Special Police DekaOps

36

Sitting around the rec room Ace stared at the TV in front of her. She really wasn’t paying attention to it, she just needed the background noise while she drank a cup of warm milk and waited for whatever it was that did it to kick in. The fact she was on her third cup should have told her something. Maybe she was being impatient , then again maybe she should try one of those remedies Boomer and Cap suggested. She was a bit surprised to hear the door open at this hour. Looking back she said, “Hi Michelle.”

“Hi yourself,” she said as she sat next to her. “Did you have another one?” The one being a nightmare of almost dying.

“Yeah,” she answered. “It wasn’t as bad this time. I’m going to have to talk to the doctor but I’m thinking that’s a good thing.”

“Too bad Dan’s doing a shift on the orbital station, he could probably tell you.”

She nodded, “So what are you doing up? Not used to sleeping alone?”, she joked. Michelle shoved her slightly.

“Hey I love Dan and all but sometimes I like having the bed all to myself. No I just woke up and couldn’t fall back to sleep. I was hoping to catch a movie or something. I can fall asleep a lot better if I’m watching something.”

“If you want some company,” Ace said, “I’m willing to give it a shot.”

“Sure,” Michelle said as she looked for the remote, “but the moment we start making jokes about the movie I’m giving up. Because then I’ll never be able to fall asleep.”

“Deal,” she agreed. By the time they found the remote Ace remembered she had it on a news station. How did she not fall asleep to that? Although the volume was lower than usual both of them could hear the anchorperson. Apparently that Earth First group was starting to make some noise again, a little more violently this time. Shaking her head Ace simply went, “Those idiots again? I thought they disappeared after we exposed them during that alien ruse a while back.”

“They didn’t go away, they just regrouped. I still can’t find anything on that Chad Rockwell guy their using as a front man now.”

“You’re still looking into him?”

Michelle nodded, “Every so often, usually after he does a TV interview. Dan’s still positive he knows him from somewhere. But neither of us can figure out where though. It’s starting to drive me nuts.”

“No offence but that’s sounding a little close to being obsesseive.”

“I know. Fortunately the guy is only being interviewed every other month, so it’s not that bad. Beside Dan only asks every other interview or so.” Flipping through the channels she found something to watch, “This one always puts me to sleep.”

***

“Thanks again Booby,” D.E.’s dad Tony said after they loaded the last bag into a large metal bin. Both of them of them looked back as their respective wives finished rearranging what was left of the now empty garage. “I’ve been putting this off for years now. Of course now I don’t know what I’m going to do with all the extra room.”

“It’s no problem,” boomer told him, “besides I told you that anytime you needed anything to give me a ring.”

“I know but a lot of people say it but don’t really mean it.”

“People say I’m a weird one.”

“Ace says it daily,” Lisa called out.

“Ha-ha,” Boomer dead panned.

“I’m heading to the store to pick up dinner. We should be back in a bit.”

“If I don’t get a call I’ll be here,” he told her as he gave her a kiss on the cheek as she passed.

Lisa saw D.E. younger brother just sort of hanging around, “You want to come Billy?”

“No,” he said as he walked back into the house. Boomer and Lisa just looked at each other. Before long Lisa joined Molly in the car leaving Boomer and Tony alone.

“Is Billy all right?”, he asked. “He doesn’t seem the same since the last time I saw him.”

Tony sighed, “He’s been like that ever since we lost Terry. Everybody says he’ll snap out of it. But honestly I’m starting to wonder.”

“You want me to talk to him?”

“No son, everybody we know said something to him at one point or another. I think he’d scream if somebody else did.”

“I think I can pull some strings and get Rev up here if you think it’ll help,” Boomer offered. “He’s pretty good at this sort of thing.”

“Any other time and I’d think about it,” he said. “But Billy’s been on this, I don’t want to say anti-alien kick but he’s been keeping his distance lately. Even from the ones he’s known for a while now.”

“That’s not good,” Boomer mumbled.

“I know. To make matters worse we’ve caught him hanging around some kids whose parents we know are anti-alien. And from what I can tell he’s more willing to talk to them than to us.

“Maybe I should talk to him anyway,” Boomer commented. “Besides I’ve been screamed at so much I’m practically immune to it by now.”

