(updated 10-09-2020)

CHAPTER FIVE
Death from Above

"At the time we thought it couldn't get any worse. First, there was Cleveland… it cost us Spike. Then there was the White House and then Boston. We were being hunted down, and I was still trying to deal with Dawn, Xander and James being declared missing, presumed dead. Then Fred got word to us about what happened in LA… Giles called it a pyrrhic victory with it costing us Angel along with Wesley and Gunn. I was so disconnected from everything that I don't think I even cried when I got the news. I know I'm partly to blame for his decision to hit the Circle and Wolfram & Hart. He'd tried to talk to me after Cleveland, but my focus was on staying alive and keeping one step ahead of The First and the Government. Even after all that, I just couldn't believe that it could get any worse for us. Then the Haydonites arrived…"

— Buffy Summers

oOoOo

The first sign Faith got that something was wrong was when her call with Buffy cut off in mid-conversation. This shouldn't have happened. Her phone was a military-grade satellite phone with built-in encryption. These phones, provided by Riley, allowed her a secure way to keep in contact with Buffy and the others from any location without worrying about any eavesdropping.

She tried calling Buffy back, but her phone only displayed a "no signal available" message. Even when trying some of her other contacts, she continued to get the same error message flashing.

Long-honed instincts kicked in, thinking that maybe somehow the government had located her. Tension gripped her while glancing out the windows of Andy's house, checking for any suspicious vehicles or people. All the while prepping herself for the expected police tactical team to come barging through the doors at any second.

It was only after a few nerve-racking moments she caught the distant sound of an alarm. At first she couldn't make it out, but as it got louder, shock gripped her, recognizing the familiar warble of an air-raid siren going off.

It was a surreal moment while she tried figuring out what was going on as the siren continued to wail. She remembered that they used the alarms to warn people about tornados or other severe weather, but it was a clear sunny day.

There wasn't a single menacing-looking cloud in the sky, but there were a lot of contrails, high in the sky, going off in all directions. She was deciding whether to go outside to take a better look, when Andy's truck came roaring into the driveway, screeching to a halt. Faith hurried to the door, barely avoiding colliding with Andy as he came rushing in.

"What's wrong? What's going on?" Faith said, noting Andy's worried expression.

Andy ignored her, rushing past to the living room, picking up the TV remote and turning on the TV. The flat-screen TV came on, but only static filled the screen from the channel it was on. He quickly flipped through the channels, only getting static in return.

Finally, after several attempts, a distinct sound filled the room, replacing the static. The piercing sound caused both of them to wince as Andy lowered the volume. They didn't have to wait long as a voice blared from the TV screen while displaying a message.

"This is the Emergency Alert System… The Federal Government from direction of the National Command Authority has authorized activation of this system. This is to notify the population that the country is now in a state of national emergency. At this time, please avoid any unnecessary travel. Stay where you are… authorities will provide further details as soon as possible. Local media outlets will provide more information on what you should do and what precautions to take as information becomes available. This is the Emergency Alert System…"

As the message repeated, Faith noted the increasing worry and concern on Andy's face, "I was talking to Buffy and we got cut off in mid-call. Now, I can't get a signal on my satellite phone… could that message be about us?" she said, moving back to the window to check the street again.

"No, there's something else going on," Andy said, continuing to press the remote, trying to find any further news. A local channel, broadcasting news, finally came through, rewarding his persistence. The shocked expression on the news anchor's face, along with his shaking hands holding the paper he was reading from, provided little reassurance to Andy.

"We are receiving unconfirmed reports that something is happening in orbit around the planet. There are reports from some observatories reporting massive explosions in space and that the UN Security Council has convened an emergency session. We're not sure of what is happening, but we have also received reports of fighters being scrambled from Air Force bases across the country…"

Faith's eyes widened at the mention of something happening in space, and her thoughts switched to Willow and Samantha. If everything was going according to plan, the pair of women should already be up in space getting ready to implement their part of the plan.

Maybe something went wrong? Did something force their hand early? Damn it! I need to talk to Buffy or Riley to find out what the hell is going on!

Andy moved away from the TV, picking up the phone to check it out, and getting a dial tone, "Land line is still working," he said, while he dialed out.

"Who're you calling?" she said.

"I got a friend who's with the 1st Cav at Fort Hood, he's assigned to their 1st Brigade Headquarters Troop," he said, listening as the phone line continued to ring. A voice finally answered the other end, "Mike? It's Andy Rodriguez, what the hell is going on?"

Andy could hear the bedlam in the background as his friend tried talking over the noise. His grip tightened on the phone as his friend relayed what news he could. Disbelief and confusion reigned as he tried to come to grips with what he was hearing. He struggled to talk as he ended the call, "Thanks Mike… you stay safe and watch yourself out there," he muttered.

