by Rick Kueber
“Welcome to the Gathering. As you look along this waterfront, you will see countless Titans and a multitude of Humans and Takers with each one. We have been tracking the signal of the One who will lead us into our bold new future. Somewhere, out across this massive sea, is the One. Our hope and our plan was to meet him on this shoreline. He has not arrived. Nevertheless, we will carry on with our plan to inform you and lay out our path to conquer those who would destroy all of humanity.
In the beginning, the beings of light and energy, which you call aliens, were sent here by the Grays. The Gray aliens had dominated our planet and forced us into submission, ruling us cruelly and abusing our resources until we had no free will and no place we could call our own. We were informed and readied by the Grays and under their control, we were sent here through a wormhole which was opened up in your skies. The Grays had planned to send us here for their entertainment like an intergalactic game of chess, but there was one thing they did not count on; one thing they were not aware of. During their preparations and training of our world, one being slipped past them and traveled to this planet undetected. He met with the One, many years before we were to be sent.
This being, Moro-Dan, set a plan of his own in motion. In this plan, we would gather our forces as one, instead of bowing to the Grays. Moro-Dan’s hopes were to at least coexist and at best, defeat the relentless tyranny of the Grays. Though there were several beings who agreed with this plan, there were many more who opposed it. Ornan was the leader of those who sought to undo everything that Moro-Dan had worked to prepare. It was because of Ornan’s understanding of the alternate plan, that he fabricated his own lies to tell any who questioned the purpose of their invasion. The One came face to Face with Ornan and now that he has not arrived to meet us, we are unsure if he was swayed to believe Ornan’s fabricated lies.
Collectively, we had hoped to have the One join us to help secure our solidarity, but with or without him, we will forge on. We do have another who may rise to be even more important and many others who will show our oneness; our unity and our ability to come together as one...people.
Our kind knew that we lacked the ability to procreate, but what only Moro-Dan realized was that we lacked the primitive thing known as emotion. When we began to find that, when we began to actually connect with humans, we discovered your feelings, your hopes, your dreams and aspirations, but it was your compassion and love that drew us in. When we found our desire to be like you in this way, our cold, darkness failed and our crafts... Our Titans, which are controlled telepathically, also lost their physical darkness. Moro-Dan returned to us before the onset of the invasion, but it was obvious that he, his craft and his crew had changed and he fled back to Earth. Several Titans were sent after him with the goal of capturing him and destroying his Pale Titan. However, as we learned more about what had changed within him, those of us who were ready to combat the Grays understood that there was another way.
Now, as your eyes wander, you can see an army, but you only see a small portion. Your planet, this planet had nearly seven billion inhabitants. Regretfully, less than five-hundred million remain. Of those that do, nearly half are already with us. Two thousand Titans arrived here. A few hundred have been disabled or have fallen in one way or another. Of those that remain, well over one-third have grown pale. We must unite. Though we could, and most likely will have to, use deadly force and war to overtake the remaining Dark Titans, our hopes are to take as many of them by love and compassion as possible. Every Titan that we can pale, is another facet to our growing army against the Grays, and another piece of the puzzle, a puzzle that when complete will give us all peace and acceptance.
Each Titan has a Commander. I am yours. At my side, Victoria will be my captain and will organize and orchestrate our new plan. In the past we have already found success in wandering, almost aimlessly, across the continents, but now, we will gather in groups. No less than four Titans will come together to become a single fighting force. We will search our ranks for those who are key to defeating the beings of light and in doing so, we will gain control of their Takers. With each victory, we will grow stronger until the Dark Titans are defeated or flee and leave us all in peace.
Each Titan has a Commander and with great gratitude for their sacrifices, each Commander has a Captain. Our one consciousness will divide us into groups, battalions, if you will, and we will all have our designated meeting place. We will seem to scatter after our meeting tonight, but our scattering will not be random. It will be calculated and precise. On this night, on every continent, gatherings like this one are taking place. It will take several days or more for each battalion to congregate and once all are ready, we will execute our plan for domination simultaneously. When our battles grow fewer and our victory is imminent, life will begin to return to what you consider normal, with only changes for the better of all.
Now, let us have a night of fellowship and camaraderie. Gather around your captains and listen to their tales and tell tales of your own. Spend the next hours learning those stories of what your friends, strangers and Takers have been through and through those recollections, learn that you are not so different from each other. We shall gather again when our war is won and we shall celebrate on a stellar level. Your Commanders and Captains have been instructed that no matter where we all are, no matter what we may be in the midst of, in the autumn season, we shall take one day to reflect and give thanks for our allies and our new beginning. Together across this world, we shall celebrate the Genesis Day in observance of the new beginning created by the One who has created the convergence of our races.”
The words ‘Genesis Day’, ‘the One’ and ‘convergence’ echoed in Elle’s mind while she and everyone watched the holograms slowly fade and disappear. She knew there were only a handful of people who were present for the Genesis Day celebration. She and Tanner and Daniel had told the Triple-C tribe about the celebration and she supposed that the word could have spread, but for that to have happened, the Triple-C tribe or the Barnhill tribe would have had to have had contact with others. That ignited a small spark of hope in Elle’s soul. Maybe she would see some of her friends again. Maybe she really would see Maddie again. The impossible seemed possible and suddenly a tiny flame of hope flickered in her heart. Maybe, just maybe she would see Tanner again. She subconsciously grinned a wide lipped goofy grin.
