The Invasion

Julie is enjoying an intimate moment with her wife when the alarm on her phone goes off, when she tries to get up Amelia pulls her back down, “You aren’t clocking out yet lover girl.”

Julie turns off the alarm, “Perish the thought mi amor.” and resumes what she’s doing.

The DJ stops the music on KKJZ as they are getting in the shower, “We interrupt the music with an emergency news bulletin. Some kind of craft from space have entered the earth’s atmosphere and landed near major cities around the globe. We will have more information as we get it.”

Julie looks at Amelia, “Holy fuck, I wasn’t expecting them this soon.”

“Oh damn, I think your reports caught their attention.”

“It seems that way, hopefully they’re not hostile.”

Amelia gets in the shower and turns it on, “Either way there’s nothing we can do about it now. Let’s clean up.”

Julie joins her, as they are washing each her phone rings and goes to voicemail. After showering she sees a missed call from her brother. She listens to his frantic message about the alien landings, repeating that they need to turn on the news.

While Julie starts breakfast Amelia turns on CNN, there’s a video from Washington D.C. of an odd, beetle looking vehicle, with curved surfaces, using what looks like a huge purple laser to obliterate The White House. The video switches to the UK, and a similar scene at The House of Parliament.

As videos show most of the world’s government buildings getting destroyed Amelia whistles, “We’re not dealing with ET or Close Encounters lover girl, what’s the plan?”

A shocked Julie slowly replies, “Let’s call Jimmy first.”

When her phone rings again, she puts her brother on speaker, “Holy Independence Day sis, the world seems to be fucked.”

Amelia takes over, “What’s the plan Jimmy? Julie’s kind of out of it.”

He runs his fingers through his hair, “Carry on like normal I guess? This shit’s as new to me as it is to you. Maybe call Jerry, see if he’s okay?”

Julie stammers, “Can you meet us in my office Jimmy? I’m worried and scared.”

“Do I need to pick you up?”

Amelia replies, “I can drive us both in the Jeep, be careful.”

He laughs, “When am I ever not careful? Never mind, don’t answer that. Let me gather up some gear and I’ll be on my way.”

Julie thanks him as she disconnects the call, “He’s the best. Let’s go.”

“What about breakfast?”

“I lost my appetite.”

Amelia holds Julie tight, “I’m not gonna lie and say everything is going to be okay, because I don’t know if it will be, but I will be with you until the end lover girl. Oh, we might want to get dressed before we go outside.”

Julie lets out a nervous giggle, “Good idea.”

Amelia packs a small ice chest with snacks and drinks before they take Julie’s Jeepster to the studio. As she drives she notices several plumes of smoke in the distance. Julie sets the radio to KNX to listen to the news.

In addition to the ground vehicles, which the announcer calls roaches, the aliens have also deployed aircraft that look slightly like A-10 Warthogs. The National Guard is en route to Los Angeles to engage the aliens and attempt to restore order from the pandemonium.

A low flying flight of twelve V-22 Ospreys with USMC markings rattle the small Jeep as they pass over it. Amelia starts singing America, Fuck Yeah while wildly waving out the window. Julie giggles and joins in on the song.

Julie’s phone rings through the Bluetooth aftermarket stereo, “The roads are a mess sis, where are you and how’s the drive?”

“We just hit the 101 and a bunch of planes just buzzed us.”

Amelia yells, “Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children are on the way to save the day! America! Fuck yeah!”

“They must be out of Pendelton, A flight of Ospreys is heading towards LA from Port Hueneme as well. I wonder what Edwards has in the air.”

Julie shrugs, “I have no idea, but the aliens have aircraft as well as the roaches.”

“Roaches? What do you mean?”

“Their vehicles look like beetles and the radio guy called them roaches.”

Jimmy chuckles, “I like that name, be safe and I’ll see you guys soon.”

“Love ya little brother, see you in a bit.”

A mixed flight of F-15s, F-22s, and F-35s, out of Edwards Air Force Base, are traveling towards the Hollywood Burbank airport just below the speed of sound to engage the alien aircraft that are systematically destroying the airport to make room for their mother ship to land.

Upon sighting the aliens, two F-15s peel off of the group to engage them. When the planes are in range the lead plane releases an AIM 120 radar guided missile. As the missile closes on it’s target a glowing ball of energy erupts from it, obliterating the missile. The second F-15 targets a different alien craft with the same result. Ten of the aliens break off from clearing the airport to engage the fighter planes.

The planes separate into groups of two as they go after the aliens, one of the F-35s gets into cannon range, a short burst from it’s GAU 22/A 25mm cannon takes down one invader before an energy ball from another alien craft hits the cockpit, electrocuting the pilot. The human planes are no match for the alien technology and are all quickly dispatched.

Julie looks horrified as the new announces the destruction of the American planes, “Why are they doing this? What do they want? How can we stop them?”

Amelia shakes her head, “I don’t know, but we sent our best planes and lost.”

Julie moves closer to Amelia, “You know how I feel about speeding? Punch it.”

