Chapter 14

Six Months Post Apocalypse

Day from Hell

“I was rotting in a nursing home when this all happened, but since then I've read everything I can find on the aliens. Those alien missionaries seemed harmless. I don't think they had any secrets to share with us, just that strange pamphlet of theirs, which makes no sense, filled with things like 'out with void darkness forward life and free' People swear there's a secret code, but I'm not seeing it. None of our religious groups ever accused the aliens of blasphemy because they couldn't figure out what they believed, and of course, our religions wanted to convert them. Who wouldn't want to claim the first alien converts?

“I think the aliens' mistake was landing in Africa. They didn't understand human racial differences. So racists in certain governments saw the aliens talking to African leaders. They freaked out. President's flight to Nairobi canceled at the last minute. Pope's flight canceled at the last minute, don't take a genius to know a lot of people were in on it. Somebody nukes the aliens, who were in the middle of Nairobi, which at the time was full of people who'd come to see the aliens.

“What nobody realized was God knows how many aliens in this federation were watching us, waiting to see what we'd do with these crazy aliens they'd sent. They saw the alien missionaries, and countless thousands of human dead and dying. Men, women, kids. So they went insane, and here we are. At least that's what I think.”

--Robert. When asked about the aliens.

***

“We just walked by the playground, Ian,” said Stacy from the kitchen. “I'd have noticed any aliens.”

Gabe snorted, sipping his coffee. Ian wasn't the only coffee addict in the family.

“Come over here and look again,” Ian said. Mabel, Gabe, and Stacy joined him at the window.

“All I see is some kids playing ball,” said Stacy. “Are you okay, Ian?”

“Kitykity's transmitting a 'don't notice me command',” Ian said. “I just blocked the command for you. Look again.”

“Oh shit,” Mabel said.

Gabe dropped his coffee mug. Coffee splashed everywhere, nobody noticed.

Kids kicked a ball around the half acre dirt lot in front of the fortress market, the area everybody called the fortress playground. The ball went off course and rolled towards a massive gray-green creature the size of an elephant, relaxing next to the playground. One of six tentacles coming out of the creature's face reached out and flicked the ball back in the kids' direction. The kids went back to playing as if nothing had happened.

The alien's display popped up. This is Kitykity. Kitykity thinks humans are fun to play with and very tasty.

“Fortunately, Kitykity didn't come for the kids,” Ian said. “It came for me. I think it wants a psychic duel. I asked BG about Kitykity's weak points yesterday, and she gave me a bunch of “I” statements. 'I can't help you.' 'I would be cheating if I told you that.' etc. I hope BG was telling me Kitykity's eyes are its weak point. If we don't handle this correctly, a lot of people are going to die.”

“Why don't I shoot the thing?” Stacy asked. “I can hit it easily from here.”

“It's fast, bulletproof, and psychic. It'll sense your shot, block or dodge it, and then kill the kids and anyone else it can find. If we want to get out of this alive, I'm going to need your help, Stacy. You have to do exactly what I say.”

Stacy looked at Gabe, then nodded.

“Need any bombs?” Gabe asked. “I have a bomb that should kill this thing. It'll flatten the mansion too, but I think it'll kill Mr. Bulletproof.”

“Let's save that for a last resort,” Ian said. “Kitykity understands bombs. If you're not careful, it'll use them on you.” Ian grabbed his gun and armor, putting them on while he told them his plan. He suspected the armor would be useless against Kitykity though.

“Look, if I fail and it kills me,” Ian said, “get to the shelter under the mansion and stay there for at least three days. Kitykity will get bored and move on. If you go after it, it will kill you. Mabel, you should go to the shelter now, and warn anyone you see, but quietly. If people panic, it could set this thing off, and it'll start killing. Stacy, remember. Hang back and don't do anything until I give the signal. Got it?”

Stacy nodded.

