Aliens in the Allagash

by Gary Striker

  “This is a beautiful way to live, Jane”, Cruz philosophized, “You have what we can only read about in books. This is something that money can’t buy”.

  At that moment the sounds of what Steve interpreted to be an artillery barrage was evident. The distant, but distinct percussive sounds of big gun fire was no mistake.

  “Somebody is having a problem”, Steve concluded as Jane was busy dialing the old house phone.

  “Yes, Jane”, ‘Duty’ answered, “One of Major Greer’s Armor units is engaged with several of the creatures. They have taken losses, but we don’t know the damage yet”.

  “Oh my God”, Jane exclaimed, “Is there anything we can do”?

  “Yes! Stay home, lock the doors, and load all of your father’s weapons. The creatures are on the move in every direction. Major Greer is receiving some satellite information as the clouds break, but it looks like we’ll be overcast soon”.

  “Are you ok”, Jane asked?

  “We’re fine for now. Darren is trying to keep that space monster under control. It looks like that thing’s friends may be coming to get him.

  “Thanks, ‘Duty’”, Jane said, “Pleeeze be safe”!

  “We’ll be ok, sweetheart”, ‘Duty’ assured her, “I have to go”.

  Lucy finished preparing dinner and had set the table for a beautiful Oriental spread of delicacies.

  “Let’s relax and enjoy this”, Cruz insisted, “If we have any problems tonight, we’ll deal with them”!

  Everyone relaxed a bit as they knew Cruz was no stranger to dealing with adversity. Darkness descended over the tiny village of Eagle Lake as they shared in the cautious enjoyment of the spectacular meal before them.

  Aliens in the Allagash

  Chapter 26

  Invasion

  In conversation with General Thompson, Colonel Harris learned that he was not alone with the problems he was encountering. Similar disturbances were reported from the Maldives, Ethiopia, The Western Caucuses, and other various locations throughout the globe.

  “Sir, a worldwide panic attack could be far worse than the issues we now face”, Colonel Harris deduced.

  “That’s right, Dave, and with every identified emplacement that we encounter, people are showing up dead. In the Third World countries, it’s worse”.

  “May I suggest, sir that you contact Doctor McCall who is currently on site at the Fort Kent location”?

  “I’ll do that as soon as we’re done”.

  “He has two research scientist colleagues with him. They could be very helpful. And one more thing, General, former Marine Steve Slattery is on site as well. He has had personal contact with them and was the civilian squad leader who captured the alien subject now in containment”, Colonel Harris informed the General.

  “I will contact him as well, Colonel. We’ll need every tactical advantage.

  A global state of opposed invasion appeared to be evident. Doctor McCall and his team were appraised of the situation, but not surprised with some of the reports they had already received. In conversation with General Thompson, an alarming trend appeared to be brewing.

  “General Thompson, there is a common thread to the deaths reported at the affected locations. Cause of death in most cases is anoxia”, Darren McCall informed the General.

  “You’re telling me that these people are being suffocated”, the General asked?

  “Yes sir. These creatures consume more than three liters of oxygen per second. In proximity to a nest of these things, the atmospheric oxygen is severely depleted. We don’t know exactly what they use it for, but for sure they give nothing back. We feel it is the reason that they settle in heavily vegetated areas where oxygen is most abundant”.

  The General sat back and contemplated the next course of action. He was interpreting a necessity for extreme measures.

  “There is one more thing”, Darren added. “They also have an insatiable need for an organic source of carbon, which is why they have been attacking most any type of life form. These creatures are an extraordinarily complex chemical processing laboratory”.

  “You’re not painting a rosy picture”, the General commented.

  “Realistically sir, the outlook is bleak”!

  “What you’re saying, Doctor, is this infestation needs to be destroyed before they do the same to us”.

  “It does feel like a ‘them or us’ scenario sir”, Darren confirmed.

  “Are you suggesting a nuclear confrontation”, the General queried?

  “No sir! That would be the last thing that we would want to do. They would just feed off of it”, Darren cautioned.

  “So without a conventional means to neutralize this enemy, we’re describing a Doomsday event”!

  “Sir, we have two choices. We either kill it or we get rid of it. We haven’t had much luck trying to kill it, but we have had some success communicating with it”.

  “Do you think that they would just go away if we asked them to leave”, the General asked?

  “Of course not, sir! We feel that this is not their first rodeo. We are just another dining experience for them and it probably will not be their last”.

  The General evaluated all of the options that didn’t exist.

  “In your opinion, Doctor, does their encampment at Ben Lake provide us with any vulnerabilities”, the General asked, once again reaching for anything that might provide a tactical advantage?

  “Sir, there is one thing”, Darren recalled, “When they shuttle their hovercrafts in and out of the docking area, they have to let their guard down to penetrate a shield of some sort”.

  “If we were to coordinate a horizon pop-up attack to coincide with one of their arrivals, would we have a chance to penetrate their defenses”?

