The early summer night felt vibrant and alive as Jennifer Darcy went for her nightly run. She ran listening to music, but never found herself able to put the headphones over her ears. She didn't like feeling deaf to the world. So it played from her headphones like speakers, low and distorted, mingling with the sounds of crickets and cicadas that crawled into the trees in June.

She lived on the outskirts of the city center in a decent two story apartment. Her runs took her through the industrial park on the far side of the city just before you entered suburbia Colorado. She nearly reached the halfway point in her run when it happened: the dark starlit sky over Clearwater Springs turned bright as day as balls of fire streaked across the sky. She stopped running briefly until the sound of one of those fireballs hitting the ground sent a shock wave running up her spine.

The world was ending.

Panicked, Jennifer's first thought was of her father in his home in Cascade Park, not far from where she was currently running. She ran for him.

Behind her, though she was miles away, she could hear the sounds of buildings in the city being destroyed as the meteors struck them down. Her body felt cold.

Please be alive, she prayed. Please be alive!

She rounded the corner onto the industrial park's main avenue and the world was suddenly much warmer. Jennifer only had time to glance as a massive fireball struck the warehouse beside her. The walls of the warehouse were blown out by the force and the shock wave knocked Jennifer across the street. Dazed, she got to her feet and stood staring at the warehouse. Thoughts of her father were forgotten. The flames inside were bright and white hot, but she could see something moving around inside and it snapped her out of her daze.

"Hey!" She screamed and ran towards the warehouse. "Are you okay?" Her hand touched the metal wall and she instantly recoiled. "Get out of there!"

The shadowy figured moved towards her, getting taller and taller as it approached. Fear settled in stomach as the flames parted and a tall, solid yellow...creature... stood looking at her. She turned to run but it caught her wrist. It's skin was smooth as silk and it's grip strong. Instinctively, Jennifer turned to fight and found herself transfixed by it's small black eyes.

She saw a planet, far away and foreign, with a sky burning orange and a landscape scorched and nearly void of life. The life that roamed the desolate planet were mutated (she didn't know how she knew they were mutated but she did) and destroyed any other creatures that came in contact with. She saw un-mutated creatures summoning their strength to travel a great distance... to travel to earth.

In a blink the vision was gone and Jennifer was staring at the face of the creature and she sensed sadness.

"I- well-" she stammered and lights went up all around them. Hummvees and military personnel surrounded them. Their guns were trained on them both.

"Release the girl!" a man shouted. The creature let Jennifer go, and pain suddenly assaulted her mind, causing the world to go white.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jennifer woke up on a cot in a room void of furniture and color. Food waited for her on the floor. She picked it up and the smell made her stomach turn. She only ate the bread and drank the glass of water. Trying to remember what happened caused immense pain and Jennifer wondered if maybe she hit her head on her run. Or maybe someone hit her... Panic started to set in again as flashbacks started creeping up in her mind. She brought her knees to her chest and tried to calm herself. No. She wasn't kidnapped. It couldn't be.

The door opened, and a woman in uniform stepped into the room with two men behind her.
"Jennifer Darcy?" The woman said. Jennifer nodded. "I'm Captain Fisher."
"Where am I?" Jennifer asked. The woman raised an eyebrow.
"You're in Fort Thompson, Miss Darcy. Clearwater Springs. I'm afraid that's all I can do for your right now. I need you to come with me."

The men behind Captain Fisher helped Jennifer to her feet and walked on either side of her through the windowless hallways.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"A room further in the base," Captain Fisher said vaguely. Jennifer scowled. "It came with us with little resistance, but has refused to speak with us unless you're present. We had to wait for you to recover."

"Recover from what exactly? What is it?"

"You tell me Miss Darcy..." Captain Fisher said, "It appears to know you."

A security gate opened before them and at the end of a short hallway was a double door. The men each opened one side and Captain Fisher stepped through with Jennifer behind her. Her eyes grew wide as memories of the previous night flooded back.

"It's you!" she said when she saw the yellow creature. It stood and all the officers in the room raised their weapons.

