“You didn’t fly that ship around town, did you?”
“I’m not an idiot.”
Josie ignored his tone. “I can help you carry everything in.”
They entered the cabin and put the bags on the table then headed out the door again. Markley jumped up in the window, and Josie could hear his loud complaints about being left behind.
She laughed suddenly as they stepped into the woods. “This reminds me of that time at Christmas. Do you remember all those trips we made back and forth to that car you rented? What a great day that was.”
A flicker of a smile flashed on Bane’s lips. Their eyes met and held for a moment. She reached out and was a little surprised when he took her hand, bringing it to his lips. His eyes were warm. She grew hopeful as his thumb moved over her knuckles in a gentle caress. She wanted to say more, so much more, but at the same time she was afraid to break the spell.
All too soon the warmth in his eyes disappeared. He looked down at their hands as though they belonged to someone else. He let go and turned away.
“Let’s go,” he said, his voice gruff. Then he marched off.
Her steps lagged with disappointment while he strode on ahead. She watched the rigid outline of his broad shoulders for a moment and then dropped her head to concentrate on her steps.
They reached the ship, and as she took the bags he passed down to her, she was relieved to see the amount of groceries he’d bought. Her belly rumbled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten since last night. It had to be just after lunch judging by the sun shining high overhead.
Bane jumped down from the ship, and the hatch closed behind him. He then bent and picked up most of the bags.
“Is there anything else? I can carry more,” she told him.
“No. That’s everything.” He started back the way they’d come.
She followed him, looking at the ship over her shoulder. “Don’t you think we should cover it up or something? I mean, it was dark last night so it didn’t really matter, but now anyone could stumble upon it.”
He kept his sights focused ahead. “Doesn’t matter. At least, it won’t soon.”
“Why? You didn’t see one of those big ships heading for town, did you?” She scanned the sky, fearful of catching a glimpse of one of the giant, menacing things floating overhead.
“No. I told you that we have some time while the Cadeyrns concentrate on the big cities.”
“Then what do you mean? You don’t care if someone finds your ship? Isn’t it on your dad’s property? People may come around the cabin asking questions.” His gait grew faster and she found she had to trot to keep up with him. “Bane?”
“Let’s get back, and then you’ll see what I mean.”
That didn’t tell her anything. She let her steps falter again. Why must he always keep her in the dark? Trying to get him to open up was harder than coaxing Markley into his carrier.
They reached the cabin and the only one not in a foul mood was the cat who turned figure eights around both their legs. “Put this stuff away and make some lunch. I have to set something up,” Bane said, then he was back out the door again, heading toward the shed.
“Aye aye, Captain Asshole,” she said under her breath with a salute.
Josie put the groceries away and was relieved to see he’d actually thought to buy Markley his favorite food. So at least he hadn’t forgotten everything about the past. When he returned they both sat down to eat the sandwiches she’d made.
“All that other stuff, I’m not sure where you want it.” Josie waved her hand at the other bags in the living room.
“Most of it can go into the shed or the spare bedroom.” It was mainly staple supplies like toilet paper, paper towels, large bottles of water, batteries, and other stuff that she couldn’t fit into the cupboards.
She eyed him over her sandwich. “So what’d you mean it won’t matter soon if anyone sees your ship?”
He looked back over his shoulder toward the screen door. She peered past him, wondering what he was staring at. She didn’t see anything.
“Soon,” he answered.
“Soon what? Why does everything have to be so secretive? Can’t you just tell me what the f—” Every muscle in her body froze. Her sandwich fell to the plate as she slowly stood up, stepped over the bench of the table, and moved toward the door. “What is that?”
As though in a daze she wandered outside and went down the porch steps. A semi-transparent wall of glass arched like a dome to encompass a huge area, perhaps the entire town. The screen door banged shut, alerting her to Bane’s presence.
“Did you do this?” With some effort she forced her gaze away from the sight to look at him.
“Yes, to protect the town. The Cadeyrns cannot penetrate it. We’ll be safe under here.”
“While the rest of the world is destroyed?”
Bane’s gaze narrowed. “No, not the rest. I told you there are others like me. Each of us has infiltrated a small town and activated a shield.”
So that’s what those things were that he had out this morning. He was setting up this giant dome.
“But you’ve cut off the rest of the world. We’re safe in here while out there…” She felt pressure on her arm. She stared down at his hand, then into his eyes. Distractedly, she wondered if she appeared ready to faint and his grip was merely precautionary. Her body felt numb, just as it had when she’d spotted the first UFO outside the window of her office building.
“We have to think now in terms of preservation. Not just people, but lakes, resources, animals.” His tone was gentler, persuasive.
“Like an ark?”
He nodded. “You can think of it that way, yes.”
Another thought entered her mind. “You said they could mess with the weather.”
“Rain, sunlight, and oxygen can penetrate the shield lining. It acts like a filter though, not allowing in too much moisture, and it won’t let in anything toxic.”
“How long do we stay under here?” She’d read Stephen King’s Under the Dome and she knew all too well how being trapped under one of these things could escalate into dangerous scenarios.
“Until it’s safe to come out. Or if help arrives.”
