The Empire at my House?

Chapter 1 A few surprises

"I was 16 years old and lived on a little farm near a lake. So I'm involved in many 4-H events, community service, traveling, and was always even invaded in many social or political events. My Mom always insisted, to impress other adults. Even when I started at 10 years old, and my Mom home schooled me. My little brother John was also schooled at home too, but being young and foolish then, I still found him annoying. And my Parents were and still are the best teachers I ever had. Through a Charter school, and 4-H, we had many friends and knew many people. So, being late summer in August, I invited a few families and friends for dinner and a swim in our pool…"

"Come-on Sarah, answer the phone", wondered Mandy Westberg as she fiddled with an end of her dusty blond hair. It was not as long as a few inches down her back. With the phone to her shoulder to attach it to her ear to listen, her other hand held a sheet of paper for guest names. She had not invited all of her friends and people she knew, but the best ones she could find. Finally after the 4th ring a familiar young female voice answered. "Hello?" "Sarah, its Mandy do you have results?" Mandy asked, delighted as always to hear her best friend's voice. "Yep" came a short reply "and?" Mandy asked with tension in her voice as if accepting important news. "My parents said yes, we are coming early to help out." On both connections, the girls whooped in joy like little girls again.

Sarah and Mandy had known each other since they were little, and have wanted to be best friends for a long time.

"And the Johnson's and Gillettes?" asked Sarah in excipment

"Yep, but I could not get Sean Smith though, for some strange reason I can't reach them that all" "What do you mean?" Sarah asked, she too sounded confused. Before Mandy could answer, someone knocked and opened her bedroom door. " Mandy, it's late" called her Mom through the doorway; "you'll see everyone tomorrow." "OK Mom goodnight," after a quick goodbye to her best friend, it was time to hit the hay.

After her prayers, she fell asleep knowing that the next 2 days are going to be fun. She had invited her close friends over for a small simple "easy, as done 4-H book" meeting, and even a good old-fashioned sleep over. It was all just right. But if Sean showed up. Mandy wondered on why no one would answer the phone, even at 10 pm? She left a message on their answer measine, but will they get it? She shrugged and drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face, not noticing a few flashing lights outside her window from behind the drapes.

"…Like I said, everyone was in bed that night. Well, at least anyone I knew. But no one, not even me or Sarah, knew that the Smith's home would be the first target…"

Across Oakdale, no more then 15 min.s away. The Smith's house sat on a hill, no lights were on. Except one, with a dark haired boy's face staring out. Sean Smith sighed, it was time he fell asleep then maybe sleep in tomorrow for a few hours. It was a weekend tomorrow of course. He stretched and closed his bedroom window. Suddenly there were light flashes. But by the time he drew back the curtains, they had stopped. "Maybe just a car on the road" he thought with a shrug, " But it sure seemed like-

Suddenly there was sound of broken glass, then the cries of his parents. Then more noise, there were people in the house. Quietly Sean stayed still, then opened the door slowly. Suddenly white gloves grabbed him and pulled him into the hall. Kicking and struggling to get free, Sean was dragged into the living room. He did get a few marks, from the chine to the legs. But soon more grabbed him. He was helpless, for now.

Sean looked around, these guys were soldiers, for he heard them taking orders and give instructions. But something was quite familiar about all them. His Mom and Dad were on the floor, uncounsence but alive. Troops were guarding them too.

Sean glanced out a window, in time to see more troops on his family's lawn. And even more surprised to see them cutting the telephone polls, and blasting cars on the road. "These guys are serious" He looked at a few in the house. Five were still holding him, three were watching the parents, and two were looking at the message machine. Suddenly one hit the review button and listened. "Hey Sean? This is Mandy" came a familiar voice on the machine, "just wanted to ask if you could make it tomorrow. The Gillette's and the Johnson's would be there…." After listening the rest of the details, both of the soldiers looked at each other then walked outside. Sean kicked and tried to free himself. He had to get away and warn his friends. But little did he know, they were already on their way.

"The next morning, was the morning when many things changed. And a few surprises included. …."

The summer afternoon was gorgeous. But there was the 99' disagree heat wave, every one was anxious to take a dip in the pool in the back yard. Sarah's family had arrived early to help prepare for dinner.

While the younger 'siblings' (Mandy's brother John, and Sarah's younger sister's Christine and Michelle) were getting ready to swim inside. Mandy and Sarah were outside playing with the Dogs. The Westbergs owned 4 dogs; the oldest were "Sally" and 'Rosie', 2 mixed breeds of shepherd, retriever and cocker spaniel. Both would not do much but please others, ready to retire. The young one was "Jagger" a mixed shepherd. And "Tasha" a purebred German shepherd. The young ones, who guarded the house too.