"Don't shoot!" Jennifer said. Surprised that she was saying it at all. The creature's words appeared in her mind and she found herself saying them with no resistance.

"We brought you the girl," Captain Fisher said. "Now talk."

"We mean you know harm," Jennifer the creature said. "Our name is Favir and we are Hi-Fal'an.

Captain Fisher looked to the girl then back to the creature. "Why are you talking through her? Why not talk to us directly?"

"We do not yet know your language," Jennifer the creature said. "This girl can understand our thoughts."

"Then why are you here? Are you invading?" Captain Fisher asked and Jennifer felt a great sadness in her chest.

"We are refugees who have traveled far looking for this place," she said. "Falstar, our world, is dying. We are afraid that Earth is next."

The interrogation went on for hours until Favir insisted Jennifer had become too exhausted to continue. He was right, once the connection was broken a wave of exhaustion fell over her body and mind.

"We're going to keep you here a few more days until the threat has been determined," Captain Fisher said. "After that you'll be free to go."

"What about the creature?" Jennifer asked. Captain Fisher said nothing. "The government can't cover this up," Jennifer said. "There were too many. There was too much destruction. People know."

"We're not trying to cover anything up, Miss Darcy," Captain Fisher said. "We're trying to protect the American people." She let Jennifer back into her cell. "We'll bring you something to pass the time." Then the door shut behind her. A while later a man in uniform wheeled in an old television on a cart and plugged it in. After he was gone, Jennifer turned it on and sat on the edge of her bed as the news broadcast the sheer magnitude of the situation.

Fireballs were falling all over the world and aliens were crawling out of each one. In some places, military opened fire immediately and to devastating losses. The aliens were powerful, it was obvious as the news cameras filmed one creature, that looked a bit like a green wolf, as it fired needles of green energy from the mane around it's neck. She flicked to another channel: In Shang Hai a blue creature that looked like rocks was lumbering through the center of the city on the run from a tank that was firing missiles at it. When it curled into a ball it deflected missiles entirely. Another channel: Trafalgar Square was burning as several fire balls struck the West End. People ran for their lives as more aliens exited the flames... Jennifer got to her feet. People were staring at the aliens. The aliens were staring back and it looked like...it looked like they were being connected. She placed her hands on the TV and got as close as she could. Yes. She could see it! She could see the energy surrounding them.

"What is happening?" She whispered as the news switched back to Clearwater Springs.

_________________

Ari took a deep breath. The peace and quiet, calm and coolness, of the late evening air rejuvenated her bones and mind. Normally she wouldn't go out this late, but she had been busy, and with all the stress of financial planning she had forgotten herself. With a hike, she could find her peace of mind again. The sky peeked through the mountain ranges, speckled with stars.

The lead resting in Ari's hand tugged; Basco was attempting to scurry down his favourite side trail, instead of the main path. The brittany had been in high spirits all day, playing and jumping. Ari pulled him back instinctively, giving out an assertive, "hey you!". Normally she would take the dogs down that trail, but due to the time of night she felt much more comfortable on the wide, well-groomed gravel path than the more romantic, snaking tracks. She brought Basco to sit by Hollie, the other dog she was walking that evening. Unlike Basco, the golden retriever didn't seem to care where they went. She had always been more cautious and observant. Despite their differing personalities, the two dogs were good walking buddies.

Ari crouched down to be eye-level with the two dogs. She was an awfully lucky person to have gotten her dream job straight out of house school. As her parents said, she had a talent for the business of understanding canines. If only she could do the same for her own kind. A dog expressed exactly what they were feeling with no deceit. People were a lot different. They said things they didn't mean, did things they didn't mean. Sometimes these lies were so obvious, but expected to be ignored. It wasn't that Ari was purely honest at all times either, but lying was difficult to her. She said what she thought in almost a filterless, careless manner. Was it insulting to point out the spinach in one's teeth, or the crookedness of another's nose? It seemed to be.