Amelia pats Julie on the knee as she floors the throttle, “Here we go.” The little Jeep gets squirrely as it’s pushed to it’s limits.

Jimmy uses an app he created to watch the news on his infotainment center. He shakes his head as he watches the air force planes get shot down. He does note that they did shoot down one of the alien craft. Losing patience with traffic he pulls into the passing lane, activates his strobe lights & siren, hits the gas and goes.

When a California Highway Patrol officer tries to pull him over he pulls out his phone, “911, what’s your emergency?”

“My name is James Adams, I am a special contractor for The Department of Homeland Security, one of your officers is attempting to stop me. We are in the middle of a national emergency, and I need him in front of me, not behind me.”

“Mister Adams, this is a most unusual request, what is your location?”

“I am on the 101 south approaching Thousand Oaks, feel free to patch the officer into this call. I am on my way to The Griffith Observatory for an important briefing.”

“One moment please.” She puts Jimmy on hold as two CHP motorcycles appear behind him.

With a shrug he keeps going. One of the motorcycle cops pulls up on his left side and points to the shoulder. Jimmy holds up his DHS badge and ID. The cop looks confused and points at the shoulder again. Jimmy shakes his head and reaches in his duffel bag for his emergency radio. He hits scan on the radio and hears the 911 dispatcher talking to who he assumes is the cop in the Ford.

He keys his mic, “This is James Adams in the Rezvani, I need an escort to The Griffith Observatory NOW! This is a matter of national security. Over.”

“This is Officer Hector Gonzales, you need to pull over and present your identification sir. Over.”

“Dispatch, my Department of Homeland Security ID number is SCE 973 dash 15367 dash 794258, figure it out. Out.”

He stomps the throttle unleashing the full thousand horses from the Demon under the hood. The rear of the Tank squats down as it accelerates down the freeway. Ignoring the squawks from his radio he disconnects the call with the dispatcher to listen to the news.

Glancing at the screen he sees the alien aircraft methodically flattening buildings at the Hollywood Burbank Airport on both sides of the runways, including the iconic Jay Leno’s Garage. Shuddering at the thought of all the historic vehicles destroyed he returns his attention to the road.

At Encino Jimmy calls Julie again, “Where you at sis?”

Amelia answers, “We’re just getting to the studio, where are you?”

“Passing through Encino, give me ten minutes.”

Julie replies, “That’s a thirty minute drive little brother.”

He laughs, “Not for me, not today. See you in ten.”

Amelia chuckles, “Jimmy has the need for speed today.”

“Just a little, see you soon.”

Amelia parks the Jeep and walks to the main door with Julie. Her boss, Jonas is at the door signing people in, “Julie, you look like crap, why are you here today?”

Amelia gets between them, “She’s here to do her job, and I’m here to make sure nobody bothers her, got it?”

“There are easier ways to get fired Amelia, in case you forgot I AM your boss.”

She stares down at him, “Oh I didn’t forget, I don’t know if you noticed but the world has been invaded by aliens. Today my wife is my first priority.”

He lowers his voice, “Don’t fuck with me or I can assign you to parking lot patrol just like that.” He snaps his fingers, “do you got it?”

She matches his voice, “You really don’t want to get into a pissing contest with me today boy, I will flat out fuckin’ drown you.”

Jimmy steps to the side of Amelia, “What’s going on? Who is this clown?”

“Hey Jimmy, the clown is my current boss, but that may be changing soon.”

Jonas looks at Jimmy, “What business do you have here?”

Jimmy produces his ID, “I have a very important meeting with the reporter who broke the alien story. It’s a matter of national security.”

Jonas stares at the ID, “This is most unusual, I was not informed about this.”

Jimmy laughs, “That’s because this is above your pay grade, step aside and stand down. I know the way to her office. In fact I will escort her and her guard detail to her office.”

“Wait, I never authorized a guard detail, who is it?”

Jimmy points at Amelia, “Don’t worry about it, you’ll have the paperwork before we leave this afternoon.”

Gathering up the women Jimmy leads them to the elevator, Jonas yells, “Hey, this is a weapon free facility, you need to leave your gun with me.”

At the elevator Jimmy winks at Amelia, “Watch this.” Turning back to Jonas he exclaims, “Excuse me? Did you just ask for my gun? I should arrest you for attempted grand theft of a firearm, and attempted theft of government property, both are felonies you know.”

Jonas gawks, “You can’t do that, I never touched your gun. I never even saw your gun.”

Jimmy pulls out his Guncrafter Industries Model 4 and aims it at Jonas, “Hands on the back of your head, you are under arrest. Ms. Lopez can you please cuff him for me?”

Amelia takes out her hand cuffs, “With pleasure Agent Adams.” She quickly cuffs her boss whispering, “I told you today was not the day for a pissing contest cabron.”

On the fifth floor Jimmy takes Jonas into the men’s room, cuffing him to the hand rail in the handicap stall, before using his multi-tool to latch the door, “Don’t even think about calling for rescue, that would be two more felonies. Just play with your phone and behave.” He leaves the bathroom before Jonas has a chance to reply.

