by Bianca D'Arc
Jim realized a lot of the new arrivals to this facility had been drawn there by talk of an angel flying in the skies near and above. After seeing Bill’s wings in action, Jim could well understand the attraction. Not only did Bill have most human religions and mythologies speaking well of people with feathery wings, he also had a natural command presence that you couldn’t help but feel when he was around.
He’d been a Prime among his people, in charge of a battalion of warriors just like himself. No doubt he’d been the best of the best, even among Primes. He was used to command and even though he deferred to his human friends and didn’t seem to want to lead, people still looked to him for guidance, instruction and leadership.
Luckily for them, Bill seemed tired and confused. He looked like a lot of the refugees Jim had seen pouring into his own home. Bill had issues. There was no doubt about that. But he was growing stronger—just as Jim’s people had grown stronger as they healed in a safe place with plenty of food to eat.
He wondered what would happen when Bill finally recovered from his trauma. Would he take up the mantle so many of these human survivors seemed to want to put around his shoulders? And if so, would he be a good leader of men or a tyrant?
Jim didn’t necessarily want to be around to find out. Bill—with those amazing wings of his—could easily use the influence of being an angel to hoodwink a lot of people. By virtue of that alone, he was a dangerous man. Even more worrisome were the skills and knowledge Bill had as a former Alvian Prime warrior. He knew how to lead. It came as naturally as breathing to him. He knew how to fight and he knew the Alvian system and forces better than almost anyone. Would he want revenge on the people that had thrown him out? Would he feel any loyalty at all to the humans who had taken him in?
Jim really wanted to know the answer to those questions before he got his own people more involved, but there was little likelihood he would have those answers in time. He’d have to make a judgment call, but he couldn’t do it alone. Jim had to maneuver a way for Bill to meet his people so they could judge for themselves. At the very least, Jim wanted his inner circle to meet Bill. All were sound judges of men who probably wouldn’t be swayed by those angelic wings.
When Bill started talking about his hydroponics experiments, Jim finally joined the conversation, offering for the experts in his facility to consult with Bill on the best way to proceed. That would be the easiest way to get his people to meet Bill. The Alvian was cagey, neither accepting nor declining the offer. Jim could handle that. He understood that the folks in this installation had to be just as careful as he was. He respected that and was also impressed that Bill appeared to be as concerned about the safety of the people in this facility as Jim was about his own people. It was a mark in Bill’s favor.
From there, the talk flowed into other areas. Mike and Dave eventually brought up the subject of Gina’s celebrity and her skills as a martial artist. Jim watched Grady carefully, unsurprised to see that Gina’s reputation among humans was news to the Alvian warrior. Gina was a modest woman. She didn’t go around boasting about her skills or her former glory.
“I remember seeing your gold medal bout on television,” Mike said to Gina. “You had a slammin’ roundhouse kick back in the day.”
“She still does.” Jim joined in the conversation when Gina said nothing. “She nearly knocked my block off the night we met.”
“How did you two meet again after all those years?” Jaci asked innocently.
“She snuck into the cave entryway, but we had seen her long before on the sensors and from scout reports. We were there to meet her, but I had no idea it was Gina under the ninja suit. We doused the lights, and I confronted her.”
“You attacked, you mean,” Gina put in with a laugh.
“Hey, give me a break, I didn’t know it was you. I didn’t even realize you were a girl in that get up.”
“And you don’t attack women?” Jaci asked, interested. “I’ve read about something called chivalry in the human texts. Is that why? Women don’t fight?”
“Oh, women fight,” Gina was quick to answer. “Though I’ll admit, in our culture’s past, women were expected to stay home, sew, clean, cook, et cetera. Only a few ever were warriors back during the times when it took real muscle to fight. We are much smaller, on average, than human males.”
“But you were a fighter?” Jaci leaned forward, apparently intrigued by the concept. “You train with the Zxerah if Bill is to be believed.”
