"This is an OP Net, Alpha One Advisory. The Tri-D feed from the Superdome has revealed that the Z-RETS are using an amalgam of our diverse technologies to assemble a hybrid, propeller-driven aircraft. The process begins with a complex cylindrical package of alien origin measuring approximately 1 meter in diameter and 3 meters in length. After they cautiously install a small spherical device into this package, they connect it to several cables running from a bank of what may be control panels. Upon completion of these connections, several aliens take positions at the control panels and moments later an object that resembles the old Goodyear blimps in size and shape suddenly snaps into view."

"Mounted on each end of this football-shaped object is a single, movable airfoil mounted in a rudder-like, vertical orientation while a wing-like pylon extends horizontally from each midpoint side of this aircraft. During the final assembly of this airship, they use material pilfered from our factories including two very large direct current electric motors bearing propellers. They mount the motors within streamlined nacelles and attach the nacelles to the pylons."

"Observation of their initial test flight revealed that the reversible motors and airfoils provide directional control and propulsion while the mechanism for altitude control remains a mystery. The characteristic shimmering effect of the alien’s protective force field abruptly ends at the propeller hubs revealing that only the propellers lack the protection afforded the rest of the aircraft. Their force field technology also created a previously unnoticed port in the dome that opened to permit this vessel to depart. Sentinel Command has assigned the designation of ‘Slug’ to this aircraft and they estimate that the Z-RETS can turn them out at a maximum rate of five per week."

"Paul, are you sure these things really work? I am not sure I am ready to trust my life to a gadget that someone claims will make you invisible. Besides that, why would we want to have a picnic at the zoo? I fear that our visit to the zoo without its animals will turn out to be quite depressing when compared with our wonderful memories of previous visits."

"Mary, the personal shield will not make its wearer invisible. This device simply nullifies the signal transmitted by the equipment the Z-RETS use to find their victims. The Z-RETS took nearly fifty volunteers during testing of early prototypes of this device that now incorporates a threefold functional redundancy. As the logistics boss for field operations, it is my responsibility to counter the current skepticism regarding the effectiveness of the personal shields. I would not put my family at risk if I had any doubts regarding the efficacy of this device."

"Okay Paul, I will make up some Soytien sandwiches and we will have a picnic at the zoo."

"Soytien? Can’t you do better than that?"

"Afraid not as our meat and fish rations for May are history. Don’t you remember telling me how wonderful Soytien tasted with beef salt?"

"I lied. We have a few more tests to run at Thor Control this morning to ensure that we are ready for the dedication ceremony tomorrow. We can begin our outing from there around noontime."

"Okay Colonel that completes the punch list. It seems we finished just in time."

Paul, who also noticed the arrival of Mary, Robby, and Cindy, responded with, "Un huh, we are going topside under shields for a picnic."

As they entered the control room, Mary said to Doctor Wright, "So this is the place where my husband spends so much of his time away from his family."

Doctor Wright responded with, "Mary, we will launch the first successful strike against the Z-RETS from this console. Would you like a guided tour of Thor Control?"

The enthusiastic response of Robby and Cindy to this offer left Mary with no option beyond an affirmative nod. She confirmed her acceptance of the offer by saying; "Paul seldom mentions his work at home. Perhaps your tour will help me to understand why he has become so caught up in this project."

"Well Mary, though Thor Control is fully operational now, the dedication ceremony tomorrow will formally mark the successful conclusion of a long-term effort involving thousands of people. Once we get a target aboard a Z-RET vessel, the person operating this console will select the appropriate Mjolnir using this panel. He then waits until a light within the launch button confirms target acquisition where upon he will press the button to launch an attack."

"This procedure seems simple enough, but what is a Mjolnir?"

"It is the name we chose for the transdimensional warheads we will employ against the enemy. Currently, switches one through four each select a Mjolnir designed to cripple a Slug while anesthetizing its crew. The other sixteen switches will soon offer the option of selecting Mjolnirs bearing small thermonuclear warheads. Robby, can you answer the rest of your mother’s question?"

"Yes, I can. According to Norse mythology, the Mjolnir was the hammer of Thor, their principal war god. Doctor, can you explain how you intend to get a target aboard a vessel of the Z-RETS."

