Jessica sat on her bed, reading and re-reading the dozens of prompts she had received after the initial notification from the thing that had called itself ‘the system.’ Her family and friends had all nearly panicked at first, at least until her grandpa had stepped up and taken charge of the situation. Declaring that they would all meet at his farm in three days, and get away from the cities before things got crazy. Detroit was already a hellhole of crime, or so he said, and he wanted his family and friends safe if the city was going to set itself on fire. Again.“Suttons Bay isn’t that far away” she whispered to herself as she closed the information and sighed. “We can get back here in time for me to still leave I think.” Her college tour trip she had planned with several friends was important to her. She wanted to see the campus, meet the teachers and administrators, see which one would be the best for whatever field she chose to do. But if Detroit, let alone the entire world went to chaos, she guessed her trip wasn’t really all that important. Still, the thought of her plans being dashed depressed her.

“Jessica get down here, they’re sayin something about all this system nonsense on the TV.” Her mom yelled from down stairs. Sighing Jessica got up and went. Sure she was 18 years old, barely, but her mamma was and would always be her mamma.

When she entered the living room she found nearly every member of her family still there. Her friends who had attended had largely left already, heading home to connect with their loved ones in all the chaos. “Come sit by me,” Jethro said, making a bit of room on the couch between him and his wife Latisha. She took the seat and started watching what the anchor man was saying.

“If you are just tuning in, we are waiting to hear from the secretary of defense. But these stunning images have recently been captured by our local affiliate in Wyoming.” The image of a massive blue beam of light shooting into the midday sky as far as the eye could see filled the screen. “I have just been informed we have now established a live feed at the northern base of Kings Peak on the border between Wyoming and Utah. We now join them live.”

The picture changed and a beautiful white woman with stunning red hair and bright green eyes filled the screen, standing in front of the blue beam in the far distance. Behind the beam were some of the most beautiful and tall mountains Jessica had ever seen. But the area around the beam was relatively flat. A bit hilly and filled with small streams but not overly difficult to move through. As she stared into the light Jessica felt something strange deep inside. A desire to, to . . . she didn’t know what. But she felt some kind of connection to the light.

“Hello Greg, this is Susan with KUTS Wyoming. I am coming to you live from what we believe to be the emergence site for the North American Connection Point. This is what we believe the strange ‘system notification’ informed us all about just a few short hours ago. As you can see, the light keeps going straight into the sky, it is believed to be visible from space. In fact several satellites owned by local tech businesses have snapped pictures of the beam from low earth orbit. They should be on their way to the studio any second. Some have suggested. . .” The woman's image was cut off and the image of the man in the studio replaced her.

“Oh, it looks like we lost Susan. We look forward to seeing the images she sent in. I for one. . .”

“That's bullshit, they took her off air! She was going to expose the alien invasion.” One of her cousins said.

“You watch your mouth boy, this is my house and I won’t have that kind of language in it.” Her mamma said, glaring at Rony. He was younger than Jessica by a full two years, but he thought he knew everything. Rony muttered an apology and sat back in his chair, his father chuckling at the entire scene. “Now, it doesn’t matter if it's aliens, or the devil that's doing it. I think we should all be ready for anything.” Mamma stood up and muted the TV.

She turned and faced everyone in the room. “Everyone go home, do as daddy said. Pack food, water, and all the warm and cold clothes you’re going to need for a whole year. Meet up here tomorrow morning and we’ll all get headed out of town together just in case there is trouble.” with that everyone slowly left. Leaving Jessica, her Mamma, Jethro and his wife. “I thought I told you two to go home and get your stuff.”

“Yeah, nah. We’re good. We live downtown, that place is already on fire from what Twitter is sayin. Looting and rioting. Besides, we’ll stay behind here to help ya’ll pack.”Jethro said.

“Yeah, there aint anything back there we need.” Latisha added, concern clear on her face.

While the three ‘adults’ talked, Jessica unmuted the news channel. The video shows a picture of a man in an army uniform with tons of metals and awards pinned to his chest speaking. When the sound cut back in she turned the volume down so it wouldn’t interrupt the others conversation.

“... This is just a preliminary plan. For now, these sites are being secured by the most local armed forces. The United States will lead the defense of the North American pillar. South America's pillar is located in the heart of the Amazon, and plans for a multi-national force are being developed. In the meantime at the request of the Brazilian, Guiana, Suriname, and Guyana governments the US is deploying two aircraft carrier battle groups to provide temporary security and surveillance of the South American site. We have had no word from the Venezuelan government, however we are prepared to move forward without their support.

The European Union has moved to secure their site, which is oddly right in the heart of Paris at the Le Jardin Lu Luxembourg park. Directly across the seine river from the Notre Dame Cathedral. Australia's pillar is squarely in the center of that continent directly over the Ayers Rock. The Australian, New Zealand governments, along with a few smaller island nations in the area are working together with local aboriginal tribes to secure the site. The Asiatic pillar has not yet been located, but we are in talks with the Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, and other regional partner nations to locate it so we can best provide assistance. That is all I have for you at this time.” A reporter stood before the rest of them could, and blurted out a single question.

“Have you located the African pillar yet?” The general stopped and came back to the podium.

“The African Pillar has been located, and the African Union is currently in talks amongst themselves to best secure the site. Though there have been a few complications with construction efforts on several public works projects. When I have more information I will update you all. Thank you.” The man left, nearly running out of the room.

Later that night the four of them had packed everything they needed. Food, water, clothes, winter coats and boots, and even Jessica’s fathers old hunting rifle. When it was all finished, everyone went upstairs to sleep but Uncle Jethro who stayed up with the rifle. Just in case.

As Jessica fought for sleep, she found herself pursuing what the system called her ‘characteristics’ again. She was both unimpressed, and excited by what she read.