“So...” Maya threw her hands on her hips. “You wanna tell me what that’s all about? ‘Cause I’m pretty damn sure all this talk of battalions and war didn’t give you a warm and fuzzy feeling.”
“Oh nothing really. I was just thinking about introducing you to some of my old friends.” Elle smiled, but then the thought of being in the company of Tanner and Maya at the same time and introducing them gave her a twinge of guilt and honestly...excitement.
Chapter 10
Growing Circle
Wandering through the crowd with Maya, the thoughts and memories in Elle’s head were so loud and so numerous, she could barely hear the murmuring voices of the crowd and she didn’t even notice how many people stared at little Phoenix. Some of the gawkers even gasped and backed away when their glances met his eyes, like glowing, fiery embers. They weren’t angry flaming eyes, but more like a welcoming fire in the hearth of a country home. Maya wrapped her arm around Elle’s shoulder and squeezed her gently.
“Let’s see if we can find anyone we recognize.” Maya tried to snap Elle out of her daze. “Tory has to be around here somewhere, right?”
“Okay.” Elle said in an apathetic tone and kissed ‘Nix’s forehead.
When she finally began to pay attention to her surroundings, Elle noticed many of those around her were scurrying around, as if in search of something. She was right. They were gathering driftwood and whatever else they could find to burn. With so many eyes searching and so many hands gathering, there was soon a heaping pile as big as a full sized car. In the distance, Elle noticed the figure of a tall, well-toned man carrying a flaming torch. Al
l along the waterfront were pinpoints of flickering torchlight. The closer he came, the more athletic he appeared. He was dressed in a pair of camouflage, cargo shorts and a khaki shirt, completely unbuttoned and exposing his muscular chest and abdomen. The cuts of his chest and abs cast dancing shadows on his tan skin under the wind driven fire light. Elle couldn’t help but think of the night she met the half-naked Tanner and how his in-adept awkwardness, added to his physique, caused her to fall for him almost immediately.
The attractive stranger trotted up with a smile and lit the pile of brush and driftwood and after flashing a wink, took off down the water’s edge to the next massive brush-pile. After watching him jog away, Elle and Maya looked back the opposite direction and noticed the growing glow of dozens of bonfires. The silhouettes of people, back lit by the fires, looked like a swarm of ants milling around among themselves. It reminded Elle of photos Elle had seen of Woodstock, the Million Man March and other mass gatherings.
“Did you ever hear about the march on Washington D.C. back in the ‘60’s?” Elle asked Maya.
“Yeah, I don’t know a lot about it, but everyone’s heard about it.” Maya said honestly.
“And Woodstock?” She added, and Maya nodded with a grin. “Every time there was a huge change in the world, every time there was something big about to happen, there was a massive gathering... Like this one. Something is about to change the world, again.”
“And we’re part of it. That’s kinda cool, even if we have to deal with everything that goes along with it.” Maya and Elle wandered through the scattering of small conversing groups of people and Takers. “I do have to say I’m pretty damn disappointed by this whole alien invasion thing...”
“Why’s that?” Elle’s curiosity was peaked.
“I really thought if we were ever visited by aliens, well... I guess I thought it would be a lot more, I dunno... Science fictiony..” Maya giggled and it warmed Elle’s heart.
“Science fictiony? Really?” Elle rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, you know, laser guns and hovercrafts... Stuff like that.” Maya shrugged her shoulders.
“Well, I do have this adorable glowing eyed, part alien baby, and we’re surrounded by alien-zombie people.” Elle looked around nervously and noticed there were Takers all around and some of them shot her looks of disapproval. “Oops...” She put her hand to her mouth after letting the derogatory remark slip out. “Anyway, “ she whispered, “it’s all pretty science fictiony.”
“You hear that?” Maya spoke up and standing on her tip-toes (which didn’t really give her any vantage) looked back and forth. “Lights!”
Elle looked in the direction she was pointing and noticed there were a series of lights coming, like an electric centipede, and she could hear the growl of a gas motor coming closer. “Something’s coming!” She shouted.
“Duh!” Maya yelled out sarcastically and apparently everyone in earshot found it funny, as a roaring round of laughter ensued.
“Maya, Danny, Dillon, Lilly... Come help us set up.” Tory appeared from seemingly nowhere and called four people from the multitude. As they passed, one of them spoke and something clicked with Elle.
“Honored to be of service, Victoria.” One of the men, a Taker actually, bowed his head to Tory as he walked by.
“What’s going on Tory?” Elle asked. “Do you need my help too?”
“We are going to celebrate.” Tory explained
“Victoria?” Elle cocked her head to the side.
“Yes. My given name.” She looked at Elle kindly. “I shortened it to Tory in elementary school. I was teased that Victoria sounded like a grandma name.”
“I guess we’ve come a long way from hiding in a cave, dressed in black and being afraid to go out at night.” Elle thought back over the past year.
