by Mel Todd
"That I can do. Buckle in people, and let's not get too complacent. People are really freaking out." With those words, Caroline shifted into drive and headed out of the parking deck.
Chapter 37 - Preparing for the Storm
With people walking around armed, most businesses boarding up, and only mandatory businesses still open, streets look empty. One keeps expecting to see people running down the streets with zombies chasing them. Instead, everyone is safe in homes and buildings. All homeless shelters have opened, and everyone is off the streets, fear tainting the air. All apartment complexes have locked down and everyone is serious about knowing who is near their homes. All police are active and walking, no one wants to be in a car unable to move if they come under fire. The world is watching what is happening in Istanbul and Shanghai, and the United States seems to be holding its breath while waiting for the reaction from the incident in New York City. I am sure historians will have opinions about this for decades to come, but for now we wait and see what will happen. ~ TNN News
Caroline drove the same way she'd done everything else McKenna had seen, with quiet competence. McKenna looked out the windows, her mind locked on the signals of the Kaylid linked to her. Her family, the strangers she had rescued.
Is it running away if you're going to be with those you love? Especially when I really can't do any more here?
The question ate at her as they drove out of the city. The streets were strangely empty. Caroline had the radio on very low, just loud enough they could hear it, but their voices would easily carry over it. The news was grim, everyone talking about China, or the current state of Istanbul.
Business were boarded over as they drove out of New York. The ever-present coffee and hotdog stands gone. Even the homeless seemed to have disappeared. A few cars drove, but the city seemed to be waiting.
McKenna became aware she was holding her breath, and forced it out, inhaling and exhaling. She was the only one still in warrior form, but it felt safer than shifting back to human. She settled into the warmth between the two bodies, and they listened to the news and watched the world go by.
It felt surreal, like the travel montage in an old black and white movie. Even the smaller towns seemed subdued. Stopping for gas once got them a few looks, but Caroline paid cash and people didn't say anything. More people walked about openly armed, and everyone kept an eye on the sky.
"Reminds me of stories my granddad told me." Perc said, even in the car his voice low. As if talking in a normal tone might change or shatter something.
"What stories?" Not really having any family, the idea of family stories had always fascinated McKenna. Maybe one of the reasons she'd enjoyed that afternoon with Jeremiah so much. Listening to someone talk about the family they loved was a new experience.
"Dad grew up in California. He said his mom, my grandmother, would climb up in a tower and sit up there for hours with a laminated card that had the silhouettes of various airplanes. There was a siren attached to the tower for her to signal an alarm if any of them matched." He looked at her and flashed a smile. "She was part of the Civil Defense the president talked about. Nothing glamorous, and neither the Japanese nor Germans got in far enough to make it anything anyone needed to worry about. But after Pearl Harbor, they didn't know that."
"Huh. Cool." McKenna closed her eyes and wondered what her father or grandfather might have been like. Now it didn't matter, she guessed. Her mother hadn't listed anyone on the birth certificate, and now she had her own family. Her mind drifted, and she lay her head on Perc's shoulder. Letting go of the worry and stress, for a little while at least.
The stopping of the car woke her. McKenna sat up, relieved she was still in warrior form. Eating just didn't sound good. Maybe at some point she'd store up enough calories so she didn't need to stress about eating every time she changed. Wefor had told them the calorie requirements had decreased once the nanobots completely populated the body, but since they were so low on fat, it still stressed resources to shift.
The house they had pulled into looked familiar, but it wasn't until Perc nudged her, saying, "Ready to go in? I bet they'll be out in a minute," that everything clicked into place. The seat belt was off and he got out of her way as she bolted out of the car. His prediction proved true as the door opened, and Charley came tearing out of the house. His white blond hair shining like a halo in the sun.
"MOM!" He slammed into her, his arms tight around her waist. McKenna felt the stress bleed away as he hugged her. Jessi and Jamie were next. She looked around, missing one.
"Where's Nam?" Jessi pulled back and looked around then heaved a very adult exasperated sigh.