"Unfortunately, our targeting methodology is the major weakness of the Thor system. In the early days of the invasion, we discovered several interesting things as we conducted broad-spectrum monitoring of the Z-RETS at work. We found that although their shields remained up as they popped their victims, we occasionally recorded what we later came to believe were psychic emanations of distress from these victims. This conclusion inevitably led to the development of a method to ensure the sending of this cry of distress and the ability to pinpoint this signal as a target. Regrettably, the achievement of these goals has taken a ghastly turn."

He led them to a wall locker and removed one of many, heavy; vest-like garments from its hook. "These jackets turn the volunteers who wear them into detectable targets. After putting them on over a bare chest, the volunteer pulls each of these two cords. Each cord initiates a small explosive device that injects a violently active organic compound subcutaneously into a large area of the volunteer’s chest. A mechanism built into the vest arrests the activity of these compounds and partially alleviates the pain associated with the trauma inflicted by this procedure."

"The vest will be left behind when the Z-RETS pop the volunteer thus permitting the organic compounds begin a violent chemical reaction. The expected result, a trauma induced, psychic signal of distress, will enable us to launch a successful attack despite the Z-RETS protective force field. We can confirm target acquisition, launch a Mjolnir within seconds after the Bug’s pop a volunteer, and reduce the time of his torment too less than a minute. These desperate measures may offer the only opportunity we have of capturing our first Z-RET."

"How on Earth do you expect to find a volunteer willing to commit suicide in such a bizarre fashion? I can assure you that I would never volunteer to serve as a target for your Mjolnir."

"Several people who are seeking vengeance for the loss of their loved ones have already volunteered for this dreadful task. Mary, hatred motivates our volunteers, pure unadulterated hatred."

"I suppose this act of revenge seems sensible to the bereaved, though I cannot condone suicide for the sake of vengeance. Would you care to join our adventurous outing Doctor? I can offer you a delicious Soytien sandwich."

"Regrettably, my wife has a wonderful lunch of Soytien ready for me to choke down at home. Of all the recent tribulations plaguing humankind, I would put the concoction of Soytien near the top of the list. Enjoy your outing and be careful out there."

"Goodbye Doctor. Please tell your lovely wife I offer my condolences for the complaints she must endure about the Soytien."

"I will, though the delivery of your message will force me to forgo the pleasure of running through my usual repertoire of complaints regarding this loathsome goo. Goodbye kids. Enjoy your picnic."

As Doctor Wright and his associates left, Paul approached bearing four, compact devices contained in small, olive, drab knapsacks. Paul leaned close and asked, "Is Doctor Butler aware of our plans to go outside under shields?"

"He is, though he seemed uneasy when he agreed to let Cindy join us. Before I realized what he was up to, Robby invited her to accompany us and she apparently badgered her parents until she overcame their objections."

"Damn, perhaps we should cancel our plans. We could have our picnic in the Eastun Park instead of the zoo."

"We are not going to disappoint the kids now that they are looking forward to our visit to the zoo. Besides, Mandy contributed four roast beef sandwiches to our picnic hamper."

"Terrific. Hey kids, come over here and put on your shields. It is time to begin our excursion."

After they put on their shields and Paul turned them on, he ushered them out the door of Thor Control as he said goodbye to some technicians gathered around a programming console. They cleared the security checkpoint and boarded the elevator for the ride to the surface.

Their moods became somber as they walked through the zoo, now bereft of its inhabitants. Windrows of trash driven to the lee by the capricious winds of Portland mocked the audacity of those who began to proclaim the ideology of manifest destiny more than two hundred years earlier. Ghostly shadows in the empty cages tugged at their eyes as they contended with the mental images fixed in their minds from visits past.

In a futile attempt to leaven their melancholy visit with a pseudo gaiety, Robby suddenly climbed over the fence guarding the concrete moat in front of a stark playground for bears. As he raised his arms to augment his vocal imitation of an angry bear, he lost his balance and fell heavily into the dry moat below.

Reacting quickly, Paul sent Mary and Cindy to fetch several of the abandoned children’s strollers that lay scattered about the area. After they tossed the badly weathered strollers into the moat, Robby managed to climb up the ensuing pile and reach the fence. Paul’s relief as he helped his uninjured son climb back over the fence turned to horror as he noticed that Robby’s fall had extinguished the hazy aura of his shield.

