Chapter Three: Armageddon Relived

Jess sat in Ops. Suddenly the alert sounded. A short time later, strong arms appeared on her shoulders. She moved her head up and stared into the eyes of Becker.

She smiled.

"What have we got?"

"Multiple future predators," she said.

He sighed. "Right. I'm on it."

He began to move, but Jess caught his hand. "No. You can't. The other teams are all out. You can't handle this alone. You'll be outnumbered."

Becker smiled sadly, and kissed her forehead. "I have to," he said softly.

A tear ran down Jess' cheek. "I know," she said, nuzzling her cheek against his hand. "Be careful."

He smiled. "Always."

He ran to the lift. Jess called out, "I love you."

As the lift closed he said, "Love you too."

Jess sat trembling, looking at the monitors. The lights flickered. She felt the whole room shake.

"Jess, what's going on?" asked Becker through comms.

"Nothing. I'm fine. Focus on the mission. I don't want you distracted."

More tremors.

"Jess, what's that shaking sound?"

"I told you, it's nothing."

"Don't lie to me," he said. It sounded more like a plea than a demand. "Jess, are you under attack?"

Jess took a deep breath. "Honestly, I don't know."

Becker was silent. "Call someone from security. Now."

"We're too understaffed."

"Jess…"

"I'm fine, Becker. Get your mind on your situation. There are two predators coming up on your position."

"Copy. Jess, get your EMD."

"Yes. I have it," she said, lying. At that moment, she pulled it out of the drawer. "I'm armed. Happy?"

"Yes," he said. Then Jess heard EMD fire.

"Three more after those."

"Copy."

Jess felt a loud shudder and heard several clamoring bangs.

"Jess?"

"Here, still. Heads up, Becker: more future predators. I see two…four….God, now there's about….eight."

"I'll be fine, Jess."

A loud boom echoed through the comms as Jess was knocked from her chair.

"Jess!" screamed Becker.

Jess lay on the floor as debris fell around her. Then smoke or dust drifted through.

"Jess! Answer me!"

"I'm alright. I…don't know what's going on. I think we were hit by something," she said. She felt more tremors. She pulled herself into the chair. "I'm back. Wow. You took down all eight?"

"Yeah. Back to you, what's going on?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry, but I don't. I'm….doing my job. OK, the anomaly is still open. More predators just swarmed through." She paused. "Becker…" she whispered in horror.

"How many came through?"

Tears fell freely. "About twenty," she said. Twenty future predators and he was alone. He was doomed.

"Understood. Jess, if it…gets bad…I want you to look away."

"Becker," she said with a sob. "I…"

"It's Ok, Jess. This is my life. I'm sorry, though. And…I love you."

Jess closed her eyes. She was sobbing freely now. "I love…"she began, but a huge impact jarred her to the floor again, knocking chunks of wall and ceiling down on top of her.

She was stunned. It was dark now and dusty. She was able to push the debris off her. She felt like she was OK. She was able to crawl. She could see the light of the ADD, but several monitors were down, including the one tracking Becker.

She got to the ADD, but she couldn't reach anyone on the Comms. She looked toward the Ops entrance. Debris was piled in front, but there was a small hole through. She sat for several minutes, catching her breath, and trying to figure out what to do.

Then she heard the growl coming through the hole. She sat in terror as the growls got louder. Then the debris around the hole in the door began to move. She realized a creature was digging.

To her.

She sat, petrified. She looked around for the EMD. Nothing. More debris shifted. She looked for a place to hide. Nothing.

Claws appeared. Then a reptilian body. Then two deep red, inhuman eyes peered at her.

A loud shriek ran shivers down her spine. She saw the large, gecko-like monster slithering toward her. Blood dripped from its enormous teeth. It was about her size, maybe even bigger. She didn't know if it was prehistoric or future.

It crawled toward her. Now, just inches from her it shrieked in triumph.

Jess closed her eyes, ready to die.

Zap!

Jess looked up. The creature lay unconscious before her.

"Not my woman, you don't," said a familiar, sexy voice.

Jess hopped up and ran into Becker's arms. They kissed passionately.

"How?" she began.

Becker just smiled. "Reinforcements made it in time."

She laughed with relief. "Did they ever," she said, throwing her arms around him.

"What were you trying to say, by the way?" asked Becker, with a twinkle in his eye. "We were cut off."

Jess smiled. "You know what."

He raised his eyebrow. "Say it again."

"As many times as you want," she said. "I love you. I love you. I love…" this time she was cut off by his kiss.

They held each other, kissing deeply, their hands caressing each other's bodies. A sweeping love song filled the air.

"Cut! Now that is how you make a video!" cried Chuck.

Jess giggled. "I got so caught up in it, I forgot it was pretend."

"I know. We're both shaking," said Becker.

Jess nodded, and returned to his arms. "It was kind of intense for a love song video, wasn't it?" she asked Chuck.

He shrugged. "The brass said they wanted a personal video about the emotions of ARC staff as they try to save the world. I think we've given them that."

Becker snickered. "I think so," he said. "Personally, I'd watch it."

"Just for your hero status," said Jess, chuckling.

Becker smiled, then asked about the song that was playing, "it sounds familiar."

"It should. I'm always playing it. It's called 'Crazy for this Girl,' by Evan and Jared."

Just then the line was sung, 'Right now, face to face, all my fears pushed aside. Right now, I'm ready to spend the rest of my life…with you."

"Oh, that song," said Becker with a smirk. "It makes you…friendly."

She blushed, laughed, and kissed her boyfriend hard, and they began making out.

"Whoa! Keep it family-friendly, please!" cried Chuck, laughing.

"Sorry," said Jess. "Can we see the video?"

"Still have to digitally add the creature in," said Chuck. "Although the stand in was terrifying."

"But not intentionally," said Becker, looking to the 'creature,' which was actually a guy in a costume.

"Oi! I was sensational!" cried the beast. It yanked off its head, revealing Connor Temple. "Didn't you see how Jess shook with fear?"

Jess giggled. "You had me scared, all right."

"That's what I'm saying," said Connor.

Becker smirked. "Connor you don't need a costume to terrify me."

"So, Mr. Director, how do I look?" he asked.

"You do know that when we add the digital creature, no one will see you, right?"

"But I'll know," said Connor with glee. "I'm in a video!"

"About us," said Becker.

"Our love," said Jess, laying her head on Becker's shoulder. They both grinned sweetly.

Connor looked ill. "Now I'm terrified."

Author's Note: Surprise! At first this was straightforward and obviously a video. I like it this way. It's fun and has a twist.