Veezee: The Invasion
Page 53
* * *
“We have a problem,” announced President Litton. Then she rose from her chair and paced while most of her audience waited for her to tell them what trouble had erupted now.
Arlene Sisk knew already because she had brought it to the president’s attention, but Ed Halloran and the cabinet members didn’t know it yet. Then she leaned against her chair and said, “Somebody is killing aliens.”
“That’s not a problem, Ms. President. That’s a positive development,” said Ed. Then he wished he hadn’t said it, as he endured the small lady’s withering stare. “Excuse me, please. I spoke out of turn.”
“Yes. You did, Halloran. But I’m sure there are a lot of people who believe that, and that’s another part of the problem. Right now the killing is confined to a few places in South Texas and Louisiana, but who knows what will happen when it gets into the news. Copycats, you know. Now, Ms. Sisk will fill you in on it.”
Arlene pushed a switch on the conference table and a large map of America filled the wallscreen. Perhaps a dozen red points of light gleamed across the country but there was almost a glare of red light at several places in Texas and Louisiana. There was also a fair amount of red light shining from the Flagstaff area on the map. “Each point on the map represents an deceased Veezee body found. You’ll notice they seem to be concentrated in a few spots.”
“We don’t know a lot about alien physiology,” said Ned Dawkins, a cabinet member, “so how do we know they were killed? Couldn’t this all be from natural causes?”
“No,” said Sisk. “Every last one has been violent—laser guns, stone throwing, and the like. It’s usually been lone Veezee, and nobody has ever seen the killers.” She switched the screen through a succession of still pictures, of aliens shot, mangled, and mutilated. “It’s hard for me to understand why anybody would do something like this. Especially since the polls show such complete acceptance of The Visitors.”
“People are afraid to express anything to the polls, and that’s your fault,” said Ed. “Everybody’s afraid they’ll get punished with sensitivity training.”
“But that’s not...!” Sisk blurted out before President Litton waved her down.
“It’s true,” said Litton, “and I’m ashamed our nation has come to that. I’m going to get it changed, too, if I live long enough, but that’s not our concern tonight.
“I have two fears right now. The first is that aliens will seem vulnerable and that will escalate the killings. The other thing I’m afraid of is that the aliens will retaliate and we don’t even know what they’re capable of.”
Dawkins raised a hand. “Uh, this sounds different from what we’ve always been told—peace loving, no word for war, and all that stuff. Now you’re telling us they might be dangerous?”
“Sisk thinks so,” said Litton. “Tell them about it.”
Arlene hesitated for a moment, and then she said quietly, “You could say there’s been a threat of it. When they told us they wanted the translators, there was a suggestion that they might punish us if we didn’t comply.”
“What!” Ed slammed his fist against the table. “Why didn’t you tell us about that crap?”
“Out of line again, Mr. Halloran!” said Litton. “I told her to keep that part quiet because I didn’t want to cause a panic.”
“But nobody even told me! Or the cabinet either, for that matter!”
“That was my decision and I was wrong. I apologize for it,” said Litton. “Now we have to get this situation under control quickly, and that’s where you come in, Halloran. At least two thirds of the killing has been with laser guns and that makes us think this may be organized. I want you to get some people out there and investigate. Find them, infiltrate, and get them stopped!”
Like hell! thought Ed. If we can find them we’ll pass out firearms!, “I’ll get some good people right on it, Ms. President. I’ll need to start with all that information Sisk has.”
Arlene pushed a sheaf of papers across the table at Ed. “These are your copies. That’s all AABC knows.”
“Probably more than AABC knows,” mumbled Ed, as he gathered up the papers.”