"I'll get her. She's being silly." The black ponytail disappeared into the house at the same time JD and Toni came out, almost causing a collision. JD engulfed the two of them in his huge arms and body until Charley protested.
~Can't breathe, dying,~ even his mental voice had mock choking sounds.
JD laughed, the rumble making her feel like the world was alright again. He stepped back to see Jessi dragging Nam out of the house.
"I told you she'd miss you. Go," she ordered, and pushed the smaller girl towards McKenna.
McKenna recognized the look on Nam's face. The same one McKenna had made many times at Christmas and other holidays. Fear of not being wanted, accepted, of knowing you were an intruder. Charley and Jamie either sensed it, or Jessi was telling them what to do the more likely option, because they both released her.
She took two steps forward and swept the tiny girl up into her arms, hugging her tightly. "I missed you. All of you." Though her words were whispered into the girl's hair, she looked at her family, her pack surrounding her, and the world felt safe once again.
The moment was ruined by Caroline clearing her throat.
McKenna turned and looked at her, Nam still tight in her arms. She didn't see any reason to let the little girl down for a while. Since Nam had her arms and legs wrapped around McKenna, it worked out.
"Yes?"
"So not to ruin a moment, but we've probably got about three hours until something happens one way or the other. I'm yours to use. So use me."
McKenna almost choked at those words. "I am not going to use you. You're not disposable. That's how the Elentrin think, and I'll be damned before I fall into that mindset. I assume you got a bag in there?"
"Sure," Caroline had a wary look on her face, like she didn't believe McKenna's words.
"Then grab it and come in, find a place to crash. And while we are on that subject, Perc, what exactly is in those duffels?" She infused her words with welcome and caring and saw Caroline's cheeks flush a darker brown.
"Apparently Burby wanted to make sure we had supplies if it came down to the worst thing. I get the feeling most gun laws fell to the wayside with his speech. As did all the complaints about people stockpiling. Those are probably the most popular neighbors in town."
As he spoke, he popped the back of the SUV and pulled out the duffels, even as Caroline reached in and grabbed a serviceable bag packed to bulging.
"Bring it in, I'm probably freaking out the neighbors and I wouldn't mind cuddling for a bit." McKenna headed inside while everyone followed. She curled up on the couch with Nam in her arms, Charley at her side, and the twins deciding sitting at her feet was the only place they wanted to watch a movie from.
While they did that, Perc laid out what had been packed into the bags. Automatic rifles, shotguns, pistols, hand guns, and more ammo than she knew what to do with. Being a cop, McKenna wasn't a stranger to weapons, but this amount had her overwhelmed. She couldn't identify half of what was on the table, much less have any confidence in how to load them, deal with them if they jammed, or even what ammo went with which weapon.
"I have no idea how to use more than half of that. And would probably hurt people if I tried," she admitted, her arms tightening on Nam enough the little girl whimpered softly.
~Sorry,~ she soothed and relaxed her arms.
; JD and Caroline laughed. "No worries. Why don't you point out what each of you is comfortable with and I'll use the rest?" Caroline said, but then cast a speculative look at JD. "You know most of them."
"Yeah. I can use them. Not an issue."
"I can use a rifle, that's about it," Perc admitted. "Anything else has to be handed to me and explained. That was the entire point of the range trip. I have faith in my ability to aim and fire. Not much else. If you want me to know what to load it with, there are going to be issues."
Caroline shrugged. "That we can deal with. Worst case, all of us can shift and fight that way."
"They're going to be better than we are," JD warned.
"True. But they aren't fighting for their homes. For their families. That will always give us an advantage." Caroline's words had the ring of truth, and McKenna shivered and wrapped one arm around Charley, pulling him closer to her. He didn't protest.
Perc took Caroline upstairs, Cass's room had two beds so she could bunk there, though McKenna wondered if Cass would just move in with JD. Nam snuggled into her, and McKenna did her best to convince the girl that she was wanted, but she remembered those fears so well and knew only time would solve them.
