When they got to the house, Uncle Max was holding two men in suits at gunpoint on the ground. Her father’s old hunting rifle was in Max’s hands, and both of the men had bloody noses. Half a dozen men and women in US Army combat uniforms surrounded Max, carrying weapons that looked far more effective than the rusty hunting rifle.

“Sir, please! We are the US Army, put the weapon down! We don’t mean you or your family harm.”

“How the hell am I supposed to believe that?! The army doesn’t deploy stateside. Only the guard does that, and those aren’t guard patches on your sleeves.” Max kicked the foot of one of the two men in black suits. “Besides, that one said he was from the Draft Bureau. Whatever the hell that is.” The two soldiers that looked the most in charge to Jessica gave each other a look before they returned to holding weapons at Max.

“I take it you served then?” The younger of the two men said as he let his weapon sling loose around his shoulders. The strap kept it from falling to the ground. “Where at?”

“Afghanistan, 2007. 1st Battalion, 4th Marines Weapons Specialist, Corporal Max Stone. Who the fuck are you all supposed to be?” The soldiers seemed to ease up, most of the tension drifting away as Max spoke. Most of them pointed their weapons down or away from Jessica’s uncle, which made her feel not at all better about the situation.

“We’re the first infantry division. Third platoon.” The taller and older of the two ‘in charge’ men said as he lowered his rifle. “My name is Sergeant Gutierez. Our job is to escort those two around and make sure they’re safe so they can execute their duties.”

“The Bloody First? What the hell are the likes of you doing in Michigan? Aren’t you supposed to be in the sandbox right now?” The soldiers all squirmed as Max took them in.

“We’ve been reassigned. Everyone has. Corporal, we need you and your family to cooperate.”

“So these goons can do what? Conscript some of us to staff those god offal ideas the pentagon is calling the ‘pillar forts’? Why the hell should I let that happen exactly?”

“Because if you don’t, we have a C1-30 in the area that will level this entire farm, corporal.” The threat of violence filled the air and for a second Jessica thought Max was going to start shooting. “But we don’t want to do that. I’d love to avoid having another Norwich incident, and so would the government. So much so that they will not hesitate to use any force necessary to suppress other worldly threats. Do you understand, corporal?” Silence fell on the assembled soldiers as Max thought about the sergeant’s words.

The older soldier spoke, breaking the tension. “The game has changed, son. I might not like the idea of the pillar forts just like you, but the government thinks they’re the only way we can safeguard our entire world from whatever hell might come through in a year.”

“It’s also a good way of getting rid of people who might be too powerful to control.” Max said, venom dripping from every word. “Don’t think we haven’t been keeping up on events. The draft orders originally were just forced reenlistment. You need to take me? Go ahead. But after yesterday, you’re taking those you think might prove a threat. Right?” The soldiers looked uncomfortable, as Jessica’s family watched on from balconies, windows, or just around the corner of the house trying to stay out of the line of fire.

Jessica and Rony were standing in the middle of the gravel road. Max caught sight of them and sighed. “Fine. Do whatever the hell you guys need to do. But you’re not taking anyone under age. Or there will be hell to pay, I don’t care what you have circling us.” He said this, looking directly at Jessica, and she understood. She needed to lie. That was her only way out.

The sergeant looked like he was about to argue, but one of the two men in suits interrupted. “Fine. Just get everyone assembled so we can take readings.” A few minutes later, everyone in the family was outside, lined up and ready for whatever the government goons had in store. Jessica found herself near the end of the line, between Uncle Max and her mamma. The device the government suits used was a small red box that looked like an old school geiger counter, but instead of gages on the top it held a crystal that projected information so only the user could see.

They went down the line, starting with her younger cousins and eventually landing on Rony. They passed right over him and the others until they came to grandpa who stood in the middle of the line. “Look, he’s got 6 levels.” One of the two suits said to the other.

“Yeah but look. Four are temporary. He only has them because he’s on his farm. He’s not a threat to anyone but trespassers.” Grandpa smirked. The two gave him the side eye as they passed him by. They got to momma and stopped again.

“Look Greg, she’s got a title. A powerful one too.”

“Whats a title?” Jessica asked, but Max put a hand on her shoulder to quiet her. She obliged and watched as the two talked it over and then left her mamma alone.

Then it was her turn. The man held out the machine and Jessica felt a slight tingling, burning sensation start at her toes and quickly reach her head. It didn’t hurt her, but it was a weird feeling. The machine beeped like it had on her grandpa and the two men’s eyes went wide.

“She’s level 7” the older, more stern looking of the two agents said.

