by Mel Todd
The woman pierced McKenna with the same efficiency. She followed Perc's lead and a minute later had the hoop in her ear. It felt odd, she'd never been a big jewelry person, and wearing dangling earrings as a cop gave people something to tear from her head. Though the odds of that happening ever again had dropped.
She glanced at Perc, and he shrugged, looking a bit silly in warrior form in the suit. They both shifted, she moving to warrior, he to human.
"How's it look? I can feel it." She reached up and fingered the ring, at about the same point on her ear in this form as it had been on Perc, a bit lower.
"Oddly sexy?" Perc answered, rubbing his ear. His ring sat halfway on his ear. Looking somehow dangerous and not silly.
"That should work. Especially if we can get bright ones? Maybe point those out too?" Doug said. "I know people will be cranking out versions as soon as they see that, and probably with radios and LEDs in them before a week is up."
"Then I guess we have a plan?" Everyone nodded except Tamara, who just looked confused.
Chapter 21 - Talking Heads
In an unprecedented move, President Carl Simon has activated the Emergency Broadcast System for a press conference with his words to be conveyed on all public networks preempting all programming. The audio of the press conference only will be relayed, then normal programming will return. This is the first time in history this has happened. The last emergency address was at the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the system did not exist at that time. Tension is high as to what could require this activation. Nothing else has ever approached this level of silence from DC. ~ TNN News Anchor
The next morning they all sat in the large living room, the TV tuned to the Emergency Press Conference scheduled by the president. All the news agencies were up in arms because no word of what it was about had leaked anywhere. Even Congress was coming out annoyed at the secret meetings that no one but the speaker and leaders had been invited to, they refused to say a word.
"Which has to be the first time in history that's happened," Toni said. She had found a beanbag somewhere and she and her two were curled up in it. McKenna sat on the couch, Nam in her lap, and Charley pressed against her side. While Perc sat next to her. JD and Cass were on the other couch, her legs draped over him. Carina sat on the floor, and Charley had his leg rubbing against her shoulder. All of them knew what was coming, but it didn't change the level of nerves and the knowledge that a huge portion of the world would see this. And more would watch what happened later.
They'd made sure to eat well last night, and it had been the right call. Her stomach had tied itself into knots as they watched.
"Secrets in DC? Who'd have thought. Though honestly, if they had found out the truth, do you think anyone would have believed?" Perc pointed out, his body tense as he paid attention to the screen.
Cass shrugged. "Maybe not. But you know people are going to freak after this. Any idea what he's going to say?"
"Idea, sure. Aliens are coming. Anything else. No, not really." McKenna reached up and touched the earring. They all had one now. Even the kids, though they knew not to shift into warrior form.
McKenna glanced at Charley who kept touching his ear. The bright green ring all but glowed against his pale skin and hair. Nam, on the other hand, had a bright red one that would jump out against her coloring as a tiger.
"It bugging you?" she asked softly, but Nam still turned to look at him.
"Just feels odd. Not hurt or anything." He flashed her a smile. "I occasionally thought about a tattoo when I got older, but an earring? Just feels odd."
McKenna laughed. "Eighteen for the tattoo. Though I suspect for us it is much less permanent if we wanted."
[Correct. While the nanobots can leave it alone, they could also remove it after a short while.]
"So noted. You still have to be eighteen," she said, but her tone and the smile made him smile, and he buried his face in her arm.
"Are we going to die?" Nam's words killed the mood and every adult in the room turned to look at her. The pain in the mindscape almost made her cry out as it intensified. McKenna fought it down and squeezed the little girl tight to her.
She wanted to lie, to tell her everything would be okay. But that would be the wrong option. All of them had paid too high a price to get where they were. She wouldn't lie.
"I don't know. I know that every person in this room is going to do everything they can to make sure you don't. We don't want to lose you. You're ours. I don't know what will happen, but I can promise you won't be alone."
Nam looked up at her, her dark brown eyes wide. "Okay. I don't mind dying. I thought my dad," her voice broke on that word, "would kill me. This feels better."
~Dear gods I'm going to kill that man.~ Toni swore in her head, carefully making sure Nam couldn't hear them.
~Ditto,~ JD and Perc both growled. The sudden flurry of activity on the TV pulled their attention away, though McKenna's arms remained snug around the girl, and Charley's hand held Nam's in a tight grip.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States." The woman speaking at the podium, with the familiar seal behind her, stepped away, and the president stepped forward. He looked like he'd aged since the first time she met him, and a twinge of guilt rippled through McKenna. But she pushed it away. She hadn't caused this. She was trying to stop it.
He held a paper in his hand, the teleprompter screen nowhere to be seen. Carl Simon waited for a moment, and the chatter died. He looked at the cameras, and she wanted to swear he looked straight at her.
"My fellow Americans. The news I deliver today is not news I ever expected to happen in my lifetime. I am not going to sugar-coat this, but lay out the facts as bluntly as possible, then tell you what you will need to do."
His words caused a ripple of alarm in the reporters, but no one interrupted.
