by Mel Todd
~Cass? You okay? What happened?~ JD had to tamp down his anger and desire to go find this Chuck and strangle him.
Cass glanced at him, and her body sagged a bit. ~Chuck, my lab manager, said I'd taken too much time off already and he wouldn't authorize my time off. It isn't like in my job I can work remotely. He started threatening me, and I said screw it. You heard the rest.~ She sounded defeated in his mind, and he wanted to wrap her up and protect her.
~Anything I can do?~
Besides go down and teach this jerk how to be a human?
That thought sounded way too good and he pushed it back even as he moved towards her, unable to resist the need to protect her.
~Well, if we all survive I might need a place to live if I can't pay my rent in a few months.~ Her comment dry. ~But for now, no. Makes things easier, and I'm not hurting short term.~
~Okay, let me know.~ He fought down the desire to offer her his house to live in. A few reasons. One, he hadn't even kissed her, offering her his house might be a bit extreme. Two, he didn't have a house at the moment. He needed to keep his knight tendencies under control. Not everyone needed rescuing.
She flashed him a smile. ~I will.~
With a whirl of efficiency JD had seen occasionally in the military, before any of them had a chance to think too much, they were being driven to Beale and ushered onto a Gulfstream. He took one last look out the door at the rolling Northern California hills and a pang of foreboding gripped him.
With a shrug he pushed it away and moved into the jet. Settling his bulk into one of the seats, he took a moment to look around and felt a bit better to see Perc having the same problem. Even nice jets weren't made for someone of their size. The kids flopped into chairs, surrounding Nam and McKenna. The little girl looked exhausted and a bit freaked out. McKenna held her and it took only a few minutes for the little girl to fall asleep.
The trip passed in a blur, but mainly because he focused on Cass sitting next to him, her hand in his.
These people are my greatest treasure and the people I trust. The house doesn't matter, aliens don't matter.
A half smile curved his lips as he let his gaze drift over the kids. Toni watched them with a pensive gaze, McKenna, and Perc watched her with an expression JD recognized from the mirror when he thought about Cass.
They are mine as much as I am theirs.
His hand tightened around Cass's and she squeezed back. He let the stress seep away as he focused on the family he'd chosen, a better one than the one he'd been born to.
Come and try to take my family away. I'll be waiting.
12
Politics in Action
All requests for interviews with McKenna Largo and Percival Alexander have been met with silence. When asked, Alexander's agent has no information as to when he will be available. What is more interesting, the others have all taken leaves from their jobs and no one seems to know where they are. Standing requests for interviews to discuss their adventure have been ignored. Are they hiding something? ~Editorial Comments
They stood around the room in the Marine base, the rescued Shifters drifting out even as the two men from the government came over to talk more. Secretary of Defense Doug Burby and Brigadier General George Davis. The Secret Service agents, Christopher Collins and Caroline drifted over, too. Caroline, the restored Shifter, still looked a bit pale under her dark skin. JD watched them circle to talk to McKenna, the stress on everyone's faces clear. Toni had a look on her face that mimicked his feelings.
Should I say something? No one is even thinking about it from any other perspective than riding to the rescue. And from what they've said that won't work.
McKenna had a presence that couldn't be denied, but she fell silent and her shoulders sagged a bit.
"Do you have any ideas about how to deal with this? I'm not the president, but I do have his ear, and at this point you're presenting me with a war I've never seen in the history books," Doug Burby the SecDef said, a note in his voice that reflected the body language of everyone in the room, defeat.
McKenna sighed and that sound decided him, even if they did all think he was crazy.
"I do, actually. But no one will like it, and I think we need to share it with other countries, especially those most likely to have craft landing asking for Kaylid." JD didn't expect the snap of attention everyone gave him, and he almost stepped back a bit.
"Well? What is it? Do you know something we don't?" Doug demanded, and even George looked interested at his words.
"Not exactly. You just are thinking too modern and trying to solve a problem you can't," JD pointed out, fidgeting a bit, wondering how bad the reaction would be.
"What do you mean?" George asked, even as Doug tilted his bald head, it looked polished in the fluorescent lights.
"We're trying to fight an enemy with set forces when we don't know when or where they‘ll attack, over an area that we can't possibly cover. We're essentially fighting a global war, and there isn't any way to protect everyone when we don't know where they will attack."
"Are you saying we just give up? Turn people over to these invaders?" Doug sounded indignant, offended almost.
"Did I say surrender? I said I had an idea," JD bit out. Surrender, like he'd ever give up any of his family to these monsters.
"So out with it," George said before Doug could make the remark JD could see on his face.
A deep breath, then he spoke. "We can't be everywhere, but people, especially in the US, have weapons. Probably a lot more than most people know. We have stockpiles of weapons in our police stations, army bases, and most manufacturers have things they haven't sold. While other countries' civilians are not as well-armed as we tend to be, there are lots of people that have weapons. If we tell them to protect themselves, they will. If we provide national guard, military, and police to give them training and ammo, we might have a fighting chance."