Toni gave McKenna a smile, surrounded as she was by children, flipped on a movie for them and headed into the kitchen with Cass.
The simple joy of the Disney movie about family hit the spot with all of them, and though she stayed in warrior form ,McKenna felt more at ease than she had since that Sunday they were all kidnapped. Even with the aliens coming, people believed her, they'd done what they could, her family was here, they had plans and ways to protect themselves, and no matter what happened, they were here together.
She drowsed on the couch, Nam in her arms, Charley against her side, and Jessi and Jamie at her feet, both of them curled up, drawing as much comfort from her as she drew from them. Perc sat reading a book while she could hear JD and Caroline rearranging stuff upstairs.
Her mind drifted to Cass and JD, wondering when they would make it official, but he seemed happier and more at ease than she had seen him in a long time.
I guess he found his princess to rescue, and he likes that she doesn't need rescuing.
The thought made her happy, and she just dozed while the kids watched the movie. McKenna roused to full wakefulness at a sharp gasp from the kitchen and the breaking of something ceramic. Toni and Cass came out of the kitchen, their faces pale and something in their eyes that made her arms tighten around Nam.
"It's started." Toni's voice had no inflections as she walked out of the kitchen and headed to the TV. All attention turned to the TV as she set it to the TNN channel.
Chapter 38 - Special Report
"Please tune into our special coverage of what is going on in Istanbul currently. ~TNN Breaking News Istanbul
The camera shows dozens if not hundreds of figures plummeting to earth, a silvery wing deploying at the last moment slowing their descent. A pan up of the camera shows larger ships crisscrossing the area, dropping the figures. The camera pans back down to the city, and the city snaps into sharp focus.
"As you can see, invaders are being dropped across the city, and at least one of those larger ships has landed in a more secluded area, though we don't have any crews near there to verify what their purpose is. We are up here on the same hotel roof we were during the aborted negotiations."
Across the bottom of the screen scrolls the words 'Samuel Arons for TNN in Istanbul, live report'.
Sounds of screams and gunshots fill the area behind them. "One odd thing is that the local radio channels have been hijacked, and a voice, in what I have been assured is archaic Arabic, is repeating the same message over and over again. You should see a transcript of the message at the bottom of your screen."
As he speaks the words, the following is displayed across the bottom of the screen. "All Kaylid, if you wish to be rescued, come out in your warrior form, arms in the air and you will be collected. At this point all residents of this city are considered the enemy and will be eliminated."
The sound of guns and screaming filled the air behind the reporter, and he ducked as a red bolt splashed at the corner of the wall he stood at.
"Dang it. They've found us." Samuel continued to talk, crouched down, though the camera angle had changed to match his. "We have been authorized by TNN and the government of Istanbul to fight back." Behind him a man with a brown scarf wrapped around his head crawled to the edge of the wall and lifted a rifle over it, aiming down. Several sharp reports, and he looks back and nods. "Luckily it seems like their long-range weapons aren't as good as ours." The smile that crossed his face would have done any wolf proud.
The camera moved back over and took a look over the edge of the retaining wall. The sand-colored buildings with their vivid roofs had smoke drifting up between them. Bodies lay in the street, some with, some without, fur. As the camera pans, there is the movement of three invaders walking down the street. Their bulky guns and absolute lack of any color or personality on their garments giving away their origin. A woman darts across the street, her robes covering her from head to toe. One of them lifts its weapon and fires. A smooth, fast motion, the beam of red light impacts her and with a half cry she crumples to the ground. It doesn't take a doctor to know she's dead. The amount of blood staining the ground around her guarantees it.
"Those bastards." Samuel's voice is low and fierce. "Abram, can you take them out?"
The scarf-wrapped man moves back into the camera view, but this time he takes a minute to aim. Two sharp retorts, and the camera catches two invaders collapsing. A red beam bursts across the screen and Abram yelps pulling backward. An image of his rifle, the barrel deformed and melted, is shown as he pulls back.
