Coalescence (Camden Investigations Book 1)

by Gary Starta

  Mitchell smiled. “I like that ’tude, girl. Let’s go get ’em.”

  EVAN STOLE Bill away from Ron during a lapse in convulsions.

  “I know we don’t want Ron to engage the enemy. But it’s important that we can pinpoint the exact location of the ship. In other words, if it’s orbiting over Australia we wouldn’t want to engage the object. It would be too early. The activity just might send an energy signature alerting the Greys of our plans. As much as I don’t want them to fire, I do want them to fire, just at the right time. I’m sorry, Bill. Does this make any sense?”

  Bill clasped a hand on Evan’s shoulder. “Just slow down. Remember ‘time’ is everything. It’s relevant. It can be manipulated according to your science. If so, let’s use this to our advantage. Let’s let our enemies do the worrying. You got that, Mr. Science.”

  Tawa yipped.

  Evan allowed a sheepish grin to wash over him. From behind, Kassidy laid her hands on his shoulders and began kneading.

  “You heard the man. Just relax. Take it slow,” Kassidy said to Evan.

  To Bill she said, “I’m sorry for my behavior before. I was rude and unprofessional. I just want you to know I will do whatever it takes to pull all my friends safely through this shit—oops—I meant time storm. What can I do?” She brushed a bouncing wave of curls off her forehead. “Can you teach me to chant or something?”

  Bill took her hand and placed it in Ron’s. “Just hold his hand. Share. And if you can, envision the ship. Now, Kassidy, pretend you are a mere telescope. An object, emotionless, non judgmental. You are only seeing, not reacting. You with me so far?”

  Kassidy nodded and her curls flounced back down covering her forehead.

  “We need to help Ron see,” Bill continued. “Can you envision the ship yet?”

  “I don’t know. I think I can imagine it if that’s what you mean.”

  “Very good, Kassidy. Now we want to expand our focus. We don’t just want to see the ship orbiting in space. We want to find its location.”

  Bill caught Evan smiling. “Yes, Mr. Science. Now we’re starting to cook with fire as they say.”

  IRIS FELT her heart thud in rhythm with the chopper’s blades. It was beyond exhilarating. Riding in a chopper was better than Disney rides. Never mind the fact she was on her way to arming the entire planet against enemy invasion.

  In a way, she understood how the carrot had tantalized her father. She could conceive of how his pleasure center must have rocked like an AC/DC concert. Back in the day, she mused. But in that day, his damn pleasure center had become more important than she was, more vital than his marriage, more exhilarating than fathering a daughter named after her mother.

  She glanced at him, alarmed. She forgot he had been sharing with her. Their psychic connection was back online because Dan’s chip had been deactivated. He had probably heard every one of her thoughts.

  His eyes glazed. They held a certain understanding, a certain need to be forgiven. She might never arrive at the point in time when she could honestly release all her rage for him. It was bottomless as if it were a well. A dark hole in the ground that appeared to go on and on forever because you couldn’t see its end.

  Now she was fast arriving at a new point in time. One that was certain to come to some ending or conclusion. She was afforded no luxury or leisure of time to resolve her family’s problems. No time to speak to DJ about how it felt to learn your half sister was half alien. Precious little time to tell Mitchell she intended to spend the remainder of her life with him whether it was the next half hour or the next fifty years. Whichever came first as her car manufacturer’s guarantee had read.

  The small dots of rocks now became larger. They were arriving at the pueblo. The winds began to rock at the copter. It swooshed the craft to and fro in a sideways manner. It somehow felt like nature was reminding them they had another option. They could simply let fate play out. Iris propped her left hand on the back of the passenger seat in front of her. It was where her future sat. His name, well, his real name was too comical to ponder, but her future sat there and his name was Mitchell. Her heart still thudded, but softer. She was going with her gut. She would stop human’s next evolutionary jump for the sake of love. She couldn’t depend upon nature to take its course. Nature had already been skewed in the favor of an enemy. She argued against her rising guilt that she wasn’t just saving Mitchell but stopping an enemy hell bent on placing the human race in their servitude. Yes. That would have to do. She patted the seat and Mitchell turned with a smile. She really hoped love did conquer all.