"All the information I am referencing is being made available on the whitehouse.gov website as I speak. Anyone who wants to check my information is welcome to, please, prove us wrong." His voice cracked just a bit, and he cleared his throat and continued. "As the information provided will show, there is a space fleet approaching Earth. Current arrival is projected in eight days. If they orbit the Earth, their ships will be visible with the naked eye at that time, given the size of their ships. Anyone with a telescope should be able to see them leaving the shadow of Mars in five days."
The room froze, and she could see people looking at each other, their faces pale as what he said registered. But before anyone could react he kept talking.
"At this time we have reason to believe they will approach various governments on Earth to negotiate. We also have reason to believe that they are here to collect our citizens that have recently gained the ability to change into animals. This information is regarded as credible. These aliens, called the Elentrin, are here to collect shifters to fuel their war and use them as infantry in this war. This is not acceptable." He bit out each word, and McKenna felt something in her chest relax. "To enable our ability to help protect our citizens and make it clear that our planet is not to be used as a farm for their disposable army, we have re-instituted the Civil Defense. As I speak, information is being disseminated to your local authorities to set up training, provide weapons, and go over the possible vectors of attack. While we hope that we can negotiate with the Elentrin, they are approaching multiple governments and I can only advise as to how we will deal. We will not sell our citizens into slavery - period. The men and women of this administration and of our armed forces will do everything within our power to prevent this. Please go to your local authorities and ask how you can help. They are receiving this information now and will be just as surprised and worried as you. But know this, this country has never backed down from a threat, and we will not back down from this one." He lifted his head, once again putting the paper down and McKenna felt his gaze pierce her heart. "I ask you to pay attention to the news over the next few days and all of you be ready to defend your family, your n
eighbors, your country, and your planet. Thank you."
He turned and walked away. The room after a full three seconds of stunned silence exploded into questions and shouts and people running out of the room.
"I guess that's my cue." McKenna said, handing Nam to Carina.
Perc rose to go with her. "Let's get changed. You have a world to save."
McKenna stuck her tongue out at him but headed up to her room. Kilt, tank top, and suit jacket were the uniform of the day.
~Wefor, am I ever going to get my boobs back? This looking like a teenage boy or someone with man-boobs is getting old.~ She locked it to just in her own head, not needing the commentary.
[Until you have enough calories to spare for fat cells, no. Once you have eaten enough to get the rest of your body back to optimum health then personal preference can be taken into consideration.]
McKenna sighed silently, she'd never have thought she'd miss her curves. Being all muscle and no curves wasn't as great as she had expected.
She got dressed, did the barest amount of makeup for this next step and headed downstairs. Perc waited for her, dressed in a kilt and a loose polo shirt and jacket. It looked oddly formal with the kilt. Too many movies with people playing bagpipes she figured.
A car pulled up, and the two of them walked outside. JD and the rest were going to batten down the hatches and wait. They'd spent last night buying supplies. Food, toiletries, ammo, and guns. The Secret Service agents got them expedited for clearance, and they had enough to hold off a small army. Though she prayed it wouldn't come to that.
More than anything, McKenna wanted to be home, on her deck, her family around her, grilling food, the kids playing and life quiet. But right now that wasn't an option.
They slipped into the back of the car and found George and Doug waiting for them.
"You ready for this?" Doug asked, his face somber, holding a phone that seemed to be approaching a nervous breakdown from how fast it was sending out chirps and whistles.
"Not at all. But I do think it's the best option we have. Maybe the only option, so I'll do my best."
He gave her a wry smile as he glanced at his phone making constant chirps, beeps, and buzzes. "The world is erupting a bit at this. The local law enforcement is scrambling for records they haven't used in decades. Hell, most people only know about the Civil Defense because of stories from their grandparents. But a lot of the old bunkers and sirens still exist. The tornado and tidal wave warning can be duplicated and Apple and Android have agreed to let us use the emergency system built into their phones to send alerts. The key is your part." He looked at her and for a moment McKenna felt an icicle run down her back. "Thank you. Thank you for trying and not letting anyone shunt you to the side. I don't know how this will all turn out, but we have more of a chance that we would have otherwise."
McKenna had to blink fast. "My world, too. I don't want to see it destroyed. And no one should be taken away like cattle. Even if we might not be strictly human anymore."
The SecDef snorted and glanced at the phone. "I can't even respond to all of these. So I'm not going to." He powered off the device and looked at her. He started to speak when their driver interrupted.
"They're setting up now and should be ready by the time we get there. Information about this was sent out as soon as the president walked out the door. I suspect you will be viral, so I hope you're ready. You need to convince them. Because we can only help with the people in the US, you have the chance to touch the world."
McKenna grimaced. "No pressure. Thanks. All I can do is talk and tell them what I know. I'll try, but I can't make anyone do anything."
Wefor had verified in a late night conversation that her control over the nanobots was limited and relatively short range, there was no way to convince them to fight or even shift. All she had, the only weapon in this fight, were words. Words that needed to convince 150 million people of what was coming their way.
