“On the back are listed the three names of the three to be laid to rest today. And, the numbers the Nazis tattooed onto the arms of my aunts and uncle. For all of the decedents, family members were required to memorize these numbers so as to never forget. I did it as the first step to start a chain of remembrance of all those who have died, will die as we fight this good fight. I am placing one in each casket of the three here today. It is something I needed to do. I think the three here today will understand.”
She looked at the assembled people. “I’m now done. I’ve now finished speaking of the dead today. Hopefully others among us will assume the mantle as a speaker of the dead when needed. I thank you for your patience, and your support. I close with this mantra, this request. Never give up. Never surrender. Never forget. Never again.” Hannah walked to each of the caskets and laid a coin on each. Then, with a gravitas and regal bearing no one would ever forget, she walked off the stage. Uncle Johann was there to meet her and escort her back to her seat.
Abigail watched her and realized Hannah had gone up to the stage as a teenage girl. She came down as a woman. Abigail knew that people would speak of this moment for years to come.
Everyone sat still, quiet. Then, the pipes began to play Amazing Grace. Three bagpipes played the mournful yet uplifting song. And people began to sing. Many were crying, but they still sang. As the last verse was sang, the pipes finally fell silent. The chaplain came back to the stage. “It is time for the departed to take their journey to their final resting place.”
The same Honor Guard that had brought the caskets in, went to retrieve them. During this, the chaplain opened each casket and placed the coin Hannah had forged gently on the head pillow. In each casket was an urn containing the ashes of the person, it having been decided that for safety from some unknown mutated disease they might have been infected with, cremation was the safest method of burial preparation. The general public did not need to know this. Waiting outside were three hearses to take them to a newly created gravesite on a small hill overlooking Great Falls. Finally, the three were in the confines of the hearses. A special police escort was provided, with the chaplain to officiate at a short graveside interment service. Representatives from all the local churches, synagogues, tabernacles, mosques, and kingdom halls were there to pay the final respects as the caskets were laid to rest and buried. The dead would not be alone.
A huge tent had been set up outside, with old military field stoves to provide heat as well as warm drink in the winter weather. A short break was provided between the Memorial Service and Awards Ceremony so that people could shift their emotional and intellectual gears. Those who wished to could leave. Very few did. Abigail put her parka back on and took Fuzz outside for a short break. She walked with the great dog, seeing people watch them with a mix of curiosity and respect. After Fuzz had taken care of business away from the auditorium, Abigail took him over to the huge tent to obtain some hot cider. Various organizations had also prepared hot rolls, donuts and cookies. Abigail obtained a couple of donuts, and went out to sit on some side steps. She shared the repast with Fuzz, thinking about what she had just found out from Hannah about Fuzz and the Pits. She scratched his ears. “Well, big fella, now I know for sure why you have a dislike for most men. You and Hannah alike were made to fight, risk death for the amusement of some sick bastards. Now I also know God was smiling on me when he allowed you to survive and find me. You are one of the best things that has ever happened to me.”
Fuzz moved his head and looked into her eyes. Right then, Abigail could swear he was thinking “You are one of the best things that happened to me too.” She hugged him tightly, reveling in his soft fur. He gave her a quick slurp on the cheek and Abigail chuckled.
“Well, time to go back in, Sergeant Fuzz. It’ll be your turn soon enough to be on stage.” She and her best friend made their way back to their seats.
Soon after Abigail had found their seats once again, people began filing in. Again, the auditorium was packed. Many were staying in the refreshment tent to watch the ceremony on live feed. Finally, as people spoke in low tones, the first bars of “Hail to the Chief” were heard, signaling that Madam President was in route.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.”
Everyone stood out of respect as the President came down the center aisle. She stopped here and there along the way, shaking hands, saying hello. She did a quick detour to the survivors’ seats. She grasped Hannah’s hand, hugging her. Then Madam President spoke. “Young Lady, that was one of the most moving, most beautiful orations I have ever heard. You are truly a speaker of the dead. It is an honor to meet you.”