  KASSIDY DID her best to keep a grip on Ron’s hand. He was writhing on his cot. Eyes lolled back in their sockets. Spittle leaked from the corners of his mouth.

  Good God. It’s no wonder the poor man didn’t want to leave his house.

  Despite his resistance, she held on. She gripped his flailing arm with her free hand to center it. I’m here with you. Can you hear me? I’m trying to think about the ship and coordinates and all that space trooper mumbo jumbo. I don’t know if I’m capable. But I do understand a human heart. I know when one is hurting. I’ve masked mine with fucking alcohol. You amaze me, Ron. Why you didn’t go over the edge with booze or pills. You haven’t let them win. Not totally. Can you hear me? You—we—still have a chance. Just hang on.

  Kassidy let her head droop. What was she attempting? She was no psychic. In truth, DJ should be here holding the man’s hand. She spied a glance at Bill. His eyes were closed, but she knew the man’s mind was whirring faster than any computer’s. He had invited her to connect with Ron for a reason. At a point in time like this, she normally would have reached for a bottle. Instead, she gripped Ron’s hand tighter and continued mind speaking. It might be for naught but what had drinking ever really accomplished? There was nothing to lose, everything to gain.

  THE HELICOPTER shifted and swayed, nearly buckling as it fought to land on the pluming brown dust cloud below. To Iris, it appeared as if the craft was attempting to land on thin air. The dust disguised the solid ground effectively. It might appear to an observer that at that very moment reason was being ignored. At that instant, there was no solid ground for the copter to land on, yet the pilot believed the solid ground existed beneath the dust. Like her mission, she was depending on theoretical science, or what some might label “magic” to turn tables on the Greys. Would the time slip become more than just theoretical or mystical? It had done a pretty good job at capturing a moment of memory on film. But could it really protect the planet as simply as a stray dog might escape a busy roadway? Could they all just simply step away from danger?

  Dan handed the blanketed artifact to Iris upon landing. “Just freeing my hands to escape this death trap, honey. Don’t worry. Your dad’s not going to bail on you this time.”

  She served it back to him. “I’m going to hold you to your word. But you can reserve the melodrama for the moment. There’s a good chance you’ll survive the radiation. After all, there’s no known object in our universe to make comparisons to.”

  “I know, and if I should survive, I’m ready to make amends. For you and DJ. I promise.”

  She hopped out and Mitchell was at her side in a blink.

  “Now we wait instruction.” Mitchell fished a remote from his shirt pocket. “This,” he said pointing at the small black box, “is only to be used for Bill’s signal. There will be no communication other than the ‘go’ word. Despite the dial’s best attempt to cloak its presence, we must still err on the side of caution.”

  Dan scowled. “What are you looking at me for? You’ve got the communicator in your hand, don’t you?”

  Mitchell sighed.

  Iris intervened. “I think what he means is that you’ll do your best to keep your telepathic transmissions to a minimum. Isn’t that what you meant, sweetie?”

  “Uh, huh,” Mitchell answered. His tone was less than convincing than his acknowledgement. Iris squinted at him in exasperation. “That’s good, Mitchell. Yo
u’re learning how this relationship thing works,” Dan said with a smile. “Agree to disagree, only don’t let your old lady know you’re actually disagreeing with her. It’s”—he pointed a finger at his temple—“an internal thing.”

  “Great, Dad. Why don’t you just tell him it’s all right to lie?”

  Dan scratched his chin. “I thought I just did.”

  Mitchell smiled and stared off in the distance, slightly shaking his head.

  COME ON, Ron. You can do it. Back off and see the whole picture.

  Kassidy continued her mind speaking. Evan excused himself to the bathroom. Bill, with Tawa at his side, continued to chant softly.

  DJ, Darian, Gavin, and Rachel sat around the microscopically sized kitchen table staring at the walkie-talkie in silence. “I could sure use a Red Bull,” Gavin commented.

  Darian retorted. “Well the rocks are kind of red and you’re kind of full of shit, so I’d say you’ve got your wish.” He spread his hands wide as if encompassing the pueblo.

  “Ah! Ah!” They all turned in direction of the scream.

  Ron wasn’t mumbling in anguish anymore. His speech wasn’t even recognizable as him. At least that’s what Kassidy concluded, if one could actually analyze gibberish.

