Guardian Angel Trilogy

by John Davis

  “You two, seriously,” Jackson insisted. “Not now.”

  Jackson had been aboard a few of the Ancient motherships since the day they first arrived. Enough to know something didn't quite sit right.

  “What is it?” Alicia asked.

  “I don't know,” Jackson replied. “These places are usually hustling with bodies. Mechanics, soldiers, all of that.” he added. “But I'm seeing nothing. This bay is like a ghost town.”

  “Stay sharp.” Alicia said.

  Her advice was well received – both men checking their firearms and skimming the bay once more. Assuring themselves it was indeed safe.

  Which it looked to be.

  Slowly exiting the transport through the narrow door fitted on its back-end, the three eased down to the steel flooring of the mothership. Doing so while making almost no sound.

  “Not sure exactly where a queen would be housed aboard this bucket of bolts, but it's a safe assumption that it will be somewhere near the center. For the sake of protection.” Jackson said.

  “Not gonna be any protecting against the shit I'm gonna lay down to go boom.” Perk commented. His eyes continuing to skim around them.

  As Alicia panned her eyes across the empty bay area, she noticed several open doors which appeared to lead into hallways. Each of them looking the same.

  “Something's definitely not right.” Alicia said.

  “Why?” Perk asked. “Can't we catch one lucky break without gunfire blistering at our asses?”

  “Several of these smaller vehicles look as though they're in the process of being worked on.” she replied.

  “Alicia's right,” Jackson said. “It looks like a few of the power tools are still pulling juice. It's like the place cleared out as we approached.”

  “All the more reason to get in, do our thing, and get the fuck out. Aye mate?” Perk asked.

  “I don't like it.” Jackson admitted.

  “Perk is right,” Alicia said. “We have a job to do and we knew the risks up front. It's time to go through with it.”

  “Now you're talking princess.” Perk replied.

  Easing away from the transport a bit, the group stood in front of four large doors to the backside of the loading bay. Each of them looking identical – leading into what seemed like endless hallways. Every choice before them narrow and well-lit.

  “We run into anything passing through a hallway and we're toast.” Jackson commented.

  “Maybe,” Perk said. “Or maybe we start slinging lead and kill us a pile of grayskins.”

  “You do realize that if a shootout takes place, we're not walking out of here alive, right?” Jackson asked.

  “Alive is overrated.” Perk replied.

  “Well spoken,” Alicia said, glancing a smile to her longtime friend. “Alive is definitely overrated.”

  “Well, I see there's no talking you guys into a more sensible approach. So I'm in. Lead the way people.” Jackson finally replied, having given up hope.

  They each seemed hesitant to move forward, though Perk finally found the guts to do so. Looking unhappy as he pulled a rifle to the ready and began slow steps into a hallway on the far left.

  Though it was made of a steel-like substance, the floor began to illuminate as they stepped forward. Sensing movement as they continued their cautious walk.

  Putting lights inside of the flooring was only one of the many strange things the group saw as they neared the exit of the hallway, which spanned nearly two-hundred yards.

  Large cylinders of a purple liquid connected to the wall to their left, while abandoned computer stations stood to their right. Each station equipped with the same type of powered-floor technology, which seemed clever enough.

  “I wonder what's in the tanks.” Alicia asked of the purple substance that looked strikingly similar to a massive lava lamp constructed by aliens.

  “It's a powering device,” Jackson replied. “Kind of like a chargeable battery.”

  Both Alicia and Perk turned to look at him. Silently questioning his extensive knowledge.

  “What? You sneak aboard enough of these ships, you learn a thing or two.” Jackson said.

  “I'll stick to blowing shit up.” Perk said.

  “I'm good with that approach too,” Jackson replied. “But a little bit of intelligence on the enemy never hurts.”

  “So,” Alicia said. “Batteries huh?”

  “The Rise of Allies studied them in depth a while back. Something about the shifting of the liquid inside that produces a useable energy. We thought about trying the technology out for more grid protection systems over our cities, but could never figure out how to harvest the energy.”

  “And the computers?” Alicia asked.

  “Hell if I know,” Jackson replied. “There's no doubt a stack of information we need to help our fight against the Ancients. But unless you speak their language fluently, it's a waste of time.”

  As Jackson finished his assessment, both he and Alicia noticed Perk standing at one of the Kiosks. Trying his best to save the world by the stroke of a key.

  “He looks like a damn orangutan beating a cell phone.” Alicia said with a grin.

  “Yea, it's pretty,” Jackson replied, pausing for a moment. “It's pretty sad to watch.”

  “Hey, idiot,” Alicia whispered loudly. “What are you doing? This isn't a bookstore cafe.”

  “I'm trying to do something besides blow shit up,” Perk replied. “You know, expand my horizons a bit.”

  “Well, for starters you're doing it wrong.” Alicia said, approaching Perk and waving her hand across a small hole beside the kiosk. A small white box standing perfectly centered on the white pillar-like column which stemmed from the floor.

  As her hand completed the wave, a neon purple keyboard of sorts appeared before them. Hovering in midair, just above their heads. A spot which would have been face-level for an Ancient aboard the ship.