Paul quickly exchanged shields with Robby and cast the defective unit aside when he failed in his attempt to reactivate it. As they began their hasty retreat to the elevators, a Slug suddenly appeared over the trees to the west. Paul said, "Get the kids to safety and send the sentry out with a shield for me. I will take cover in the utility room for the Polar Bear display. Go, run for help!"

As Mary and the kids reached the elevator head house, Robby cried out, "Mother, they popped him. Dad is in the Slug now."

After boarding the elevator, Mary began to strip to the waist as they dropped into the depths below. Suddenly aware of her intentions, Robby began to sob hysterically until she suddenly slapped his face.

"Robby, we are not going to let the Bugs eat your father. You know what we have to do and I am counting on you to do your part. CHRYS, are you monitoring us?"

"I am. The Slug is still over the zoo. I have alerted the capture team and the Butlers. Mary?"

"Yes CHRYS, I am here."

"I hope your God is with you and Paul today and I wish you both an easy death."

"Thank you, CHRYS. Please watch over Robby for us."

When the elevator door opened, Mary picked up her shield by its straps and headed for the security post at a dead run. She dealt the astonished guard a solid blow to the head with the shield and quickly removed the well-worn Beretta from his holster.

Upon their return to Thor Control, Mary sent the remaining technicians scurrying away with a menacing wave of the pistol. With grim determination, Robby helped his mother don a vest, returned her violent hug, and turned to the control panel while Cindy locked the door behind his mother as she left Thor Control.

Mary soon encountered General Ayers and the members of the capture team who intentionally blocked her path to the elevators despite the threat of her pistol. Rick stepped forward while saying; "We cannot let you do this Mary. Paul is beyond our help and Robby will need his mother now more than ever."

In response, Mary carefully placed the pistol on the floor and quickly pulled the cords that initiated the twin blasts that drove their poisons deep into her breasts. Staggering from the painful blows that nearly drove her to her knees Mary said, "I am dead already. Stand aside so I can stop the Bugs from eating my man."

With a grief-stricken expression the general said, "Stand aside men and let this soldier pass." As Mary walked by the soldiers, they began to follow the lead of the general who sadly rendered the most emotional salute of his long career as a warrior.

After leaning against the wall of the ascending elevator and calming her troubled mind, Mary asked, "Robby, can you hear me? Is the Slug still overhead?"

"Yes Mother, it is. Dad knows you are coming. Mother. I am so sorry."

"Karma Robby, its just karma. I wanted to die when I lost David, my first husband. Yet I went on, found another love, and experienced the joy of motherhood. You and Newton helped CHRYS deal with his karma. Please let them help you with the pain of this experience. Give my love to Cindy. Oh Robby, I am so afraid I will arrive too late. Is the Slug . . . The doors are opening . . . I can see the Slug . . . Robby?"

Through his father’s eyes, Robby saw his mother arrive aboard the Slug only to collapse to the deck while writhing in agony from the glowing chemicals that were eating away her breasts. The activation of the launch button light confirmed target acquisition moments after his father reached his mother’s side.

With a scream of rage tinged with madness, Robby hit the launch button with a fierce blow that broke several bones in his hand. Unaware of his injury, he hit it again and again and again.

"Moletown Six, Capture Six. Please respond with a SitRep. Rick, do you read me?"

"Capture Six, Moletown Six. I read you five-by-five. Mary is currently en route to the surface wearing an activated target vest. Robby and Cindy have locked themselves in Thor Control and I anticipate the imminent launch of a Mjolnir. I have ordered a full turnout of the Capture Team. Suggest you assume primary control ASAP."

"Moletown Six assumes primary control now. Alert Status 1 set. Launching Tri-D drones. Command Post of the First designated secondary. Rick?"

"Yes Mandy?"

"Get that sucker for Paul and Mary. Moletown Six clear."

"That is my intention. Capture six clear."

"Capture Six. Mjolnir launched. Repeat Mjolnir launched."

"Copy your last. Capture Team readiness is one hundred percent. Capture six standing by."