  Darren gave the battle strategy some thought. The General might have hit on a possibility, however slight it might be.

  “Sir, we would need an exceptional amount of explosive power, precisely placed on a very small target”.

  “Your scenario reminds me of a crucial air battle capability development that changed the course of World War II.”, the General contemplated.

  “What was that sir”?

  “The 306th Strategic Wing based at Mildenhall, England. That Heavy Bombardment Group either needed to perfect low altitude daylight precision bombing into heavily defended and industrialized Germany, or die at the hands of the Third Reich”!

  Doctor McCall was extremely impressed with the General’s depth of historical knowledge and its immediate relevance to the problem at hand.

  “Can you thread the needle sir”, Darren asked?

  “We’ll do it, or die trying, Doctor”!

  Cruz was enjoying a cup of morning coffee with a group of friends that he somehow got very close to, closer than he ever wanted to be. The first seasonal snowfall had magical effects on the environment as well as its inhabitants. The warmth of the kitchen fireplace presented a comfortable setting, which separated them from the beautiful but hostile world outside. The morning temperature was twenty nine degrees as the snow continued to fall.

  “Major Greer reported losses in his engagement with the aliens”, Jane said after reviewing her text messages from ‘Duty’.

  “Those things are having their way with us and there’s not much that we can do about it”, Steve observed.

  “We’re not going down without a fight”, Cruz said with determination.

  At that moment Steve’s infamous cell phone ringer tone sounded. General Thompson introduced himself and requested that Steve participate in a four-way teleconference. Major Greer and Colonel Harris were on the other lines.

  “I consulted with Doctor McCall”, the General began, “and we have determined that a precision tactical strike on the alien encampment be attempted”.

  “But sir”, Steve said, “We still have one aircraft and crew missing in action”.

  “I’m aware of that. This strike would need to take place with the utmost precision timing and ordnance p
lacement we have ever attempted. The problem we face is the satellite imaging delay time”.

  “What you’re saying, General, is that you need eyes on the ground”. Steve concluded as all faces riveted on the implications.

  “That’s right. We would need a mission observer to direct the strike timing”.

  “And what would we be looking for”, Steve asked?

  “Dr. McCall stated that the alien hovercraft require a breach in their security field for the craft to pass through.

  “Are you getting ready to ask me something, General”, Steve queried?

  Cruz had no doubt that Mr. Slattery was chosen for his ability to simplify the complicated, and focus on the issues at hand. Jane was not feeling comfortable and had been listening intently.

  “Steve, you had direct exposure to the enemy base camp as well as the alien life forms. I am going to request a favor”, the General stated.

  “What is that, Sir”?

  “We need you to accompany Major Greer’s expeditionary task force and direct them to a strategic observation point overlooking the encampment”.

  The group gathered in the cozy surroundings of Jane’s home found themselves full of apprehension at the news that Steve could face another close encounter with the alien life forms.

  “This is Major Greer. We would make this as low risk as possible. Your participation would only require you to direct us to a strategic observation point”.

  “That’s assuming we don’t encounter resistance on the way in”, Steve qualified.

  Colonel Harris insured the group that he could have a horizon pop-up, low altitude bombing operation on the target within thirty seconds. This was considered risky as the field had been observed to collapse in less time. The fighter jets would need to be out of sight of the target before the field is reengaged or risk losing control of the aircraft, or worse!

  Steve requested that Cheyenne Charrette lead the insurgent operation, if he was so willing. The General was informed that Cheyenne had intimate knowledge of the Ben Lake area and was also responsible for subduing the alien creature. This part of the operation was approved.

  “I have just been informed by the Air Force Global Strike Command that a B2 Stealth Bomber is in route to join the 27th Tactical fighter group at Bangor”, the General informed the group.

  “How is this aircraft equipped sir”, Colonel Harris inquired?

  “This B2 has one Massive Ordnance Penetrator on board”.

  “Sir, with the M.O.B. we get one shot at the target and that’s it”, Colonel Harris advised the group. “We would also need to verify that the entire area is free of civilians and that the reconnaissance spotters are well clear of the area. We don’t know what effect this ordnance will have on other devices within their encampment”.

  “Sir, may I suggest that we emplace a remote surveillance camera at the observation point”, Steve requested?

  “May I interrupt”, Colonel Harris interjected, “Are we all aware that we’re talking about thirty thousand pounds of the most lethal deep penetrating ordnance ever invented”? My test and evaluation team approved this weapon for a role that the Air Force hasn’t assigned yet”.

  “Doctor McCall advised me that this explosive power may be far from adequate, if it works at all”, the General responded.

  “Sir, we detonated this weapon at White Sands Missile Range. An existing tunnel was fortified with 200 vertical feet of stressed concrete for the test. There was nothing left of the bunker and we drilled a crater almost 300 feet deep into the desert floor. We broke every window at Base Ops, five miles away. Are you sure we want to do this”, Colonel Harris asked?