  “How did you...” Jackson began to ask.

  “I've met a few Ancients in my day babe.” Alicia replied, pressing several buttons on the airborne keypad device.

  “Met a few or...” Perk started.

  “Don't,” she replied fiercely. “Don't even.”

  “Hey, I was just asking.” Perk replied.

  “Accusing me of bedding down men is one thing, but Ancients...off limits.”

  “Nobody was accusing you of bedding down men. Hell, that's fact.” Perk said.

  “Seriously people?” Jackson asked with disbelief. “Are we really aboard an Ancient mothership with a computer in front of us – talking about sex lives?”

  Alicia struggled with the language, though bits and pieces fell into place. More of a common sense when it came to computing than an understanding for their language.

  “You're pretty good at this.” Jackson admitted.

  “Yea, well, I'm just waiting for it to crash and flash me the Windows logo.” she replied with a smile.

  “It looks like our female leader in question is located right here,” Alicia said, pointing out a spot on a hovering map which was completely airborne and remained glowing purple. “About four rooms over from the looks of it.”

  As the group turned around to follow her calculated path, however, they immediately stopped in their tracks. Holding arms high to the sky.

  Four highly-armed Ancient soldiers held them at gunpoint. Each dressed a bit different than the average. Solid white outfits with a purple insignia. A mark which matched one of the larger on the ship's exterior.

  “On your knees.” one of the Ancients demanded.

  “As I was just telling my friend,” Alicia replied. “I just don't get on my knees for Ancients.”

  Ah shit. Jackson thought, fearing what would prove to be the inevitable.

  A gunfight.

  He simply had time to leap for cover, nothing more. Alicia's hand-speed so fast with a weapon that one Ancient lay dead before the remaining could catch up to the moment.

  Thunderous rifle shots we
re exchanged, though most flew from the rifle of Perk – smashing a second Ancient to the floor quickly. The two remaining Ancients began a backpedalling sprint, eventually turning to seek help. Knowing they'd bitten off more than they could chew.

  Alicia iced a third Ancient soldier, though her rifle ran empty of ammo. Forcing her to switch the empty clip for a full one, as was Perk.

  Damn. Just one time I'd like to complete a mission without a firefight. Jackson thought.

  A mere second later, his .45 pistol was held perfectly still in front of him. Smoking a bit with a single shot fired. A shot that cut into the skull of the fleeing agent. Sending the bastard to its deathbed.

  “Nice shot sparky.” Alicia said with a grin.

  “Yea, but the old war horse is loud. Let's get moving, get the queen and get the hell out of here.” Jackson replied in a very serious tone.

  “As bad as I hate to agree with a man who chooses a sidearm over a rifle, I do. Going to be a lot of company joining us real soon.” Perk added.

  “Alright then. Let's get to it.”

  -

  Alicia, Jackson and Perk slowly walked into the queen's throne room, their weapons drawn and their focus on anything that moved.

  “That's far enough.” Queen Karie said boldly, walking into their line of fire.

  Every fiber of Alicia wanted to take the shot – though she quickly learned, as did her friends, that the queen's escort soldiers had them under their own sights.

  Nearly twenty of the hulking demons, each a bit larger than the run of the mill Ancient. A little extra brawn, a little extra terror casting from their amber-colored eyes.

  “If you lay down your weapons, I can guarantee your safety. But don't test me. They have been instructed to gun you down if need be.” the queen added.

  “Just like our people have been safe for the past few years?” Alicia asked. “Or are you forgetting the butchering that has taken place?”

  “I understand you are their champion – as I also understand your hesitation. I know everything about you,” Queen Karie replied. “And if you knew anything about me, anything at all,” she added. “You would know that I keep my promises. And I promise no harm will come to your group if you heed my warning. I could have easily had you killed at the security gate.”

  “Let's dust this evil looking bitch and get down to the gunfight.” Perk said.

  “Wait,” Jackson replied, holding his arm out in surrender. Easing his own pistol to the steel flooring. “It's a gunfight we have no chance in winning. We're bested either way, our only choice is to trust the lady.”

  “Jackson?” Alicia asked, turning her head a bit while keeping a rifle firmly sighted onto the queen.

  “You're a smart man,” the queen said with a smile. “It's no wonder she loves you so.”

  “Huh?” Alicia questioned, turning her attention back to the queen.

  “Like I said,” Queen Karie replied. “I know everything I need to know about you. So please, trust me enough to lay down your weapons. We have much to discuss.”

  “I've nothing to discuss with you!” Alicia yelled.

  “You can walk with me, alone, and be the judge of that statement for yourself,” the queen replied. “Or you can die standing here and take your suspicions to the grave with you. It's your choice to make,” Karie added. “Guards. Silently count off a few seconds and if they have not disarmed – gun them down.”

  The queen turned to begin a slow walk through a narrow doorway, which opened up, connecting two large throne rooms together.

  Waiting a few moments, Queen Karie was joined by Alicia. Though it happened with great caution.

  “It was a very wise choice to trust me,” the queen stated. “And I hope your choices to come are just as wise.”

