Epilogue:
Commissioner Frank Williams was faced with a quandary. The frogs were gone. The gangs of New York were broken into a millions pieces, and the high-tech garbage was no longer killing men and women in his town. At the same time, it was clear that aliens–and the problems they brought–were here to stay. He couldn't pretend that they weren't. The city–and its leadership–could no longer afford to pretend that alien sightings were the result of a drug or alcohol-fueled stupor. Much like California Law Enforcement, New York's police were going to have to figure out what to do now.
Walking into the old station-house, he found the people most responsible for their success in the middle of a frantic effort to pack their belongings so they could get the hell out of here. That made him more than a little nervous. What if the frogs came back for another round? Components for thousands of weapons had left his town. He didn't want New York to be targeted as a source of supply in the Incursean Civil War. What if there was something even nastier out there waiting for a chance to take over?
Walking into the former Captain's office, he stood there watching as Michael Stack emptied the desk. He'd learned that Officer Mike Stack had once been one of his. Frank had read his file from cover to cover. The man had an impressive record before and after his departure from the NYPD. Top marksman of his class. Member of a Special Response Team. Dozens of arrests to his credit. He was a helluva policeman. He had all the right credentials, and he'd shown his ability to manage this kind of problem. Mike Stack was the best man for the job.
Shutting the door behind him, Frank cleared his throat, attracting the younger man's attention. Straightening, Mike greeted the older man with, "afternoon, Commissioner. What can I do for you?" "I'd like you to consider staying on, Mr. Stack," announced the Commissioner. Mike's brow creased. Holding up his hands, Frank said, "we need you here, Stack. We've got nobody who's dealt with anything like this. You... You're the perfect man for the job." Mike flushed. Taking the opening, Frank Williams said, "I understand why you left, Mike. With the union and with the seniority system in place, it's hard for a young guy to get ahead. This... This is different. This is a whole new division. You'd have carte-blanche to set things up the way you want."
Mike replied, "I'm flattered, sir. I really am... but..." "You're getting married," sighed Frank. "I know. I can't ask a man to leave his fiancé behind. I'm prepared to offer Ms. Mann a position on the force too. I'm prepared to bridge both of you for years of service..." Mike thought about that for a long few minutes. It was a tempting offer, better even than what was waiting on him back home in Bellwood. He knew Lucy would have followed him wherever he wanted to go, even if it meant leaving everything she knew behind. At the same time, it didn't really feel right.
"Sir," said Mike. "Flattering as the offer is, you're making it to the wrong guy." Stepping around his desk, he took the senior man by the shoulder and opened the door. Steering the Commissioner out of the office, he pointed to the five very human faces sitting at one of the desks. "They stayed here and walked the beats for you," Mike reminded him. "They didn't run off to California." Smiling, he added, "and they're just as good as I ever was." Defeated, the Commissioner nodded. He'd have to figure out a plan going forward. Mike informed him, "Helen's volunteered to stay and help you get on your feet. She's one of the best there is. I'd be happy to offer whatever advice I can." "Thank-you, Mr. Stack," sighed the Commissioner.
The two men shook hands. Motioning for the Commissioner to go and meet his new team, Mike stepped aside. A glance at his fiancé found Lucy smiling at him in approval. He'd handled that very well. Smiling back, Mike headed back to his soon-to-be former office to finish cleaning up his stuff. When he was done, he came outside with a small box to find the Alphas had already finished cleaning up the Plumber equipment they'd brought. Lucy was waiting on him with their bags. The Commissioner was gone, but his friends remained.
Mike strolled over to them, announcing, "I want to thank all of you guys. I asked a lot of you, and you more than delivered. When Lucy and I got here, it was just us against an unknown number of extra-terrestrial killers. We never could have done what we did without all of you. More than that, you made my fiancé feel at home in spite of the things that were going on at the time. You're all class acts in my book, and I've already lobbied the Commissioner to promote you to enable you to continue the work we started here. New York City needs you. More than that, the people of New York State are going to be watching what goes on here for lessons to keep the rest of the state safe. I know you all can do this, and I look forward to seeing you all again some day soon."
He and Lucy went down the line, shaking hands with everybody there before heading for the stairs with their bags in tow. "Sorry it wasn't much of a vacation, honey," said Mike, as they climbed the stairs. "Baby, I wouldn't have missed this for the world," replied Lucy. She'd gotten to meet his family. She'd met all his old friends. They'd had a crazy adventure in the streets of New York. She was more than content.
As the twosome came out on the roof of the old station-house, Mike let his girl come even with him. The sun was setting, casting shadows on them from the surrounding buildings, and the air was suffused with golden light. Lucy looked absolutely lovely standing there. He was the happiest man in the world right now. "I love you, Lucille Mann," said he, as he gathered her into his arms. "I love you, Michael Stack," replied Lucy. Arm-in-arm, the two got onto Molly's proto-truk. Sealing the ramp behind them, Molly announced, "next stop, Bellwood, California."