“So they’re making a poison out of their goos?” Josh asked.
“Well, I'll need to test it first to see,” Eric said.
“How will you do that?” Allison asked.
“I’m going to need a sample of goo from a Snader and one from a Gude,” Eric raised his eyebrows.
Everyone looked at Dyson. He said, “I guess I'll volunteer for the Snaders.”
Eric took a sample from Nicole then from Dyson. After their arms were bandaged Nicole drove and Dyson sat in the front seat to avoid the risk of the potentially deadly mixed goos getting near their poked arms. It didn’t take long for Eric to confirm that there was goo from both the Gudes and the Snader’s as primary ingredients in the poisonous concoction.
“Can you come up with an antidote?” Nicole asked.
“I’ll get to work on it,” Eric said. “But there’s no telling how long it will take.”
“Did you get an indication from the President when they were going to use the poison?” Fox asked.
“They hope to supply some poisonous goo for each of the spaceships to transport when they spread out all over the world after the second attack on the world leaders,” Eric said. “They plan to simultaneously distribute it so there isn’t time to react from the humans. I’m sure it will take a few days for them to manufacture that much substance, but they are hard at work.”
“What can we do to help?” Dyson asked.
“I have some land outside of Washington D.C. with a cabin. I kept the ownership under an alias, so hopefully the Secret Service hasn’t discovered it. I have a lab with supplies there that I need to help me work up an antidote.”
“How long do we have until the spaceship attack on the world leaders?” Fox asked.
“The attack will happen around nine in the morning, the day after tomorrow,” Eric explained.
“We’ll go to your cabin and prepare, then I’ll take Nicole and Dyson with me to stop the attack.”
The kids argued with Fox about going with him, but he stood his ground.
The rest of the trip seemed long and tedious, but the traveling went without incident.
They arrived at Eric’s cabin around noon the next day. Fox, Nicole, and Dyson spent the day resting, planning, and preparing to thwart the Snader’s planned assault on the world’s leaders. Eric worked on developing an antidote for the poisonous goo. The kids helped out wherever they could.
Chapter 33
President Charles strolled into the oval office with an air of confidence. She was used to being in control and she was about to experience her ultimate dream “control” scenario — control over the planet Earth.
That they had made significant strides in an amazingly short period of time was undeniable. The presence of Red Fox in the White House openly visiting her was proof of that. Humans not only knew about the existence of aliens but were beginning to accept the presence of the Snaders. In the next few days the world would shift from human domination to Snader domination.
She entered the room relaxed and confident. Red Fox's anxiously
pacing caused her to tighten her muscles. She wanted to like him. And while she admired his passion, he was a loose cannon she struggled to control. So far he had obeyed orders, but she didn't trust his judgment. If he would just get fully on board with their plan and follow her lead they would be fine.
Admiral Grisder, who's face now appeared on the sixty-inch screen on the wall, was also a concern.
Vice President Langdon rose from her seat on the couch when President Charles entered the room. “Madam President, I was just updating Admiral Grisder on the detail of tomorrow's attack.”
President Charles nodded her thanks. “Admiral, I appreciate your patience. It's time you brought your fleet nearer to Earth. But make sure you stay on the other side of the moon. Be on standby after that. I hope we can begin an all-out attack in the next seventy-two hours.”
”Yes!” Red Fox jumped with delight. He reclined in a seat with his hands behind his head. Contentedness had replaced his anxiety.
Admiral Grisder smiled. “We look forward to meeting you all in person soon.”
”What's the contingency?” Red Fox inquired.
President Charles sighed involuntarily. “The events of the last few days and for the next several have been carefully orchestrated. So far the only flaw in our plan was your colony's unexpected arrival. I handled that seamlessly and if I need to make another adjustment I assure you I am more than capable of doing so.”
Red Fox sat forward, started to say something but caught himself. He resumed pacing.
She had emphasized every use of I. She did it as much for Admiral Grisder as for Red Fox. Admiral Grisder may have a problem being subservient to a hybrid; may expect to be in charge once the Snaders were in control of the planet. She wanted to make sure she stayed in command. This was her world to rule.
”Admiral Grisder, notify Vice President Langston the moment you are in place.”
”Yes Ma'am.”
President Charles turned off the screen before Admiral Grisder could say anything further.
She turned her attention to Red Fox. “My Secret Service detail will escort you in the morning to the safe room. You can watch the events unfold from there. Vice President Langston and I will meet you there after our appearance at the summit.”
She opened the door to dismiss the Vice President and Red Fox.
Chapter 34
For two days leaders from all over the world arrived in Washington D.C. As it neared nine o’clock, those leaders filed into the Capitol Building. Some countries declined to attend, choosing instead to join by video. Still, eighty-nine of the one-hundred ninety-five countries in the world were represented in person.
Red Fox had barely slept. He had spent his whole life preparing to fight. He dreamed and lived for the day he would get to attack the humans. Today was the day that war began in earnest. He had been patient the last several days, letting President Charles’ plan take form. If all went as planned, within the next forty-eight hours the Snaders’ spaceships would leave to fly all over the world to distribute the poison. After that they would have enough of an advantage to wage an all out attack against Earth. Red Fox didn’t do patient very well.
“Let’s go talk to Silvia to make sure she has everything ready.”
Fungus looked confused. “We just talked to her. She said her camera was ready and fully-charged and that she would guarantee to get you the pictures you need.”