Hollie Basco wiggled in his place, anxious to begin walking again. Ari dusted off the thighs of her bright orange leggings before lifting into a standing position. "Let's go," she said, giving the two leads a gentle tug. The two dogs complied happily, and Ari decided to increase the pace slightly. Her feet slapped the ground as she went into a pleasant jog, the cool mountain air quickly bringing blood to her uncovered face. the went several paces before both dogs halted with no warning, nearly pulling Ari's arms out their sockets. She turned to find both animals rooted into the ground, hackles raised and fangs bared. Hollie let out a frightened, booming bark, gazing straight into the sky with wild eyes. The bark set off Basco, who began baying and growling. It was as if they had both gone completely wild.
Ari stepped toward them, trying to hide her own fear. What was wrong? Did they see something that she didn't? Perhaps their was a predator around. If so, there was no chance in hell they should be staying put, but her gentle tugs to the leads were fruitless. Her calming voice was ignored, even her hands placed gently on their shoulders were disregarded. The dogs seemed to be completely ignoring her, as if she didn't exist.

Then the sky began burning with the force of a thousand suns. Ari screamed in fear, throwing herself to the ground as if in preparation for an earthquake. The dogs bolted, ripping the leads out of Ari's hands so ferociously that her palms burned. She refused to look up, her face set firmly to the ground, breaths shallow and panicked. So this was how she would die.

Sounds of destruction echoed around her, trees cracking, ground splitting, buildings collapsing. The screams and sirens traveled far out of the city. Her cries joined the ones of those far away. In that moment she felt more alone than she had in her entire life.
Something touched her shoulder.

Ari's body tensed, ready to run to nowhere. She planned a million escapes from the touch, but couldn't leave it. She couldn't even turn around. The sounds of the world became muted, replaced with a deep, musical sigh. She no longer felt the gravel digging into her arms and legs, didn't feel the mustiness of her own captured breath. She was far away.

A new world, orange and scorched, far away yet so close. Life was being leeched from it by beings that were... wrong. Ari longed to escape them by following the beings that were preparing for a journey, far away yet where she was. Earth.

Ari's tears were no longer of fear. They were sobs of great sadness, of destruction and loss. The emotion was so deep and so heavy that she felt like she was drowning.

Ari heard gravel crunching and shouts. The touch receded, and the corners of her consciousness receded into themselves, suddenly falling into an uneasy sleep, with dreams of fire rain and demons.

-

Ari woke in a cold sweat. Everything that had happened still felt like the present, as if she hadn't been laid to rest.
Everything was wrong. Ari wasn't on a gravel path in the mountains, she was on a bed in a plain, nondescript room. she threw off the covers, eyes darting around in fear. She had the same clothes on as she had had in the mountains, which was a small comfort.
The room had no windows, and was painted a mind-jarring white. Ari wasn't claustrophobic, but the room made her skin prickle. A tray of food was lying on the floor. She sat up and headed towards it in a complete daze. All of this was surreal. There was no time to panic, only to eat. She realized her mouth was dry. The water went down her throat in several greedy gulps. The bread was devoured, as was the rest. She hadn't bothered to pick up the tray, instead eating off it like a dog.

Her dogs. They had gone into the woods. Ari's hands burned where the leads had been ripped out of them. She stood up, unable to cry. The door in front of her was white, and heavily reinforced. Like a prison. Her fist slammed into it, pain ricocheting down her arm. Bang, bang, bang. "HEY!" she shouted, her voice loud but disturbingly calm, "HEY! MY DOGS, WHERE ARE MY DOGS?" Basco and Hollie. They were what kept her sane in this situation. If she could just see them, everything would be fine. She slammed at the door until the pain in her arm became unbearable. She switched arms. She would keep banging at the door until it opened, or she died.

_________________

The cool June air dried the clamminess Bruce was feeling after leaving the Sheriff's office in Clearwater Springs or Cosco, a nickname several townies had given their home for its acronym, CS, CO, not the giant box store at the south end of Academy Boulevard.

