"Seven Tom one oh six, respond to reported ten thirty-seven circumstance. Reports of many helicopters landing, Civic Center, in front of City Hall. Possible crank call. One call only."
"Ten-four"
Moments later, "Four oh six, four oh six, Seven Tom one oh six!"
The dispatcher then overrode of all three police dispatch channels and in a calm but hurried voice announced "Four oh six, repeat, Four oh six. City Hall, city hall. Seven Tom one oh six reporting Four oh six, city hall."
In the police community there exists a brotherhood of officers (both male and female). Because of the nature of their jobs, they depend upon each other for help when they face situations beyond their control. Different departments use different signals for their call for emergency help. Some use 'Signal ninety-nine' or 'eleven ninety-nine'. In the City and County of San Francisco (San Francisco County is composed wholly of the City of San Francisco), when an officer needs help in an emergency he calls ' Four oh six'. Keeping in mind the philosophy of 'There but for the grace of God, go I', the response was appropriate. Every police unit in San Francisco not currently involved in a high priority call immediately headed toward City Hall with red and blue lights flashing, headlights 'wig-wagging', and sirens screaming.
In keeping with the American method of checks and balances, Police Officers are granted authority under State Law, but immediate control resides with elected city officials, or in the case of rural county areas, with the elected County Sheriff. Thus divided, communication between neighboring law enforcement agencies is sometimes difficult. With the advent of low-cost electronic computers, different police agencies now equip their patrol cars with scanner type radios to monitor other police agencies in their immediate area.
The California Highway Patrol is a state run agency responsible for enforcing the law on roads but not in any incorporated city limits and on the Interstate Highway system in California. They have a branch office near the junction of US Highway 101 and Interstate 80 in the city of San Francisco, about six blocks from the Civic Center. Three cruising Highway Patrol cars and one car just concluding a traffic stop heard the call for assistance and responded. One of them took the time to relay that information to their dispatcher, call sign, appropriately, 'Golden Gate'.
The Golden Gate dispatch center, located in the City of Vallejo, is responsible for dispatching the CHP on sixteen different radio channels covering a huge section of Central California. They immediately re-broadcast the assistance call on 'The Blue' emergency channel. Most law enforcement agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area monitor 'The Blue' in their various dispatch centers. In situations such as this, these agencies don't respond with help unless specifically requested. You simply can't believe the traffic problems that can occur when the streets are crowded with Police Cars racing to help a brother or sister officer, each believing themselves to have the right of way at every intersection because they're running 'Code three'.
Harrison J. Fenwick believed himself to have great potential as a broadcast reporter. The problem was that no one else thought so. He was one of the strange examples of human being that tend to congregate in large cities such as San Francisco.
Harrison would drive the city streets, listening to the police and fire departments on his ninety-nine dollar Radio Shack scanner with his Sony eight MM camcorder at his side. He would occasionally sell his video to local TV stations, but they would never use his reporting. His was the third vehicle that arrived at the Civic Center following the call for help.
Harrison's first instinct (perhaps there was some reporter in him after all) was to point the camera at the robots that seemed to be attacking the police. Three Officers were fighting with two 'R2D2' type machines. They were ineffectually pounding on the metal bodies with their 'P38' nightsticks (made famous by their use in a celebrated brutality case in Southern California). The third police car on the scene was a sergeant and he appeared to order the other officers back and the scuffle ended. The robots seemed to be pleased to keep the cops away. That's when Harry looked around.
There were seven round objects sitting in the middle of the Civic Center Plaza. Several moments passed before Harry realized that they were UFO’s. Giving credit where credit is due, he didn't drop the camera, but it did waver for a moment. Then he focused on the larger UFO that seemed to be parked in the center of the others. He had time to settle down and insure that it was properly focused when a sliding door opened and a man stepped out.
Ten minutes later, the San Francisco Police Department requested 'Mutual Aid' in the form of Law Enforcement Officers from seven surrounding communities. No matter what crisis strikes, life goes on and the police are needed for routine calls. San Francisco was a busy place this morning.
CHAPTER 29
The White House
Washington, DC
The President was just entering the Oval Office when Admiral Lawson, his National Security Advisor, approached. "Mr. President, I need to see you, right now," he said.
The President was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, who groaned audibly at the news of another interruption.
President Bermin turned to Howard Cartier and said "You might as well hear this too."
The trio entered the Oval Office together and Henry Lawson paused long enough to turn on the television. He turned the channel to CNN and settled into a chair. "You're not going to believe this," was all he said.
The screen said along the bottom in overlaid print that the picture was courtesy of Harrison Fenwick, Free-lance Reporter. The picture was similar to the ones he had seen yesterday in the situation room downstairs. Only those were taken in Peru. These were taken less than twenty minutes ago in San Francisco. The video was about five minutes long and kept repeating as the CNN morning anchor was wise enough to be quiet as it ran the first time, after that as it repeated the anchor droned on, repeating previous comments as she searched for original commentary. The video showed police fighting with robots before settling on a man stepping from a UFO. The robots seemed to be protecting him. As he moved about, they created a clear zone around him.
