Chapter 2
Mackenzie looked up, as a drone hovered around his backyard. It was small and black, with no markings on it whatever that Mackenzie could make out, even if he walked around it. The camera turned, following him, a red light blinking softly not far from the lens.
"Hey, Dad," Mackenzie pointed upward to the drone, as his father, a big border collie glanced upward, and narrowed his eyes. "What is that drone doing in our yard?"
"Oh, great." His father said, shaking his head. He grabbed a rock from the ground and tossed it, nearly grazing the rotors. The drone turned and flew off, ascending, as the two border collies watched.
"Why was it in our yard?" Mackenzie asked, pointing in the direction the drone went.
"I don't know, son," His father said, glaring at where the drone was. "But it's gone now and I hope it stays gone." His father's face softened as he smiled, looking down at his son. "Why don't you come inside for a fizzy?"
"Okay!" Mackenzie smiled, his tail wagging as he went inside.
Mackenzie's father took out his phone, as his son went inside.
"Hello? Uh, I'd like to report a suspicious drone..." He said, turning back to where the drone was.
A few kilometers off the coast of Brisbane, upon an old oil rig, the strange craft from the crash was surrounded by a crew of dogs hauling tools, lit by bright lighting that hummed above their heads, as Duke stood there, the evening settling in.
"You didn't really touch anything except the clothes you found, right mate?" A red and blue heeler, whose fur reminded Duke of a beach as Duke turned to him.
"No," Duke shook his head. " Senior Researcher."
"Call me Radley, mate," Radley ran a hand through his hair, Duke's nose picking up subtle cues of almond milk. "Though, could you come with me?"
"Not like I can leave here anyways." Duke looked to the sea, as he looked out the sea. He could vaguely make out the skyline of Brisbane, though it would be a long swim from here to the city.
"Well," Radley said, leading Duke down a staircase. "We've run some DNA results on the clothes and well," Radley led Duke into his office, as he sat down. Radley sat down at his desk.
His office had pictures of various cars and trucks, with a model of a Toyota AE86 on his desk. A framed picture of Radley and a Cocker Spaniel at a poolside stood beside his computer as he turned the monitor around. Duke sat down in one of the two chairs in front of his desk.
"We ran a few tests and we found something interesting on the inner lining of this suit," Radley said, pointing to a photo of the gray jumpsuit that Duke found. "We found DNA from as if yet an unknown species," Radley pressed a key, as another image came out. "And performing tests on the suit, we found it be made similarly to flight suits worn by the air force."
"Interesting." Duke put his hand on his chin. "What about the DNA?"
Radley tapped another key, showing the image of a chimpanzee on his monitor. "Well, it shares around nearly ninety-nine percent DNA with one of these, believe it or not."
Duke's eyebrow raised, nodding.
"It took us a while to cross-reference it," Radley said. "But you said a boy was found in there?"
"Yeah, he was an Akita," Duke nodded. "He obviously wasn't an ape or monkey of any kind."
Radley steepled his hands and let out a "Hmm...", narrowing his eyes. "We didn't find any kind of residue on the inside like previous cases of similar encounters."
"So that rules out disintegration," Duke closed his eyes, thinking. He thought for a moment, as he looked at Radley. "And the sole survivor was deemed non-anomalous. Did you get anything from him in questioning?"
"That's classified," Radley turned his computer screen back to himself. "Even for you, Agent Duke."
"A shame." Duke looked at the photo. "Who's the lucky lady?"
"Oh!" Radley's eyes gleamed. "That's Frisky, we're engaged!"
"Well, congratulations," Duke held out his hand for a high-five, Radley giving him one. "I'd be myself, but I'm too busy."
Radley rubbed the back of his head. "Well, my brother and his wife kinda paired me with her when I saw my nieces a while back."
"Nothing wrong with that," Duke said, smiling. "Just shows they care for you."
Radley nodded and he opened a drawer to his desk and produced a small box, with the flick of a finger, opened it to reveal a diamond ring.
"Well," Duke put his hands on his heart. "Senior Researcher Radley, you've made the happiest man in the world!"
"Ha ha." Radley's eyes narrowed, shaking his head, his tone flat.
"I know." Duke grinned. "When are you gonna pop the question?"
"Whenever I leave this oil rig." Radley said, raising his eyebrow.
"They're really keeping you here, aren't they?" Duke asked.
"And they better pay me some damn overtime for it!" Radley slammed his fist on his desk, smiling as he chuckled.
"Well, Radley," Duke nodded. "I'll be getting out of your hair," He said as he turned to the door. "But I think we'll see-"
"Hey, hey," Radley got up. "Before you get off this here platform," He pointed to his left. "The boss has a job for ya."
"Oh, great." Duke shook his head before leaving the room.
Josiah wasn't entirely sure about this whole re-experiencing childhood thing but damn, this lady had a nice apartment. When she opened the door to her condo, he was taken aback.
The apartment was done with a lot of wood, cozy browns dominating the room as the sunset's light came into the room through a massive pair of glass doors that led out to a balcony. A brown leather couch and armchair faced a television, along with a small dining table nearby, and a vase with a small bouquet of flowers in it. A short hallway flanked him to his left.
What caught Josiah's attention was a picture on the wall, of four Red Heelers, as he looked at it. There was one who wore a green boonie hat as he smiled at the camera, holding a slightly shorter one in a side hug. Beside the one in the hat, was a younger version of his caretaker, smiling, along with a shorter and younger Heeler as well.
"Oh!" Brandy looked over to Josiah looking at the photo. "That's from when I was a girl." She pointed at the one in the hat. "That's Granddad," then to the youngest one in the picture. "That's your new Aunt Chilli," and finally to the one Granddad was hugging. "My mum..." She frowned a bit.
