follow each wire to double check and make sure I’m not wrong about this, then in a cautious tone share the cause for my daily paranoia.
“My worries begin when the project’s reached a full month of development here. I realize from close observations that I’ve become a person of interest, and deduce the attention’s from leaving the system running. Unmarked, all-black Lincoln Continentals troll the area, their back bumper decaled with an identification code, and different drivers monitor the shop.
“Anxious my project’s at risk, I build a second, smaller and more basic device that produces the same signal, leaving it out for the snooping suits to find.”
Noticing Mr. Gentry’s newly found interest, I pause from the story, to direct full focus on initiating a diagnosis of Sleigh. Then I resume and elaborate on further troubles.
“Suspicions elevate when I notice things in my work area out of place. A greater concern comes when I find complicated steps needing to be tasked, complete when I return. Using recording devices from my collection of parts, I listen to shuffling noises as I’m out on errands.
“At this point I need to see what’s going on. Memory disks used in hidden motion cameras are mysteriously erased when I check the video recordings. Worried I’ll come back to find the project taken, I dedicate my spare time to renovating this dropdown bay, once used for undercarriage auto repairs. I modify the lower walls to conceal the Sleigh and disrupt signals that it may inadvertently transmit. It’s become a precautionary habit to unplug the power equipment when it’s not in use.
“I’ll spare going into all the details regarding the interesting finds I make during my build of Sleigh, but here’s an important, and very personal discovery you may find fascinating…
“The performance of Sleigh’s control-system improves when music plays internally along with the function of the central processor. I consider this concept one day, while assessing that my own concentration seems to improve when background noise is present.
“In high school and college my studies are done with the TV on, or with music playing through my earphones while reading. Numerous experiments show Contemporary Christmas music elevates Sleigh’s overall operation skills.”
I monitor the diagnostic check as Sleigh’s CPU restarts, which reads as functioning at full capacity. Decompression is the final sage, and then we’ll be ready.
We chew on a jaw full of beef jerky when a knock comes at the shop’s front door. It’s Gracie calling out. “What is she doing here?” I mutter. After killing the lights I stumble in the dark to the door. I open it with my suspicions displaced. It never dawned on me a threat may be lurking. I nearly vomit, nauseated by falling for her trap. An army of invaders surrounds our location. I grab hold of her by her wrist and tug her inside to slam the door as an energy blast nearly strikes us both. She begins sobbing as I lead her along.
“I didn’t know what to do?” she cries in the dark. “All the elderly are confined, with Mom and Dad there. A militia led by our neighbors tried storming the school, but it didn’t end well for them.
“These aliens know everything. That you and I are related, and that you’re unaccounted for. They’ll kill both Mom and Dad if I don’t help. They communicate with this…” Mr. Gentry shines a flashlight on Gracie. Lifting her hair he and I stare in horror at a small, shiny silver, crab-shaped device attached to the back of her neck, with two blue-glowing sapphire eyes. I want to rip it free, deducing they’re using my sister as a method of monitoring what’s inside here. I assume they sent Gracie based on collected government files, detailing my activities.
Flipping on the lights Gracie asks, astounded, “What’s that?”
It’s a prototype I’ve invented call The Sleigh. Right now it looks like a complicated SUV, kept that way for storage purposes.” Squeezing the lower trigger button on a modified wireless videogame controller initiates the protocol for Sleigh to expand.
“Once it’s done separating you’ll see each of its five detached portions equipped with a personal cockpit. It’s going to take a few more minutes,” I tell as the five standalone vehicles modify into the style of an enclosed, futuristic motorcycle.
Mr. Gentry grabs hold of his rifle and gently pushes Gracie aside.
“I’ll do my part to slow them down.”
Gracie and I glance at each other, questioning the bold, selfless act. His heroism doesn’t make sense, but it’s evident he’s set in his ways, and it would be useless to try and prevent him. I hurry behind to see him out. Beyond the open doorway is a jaw-dropping spectacle. There’s a fleet of alien ships, looming in the dark-sky overhead, their numbers doubled. Metal barracks are now set up. Armed soldiers stand with weapons fixed on the doorway.
“Hold your fire!” an amplified voice commands from the center stronghold. This order seems to be directed at us. The walls of the compound convert to form a tall standing robot, where the lead general is manned. Mr. Gentry hesitates from witnessing this impressive, mechanical giant.
“Good luck!” I encourage with a firm pat on the back.
Staring him in the eyes, his dimmed courage returns.
Sleigh is equipped with the function to arrive at my location on command. All of its equipment should work properly, however I’ve never performed a trial run. If there’s a malfunction Mr. Gentry and I could be crushed to death.
I push myself ahead of Mr. Gentry, stepping foot in his stead, with a few seconds to evaluate the motives of these conquerors before taking irreparable action.
Fact: Sleigh is equipped to broadcast transmissions.
Key Assumption: Sleigh uses this ability to beckon a rival force.
Plausible Conclusion: Encrypted communication signals are exchanged, revealing our whereabouts by way of orbiting satellites, which then alerts officials.
I hesitate to activate Sleigh, with this newfound aspect in the scenario.
The work done on Sleigh’s hardware, which I have no recollection of performing, along with misplaced instruments, has nothing to do with absentmindedness. The micro robot, intended to be a distractive-replacement, explains why things were left out of order. A scenario forms, one in which Sleigh learns to transmit commands for “Micro” to perform. If my assumptions are correct, and these two operate together, then I have no idea of the potential this invention has. Fear of not knowing this projects ulterior intents debilitates decisive action.
But what choice do I have, as the mechanical giant takes another earthshaking advance, with sword raised to swing?
If we fail to prevent these enslavers, nothing can stand in the way of their onslaught.
The full scope of the danger menacing our lives comes to full light when I take the leap and initiate the command for Sleigh to combine with me. The powerful parts of my constructed machine demolish the shop’s front cinderblock wall, conforming around Mr. Gentry and myself. Helmets designed to impart information enclose around our heads providing a full view of our surroundings. Pertinent statistics are shared. Sleigh has determined (by hacking into the “Angels’” system) their numbers are 72,000 strong.
Listed also is their objective: to annihilate any form of resistance, whether it be government or civilian. They have come to pave the way for their leader (whom they refer to as Lord) who is en route to earth, and will be seated as world dominator regardless of our successes. When He arrives, no man or machine stands a chance at survival, if attempting to go against His will. Sleigh confirms that the percentage of success is not significant enough for us to pursue resistance. My heart accepts both matters as absolute truth, and so I surrender my will to fight.
Rather than placing us into housing facilities, the Angels governing over Gracie, Mr. Gentry, and me allow us to maintain possession of Sleigh and Micro. Put through challenge exercises we excel in the set training and are adopted to undergo future programs.
I am summoned to service once the Ambassador of Peace arrives.
Debriefed, Sleigh and Micro
, Mr. Gentry, Gracie, and I are given an entry assignment aimed at seeking out a defiant regime, which refuses to comply with the Messiah’s new world order. And so the hunt for infidels commences.
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