"Jeff, we need to leave now. We need more weapons and ammo, and we don't have any here. I'll let you know when we are ready to be on the air again."
"Be careful, Sam. You're the only person we have on the ground there." Jeff's voice had worry in it as the feed ended.
The TV cut to a PSA explaining how to find your Civil Defense officials and urging all citizens to act responsibly.
The living room rang with silence as what they had watched settled into them. McKenna had to consciously loosen her grip on Nam. But she didn't let her go.
"I guess that answers that question," JD said quietly.
A general assortment of nods, but no one said anything. They sat there watching the news. A few drones had been dropped into Shanghai, and the Elentrin and their troops—it felt wrong to call them Kaylid—didn't seem to notice or they didn't care. The drones were getting pictures out of about ten different Elentrin in different parts of China, radiating out from Shanghai. At this point, most people were either hiding or were willingly going with the invaders. China's regime working against it as more and more people fell under the spell of the Elentrin.
If there had been some place to run to, McKenna would have put everyone in the car and fled. But there wasn't. Her own home would feel safer, but it didn't matter.
"So will we have any warning when they come?" Her voice low as the kids watched the news with wide eyes.
"The current plan is to sound sirens when they see the Elentrin start deploying. We figure New York, DC, LA, San Fran, Seattle, and maybe Denver will be targets, but we could be wrong." Caroline's voice had the same grave tone as McKenna's. "Most cities have an alarm system, either tornado, air raid, or tidal wave. In addition, the Emergency Broadcast System will be used to let people know where they're landing. As long as your TV or radio is on, you should be notified."
Cass and JD glanced at each other and rose. "I think we're going to bed. Night, people." They linked hands and headed up the stairs.
McKenna glanced at the clock, four in the afternoon. She couldn't even find the energy to tease them.
Good for them, I hope they enjoy.
"How about homemade pizza and ice cream for dinner?" Toni offered, her voice a bit shaky.
The ki
ds just nodded, their faces pale.
"They're going to come after us, aren't they?" Jessi asked, refusing to look away from the scenes on the TV. Someplace in Istanbul now. McKenna wanted to shut it off, to protect her, to protect all of them from the stark reality laid out on the screen. But their lives were on the line too, keeping them ignorant put them in danger—as their little home alone adventure had proved.
"Yes," Toni answered for her, and McKenna looked up to see her blinking back tears.
Jessi swallowed. "Then I guess we better eat so we can turn quickly and run fast. Come on." She rose up and stalked to the kitchen heading to the fridge. Charley and Jamie followed her. McKenna could see them start to pull out supplies to make pizza with. Nam squirmed in her arms.
"You want to go help?"
"Yes, please."
"Go." McKenna released her, though her arms and heart ached as Nam left.
"Night is falling. And if they're busy with the other two locations, they may not hit us until later. We should sleep now. Christopher has promised he'll call me if anything changes or if they know anything. Sleep while you can, you might not be able to later."
Caroline's words hit like lead bricks. Cass and JD were together, she and Perc were still a maybe someday. For now she needed her family around her. McKenna looked up at Toni. "Sleep as animals tonight, all of us in a nest?"
She must have said it in her mind, too, because she heard JD and Cass respond. ~Yes, we'd like that.~ Toni and the kids all nodded with a fervor.
"I have to say I wouldn't mind," Perc said slowly.
McKenna looked at Caroline. "I know this might sound odd, but generally we don't dream in animal form, and there's a layer of comfort in being cuddled together. Wefor said it helps the animal self and the nanobots." She shrugged. "You are welcome. Believe it or not, it's comforting after the first oddness."
Caroline looked at them and replied slowly. "It does sound odd." She glanced out the window, a pensive look on her face. "But not being alone and not dreaming sounds very good." Her short curly black hair created an odd shadow above her face, a reverse halo. "I'll try it. Worse case, it sucks, and I go back to my bed."
