Alien Deception

by Tony Ruggiero

  "You had many admirers, didn't you?"

  "Not exactly. I was 'a wallflower,' the one never asked to the dances. But that was okay with me. I knew I looked nice and had an amiable personality and all, but I had a different set of priorities that drove my life. A relationship wasn't near the top of the list, at least not for a while anyway. When I was in college, I threw myself into my work and ignored everything else around me. Because of these efforts, I graduated with academic honors and a degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in marketing," she said proudly.

  "But you wanted to be more social, didn't you?"

  "Yes, but I knew there would be time later."

  "But you weren't sure, were you?"

  "No. But no one can be sure of the future. I just knew or felt that there would be a later," she said, and paused, wondering if she should look toward him.

  "Please go on."

  "I had glowing recommendations from my teachers, and I landed a good job in New York, working for an up-and-coming marketing and consulting firm. I was determined to work my way up to the top, no matter how long it took, or how much work I had to do."

  "Who were you trying to prove it to? Yourself or your father?"

  "I don't know, maybe both. All I knew was that I had to keep going and, being a perfectionist, I always tried to be prepared for every possible situation."

  "But something happened this morning you weren't prepared for, didn't it?"

  "Yes, but how did you know—"

  "Tell me," he said softy before she could finish her question.

  "Well, after parking my car across the street in the company's lot, just as I do every morning, and crossing the street in my normal place, a big delivery truck came barreling down the road straight towards me. My first instinct was to leap in the opposite direction, but I slipped and fell. The strange thing was that if I had leapt in the direction I intended, the truck would have run me over for sure. It was as if the truck had anticipated my thought of jumping and swerved in that direction. But slipping and falling the other way actually saved my life."

  "Sometimes the planned or anticipated reaction is not the best," he interjected. "We become creatures of habit, and that could lead to our downfall." He paused before continuing. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to digress. Please, continue."

  "I placed a call to the police to report the incident. But, since I hadn't gotten a license plate number, and the description fit a lot of trucks in New York City, chances of finding the driver were pretty slim, according to the police officer. He tried to explain that the driver probably just woke up and didn't see me. It was just one of those freak accidents, you know, nothing 'intentional.'"

  "Do you feel better now that you have talked about these things?"

  "Yes. Yes, I do. That's what you intended, isn't it?"

  "Yes. I wanted you to be relaxed, to feel at ease with yourself before we go on."

  "Go on? But isn't this just a…dream?" she asked.

  "A dream? No, it isn't a dream. This is your beginning. Our beginning."

  Sarah didn't understand what was happening but, strangely enough, she really didn't care either. She hadn't felt this calm in a very long time, especially with a man.

  Suddenly, the dream appeared to pause for a moment, and she was halfway back in her office, but not totally out of the dream. She could hear his calm voice soothing her from the scene in the Forties bar and, at the same time, she was in her office preparing to remove the wrinkles from her clothing with the wrinkle remover.

  Due to the distraction of her thoughts by the man in her dream, she didn't see that the device was smoking, not from the steam, but from an electrical overload. As she picked it up, the man in her dream said, "Look at me. I want to see your face." She turned and looked into his kind face and became lost in his dark eyes.

  Her whole body suddenly surged with an electricity of anticipation unlike anything she'd experienced before. Then everything winked out in her mind and she plummeted into darkness.

  * * * *

  The police officer examined the electrical device that was now charred almost past recognition.

  "Never seen anything like it," he said to the medical examiner, who was covering the woman's body with a blanket.

  "Yeah, it is a bit bizarre," the examiner said. "You would think the body would be charred as well. But it's not. Not a burn on it."

  "Did anyone see it?"

  "Yeah, a co-worker in the outer office was coming in as the power kicked in," the medical examiner said as he reviewed his notes.

  "Open-and-shut case then?"

  "Well, that's the strange part. I can't find any sign that the device malfunctioned. Everything checks out. It's as if the electricity just leaped into her through the device."

  "A fluke?"

  "I guess that's what I'm calling it. The other thing was that the co-worker said she saw the woman's face just as it happened and that she had the strangest look of calm on her face when she was dancing with the juice."

  "Wow, this is a strange one. And such a shame," the officer said. "How old was she?"

  "Mid-twenties."

  "What was her name?"

  "Sarah. Sarah McClendon."

  Chapter Five

  THE PICKUP

  Leumas was orbiting the planet Earth as he casually observed the visual displays aboard his personal Council ship, the Blessed. This small, but powerful ship was easily hidden from any radar system that the planet could muster so he was free to navigate at his leisure without fear of being detected.

  He spoke into the ship's recorder, "Our mission is to pick up the bodies of a…" Leumas fumbled for his report printout. "Uh…a Greg Carlson and Sarah McClendon."

  There's a mouthful, he thought. He preferred the galactic method of one single name for most transactions, with full names and titles for official documentation purposes only.