Bruce had just finished the paperwork for an arrest he made earlier in the evening. He stopped a man on Parkview Boulevard who was obviously operating a motor vehicle while impaired. The man failed three field sobriety exams, he could not speak properly and walking was quite the challenge. His Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was .13%, well over the legal limit in Colorado. The man would have the opportunity to sleep it off at the station tonight.

Bruce hopped into the driver's side and placed his deputy's cap over the passenger side head rest. The 2013 Ford LTD Crown Victoria always had that same smell. Bruce couldn't quite place it. It was the smell of sweat and leather, stale, but pungent. He kept an air freshener, but the smell always seemed to persist.

After patrolling for twenty minutes, he met with Jon Paquette in the parking lot for the Forest Hills Shopping Center. They agreed to have a late dinner at the Mexican Grille. Bruce and Jon always had a thing for Beef Burritos and Tacos. Tonight was definitely a Burrito night. It was a guilty pleasure he could not say no to, especially after having a collar tonight.

"Where you going after dinner?" Bruce asked his friend.

"I'm going to go check out the industrial complex. It is time to do some security checks over there," Jon answered.

"OK. I'm going up into the hills. Check out the Country club and see what's going on up on the trails." Both men had been notified to be on the look out for a white male in his early 40s who was interested in playing with little boys. One of his favorite haunts was Clearwater Forest on the front range of the Rocky Mountains.

"You be safe up there, Ack Ack. Give me a shout if you get into trouble. I'm always listening." Deputy Paquette told his friend. Ack Ack was a nickname Bruce picked up while playing football for Clearwater Springs High School. Jon was the only one who used it with him. The other deputies called him either Bruce or Deputy Ackerman.

"Roger that, Pac-man. Catch you later, bro."

Bruce headed up the mountain toward the trails when he noticed what may have been shooting stars lighting up the night sky. He pulled the LTD Crown Victoria into a parking lot and stepped out. He looked up toward the sky and realized that what at first looked like shooting stars, now looked more like a meteor shower. The difference was this meteor shower began impacting with the mountains, the countryside and the city itself. Chunks of what looked like rock crushed entire buildings in fell swoop, blasting the serenity of the nighttime air into oblivion. Mushroom clouds of fire and smoke shot straight up into the dark sky.

"Holy ****," Bruce muttered to himself. Then he caught wind of his senses and reached for the handset in the cruiser. His initial senses screamed of fear and panic, but a quick realization of his situation and position demanded he do something right now. He attempted to call the dispatch center to tell them what he saw. Before he had a chance to depress the Press To Talk (PTT) button, a bright flash lit up his world. A large object struck his cruiser, flattening it out like a pancake and knocking the seventy inch African American sheriff's deputy into the tree on the far side of the road and into a deep sleep. He had no idea what hit his cruiser.



Bruce woke up some time later. He had no idea what time it was. He was laying on green US Army canvas cot with aluminum framing. He recognized a pillow under his head. His duty belt was missing, including his sidearm, handcuffs, pepper mace, keys, spare ammunition and radio. He was still wearing the tan and brown deputy's uniform. His boots had been removed and were sitting on the floor under the cot. They had a high shine, glass-like spit shine to them.

The room Bruce was in had no other furniture. There were three other cots like his own and the walls were white. A window with blinds and curtains revealed a night sky and a large brick building he could not see past.

Bruce sat up, putting his head into his hands while his elbows rested on his thighs. What the hell happened? he thought to himself.

Almost on cue, the door to his room opened. A female Army officer wearing the rank insignia of a Captain walked into the room. She appeared to have the Rose and Dagger insignia of a Military Intelligence Officer. The two men behind her wore the black helmet liner with the white band and Red, white and blue circle of US Army Garrison on its side. They also wore the black arm brassard over their left shoulders displaying the large white letters, "MP". One of the MPs stood about six foot tall while the other was well over six foot four inches in height. The taller man wore the rank insignia of a Staff Sergeant. Bruce quickly identified the Non Commissioned Officer, who was also an African American and the smaller Private First Class (PFC) who was of Asian descent. His name tag read Nakamura and the NCO's name tag read Curtis.