Soon they saw a car on the driveway, it was the Johnson's car! The Dogs barked with joy, for they loved company. The Horses in their padlock even looked up. Sarah and Mandy walked over.

"Hey Alexa, it's great to see you" Mandy greeted the older girl with a hug, like all girls who never see each other often. Mandy had known Alexa though church and school along with Alexia's sister Brianna. They already were introduced to Gien Family. To Mandy Alexa was one of the loveliest girls she knew, a great dancer, and was like a super model. "You too," Alexa answered as she smiled one of her loving smiles. Brianna was next receiving a greeting. "How are you?" "Oh, great Mandy" She answered looking around. "I like coming here" "Need help with this bag?" "Sure," she looked up at the driveway. A van was driving up now. "Jessica and Shane are here, but lets get these in the house."

Mandy had known Jessica and her older brother Shane Gillette from 4-H and school. And Jessica was a very talented girl, a real actress, and was always ready for fun. Mandy knew that out of all the girls she knew, any of them would be the most beautiful or pretty, and for her plain and odd. Even though others would say it was not true, Mandy never really addressed her outward appearance.

As the other girls talked on together and greeted one another. Mandy walked back to the house to help the parents in the kitchen. The Gillette's had just got there, and everyone was bringing something for dinner.

As she looked around the house, she thought about it, and her friends. The house was built around an almond orchard with a few fruit trees; the horse carrel was near the front garden. The whole property was 100 acres. The rest of the neighborhood was orchards, fields for cattle and oats, and a few vineyards, and in the center of it all was Lake Woodland. Friends have always wanted to come and stay a while. For it was beautiful here, with the far vast countryside. For Mandy and her brother life was never boring growing up.

"Mandy where shall I put this Lasagna?" asked Mrs. Gillette "Jessica is changing into her swim clothes, and Shane's with John." Mandy rolled her eyes, knowing that would mean her brother and Jessica's brother would be doing computer the whole time, for a long time. "Ah, just put it near the stove" she said answering the question, and then went to look for the 2 brothers. Even when being home schooled, she learned her way around the kitchen. But the kitchen will have to wait for now.

Soon to find them as she suspected. Shane was tall, had dark spiked hair, and was older then Mandy by a few months, this thought used to annoy her. She really liked his sister Jessica, and sometimes she would like Shane as well. But in the past, she swore for being a to rival to him in 4-HHH, but that was the past.

"So", she said as she walked into the computer room, "are you boys going to help us clean the pool, or sit there and play computer football?" Boys, a big one and a small one were glued to the screen like zombies. "OK" she thought, "Maybe not". Paulo and Sheryl Westberg, her parents, were engineers so they would own extra computers for different work. Mandy walked outside though the back door, not noticing shiny white gloves open the guest bedroom door.

All her friends were on the pool deck getting ready, but where were the grown ups? "Brianna" Mandy addressed the girl with the long brown braid, as she grabbed a net and put it in the water, "I need-" suddenly something jerked the poll, something strong. Christina and Michelle looked down at the water while Mandy hassled with the poll. "What the Nova-", Mandy gasped then fell in the pool water. Where 2 hungry Great White Sharks were waiting! Soon all the girls knew what was in the water, soon they were screaming not by their friend's fate. But soldiers in heavy duty white armor came through the pool gates, heavily armed.

Mandy was less fortunate, "Oh God, she thought. She knew all about sharks of all kinds, but never was in the same water with them. Both beasts charged in massive efforts each grabbing the legs of her pants. Staying calm, and trying not to panic, Mandy took out her pocketknife. She had still not changed into her swim clothes and was still dressed in her work clothes. Normally being used for harvest and farm work, she never used any blade on any living breathing animal before. "Father God forgive me", she prayed then stabbed one right in the face, "If this is murder".

The good part was they were small sharks, and after stabbing in the face and the back at a few times, red liquid in blood was everywhere. Mandy knew that the other shark would smell the blood and attack instantly. But the bad news was that the other shark was already after her, she was still under water. "Need air", Mandy rose to the surface and the step ladder in the shallow area of the pool. Gasping for air, Mandy wiped the wet hair from her face.

Collapsing on the pool deck and catching her breath, she looked up to see something she could not imagine. Storm troopers, from the "star wars" movies?

What the-?

They seemed so real, and sounded real too, "You bring a towel", one ordered to Michelle," Now!" Michelle ran and fetched a towel, then brought it to Mandy who was still breathing heavily. "You all right?" she whispered. "I hope so," Mandy answered with a groan. "Enough," ordered the same trooper snapping a gloved finger, "into the house now!" "Move, move" each one encouraged.