Capture
Moletown Command Post, May 13, 2046 -- 1:38 p.m.
"Moletown Six, Capture Six. Please respond with a SitRep. Rick, do you read me?"
"Capture Six, Moletown Six. I read you five-by-five. Mary is currently en route to the surface wearing an activated target vest. Robby and Cindy have locked themselves in Thor Control and I anticipate the imminent launch of a Mjolnir. I have ordered a full turnout of the Capture Team. Suggest you assume primary control ASAP."
"Moletown Six assumes primary control now. Alert Status 1 set. Launching Tri-D drones. Command Post of the First designated secondary. Rick?"
"Yes Mandy?"
"Get that sucker for Paul and Mary. Moletown Six clear."
"That is my intention. Capture Six clear."
1:42 p.m.
"Capture Six. Mjolnir launched. Repeat, Mjolnir launched."
"Copy your last. Capture Team readiness is one hundred percent. Capture Six standing by."
1:45 p.m.
"Capture Six. The Slug is down. Repeat. The Slug is down. The point of impact is the north side of the highway ramp above the MAX tracks just west of Preposition Pass at the entrance to the Sunset Transit Center. Upon impact it began to flicker and suddenly reverted in form to the original cylindrical package used by the Z-RETS to produce the Slugs. Dispatch the rail borne elements of the Capture Team now."
"Copy your last. Rail borne units are now en route to the crash site. Request status of the Slug's crew."
"Status of the Slug's crew is presently uncertain. The Tri-D drones are converging on the crash site. A brilliant red glow suggests that an explosion of the Slug's core unit may be imminent. Tri-D view now shows some human remains lying near the core unit. No sign of . . Wait one . . Yes! We can see a Bug. It is . . The core just blew . . Smoke and dust currently obstruct camera view. We are maneuvering a Tri-D drone into position for an oblique view . . . Yes! A Bug is down on the north side of the Max rail bed. It may be in a comatose state and seems to have several broken leg segments. Request your ETA."
"I can see the smoke column now. We will arrive on the site within two minutes. Request guidance regarding human remains."
"Do not approach the crash site. With luck, the Z-RETS will assume the Bug burned up with the Slug. Imperative you leave no trace of your presence. Copy that Capture Six?"
"Copy your last. We have the Bug in sight and can reach it with our hydraulic boom. Order the recovery helicopters to stand down. Has SENTCOM reported any signs of enemy response?"
"They have reported a sudden flurry of activity at the Superdome. Get that Bug on the Donkey as quick as you can."
"Roger your last. We have attached the anesthetic pads and excised the Bug's antennae. We will lift the Bug when the sling straps are in place."
1:52 p.m.
"Attention Moletown. Attention Moletown. Set Condition Red. Repeat, set Condition Red. An immediate Z-RET attack is likely."
"Moletown Six to Capture Six. SENTCOM reports that a Buzzard just lifted at the Superdome. ETA is twelve minutes on my mark. Mark! If your team cannot complete its mission and reach the tunnel portal within seven minutes, divert to the secondary capture facility in Aloha. Drone recall initiated and close monitoring of the crash site discontinued. Report your progress."
General Ayers jumped off the rail car to help his team with the sling straps. He then grabbed the hand laser and burned off the creature's two, badly broken legs after noting that the team's effort to save the legs was delaying the lift.
"Capture Six. Do you copy?"
At the General's command they lifted the captive and positioned it on the self-propelled, mobile frame commonly known as the Donkey. Rick climbed aboard after tossing up the Bug's excised parts and ordered the rail car into motion as the capture team began strapping the Bug to the Donkey.
"Capture Six? Capture Six? Do you copy?"
Thor Control, 1:53 p.m.
As he pounded on the windowed door to Thor Control, the sudden appearance of Cindy's horror-drawn visage as she peeked out over a control console shattered Brian's composure. Upon recognizing her father, she quickly ran to the door and unlocked it. As Brian reached out to comfort his emotionally traumatized daughter, she grabbed his hand and with surprising strength forcibly led him to Robby. Robby was quietly sitting on the floor while supporting his badly injured right hand with his left. He was crying silently and appeared to be completely oblivious to his surroundings.
Brian's concern grew as he examined Robby's hand without observing any reaction that indicated Robby was aware of his presence. Cindy responded to his glance in her direction with, "After he launched the Mjolnir, he kept hitting the launch button. I finally made him stop, but now he will not talk to either Chrys or me. Daddy, I think Robby wants to die."
1:54 p.m.