***

“Thank you for accompanying me today Angela,” Rev said as they walked through the park. The weather was nice enough that he lowered the hood covering his head and took in the sun’s rays. Hardly anyone paid them any attention as they walked down the path. It was amazing how fast people got use to the new norm. “I usually take these walks alone to contemplate things. But every so often I do enjoy being joined by somebody.”

“It’s my pleasure Rev,” she replied. “Actually I’ve been to this park a couple of times myself after I arrived. This place is beautiful.”

“Indeed it is,” he agreed. “Although I love my home planet dearly the way it is I do sometimes wish there was a spot like this on it.”

“I’m sure it has its own beauty Rev, you just have to know where to look for it.”

“You are right of course,” he said. “But most of my life has been spent living at the temple. Rarely did I have the time to find it.”

“It might be one of those things were you only notice if you don’t live there. I know there were things in my home town that I never paid attention to unless we had family visiting,” she told him.

“Perhaps,” he said thinking it over. Rev turned a bit when he heard something. Target looked around more out of habit than anything else. Both of them saw a small crowd by the fountain. Out of curiosity they headed over to see what was going on.

“I’m telling you,” the speaker said, “those damn aliens are going to take your jobs, your house, your very way of life.” Target looked dismayed, the more things changed…

“Come on Rev,” she said. “Let’s find someplace a little more pleasant to be.” Not to mention she wasn’t sure how much their Springfield police badge would protect them in case they noticed Rev. Some of those guys looked ready to start something at a moment’s notice.

“Perhaps you are right Angela,” Rev said. He started to reach back and pull the hood back over his head. She stopped him, “Would it not be for the best?”

“No it wouldn’t, you do that and they basically win. Besides they try anything we can arrest them for assault, as long as we don’t provoke them into throwing the first punch.”

***

“Theses skags are nuisance to our way of life! Taking our Jobs! Taking our homes! How long before our very values are replaced with whatever bastard religion they have!” Disguised as a human Chatrox sat behind and tried to tune out the human blowhard at the podium. This particular bag of air was named Walter Jansen, the apparent founder of these Earth First imbeciles. And if his original plan had worked he still wouldn’t be here listening to this filthy human.

And it was such a simple plan too, use these hairless apes to stir up anti-alien feelings in the population. If he guessed right there would have been a riot or two eventually, enough of a distraction to draw Stevens and his unit out into the open. Black badge or not he knew how SPD operated, they would have been sent out to help in one form or another. An all too simple plan that had one thing going against it. The humans had to react how he thought they would, he should have known it wouldn’t work the moment it came to him.

No, he greatly overestimated the general mistrust this world had to extra terrestrial life forms. Yes there was some, as this very group before him testified to, but not enough. Then there was the ‘alien’ they put out. Even with the assistance of his old Igadroid that failed as well thanks to Stevens’ unit. And they exposed the fraud for what it was. Whatever leeway this so-called movement had was quickly knocked out from under it as that news went public. Now what was a potential force was made a laughing stock. It took a long time for this to be built back up again. Which meant he had to be “Chad Rockwell” longer than he originally intended. And he had to find new ways to keep his food from vomiting out of his stomach as a result.

Returning his attention back to Jansen he tried not to let his disgust show through. As it was his face was hurting so much it was starting to go numb. “Now I know mistakes were made and we were ridiculed for the longest time. But we have weathered the storm and are now stronger as a result. We will not be stopped in getting our message across. We will find more people who believe the truth, people who do not listen to what to believe what the media implants in their minds. Because we are the true heroes to this world. Because we put Earth First!”

“Earth First! Earth First! Earth First!” the crowd chanted. Chatrox had to give Jansen credit for one thing, he knew how to work these hairless apes. Chatrox was able to leave without anybody seeing him. Reaching inside his jacket he pulled out a computer pad. He was still having a hard time deciphering the reading he recorded. That idiot human he broke out of jail and sent after Stevens had to have screwed this up as well. The armor he gave him had a hidden tracer in the chest. On the very possible chance Stevens defeated him he could track them down to their headquarters. But there was a missing section in the transmission.

The question was what could have caused it?”

