Genetic Drift

by Martin Schulte

  Luckily, everyone was already wearing their seatbelts and they were safe in the cabin, despite the trauma. The flight captain shortly came over the announcement system, “Everyone, this is the Captain. We have experienced a technical malfunction.” Marcus raised his eyebrows as if the captain didn’t need to state the obvious. “We have just been cleared to make an emergency landing in Charleston, West Virginia. Flight attendants, prepare for landing.”

  Marcus guffawed in disbelief, “Great, just had to make this trip even longer…” he muttered disappointedly under his breath. He lightly shoved Okoye’s shoulder to get his attention. Okoye sat straight up with his eyes wide open and Marcus asked him, “If we can’t get home in six hours, do you just want to rent a car and drive home?”

  Okoye didn’t want to wait to get back either, “Sure thing bro, anything to get back… I’m tired of traveling.” Marcus knew that if there was the slightest delay that he had a backup plan now.

  The plane made its landing without a flaw in maneuvers as the pilot performed splendidly. As the plane taxied toward the gate area, the flight attendant once again came over the announcement system, “I’m sorry folks, but due to required maintenance, we are not going to be able to continue this flight until tomorrow morning when a substitute jet arrives. The airline apologizes and will compensate everyone the cost of the flight and will purchase hotel rooms for the night.” After the announcement was over, Marcus activated the backup plan in his mind. He and Okoye left the plane once it reached the gate and waited for their bags. They waited next to the turnstile and the first batch of bags came through the conveyor. Neither of their bags came through until the second round. They quickly picked up their belongings and rushed to the rental car counter. Once they got into the car, it would only be seven hours until they got home.

  After they were done at the counter, they had the keys to victory in Marcus’ hands. With the plan finally in action, Marcus was confident enough to call his wife, “Baby, the plane had a malfunction and we had an emergency landing.”

  Her voice was filled with fear and relief, “Thank God you’re alright! When are you coming home? Are they flying you out of there tonight?”

  Marcus spoke with disappointment in his voice, “No, the plane is grounded…”

  His wife started to plead with him, “Please, oh please, get on the earliest plane and get home,” and then she had an idea, “I am about tempted to come and get you myself!”

  Marcus was quick to change her thought process as he spoke with excitement in his voice, “Baby, no need. I got a car and I’m coming home tonight!”

  Her squeal of happiness came across the phone. “What time are you getting home then?” she asked with eager anticipation.

  “It’s a seven-hour drive with gas stops. I’ll get there as soon as I can!”

  The excitement continued to escalate in her voice. “That’s so great. Please hurry, but be safe and I will be up when you get home… I can’t wait for you to get here!” His wife knew there was not going to be any rest tonight.

  Marcus opened the car door as the clock approached midnight and started to focus on driving. “Baby, I’m getting into the car now, I’ll call you at the next stop.” Marcus was unsuccessfully trying to suppress his excitement.

  His wife responded with the same amount of happiness. “I love you so much.”

  Marcus smiled and replied, “I love you too, Baby.” With the keys in the ignition, the car pulled out of the garage and continued on the road.

  The car was doing well on gas mileage but the need to take a break and stretch overcame Marcus. After four hours of driving in silence since the radio was off and Okoye was sleeping, he turned off of the highway. His stop in Waynesboro was going to be short but also an opportunity to call his wife. He picked up his phone to give her a location update.

  “Baby, we just stopped in Waynesboro, only a few hours left,” Marcus said.

  His wife didn’t reply with the same amount of excitement this time, “Oh Marcus, that’s great but have you heard about what is happening?” Marcus had no idea what had happened and answered somewhat confused and concerned.

  “No, I haven’t heard anything,” he said.

  “The aliens, they have made some sort of contact with us,” she said. Marcus heard her asthma pump. “Are they going to call you back?” Marcus hadn’t been called about the situation and he was taken by surprise that it happened the night he was coming home. Marcus was feeling a little upset that out of all days, the aliens had decided this was the day to offer their graces to the humans below.