"I copy. We have our captive on the Donkey and will enter the west Portal within two minutes. Advise Doctor Vester that I burned off two of the Bug's legs just below the first joints. We are applying the sealant paste to its wounds now and the Donkey's monitor is active. Are you receiving the data feed from the monitor?"
"Doctor Vester copied your last. Wait one on the monitor feed."
1:56 p.m.
"Moletown Six. We just entered the western portal and our captive is resting quietly."
"Oregon Six to Capture Six. Welcome news Rick! Doctor Vester reports that the data feed suggests that our Bug will likely survive its capture. Congratulations are in order for you and the entire Capture Team. Oregon Six clear."
"Tom. We owe our success to the bravery of Mary Jordan. I will always remember watching Mary fire that vest and hearing her last words. I have never witnessed such a courageous act of love and compassion. She will always be this soldier's hero. Capture Six clear."
2:04 p.m.
"Tom. The Tri-D camera on the roof of the Saint Vincent Medical Center building has a Buzzard in view. It is holding a stationary position directly above the crash site at an altitude of approximately one hundred meters."
"If you believe in the power of prayer Mandy, you will never have a better time to put your belief to the test. The psychological profile derived from monitoring the Bugs in the Superdome suggests a total lack of concern for the well being of their compatriots. However, the Bugs have always responded violently to previous attacks without regard to their effectiveness."
"Look! They are blasting the crash site with energy beams. By the time they finish, nothing will be left but a pile of slag."
"Nor any evidence of our attack on the Slug. Tactically speaking, the Bugs just blew it. I think they failed to recognize that hostile action was responsible for the Slug's destruction. They strike me as tactical neophytes despite the fact they have effectively employed an advanced technology against us."
"Tom, I think they are leaving. Yes! They are gone."
"It seems they are. I will be in my quarters writing a commendation for Mary Jordan should you need me."
2:15 p.m.
"Attention Moletown. Stand down from Condition Red. We have just achieved a great victory at a terrible cost. Paul and Mary Jordan are dead. After a Slug popped Paul at the zoo, Mary permitted the Slug to pop her as well after donning a device that enabled us to destroy it. The subsequent explosion killed both of them instantly and brought the Slug down just east of the Sunset Transit Center. The Capture Team managed to secure a captive and deliver it to the Monkey House.
"Moments later, a Buzzard appeared over the crash site and destroyed the remnants of the Slug soon after its arrival. The Buzzard then departed the area leaving us to believe that the Z-RETS remain unaware of Moletowns existence. A detailed report of these events will appear in a special edition of the Moletown Times tomorrow. Moletown will remain in Alert Status One until further notice."
Sixty-second Medical Group, Emergency Care, -- 5:43 p.m.
As Brian returned the phone to its cradle he said, "Be patient Cindy. Doctor Lee is on her way out to see us now."
Doctor Lee entered the waiting room and embraced Cindy as she reached for Brian's hand. After taking a deep breath to regain her composure, she said, "I cannot believe that Paul and Mary are gone. They were such wonderful people. We have taken care of Robby's hand and Newton and Chrys are with him now. He wants to go home and became quite angry when I told him he would have to spend the night here."
"Can he come home with us Doctor? I do not think he should be alone now."
"Cindy, I agree completely. I will release him if he agrees to stay with your family."
"He will. Can I see him now?"
"I think so, but, let me check with Newton first. I will return in a few minutes."
Brian and Mandy's quarters -- 7:05 p.m.
"Robby, are you sure you don't want something to eat? We have some more roast be . . . er, or I can fix you a grilled cheese sandwich. You always liked my grilled cheese sandwiches."
"No thanks Mandy. I would like to go home now. I feel very tired."
"Robby, we cannot let you stay alone tonight. I will set up the sofa bed in the living room for you. You will find it to be quite comfortable."
"That will not be necessary Father. Robby will be sleeping with me tonight." Cindy turned to her mother and said, "Isn't that right Mother?"
Though clearly startled, Mandy suddenly realized that yesterday's child was now a determined young woman seeking her mother's support. Sensing that Brian was going to object, she grabbed his arm while saying, "As you wish Cindy. Your father and I will be at my office for the next hour or so in case you need us. Otherwise, we will see you and Robby at breakfast."
Breakfast -- 6:43 a.m.
As Robby and Cindy joined Mandy in the dining nook for breakfast, the transparency of her feigned nonchalance cast an oppressive pall over their gathering. While looking at Robby, Cindy rolled her eyes up in exasperation prompting Robby to reach out for Mandy's hand. Though startled by the mature nature of Robby's gesture, Mandy took comfort from his look of concern for her distress.