***

“Are you sure William wishes to talk to me?” Rev asked walked up to the Kennedy’s front door. Cap and the Major were all for it the idea when Boomer brought it up. In fact everybody but Rev thought this was a great idea. Granted it took some doing to convince D.E. parents to agree but they saw where he was coming from.

“He may not want to Rev,” Boomer told him, “but I think he needs to. This is D.E.’s brother we’re talking about here. I know he’s a good kid but he needs to be reminded that not all aliens are the bad guys.”

“But it has been so long since I’ve talked to him,” he tried to say.

“I know bud, they kinda fell off my radar for awhile too. But think of it as a chance for a brand new start.” Before Boomer could knock the door open as D.E.’s mother greeted them. “Hey Molly, long time no see.”

“Hello Mrs. Kennedy,” Rev said with a nod.

“Hi Bobby and it’s good to see you again Ranzack,” she said. “I know Tony didn’t think this was a good idea at first, but he’s always been a little stubborn. I think he’s convinced himself it’s a phase he’s going through.”

“Anything I can do to help Mrs. Kennedy.”

“Speak of the devil,” she said looking out the window. Billy was walking up the sidewalk, head down and carrying a backpack over his shoulder. “I don’t think I’ve seen him smile since it happened,” she added sadly.

“I’m sure seeing Rev again will brighten his mood.” As an afterthought he whispered, “Just in case stay away from the game console.” Rev was the only one who could hear it so he looked at him.

The door opened and Billy didn’t notice them until he was already in the room. “Billy, look who’s come to see you.”

“Hello William, it is good to see you again,” Rev gave him a warm smile as he walked toward him. Billy took a step back so Rev stopped where he was so he wouldn’t intrude on the younger man’s space. “My apologies for not coming by sooner. My duties have kept me rather busy these past few months.

“Whatever,” Billy said, mostly to the floor. His mother started to say something about it but Rev and Boomer put up a hand to keep her quiet.

“But I am here now, I believe that is the saying on this planet.” Rev paused to let him say anything. “I do believe we have much to catch up on.” Billy mumbled something. Rev heard it clearly and wasn’t sure how to react.

Boomer on the other hand, “What did you say Billy? I didn’t hear you clearly.”

“Why did you let my brother die!”, the young boy exploded.

“Billy,” his mother started to say.

“Terry said you could fix just about anything! Why couldn’t you help him?!”

“William it was not that simple.”

“You let him die! I hate you!” Billy ran out the door before anybody could stop him. Boomer, Rev and his mother chased after him but he was already out of sight.

“Rev you come with me,” Boomer said, “and we’ll head this way. Molly you go that way.” While they split up across the street a particular set of neighbor had seen the whole thing. Making sure nobody else was watching they headed in the direction Billy actually went

***

Staying in the corner of the room Chatrox watched as the other members of the “Brain Trust” strategized. Their main concern was how to keep the movement going now that it was back on track. Of course he couldn’t help but notice Jensen was remaining quiet as well. Something about this particular human unnerved him more than usual. Perhaps it was the idea Jensen wouldn’t hesitate to shot him between the eyes if he ever discovered his true nature.

“We can’t make the same mistake as last time,” one of them said. “We’re still the butt of jokes after our ‘alien’ plan blew up in our faces.”

“Yes,” Jensen finally spoke up, “but what exactly? Any ideas Chad?”

It took Chatrox a moment to realize he was being spoken to, “Perhaps we need to show them how serious we are.”

“That doesn’t tell me how,” Jensen told him.

“We execute one of them.” Like he thought that caused a lot of discussion in the group. Surprisingly a majority seemed unsure of the idea. Jensen looked a bit surprised himself at the number of naysayers himself. “If you want these jokes to stop then we have to show them how far we are willing to go.”

“The repercussions…,” one started to say.

“Those repercussions,” Jensen cut him off, “will be from those who are willing to give this planet away. We are in a war gentlemen, it’s about time we started acting like it. Rockwell is right we have to show them we are willing to fight for what is ours. Now we just need a target.”

“Nobody too high place,” Chatrox said. When they looked at him he elaborated, “SPD would be on the case so fast we wouldn’t have time to pull the trigger.”

“He’s right,” another one said.

“So we grab somebody a little lower key,” said one of the few who were behind the idea. “And not just some skag off the street either.”