That made her hopeful. “Have you made contact with your planet somehow? Do you think they’ll come?”
“No, I haven’t contacted them. I can’t. I’m hoping that when we Sentinels switched on it triggered some kind of SOS signal to them. We’ll have to wait and see. I have to go into town again.”
“What? Why? People will be freaking out. It’s not safe.” Now it was her turn to grasp his arm.
“That’s exactly why I need to go. I have to explain what’s happening. Let them know the town is safe.”
She had a bad feeling about this. “What makes you think they’ll listen to you? They don’t even know you. You’re a stranger.”
He moved back from her. “I’ll tell them about the Sentinels and Gannon. And about the Cadeyrns from Centeris.”
“They won’t believe you. They’ll think you’re insane,” Josie insisted.
He smiled coldly. “Not when I land my ship in the center of town.” He strode toward the woods, leaving her standing there alone.
* * * *
Bane could hear Josie’s steps coming up behind him, causing him to smirk. He’d suspected she wouldn’t let him go into town alone. He knew what she’d be thinking. God only knows what the people will do to him. They’re already on high alert and looking for answers. No doubt they won’t be too polite in asking him either. Her presence may help alleviate the panic and suspicion that was sure to come.
“Bane, wait,” she called.
He slowed his pace and turned around. “Glad you decided to join me.”
She fell into step beside him. “Do you really think they’ll listen to you?”
“It may take some convincing, but they’ll soon come to accept what’s happening is in their best interests.”
She huffed. “Either
that or they’ll tear us both apart.”
“I won’t let that happen,” he assured her.
Once they were on the ship he didn’t bother to conceal his flight path. Instead, he put on a bit of a show, zooming up to the top of the shield, maneuvering around the perimeter, and darting back and forth over the town, making sure as many people as possible saw him. From the corner of his eye he spotted Josie’s hands in a death grip on the armrests of her seat.
“Relax,” he told her.
She glared at him. “Easy for you to say.”
He loved the feel of the power of the ship. If he’d wanted to, he could have flown right out of Earth’s atmosphere and deep into outer space. He absently wondered if, like him, the other Sentinels were basking in their newfound identities and, perhaps, having activated their own shields, longed for their freedom. The technical knowledge and abilities he now possessed intrigued and delighted him.
Deep down he’d always felt there was something different about him. He supposed that maybe everyone felt like that sometimes. In the novels he used to write the heroes were always strong and powerful, radiating with purpose, fulfilling their destinies and saving lives, if not entire worlds. And now wasn’t he doing just that? Perhaps he’d always suspected that something else—someone else—slumbered deep within him, longing to awaken.
He would do what it took to keep the town safe, to ensure the survival of the human race. And hopefully it would be as he had said to Josie, that Gannon would know of Earth’s fate and come to the rescue. Then he wouldn’t be alone. Not that he couldn’t handle the daunting task; he’d been created to play this role. And yet part of him longed for his people.
“There’s the spot. We’re going down so prepare yourself,” he said.
A park set in the center of town was his destination. Already a large group was gathering there. He could see them pointing up at the ship and nattering at each other speculatively. As he paused in flight to lower straight down he watched for signs of aggression. Police were keeping the crowd under control, gesturing with their hands for people to move back from the area. They appeared to be the only ones armed. Soon the ship hovered only a few feet from the ground. He gazed at Josie and saw she sat forward in her seat, staring intently at the group.
“I think it’s best if I go out first,” he told her, getting to his feet. “Just in case there’s any trouble.”
She tugged at her seatbelt irritably, her hands shaking. As he moved to the belly of the ship and was about to open the hatch she came up beside him. “I think we should present a united front.”
He had to admit she had courage. Seeing the determination in her eyes, he nodded in agreement. “I’ll go down first. Come out behind me and stay close to the ship.”
“All right.”
The hatch swished up and he jumped the couple of feet to the ground. Moving forward, he heard Josie jump down behind him. The crowd had shifted back a distance from the ship, and he noted the half dozen police officers standing before them, using their outstretched arms as barriers. In the background sirens sounded, and he caught sight of the flashing lights of more police cars and even an ambulance and a fire truck. No doubt the shield had freaked them out and his arrival only added to the chaos. Seeing he had everyone’s attention, he spread his hands wide to show he was unarmed.
“Do not be alarmed,” he began. “My presence here is not to cause harm but to ensure your safety.”
He paused and gauged their reaction. Most were fidgeting, trying to get a good look at him and the ship.
“I, like all of you, have spent my life on Earth, although I am not technically from your planet. There are others like me who have lived here among you, preparing for this event. We knew one day invaders would come. That is why we are here, to protect the Earth and its people.”
“Then why have you sealed us up in here like prisoners?” demanded someone from the crowd.
“The shield’s purpose is to ensure your survival,” Bane answered. “It will keep the invaders out.”
“What’s with the spaceship?” someone else demanded.
“The ships have remained dormant until the time arrived that my people were needed,” Bane answered patiently. “We are Acacians and my ancestors are from a planet far from here named Gannon. Those of us who are here are known as Sentinels—guardians of Earth.”
