"Invaders From Mars II..."

Summary: David's dream was a premotion but the actual story went a bit differently...

Part VI...

"Yes, General..." the Colonel was on phone, answering a series of questions being put as Kelston picked at his breakfast of eggs and toast. "We found no trace of the craft afterward as in my report. And no evidence of elevated radiation or chemical residue. It was as if the thing simple vanished...Or never existed." He paused as Kelston eyed him.

So now we're crazy... Wan smile on Kelston's face.

But, we still have the remains of the control devices...And General Mayberry, Sergeant Rinaldi, the Chief...The little girl...All dead, he sighed to himself. And, maybe...

Considering all that...I could wish we were crazy.

"Yes, we have the control devices removed from the little boy's parents and from the corpses. Though they were badly fused, we've been able to preserve them. There's that much anyway." The Colonel noted to phone.

"Yes, sir. It is quite possible the ship escaped intact. However there's been no evidence of radar contact or anyone seeing the thing fly off, directly or by astronomical observation. Dr. Kelston, the astrophysicist I've mentioned, the man who discovered the attack..."

Kelston wincing...

Colonel...

"Yes. He's cooperating fully and understands the need for secrecy here, sir." Colonel Fielding winking at Kelston who ruefully smiled. You are and do, right? Fielding mouthed with grin.

Up to a point, Kelston thought, nodding.

"He's also contacted a number of his colleagues...Under proper security, yes, sir...To help us confirm there was no visual or radar evidence of the ship's departure. Yes, sir. I assure you, we've been cautious with all civilian contacts. No one else has been told...My men are all under orders to keep silent. The town? Yes, we've sealed it off under that story of a pipeline accident. People are only leaving on roads after passing security checkpoints and being checked for any signs of the control devices. Yes, sir. The ones with an urgent reason to leave the area are being fully checked and monitored and the local FBI office is helping to monitor the area for any strange behavior among the populace. I had the railroad and airport closed just before the ship left or was destroyed. At ten, yes, sir."

Ten last night...Kelston sighed. The end of...Wait...He blinked, rising.

The Colonel regarded him, pulling from phone. "Just a moment, General. Kelston?"

"Isn't there a train at 9:20 and 9:55? I remember taking the 9:20 to a conference once."

"One more moment, General!" the Colonel eyed Kelston. "Ruth!" he called into the hall. The secretary entered, in uniform, hastily. "What trains left town before 10 pm last night? I was told the last flight from the airport was at 6pm, check that again as well." The secretary nodded and hurried out to her desk, Kelston eyeing the Colonel who took up the phone again.

"Sorry, General. We had to check something about last night's train schedule. No, I don't know if it matters as yet, but we want to be sure no one under control might have left the town by rail, plane, car, or on foot. Well, that's good, sir. Yes, I'd appreciate that. I'll get back to you as soon as we've checked that and reviewed the result for the further sweeps of the landing area. Yes, sir...I am having the town checked but carefully so as not to create rumors and panic. We're thinking of having the public health service declare a need for examinations for a possible polio outbreak..."

"We'll need a new public health doctor in charge." Kelston, rather bleakly. The Colonel eyeing him sympathetically.

"Actually General, if we could have a doctor with training in supervision of public health medicine assigned, perhaps posing as a civilian only for the sake of avoiding panic...Someone who could take over for the current physician who...May have been abducted. Yes, by the aliens..." pause.

"Well. We're hoping for the best. Yes, thank you, sir. Yes, all work is proceeding at the base. No hitches as yet and all personnel there have been screened repeatedly, which we'll keep doing. All right, sir. I'll check in again in three hours unless something comes up. Yes, sir, goodbye." He hung up.

"They'll send in someone..." he told Kelston who nodded.

"To take her place..." he sighed. "Well..."

"Kelston, all we can do is make the best of things and hope. For now, best to keep busy." Fielding noted.

"I guess. About that train schedule...You don't really think anyone controlled left town?"

"It would make sense they sent out agents but hopefully they lacked both victims and time. We tried to seal things off as soon as we had some proof of your and the boy's story but..."

Ruth re-entered, bearing a typed paper. "There was a train at 9:20 and one at 9:55 last night, the last one at 10:30 was stopped on your order. The last out of town buses from the two companies in town left at 8:20 and 9:05. All later were stopped. All roads out were blocked as of 10:00 pm. No cars attempted to breech, though you'll have a few angry folks to answer to today. The last flight out left at 6pm. I've the list of passengers for that one at the bottom." Handing list to Fielding. "And you both are due for follow-up screening in ten minutes."

"Good. Forward this passenger list to the FBI bureau chief in Minton, with instructions to have all passengers interviewed. I'm assuming you've already sent out a request to the train station and the bus companies for any passenger information?" smile, with wink to Kelston. "She's the one who should be in charge here."

