A Small Gray Dot

Madison hopped down from her big black SUV along with Buster and her other guards. She was dressed all in black leather – a stylish jacket full of zippers and studs, designer pants, and high-heeled boots. A black shoulder purse and a black leather tam under which she’d stuffed her hair completed her outfit. She wore no make-up and her face looked drawn, but she looked good.

Lowell and Simon emerged from Simon’s rusty pick-up truck. I smiled. Cue was with them. They were carrying assault rifles and bags that no doubt held their ammunition. Simon was wearing the sword he said he’d picked up in Japan years ago. That was Simon, always prepared for anything. They came up the walkway together. Along with a sawed-off shotgun, I noticed Cue was holding a machete. He grinned when he saw me eyeing the wicked looking weapon.

“My favorite mojo, Tenn,” he said holding it up.

I chuckled. Whatever worked.

“Well, we’re here, son,” said Simon. “What’s the plan?”

I introduced them to the doctor, and gave them a quick run-down while the doctor went to speak to the crowd.

“I have something that will take out the laser they have, and the shield. I believe it will also negate the thing that holds the anomaly open, something the doctor calls a wedge. It’s on the company grounds and I have to get within five feet of it. I’m going to need help making my way there. What I need you to do, Simon, is to give everyone the basics. These folk you see walking in, well, they don’t know about the aliens so they’re going to have to be convinced. There’s a body in the trunk of the doctor’s car. Give them a glimpse of that. That ought to get them going. Once they’re over their shock, get them organized into groups.”

He nodded. “Will do.” He turned and gazed out over the still assembling crowd. He smiled. “Piece of cake, son. And, the doctor’s trunk isn’t the only thing holding one of those bastards. Got three in the back of my pick-up. I thought somebody else might need convincing so I came prepared.” He grinned. “Grenades are too hard to come by, so I also got some Molotov cocktails on the back of the truck. That’s what took so long for us to get here, had to get those going.”

“Uh, will those do much good? The buildings are bound to have sprinklers.”

“Sure they will, son. Even with sprinklers, the cocktails still make a lot of smoke, and if nothing else, the sprinklers will put a kink in things. Don’t you worry, they’ll work just fine.”

I nodded. If he said it would work, I’d take his word for it. He’d been in a hell of a lot more fights than me.

Terry came trotting down the sidewalk. The kid looked tired but triumphant.

“I got to every house, Mr. Murray!” He looked around, and nodded. “Some of ‘em done already got here.”

“Yes, they have. You did a good job, Terry,” I said. “Now get inside and tell one of the guys to get you something to eat and drink. Then you need to rest, son.”

“Yes, sir.” He slipped between Madison and Simon and went inside.

I explained who he was and what he’d done. Simon shot a look toward the door.

“Brave kid. He deserves a reward,” he said.

I agreed but rewards were going to have to wait.

The doctor came back up and I explained that Simon was going to get everyone organized. He nodded and we went inside with Madison. Lowell and Buster followed us in.

“Where is she?” asked Madison her eyes worried.

“Follow me, Ms. Effingham,” said the doctor. “I’ll show you where you can leave your coat and I’ll take you to her. She’ll be waking up soon and I’ve prepared something for the headache and nausea she’s going to have. It’ll make her sleepy, but I promise you, she’s going to be all right.”

Madison shot me a raised eyebrow as they went up the stairs and I gave her a reassuring smile.

In a few minutes, the doctor came back down without her.

“She was waking up and in a lot of pain so I gave her the medicine. Her sister insisted on staying with her for now.”

I nodded. I understood. Morgan was the only family she had left. She was going to make damned sure she was okay above all else.

Lem, Duncan, and Percy emerged from the livingroom and after brief introductions, they went outside after I explained that Simon was organizing everyone into groups.

I was loading my weapons and checking to make sure everything was in place when the doctor said, quietly, “Tennessee, you realize that this could fail.”

I paused, studying him. “I know, Doctor, but we have to try.”

He looked at me keenly. “What I mean is, you are depending too much on a device at which we’re only guessing the true function.”

I stared at him, my mind blank because I’d thought we had learned the true function.

Chapter Thirty-nine

I PULLED OUT THE CANCELER AND HELD IT UP.

“According to the instructions, this will not only take down the shield and lasers, but we found the third switch which must shut down the wedge. How can it not be for that – those Binqua guards died trying to take it from me! Are you telling me it won’t work for any of that?”