Josiah looked up at her, as he noticed her barely fighting back tears.
"She's not with us anymore," Brandy said. "But I'm sure, she would've liked to see you."
Josiah nodded. A part of him wanted to comfort her, but he bit his tongue.
Brandy smiled. "But Granddad's still around," She looked at him. "Maybe soon, we'll go and see him in the countryside together, doesn't that sound nice?"
"It does." Josiah nodded, as he looked at the photo. It had a backdrop of a lake and a thick forest behind it. It reminded him a bit of back home, even.
"So, what did you think about our Maccas? Is it different from what they serve back in America?" She asked, smiling, her hands on her hips.
"It's actually kinda good," Josiah rubbed the back of his head, returning the smile. "Better than the stuff we get served back home!"
"Well, I think I did good on that!" Brandy led Josiah down the hall. "So," She pointed to a door. "That's the bathroom and toilet." She then went to the door opposite it, and she opened it.
It was a little cramped for Josiah's liking but it had a nice loft bed with a black comforter with a spiral galaxy pattern. A desk with a lamp was on it with a leather-bound book and a few mechanical pencils in a neat row, with a small game console that vaguely reminded Josiah of a Switch or Steam Deck on it too. A small dresser was opposite it and a window with blinds let in light. A few plushies were lined on the bed.
Josiah felt his tail wag behind him as he looked behind him. It was an odd feeling, as he perked his ears.
"I see you like your new room!" Brandy said with a smile. "I didn't know what you liked or not, so, I thought to myself," She stepped in. "Why don't you make this room your own?"
"Y-you shouldn't have." Josiah said, quietly, looking away.
"But I'm your mum!" Brandy put her hands behind her. "It's the least I could've done!"
'Maybe this wouldn't be so bad?' Josiah thought to himself. 'Everyone back home is probably looking for me and well, it's not every day you get to coast by and relax during an emergency situation.'
"Josiah, dear, can you move a smidge?" Brandy asked.
"Sorry!" Josiah said as he put his back to the dresser as Brandy walked out.
Brandy pointed to her room. "This is my room." She said. "If I'm not home, please don't go in here." She looked at me. "I have some things that should be kept private."
"Yes, ma'am." Josiah said. 'Wasn't planning to invade your space, anyways...' He thought to himself.
"I'm going to have to get used to raising an American kid." She said, sighing. "But at least you're a polite kid, whoever raised you before I came into the picture."
Josiah smiled, rubbing the back of his head.
"Anyways, feel free to do whatever you want before," Brandy took out her phone. "Nine pm, because that's when I want you in bed, okay?"
"Yes, mom." Josiah nodded.
"Good. If you need me, just shout for me!" Brandy went into the living room as Josiah went into his room and grabbed the console, with Josiah noting a logo that read "RISO-TEKINA" on it as he turned it on and saw it had already a few games on it.
"Well, god damn." Josiah said, quietly before he looked to the door, nervously.
She didn't hear it.
Josiah let out a sigh as he began to play.
It was a bit past sunset, as Brandy looked out to the cityscape, pouring herself a glass of Chianti and taking a sip of it as she held out her phone and dialed.
Ring, ring.
Ring, ring.
"Hello?" Her sister's voice asked.
"Hey, Chilli." She said. "It's me, Brandy."
"Oh, hey!" Chilli said. "Did you pick up your new kid?"
"I did," Brandy sipped her wine, savoring it. "Josiah's a little shy and maybe a little afraid of me but he's polite at least."
"Give it some time, Brandy," Chilli said. "Rome wasn't built in a day after all."
"I know." Brandy's ears lowered. "I'm just nervous, since Josiah's so withdrawn."
"Just be someone he can rely on," Brandy could hear Chilli lean back in her seat. "It's hard raising both Bluey and Bingo since they can be a handful but trust me, just be there for him and he knows he can rely on you."
"That sounds a little easier said than done." Brandy chuckled.
"Well, Bandit's having a grill out tomorrow afternoon," Chilli offered. "Why don't you bring Josiah along?"
"When's a good time?" Brandy asked.
"Maybe around three or four p.m.?" Chilli said as Brandy heard the beat of feet on stairs.
"Hey, Mum?" Bluey asked.
"Yes, dear?" Chilli's voice was a little quiet. "I'm on a call with your aunt, so please make it quick."
"Is it true we have another cousin now?" She asked.
"Yes, dear." Chilli said.
Brandy nearly dropped her glass of wine when she heard the squeal of her niece.
"Can I talk to my niece?" Brandy asked, taking a sip.
"Of course!" Chilli said, handing the phone over.
"Hello?" Bluey asked.
"Hey, Bluey!" Brandy smiled. "It's your Aunt Brandy, how are you?"
"Well, I'm doing good, me and Dad went out to..." Bluey trailed off as Brandy's eyes focused on something hovering a few meters away from her.
A black drone with a camera pointed at her, as she stared at it, as she stood up straight, the camera's red light blinking. She took a sip, as the phone call with her niece became a blur.
For a thick moment, the drone hovered there before finally, flying off.
"...and Bingo got some ice cream too, after watching Dad play Squash with Uncle Stripe!" Bluey said, laughing.
"That's good, honey," Brandy said, shaking her head. "Listen. I'll be there tomorrow and well, you can meet your new cousin!"
"Oh, that sounds fun!" Bluey chuckled. "Well, Mum wants me to give her phone back but I'll see you tomorrow, Aunt Brandy!"
"Okay, dear! Get some sleep, okay?" Brandy said.
"I will!" Bluey said.
"You still there, Brandy?" Chilli asked.
"I am," Brandy looked to where the drone flew off. "Can I ask a question?"
"Of course!" Chilli said.
"Have you seen any drones lately?" She asked.