"Invaders From Mars II…"

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

Part V…

"David? Sweetheart?"

David blinking in his bed…Pulling a sheet.

Home, safe?

"David…Best to hurry and up."

He blinked awake. That was not Mom. And he was fully dressed, stretched out on the…Yeah, the upper bunk bed.

"Sweetheart, we've got breakfast here." Dr. Blake's voice, light and cheery.

"Coming."

"Good."

He rolled over and climbed down. in chair at a table the porter must have brought in, breakfast dishes set out.

"I wasn't sure exactly what you'd like but we have eggs, bacon, toast, cereal. There's orange juice. And I ordered some coffee for myself." She smiled at him.

"I'll go brush my teeth first if that's ok." He stretched.

"Of course. The compartment has a couple in the wash room there." She pointed.

"Thanks." He eyed her. She looked bright and cheery enough, certainly, but there was a weariness in her eyes…Maybe even…Sorrow?

"Are you all right?" he asked. "You didn't get any sleep last night, did you?"

"I told you I couldn't, David but I rested my body. I'm fine, though, thank you for asking." She smiled. "Better go and brush, I don't your breakfast to get cold."

"Ok." He turned and went into the washroom, closing door behind him.

She stood up and looked at herself in a mirror in the main compartment. Yes, I do look a bit exhausted but the woman is reasonably strong and her body healthy.

Don't hurt him…The vague thought. I do all you wish…Please…A wave of thought energy overwhelmed her. Sensations of pleasure as well.

She was doing well. The Prime was pleased with her. The boy…Would not be harmed. But service to the Prime and the People was all that mattered. All. She eyed herself nodding. Vaguely trying to think. Enough. The Prime would guide. Be cheerful for the boy. Prevent any questions. Protect the Prime. Protect the People.

David emerged from the washroom and she beamed at him.

"Have a seat and lets have breakfast."

"Ok." nod. "Can you tell me more about where we're going?"

"Iowa City, the State of Iowa." She replied. "To see your grandparents…" smile.

"That's not true. My grandparents don't live there."

"Well, for a little while we need you to pretend they are your grandparents."

"They're more controlled people, aren't they? Do you have them all over?"

"A few. They scout for us, gather information…" slight yawn. "Sorry, I need to eat and raise my blood sugar. And my adrenaline levels a bit. Have some eggs and juice."

…

Kelston found Fielding as good as his word, at his office bright and early at seven…

"You look like hell, Doctor." The Colonel smiled at the scientist as he entered in rumpled suit.

"Sorry…I'm not much of a drinker, and I got up early to consider the matter of the ship." Kelston noted.

"No offense, Doctor. Still, you should have some coffee and something to eat." The Colonel picked up a phone. "Ruth? Two coffee's and the trimmings. And see if we can get some rolls and some eggs up here. Thanks."

"That's not…" Kelston began.

"Nonsense. You can't run on fumes and last night's alcohol. Besides, I'm starved myself." Fielding smiled. "We can use the time to discuss the situation. Masters Is bringing a report over on the site. The men were going over the area with a fine tooth comb. No radiation or hull debris at last report. And no indication of bodies, human or humanoid. But lets see what Masters brings." Kelston nodding.

"I'm convinced you'll find nothing. Either the aliens escaped and are on their way home, dodging our instruments, or they destroyed themselves and the ship completely. But that's such a refutation of the laws of matter that I can't buy it."

"That sounds to me like somewhat good news…" Fielding noted.

"I don't know. Maybe." Kelston, running fingers through his hair.

The Colonel's secretary, Ruth Enders, entered, wearing her uniform and bearing a tray on which sat cups, saucers, a large coffee pot and sugar and cream.

"The food's coming over from the kitchen in a bit." She noted with smile.

"Great, thanks, Ruth. Kelston, lets get some coffee in you and then some food." The Colonel noted

…

Just outside the room of the young woman who'd approached Kelston and the Colonel the night before…A white haired woman in her sixties tapping at the girl's door. It suddenly opened to reveal the girl, now in modest dress, groomed and coiffed.

"Good morning, Mother." The woman eyed the older woman. "Thanks for coming to wake me but as you can see I've been up, getting ready for work. I hope I didn't disturb you coming in late last night. The show was very good and Harvey and I took a walk. Are you well?" smile.

"I'm fine, Claire. You didn't disturb me, dear, but it was a bit late. Any way I'm glad to see you're up and about, breakfast's ready."

"Oh, good. Thanks." Wide smile. "I'll be right down. Just want give Harvey a quick call to thank him for a lovely evening. If that's all right?"

"Certainly, dear. I'll see you downstairs. Busy day?"

"Oh, very. But the usual. Thank you, Mother." The woman step back and watched the older woman held off, then closed the door and went to the phone, eyeing herself in the room mirror near the phone table.

The woman would likely be listening on the downstairs phone… Best to use the agreed codes. "Hello, Harve, it's Claire. I wanted to thank you for a lovely evening. I hope we can do it again soon. Well, yes. We can go tomorrow night. Tonight of course I need to spend time with Mother and perhaps call my friend Katie. Wonderful. Bye, Harve." She eyed herself calmly and blankely in the room mirror.

There. From his speech, clearly the boy had continued to keep his own family deceived. But it was unfortunate no information could be obtained from the officer and the man with him the night before despite her efforts. And it was difficult to proceed without a projector to add recruits or assistants or guidance direct from the Prime. Still. The Project must be studied and stopped. The People must be protected. The Prime would be served, to the best of her limited abilities. If no projector would be available for some time, she must use the tools at hand. Perhaps not as she'd tried the night before. Perhaps it might be best, after the days work, given she couldn't simply stroll on to the base, to go near, follow a young and lonely soldier and seduce him. Get what info she could from him about the base and the project and see where such led. For the moment, without new guidance, that might be the best course.

But first, feed this body, act as much like the old Claire as possible, proceed to work and associate with her friends to deceive anyone in contact with her. And of course, when communication was restored and new projectors available, the mother and her friends might well be useful recruits. Certainly any young soldier, preferably an officer, but any young man she could seduce, would be an asset. Just hope communication and guidance would soon be restored. It was troubling to have no direct guidance from the Prime.

If seducing a soldier was successful… Her boyfriend…Really just a work friend, of reasonable attractiveness but a bit limited in his intellect and education, taken with her on a date, walking near the pit and ordered to enter, finally at gunpoint, by the chief of police…The chief's death regrettable, as much for his authority in the town as for its fact…Would be best employed both as a…Heavy? They called it in the movies the woman had liked to watch? Yes, a heavy. Though if he could manage to seduce someone at the plant, a worker, secretary, or one of the few women employed in the military service there, that could be very useful.

Yes, disturbing no further orders or guidance had been issued. But, she had her standard instructions and should be able to continue on till new information was received via her control node.

"Claire?" A call from downstairs.

"Coming, Mother." She called, calmly regarding herself in the mirror. "Just brushing my hair." She gave her hair a slight brushing and adjust.

…