"Capture six. The Slug is down. Repeat. The Slug is down. The point of impact is the north side of the highway ramp above the MAX tracks just west of Preposition Pass at the entrance to the Sunset Transit Center. Upon impact, it began to flicker and suddenly reverted in form to the original cylindrical package used by the Z-RETS to produce the Slugs. Dispatch the rail borne elements of the Capture Team now."

"Copy your last. Rail borne units are now en route to the crash site. Request status of the Slug’s crew."

"Status of the Slug’s crew is presently uncertain. The Tri-D drones are converging on the crash site. A brilliant red glow suggests that an explosion of the Slug’s core unit may be imminent. Tri-D view now shows some human remains lying near the core unit. No sign of . . Wait one . . Yes! We can see a Bug. It is . . The core just blew . . Smoke and dust currently obstruct camera view. We are maneuvering a Tri-D drone into position for an oblique view . . . Yes! A Bug is down on the north side of the Max rail bed. It may be in a comatose state and seems to have several broken leg segments. Request your ETA."

"I can see the smoke column now. We will arrive on the site within two minutes. Request guidance regarding human remains."

"Do not approach the crash site. With luck, the Z-RETS will assume the Bug burned up with the Slug. Imperative you leave no trace of your presence. Copy that Capture Six?"

"Copy your last. We have the Bug in sight and can reach it with our hydraulic boom. Order the recovery helicopters to stand down. Has SENTCOM reported any signs of enemy response?"

"They have reported a sudden flurry of activity at the Superdome. Get that Bug on the Donkey as quick as you can."

"Roger your last. We have attached the anesthetic pads and excised the Bug’s antennae. We will lift the Bug when the sling straps are in place."

"Attention Moletown. Attention Moletown. Set Condition Red. Repeat, set Condition Red. An immediate Z-RET attack is likely."

"Moletown Six to Capture Six. SENTCOM reports that a Buzzard just lifted at the Superdome. ETA is twelve minutes on my mark. Mark! If your team cannot complete its mission and reach the tunnel portal within seven minutes, divert to the secondary capture facility in Aloha. Drone recalls initiated and close monitoring of the crash site discontinued. Report your progress."

General Ayers jumped off the rail car to help his team with the sling straps. He then grabbed the hand laser and burned off the creature’s two, badly broken legs after noting that the team’s effort to save the legs was delaying the lift.

"Capture Six. Do you copy?"

At the General’s command, they lifted the captive and positioned it on the self-propelled, mobile frame commonly known as the Donkey. Rick climbed aboard after tossing up the Bug's excised parts and ordered the rail car into motion as the capture team began strapping the Bug to the Donkey.

"Capture six? Capture Six? Do you copy?"

Thor Control, 1:53 p.m.

As he pounded on the windowed door to Thor Control, the sudden appearance of Cindy’s horror-drawn visage as she peeked out over a control console shattered Brian’s composure. Upon recognizing her father, she quickly ran to the door and unlocked it. As Brian reached out to comfort his emotionally traumatized daughter, she grabbed his hand and with surprising strength forcibly led him to Robby. Robby was quietly sitting on the floor while supporting his badly injured right hand with his left. He was crying silently and appeared to be completely oblivious to his surroundings.

Brian’s concern grew as he examined Robby’s hand without observing any reaction that indicated Robby was aware of his presence. Cindy responded to his glance in her direction with, "After he launched the Mjolnir, he kept hitting the launch button. I finally made him stop, but now he will not talk to either CHRYS or me. Daddy, I think Robby wants to die."

"I copy. We have our captive on the Donkey and will enter the west Portal within two minutes. Advise Doctor Vester that I burned off two of the Bug’s legs just below the first joints. We are applying the sealant paste to its wounds now and the Donkey’s monitor is active. Are you receiving the data feed from the monitor?"

"Doctor Vester copied your last. Wait one on the monitor feed."

"Moletown six. We just entered the western portal and our captive is resting quietly."

"Oregon Six to Capture Six. Welcome news Rick! Doctor Vester reports that the data feed suggests that our Bug will likely survive its capture. Congratulations are in order for you and the entire Capture Team. Oregon Six clear."