"I asked for everything for the past five days. We'll see. Probably not much from the bus companies but they'll check with drivers for anyone who seemed suspicious. The train folks should be able to compile a list." She reported, grinning back. "And you're right, but you make a good front, sir." Saluting him which he returned, she left.

"Well, lets make sure neither of us is controlled and get to the site." Fielding rose. Kelston nodding, a bit wanly.

"What if they did sent out agents...?" Kelston eyed the Colonel.

"Their main concern was the rocket plant. We have to assume their agents focused on that. As for the rest, if any did escape, we'll have to hope the FBI and local police nets are wide enough to catch them. If we'd known sooner...But we have to proceed, not get bogged down worrying about things we can't control." Shrug. "Lets get to it, Doctor." Taking up hat.

...

"Very lovely countryside..." Dr. Blake noted as she and David sat on the train on an empty coach seat, she having politely but firmly requested David take the window seat.

"I guess where you..." he paused.

"Yes, David, me..." she smiled. "And yes, where my people came from was quite desolate if lovely...Though once, billions of years ago, it was beautiful. And now the home we've created for ourselves is also quite lovely. I hope you'll get to see it and learn to appreciate it."

"The spaceships you're building for yourselves..." he noted, carefully...Keeping his voice at her look, at which she smiled.

"Yes...But they're starships, David. If you think of us as relations, in this solar system, it should be quite wonderful to think we're going out among the stars. And perhaps, when your people have developed further, you'll one day join us."

"If you'd just trust us..." he urged, quietly...Clamming up as Mrs. Boardman and her daughter walked by.

"Hello, David..." the girl, Gretchen addressed him, pausing.

"Hi."

"Hello, Miss." Dr. Blake smiled warmly at her. "I hope you and your mother slept well."

"Well as could be expected on a train." Mrs. Boardman frowned. "I suppose your compartment was alright."

"Yes, very nice, thank you." Dr. Blake smiled.

"Well, come along Gretchen, we should go get breakfast."

"Have you eaten, David?" Gretchen, resisting her mother's frowning pull...

"We ate early." He nodded.

"We wanted to see the countryside pass." Dr. Blake noted. "But perhaps we could have lunch together?"

"Perhaps." Mrs. Boardman shrugged. "Lets go, Gretchen."

"See you later, David." The girl waved.

"I think you've made a conquest...Hmmn..." Dr. Blake smiled at David. "Sorry, you are a bit young for me to discuss the sexual nature of things, as Dr. Blake informs me."

"Huh?" David stared. "You mean like...uh..."

"I understand. I shouldn't have mentioned it. The fact is, although we don't indulge in such activity, the concept is quite interesting. We did once, of course but given the need for focus on intellectual pursuits, well... But as you people say, old habits never die." Smile.

"I'm sorry." She eyed David's stricken face. "I'm embarrassing you. But I gather from your concern about Dr. Blake...Me...Last night...You're not completely unlearned on such things."

"My dad spoke to me a little last year...The coach at school taught us a little in hygiene. And the guys talk...But..."

"It's fine." Smile. "You people have some curious taboos and customs. You know, Dr. Blake is quite surprised by my attitude. She assumed our people didn't even consider that side of things. Quite the contrary...But I'll stop, I promise." Patting his hand. "Still, Dr. Blake is quite sure the young lady likes you, David. And she thinks you quite an attractive young boy. To other young ladies of your age." Smile at his stare.

"You're different than I thought." David eyed her. "I mean...You..."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Smile. "Thank you."

"I didn't think you could be so...I dunno..."

"Human?" she grinned. "A thing in a bubble with tentacles? I know what you and Dr. Blake thought of me, or at least what she initially did." She quieted as a man passed by, nodding to her, she nodding back pleasantly.

"I didn't mean anything by it."

"No, it's quite understandable. We're very different physically. But we were once much more like you than you may realize. Only necessity forced us to take our current forms. And it is a bit...hard? Yes, Hard...Sometimes to think on all we've lost. You see, David...You may think us cold and inhuman, even cruel, but we retain our ancestral memories of our past. We may only live physical lives in our dreams, but they are beautiful dreams. And one day, as we find new homes, we hope to resume physical lives."

She regarded him carefully... "So, you see, we're not all that different, as people. I think, for whatever time you must spend with us. You find us not all that different when you get used to us."

"I'd still rather go home with my folks. But, I'm trying to keep my word."

"I know." She nodded. "And we are grateful. And I am sorry we had to use your parents as operatives for a time. I really do hope they're fine."

"Could we...I mean, later on..."

"Yes, absolutely." She nodded. "We can find a way to let them know you're well and safe. But it may have to be a little while yet."

"And Dr. Kelston? He should know Dr. Blake is ok."

"When it's possible. I promise." She nodded. "I know she wants that as well. We don't wish to hurt either of you or those who care about you."

"Thanks."

...