A bad feeling filled Faith, seeing Andy's face as he hung up the phone, "What? What's going on?" she said.

oOoOo

A somber, despaired expression filled the Air Force General's face as he gave his briefing, "Mr. President, we've lost most of our space fleet. We've received a burst transmission from the cruisers, Baden and Govorov. They executed a space-fold and are in orbit around Mars. They're in contact with the research outpost there and are awaiting orders. Unfortunately, they have almost exhausted their supply of missiles and there are no reloads there. Also, the outpost can only provide limited support to the cruisers… nothing beyond basic repairs along with food, water and air to survive. We've also confirmed the destruction of the International Space Station… there were no survivors. From ground-based radar, we have been tracking the alien armada… they have moved into a high orbit around the planet, targeting and destroying all satellites around the planet. The destruction of our satellite network has impacted and degraded our communication abilities, but we have our land lines and undersea cables still intact."

"What about the Russians and Chinese?" Kinsey said, struggling to project calm, and not let his growing panic and fear spill out into the open.

"We've been picking up a lot of radio chatter from the Russians. It looks like they're preparing to launch a nuclear missile strike at the aliens. We're trying to establish communication channels with them to better coordinate our defenses," replied the General.

"What about our nuclear forces?" Kinsey said.

The General's expression didn't improve, "We've been retargeting our land-based ICBMS, but they're of limited use in this type of scenario against moving ships in a high orbit. We might get some kills by blanketing space with overlapping nuclear explosions, but from the reports from our cruisers, the alien ships appear to have some sort of defensive shielding…"

A Navy Admiral added, "Sir, we've been sortieing out as many of our missile subs as fast as we can. They'll be taking up positions to provide support where needed."

Kinsey stared off into space, uncertain of what to do and say. It seemed so unreal… like a waking nightmare. He felt disconnected from events as if wrapped in a cocoon. But, rather than a pleasant and safe sensation, he felt as if he was being drowned and smothered by what was happening.

An Army General chimed in, "Army and National Guard units are mobilizing as we speak, sir! If the enemy attempt a landing we can move to contain."

Kinsey stifled the urge to laugh as the craziness and insanity of the situation took a hold. He was no military expert, but even he knew that trying to move ground troops when the aliens controlled the space above would be difficult if not suicidal. His eyes shifted their focus to the digital clock mounted on the wall. As the seconds continued ticking by, he wondered how long he had left to live.

The Air Force General continued on, oblivious to his President's inattentiveness, "Sir, we've scrambled our fighters to fly combat air patrols to intercept any craft that enters our atmosphere. We've also dispersed some of our nuclear strike aircraft and fighters to remote air strips to hold back to use if the enemy lands."

oOoOo

Andy had gotten a hold of his sister. She was now on her way to Houston to pick up their parents, to bring them back from their retirement complex. They'd both agreed that staying in large population centers right now was not the best idea. There were more than enough supplies stocked at his and Celia's house to get them through any short-term emergencies.

Rooted to the couch, Faith and Andy watched the TV, trying to digest the latest news from the few channels still able to broadcast. There were already reports of panic setting in and looting in major centers across the country with people rushing to get what food and other supplies they needed to survive. The National Guard was trying to mobilize to support police in maintaining law and order, but the entire system was straining, threating to burst.

"The White House has still to release any official statement or confirm reports about the destruction of the International Space Station and our space fleet. Government sources only say that the US is working with other world powers to coordinate efforts during this crisis. W-Wait… W-Wait… we are getting a report out of China…"

oOoOo

The ashen-faced Air Force officer was pulling up information on the large display screen, "Sir, the Chinese have launched a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the alien armada in orbit!"

Silence gripped the Situation Room as stunned military and civilian officials stared at the display screen, now showing big red splotches across China. As he absorbed this news, Kinsey read the officer's face, knowing that there was more bad news coming, "And?" he said.

"It's a mess, sir! Without satellite coverage, we're limited in what we can see, but the alien ships intercepted all the missiles… with limited or no damage to them. The aliens then responded…"

Kinsey exhaled, closing his eyes as he asked the obvious follow-up question, "How bad?"

"They hit their missile fields hard, and they also took out some cities as well in retaliation… Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Tianjin! Casualty estimates are at least fifty million dead! God knows how many wounded!"

oOoOo

Dejan faced a perplexing tactical and strategic situation as he studied the latest data streaming on the holographic display. It was so vexing that he struggled with the temptation to ask the Awareness to confirm that they were at the right space coordinates and in the right system.

Though the ships that had defended this planet were of Robotech design, similar to those he'd battled before. This planet had such rudimentary space facilities and defenses… there were no space yards or facilities that could support, let alone build, those ships he'd faced.