  “Nobody has contacted me and there is nothing that is stopping me from getting home tonight,” he said.

  “I’m so happy that’s the case,” her delight came over the phone once again.

  “I’m getting in the car and will see you in less than three hours,” Marcus said, smiling.

  “I still can’t wait to get my arms around you. Love you, mwah,” she replied. Her kiss flew through the phone and touched Marcus. The phone beeped as she hung up and Marcus got back into the car with Okoye still fast asleep.

  After 15 minutes on the road, his cell phone buzzed with an incoming call. Baby came across as the name and a picture of his wife appeared in the background. He continued to focus on the road and attempted to answer a second too late. Missed Call – Baby was displayed on the phone. Before he could redial, a second call buzzed in. It was Baby again. He answered this time, “Baby…”

  His wife didn’t wait for the salutation, “Marcus, oh my God, we’re being attacked, they’re shooting at us.”

  Marcus was in disbelief, “Calm down, they’re actually shooting at us?” He wanted to make sure he heard correctly.

  “Oh my God, Marcus, yes, it’s coming straight for us!” She started to scream and Marcus could hear his son waking up in the background. “Look at the sky, it’s coming down!” Marcus quickly pulled over to the side of the road and got out of the car.

  His eyes gazed upon the stars and he noticed they were brighter and bluer than usual. Awoken by the sudden stop, Okoye got out of the passenger seat and looked in the same direction. Marcus could see the blue stars getting larger and more defined. “Baby, you need to get out of there… get out of there now,” his voice cracked with urgency.

  “Marcus, I’m in the car now.” By this point, the blue stars had turned into orbs and there were too many to count. Two of the orbs were coming down directly to the east in synchronicity. They approached closer and closer.

  “Baby, how are you doing getting out of there?” he asked in eager anticipation of good news.

  His wife was frantic, “I’m in the car and I,” the orbs got closer, “am,” the orbs got closer, “driving,” even closer, “on the, oh my God…”

  Marcus’ phone had three beeps at the same time as the orbs met with the Earth. He fell to his knees and his heart emptied as all emotion drained from his body. Okoye was still watching the horizon for any signs that anything had changed and did not notice Marcus fall. Marcus’ heart fell out of his chest. He knew what had just happened.

  DAY 276

  TRANSPORT LOADING AREA

  CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA

  Maynard was sitting in his truck waiting for the transport convoy to start. The convoy consisted of seven pickups, three SUVs, and a dump truck filled to the top with all of the metal from the bunker. Seated in the other pickups were Paul, Andy, Kyle, Zeke, and Alan’s other lieutenants, with the exception of Ben. Alan was leaving town but he still wanted his friends as close as possible. He knew how important it was to be surrounded by people that he trusted. Each vehicle had either one or two gunners, depending on the seating arrangement.

  Marcus was assigned to the SUV that would be transporting Mac, Barron, and Maddie. He sat in the passenger seat while Booby, Alan’s nephew, drove. Booby did not have high intelligence or even average intelligence. He was downright dumb and was quick to tell everyone that he was. But Booby listened and was loyal, two qualiti
es that suited Alan and his needs.

  Alan was the last one to get into a vehicle. He entered the SUV that would be in front of Marcus. When he placed his foot into the cab and transferred his weight, the entire thing listed to his side. After he closed the door, he lifted his right arm out of the window and rotated his forearm as the signal to start moving. Engines began to rev and Booby started to jump in his seat.

  “Call me Big Booby, call me Big Booby!” he kept yelling and bouncing. Marcus looked out of the window. He was stuck with this guy and he was struggling with his new situation. This trip was already five seconds longer than he wanted it to be.

  With headlights on and all engines turning, the pack of vehicles started to move away from the militia headquarters. Ben looked out the window as Alan and his entourage were leaving, a pair of headlights at a time. He curled his lips in disgust and then walked away from the window, slamming his finger on the map.