After silently watching the piece twice, the President pressed a button on his intercom and said "Dorothy, get me California Governor Slater, Secretary Andrews, and Marvin Winston."
"Yes sir."
The phone rang moments later. President Bermin pressed the speaker phone button and his secretary announced Secretary Andrews.
"Yes sir."
"John, good to have you back. Have you seen the news from California?"
"I just heard, Mr. President."
"I want you to nationalize the California Guard and call them out. What forces do we have close by?"
"General Easterly would have a better working knowledge, but as I recall, we have the Army's Seventh Light Infantry Division at Fort Ord in Monterey and a FAST team at Mare Island," the Secretary of Defense replied.
"Get the Seventh moving right now. Surround those things and seal off the area. What is a FAST team?"
"FAST is an acronym for a Marine Corps anti-terrorist team."
"Well, get them going too. And use your judgment about what else we need to contain this thing, but I want that thing surrounded and put at risk."
"Yes Mr. President."
"We will convene a crisis meeting in the situation room downstairs right away. Get here ASAP."
"Yes sir."
President Bermin pressed the button hanging up the phone only to have it ring again.
"Mr. President," Dorothy Patterson said, "California Governor Slater."
"Thank you," the President said and he re-pressed the button on the phone.
"Governor Slater, I understand we have a problem," President Bermin said.
"So I hear Mr. President, so I hear."
"Governor, I have activated and nationalized the Guard and sent the Army's Seventh light Infantry Division up from Monterey. I'm sure it will take some time to get to San Francisco, so do your best with police until they arrive. I've also sent some Ma
rines in to help. They should be there fairly quickly."
The President hung up without another word and double clicked the phone hang up button to get his secretary’s attention. When she answered, he said, ”Get me the British prime Minister.”
Less than a minute later he heard “Good evening Mr. President.”
“Good evening Mr. Prime Minister,” he said formally, followed by “The shit really hit the fan here Billy. We’ve got UFO’s landing at UN Plaza in San Francisco.”
Concord Naval Weapons Station
Concord, California
Major Clavell reached for the telephone. His mind was still involved in his dream when he picked up the instrument. "Hello," he said.
"Hi Tom, its Roger. Sorry to bother you, but I just got a phone call from the Duty Watch Officer at the Barracks. The President has just ordered us to San Francisco to secure the area around a bunch of UFO’s."
At this point, he thought it was a crank call, except he recognized Roger's voice.
Roger continued without pause. "I know it sounds nuts, but turn on your TV and you'll see what I mean. What I need is the use of your L-A-Vs." (Light Armored Vehicle)
"Hold on a moment," Tom said and he got up and turned on his television. He turned the station to CNN, ...and there it was.
"Holy Christ!" He paused to collect his thoughts.
"Tom, you still there?"
"Yeah, I can let you have four. I'll even have a squad drive them to the City, save you some time. Send the men and the L-A-Vs back when you’re done. We'll save the paperwork for later."
"Thanks Tom, gotta go, bye," and the receiver went dead.
The Commanding Officer of the Security Force hung up the phone and picked it up again. He dialed a number from memory and said "Sergeant Major Taylor, How would you like to go to San Francisco?"
Traditionally, the Marines in charge of security at CNWS remained in close communication with their counterparts at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. This is due to the history of the Command. CNWS used to be an annex of Mare Island, having been separated in the 1960's. They are also fellow Marines, surrounded by Swabbies and Airdales and the old Marine saying always applies, "Attack, Attack, Attack". The two groups often trained together and most of the officers were friends. With this history and tradition, the Concord Marines rendered every service possible.
Sergeant Major Taylor had never been in a situation like this one before. The convoy of L-A-Vs hit Highway 242 and cranked out their maximum speed. Although it was only 6:50 A.M., commute traffic was already starting to get heavy. At the junction of 242/I680, traffic moved out of their way in response to their flashing blue lights (CNWS maintains L-A-Vs for riot service as the Station is routinely picketed by anti-military protesters so they are equipped with police style light bars). Further up the road, where I680 exits south, Taylor and his L-A-Vs continued on highway 24 west. The California Highway Patrol had anticipated their trek and began clearing traffic lanes for them at the normal choke points. As they passed through the Caldecott Tunnel and the roar became deafening, motorists who had heard of their mission from radio station traffic helicopters began waving. At the toll plaza for the Bay Bridge, people were out of their cars, staring at them, some flashing a thumbs up and others applauding. As they finished crossing the bridge, CHP directed their exit and managed their passage through the maze of interconnecting roads. Taylor's convoy emerged from Market Street and deployed around the Civic Center.
CHAPTER 30
Governor Slater's office
Sacramento, California
Governor Julius Slater was staring at the television set considering his options when the screen before him showed the arrival of the Marines in some type of armored vehicle. They joined about sixty Army troops from the Presidio already there and the President said more would be coming.
His telephone rang and he cursed softly at his secretary. He was supposed to hold all calls. Julius lifted the receiver and found himself talking to an aide who said he had the San Francisco Police Department on the line with the man from the UFO.