  He continued his report. "Indoctrination process phase one completed as per information provided to me by the Council, even though the report was very sketchy in details," he said in an overly sarcastic tone. "Both humans have become acquainted with one another. I am proceeding with pickup for return to indoctrination lab. Prognosis for success is…" He stopped in mid-sentence as he realized he could not comment about what he did not know because of the lack of information about this species. "Never mind! The heck with it—recorder off!" He shouted as he threw the report over his shoulder.

  "There is something to all of this, I know it. What is it that Copolla is trying to do?" he asked, as if reasoning it aloud would bring him the answer while he sat and stewed. Minutes passed. Still nothing came, and he knew that now he would have to forget Copolla and the subversive tactics he was using. Whatever was going on, these two humans were innocent of any wrongdoing. It was his job to complete the initial contact and help with their transition to whatever may await them. He sat back in his seat and thought of tranquil things until he felt relaxed enough to continue.

  The first step of the indoctrination process had been completed. The deaths of both subjects had been duly noted and recorded within the Earth system. Now he would retrieve them from their holding facilities and begin the re-growth and rejuvenation process that would restore their bodies and minds to the time before their deaths.

  Okay. First stop, New York. After all, ladies first, Leumas thought with dry humor, glad that he could find something amusing amidst his gloom. His ship, tied to his thoughts by a mental link, registered his request to begin their descent to the New York City Hospital where Sarah McClendon's body had been taken. The agents who had orchestrated the dreams and accidents that Greg and Sarah had experienced had forwarded all the pertinent information regarding the location of their bodies, along with a very basic description of Earth society.

  During the transit from Zire to Earth, Leumas confirmed the data via Earth technology called the media. It was easy to tap into their system and find out anything anyone wanted to know. Shaking his head, he thought this planet
would be a cinch for any other alien race to take over, but as long as it was under the watchful eye of the Council, its inhabitants were safe. Or were they…

  The Blessed notified him that the desired destination had been reached at the appropriate time. It was early morning, Earth time, when activity seemed to be at its lowest point. The computer relayed information about the hospital's functions and the appropriate attire required for him to infiltrate the facility without being noticed. The white lab jacket and green hospital garments materialized in the synthesizer.

  Leumas wrinkled his nose at the clothing. "Green is just not my color, but I guess it will have to do." Once he had the clothing on, he checked his identification badge, which stated in bold red letters that he was a "Donor Collection Official." He quickly printed out the complete pile of paperwork that was needed to pick up a body, according to the intelligence files he had been given. As the mound of paper collected in the bin, his eyes widened. Geez, all this paper! No wonder they're so far behind, he thought sarcastically as he collected the pile of paper and prepared to depart the ship.

  The Blessed had landed in a grassy area next to a tall white building. The ship had the ability to blend into the environment background, effectively hiding it from any human's sight. Leumas exited the ship and entered the hospital, maintaining his mental computer link to the ship that fed him the data needed to locate the subject, and just in case he should need assistance.

  He approached the sterile counter of the hospital that had a big sign that read, "Information," and placed his paperwork in front of a woman who sat behind the desk. She didn't look up, concentrating on her own mound of paper on her desk. He quickly glanced at the nametag that hung on her white uniform.

  "Good evening, er… Nurse Rachel Johnson," he said and smiled. "I am here to pick up an organ donor, a Miss Sarah McClendon. I was notified that she is under maintained life support awaiting pickup."

  The nurse glanced through the paperwork, and then looked up at Leumas over the top of her glasses. Leumas shuddered when he saw her stern features, the tightly drawn lips, the small beady eyes and the hair that seemed to want to explode from within the confines of the little white hat she wore. He remembered a creature from Sentaur Seven that looked similar to this woman, but what really caused him alarm was what he remembered what they were abhorred for: eating their mates.

  "Well, this looks all in order, but I still have to call and get clearance from the legal department to release the body, as you probably know. Right…honey?" she said as she stood and looked at Leumas from head to toe. A smile arose from her thin lips and stretched her skin tautly. Leumas thought her face might crack if she didn't put it back the way it was.

  "Legal Department. Well…certainly." Leumas said. He watched as she picked up the telephone, and her eyes looked at the large circular timepiece hanging on the wall.

  "Wow, I forgot it was so early, or late depending on how you look at it. I'm new on the graveyard shift," she chuckled.

  "Graveyard shift?" Leumas asked.

  "Yea you know, midnight?" Nurse Johnson said as she winked at him.

  "Of course," Leumas said although he didn't know what this woman was talking about or what the gesture she had just performed with her eye was. He thought perhaps if he returned the gesture, things might move a little smoother. He emulated the wink she had given him. The woman smiled again and her eyes fluttered quickly. Leumas suddenly realized he might have just made a serious mistake.

  "I'll have to call the supervisor at home," she continued. "This may take a while. You're not in any rush, are you hon? I have to ensure that all the t's are crossed and all the i's are dotted, you know. Have to do it just the way it's supposed to be done. That's the way I feel about everything, you know. Take the time and do it right." She slid her tongue across her teeth and then smiled again.

  Leumas felt a chill cross his spine as he realized that there might have been a flaw in his procedure. He quickly understood that he was going to have to…how did these Earth people put it? Oh yes, improvise, and fast.