  “I'm listening.”

  “The large screen on the wall. Do you see it?”

  “Yes.” Alicia replied.

  “It's a scanning image of your solar system. The red triangles are Ancient ships.”

  Alicia studied the map carefully, understanding that such intel could prove invaluable during their fight.

  “So you have a total of a single motherships, that's it? Why would you share this information with me?” Alicia questioned.

  Slowly, Queen Karie touched the screen with her index finger and thumb, opening them a bit to expand the scan to a much larger area.

  “Because as you now see, thousands more are on their way.” Queen Karie replied, revealing so many new red triangles that the entire room began to glow of the color.

  Oh God.

  “Your people have fought us valiantly. So much, in fact, that my own race now begins to question me as their queen.”

  “Once the cavalry arrives, however, I fear we cannot fight hard enough.” Alicia replied.

  “You cannot,” the queen replied, turning to the guardian angel of the human race. “They will arrive and erase this planet to nothing more than a rock. Perhaps even the Ancients who currently inhabit this planet, just for failing them.”

  “So there is no hope.” Alicia admitted.

  “Perhaps there is another way.” Queen Karie replied.

  Alicia turned to the leader among demons, hanging on her every word.

  “Tomorrow we will make our final push into Washington City. Maybe your people survive the attack, maybe they do not. As you now know, either outcome is pointless once our true fleet arrives.” the queen said.

  “Go on.”

  “However, if you agree to bow before me. Many of your loved ones will be spared.”

  “Spared? For another week, until your fleet arrives?”

  “No,” the queen replied. “Spared. Allowed to rebuild your world once we have gone.”

  “I don't understand?” Alicia admitted.

  “You bow before me – for every eye to see. Your people will also submit to us, as you are their hero. My own people will consider me a worthy leader once more.” the queen replied.

  “How will my people be spared?” Alicia questioned.

  “Most of them won't. We will hold the city until our fleet arrives, at which time the Ancients will begin herding human lives as cattle. Flesh to satisfy their hunger as a long journey across the stars continues. You will select a building inside of the city and I will provide you with a marking. A special symbol within the Ancient language,” the queen replied. “You will paint this to the building, at which time I assure you they will avoid it like the plague.”

  “Avoid it?” Alicia asked.

  “It has the same meaning as biohazard among your people. They will fear exposure to such a plague should they enter or destroy the building. They will simply leave you here to die off. After they have pulled back into the stars, you will be free to begin rebuilding your world.”

  “How many would be allowed to survive?” Alicia asked.

  “A few dozen, no more. Anything larger and the Ancients will see right through it,” Queen Karie replied. “Of course your people have drifters in the wastelands as well. Eventually your society will begin to take form once more.”

  “And the Ancients will never return?” Alicia asked.

  “They will return, in fact. If history proves correct. This is the fourth harvesting on your planet by the Ancient race.” the queen replied.

  “Fourth?”

  “Yes. During the last great war here, many of your kind retreated into pyramids of great design. Allowed to do so for their obedience and worship of the Ancients.”

  Ancient Egypt?

  “So yes, they will eventually return. The Ancients will never allow your race to grow advanced beyond their own, for fear of no longer being the dominant species. You understand?”

  “Yes.” Alicia replied.

  “So, what is your official response? Are you willing to sacrifice a majority of your own race to save the ones you love?” the queen asked.

  -

  Dear Jackson,

  I hope things are going well for you, as we've not heard from yo
ur group in several days. I miss you.

  Katie stopped writing for a moment. Just long enough to wipe the budding tears from her eyes. Breathing heavily, she did her best to finish a personal letter to her husband.

  There are many things I miss dearly. Our life together, before all of this, it was perfect. We had something that's hard to explain. I remember several times when my own friends spoke of their jealousy of our romance.

  I cannot believe that fate has placed us together once more. And though I want to feel that same sense of romance around you now, I can't seem to find it within me. I'm sorry. Jackson, I truly am. Since the invasion first began, I have prayed for you. I wanted so much to believe that you had survived. That somehow, you had become better than the men who continued to surrender around me.

  This blame should be placed solely on me Jackson. At some point, I gave up believing that you had survived this war. I began to think you had fallen in battle – and I moved on. I became a different person.

  God put our paths together once more, and I'm just not the woman that you married. That you loved.

  I hope you can forgive me one day, assuming we push through the darkest hours of humanity. Even now, Ancients push toward our gates and the soldiers around me seem to fear the worst.

  I will always love you Jackson, I just cannot be in love with you. Not anymore. It's the one thing that I'm absolutely sure of at this point in my life.

  May God continue to help us through such violent times, and may you return home safe. Hopefully as my good friend for the remainder of our lives.

  Sincerely,

  Katie

  As she began to weep heavily, Katie handed the letter to Gretchen. She'd promised to deliver her thoughts to Jackson, should the coming battle see Katie fall.

  In fact, many of the soldiers on the lines had swapped letters as well. Each to be delivered to a friend or loved one, should the worst scenario play out.

  They all knew chances of survival were slim. Watching the Ancients continue to pile forces just over a mile outside of Washington City.