“I guess we have.” Tory agreed. “Being out at night, or day, is still dangerous business, but there is safety in numbers.”
“...And Titans.” Elle teased.
Just then the grumbling centipede of a caravan arrived, snaking past, bouncing up and down through the water and marshy sands. Flying sands and splashing, salty water sprayed everywhere when a line of four-wheel drive trucks skidded to a stop and the crowd cheered. A man jumped out of the passenger side of a couple of the trucks and climbed into the back. A few people gathered around and took a long, folding table, a few coolers and boxes that were handed to them. Specifically, it was the four that Tory had called out that were taking the items. They brought everything away from the water’s edge and began setting up the table.
The trucks sped off and raced a hundred yards down the beach before stopping again. Tory and Elle sauntered over to the table, making small talk about Phoenix, the length of Elle’s hair and how it needed a trim, and other mostly pointless drivel.
“Oh my God! Elle! Check it out!” Maya called out when they reached the table. She reached into one of the boxes and pulled out a package of hot dogs with one hand and a bag of marshmallows with the other.
“AAAANNNDDDD!” The man named Dillon rousingly shouted. “BEER!”
He pulled a can from the icy cooler. Wait... Were Elle’s eyes playing tricks on her? She was certain that the can had small chunks of ice stuck to its sides and melting down its shiny aluminum exterior.
“Ice?” Elle’s voice cracked, as if this were some miracle from heaven itself.
“Yes.” Tory placed her hand on Elle’s shoulder. “We have been expecting and planning this for some time. Much like your stay in Phoenix Arizona, there were cities that we have been in control of also. We have vehicles, a limited supply of fuel, and yes, ice. There were also food distributors with deep freezers big enough to drive a truck through. Hot dogs may not be a feast fit for an army, but it seemed like a good and simple choice.”
“It’s perfect.” Elle almost teared up. “It’s like one of the parties we used to have after our high school won a big football game, only there’s a few more people here. I think this is just what everyone needs; something to remind them of what the simple life is like and what we’re fighting for.”
Tory nodded to Elle. “There’s soft drinks and juice too.”
“Thanks, but I think I’m ready for a drink tonight.” Elle stuck out her bottom lip and blew upwards, blowing her straggly hair out of her face. “I don’t suppose there’s any gin for that juice?”
***
Hot dogs and marshmallows were roasted until they had all been cooked and eaten... Even the burnt ones. The evening had faded into night. Maya, Tory, Elle and several others had gathered into a circle near one of the bonfires. They talked about everything under the sun, until the night wore on into the early morning hours. Elle’s new acquaintances were fascinated to hear her story of meeting Tanner and how Phoenix was conceived and born. Mostly, they were mesmerized by the fact that Elle was Native American and her faith and views on spirituality.
The crowds of people had dozed off, one by one on the sandy waterfront. Even those in Elle’s circle were slipping off to sleep out of exhaustion until she and Tory were the only ones left awake. Phoenix was the first to fall asleep and Elle knew he would be the first to wake up, but she couldn’t shake a feeling of disappointment.
“Something is bothering you.” Tory’s intuitive statement felt comforting to Elle and she spoke to her from the heart.
“One of the last things that Maddie said to me and Tanner before we left out was ‘I’ll see you at the water’s edge.’. I guess I just thought maybe she’d be here. I thought I’d see her.” Elle tried not to let her emotions get the best of her.
“I miss her too.” Tory understated her maternal loss. “I hoped I would see her again too, but even if she were here, the odd of us ever finding her are one in ...ummm... millions. I did sense that she was with me. She’s always been with me.” There was something in Tory’s voice that sounded like cynicism hidden beneath sorrow. “We’ve all been through so much already, but the hardest tests, the most trying times, are still a
head.”
“Yeah...” Elle wiped her nose on the back of her hand and changed the subject to avoid thinking about how things could possibly get worse than what she’d already been through. “It’s getting light out already.”
“This will be a long day. We still have to get back.” Tory pointed out the reality that they faced.
“About that...” Elle prodded. “The Titan’s stuck. What are we supposed to do about that?”
“A plan is in place, but first, we must get back to our Titan.” Tory was keeping something from her, but Elle knew that prying was not going to get her the answers she needed.
“At least the storm is over and it didn’t ruin our night.” Elle tried to be optimistic, even though she wasn’t looking forward to being a human alarm clock, or walking back through the swamp to the stranded Titan. It was an odd feeling; being avoided like an outcast and her child being looked at as some sort of miraculous savior.
“Wake up.” Tory shook Dillon’s shoulder until his eyes squinted open and he grumbled at her. “Come on. We need everyone’s help to wake our tribe.” She smiled at Elle as she said the word.
It literally took over an hour just to wake everyone and another hour to get them motivated enough to start the long march back to the crippled Titan. The morale slipped lower with every step into the murky swamps of southern Louisiana. The return trip seemed to take longer. Perhaps it was because they were less motivated and walking slower, or perhaps it was because they had no idea what they would do once they reached the bog’s new, gigantic, permanent fixture. Elle and her circle from the night before led the way and as they tromped through the wilderness of the bayous and swamps.
