One Deadly Night

Four

Jon Stoll sat at the desk staring at the computer screen.

He'd been finishing up a report regarding a recent camper's violation when a Breaking News notification blinked from the bottom of the screen.

United States President declared – We are under attack by aliens.

This must be a joke! He thought.

Leaning back in the chair, a memory of an earlier conversation with his elder brother filled him with concern.

Arnie, unlike Jon, was still in the military and worked for Army Intelligence with the US Department of Defense. They hadn't seen one another for months when he dropped in unexpectedly.

"Jon, you never saw me." His brother's brown eyes hard, unemotional, as they met Jon's hazel ones. "Something's coming in a week or two that will change everything."

They stood next to the coffee bar not far from where he sat now. The Ranger station occupied only by the two of them.

"What the heck are you talking about?" He remembered shaking his head in confusion.

"I can't give you any more than that, but I want you to be ready – I'll come for you, and we'll be relocated to a safe zone." Arnie continued his tone and expression unchanged.

That took place over two weeks ago, and no matter how much Jon prodded, Arnie refused to give any more information.

Of course, Jon knew better being a former Army veteran himself; but the not-knowing part had been driving him crazy ever since.

Before Arnie left, he had Jon swear to secrecy not to reveal anything he was told to anyone else not even his best friend, Brad Luggs – also a Park Ranger.

Seeing the notification scrolling across the bottom of the screen, his stomach dropped as the realization of what Arnie had said sunk in.

This must be what Arnie was referring to.

Were these "aliens" behind the recent global insect attacks?

The communication radio squealed to life from a nearby table.

Tearing his attention from the screen, Jon grabbed a hand receiver and placed it close to his lips.

"This is Gallatin Ranger Station – whom am I speaking with? Over."

A brief pause of static before a man responded.

"Gallatin this is Frank Redmon calling from Blackburg. There is a possible 10-50 in the Beaumont Fall vicinity. Over."

"State the nature and number. Over."

"Nature, unknown, Number, one male adult and one female child. Over."

Before he could answer, his cell let out a loud warning sound. The radio receiver in one hand, he picked up the cell with the other as saw Presidential Alert flashing on the tiny screen.

He pressed the cell against his ear and an electronic voice emanated from the device.

"Jon Leonard Stoll is to report to Malmstrom Air Force Base at 0300 hours for immediate departure."

He slowly lowered both receiver and cell as he eyes moved to the round clock on the wall.

It was just after 8pm. Malmstrom was a four-hour drive.

"Gallatin, do you copy?" The radio warbled.

Jon shook his head before speaking into the receiver. "I copy and will check. Over."

He had just finished loading items in the back of his truck when he heard a vehicle pull in.

"Hey, Brad." Jon replied as he slammed the tailgate door shut. "Thought you'd gone home."

"Did." Brad Luggs stood nearly a head taller than Jon. "Need to pick up a few things."

Brad ran fingers through his blonde hair.
"Shanya and I are bugging out to her family 'till all this craziness settles down."

"Canada, huh?"

"Yeah, with her being due soon, we want to be near people who, you know, can help us out."

His friend was nearly a decade younger and at times, the maturity level showed it. In this case though he totally get why Brad was leaving. If he had a wife with twins on the way, he'd do the same.

"Well, bud, got a call to check out." Jon held out a hand. "Best of luck with your family."

Brad took it and they embraced in a quick hug.

"What about you? Gonna hang here?"

Pang of guilt shot through Jon as he considered whether to tell him the truth.

"Probably." Jon shrugged.

"Nah, knowing your background, you'll get called to help fight the aliens." Brad smirked.

"Wouldn't surprise me." He mumbled. "See ya later, bud."

"Same." Brad replied.