  When Bill shuddered, Kassidy felt a cold tingle mingle with her spine.

  “What’s going on?” she began to ask.

  In seconds, it was clear.

  Ron—or what Ron was intended to become—spoke. “Ladies and Gentleman, you are hereby ordered to direct your attention and efforts to service your new Lords and Ladies of this planet. Do not panic. I am here to instruct you so the transition goes smoothly. I am your General of this sector. Follow my instructions to the letter and you will live in a golden age. You will live a fulfilled life with unimaginable talents at your disposal. Disobedience will result not only in removal of your gifts but your rights as a citizen of the sector. Do I make myself perfectly clear?” He cleared his throat. “This message will repeat again in various languages . . .”

  “What the fuck?” Kassidy moaned more than asked.

  “I think he’s been activated. Only too early. Damn it—that has to be it!” Evan could only speculate. Kassidy knew this much. Yes, it had to be some kind of early activation. Because if it wasn’t it meant the plague had already been released. But it hadn’t. Had it? Kassidy’s head swam with confusion. She glanced at Bill but he appeared unconscious. Tawa whimpered and licked his face.

  Kassidy didn’t have to look. She felt the rest of the group peering over her shoulder. No doubt staring agog at what had replaced poor Ron.

  Kassidy shook her head. “I’ve tried. I really tried to do it the pacifist way.”

  Without further hesitation, she reached back as if a baseball pitcher and released a haymaker. Her fist connected directly with the jaw of the man who appeared to have become the spokesman for the Greys welcoming committee.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  AFRAID SHE was winding up for another blow, Gavin clawed at Kassidy’s shoulder. He was behind her and his fumbling hand caught onto her bra strap. Kassidy growled. “Back the hell off!” The strap snapped against her skin. She tugged it back into place, her face contorted with confusion and rage. She would not face Gavin, however. Kassidy was fixated on Ron and whatever now accompanied his mind. Nonplussed by her threat, Gavin latched a hand around her right arm at the bicep.

  Shaking the impedance away, Kassidy elbowed Gavin in the abdomen, sending him into a backward spiral and into Rachel as if a bowling pin. She fell backward as well, hands fastened about Gavin’s waist. They teetered and finally fell.

  With a crimson-red face, Kassidy snarled, “I’ve got to stop this! Didn’t you hear him?” She pushed a hair through her curls. “Shit! It’s still happening!”

  Ron/Grey Alien Spokesperson mumbled. His tone was less authoritative after Kassidy’s haymaker. Whatever he was saying was drowned out by simultaneous conversations. Darian and DJ shouting at each other, Gavin asking Rachel if she was all right while she rolled off him, Kassidy apparently conversing with the joined species before her, and all the while, Tawa yipped.

  Darian pointed a finger at Kassidy. “Whatever the hell you just did just may have been broadcasted back to their ship!”

  Rachel grabbed his arm and held it. She addressed Kassidy in an even tone. “Fisticuffs may have worked on a playground or in a barroom brawl, but not between species in the middle of a desert. Darian’s correct. You may have just endangered Iris, Mitch, Rusty, and Mr. Camden. They’re out there alone, awaiting our signal. We’ve all got to take it down a notch.” She released Darian’s arm.

  “Take it down a notch, Rachel?” Kassidy questioned. “Did you hear what he just said? We are supposed to just bow down and serve, according to the General here. If we don’t do something, a lot of people are going to get hurt.” Kassidy was kneeling before Bill, feeling for a pulse on his wrist. Ron’s head lolled. He had stopped broadcasting.

  She resumed her rant. “And what was I supposed to do. Bill is out cold. Damn! Our spiritual guide is shit out of spirit and all but out of commission.” With pursed lips, she stared at Ron. “Come on. Make your next move.” She waggled a finger at him.

  “Damn it, Kassidy!” Rachel’s even tone was replaced with infuriation. “We just told you to back off. This is a majority vote.”

  “I don’t see our group leaders here.”

  “What the hell is going on here?” Evan emerged from the bath.

  “Where were you?” Kassidy charged.

  “I was taking a cold shower.” Evan shook a damp towel at her and dropped it.