Hannah blushed a bit. “I did what had to be done. Ma’am. And thank you for saving us.”
“Oh, pshaw. I did nothing. Commissioner Miller and Uncle Johann here, they went in and saved you.”
Hannah looked into her eyes. “But you set it in motion. Without you, this would never have happened.”
Madam President felt tears welling up, fought them back. Time to be strong, to forget the images in her brain of that awful day, the pits. This was a time of honoring the living. She thanked Freda and Johann for “adopting” the five survivors, stayed long enough for the four younger girls to curtsy and introduced themselves. It made the President think back to more innocent times, before the coming of the Squids.
Then she made her way to the front stage as some poor technician played filler music. All during this time, Ranger Jackson hovered nearby, backed up by some plainclothes agents and an outer ring of MPs. The Eater Fuzz had found set everyone on edge. The Presidential Seal was on the podium/dais as she stepped up and gave a big smile to the public and the cameras. The Vice President was watching from Bismarck, tucked away so that not all the leadership could be wiped out all at once.
“Good evening, my fellow citizens. Tonight, we have some positive activities here at Malmstrom Armed Forces Base. We are going to pay homage to and award some citizens who stepped forward to help others, putting their lives at risk in the process. Without further pomp and circumstance, could I have General Reed and Commissioner Miller front and center please.”
Paul and John were both a bit taken aback as this was not according to plans discussed prior. They quickly made their way to the stage, knowing that cameras were filming everything. They stopped in front of Madam President, with General Reed saluting. “Present as ordered, Madam President.”
She gave a broad smile. “I know this is not according to plans, but, being a woman, I reserve the right to change my mind.” This led to some light laughter from the audience.
“Commissioner, General, in these rather voluminous envelopes I have Presidential Citations for the units and personnel involved in the Raid on the Pit Compound. Thanks to your combined efforts, we shut down a cesspool of evil and depravity, saving five young ladies at the same time. I know, Paul, some of your agents wished to remain anonymous due to ongoing investigations, so I decided to do the presentation of these citations this way. I know you gentlemen will insure that every deserving individual will receive the just rewards. So, in the name of the Office of the President, I now present these citations, along with the thanks of all the citizens of this fine land.”
As she handed the packets to the General and the Commissioner, loud applause and cheers broke out in the auditorium. After the very somber memorial, the assembled people needed some positive outlet. As General Reed and Commissioner Miller made their way back to their seats, Madam President addressed the assembly again.
“This whole operation began when a certain Major and his wife, Majors Bender and Smirnov, were on the receiving end of an assassination attempt using Eaters. This was the tip of the iceberg, of the festering evil we discovered in the Pit Compound. During that assassination attempt, a certain military dependent wife, unarmed but unafraid, without any concern for her own safety, rushed to help. She could have easily been torn asunder by the alien life forms. But that did not dissuad
e her. Would Mrs. Sue Brown please come to the stage, please.”
A very nervous Sue, in a brand new dark blue dress, made her way to the center of the stage. She had practiced in her new high heels so as not to fall down and embarrass herself and her husband. Sue was not used to being the center of attention, being just a strong, no-nonsense North Dakota farm girl. Her long brown hair had been expertly coiffed, paid for by Aleksandra. Aleks had insisted, getting Sue down to a hair salon run by a Korean lady in Great Falls who was rapidly becoming the go to person for special jobs. Now up, with ringlets down the sides, she looked like she was going to a school prom.
Sue approached Madam President, and stuck her hand out to shake. The President took it and, with a big grin, then pulled the young woman in for a hug. “You are gorgeous, my dear. Not like you looked when you went to help Major Smirnov, I bet.” The stage sound system picked up any conversation within fifteen yards of the dais.
Sue nervously smiled. “No Ma’am. I was out jogging. But please, I did nothing special. Fuzz did all the heavy lifting. I showed up after the fact.”
The President gently turned Sue toward the big video screen that was suspended on the wall above the stage. “Let’s let a couple of pictures tell the tale.”