The car smoothly stopped, and a moment later the door was opened. McKenna stepped out followed by Doug and Perc. She found herself outside the Lincoln Monument. Glancing back, she saw the road blocked and reporters already swarming towards them. She ignored them all, walking up the steps, Perc clearing a way for her, and gazing at the white marble figure looking down at her.
He hadn't been a perfect man, she knew enough of her history to know that. But he'd tried to do what he thought was right. And even if history proved a person wrong, that was all they could ever do, what they thought was right.
Taking a deep breath and touching all the connections in her mind, feeling them there, her family. Holding on to them as a lifeline, McKenna headed to the podium and stepped up to it, watching the people recording this, getting ready to make it live on every feed possible.
I guess I need to hope this time I do go viral.
The reporters fell silent as she opened her mouth.
Chapter 22 - Media Presence
The nation is in shock after the historic speech from President Carl Simons. Aliens exist, they are real, and they are coming to Earth. This will be a speech that will mark the day we knew we were not alone in the universe. But are they enemies? Is Earth now about to go to war with aliens? We don't even have the ability to visit other planets yet. How are we going to fight a war? All we can do is listen. Report to your local authorities and hope that maybe we won't find out just how scary the rest of the universe is. ~ TNN News Anchor
"Hi. I suspect everyone knows me, but I'm McKenna Largo. As I'm sure you have heard from the president, a fleet of alien ships is on its way to Earth. Right now, it should be somewhere near Jupiter. What he didn't tell you is that they are coming for us. Not humans, but those of us who can shift. We are called the Kaylid by these aliens. They made us for the sole purpose to be soldiers in their war." Even the reporters fell quiet as she spoke and she focused on Doug leaning against the car instead of the astounded faces.
"The ability to shift is caused by tiny robots in our bodies, smaller than viruses, and they can be controlled by these aliens. If we are taken by them we will be worse than slaves, we will be tools. They can control our thoughts, our movements, and we will be kept in tubes like spices until we're needed. We will not have families or friends, we will not be able to do anything that is not allowed by them. I am not willing to accept that. I will fight, my friends will fight, my family will fight. But we don't need to repel these invaders as humans. There is another form shifters have access to. A warrior being. A form made to fight. You will be stronger, faster, and able to better protect those you love. Today I am going to show you what you need to know, what you will be facing. Don't get me wrong, I hope, I pray that they will leave without attacking. But information suggests it won't happen like that. And I for one will be ready to defend my family, defend my friends, defend my planet."
Taking a deep breath, she pulled the microphone from the podium, they'd made sure a wireless one had been set up, and stepped out, so everyone could see her. Perc joined her, their kilts and tank tops a strange uniform.
"Watch, and you will find this form in you." She started to reach then paused as Wefor reminded her of something. "Kids—if you are listening to this you need to know it is not safe for you until after puberty, about eighteen when your hormones have settled and your adult growth is reached. Know you will be able to do this someday, but if you shift now, your body can't handle the resource requirements and the changes. While not fatal you will find changes that aren't normal. So please don't. In this case let the adults, let us protect you. You are our futures."
~At some point we need to talk about the exact risks to kids, but later.~
[Acknowledged.]
With that, McKenna reached for the warrior. She made the change as slow as possible so people would have time to see what she did. As always, her eyes closed at the moment of shift. The sound of a scream and a few gasps greeted her when she opened them again.
The crowd of reporters actually backed up, looking at her, their
faces pale, before they got a hold of themselves. She could smell the fear wafting off them but kept going.
She concentrated on speaking clearly, the muzzle still a bit awkward for clear speech. "This is what you can turn into, but this is also what you will be fighting. They are trained, will have advanced weapons, and they will kill anyone who opposes them. Take this seriously, they do not recognize non-combatants, they will kill anyone they see while they try to capture those of us who can shift."
Her hand reached up to touch the earring. "This is what we are using to tell Earth Kaylid from those who will come to take us and kill our friends, our loved ones. You can fight back. While here in the US, the president has activated the civil defense platform, those of you in other countries need to make decisions. You can use guns in this form, and up close, fighting these aliens you will probably win. They've trained for a long time, they know how to kill fast and with no remorse. They aren't allowed to care. Remember that, but don't show mercy, because they can't have any for us, their owners won't allow it."
Her entire body shook from stress, but she fought it down, knowing she was the only person who could do this.
"There are more of us than there are of them. If we go to war, this will be global. No beaches to defend, no forts to hunker behind. This will be them landing at every small town and city across the world, expecting us to cower in fear and give them what they want. I am asking, I am begging you, learn what you can, become familiar with this form, because in a very real way you, we- are the only chance we have. If we fail, our loved ones will die, and we will become slaves." She bowed her head for a minute then raised it this time looking directly at the reporters.
"Do what you can, and pray all of this is wrong, and we'll never have to fight for our existences." She clicked off the microphone and laid it down.
The collected group of reporters exploded into questions, but she ignored them, striding to the car, she and Perc still in warrior form.