The room went silent, everyone looking at him. McKenna broke the silence.
"Are you saying we tell people to kill them? Encourage this?"
"You didn't grow up in a household with guns, did you?" he asked, not because he didn't know, but because he needed people to understand.
McKenna, Toni, and Perc all shook their heads while the Secret Service agents and the government guys narrowed their eyes.
"I did. As did many of my friends. We were always going shooting or hunting for fun, distraction, sometimes food. Most people that own guns, rifles, handguns, aren't members of the NRA. And most of them don't mention the guns under their bed, in their closet, or the gun safe in the basement where they never take people. This would happen here in America regardless. But while other countries have stricter laws, a lot of them encourage their citizens to be armed. Switzerland for example. Most of Russia has guns tucked away, just in case. I don't think the question is can we get people to fight. The question is, how to we help aim them in the right direction and keep the causalities to a minimum."
Everyone just looked at him. Doug started to talk, then stopped, glancing at the general. George pulled out his phone and tapped rapidly, then looked up.
"We're estimating about 750k total invaders and that's for the planet, right?"
McKenna nodded slowly, looking at everyone.
~You sure about this, JD?~ Her voice soft, but public in their mindspace.
~We don't have any other options. We can't protect everyone, so we can give everyone the tools to protect themselves.~
"Huh," George muttered, and JD shifted his attention to him. "I don't have exact numbers, but figure the NRA has about 4.7 million members. Figure you have twice that many people with weapons at home, not including police or military. You're looking at well over ten million people that are armed and, in theory, have some idea how to shoot."
JD couldn't avoid snorting at that, and McKenna barked out a laugh which brought everyone's attention to them.
"There are some people I swear who make Stormtroopers look like good shots. But yeah, there ar
e lots that know how to shoot. Some civilians are very good from the amount of deer some of our family friends would bring back every year," JD said mildly, thinking of the days running around with friends and target shooting.
George chewed on his lip then sighed. "As much as I hate to say it, even if it took more than five people to kill one Kaylid, we still win with numbers. We have the numbers to stop them, and that assumes they all come here." He shrugged. "It has merit. And we know people are going to go crazy as soon as the alien threat goes public anyhow. Why not aim it towards what we want?"
"How do we do that?"
"Heck if I know, outside the police. But remember Carl was a civic planner. I'll lay you money he has some ideas about that."
That seemed to break them up and shortly after Doug and George headed out, while Christopher took his agent, Caroline, out of there. Leaving the shifters with their Marine escort who remained excruciatingly polite as he offered to drive them back to the White House where people were waiting for them.
Sitting in the back they all looked at each other, eyes wide.
~Is this wise?~ Perc asked, even his mental tone neutral.
~It would happen. Trust me. Farmers, hunters, rednecks, would have their weapons pulled out and readied the second we start talking invasion. While new gun sales are regulated, Americans have never been disarmed. I know people still hunting with black power weapons. Trust me, guns get handed down and there are still lots of sales that people never talk about. If we open up just what we've confiscated that's a lot of weapons.~
Toni heaved a sigh. ~I know how to use one, but that's about the limit. You're saying we should make sure we can actually use them well and in an organized manner.~
~If we want a chance to fight back, yes. If the dreams are accurate and they train like we saw, until it is muscle memory, no one but a Shifter black belt is going to have a chance in hand-to-hand.~ His voice was somber, and he could see the realization hit all of their faces. At the pale look on Cass's face, he gave in and reached out to hold her hand. Her fingers gripped his tightly, and the pain helped center him.
The ride back to the White House was quiet, and he didn't know what else to say, but wondered if he'd made things better or worse by pointing out the reality of how the American people would react and how the other countries really needed to.
Either they had been taken the long way or the other two men had cheated, but they stood waiting for them as the big SUV pulled up.
"President Simon is waiting for you. He agrees with your thoughts, JD. But feels we need to talk to the UN, ASAP. He's got some favors to ask."
A mental sigh went through the mindspace, but they all trooped in, facing the president. He had only a few men with him, some of them agents. He waved them to a table on the other side.
"I'm working on your idea, JD. It has merit, but I need some time to think about it, and a lot depends on how we think these Elentrin will react. But no matter what, I need to let the other countries know. If they find out we knew about this and didn't tell them, we'll have more problems than the Elentrin."
~Dear gods, don't these people listen? You can't bargain with them!~ Toni sounded like she was ready to start clawing eyes out. The mental voice sharp enough to make him flinch.
"What do you want us to do?" McKenna asked and JD could see Perc bristle. She sounded too tired, but she stayed polite, trying to do the right thing.
"Show them what a Kaylid can do. The warrior form. Have it sink in. Hell, I want them scared a bit."
Finally, something my size and bulk is good for.
"I can take care of that. My warrior form is scary and huge." JD volunteered, an edge to his voice.
The President shifted his attention to him. "You can? I didn't realize all of you had that ability."