"Tom. We owe our success to the bravery of Mary Jordan. I will always remember watching Mary fire that vest and hearing her last words. I have never witnessed such a courageous act of love and compassion. She will always be this soldier’s hero. Capture six clear."

"Tom. The Tri-D camera on the roof of the Saint Vincent Medical Center building has a Buzzard in view. It is holding a stationary position directly above the crash site at an altitude of approximately one hundred meters."

"If you believe in the power of prayer Mandy, you will never have a better time to put your belief to the test. The psychological profile derived from monitoring the Bugs in the Superdome suggests a total lack of concern for the well-being of their compatriots. However, the Bugs have always responded violently to previous attacks without regard to their effectiveness."

"Look! They are blasting the crash site with energy beams. By the time they finish, nothing will be left but a pile of slag."

"Nor any evidence of our attack on the Slug. Tactically speaking, the Bugs just blew it. I think they failed to recognize that hostile action was responsible for the Slug’s destruction. They strike me as tactical neophytes despite the fact they have effectively employed an advanced technology against us."

"Tom, I think they are leaving. Yes! They are gone."

"It seems they are. I will be in my quarters writing a commendation for Mary Jordan now that our situation seems to have returned to normal."

"Attention Moletown. Stand down from Condition Red. We have just achieved a great victory at a terrible cost. Paul and Mary Jordan are dead. After a Slug popped Paul at the zoo, Mary permitted the Slug to pop her as well after donning a device that enabled us to destroy it. The subsequent explosion killed both of them instantly and brought the Slug down just east of the Sunset Transit Center. The Capture Team managed to secure a captive and deliver it to the Monkey House."

"Moments later, a Buzzard appeared over the crash site and destroyed the remnants of the Slug soon after its arrival. The Buzzard then departed the area leaving us to believe that the Z-RETS remain unaware of Moletowns existence. A detailed report of these events will appear in a special edition of the Moletown Times tomorrow. Moletown will remain in Alert Status One until further notice."

As Brian returned the phone to its cradle, he said, "Be patient Cindy. Doctor Lee is on her way out to see us now."

Doctor Lee entered the waiting room and embraced Cindy as she reached for Brian’s hand. After taking a deep breath to regain her composure, she said, "I cannot believe that Paul and Mary are gone. They were such wonderful people. We have taken care of Robby’s hand and Newton and CHRYS are with him now. He wants to go home and became quite angry when I told him he would have to spend the night here."

"Can he come home with us Doctor? I do not think he should be alone now."

"Cindy, I agree completely. I will release him if he agrees to stay with your family."

"He will. Can I see him now?"

"I think so, but let me check with Newton first. I will return in a few minutes."

"Robby, are you sure you don’t want something to eat? We have some more roast be . . . er, or I can fix you a grilled cheese sandwich. You always liked my grilled cheese sandwiches."

"No thanks Mandy. I would like to go home now. I feel very tired."

"Robby, we cannot let you stay alone tonight. I will set up the sofa bed in the living room for you. You will find it to be quite comfortable."

"That will not be necessary Father. Robby will be sleeping with me tonight." Cindy turned to her mother and said, "I am sure that you agree Mother!"

Though clearly startled, Mandy suddenly realized that yesterday’s child was now a determined young woman seeking her mother’s support. Sensing that Brian was going to object, she grabbed his arm while saying, "As you wish Cindy. Your father and I will be at my office for the next hour or so in case you need us. Otherwise, we will see you and Robby at breakfast."

As Robby and Cindy joined Mandy in the dining nook for breakfast, the transparency of her feigned nonchalance cast an oppressive pall over their gathering. While looking at Robby, Cindy rolled her eyes up in exasperation prompting Robby to reach out for Mandy’s hand. Though startled by the mature nature of Robby’s gesture, Mandy took comfort from his look of concern for her distress.

"Cindy and I share a profound love that we would never tarnish with the premature consummation of our relationship merely to cope with our emotional anguish. Years ago, we established a telepathic rapport that permitted us to come to terms with our most turbulent emotions and desires while sharing a mental intimacy beyond portrayal. Last night, as I faced the abyss of despair, Cindy held me close and sang to me as my mother did when I experienced the painful taunts of the other children regarding my unusual creation. I am very grateful that you and Brian permitted Cindy to comfort me through a very difficult night."