“Excuse me a second,” somebody said as he took a call. After a few minutes he said, “Bring them up.” To the group he said, “I think we may have our target.”

After a few moments an elderly couple walked in with a small human boy Chatrox found familiar for some reason. After some introductions and some brief small talk the old man turned to the boy and said, “Ok Billy, tell them what you told us.”

***

Working in his office off the side of med bat Rev found it hard to concentrate on his task. He was still worried about William. It had been hours and still nobody had seen him. His parents assured him they didn’t blame him for what happened. It was just something that had built up and finally exploded. He was so caught up in the situation he almost didn’t notice the incoming call on his board. The fact it was coming from off base surprised him, in fact only a few people knew where he was. Answering the call he uncertainly said, “Hello?”

“Ranzack,” a familiar voice responded.

“William? Where are you? How did you access this line?”

“My brother showed me how in case of an emergency.” He was quiet for a moment, “Can I talk to you?”

“Of course you can William.”

“Face to face, I don’t want to talk over the phone.”

“Whatever you wish William.” Giving him his location William had one stipulation. “I will come alone. I will be there as soon as I can.”

***

“Has anybody seen Rev?” Dan asked as he walked into the command room. The last time anybody had seen him was a few hours ago. This wasn’t like him.

“He said something about an errand that just came up,” one of the techs said.

“Anybody see him come back?” Nobody could answer him. “Did he at least say where he was going?” Again silence.

“I tried calling him,” Michelle said as she came into the room, “but he wouldn’t answer.”

“Now I know something’s wrong,” Dan muttered.

“Ace sent Boomer back out to look for him,” she continued.

“Boomer just called in,” Ace announced as she entered as well followed by Target. “He found his License. Whatever happened he was able to activate the ditch function beforehand.”

“What else can go wrong,” Dan muttered to himself. Almost on cue the Major came into the room.

“We might have a situation,” he announced. “We got word through the grapevine that Earth First is planning something big. They want us on standby in case things get out of hand.”

“I had to ask. Did the grapevine have an idea what they were planning?”

“From what we understand they captured an alien and are planning on executing him then send out the video of it afterwards.”

Ace voiced the same thought they all had, “Rev.”

“We have no proof that it’s him,” the Major told them.

“It fits the facts,” Dan said. “Rev’s missing and this is going on.”

“I don’t think I can get you clearance to officially go in without knowing for sure.”

“Then we don’t officially go in,” Dan countered. “We just need to know where he is.”

Before the Major could say anything Michelle, who at this point was busy at her station stood up and told him, “The Major is right Dan, officially we can’t do anything. Like how I can’t tell you officially that Jensen owns a warehouse roughly two miles south of here. And officially I can’t say anything about satellite picking up images of people walking in way after hours. Officially I can’t tell you any of that.”

The Major shook his head while Dan smiled at her. He leaned over the railing and kissed her, “Thank you for not telling me. Come on we got a place not to be.”

While Michelle had a satisfied look on her face Target held back long enough to say, “Looks like you have to not tell him things more often.”

***

A crowd about the same size as the last one ate up Jensen’s every word. And he ate up the rush of indestructibility and power the crowd gave him. Above them in the catwalk a couple of guards patrolled looking for any sign of trouble makers below. For some reason that Rockwell guy insisted they post several guards up there. He had been right about things before so Jensen had three of them put up there. If Rockwell was there he would have put more up there. But since he wasn’t Jensen thought patrolling the grounds was more important.

One guard in particular was paying close attention to the crowd looking for any sign of a trouble maker. Then he felt a breeze that made him turn around. There was a window open that he was positive was closed before. Putting it down to him thinking it was closed he turned back around. Seeing the other two guards he saw two pairs of black gloved hands come out of the shadows and pull them in before they could react. Before he could shout out a warning another gloved hand clamped over his mouth and pulled him back.

Oblivious to all of it below Jensen continued to work the crowd into a frenzy. “I know why you are all here,” he told them. “You want to witness the first shot in the war that will save our planet from these intruders. Let’s call them exactly what they are, invaders. They may have fooled everybody else but not us. But first let me introduce you to a young man that recently came to my attention. Come out here Billy.”