The first picture must have been taken immediately after Military Police Forces had arrived. It showed the inside of the Majors’ quarters, with a large dog standing near where Aleks was laying, a look of “don’t you get any closer” on his face. Kneeling next to Aleks, with her back to the camera, was Sue in her jogging suit. Laying in the hallway were the remains of two Eaters. Also noticeable was the very large Eater-sized hole and indentation in the hallway wall.
“The Military Police said that Sergeant Fuzz let you get near the Major, but none of the men. He seemed to trust you.”
Sue shrugged. “I’ve always liked dogs. I guess he sensed that.”
“You kept Aleks still, her airway clear, away from any detritus of the Eaters until EMTs could get by Sergeant Fuzz.”
Sue blushed, shrugged her shoulders. “I guess. Ma’am. I just did what I thought was right.”
Then the next picture came up. A Hazmat-suited soldier was lifting the head of an Eater up, the one with its throat ripped out. Ichor was dripping from its mouth and throat, some of it acidic as it was noticeably singeing the floor. There were murmurs from the audience.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, as you can see, even a dead Eater can be dangerous.”
Madam President turned toward the Lieutenant’s young wife. “As I said, you went in, having to break a glass window, cutting yourself in the process, with no concern for your own safety. I think that is something special. Something that should be recognized.” She stepped over to the dais, and removed a large flat case from it. She stepped back and opened it.
“Sue Brown, here is a Presidential Medal for Valorous Service. It is designed to be presented to those civilians who have gone the extra mile in the service of their country, of their fellow citizens. If anyone deserves it, it would be you.”
Sue began to stutter, protest. “Please, Madam President. I did nothing special….”
The President smiled. “One nice perk of this job is I can say I’ll be the judge of that. I’m the President.” People began to laugh.
“Lt. Brown. Front and center.”
Sue’s husband, in dress uniform, marched up to the President, and saluted. “Lt. Brown reporting as ordered, Ma’am.”
“Lieutenant, please be at ease and do the honors of placing this medal around your pretty wife’s neck so all can see.”
“Yes Ma’am.” John Brown removed the shiny gold medallion from the case, spread the necklace length ribbon attached, and careful so as not to muss her hair, put it over her head, around her neck. He said in a low voice. “I love you so. I am so very proud of you.”
Sue began to tear up. From a sleeve of her woman’s business suit, the President pulled one of her signature colorful handkerchiefs. “Here, my dear. Keep it. I have many more.”
Suddenly, people were applauding. Then standing and applauding. Then cheering. Sue dabbed her eyes, her husband beamed. Finally, Madam President held up her hands. “If you would please take your seats again. We still have one person to honor.” She turned to the young Lieutenant.
“John Brown, I suggest you take very good care of this young lady. She is very special.”
He smiled, a lump in his throat. “I know, Ma’am. I know.” He went to attention, saluted. The President saluted back. He then turned, and escorted his tearful wife from the stage.
As everyone began to take their seats, a low roar finally beginning to die down, Madam President’s voice rang out. “Captain Young, Sergeant Fuzz, Front and center.”
From off stage came Abigail and Fuzz, marching in time, off leash. They stopped in front of the President, Abigail resplendent in her dress Blues, Fuzz with a special vest around his chest and front shoulders displaying his rank. The Captain saluted, and Fuzz sat, raising his right paw as if in a salute.
“Captain Young, Sergeant Fuzz reporting as ordered, Ma’am.” Madam President saluted back, then looked slightly down at Fuzz, who had now lowered his paw. She smiled, adding, “At rest, both of you please. Relax a bit, you both deserve it as I have heard you two were already busy tonight.”
“Yes Ma’am. Sergeant Fuzz found an Eater hidden in a large box being delivered.”
The President chuckled. “And I heard you two took down the two miscreants trying to deliver it.”
“Yes. Ma’am. Then the MPs showed up, took care of the Eater with a 12 gauge.”
