Invasion

Jonathan noticed something else as they passed through the downtown. The people were all busily interacting and helping each other. Whether it was a passerby aiding a workman unload his tools or a child helping an older person with a parcel, the people were working together. To Jonathan the city resembled a beehive.

Inside the car the argument reached a crescendo with Sheila raising her voice to drown out Pitt.

"Shut up!" Jonathan cried.

To Jonathan's surprise his outburst worked. Everyone looked at him, even Jesse, who was driving.

"This arguing is stupid," Jonathan said. "We have to work together." He tilted his head to the outside. "They certainly are."

Chastised by a teenager, everyone took his suggestion and looked out at the scene around them. They saw what he meant and were sobered.

"It's scary," Cassy said. "They're like automatons."

Jesse turned onto the street where Pitt's cousin's apartment was located. He started to brake when he saw two cars he was certain were unmarked police cars. From his perspective he was sure that they were staking the place out. It was as if they had signs on their car proclaiming it.

"Here's the apartment complex," Pitt said when he noticed Jesse was about to pass by.

"We're not stopping," Jesse said. He pointed to the right. "See those two stripped-down, late-model Fords. Those are plainclothes officers. I'm sure of it."

Cassy stared at the men.

"Don't look!" Jesse warned. "We don't want to attract their attention."

Jesse kept driving.

"We could go to my apartment," Sheila suggested. "But it's a one-bedroom, and it's high-rise."

"I got a better place," Jesse said. "In fact, it is perfect."

Traveling in a caravan of two of Randy Nile's personal Mercedeses, Beau and a group of close aides drove from the institute to the Donaldson Observatory built on top of Jackson Mountain. The view from the site was spectacular, especially on such a clear day.

The observatory itself was as impressive as the location. It was a huge hemispheric dome set directly on top of the rocky pinnacle of the mountain. It was painted a glistening white that was blinding in the bright sunlight. Its dome shutter was closed to protect the enormous reflective telescope housed within.

As soon as the first car came to a stop, Beau hopped out along with Alexander Dalton. Alexander had been a lawyer in his previous life. Veronica Paterson got out from the driver's side of the car. She was still dressed in her skintight spandex outfit. Beau had changed his clothes to a dark print, long-sleeved shirt. He had the collar turned up and the cuffs buttoned at his wrists.

"I hope this equipment is worth this effort," Beau said.

"My understanding is that it is the latest model," Alexander said. He was a tall, thin man with particularly long, spidery fingers. He was currently functioning as one of Beau's closest aides.

The second Mercedes pulled up and a team of technicians got out. They were all carrying their tools.

"Hello, Beau Stark," a voice called.

Everyone turned to see a white-haired man nearly eighty years old standing at an open door at the base of the observatory. His face was creased and creviced like a piece of dried fruit from the intensity of the high-altitude sun.

Beau walked over to the man and shook hands. Then he introduced Veronica and Alexander to Dr. Carlton Hoffman. Beau told his aides that they were meeting the reigning king of American astronomy.

"You're too kind," Carlton said. "Come on in and get started."

Beau waved for his whole team to enter the observatory. They trooped in without a word.

"Do you need anything?" Carlton asked.

"I think we brought the tools we need," Beau said.

The technicians immediately set to work dismantling the giant telescope.

"I'm particularly interested in the prime focus observing capsule," Beau called out to one of the men who had climbed up into the interchangeable end assembly.

Beau turned to Carlton. "Of course you know you're welcome at the institute any time you'd like to come," he said.

"That's kind of you," Carlton said. "I'll be there, especially once you are ready."

"It's not going to be too long," Beau said.

"Stop!" a voice yelled. The sound echoed around inside the domed observatory. The dismantling came to a grinding halt. "What's going on in here? Who are you people?"

All eyes turned to the air lock door. Standing in front of it was a small, mousy man. He coughed violently but continued to fiercely eye the workers who'd taken apart portions of the telescope.

"Fenton, we're over here," Carlton called out to the man. "Everything is okay. There's someone I want you to meet."

The newly arrived individual's name was Fenton Tyler. His position was Assistant Astronomer, and as such, he was the heir apparent of Carlton Hoffman. Fenton cast a quick glance in Carlton's direction, but then quickly looked back at the workers lest they unscrew another single bolt.

"Please, Fenton," Carlton said. "Come over here."