"Now, I am going to move into the bachelor quarters and join in the battle against the Z-RETS. My late father was the first to call me Robby and I would like him to be the last. Please address me as Robert now that fate has dealt me the obligations of adulthood."

Robert and Mandy were the last to arrive for the meeting of the Tactical Planning Committee. General Cassidy quickly concluded the opening formalities and turned the podium over to Doctor Vester.

Doctor Vester activated the comweb link to the Monkey House and said, "Bring the Bug up on monitor one and set the Donkey on a one turn per minute rotation to the left. Doctor Wright’s Donkey adjusted to the physical parameters of our captive as if a tailor-made suit and the entire suite of robotic attendants are working perfectly. The straps holding the Bug on the Donkey have rendered it immobile while the adaptability of the Donkey gives us access to every square centimeter of the Bug’s anatomy. We will now attempt to discover the current level of the Bug’s telepathic ability by bringing a volunteer into its presence."

"Bring Mr. Grout up on monitor two." The image of an elderly, heavy-set individual sporting a shabby mustache snapped into view on the second of the two, Tri-D monitors flanking the podium. The volunteer, rocking out to an unheard tune played on an ancient Sony Walkman, occupied a self-propelled wheelchair. Doctor Vester’s fruitless vocal attempts to get his attention, succeeded after someone removed the volunteer’s earphones permitting the Doctor to ask, "Mr. Grout, are you still prepared to face the Z-RET?"

"Maybe you should ask that damn Bug if it is ready to face me. Besides, after spending a lifetime counting brown trout for the Unified Sewerage Agency, an old bonehead like me is not afraid of any Bug. You did say you had it tied up?"

"Yes, it cannot harm you physically. However, it can probably harm you mentally. In fact, it may even have the power to kill you."

"I haven’t had my ‘55 T’Bird on the road since the Bugs came and seriously doubt I will live long enough to see them dead. Way I see it; I do not have anything to lose. Let’s do it!"

"Okay Mr. Grout, here we go. Just remember to remain strapped in the wheelchair. It will take you into the Bug’s chamber and bring you out by remote control. Keep the buttons pressed with your thumbs. We will bring you out immediately should you release either of them. Good luck Mr. Grout and thank you for volunteering to help us. Send Mr. Grout through the baffles and split screen two with the route progress diagram. Split screen one with the neural monitor readouts."

Turning to the Committee Doctor Vester said, "We are monitoring the Bug to learn when it detects the presence of Mr. Grout as his chair wends its way through the labyrinth leading to the confinement chamber. When the Bug detects Mr. Grout, we expect to see spikes in the neural traces displayed on the lower half of the monitor. We validated the performance of the neural monitor earlier by using the robotics to apply a variety of stimuli to the captive."

"We have raised the atmospheric pressure of the chamber to create a positive outflow that will prevent the bug from detecting Mr. Grout through olfaction. Also, before we ensconced the Z-RET in its new abode, we activated a broad-spectrum noise generator that will serve to mask the sound of Mr. Grout’s approach."

"The route progress diagram shows Mr. Grout must negotiate five, ninety-degree turns before reaching the confinement chamber. Each turn reduces the thickness of the solid concrete separating him from the Bug by a full meter."

"Stop the chair. Mr. Grout, can you hear me?"

"Yes, I can. Why have you stopped the chair?"

"Our instrumentation suggests that the Bug has detected your presence while three meters of concrete remain between you and the Bug in a line-of-sight route to its chamber. This suggests that its current mental powers greatly exceed our expectations. Do you wish to reconsider your mission?"

"Hell no. Get on with it Doctor. Just honor your commitment to send me on to the Promised Land if the Bug turns me into a vegetable."

The chair bearing Mr. Grout entered the chamber and approached the Bug without eliciting a reaction from the captive. As the chair approached the front of the Bug, it attempted to extend its stinger beyond the clear plastic muzzle that restrained it. The two bitter enemies quietly confronted each other for a few moments until Mr. Grout seemingly dredged out the bottom most recesses of his lungs and spit on the bug. Seconds later, his body thrust forward with a force that sundered the straps holding him in the chair and he fell to the floor, dead.

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