Ian headed down the flights of stairs. People seeing him coming down cleared the stairway instantly. It was clear everyone had seen the leaked video footage from yesterday. He didn't want to face this creature, but he had no choice. If he hid, Kitykity would kill anyone it could find, then it would wait until he came out of hiding or died.

Anyone seeing Ian instantly backed away as he approached, giving him plenty of space. He walked out the front door and headed right, heading for the fortress playground. A lot of parents brought their kids here to play. They thought it was safe. As he got closer to the playground, people moved to block him.

“I got this!” Sam shouted. The teenage girl ran over to him. “Hey Ian, I owe you a high five, couldn't before, but hey, my hands grew back!”

He hadn't talked to Sam since she'd left the infirmary what felt like a lifetime ago. The bulge from her pregnancy was beginning to show. Talking to her was the last thing he wanted to do right now, but he raised his hand reluctantly and smacked Sam's.

“We found out who released that video,” Sam said. “Your dad's men seem to think you made Hunter and his loser patrol, namely us, seem far tougher than we actually are. They've all lost friends fighting monsters that never seemed to be a problem when a certain lucky Ian Anderson was around. Now they know why. Can't blame them for being upset.”

“I didn't want to frighten people,” Ian said. “Also, you may have noticed in most ways I'm not that tough. I happen to have an ability that's needed to deal with higher-level aliens.”

“You sure do. I thought you might have been doing something, but I didn't realize how much. I put ten stat points into my psychic ability,” Sam said. “Any advice?”

“Don't expect too much too soon,” Ian said. “I need to go.”

“I hate to be telling you to stay away from kids,” Sam said, “but you're a killing machine, Ian. How much control do you have?”

“I'm not here to bother kids, Sam,” Ian said. “I sensed an alien that way.” He motioned toward the monster. “I'm going to look over there to check it out, then I'll go. Probably nothing.”

“Okay, good deal. See you, Ian,” she said.

Ian walked away. Kitykity lay nearby, watching the kids, pretending not to notice Ian approach. It looked much bigger up close. Ian walked up to the alien, stopping three feet from the creature's head. Kitykity's four green eyes didn't even look his way. Its stubby tail flicked back and forth, its claws dug casually into the hard ground.

Gathering his psychic strength, Ian let out a loud mental shout, “Bad Kitykity! My humans! Go away!”

Kitykity yawned and stood up, pulling itself to its full eight feet of height. “RRRRRRRROOOOOWWWWRRR! MINE!” Kitykity let out a deafening yowl that was as loud mentally as it was physically. The yowl started with Kitykity on its hind legs, towering over Ian, and ending with Kitykity's face inches from Ian's. Only the knowledge that if he turned to run, he was dead stopped Ian from doing just that. At least now people noticed the creature.

Screams and gunfire. Kids ran for their lives. Bullets bounced off Kitykity's gray-green hide like rain. A few bullets ricocheted and hit Ian's helmet. It seemed his armor was some use, after all. Bullets didn't bother Kitykity. It'd come for Ian, and it didn't even flinch.

In a long detached moment, Ian noticed Kitykity's bright green eyes had transparent eyelids, and its gray-green skin consisted of millions of tiny interlocking plates somehow linked together.

He put his arms together in a T shape for the gunners, making the universal sign for time out. Once the shooting stopped, Ian turned around and walked away, doing his best to look calm. Looking calm would be easier if he wasn't shaking so badly.

Kitykity wouldn't kill him, yet. The creature was too curious.

Ian hoped.

Kitykity followed him silently, its stubby tail still twitching.

Ian sat down on a nearby bench... still alive.

The kids had left the yard, along with most of the adults. That was some consolation. Stacy watched from the mansion's front entrance, all according to plan.

Kitykity made a big show of yawning, lying down again, closing its eyes, and pretending to go to sleep.

You're not fooling anyone, Ian thought. He jabbed Kitykity psychically, trying to get into its mind. Kitykity blocked. It was stronger than the dragon he'd stopped over a week ago, and an order of magnitude stronger than the two psychics he'd killed the day before. Kitykity retaliated, attempting to do the same to Ian.