Madam President turned and addressed the assembled citizenry. “The two men arrested were trying to insert an Eater in such a way that it would wake up from its tranquilized state, break out of the box, attack and panic whomever it could. So, I know I owe my life and well-being to these two warriors. And possibly some of you.” She turned back to Abigail and Fuzz. She had a large case in her left arm that she brought up and opened. As she did, the picture of the Hazmat person lifting the Eater with the torn out throat was flashed again on the large display screen.
“Sergeant Fuzz, on the day in question, two alien Eaters were inserted into the residence of Majors Bender and Smirnov. They proceeded to attack the unarmed and pregnant Major Smirnov. Without hesitation, no thought of your own safety, you broke through a glass sliding door and met the two attackers head on. The picture displayed on the screen is the Eater you killed by ripping its throat out. You then engaged the second Eater, placing yourself between it and Major Smirnov. This enabled her to retrieve a shotgun and finish it off. You were injured in this attack, but Major Smirnov was not, thanks to your actions.”
The President removed a medal from the case. “As President, I am proud to award you the Silver Star for your bravery. You demonstrated the virtues we all want to see in our Armed Forces Personnel. A grateful country thanks you for your valor. Captain, would you do the honors of pinning on the Silver Star.”
“Ma’am, begging your pardon, I think he might like it if you would.”
The President smiled as she looked at the K-9. “I think you are right, Captain. If you could hold the case, please.” She knelt down next to Fuzz, looking into his eyes. His mouth was open in what looked like a doggy grin. The most powerful woman in the U.S. then carefully pinned the Silver Star onto Fuzz’s K-9 vest. She hugged and kissed the war dog on its muzzle. Fuzz stole a doggy kiss, licking her. Madam President began laughing. “Typical male. Steals a kiss every chance he gets.”
The audience began to laugh along with the President. She then stood up. “Captain, I also have a Purple Heart here for the wounds he received. Would you do the honors?”
“Yes, Ma’am. I would be honored.” Abigail took the decoration, knelt, and pinned it on Fuzz’s vest. She then stood up, and saluted him.
“Madam President, I have never worked with a more deserving soldier.”
“I agree, Captain. I wholeheartedly agree.”
The President then turned to the assembled citizens.“I have arranged for a demonstration of Sergeant Fuzz’s capabilities, if the good Captain thinks he is up to it. And I will assure you, Captain, he is under no threat of injury.”
“Yes Ma’am. So, we are ready when you are.” Abigail bent over and whispered something to Fuzz. Immediately, he was up on all fours, alert. The hair on his back began to stand up, and he moved so that he was a little in front of Abigail.
Two Military Policemen pushed out a large table on rollers, there being a definite weight to what was under the large tarp on top of the table. They centered it on stage, locked the rollers and stepped back. As they had approached, Fuzz had shifted his position, always ensuring he was between the MPs and Abigail. Now, she could hear the slight growling in his chest, the sound that his “fight engine” (what Abigail called it) was revving up. With a nod from Madam President, the MPs reached forward and ripped the tarp off the object on the table.
Gasps were audible from the audience as they saw a life sized replica of a Tschaaa, a Squid. Made out of fake, rubberized flesh, it was one of many being produced with the help of 3D printers so that military trainees had something real to fight, shoot, and study.
One word from Abigail, and Fuzz exploded toward the training aid. He hit it with so much force, open muzzle and teeth going for the large right eye, the fake Squid was knocked half off of the table. Then Fuzz began to flex his shoulder and neck muscles, ripping and tearing from side to side. Pieces of fake skin began to be ripped and flung about as a few people screamed from the audience. Fuzz twisted and pulled, soon yanking the Squid off the table and onto the floor. The war dog ripped the grasping “hand” off one of the social tentacles, twisting and flinging it off the stage and toward the front row of attendees. A couple of people jumped up from their seats.
Fuzz then scrambled around toward the “rear” of the fake creature, began to tear into the arms. He seemed to be in an almost frenzy of destruction. At this time. Madam President called out. “Captain Young, time.”
The Tsunami Page 47