  The line went silent. The group in Jane’s Kitchen was wide-eyed with apprehension and fear.

  “General, this is Steve. I suggest that we get the cameras in place and tested. We have been informed that the alien creatures have been on the move. We are also aware that our only effective defense, the Laser-Taser, may have minimal effect now, as it appears that the creatures have re-programmed themselves to another communication mode”.

  “Very well. I will discuss operational details with Major Greer and Colonel Harris. Your assistance in this mission is vital”, the General said as he signed off.

  “Are you proud of yourself, Rambo”, Jane asked? I’m not prepared to lose a fiancée. I never had one before and I’m not planning to look for another.

  The group stared into each other’s eyes. The reality of the most incomprehensible moment in their lives was now before them.

  “Busy morning”, Jane said as she answered her house phone, “what? Oh my God! I hear it! Listen everybody”.

  The sound of gunfire and worse could be heard over the speakerphone until the line went dead.

  “I’m going to head to Fort Kent”, Steve announced as he grabbed a rifle out of the gun cabinet along with several boxes of ammunition.

  “Wait, we’re coming with you”, Ming said in a determined voice.

  “No, you’re not. No offense, but you would be in my way. I want you here where you’ll be safe”.

  “I’m going with”, Cruz said as he surveyed the rack and chose an especially high power caliber of his choice, a .375 H&H Magnum.

  “That’s my daddy’s moose gun”, Jane observed as she was trying to hold it together. She also knew that this was Steve’s passion for which she would offer no interference. If he ever needed support, she knew this was the moment!

  Steve was particularly impressed with his knowledge of firearms. But then Steve was also aware of the roots from which Cruz emerged. “He just might be a good choice for squad mate”, he thought.

  “We’re out of here”, Steve said, looking at Jane with a smile “and don’t worry. We’re not going to do anything stupid. I have a contract and I fully intend to keep it”.

  Steve parked their ride on the far end of town next to one of Major Greer’s sentry locations, who had the road blocked. There was no traffic and the only movement observed were several infantry squads and military vehicles.

  “Yes, we know who you are”, the squad leader acknowledged. “Major Greer encountered enemy forces near the Police Headquarters Building. It’s quiet at the moment”.

  The squad leader contacted Major Greer’s command and was advised to provide transport for Steve and Cruz. An armored personnel carrier could be seen making its way in their direction as they retrieved their rifles and stuffed their pockets full of ammunition.

  The ride to the police station was akin to a war zone. Evidence of several encounters was observed along the route. The sight before them was incomprehensible as the Headquarters Building came into sight. Part of the East wing of the building was in tatters. The entire area was inundated with military hardware. Losses were evident as the medics went about the task of performing the worst part of their job.

  The squad leader escorted the duo to a makeshift command post where Major Greer was directing operations.

  “We were attacked from the west side of the building”, Major Greer informed his arrivals, “Our armament had little effect except for a thermite grenade that appeared to confuse them for a moment”.

  “Where’s ‘Duty’”, Steve asked?

  “He’s with the medics. He suffered minor burns to his face and hands”.

  As they entered what was left of the headquarters building, Cheyenne could be seen where a containment wall used to stand. He appeared to have been in an altercation. Darren and his ragged associates were discussing events with him in a very animated fashion.

  “Hey Steve! Hey Cruz!”, was Darren’s excited introduction, “We had a close one. Two of the alien creatures attempted to rescue their friend. They shattered the west wall as you can see. The east side also came apart. Look at this picture”!

  Cheyenne was on top of the creature in the holding cell with his KBar combat knife sticking through one of the lenses.

  “Duty hit it with the Laser Taser which only served to weaken his defenses momentarily, but it was
enough for Cheyenne to tackle and subdue him. We managed to disable one of their Correlators before our friend in the lockup could get his hands on it”.

  “It looks like you’ve been busy”, Steve observed as he took in the full effect of what he was looking at.

  “Howdy, Major Greer”, Steve acknowledged as he made his way to the damaged end of the building. “What exactly happened here”?

  Major Greer recounted the offensive in graphic detail, including the loss of three infantryman. The alien offensive was turned back, but with little damage to their force, if any.

  “We hit them point blank with everything, including 105 mm heavy gun fire and they hardly felt a thing. To them, we were firing nothing more than marshmallows. We don’t even know why they turned back”.

  “Duty may have compromised one of their systems with Darren’s Laser-Taser. Unfortunately, it has minimal effect anymore, but it was enough to keep him subdued”, Steve recounted.

  “Darren’s still in there with that thing”, the Major acknowledged, “and he’s determined to make some kind of useful communication with it.

  Indeed, Darren and his colleagues were pushing technology to its limit. They had continued to send the Marie Benavidas digital image in hopes of establishing some sort of bargaining chip that the creature could understand.