  “I need people here and here,” he said, and pointed at two high vantage points on the map.

  “Yes sir!” one of the scavengers replied. Ben continued to plan without a full armament of soldiers.

  As the company of SUVs and trucks headed away from headquarters, they drove through Charlottesville for what could possibly be the last time. Alan was already missing the feeling of being showered with praise from all the locals, imported or not. It was the praise he loved. They reached the medical clinic and Booby slammed his hand down on the horn to get their attention.

  “Would you knock it off?” Marcus said sharply, irritated by everything Booby did or said. “It’s dark outside and you’re making a calling card for the Trolls.”

  Booby let go of the horn. “I dare ‘em to come, they don’t know what they’re dealing with here,” Booby said, and he flexed his bicep, which was not as daunting as he thought. He pushed it toward Marcus and Marcus turned his head.

  “I don’t think you know what you’re dealing with… Anyways, do you think your uncle would appreciate you calling the Trolls before we get out of town?” Marcus asked. Booby stared silently at Marcus, slowly blinking as he processed Marcus’ last comment.

  Then Booby rolled down his window. He climbed on the ledge and sat on the door of the SUV.

  “Hey y’all need to hurry up,” he yelled. Movement started to stir at the medical clinic. Noticing that his passengers were on the move, he smugly told Marcus, “You see, that got ‘em.” Booby returned to his seat and leaned toward Marcus. Six inches from Marcus, he was smiling and shaking his head.

  Marcus closed his eyes for a moment to gather his patience, “Great job, do you think you could concentrate on driving now?”

  Booby sat back down in his seat and gleefully answered, “I sure can, I am the MAN!”

  “Yes, you are,” Marcus said softly, staring out of his window.

  The three from the medical center made their way to the SUV. Mac opened the back door for Maddie while Barron loaded their bags in the trunk. Barron had just come to the realization that he was scared of the dark and of the Trolls. Maddie sat behind Marcus and Mac sat behind Booby. Barron stood in front of the door. Mac adjusted enough to his side to allow Barron to squeeze into the third row.

  Maddie was beaming and eager to talk to Mac, “Can you believe it?” she asked him before he could resettle.

  Mac put on his seatbelt, “Maddie, that’s great and you did a great job. But let me ask you this: have you diagnosed the problem?”

  Her smile turned into a frown, “No, I haven’t,” she started to come down from her elation.

  Mac was trying to find something to say without crushing her so he used a dulcet tone, “And that’s why we will continue on until we figure out what happened to you in that bunker.” Her smile returned, figuring that Mac wanted to include her as part of the process and not just a test subject. “You’re not an experiment anymore.”

  Marcus turned around and faced Maddie. The moment he heard ‘bunker,’ he realized who was sitting behind him. He was never able to get a good look at her during the evacuation and didn’t get a good look at her eye as she was entering the SUV.

  “Maddie,” he extended his hand to shake hers, her two different colored eyes now in full view, “I’m Marcus and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Maddie was slightly taken aback by his gesture but cautiously greeted his hand with hers, “It’s a pleasure to meet you too?” She found it strange that he suddenly introduced himself and couldn’t figure out if she was supposed to know him. Her curiosity overtook her restraint and she asked him with uncertainty, “Am I supposed to know you?”

  “You don’t remember me but I was the guy who got you out of that bunker you’re talking about,” Marcus explained. That was all Maddie needed to kick start her desire to find answers. Mac sat there, silent and intrigued. This was the first time he was going to hear what Marcus had seen in the bunker.

  “Time to get mooooooving,” Booby hollered with a total disregard for the conversation that was happening behind him. The SUV started to move forward and they were on their way from the medical clinic. Maddie ignored Booby’s interjection and remained completely focused on Marcus.

  She blurted out the first thing on her mind, “Was there anyone else in there? Any guys? A girl?”