Kitykity was fighting him for dominance. It wanted to show Ian how much stronger it was, but Ian's mindshield kept it out... So far. They sparred, exchanging jabs and blocks, each trying to get the upper hand. Kitykity was strong, but not as strong as Ian feared. Their sparring increased in speed and intensity.

Kitykity pretended to wake up, yawning again, and opening its eyes. It opened its outer eyelid first, then its two transparent inner eyelids, pretending to leave itself open and vulnerable.

Ian felt Stacy's tension increase. She'd crept up on them, ignoring his instructions to stay back. She was only twenty feet away now, hiding behind a nearby monsterfruit tree. Ian felt her going for it, falling into the monster's trap.

Stacy was fast.

Kitykity was faster.

“Don't!” Ian shouted. Too late. One of Kitykity's tentacles blurred, lashing out like a whip. Stacy's gun flew away, along with her right hand and wrist. She collapsed in a pool of blood.

“No!” Their sparring turned into an all out battle, as Ian fought desperately to take down Kitykity before his sister died from her injuries.

Blood poured from Ian's nose, running over his mouth and down his chin. He didn't care. He pushed deeper into Kitykity's mind. Looking out through its eyes, he saw a frightened boy with a bloody nose. Him. The frightened boy lowered his arm and said, “Now.”

He forced Kitykity to hold its eyes open, preventing it from moving as Mabel rushed forward. Mabel's face was pale as death. Blood covered her shaking hands. Stacy's blood. Mabel had ignored his request to stay in the shelter because she wanted to help. She was terrified, but forced herself forward because she was the only one close enough. She stabbed one of Kitykity's four eyes with her long chef knife.

Ian felt the knife enter the eye they shared and go into their brain. That was all Ian felt for a while...

***

Ian woke up reluctantly because he knew what he was waking up to. The problem with being psychic is there were things the world couldn't hide from you. The alien's tentacle had gone through Stacy's wrist, chest, and neck, she'd bled to death in seconds. Ian felt Dad crying. He wished Kitykity had killed him instead of his sister.

He pulled up his display.

You helped kill Kitykity, a class six alien! You are a mighty warrior! You have won 120,000 credits, thirty-six stat points, and gained the respect of your galactic following. You have won a suit of Kitykity skin armor. Much better than that galactic market shit. Your new armor is self-repairing and will grow and change as you do. It will allow you to see in the dark and be part of your inventory until you die.

“Fuck you BG!” Ian shouted. “I just want my sister back!” But there was no blue room, and no answer from BG.

Gabe was the first person to notice Ian's return to consciousness. He entered Ian's room in the infirmary. “There is still hope, Ian,” Gabe said quietly. “But I may need your help.”

“Tell me what you need,” Ian said.

Gabe explained.

***

Mrs. Wilcox sent him a long text.

“Ian, this text is not a substitute for a personal meeting. Please don't think it is. Words can't express my sorrow at your sister's death. Stacy is a hero. She died defending the fortress. There is no honor I can bestow that is worthy of her. We are waiting for you to get better before we give her a proper funeral. Road Warrior's bike has been returned in better shape than before it was stolen, and every one of the outlying city enclaves has expressed a desire to join our fortress and pay ten percent of their total earnings in tax. The only sticking point is they all want a certain Ian Anderson to patrol their territory. After what happened to us, they feel vulnerable, and they should. I told them you will join different patrols around the city, and, of course, you are uniquely qualified to collect the taxes. I have also created a two-man security detail whose sole purpose is to protect you, so you can protect us. Please be nice to them.”

Ian threw his phone as hard as he could against the wall. He sensed the security detail waiting outside his room. When he was ready to leave, he put them to sleep and left the infirmary.