He brushed aside those confusing questions for now to focus on the matter at hand, "Status of our fleet?"

"Prelate, the missiles launched at our ships were of primitive design carrying primitive fusion warheads. They were not Reflex warheads, and our defensive systems easily handled them. As per standard protocols, we destroyed the launch facilities along with several large population centers."

"Good… What of other planetary defenses?" Dejan replied.

The other cloaked figure's single red glowing eye pulsed, the contempt obvious in his voice as he spoke, "They are just as primitive…! We have detected ground-based missile systems on several of the planet's continents, along with submersible vessels armed with a rudimentary mix of fission and fusion warheads."

There was no hint of mercy or compassion in Dejan's voice as he gave his orders, "I think it is time for another demonstration. We need to make these humans understand that any further resistance is futile."

oOoOo

Kinsey sat back in his chair, trying to push away the competing voices in the Situation Room vying for his attention. The one thing he wanted more than anything else right now was time to think as his inner voices screamed conflicting messages in his head.

Thoughts of his presidential duties and obligations were being drowned out as his well-honed survival instincts kicked in, trying to figure a way to stay alive. An Army officer rushing into the room put a pause on thoughts of personal survival.

"Sir! We've lost Pearl Harbor… Honolulu… all of it!" the stunned and shaken officer announced.

Kinsey leaned forward, trying to make sense of what the officer was saying, "You're saying that they hit Pearl?"

"No, sir… they hit the entire island! Honolulu… Oahu… Everything… it's all gone!"

A stunned, deathly silence gripped the Situation Room. Kinsey's ears reverberated from the sounds of his own heavy breathing while he tried to grasp the magnitude of the disaster and destruction he was facing, "H-How?"

The stunned officer glanced nervously around the room, "We were in contact with our bases on the island, and then they were just gone… just static. We got a garbled report from our space surveillance center on Maui… they reported huge blinding flashes towards Oahu. Several navy ships that had sortied from Pearl… they reported seeing a blinding flash before being cut off. There are no communications with the island… nothing on any military or civilian channels."

Kinsey tasted blood from biting the inside of his cheek to keep from screaming as a wave of panic rose in him. Struggling to keep the rising panic in check, he closed his eyes, taking deep breaths to calm himself. After what seemed an eternity, he opened his eyes, glancing around the room, "Clear the room," he said in a lifeless sounding voice.

Nobody made a move to leave as everyone stared at him in stunned silence. A wave of anger replaced the panic threatening to overwhelm Kinsey as he stood up, "GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!" he screamed.

While his screams shook everyone out of their stunned stupor, they still didn't move fast enough for Kinsey's liking. His continued shouts and screams echoed off the walls and down the halls as everyone hurriedly exited the room.

As the last person closed the door behind them, Kinsey, sweat running down his back, breathing heavily, stood there staring at the door as thoughts raced through his head.

It's not fair! They promised me! They promised me I would rule over all these pitiful people!

A voice from behind him interrupted his thoughts, "Well Bob, it looks like you've got yourself into one heck of a predicament."

Kinsey spun around, finding himself facing his predecessor, sitting on the far corner of the conference table, looking amused with a big smirk plastered on his face. Kinsey blinked in disbelief, questioning his sanity, as he stared at the man who had been dead for nearly four years, "W-Who? Y-You can't be him? H-He's—"

The image of the former President smirked, "Dead… The word you're looking for, Bob, is dead," he said.

The former President stood up and walked around the table towards Kinsey, "Bob, I've been watching since you helped to… uh… succeed me. I like what you've been doing with the place, and I'm here to help you."

Kinsey was like a deer caught in the headlights of oncoming traffic, rooted to his spot, "H-Help me? Y-You're not—"

"Of course, I'm not actually him, Bob. I'm the other guy… you know, the guy that's really in charge."

Kinsey, struggling to keep his panicked breathing in check, had known for some time that his demon master took orders from someone else. Even though he'd heard of The First Evil, he'd hoped that he would never have to deal with The First directly.

The First Evil smirked, "Bob, take it easy… get yourself under control. We don't want you to be having any heart attacks right now. Not when we have this glorious opportunity."

Kinsey, wondering if his mind had snapped, stared at The First in disbelief, "O-Opportunity? H-How?"

The First Evil took on a contemplative look, "Well, it should be apparent that if these aliens had wanted to destroy the planet, they would have done so already. That must mean that they want something."

Kinsey nodded shakily, trying to grasp what The First was telling him, "O-Okay… t-they want something. W-What can I do?"

A huge smile filled the dead President's face, chilling Kinsey's soul, "Bob… Bobby… Do what you do best. Make a deal and look after yourself."