“In the days just before the cataclysm, our people had advanced to the point where wars—if we had them—were conducted by machines. Jet fighters, tanks and guns could be operated by almost anyone. While it’s true that the majority of our military forces were male, there was an increasing number of females ready, willing and able to defend our countries. As far as martial arts go, the ancient fighting forms were studied for many reasons—physical fitness, mental discipline, competition—but not necessarily for large-scale warfare.”
“I was sent to study at the Hanson dojo with Gina’s father because I was an intelligence agent,” Jim put in. “I was a member of the U.S. military, where I learned basic hand-to-hand fighting. When I finished my tour of duty, I was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency and given advanced training in several different areas.”
“Like what?” Jaci asked.
“Languages, computers, covert operations, acting, special munitions, explosives. All kinds of things that would come in handy on top secret undercover missions.” Jim leaned back in his chair, pushing his tray slightly away, finished eating. “Training with Gina’s dad was actually one of the more enjoyable training details I was ever sent on. After I finished the two-month class the Company had paid for, I asked Sensei Hanson if I could stay on as a student, paying my own way. I really liked the man and respected him. Gina’s brothers became good friends of mine. I miss them all, dearly.”
“Then it must have been some comfort to discover Gina was alive.” Jaci’s voice held sympathy, which still struck him as odd, seeing as how it came from an undeniably Alvian face.
“I admit, I was suspicious at first. Don’t get me wrong, I was glad to see that any of the Hansons had survived, but Gina was wearing Alvian clothes and she arrived on my doorstep out of the blue. Her gear was Alvian, and she claimed to be on a mission from some secret sect I’d never heard of. It all still seems a little impossible.”
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned,” Dave said, taking Jaci’s hand with a fond smile, “nothing’s impossible.”
Jim looked from Dave to Jaci to Mike. They were a threesome, odd as it seemed.
“Gina, I would like for you to spar with me tomorrow in the gym. Will you?” Bill spoke in his low, commanding voice, jarring Jim from his speculation.
“I would be honored,” Gina answered with a small smile for the alien. “I’ve missed our training bouts.”
“I want to show some of our newcomers that even someone of your size can have an impact with proper training. We have more women and children coming in every day, and I would feel better if they knew at least the rudiments of self-defense.” Bill hesitated before going on. “I teach fighting techniques to a few of the men, but I think some of them are afraid of me.” Incredibly, the alien man’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“And no doubt others are in awe of your wings,” Gina agreed readily, glossing over the moment. She seemed on friendly terms with the big winged warrior.
“I still don’t understand it,” Bill agreed, “but it seems to be the case. No matter how many times I explain to them that I am nobody’s angel, the wings somehow make them think otherwise.”
Gina laughed, and the pretty sound distracted Jim for a minute. “Don’t worry,” she said through her chuckles, “I know better. I’ll be happy to show anyone who cares to watch how even the mighty angel can fall, given the right counter move.”
A big smile spread over Bill’s face. “That would be most welcome, Gina. Thank you.”
“I think you may have more of an audience than you expect, Gina,” Mike put in from across the table. “A lot of people remember you. It’s not every day a person gets to watch an Olympic Gold Medalist in action.”
“And not every day we’re confronted with someone who can remind us so strongly of the world we once knew.” Dave’s sobering words struck all the humans at the table.
“Bill,” Gina ventured into the silence. “I wanted to tell you how glad I am to see you this way. I’d hoped, when I heard what happened to you, that you would be able to handle true feelings. You always struck me as one of the more sensitive Alvians. I hoped that would help you after your DNA changed, and I’m glad to see you healthy and whole.”
Bill seemed genuinely surprised by her earnest words. He gazed at her with a touchingly vulnerable expression. “Thank you, Gina.” His soft words seemed choked as Gina smiled back at the alien warrior.
