The planet Earth was formed over four billion years ago and is home to millions of species, including humans. It is the only place in the universe where life is known to exist, or so we were led to believe.
As the sun rose over each continent on the 22nd of December 2012, alien aircraft appeared, hovering over abduction sites signaling them like beacons instructing them to leave behind the unfortunate souls fated to become Super Soldiers. Like chameleons blending in with their surroundings, these alien replicants infiltrated sparsely populated areas, their only goal, to serve an alien master, stop the resistance and multiply their army.
The United State's House and Senate were brought together under a common understanding, and with the exception of only a handful of non-believers, the strategy to defend the country was established. Convincing our leaders of the threat was not an easy task, but when one of their own State Department personnel, once known as the "Toothpick Man" was exposed and his alien biology explained, and the traitorous nature of the former Vice-President of the United States was uncovered, they could no longer deny the truth.
Every branch of the military and all law enforcement across the country were inoculated with the alien vaccine against the black oil and host virus. Antibodies were added to public water systems and over time, those who drank it became immune to the alien infection and the hypnotic bidding of the extraterrestrials. The first defense against colonization became free will.
Recognizing the effectiveness and crucial time limit at hand, immunizing the entire population of the planet became a priority. Our government went to the World Health Organization and a privately run foundation funded by a billionaire in the high tech industry and with their cooperation, a campaign to inoculate against swine flu became the means by which the defense against aliens was implemented.
Rural America was no exception, however, not everyone participated. Religious beliefs and suspicions against the government were two large reasons for their reluctance. These individuals would still run the risk of alien abduction and become hosts for Super Soldiers. Their destiny would lie in the hands of the Military, the President issued a directive that loss of human life was unacceptable, but ultimately the Super Soldiers must be destroyed by any means necessary.
At first, subterfuge was used to take the alien replicants out one by one. Armed with information on identifying the enemy by the protruding vertebrae at the back of their neck, they defended the planet with specially developed weapons that carried silencers and discharged magnetite bullets. Like the Super Soldiers, our Military hid among the general population and a carefully orchestrated plan to stalk and destroy the alien replicants was instigated as they fought a dangerous ground war like no other.
By the summer of 2013, mass chaos and fear rippled throughout the planet. The battle against alien colonization was prevalent on every continent, and a war between two worlds was well underway. Together, the President and the Prime Minister of Canada had commandeered the airwaves from the mainstream media, and their voices relayed the gravity of the situation.
"We are confronting an unprecedented and historic world crisis. We face more challenges than any of us could ever have imagined and the actions we take will define the way citizens of the world will live in the 21st century. There is more work to be done, sacrifices to be made and grave responsibilities to bear."
"These are extraordinary times for us all. As Leaders, our single most important responsibility is to keep our planet free and safe. This is the goal we must strive for when we awake in the morning and the last thoughts we must consider at the end of the day. We must stand together. There is now one law, fight or die and one rule, resist or serve."
It's a warm spring afternoon in Boulder. John watches Monica cross the courtyard toward him. She is the picture of health with her rosy cheeks and bright eyes. Her hair has a smattering of gray, her face a few more lines, but he thinks she is every bit as beautiful as she's always been.
"John!" Monica runs up to her most trusted friend in the world and wraps her arms around him.
"Jesus Monica, you are a sight for sore eyes. I've missed you. How's life in academia."
"It's good. I actually love these kids. It's the most optimistic I've felt in thirty years."
John gets a serious look in his eyes. "Are you seeing anyone?"
She never tires of looking at him. The life he's led is imbedded in every craggy line on his face and the intense emotions in his eyes are as clear as ever.
"Only you!" She teases.
He takes her face in his hands, leans down and kisses her soundly.
She blushes and thinks how silly, but is pleased she can still feel this way after all these years.
His smile says it all and it feels good when he slings his arm around her shoulder.
Monica beams at him. "I've got news for you, on William. I think you'll be pleased."
Mulder paces around his study before seeking Scully out. She's at the kitchen table, on her computer, tapping on the keys. Her hair is pulled back in a thick braid. He imagines she looked like this when she was a college student. His heart swells with emotion as he studies her.
"Scully, I have to talk to you about something."
"What is it Mulder? Can it wait until I finish this paper?"
"No." He is uncharacteristically nervous and fidgety.
Scully saves her document and pushes back from her computer. She looks at him with curiosity.
Mulder sits down across from her. He is filled with apprehension at what he is about to say.
"Last year, Doggett went to Gibson and asked him to do some digging around. He asked him to see if he could find any information on William."
Scully's face turns pale. "Mulder, I'm not sure this is such a good idea. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of him, but finding him after all these years, I don't know if it's right. Did you ask him to do this?"
"No, he took it upon himself. He told me he's been looking for years. Before the resistance, anyone associated with the X-Files was a pariah, afterwards, accessing records was next to impossible, he could never get anywhere until now. He found out a few things. Having an inside with the President has been useful. Seriously, more than free cable internet." Mulder smirks.
Scully looks at him cautiously.
"William was adopted by a family who lived outside of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Their last name is van de Kamp. Mary van de Kamp worked as a teacher's assistant at the local school and Gordon van de Kamp worked for the local P U D."
"I don't know what to say…. I've imagined every scenario in my head."
"Scully, I know. I've done the same." Mulder takes her small hands in his.
"Doggett looked at what was left of the local police records. There was nothing to indicate the family had any trouble with the law. But, Scully, this next part isn't good, it's pretty tragic."
Her eyes well up with tears. "Go on."
"During the first wave of colonization, the local population around Cheyenne was pretty much in denial. Wyoming being the home of our most famous two-term Vice President, there was a movement to disavow the government warnings. Most of the population eventually understood the gravity of the situation and relocated to the protected areas near the iron ore mines. The van de Kamp's staid behind. They believed their faith in God would protect them and they took refuge with about 300 others in a church compound."
"When it became evident they were in serious danger, the military came and took two busloads of children to the protected area. There wasn't enough room for everyone, the parents and adults sent the children."
"My God, Mulder, those poor people."
"Those children included William van de Kamp, he was eleven years old. The adults that staid behind did not survive. The area was one of the pockets they hit with magnetite bombs. It took out the Super Soldiers, but it also took out the civilians. The van de Kamp's were never found."
"What happened to William? Where is he?"
"William was placed with a foster family who cared for him for almost three years. These people took in nine children from the ages of two to thirteen. They must be Saints, they did more than their share."
"Mulder, where is he?"
"Right before William's fourteenth birthday, his family's property in Wyoming was appropriated by the government. In exchange, he would become part of The National Youth Project. He would be cared for, educated and given the opportunity to pursue an advanced degree. He's in Boulder."
"How can you be sure it's him? What if this information is wrong?"
"You know how Monica wanted to get away from D.C. and try something new?"
"She told me she was thinking about social service work or... Oh my God… she said she was taking a job as a Spanish teacher in Boulder."