A Long Ways From Home

Chapter Eleven: Necessary Defense

"I think I found something," Kevin states, glaring at the screen in his lap. It is an old computer screen that Reynolds managed to grab from the old base before they escaped.

"Found what?" asks Stela, seeking the details.

"Bud Sanderson," Kevin continues, squinting his eyes to read from the report. "He's the Secretary of Defense in America. It says here that he is MogPro, and responsible for developing policies regarding extraterrestrial life."

"MogPro? What the hell does that mean?" questions Jason. Kevin only shrugs, an action that the others know means the report doesn't say. "What kind of news channel puts something in their articles that the general public can't understand?" Jay then follows critically, though unexpecting of an answer.

"You think maybe he is making policies for us?" AJ wonders aloud.

"I don't know," Kevin answers with another shrug. "He might be. But he could also be making policies for them. I mean, surely the government knows about the Mogadorians right? They can't be exploding mansions in Alabama without some consequences, even if it's in the middle of nowhere. Maybe, if we find him, we could ask for his help."

"I don't think that is really the best idea," Jordan jumps in, arms crossed over his chest. "If he's the secretary of defense, it's a big risk. Sure, maybe he could help us, but if he isn't involved with the mogs, then we'd be getting a human involved in a war for no reason."

"I disagree," Cody counters. "Whether he is involved or not with those pale freaks, he'd probably want to help us."

"Right," adds Chenoa. "What human wouldn't want to fight back and take a stand against a group of bloodthirsty murderers to save their planet?"

"Unless of course the mogs are just outright lying to them," Jason notes. "Who knows? Maybe the government and the mogs are pals, and they're only helping each other to save their own asses."

Kevin ponders that thought, a healthy silence filling the dusty damp room. And in doing so, he notices that Emily seems quieter and more distant than usual. Near the edge of the old room and looking out the cracked windowpane with a rather down look upon her face, probably wondering about Mae. They've all been wondering the same lately.

"Emily?" he says, getting her attention, and she snaps to at the call of her name. "What do you think? About the whole idea of finding Bud Sanderson to help us out?"

She seems flustered at the sudden stir into the conversation; it takes a moment for her to find a reply. "Oh. Um, I think it's a good idea. It is a risk, but I think we're all used to those by now. Besides, we could use his help."

Kevin nods in agreement. Though before anyone else can say anything further in relation to the discussion of the report, Emily looks around and asks, "What does Reynolds think about it? Where is he? Where's Fabian?"

"They're both out in town," Jordan answers, seeming to understand that she is a little out of it. "Went out to get supplies an hour ago, remember?"

Emily nods, like she finally does remember. Though still, the worry doesn't leave her face. She heads into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water while the entire group goes silent. Shortly after she returns, Kevin has resumed the internet search for anything on Bud Sanderson, and Stela speaks.

"Wait, guys. Do you hear that?"

Everyone then stops what they're doing to raise their eyes and ears and listen for anything out of the ordinary.

Emily, Kevin, Chenoa, Stela, Cody, Jay, AJ, Jordan.

They hear nothing.

"I don't hear anything—" says Chenoa, and as soon as she does, they all hear it at once.

A howl. The cry of a wolf. It isn't night though; it couldn't be an actual wolf; they mainly lurk about when it's dark. It hits them all at once.

That's not a wolf. That's a Chimæra. Jay's Chimæra. Dust.

Jason hurries to the back door of the house, in search of his Chimæra. Within seconds, he spots the four-legged grey creature, swings the door open, and calls out to him. "Dust! Come on, inside!"

Dust doesn't move. Only stands still, his snout in the air pointed toward the shadowy forest. Noah the raccoon and Olivia the green lizard wander near, also keen-eyed on the forest ahead.

With the rest of the Garde joining Jay at his side, they notice Regal the hawkeyed bird soaring high above the trees. That is until something shoots out from below him to snatch him out of the air.

"Regal!" Cody shouts and starts forward.

But AJ puts an arm in front of his chest, stopping his movement. "Cody wait," she says. "Something isn't right. That was a net that got Regal. It means something threw it. Something or—"

"Someone," Jordan finishes, staring at the spot where the forest meets the overgrown vegetation of the backyard. "Look!"

And there, immerging from the tree line, is a tall and wide Mogadorian holding a cannon in his hand. There is the Chimæra in a net in the other.

"Not as stealthy as you thought," the Mog grunts, glaring at Cody before dropping the captured animal and raising his weapon at waist level. The cannon illuminates a bright green and just as the rippling energy is released, a force field of solid cobalt blue spreads out in front of them all, shielding them from the attack.

"What do we do? Reynolds and Fabian aren't here," says Chenoa then, panic gradually increasing in her voice.

"Surrender or die!" the Mog shouts gruffly, as if in answer, unsheathing his 20-inch blade.

"No thanks," Jay says sarcastically, pulling out a dagger from behind. Then he teleports, and in the blink of an eye, he reappears behind the Mogadorian's back, thrusting his gleaming dagger through its cold dark heart. "I'd prefer it if you died first."

And as soon as the alien turns to ash, a roar sounds from the roof of their old hideaway. A Piken emerges from the front slant.

"Run!" AJ shouts. "Into the forest!"