“I think everyone’s here now,” Mike broke into the moment, standing from his chair. “If you don’t mind, I’ll introduce you,” he said to Jim, Gina and Grady. “We’ve found after dinner is a good time to hold town meetings and discuss things. I know a lot of folks have been interested in your arrival, and I think more than a few have already recognized Gina.” He winked at her and Jim looked around the large cafeteria, noting how full it was. There were more people in this installation then he’d realized.
Jim watched as Mike fetched a wireless microphone and switched it on. They seemed to have a lot of undamaged equipment—some of it more advanced than the stuff in his facility.
“Good evening, my friends,” Mike said as the room quieted. He stood, facing the group, and Jim realized why the cousins had chosen the table near the door. They were able to see the entire room from their vantage point, and everyone could see them.
Mike introduced Jim first, as the leader of one of the other old NORAD installations, which caused a stir among the people. Mike gave them the facts, which Jim silently applauded. He dealt with his own people in much the same way. Democracy ruled the day in his facility and he was glad to see it had survived here as well. Mike was understandably cautious, telling his people there would be ample time to discuss the possibility of opening communications and trade with the Colorado facility. Jim took the room’s cautious but optimistic response as a good sign.
Then came the time for general announcements. Mike read off reminders about events and safety issues, including a warning about a big cat that had been seen hunting near the facility. Jim knew a lot of exotic zoo animals had survived the cataclysm to breed with native species and the results were often deadly predators it was best to avoid.
Mike then introduced Grady as a visitor who had a history with the three de facto leaders—Mike, Dave and Jaci. Mike made no secret about the fact that Grady had emotions and had been a soldier until recently.
“I know some of you have seen him before. He was, in fact, the man who finally captured myself and my cousin Dave. We hated his guts for a good long while,” Mike admitted ruefully as the crowd laughed. “But now he’s different. Hell, even when he didn’t understand us, he was a fair-minded man. We’ve never had reason to tell anybody else this, but back when we first found this underground installation and it was just me, Dave and Jaci here, Grady was assigned to track us down. Jaci’s people wanted her back in the worst possible way.” Murmurs of sympathy came from all around. “Grady actually found us.” A few gasps sounded as Mike shook his head and grinned in memory. “Naked as J-birds, playing in the hot spring. He could have had us all right then, but he let us go.”
“Why’d he do that?” a woman in the back called out.
“It’s complicated, but the aliens have this phenomenon called Resonance Mating. When two mates touch skin to skin, there’s an audible Hum the aliens can hear. It’s out of the range of human hearing, but machines can pick it up and we know for a fact the sound is produced whenever either of us touch Jaci. We’re her Resonance Mates. According to ancient Alvian law, Resonance Mates can never be parted for any reason. Grady can hear the sound. He knew what it meant. Because of it, he let us go. He’s known where we lived all this time and has never told his superiors about this facility. Much as I hate to admit it, he’s a friend. Dave and I have put the past behind us to welcome him here. I hope you’ll all give him a chance.”
“He’s got feelings, like Jaci?” another woman asked nearby.
Mike nodded. “He’s part of an alien experiment. They’re tinkering with their own DNA, experimenting on a few volunteers to give them emotions.” Loud murmurs this time from the crowd. “We confirmed this with the Oracle and he said to take it as a good sign, which I’m inclined to agree with. I know firsthand what having emotions can do to the Alvians. They begin to understand what they’ve done to us and our planet. They become more human, more compassionate and understanding. First Bill, then Jaci and now Grady. All three have turned into friends of humanity with deep regret for what their race has done. Can you imagine what would happen if more of them took this treatment?”
Mike let the murmurs rise to open discussion and noise filled the hall. After a few minutes, he handed the mic to his cousin and Dave stood while Mike sat back down at the table.