“I know, I know,” Red Fox huffed. “But if she doesn’t get pictures of the Gudes flying the spaceship into the Congressional Building…”
“Then we’ll have some photo shopped,” President Charles finished.
Red Fox wanted to make a snappy remark, but he knew for now he still needed to show her respect.
“I know they wouldn’t be as good, but they will still stir up enough emotion to get us the approval we need to have our spaceships disperse across the globe. The picture is for publicity, not proof.”
“My people have been waiting a long time to enact their revenge for being forced to hide underground all these years,” Red Fox snarled.
“I know. We’ve all had to be patient,” President Charles reminded him. “But we can’t afford to act too fast or we’ll blow our best advantage.”
He had to wait, wait until the right moment. The President was naive to think she would be in control once the humans were out of the way.
The head of the Secret Service entered the room. “Ma’am, it’s time.”
“Any sign of the Gudes or those kids?” President Charles asked the man.
“Or my brother?” Red Fox put in with disdain.
“No, they haven’t been seen since they disappeared from New Mexico,” he answered.
“They'll show up at some point,” President Charles informed her protection. “Make sure they don’t interfere with any of our activities.”
“Yes Ma’am.”
“We should have just killed them all when we had them,” Red Fox said.
“All in time,” President Charles assured. “First, I have a special plan for those kids.”
***
Fox, Nicole, and Dyson hid behind some shrubbery at the top of a hill overlooking the Snader spaceship. They had identified the spaceship to be used in the attack. As expected, it was heavily guarded. Eric had given them his invisibility bracelet, but even with that it was going to be hard for one person to get inside the spaceship.
Eric had explained that the Snader’s plan relied heavily on timing. Sabotaging the spaceship too early may give them enough time to get another one ready. They were going to try to wait as close to takeoff as they could.
Both Snaders and humans surrounded the spaceship. Dyson wanted to try to reason with them. He desperately wanted to help them see they could live at peace with the humans and didn’t need to kill so many people. But he reminded himself that even if it was possible, there wasn’t time.
Fox slid the invisibility bracelet onto his wrist. “Can you see me?”
”No,” Nicole whispered.
“I’m going to sneak onto the spaceship and steal it,” Fox said. “I’ll let you know when I am inside and have control. Then you can get back to the van and meet me back at Eric’s cabin.”
”And if you have trouble call us in for backup,” Nicole reminded him.”
”Yes.”
“Good luck,” Dyson said.
“Be careful,” Nicole said.
“I’ll see you again soon enough,” Fox said.
There was no visible sign Fox was gone, but Dyson heard quiet steps quickly fade away.
“Do you know those Snaders?” Nicole motioned below.
“Yes. Most of them are from our colony,” Dyson said.
“I’m sorry. I know this must be hard for you.”
“It is, but it’s the right thing to do. My people are very passionate, but we don’t think through the ramifications of what we do. No consideration of the long-term effects. We just do, for ourselves, for today.”
“Are there many who think like you?” Nicole asked.
“There were a few in my colony who were sympathetic to my arguments,” he said. “But as soon as they thought a couple of humans had killed Stark and Endu, all reasoning went away.”
Nicole knew the story, and Dyson could read the question in her eyes. “At first I didn’t say anything. I was afraid for my own life. It wouldn’t have mattered, because the humans had been in our community, so we would have come up anyway. I tried to tell them it was me who killed Stark and Endu before they left, but they just thought I was lying to keep them from attacking.”
“On your feet—hands in the air!” A loud voice barked out.
Dyson and Nicole froze. They lifted their hands, slowly stood, and turned around. They faced half a dozen armed Snaders.
“Well look who we have here,” one of the Snaders sneered.
“Wouldn’t Red Fox be proud of his little brother,” another one said with heavy sarcasm.
“Guys, you don’t have to
go through with this,” Dyson pleaded. “We can leave the humans alone and go back to Rex.”
The Snaders laughed at him. “This is a lot more fun.”
The Snaders confiscated their weapons and handcuffed Dyson's hands behind his back. They did the same to Nicole.
“Now get moving.”
The Snaders marched them down to the spaceships. Dyson hoped Fox was already inside.
“I’m sure these two aren’t alone,” one of the men shouted. He was a human with what looked to Dyson like a military uniform. His large stature and overbearing presence demanded the attention and respect of those around him. “Shut and secure the door. Let’s get this spaceship in the air. Now!”
Several soldiers jumped into action and within a minute the door was shut. Either Fox was already inside or he wasn’t going to get in.
“What are we supposed to do with these two?”
The man in charge shouted, “I don’t care what happens with this Gude trash. We have orders to deliver Dyson to Red Fox alive. He wants to handle the traitor himself.”
The man smirked and walked away.
The engine on the spaceship roared to life. The Snader in charge had to yell in order for Dyson and Nicole to hear him. “Turn around and start walking toward the brown building up ahead!”
They did as instructed. Four guards escorted them.
Suddenly one of the guards shrieked and collapsed on the ground.
“What the…” a second guard yelled as he turned to see what was happening.
“Run to spaceship 12895!” Dyson recognized Fox's voice. Another guard collapsed and they sprinted away.
They ran through an aisle of spaceships. Dyson glanced back and saw a guard raising his weapon to fire at them. Dyson slowed enough to throw himself between Nicole and the guard. He absorbed the impact, protecting Nicole.