  "Please, Nurse Johnson," he began in what he hoped was a charming Earth voice, "I am in well, uh, a hurry, and these organs are needed by, you know, a lot of people. I have a 12-year-old girl who, if she doesn't get a kidney in a matter of hours, might not make it."

  "I didn't know. Why didn't you say so earlier?"

  He placed his hands over hers for emphasis, and pleaded, "I couldn't live with myself knowing that she may have died because of some last minute legal mumbo-jumbo."

  "Neither could I," she said. "But rules are—"

  "How about while you get that permission, I go ahead and load the donor up for the trip," he said as he tried to make his eyes reflect a human look. What was it called? That's right, puppy dog eyes. The nurse couldn't resist as he poured it on.

  "Sure hon, go ahead," she said, smiling. She called two orderlies to bring the nice man the body to help speed up the process. While he waited, Leumas had the Blessed's computer scramble the hospital's phone system to ensure there would be no calls to the legal department or to anyone's home, for that matter. Nurse Johnson received a constant busy signal.

  "Well, that's really strange," she said with a perplexed look, as she returned the telephone to its cradle for the fifth time. "Must be something wrong with the phone system. Well, I tried," she shrugged, signing off on the document. "Here you go," she said, smiling as she handed the paperwork back to him. "Oh and here's a little something for you," she said as she handed him a small card.

  Leumas examined the card. There were a series of numbers written on it and the name, Rachel. He looked back at the woman and was about to ask for clarification about the numbers, but when he saw the hungry look in her eyes, he just smiled at her and kept his mouth shut.

  Thankfully, Sarah's body arrived on a gurney escorted by the two orderlies at that moment. Several small pieces of equipment linked to tubes and wires kept her bodily functions working. Leumas, not wanting to leave anything else to chance, took control.

  "I would like to thank you and your most efficient staff for your help in expediting this transfer. I have to go. Every second is vital, you know," he said, pushing the body toward the exit doors.

  The two orderlies looked at Nurse Johnson questioningly, as if waiting for her to say something. It was not normal procedure to let a body go without an escort by a hospital staff member. Sensing the momentary confusion, Leumas continued on diplomatically, "I will be sure to contact your supervisors at the first opportunity, and tell them that all of the people here this morning were extra cooperative, caring, and probably saved a little six…ten…" he blinked, and fumbled through his brain.

  Nurse Johnson perked up at this confused statement, and looked at him with a question on her lips. Leumas, sensing her intense interest, quickly corrected his statement.

  "I mean, of course, the twelve-year-old girl's life! There are just so many in need," he said confidently. "Thanks again, and have a good day."

  "Call me," the nurse called as the door closed.

  Finally outside with his subject, he wiped his brow, and let out the breath he had been holding. Fortunately, at this early hour of the Earth morning, there were virtually no people around to interfere with him once he was outside. He slipped easily back into his ship and quickly placed Sarah under life stasis.

  "As fresh as a daisy on the Exalta moon," he said, satisfied after checking all the monitors he had hooked Sarah up to. He informed the Blessed to proceed to the next and last destination of his voyage on Earth, to a city further south called New Orleans. The computer acknowledged and estimated his destination would be reached in approximately fifteen standard Earth minutes.

  Leumas took the opportunity to review the current political, economical and religious climate on Earth by scanning the media reports. Nothing of any significance caught his attention immediately, but, as he continued to scan the report, one item caught his eye. For some reason he felt he should keep in his min
d for future consideration.

  The country within the Earth's North American continent, the United States, had a major political election coming up. The commentator spoke on how people were looking for change; he called it an opportune time to set the course for revitalization and out-of-the-box thinking. Leumas liked that expression; he would have to remember that in the future. He thought it was a good way to describe his attitude, out-of-the-box.

  That is why you were given this assignment, an arrogant voice inside of him asserted.

  Yes, you're probably right, he agreed with himself cockily as he tucked away the information for future reference. It might be useful in this game of Copolla's he had been thrown into. His thoughts were interrupted by the Blessed.

  Destination achieved. The Earth city known as New Orleans.

  Leumas followed pretty much the same procedures as he had in New York, including using the same clothing and appropriate paperwork. This time he even made sure he had legal verification, which was produced and ready as Leumas left the Blessed.

  He noticed on arrival that finding a spot to park his ship in the near vicinity of the hospital was much more difficult. There seemed to be numerous monstrous things all over the place. He did some quick research that stated the things were called "floats" and were part of some Earth ritual or holiday or something. There were also many more people about at the early hour. He ended up leaving his camouflaged ship suspended in the air around the corner from the New Orleans Mercy Hospital's entrance. Clutching the paperwork, he entered the hospital, found the information counter, and presented his information to the duty nurse.

  This nurse was certainly not like the one in New York. She was young and…

  His attention was immediately drawn to the string of large—very large—beads around her neck. The beads immediately sent Leumas’s mind to thoughts of a ritual performed on Alco Seven, one of the planets he had made initial contact with. The large beads were worn by females who were, well, what could be called more promiscuous than most. The size of the beads on Alco Seven was indicative of their activity level.