"Cindy and I share a profound love that we would never tarnish with the premature consummation of our relationship merely to cope with our emotional anguish. Years ago, we established a telepathic rapport that permitted us to come to terms with our most turbulent emotions and desires while sharing a mental intimacy beyond portrayal. Last night, as I faced the abyss of despair, Cindy held me close and sang to me as my mother did when I experienced the painful taunts of the other children regarding my unusual appearance. I am very grateful that you and Brian permitted Cindy to comfort me through a very difficult night.
"Now, I am going to move into the bachelor quarters and join in the battle against the Z-RETS. My late father was the first to call me Robby and I would like him to be the last. Please address me as Robert now that fate has dealt me the obligations of adulthood."
Moletown conference room, May 14, 2046 -- 8:57 a.m.
Robert and Mandy were the last to arrive for the meeting of the Tactical Planning Committee. General Cassidy quickly concluded the opening formalities and turned the podium over to Doctor Vester.
Doctor Vester activated the comweb link to the Monkey House and said, "Bring the Bug up on monitor one and set the Donkey on a one turn per minute rotation to the left. Doctor Wright's Donkey adjusted to the physical parameters of our captive like a tailor-made suit and the entire suite of robotic attendants are working perfectly. The straps holding the Bug on the Donkey have rendered it immobile while the adaptability of the Donkey gives us access to every square centimeter of the Bug's anatomy. We will now attempt to discover the current level of the Bug's telepathic ability by bringing a volunteer into its presence.
"Bring Mr. Grout up on monitor two." The image of an elderly, heavy-set individual sporting a shabby mustache snapped into view on the second of the two, Tri-D monitors flanking the podium. He occupied a self-propelled wheelchair and was rocking out to an unheard tune played on an ancient Sony Walkman. After Doctor Vester's fruitless vocal attempts to get his attention, someone removed the volunteer's earphones permitting the Doctor to ask, "Mr. Grout, are you still prepared to face the Z-RET?"
"Maybe you should ask that damn Bug if it is ready to face me. Besides, after spending a lifetime counting brown trout for the Unified Sewerage Agency, an old bonehead like me isn't afraid of any Bug. You did say you had it tied up?"
"Yes, it cannot harm you physically. However, it can probably harm you mentally. In fact, it may even have the power to kill you."
"I haven't had my '55 T'Bird on the road since the Bugs came and seriously doubt I will live long enough to see them dead. Way I see it, I don't have anything to lose. Let's do it!"
"Okay Mr. Grout, here we go. Just remember to remain strapped in the wheelchair. It will take you into the Bug's chamber and bring you out by remote control. Keep the buttons pressed with your thumbs. We will bring you out immediately should you release either of them. Good luck Mr. Grout and thank you for volunteering to help us. Send Mr. Grout through the baffles and split screen two with the route progress diagram. Split screen one with the neural monitor readouts."
Turning to the Committee Doctor Vester said, "We are monitoring the Bug to learn when it detects the presence of Mr. Grout as his chair wends its way through the labyrinth leading to the confinement chamber. When the Bug detects Mr. Grout, we expect to see spikes in the neural traces displayed on the lower half of the monitor. We validated the performance of the neural monitor earlier by using the robotics to apply a variety of stimuli to the captive.
"We have raised the atmospheric pressure of the chamber to create a positive outflow that will prevent the bug from detecting Mr. Grout through olfaction. Also, before we ensconced the Z-RET in its new abode, we activated a broad-spectrum noise generator that will serve to mask the sound of Mr. Grout's approach.
"The route progress diagram shows Mr. Grout must negotiate five, ninety-degree turns before reaching the confinement chamber. Each turn reduces the thickness of the solid concrete separating him from the Bug by a full meter.
"Stop the chair. Mr. Grout, can you hear me?"
"Yes, I can. Why have you stopped the chair?"
"Our instrumentation suggests that the Bug has detected your presence while three meters of concrete remain between you and the Bug in a line-of-sight route to its chamber. This suggests that its current mental powers greatly exceed our expectations. Do you wish to reconsider your mission?"
"Hell no. Get on with it Doctor. Just honor your commitment to send me on to the Promised Land if the Bug turns me into a vegetable."
The chair bearing Mr. Grout entered the chamber and approached the Bug without eliciting a reaction from the captive. As the chair approached the front of the Bug, it attempted to extend its stinger beyond the clear plastic muzzle that restrained it. The two bitter enemies quietly confronted each other for a few moments until Mr. Grout seemingly dredged out the bottom most recesses of his lungs and spit on the bug. Seconds later, his body thrust forward with a force that sundered the straps holding him in the chair and he fell to the floor, dead.