The Captain extended a hand to shake the confused and groggy Redwood County Sheriff's Deputy. "Deputy Ackerman, My name is Captain Fisher. Something strange happened to you last night. Do you have any memory?"

"Where am I?" Bruce asked almost instinctively, only vaguely recognizing the woman's introduction and question.

"Ft. Thompson, Deputy Ackerman."

Bruce tried to focus on Captain Fisher and the two MPs. Slowly, things became clearer to him. "I remember seeing a meteor shower impact on Clearwater Springs. I must assume that one hit my cruiser. It was hit hard and I was thrown at least twenty feet and knocked out. I also had this weird dream. It was like I was someplace else. On another planet."

"Would you come with us, Deputy?"

"Sure, but I really need to call my Sergeant and let him know where I am," Bruce mentioned.

"There is no need for that. I will explain later." Captain Fisher spoke in very forced controlled words. She refrained from smiling, taking a few steps toward the door. PFC Nakamura and SSG Curtis helped Deputy Ackerman get to his feet.

As the three men and one woman walked down a long corridor, the Captain spoke aloud. "We picked up something near where we found you. It is definitely not of this world and appears to be docile, but we aren't taking any chances."

They passed through a few security doors until they entered a room where a large creature had been chained up to a steel ring in the concrete floor. The beast had a twelve foot long chain preventing it from moving very far. It's broad chest heaved as it breathed a resent-filled breath. It stood passively waiting with discipline. The creature's front feet ended with three long black talon-like claws. It's rear feet were blackened hooves. It had two ten foot long flowing tails emanating from its head like ears that flowed in the air as if they may be quite light or the creature was able to move them on its own.

As soon as Bruce saw the creature, visions, thoughts and sights flooded his memory. It made him freeze in his tracks. He stared wide eyed at the creature who remained motionless. Bruce could see the cruiser get struck by what was apparently this creature's vehicle. His name was Jakir, but Bruce knew that. It was as though he'd known Jukir all his life. Bruce could feel Jukir inside his head. He knew the beast was warm and friendly. He would cause no harm and Bruce began to relax.

"Captain Fisher, Why do you have Jukir chained up?" Deputy Bruce Ackerman asked in an almost demanding tone of voice.

The Military Intelligence Officer peered closely at Deputy Ackerman. She noted the change in his behavior. "Am I speaking to Jukir?" She looked at Jukir, even though the words were coming from Bruce.

"Ah, I see you are aware? no?" Bruce spoke to Captain Fisher.

"Aware? You mean that you have taken over Deputy Ackerman's mind and can speak through him as a conduit?"

"I have not taken over his mind," Jukir spoke through Deputy Ackerman. The creature took a seat, calming down, now that he was able to speak to the Army officer. "Now, would it be possible that we could be released from your captivity? I assure you, we are of no harm to the people of this planet. We came here because the atmosphere was compatible to our own and our planet is no longer inhabitable. I guess you would call us refugees."

Bruce felt the words escape his lips. He had no consciousness of uttering them. He could feel Jukir inside his head and it felt very appropriate. It seemed like this was a normal exchange. It also felt like he was watching the conversation unfold in front of him from some omniscient perspective, peculiar, strange, but also feeling perfectly normal.

_________________

My Characters
My Writing Styles
Galileo Corporation
Modern Wargaming Rules
Bakushima; Fantasy Feudal Japan

Best Days for RPing
Fri - Sun

Doctor Galina Zuyev was having a long day. Her shift had begun, as usual, that morning - but two of her colleagues who were on the next shift called in, there was a car accident and the flu was going around... She'd missed lunch, and by the time dinner would have rolled around she was exhausted.

So exhausted, she didn't register the odd sounds at first, the whooshing noises in the air. What she did notice, however, was the series of crashes and screams in the corridors of the hospital, next to the one she was in. Lina ran toward the sound, stopping dead to see the roof in pieces, the walls and floors now only rubble, fire beginning to lick its way up the remnants, people trapped beneath it all.