“Friends,” Dave spoke as the crowd noise slowly wound down in volume. “Friends, there’s one other newcomer you should know about.” Everyone was finally quiet as Dave continued. “Some of you may have already recognized her and I’m glad to confirm the gossip, that yes, indeed, Olympic Gold Medalist, Gina Hanson is among us.” Whispers sounded as Gina turned in her seat to wave. She was a consummate professional when it came to making public appearances, though she hadn’t done one in years. “Tomorrow afternoon, she’s agreed to give a little exhibition of her martial arts skill in the gym. I hope you’ll all attend. In the meantime, I hope you’ll make our guests welcome and Mike and I will be around to answer questions if you have any. Have a good night, everybody.”
Jim stood when everybody else did. It looked like dinner was officially over. Everybody started clearing their own tables and busing their trays back toward the kitchen area.
“We set up shifts once we got enough people.” Mike fell into step beside Jim as he walked with the crowd toward the dumping area. “We’re on a rotation. Everyone takes turns cooking and cleaning every few weeks.”
“We do something similar,” Jim agreed. “But there are some folks who actually prefer kitchen work so we let a few of them—two older ladies in particular—run the show. Claudette and Sylvia used to run the busiest diner in town. Luckily somebody had the good sense to rescue them in the first days after the bombardment started. Since they took charge of the kitchen, we eat a lot better.”
“I bet.” Mike dropped his tray on the conveyor, and Jim followed suit. He turned to see the three Alvians right behind him and Gina bringing up the rear. “So what now?” Jim asked Mike, who hovered at his side.
“A couple of weeks ago, Dave instituted social time after dinner. All those who want to, gather outside in the main area and Burt plays music that some kind soul programmed into his memory long before the cataclysm. We talk, play games, even dance. Dave, Jaci and I try to make ourselves available every night for at least a little while. I think it would be a good idea for you and Gina to sit with us for a bit. I’m sure people have questions about your facility and your people.”
Jim agreed and followed Mike outside. The lights had been lowered to a twilight setting and people were already setting up folding chairs and tables that had been stored along one wall.
“Is that beer?” Jim almost didn’t believe his eyes when he saw a refrigeration unit being opened. Sure enough, there was more than one small keg inside and a few of the men were already pouring out mugs of a frothy golden beverage.
“Mrs. O’Hara shared her brewing secrets with us, and Bill’s had good success growing hops. Those kegs represent our very first home brew as a matter of fact. It’s darn good, if you ask me, but I think we’ll get bett
er the more we brew. It’s not quite up to the O’Hara standard just yet, but it works.” Mike headed over toward the keg, and Jim followed eagerly. “We ration it. One cup a night. We want to make it last until our next batch is ready, and we definitely don’t want to encourage alcoholism by allowing some to get carried away.”
“Good idea. We haven’t had any alcohol since the General’s private stash ran out decades ago.” Jim was eager to try the home brew. He’d liked the occasional beer back in the old world but had never been much of a drinker.
Mike worked through the line and brought back two glasses—one for Jim and one for himself. He then motioned Jim over to the table where Dave and Gina were already talking with a few others.
Grady was at Gina’s side, and Dave had Jaci next to him. Mike took the seat on Jaci’s free side and Jim chose to stand at the side of the table, watching.
A young boy came up to Jim and asked him about Colorado. Jim spent an enjoyable few minutes talking to the boy but was aware of Grady’s scrutiny as he did so. Sure enough, when Jim looked over, Grady was watching him.
Two could play that game.
He turned to the boy, already hatching plans to keep tabs on the Alvian warrior. But the boy was joined by his mother and father, who kept Jim talking about the outside world. By the time Jim was able to look back at Grady, he was gone. The seat at Gina’s side was filled by a woman who seemed to be hanging on Gina’s every word.
“I wanted to thank you.”
The deep, musical, Alvian voice surprised Jim. Son of a bitch. Grady had snuck up on him.
“What for?” Jim didn’t know how to play this little scene yet.
“For keeping watch over Gina. I worried about her while she was away on her mission, but had no way to contact her and a mission of my own to fulfill.” Grady seemed serious enough but Jim still wasn’t sure if there wasn’t some ulterior motive. “Thank you for making sure she came to no harm.”