  Kassidy couldn’t resist. “A cold shower, huh? Sure you’re not just hot for my bones?” Her tone was more adversarial than flirtatious.

  “Have you been drinking?” Evan asked her.

  Rachel answered. “She hasn’t had a drop. She’s been hand-holding Ron. Until . . . well, until that happened.”

  “What happened was I took the alien emergency broadcast system offline. Ron would have probably thanked me. Besides, he looks just fine.” Kassidy’s hands rested on her hips.

  “Looks just fine, huh?” Evan asked. He pointed a finger at the red dribble on Ron’s chin. “You injured the man. He’s here to help us.”

  Kassidy pointed at Ron with her back to him. “He’s okay. At least for someone whose brain has been infected by an alien virus.”

  “Oh . . .” Evan was about to reply when he noticed Bill’s state. “What did you do, Kassidy? Did you strike him too?” He placed his hands on top of his head in disbelief.

  Evan then charged forward. Kassidy angled her body as if to impede him. “It’s easy for you to point fingers. Does your ‘science’ have any answers? If you were so concerned, why weren’t you out here?”

  Evan pinched the bridge of his nose. “I am trying to remain awake. This altitude is making me woozy. Not to mention a severe withdrawal from caffeine. Cold water is usually an eye opener.” He shook his head. “And if you think I don’t care about this, you’re wrong!” He stabbed a finger. It brushed against Kassidy’s clavicle.

  Grabbing his finger, Kassidy pulled Evan toward her. “I can just as easily punch you. I’m not afraid.”

  Evan bear hugged Kassidy so her arms were pinned to her sides. He lifted her slightly until her feet were raised off the floor. “No one’s here to fight.”

  Kassidy growled in response. She cocked her head toward Evan’s right ear as if to bite him.

  Evan grimaced and slanted his head to the left. Kassidy applied forward momentum until Evan wavered backward. She then hooked her legs around his waist.

  “Shit! Guys . . .!” Rachel threw up her hands. “This isn’t going to turn into some erotic wrestling match is it?”

  Gavin chuckled. “I wish. Probably it’s a mix of sleep deprivation, fear, and sexual tension.” He cleared his throat. “Of course, I wouldn’t know anything about the last subject.”

  Kassidy seesawed, attempting to
knock Evan over. It was no use. Despite her thrashing, Evan’s tall and sturdy build kept him centered.

  Evan released Kassidy’s arms. She raised a balled fist, then slowly let her fingers unfurl. She scowled as if stung. Still wrapped about Evan’s waist, tears formed and dribbled down her cheeks.

  “You see,” Evan whispered to his attacker. “We can resist. You tried to beat my gravitational center. I don’t think the Greys will have such an easy time changing our makeup, changing who we are. We can resist. At least we can try. You just did.”

  “But,” Kassidy drawled, “you theorized it was all possible, all so simple. You said their light would beat us without question.”

  He shook his head and placed a cupped a hand around her chin. “I was arrogant. It’s because I was so determined to prove my beliefs. What does proving beliefs mean at this juncture? I’m not sure about anything right now. Maybe you were right to react the way you did with alien Ron. We’re all flying by the seats of our pants here.”

  She flashed a brief smile and slipped out of his grip.

  DJ held the transceiver up. “I think we better alert Iris and Mitch about what just happened here.”

  Evan nodded. He held out a hand to Kassidy. “Friends?”

  She scowled and put her hand up for a high five. “I’m more of a hand slap kind of girl.”

  Evan chuckled. “I’ll take that under advisement.”

  DJ pushed a button and called out. “Eye Girl, Eye Girl. Do you read?”

  Iris’s voice crackled through the transceiver. “Copy, Dream Girl. What’s going on there?”

  DJ attempted to give the Cliff Notes version.

  “She did what?” Iris’s voice was a shriek. With the exception of Bill and Ron, everyone attempted to shield their eardrums.

  MITCHELL WAGGLED his fingers at Iris. “Please let me talk to them.”

  He cleared his throat. “I am giving an order. No one is to lay hands on Ron or anyone else for that matter. We are fortunate the worst has still not happened. There is to be no response, verbal or otherwise, no matter what alien Ron announces. Is that clear, copy?”