“And she has multiple magical skills. Look, that is definitely the familiar that is listed.” The younger one pointed at Peep, who wrapped himself more tightly around her shoulders.

“How old are you, young lady?” The first agent asked. She opened her mouth to answer, but uncle Max spoke up, cutting her off.

“She’s a minor. She’s growing up, but she’s still under age.” Max said, his voice stern and filled with steel.

“Do you have an ID mis?” The younger of the two asked.

“She left her wallet back in the city. We were in a hurry.” Mamma said, pulling Jessica closer with one arm. “You’re not taking my baby.” The two men looked at each other uneasily.

“Our records show that you have a daughter who just recently turned 18. Is that incorrect?” Mamma refused to answer, just staring daggers at the two men with as much anger as she could muster. Which wasn’t much. Mamma could be strict, even severe, but she wasn’t the hating type.

Tension filled the air so thick and hot, Jessica thought the world would ignite. Max started to say something, but Jessica knew she had to step up. Her family couldn’t get hurt because of her. She knew what a C1-30 was; she had seen the videos online of how they could literally level entire villages or towns with only a few seconds of weapons fire. She didn’t want that for her mamma, her cousins, her uncles and aunts.

“I’m 18, but just barely.” Max hissed, and her mamma let out a cry as she tore herself away from her mom’s hug and took a step forward. Peep made a sad keening noise as she did, somehow sensing the gravity of the situation, if not Jessica’s fear. “Mamma will always think of me as a kid, and uncle Max just got my birthday wrong. So don’t take it out on them, please.”

The senior of the two agents nodded, a sad smile crossing his face. “No need for any of that. I don’t blame your uncle or your mother for wanting to keep you safe. You’re still young. Honestly, if we didn’t need magic users so badly, I wouldn’t even consider it. But, we do. We need people who can help us fight the, less than sane elements of our society that have been gaining access to powers and skills that we just don’t have. With your traits, and your level? You might just help us turn that tide, young lady. You didn’t have to step up, but you did. Thank you.”

The younger of the two agents stared at his senior, his jaw slightly agape. “What? I lived through the last draft, I know what it’s like to see your loved ones dragged away to fight a war you don’t think they’ll be coming back from.” He turned back to the family and looked square at mamma before speaking again. “Thankfully, this isn’t Vietnam. She’ll be stationed in the safest place in the world for the next eleven months while she trains. And if I guess right, she’ll be helping others train more than actually fighting.”

“Mamma.” Jessica turned to her mother. She was red faced, tears already streaking down her eyes. “I’ll be as safe as I can be. Honestly, it sounds like i’ll be doing a lot of learning and teaching more than fighting.” Her mamma nodded and wrapped her in a giant hug. When she let go, Grandma and Jessica both helped guide her to the stairs, while one of the other kids brought water out for everyone.

“He’s telling the truth.” The sergeant said as he took an offered water bottle. “From the reports I’ve read, the world is going to shit. Nearly every major city is in turmoil. If it’s not food riots, or religious extremism, it’s some moron who doesn’t know to read the wiki before he tries to summon a familiar that wrecks half of Austin.” Jessica winced, and caressed Peep softly. “I bet she’s better off then the rest of you will be shortly.” He looked at grandpa. “Though, I think you all will make it if you keep things up the way you have been.”

“If she’s going,” Max interrupted, picking up his rifle. “I’m going with her.”

“We have conscription orders for you too, corporal.” The younger agent said. Kaline started crying, and Max went to comfort her. Rony cried a little too, but Jessica knew Max had prepared them both for the possibility.

The older of the two agents stared at his companion for a moment before the younger man sighed. “That being said, I’m sure that your proximity to this young woman has been helpful in her growth and mental stability.” He put something down into his notepad. “I’m recommending you be assigned as her official guardian.”

“What’s that?” Jessica asked.

“One of our more adapt team members recently unlocked a high enough,” the older agent struggled for the right word. “Level, or something like that. He learned something. Magic users,” he said the phrase like it was alien to him. “Of various types can create bonds with people who choose other paths. I’ll let Bishop McDonald explain it more. What it means though is your uncle is going to be with you through all of it.”

“If it gets approved.” The younger agent said. “Still, Its hard to find someone anywhere near her level and potential who is still sane. Both of us will recommend the same thing. That basically guarantees it. You are officially her body guard until the end of her conscription period. After that, you’ll rejoin the nearest unit of riflemen. Good enough?”

“Good enough.” Max turned to her and smiled. “Looks like I’m going with you squirt.”