  Marcus kept his soft tone, “You were the only one the Trolls kept in there. We saw plenty of tables with a lot of blood on them but you were the only human in that bunker. If there was anyone else in that room, they were removed well before we got there. You were on a table in the corner of the room and I carried you out before the bunker exploded.” Maddie felt a tinge of hope. Surely if her friends weren’t in there, they must have survived.

  They could be out there! Her hope was rising and she was getting the answers she desired, but she didn’t understand why the aliens were called Trolls, “How come everyone calls them Trolls? I know they are the ‘aliens,’” she made quotation marks with her fingers, “but why are they called Trolls?”

  Marcus told her from a soldier’s point of view, “I don’t know who first called them Trolls but it stuck and everyone has been calling them that since they first attacked Charlottesville. They’re called Trolls because of the way they look. They are tall and blue and shaped much like we are but,” Maddie was sitting still and listening attentively to every word he said, “they are all bald with pointed ears that droop over the sides of their heads. Their noses are huge and cover most of their face and their bottom lip is the only thing under their noses.” Maddie was trying to picture the Trolls in her head as she had not actually seen one. Marcus continued to describe them in detail, “They only have four long fingers with sharp triangles for nails and feet-shaped talons. The worst is their eyes. Their eyes are creepy, black and too small for the size of their head and when they look at you, all you can see in them is emptiness.”

  Mac didn’t want to interrupt Maddie’s questioning but he wanted to ask questions of his own. Maddie was quicker and had other questions about the room. She wanted to continue to get some answers, “Was there anything else in the room? Were they experimenting on me?” The stories of alien conspiracy theorists entered her mind as she asked her questions.

  Marcus replied, “There wasn’t anything attached to you, I would have noticed it when we removed you.” He started to focus intently on Maddie’s red eye. She noticed him staring at it and adjusted her hair to cover it up. Marcus made a connection, “But now looking at your eye, I remember that there were red fluids in the room the same color.” Maddie started to think about the red liquid. The red liquid, her eye, her blood, they all had to be connected.

  If she could only get her hands on what the red liquid was, “Marcus, where can I get some of that red liquid?” Mac lifted his eyebrows toward Marcus, wanting to know the same answer.

  “The only place I know you can get it is in that bunker,” Marcus said with absolute confidence and then added, “I’m sure that we could find it in other bunkers.”

  Maddie pried deeper, �
��Where can we find…”

  She was interrupted by Booby again, “What in the hell is that?” He pointed in front of the SUV. They all focused on the front of the convoy and saw a concert of blue orbs creating a luminescent wall. The little blue dots flew in the distance from their left. The first truck in the convoy turned around and attempted to go back to Charlottesville. They watched it accelerate but the orbs were faster. The truck started to disappear whenever one of the blue projectiles collided with it. The frame of the truck started to fade away and then the tire went flat and then the other tire. The truck rolled over on its side and continued to get pelted. Smaller and smaller, the truck faded into the night until the blue projectiles started to fly past where it used to be.

  The doors of the other convoy vehicles opened and everyone started to flood toward the woods to the right. Marcus opened his door, “It’s time to move,” his voice was controlled by his adrenaline, “take cover in the woods!” He opened Maddie’s door and she was the first out, followed by Mac, and then delayed by climbing over the seat, Barron flew out. Booby got out on the driver’s side and a line of blue fire was directed towards him. He attempted to run but was hit by some of the dots that had turned into the noticeable blue orbs and he fell after a few steps. By the time Maddie made it to the woods she turned around to see Marcus close behind her, followed by Barron. Mac’s age was showing as he was the last to reach the tree line.

  Marcus was catching his breath and told the old man, “You need to keep up.” He continued to pant.

  “I will,” Mac wheezed.

  “We need to go deeper in there and outrun them,” Marcus pointed further into the woods.

  Barron looked into the woods and could only see darkness, “How are we supposed to see where we’re going?”