Instinct kicked in, and Lina began to pull anyone she could reach away from the spreading flames, desperately trying to save as many as she could before the flames could get too far. She didn't know that other corridors had been hit, other sections on fire, and had nowhere to go once it had surrounded her and the elderly man she'd been trying to rescue. The smoke began to fill her lungs, and coughing, the edges of her vision grayed. The last thing she remembered was a pair of glowing eyes, a sense of safety, and then darkness.



She awoke outside of town, in a rocky cave. The air was clean, and she coughed a few times as she sat up, looking around in confusion. That dream she'd had, that strange place... She shook her head and tried to figure out where she was and how she had gotten there. She began to crawl out of the cave, but was met by a lean, glossy black form with touches of teal edging on her ridges, face, and tail.

"Aspir, where are we?" she asked, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She paused, then. "Wait... how do I know your name? What happened?" Lina's eyes went wide, sitting down, stunned. The vision flooded back to her, suddenly cutting off the need for part of the explanation. Aspir padded into the cave, setting down a bottle of water before her. Lina wondered where she'd gotten it, but her mouth still tasted like smoke and ash, so she drank it down gratefully.

We're just outside of your city, Aspir told her, sitting down at the mouth of the cave. I saw you trying to rescue your patients, and after I pulled you out, I continued to do so with as many as I could reach before the building was destroyed. I'm sorry, I did all I could. Aspir's tone was filled with regret for the destruction that had accompanied her arrival. Lina wrapped her arms around Aspir and hugged her, before they made their way outside of the cave. Lina could see smoke rising from the town, craters nearby. "What do we do now?" she whispered.

_________________

The next morning, Jennifer awoke when the door to her holding cell opened. A MP walked in and placed a tray of food in her lap as she sat up. This time she ate everything.

"Are you letting us out today?" She asked through bites of toast and bacon.
"Us?" The man echoed. Jennifer gulped down some juice.
"Favir and I," Jennifer replied. "We've been here for awhile. Long enough to figure out he's safe."
"How do you know he's 'safe'?" The man asked.
"I don't know," Jennifer admitted. "I feel it. Like how I feel his emotions and know what he's thinking. Something happened to us the other night... some kind of bond. The news captured it on TV: the bond. Well...not MY bond. Some Fal'an bonded on TV in London." She gestured to the old television they'd wheeled into her room.
"And this bond allows you to...what? Hear his thoughts?"
"And sense his presence. It's easier now that the headache wore off. I'm sure there's more to it, but it's like..." Her yogurt spoon hung between her teeth as she thought. "It's like we can see into each other's souls."

The man pulled a notepad out from one of his many pockets and started writing. Suspicion rose in Jennifer's mind.

"Notes for Captain Fisher?" She asked. The man didn't respond. He merely snapped his notepad shut when he seemed satisfied.

"Captain Fisher will be seeing you in an hour," he said. The door closed.

An hour later exactly the door opened and Captain Fisher walked in with the men from yesterday. Friendly faces, Jennifer thought as she followed them out. This time however they stopped to collect two more: a big guy and a mousy girl.

The now large group walked through the corridors until they came to the double doors once again. Captain Fisher presented her ID and they proceeded inside. This time, there were three Fal'an in the room. The other two Jennifer didn't recognize were both quadrupedal and animal-like, with long antennae made of light. One emitted yellow light just like Favir. The other glowed an intensely captivating blue. The creatures were all docile yet Favir had on heavy handcuffs that were chained to the floor and the two beast-like creatures had metal collars around their necks that chained them to the wall. Where they got the equipment big enough to fit around the yellow one's neck, Jennifer would never know.

"We will tell you again, Captain," Jennifer said, though once again it was Favir who spoke through her. The act itself disturbed her, but felt natural. "These restraints are merely a nuisance. They do not hinder our ability to fight." Favir looked to Jennifer.