Billy nervously walked out, unsure of what to do as the crowd cheered. Putting an arm around him Jensen continued, “Let me tell you a story this poor boy has told me. You see his late brother called one of these so called visitors his ‘friend’. Even brought him over to his house in a show of that friendship. Then one day something happened and his brother got hurt, badly. This so-called friend did nothing to help and let him die.” The crowd booed loudly which scared Billy but Jensen held him in place. “But tonight we rectify that, tonight we set the wrong things right. Bring this so-called friend out.”

A couple of men dragged Rev out in chains, the crowd jeering loudly. Rev didn’t react to the crowd. Jensen continued, “This is the one Billy’s brother called his friend. Well I call him his executioner. But tonight we will reverse those roles. Tonight young Billy will execute the thing that let his brother die.” He pulled out a semi automatic pistol and handed it to Billy. He froze as he looked at the gun. More than a few in the crowd started to question this decision. A fact that wasn’t lost on Jensen. “Come on kid,” he muttered, “do what your brother would want you to do.”

Billy knew what his brother would have wanted, and this wasn’t it. He backed away defiantly shaking his head no. Then a new voice shouted, “Light it up!” Instinctively Rev lowered his head and tried to shield his eyes a best he could. He even reached out and lowered Billy’s head as well. Jensen and the rest of the crowd naturally looked up. They briefly saw three grenades thrown above their head. Then all of them exploded in a flash of extremely bright light that momentarily blinded them. Three ropes dropped down from the catwalks above them, each connected to an individual in police SWAT gear that quickly descended.

One of the guards tried to blink to clear his vision, all he saw was a black mask a second before there was a couple of blurs and all he saw was ceiling. That man pointed his gun up at the ceiling and fired. The crowd froze after the shot and other two covered the crowd as best they could. “All right Jensen this show is over. Release your hostage and surrender peacefully.”

“I think the ball is in my court,” Jensen said. Holding the gun to Rev’s temple he told them, “I have this skag right where I want him and we have you outnumbered.”

The second of the three whose bulletproof vest hid a feminine figure spoke into the mic under her mask, “If you got the shot take it now.”

That window was left open for a reason. Across the way Target was set up with a clear view of the podium. Getting Jensen in her sites she pulled the trigger. As he went down to a shot to the shoulder the crowd reacted, but not toward them. The flight part of ‘flight or fight’ kicked in and they ran for the nearest exit they could find in a mad rush. The three took that moment to rush the stage to cover Rev, Billy and Jensen. A couple of guards tried to stop them but they were quickly taken care of.

The third one of the group quickly went to Billy while the leader arrested Jensen and the female one checked on their friend. “Are you alright Rev?”

“I am fine Trish,” he answered, “no permanent damage was done.”

“Lucky for them then. That’s twice we almost lost you like that.”

“I was fully prepared to meet the Great Sprit,” Rev told her. Then he added, “But I hope he does not mind that I am relieved that the meeting has been postponed.”

Ace smiled under her mask, “I’m sure he understands.”

***

A couple of hours later Billy was sitting on a curb of a nearby building. Boomer came over and sat next to him in his civvies. “Cap and Ace were able to pull a few strings and you won’t be mentioned in any police report on the matter, at least not in name any way.”

“Why?”, he asked.

“Because you’re Terry’s little brother, and we all owed him a big one. Look I know you’re angry with Rev, but truthfully we all failed him, not just him. I have never seen Rev work so hard or so fast to try and save anybody before.”

“Then why is Terry dead?”, Billy demanded.

“Because Rev only mortal,” he answered, feeling a small pang as he relieved the moment over again. “It hit him harder than anybody when he couldn’t save him. You don’t believe me ask him yourself.”

“He won’t talk to me.”

“Oh Rev’s pretty forgiving. Otherwise he wouldn’t be over there wanting to talk to you. Do you want me to call him over?” Billy barely nodded his head yes. Boomer waved Rev over in the next moment.

“Are you all right William?”, he asked as he came close enough. “I was afraid you were injured in the chaos.”

“I’m sorry,” he said meekly.

“It is alright William,” Rev told him. “You were under some stress. I just wish I could have spoken to you sooner before it built to this level.”

“I’m going to call your folks and let them know you’re alright,” Boomer said. “Why don’t the two of you start that talk now.” Rev sat next to Billy who remained quiet. But with a little gentle nudging they were soon deep in conversation.