JD fought not to roll his eyes. ~No, none of them listen or process the information, I swear,~ he sniped into the mindspace and received chuckles and a weary physical sigh from McKenna.
"All Kaylid have the ability, though they may have to be shown how to shift. But there isn't any reason any adult Kaylid can't shift to warrior form."
"Then yes. That would be great. If all you can show up and be there shifting it would be great."
All of them grimaced in unison at that and McKenna shook her head.
~Wefor, is JD safe to shift?~
[Yes, though he needs to eat well before it. But his mass was more excess muscle and he can survive without it.]
~Hey, I like my excess muscle,~ JD protested instantly even as the others snickered, though Perc agreed with him.
"Sir, we are all drained past what we can support without more time to recover calories. JD has enough mass he can safely do it. The rest of us would be better to wait until we've had a chance to recover more."
JD noticed the sharp looks she received at that statement, but she didn't blink, just watched the President with a calm expression.
"I guess that will have to do. Can you do anything impressive? Something to show the ambassadors that this is serious?"
JD let his mouth curve, through it didn't feel much like a smile. "I'll come up with something. I think they'll be sufficiently wowed."
The President didn't look like he believed him, but the conversation shifted to when they needed to arrive at the UN and how they would get there. JD leaned back and let it wash over him.
In a private channel he pinged Wefor. ~So what can I do to knock their socks off and maybe scare them a teeny amount?~
[You never really tested your warrior forms. They are extremely strong as the fibers are shorter and have greater torque. Much like your primates.]
~So what could I do?~
[Many things, but current actions indicate destroying things would not be readily accepted. Jumping or lifting might be more accepted.]
Hmm, that might work.
It only took a few minutes on his phone to get a picture of the interior of the UN and the ready walkways around the room.
~Could I make a leap like this?~ He sent a mental image of the picture via the connection, not positive it would work.
[Easily. That leap would not be difficult, though you will need to make sure you grab the bar so you don't slip. You have not spent enough time in your warrior form to be truly comfortable and judge accurately to land like a cat on that narrow strip.]
The walkway above the auditorium stage had a guard rail.
~So noted. Thanks.~
"Then we will see you at the UN tomorrow. Gentlemen," McKenna said as she rose.
JD pushed himself to his feet hurriedly. ~Did I miss anything? I was talking to Wefor,~ he asked Cass via their channel.
~Just logistics. Be here, wear this, look intimidating. Nothing you needed to hear. She tell you what you needed?~
~We'll see. Tomorrow should be interesting at least.~
The ride home seemed more solemn, but less stressful than the ride from the base to the White House. They discussed tomorrow, but basically none of them were that worried about it, and McKenna was getting very good at show and tell. Though she had arranged for a screen for him to shift behind, and he'd bring his kilt so no dangling genitalia was exposed to anyone. Though Wefor found the entire thing more than a bit ridiculous.
[You only have two types of genitals, between your genders, how can they be so offensive when everyone has one or the other and most adults have seen both sets?]
No one had tried to explain to her, though it kept them snickering most of the way home.
Being greeted at the door by four kids and Carina, who made the house smell of delightful food, made the day much brighter. Having Cass curl up next to him as they watched a movie made it even better.
13
Information
The reaction across the world at the President's speech and then the following bombshell from McKenna Largo has the world reeling. Videos are appearing everywhere with people trying this warrior form and it seems to bear out that all Shifters can support this new form. The que
stion now comes, is it worth it? We have aliens coming towards Earth right now, and no one knows what will happen, but we still need to know, if they attack, what will we do? ~TNN News
JD ignored most of the conversation in the living room. The UN conference and showing off their warrior forms was done, in a few days it would be the press conference telling the world about aliens. This was out of their hands for right now.
Showing off for the assembled ‘important' people had been interesting, but in the end all that mattered was if they took the right message away. In his experience people that high up usually missed the important parts completely and only focused on what wouldn't matter. Changing into warrior form really didn't make any difference in the long run to people. Some of the other aspects, like immortality, could be game changers. But that they could deal with later.
His mind drifted to try to come up with a way to take Cass out again, but right now it didn't seem possible with all the drama going on.
A beep from his phone pulled him back to reality.
*I've got the info you asked for. Sure you want it?*
Joey.
JD's eyes narrowed as he texted back. *Yes. Give it to me.*
A pause, then, *check your email. Be careful with this.*
*Will do. Thanks. Stay safe.*
He closed the text app and pulled up his email. A new one from Joey Tran sat there.
User ID - RKennedy54
Domain - NIPR
IP Login correlations -
A list of three addresses followed, all of them in DC.
Glancing around, he headed outside to the deck. The kids were watching a movie so he didn't need to worry about them accidentally overhearing him.
"JD. Any news?" Anne's voice answered on the first ring.
"Other than politics and what we suspected? Not really. But Kirk will need to start preparing, it's going to be everyone for themselves. There isn't a way to repel them that we can see. If it comes to that."