***

“I don't like your uncle,” Crazy Steve said. “He left me to die. He could have pulled me to safety, but he just left. I had to cut myself free, and then I used the credits I made to buy a regen shot. I still have holes in me. See.” Crazy Steve raised up his shirt. The old man was chewing his gum furiously. At least Ian hoped it was gum. The old guy seemed to be trying to clean up his act, which was why Ian was talking to him.

“Those are big holes,” Ian said, looking at the two holes in Crazy Steve's lower belly that went through to the other side. “Look, Steve. My uncle said he thought you were dead, he couldn't do anything, and he's sorry. I can't help you with that, but I can offer you a high-paying job if you're interested. I need a man who can handle a bit of danger and who doesn't have a family who'll miss him if he dies. No offense intended.”

“What kind of job?” Steve asked. “And what kind of pay? Like I tell the ladies. I'm may be easy, but I ain't cheap.” He let out a cackling laugh.

“Sure. Well, Mabel, the cleaning lady, made over thirty thousand credits for stabbing Kitykity in the eye while I held it with my mind powers. There are at least five of those creatures headed our way, so I can guarantee you'll get at least one hundred thousand credits for helping me. But if you're not interested, no problem. I'll go ask someone else,” Ian said.

“Gleep!” Crazy Steve swallowed whatever he was chewing on. “Okay, Boss. I'm in. Tell me what you want.”

“Get your stuff, Steve, and meet me at the fortress entrance. We're leaving, and we won't be back for a while.”

Ian looked around his home in the fortress. It was sad how little there was that he wanted to take with him. Some clothes, personal things, not much else. Ian put on his Kitykity armor. It covered everything while leaving breathing holes for his nose and mouth. It had a transparent glass-like covering for his eyes that didn't fog up like his glasses might have. His new armor felt like a second skin, way better than the armor Dad had thrown together for him. Ian threw his few possessions in a bag and left to meet up with Steve. He must look tough in his new armor. People looked twice when he went by and moved out of his way. He didn't care. He felt numb and just wanted to kill something.

“What the hell are you doing, Ian?” Dad asked. He was with Crazy Steve at the entrance.

Trying to avoid meeting you, Ian thought. Anger and grief came off Dad in waves. It made Ian sick. “I know what you're thinking, Dad,” he said. “And you're right. It's my fault Stacy's dead. I should have realized she wouldn't understand how fast Kitykity was, and how sneaky.”

“You lied to us for months, Ian! God, if you'd just told me what you were doing!” Dad shouted. Tears ran down his face. “Of all the people here who could have backed you up against that creature, you had to choose your kid sister!”

“You're right, and I'm so fucking sorry,” Ian said. He wanted to cry, but for some reason, he couldn't. “I'm leaving. There are more of them coming, and they aren't going to die by themselves.”

“You're not using our vehicles,” Dad responded.

“Way ahead of you, Dad,” Ian said, pulling up the galactic market. He picked out a jeep, the fastest all-terrain vehicle he could find. He added the largest engine, bulletproof windows, heavily armored body, and a large machine gun on the roof. After checking the possible colors, he said, “hell with it” and picked a bright red that he liked. Two hundred thousand credits exchanged hands, and a bright red jeep appeared next to him.

“Can you even drive that thing?” Dad asked.

“Hey Steve, can you drive?” Ian asked.

“Can I drive? Can I drive? I trained to drive NASCAR race cars!” Steve said.

“Really?” Ian asked. Steve seemed to believe it.

“What, you don't believe me?” Steve said.

“No. Just surprised,” Ian said. “How about you NASCAR our asses out of here.”

“If you leave the fortress, don't come back,” Dad said. “That goes for you too, Steve.”

Steve jumped into the driver's seat and started the engine. “Buckle up, Ian. I may be a little rusty.” He waited for Ian to take the passenger's seat and put on his seat belt before flooring the gas pedal. “I'll take good care of him, Carl!” Steve shouted.

Dad jumped out of their way at the last second.

They were off.

Ian pointed in the direction the five Kitykity were coming from. “That way,” he said.