"Put him on for Christ's sake!" the Governor shouted.
There was a short pause followed by background static. Then "Governor?" a voice asked.
"Yes, this is Governor Slater, who is this?"
"Governor, I'm Captain Johnson of the San Francisco Police Department. I have the man from the flying saucer with me. He says that he wants to speak to the authority."
"Hold on, just a moment please Captain." Julius covered the mouthpiece with his hand and yelled "Dan, Goddamnit Dan, get in here, now!"
A flushed young man entered the office and looked to the Governor with a questioning expression. "Yes, sir?"
"Dan, I want you to record this call."
"Right away Governor."
"And no beep. I hate that goddamn beep."
Dan nodded his head as he left the office door open. "Got it Governor" he said from around the corner.
Removing his hand from the mouthpiece, he said "Put him on, Captain."
"Here he is."
A male voice with a Spanish accent came from the phone, "Is this authority?"
"I am the Governor of the State of California."
CHAPTER 31
San Diego Police Department
Homicide Division
Jesus Escobar and John Albertson are typical in many ways. They are typical cops in that they depend upon each other and tend to exclude non law enforcement types from any activity that they might be involved with. They are also typical human beings. This morning, they were gathered around the single working television set in their office. The thirteen inch black & white screen was surrounded by over a dozen cops as the screen shifted from the earlier recorded sequence to a live shot of the UFO’S parked at the Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco. The camera was several hundred yards from the action as police barricades and armed troops prevented access into the immediate area.
The camera was a little shaky, a testament to the zoom lens employed and the extreme range of the shot. The scene seemed to show a uniformed cop standing with a cell phone. The cop was standing next to a man and their backs were to the camera. The pair were surrounded by four robots. A voice over was saying, ..."arrival of high ranking police official. A portable telephone was requested and it arrived a short time ago. It’s unknown exactly who their calling but I'm reminded of the line from science fiction movies 'take me to your leader'."
John Albertson turned to his partner and said "How'd you like to be that cop?"
Jesus replied "No way, man. No way."
The camera shifted to another location, this one facing the two men and a more powerful lens was used to zoom into a tight shot of their faces. The picture became grainy and it bounced around in small amounts quite a bit.
Albertson elbowed his partner and said "Damned if he don't look familiar."
Jesus said "Who, the cop. I don't know no San Fran cops, especially no Captain."
"No, you asshole, the man from outer space."
"Hey, fuck you. Don't you be calling me no asshole."
"Shut up. Look at that dude. I've seen him somewhere."
"If that camera would stay still long enough to get a look, I'd tell you.....Hey, you're right. He does look familiar. Wait a minute."
Jesus turned away from the television and went to his desk. He began shoving papers and files over to the side, looking for something specific. "Right here," he said.
He held up a manila file and opened it. Paper clipped to the top inside cover was a small photograph. Jesus removed it and went back to the group around the TV.
"Goddamn, it's him," Jesus said as he passed the small picture to his partner.
"Yeah, it sure looks like it."
"Hey Lieutenant."
"What!" Lieutenant Jackson was like the rest of those present, wanting to watch the TV and not listen to the two Detectives squabble among themselves.
"Take a look at this," John said as he reached into the crow
d with the photo.
Lt. Jackson took the offered picture and quickly scanned it. "So," he said. Then he did a double take. "It's him. The guy on TV. Where'd you get a picture of the spaceman?"
"I don't know shit about space, but he offed his wife by beating her face to a pulp with his cast. Bloody goddamn mess too. Left the country before we even got to the scene."
"Where'd he go?" questioned Jackson.
"Wait a minute." Jesus went back to his desk and the file. Glancing through it quickly, he found what he wanted.
"Left on Varig airlines, flight 845, bound for Lima, Peru. Never arrived there. Diverted to a place called Trujillo, also in Peru. His home town is Comas, just north of Lima," Jesus finished.
"So, how did he get on a flying saucer?"
"I don't know, but I think we better tell Captain Washington."
"I think you're right."
Captain Washington was oblivious to the goings on up north as he sat behind his desk buried in paperwork, most of which seemed to be due yesterday. That's what I get for spending too much time in the field he thought. Then his door burst open and Lieutenant Jackson entered, followed by Detectives Escobar and Albertson.
"Don't you dickheads ever knock?" Washington asked, clearly annoyed.
"Captain, this is important!" Jackson said.
"It damn well better be," Washington replied testily.
"Jesus and John have identified the man in the UFO."
Captain Washington stared at his men for a moment, then said "What the fuck are you guys talking about!"
"Have you seen the TV today?" Jackson asked.
"No."
"Take a look at this," Jackson said as they led him into the squad room. The other Detectives stepped to the side and let Washington see the set.
He stared in frank amazement at the scene before him. "What in the hell is going on?"
Detective Escobar answered, "Seven UFO’S landed in the middle of San Francisco about 5 A.M. A bunch of robots got out followed by that guy right there."
"And you guys think you know who he is?"
These Few Brave Souls Page 13