“Have you contacted your planet to let them know we’re under attack?” an older woman called out. This started some rumblings in the group. Bane heard them arguing and speculating among themselves.
“How do we know we can trust them?”
“They may be just as bad as the others.”
“How do we know they’re not with the others?”
“If they’re here to help, why aren’t they doing anything?”
“They have. They’ve sealed us up to suffocate in here.”
Bane spoke, raising his voice to be heard among the crowd. “My kind has walked the Earth side by side with humans since the beginning. Our objective has always been to protect humans and the planet. I have not contacted Gannon. I have no way to do so. I am assuming, when the attack began, Gannon was alerted and a force is on its way to help. In the meantime, we Sentinels have shielded as many small towns as we are able to with the goal of preservation.”
A man dressed in slacks and a blue dress shirt moved forward past the police barrier. Bane noted his attire and figured he must be some sort of spokesman for the people. He also noted the man wore no tie or jacket, the top buttons of his dress shirt had been unbuttoned, and his sleeves were rolled up. He appeared exhausted and wary.
“My name is Jack Herald, I’m mayor of this town. May we know your name and the name of your companion?”
“I’m Bane, and this is Josie.”
“Is she an alien too?” a childlike voice called out from the crowd.
“No,” Bane replied.
“Is she your captive?” a man asked.
Bane was becoming impatient. “No, she is here of her own free will.”
He took a deep breath, calming himself. From the looks of things this was going to be a long, tedious interview.
Chapter 7
The anxious look of the crowd made Josie uneasy. She feared it was only a matter of time before Bane lost patience and his arrogance and irritation crept out. He had a huge obligation, and she knew he took his position seriously, but he was reluctant to justify his actions to those he viewed as vastly inferior. They fired question after question at him. He did his best to alleviate the crowd’s fear, yet instead of reassuring them, he seemed to have the opposite effect.
“I have family outside this town. I need to get out, and I bet I’m not the only one. You need to bring this thing down and let us get to our families,” a young man said.
Bane glared at him. “Let me make this perfectly clear. The shield is here for your protection. Right now the invaders are concentrating on the larger cities. Once they’re done there they’ll move on to the smaller towns. Make no mistake, what is going on outside of the shields is no battle, it’s an extermination. Therefore, no one leaves. No one gets in. The shield is not a revolving door. It is here to stay, no exceptions.”
“We’re not prisoners. Who are you to make these decisions for us?” the young man fired back. Many in the crowd voiced their agreement and outrage.
Josie saw Bane’s fists clench. She knew she had to say something. She stepped up beside him to present a united front. “I know you’re all concerned, but please understand what Bane says is true. We journeyed here by foot from a large city where one of those ships is hovering. The invaders are capable of manipulating the weather. They caused the blackout and the earthquakes without even leaving their ships. Right now they’re probably descending to the ground. Bane said it will be no battle, and he’s right. We are dealing with vastly superior technology, and we don’t stand a chance. The only option is to pray for whoever is outside of the shields and hope that help arrives soon.” She looked a
t Bane and saw that he appeared satisfied with her words.
“So we’re just supposed to sit tight and pray for help? How do we know you’re even telling the truth? We’ve seen nothing here, apart from the initial arrival of the ships on the news. We’re cut off from the media due to the power outage, but there’s no proof the invaders caused it. Yes, there have been some storms and quakes, but that’s not considered unusual. How do we know the invaders are here to destroy us? For that matter, how do we know if they’re even still out there anymore? We have your word and that’s all. Maybe you’ve sealed us up in here like some science experiment, keeping us from escaping. Maybe he’s the enemy,” a middle-aged woman accused, pointing a defiant finger at Bane.
Bane shook his head. He held up his hands when the crowd began to badger him again. “You have to trust what we’re saying is the truth. I can assure you those ships are still out there and their sole intent is to rape this planet for its resources and to obliterate humanity. It’s what they do. Things are going to get a lot worse.”
“I don’t give a shit what you say. Bring this thing down and let those of us who want to leave, leave. I, for one, am willing to take my chances out there. It sure as hell is better than hiding in here like a coward.”
“Yeah!” agreed several of them. Many glared and pointed at Bane, screaming, “Coward!”
The mayor raised his hands, vainly begging for patience.
“Insolent, ungrateful, ignorant fools,” Bane suddenly bellowed.
The people quieted and stared at him in shock.
“Bane, stop it!” Josie cried.
She saw the angry, young man break free of the barrier and reach into his jacket for what she feared was a weapon. She pointed and screamed as he pulled out a gun. Lightning fast, Bane responded. He pushed her to the ground. She looked up in time to see him pull a palm-sized, shiny ring from his back pants pocket. The man waved his gun around, yelling for the police to get back as they drew their weapons. Bane held the ring at arm’s length, lining it up with the threat. The sun glinted off the ring, and suddenly a beam of light shot out of the center of it toward the crowd. The light widened and encompassed the gunman along with several others, including all of the police officers. They immediately tensed up and shook as though electrocuted. The beam of light held them captive in its glow. As the light died away everyone caught within its range collapsed to the ground.
In His Alien Hands Page 16