In Julie’s office they sit on the couch. Tears roll down Julie’s cheeks, “This is all my fault, if I hadn’t aired those segments the aliens wouldn’t have attacked the world.”

Jimmy puts an arm around her, “Hush sis, we have no idea when they planned on attacking. Judging from the videos, they weren’t coming here to sell Girl Scout cookies.”

Amelia nods, “None of this is your fault lover girl. We can’t even blame Jerry, all he did was find the aliens on the dark side of the moon.”

Julie sighs, “So now what? What do we do? What’s going to happen? The world governments are in shambles.”

Jimmy shakes his head, “I don’t know, but I do know that armor piercing rounds can take down their planes. I would love to get my hands on one though, the tech in them is incredible.”

The building’s alarm system goes off as they are talking, Jimmy darts to the window and looks out, “Holy fuck, two of their roach vehicles are outside.”

The sound of a muffled explosion gets Amelia’s attention, “What the fuck are they doing now?”

Jimmy shakes his head, “I don’t know, Amelia go release your boss, we’re taking the back stairs out.”

On the way to the stairs Amelia slides Jonas his keys, “You’re on your own asshole.”

The trio take the fire stairs down to the first floor, in the lobby are three large, purple aliens with three fingers on each hand pointing what appear to be weapons at the people huddled in the corner.

One of the aliens speaks slowly, “Somebody will lead us to the broadcaster, you will send our message to the world. This will be done now.” Pointing at a woman he continues, “You will do this for us.”

She responds, “I do makeup, I don’t know anything about a broadcaster.”

The alien gestures at her, “Show them.”

One of the other aliens pulls her away from the group, shoves her towards the main door, and uses it’s weapon. A thick beam of purple light ignites the woman, filling the room with the stench of burning flesh and clothing.

One of the men points to another man, “He works on the broadcaster, he can help you.”

The lead alien points at him, “You will take us to the broadcaster and help us, or join that one.” He points at the smoldering corpse.

Amelia draws her concealed 9mm pistol, and shoots at the leader, the alien’s black outfit stops the bullet, which drops to the floor, “Oh fuck me.”

One of the aliens steps forward and slams a fist into her stomach. She falls to the floor struggling to catch her breath. Julie rushes to her side, sits, and pulls Amelia onto her lap, “No no no no no no.”

Amelia reaches up and strokes Julie’s face, “Sorry lover girl, I tried to do my job.”

Tears stream down Julie’s face as she responds, “You did your job mi amor, catch your breath, and we can go home.”

Amelia slowly shakes her head, as she speaks blood bubbles burst on her lips, “Not this time, something broke.”

Julie wails, “Jimmy, we need to get her to the hospital now.”

Jimmy kneels beside his sister, “We can try.”

Amelia looks up at her wife, “I love you Julie.” Her hand drops down as the life leaves her body.

Julie lunges for Amelia’s fallen pistol, but Jimmy grabs her, “Not here, not now, we need to go.”

Julie glares at the backs of the aliens as they take the tech away to the broadcast room and whispers, “You’re going to die you bastards.”

Jimmy scoops up the pistol, and gets Julie to her feet, “Come on sis, we need to go before they come back.”

In the parking lot Jimmy tosses the pistol on the back seat as he gets Julie settled in, “Be chilly sis, I love her too.”

The drive back is mostly uneventful, the roads are full of military convoys. Jimmy avoids the road leading to the airport, opting for small highways and surface streets instead. Julie sits quietly, the loss of her precious Amelia weighing heavy on her heart. Five years of love and affection taken away by a single punch from an alien bastard.

With a mug of high caffeine espresso in hand Jimmy attempts to hack into the broadcast center to stop the alien message telling the people to comply, and not to attempt to stop the take over. The system isn’t accessible from the outside.

He spends the next few hours crafting a video to replace the one the aliens are broadcasting around the world. With the video uploaded onto a laptop he contacts a friend who designs software and hardware for the broadcast industry.

He does manage to find an older map of the ABC broadcast studio that shows where the transmit hub is located. He finishes his takeover program shortly before dawn. Julie sits up on the couch with a start, “It wasn’t a dream?”

He sadly shakes his head, “No, but I have a laptop that needs to go into the access tunnels under the studio and get plugged in. It’s a call to arms for the human race.”

She gives him a sad smile, “If it kills even one of them I will do it for Amelia.”

“It may very well be a one way trip sis.”

“I don’t care, I need to do this.”

He sighs, “We leave at noon then.”

Jimmy naps while Julie makes brunch. Raiding his closet she dresses in black jeans, and a black long sleeve henley under a black hoodie. With the laptop in a backpack on the back seat they head back to Studio City. In the parking lot Julie’s Jeep looks like a tank ran into it.

With tears in her eyes she grabs the backpack, Amelia’s pistol, and heads into the the rear entrance of the studio to access the tunnels under it.