"These are my orders," Captain Fisher replied. She turned to the officers behind her. "Wait outside."

Once they were alone Captain Fisher suggested Jennifer and the others should sit down.

"Last night the world entered a state of emergency," Captain Fisher said. "The arrival of these...Fal'an... has thrown the world into chaos. People are scared. Peace is...precarious. Some countries are not handling the situation as well as others, but it is apparent that life as we knew it on Earth is over. With the coming changes-"

"Let me stop you for a second Captain," Jennifer said. "Favir is sorry that his people disrupted our planet, but he has no intention of letting them be used as weapons if that's what your getting at next. He wants to save his planet, not help you destroy ours."

"Until we know more, we cannot assume that that is the truth," Captain Fisher said.

"We...wish...protect...Earth," Favir said. Everyone in the room jumped and turned to the alien. His long tail wrapped around Jennifer's waist and she shuddered instinctively but was not afraid. He had no noticeable mouth, but his voice was soothing and deep. "Earth...danger..." She felt his frustration and calmly stroked his tail. Captain Fisher's expression held a unique combination of intrigue and distrust.

"Need humans," Favir continued. "Save Falstar. Save Earth..."

"From what?" Captain Fisher asked.

The energy around Favir vibrated and everyone in the room could feel it: intense anger, sadness, and (most powerful of all) fear.

"Xikufar."

Flashes of death appeared in the minds of those in the room; Fal'an dead in the most horrific ways interspersed with flashes of deep red. Amidst the flashes was a tall creature, all black, with red energy emitting from his rib cage and red eyes that pierced the dark.

The resounding energy faded and Favir sank to his knees. Jennifer felt his exhaustion.

"The Fal'an will fight alongside humans if...no...when...Xikufar gets here. But they do not wish to fight other humans.

Captain Fisher, though she appeared composed on the outside, opened and closed her mouth a few times before deciding no words would come. Someone was trying to stifle their sobs in the hallway.

"I- will pass this information along," Captain Fisher replied at last. "I cannot tell you how that will change the present situation. Do you have any questions for me? I will answer what I can."

_________________

It was hunger that made their decision for them. There really wasn’t anything to eat around the cave, and Lina certainly didn’t intend to start living in the wild. Not when there were patients who would need help. She wouldn’t do anyone any good in the shape she was in, though. Making her way through the streets, Aspir stayed hidden while she made her way home. Once inside, she let her in the back door, still half convinced she was hallucinating. Perhaps she’d hit her head when the hospital had been falling down around her, or maybe she was dreaming and she’d wake up in a makeshift hospital bed of her own.

The first thing she did was take a quick shower, washing away the soot and dirt that covered her. Her clothing she’d been wearing was beyond salvation, so she’d chucked those in the garbage as soon as the door was closed. The shower helped clear her mind, at least, and it was a relief not to be constantly smelling smoke. She pulled on jeans, a t-shirt, and hiking boots when she was finished, hoping she was prepared for… Well, for whatever was happening. Going into the kitchen, it still took her a couple of minutes debating with herself whether she really was seeing an alien creature, who spoke to her in her mind, in the room.

“Are you hungry?” Lina asked when she gave up trying to figure it all out for the moment. If she was hungry, she needed food. If she was hallucinating, she still needed food. If this was all a weird dream, having dream food wouldn’t harm anything. At least, that’s what she told herself as she pulled out tofu and veggies for stir fry and got the rice cooker going.

”I’ll have a little of what you’re making, if you have enough,” Aspir answered, staying out of the way. It was just as well, Lina’s small kitchen wouldn’t easily accommodate the both of them in it. Soon they were both eating, and Lina listened to sirens outside, occasional exclamations of her neighbors, and wondered what she’d gotten herself into. She had just finished eating when there was a knock on her door, and it opened. Her head still spinning, she and Aspir didn’t resist as they were loaded into a truck and taken to the same military post others who had bonded with Fal’an had found themselves in, locked in a room, waiting to find out what was going on. If this was a hallucination, at least it was an interesting one, she thought.

_________________