As they walked further into the facility, they reached a section where a team of scientists and engineers were examining the remains of the alien technology from the attacks in Guam and South Korea. William continued his briefing.
"Think about it; we as a civilization have been harnessing light for a hundred years and in that time we've created electricity and lasers; Things that people a century ago couldn't begin to comprehend. But it's possible that this civilization has been doing it for millions of years. So there's no telling what they're capable of."
"Wow, are you a robot too, Mully?" Gaege asked as he interrupted William.
"Stop calling me that."
"Like I care, Mully mule."
"Do not test me, Mr-"
"Call me Juicy because once you get a taste, you'll never want anything else."
"I must insist that you refrain from such remarks. This is not the time for frivolous conversation. Anyway," William turned Gaege down and continued.
"I think maybe the extra-terrestrials took what they saw in the orbiter and recreated those same things out of light energy and then sent these light creatures back at us. That's why solid matter like bullets, and missiles won't harm them."
"Well, have you come up with anything that can harm them?" Grant asked and William led them again to a table where another scientist, not a robot though, was taking notes over a high-tech cage, studying something inside. A single-pixel cube.
Eddie, Gabby and Gaege have their eyes and mouths gapped open. Grant also showed the same reaction but swiftly gained his composure back.
"Welcome to our experimental containment unit," William explained, motioning toward the cage. "Inside is one of the energy constructs we recovered in Guam. It took us a while to trap it, but we believe it may hold the key to defending against these light creatures."
The team gathered closer around the cage, trying to catch a better glimpse of the pixelated cube within. The energy construct pulsed and flickered in a mesmerizing pattern, and Gabby couldn't help but stare in wonder.
"What are we supposed to do with it?" Eddie asked, his voice filled with awe.
"We've been studying its structure and properties, and we've discovered that it reacts strongly to specific frequencies of light," the scientist explained. "We've been experimenting with different wavelengths, and we think we've found a way to disrupt its energy matrix."
"Also our team have been able to reverse engineer some prototype weapons that seem to neutralize it. We're basically hitting it with super-charged light particles." William said.
"Light bazookas?" Eddie asked.
"Light cannon to be precise. These cubes are pretty feisty." William said as he picked up a pencil and stuck the eraser end of the pencil into the cage and poked the pixel. The pencil pixelates and the original pixel rattles around the cage superfast. "Moving on. We've begun instructing the Navy SEAL task force on the use of the prototype weapons. Maybe our new 'expert advisors' would like to say a few words?" William asked he led them to a huge door at the end of the room and opened it by hitting a button.
The door opens to reveal a hangar where a group of 50 tough Navy SEALS have gathered. They all turn to Eddie, Gabby and Gaege with hard stares. Eddie, Gabby, and Gaege stood a little taken aback by the piercing gazes of the Navy SEALs. The trio was no stranger to tension-filled situations, but facing a room full of trained soldiers who had likely been briefed on the gravity of the alien threat made them feel an unusual pressure.
"Guys," They turn to Grant who already standing beside Admiral Porter and ask them to stand behind them.
"Men, you've served this nation with distinction in combat zones in every nook and cranny of this god-forsaken world, defeating every enemy they've thrown at you. And now, you are going to face, and I can't believe I'm saying this, aliens from outer space." The admiral announced and the SEALS looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
At the corner of Eddie's eyes, he saw Milky sleeping and nudging William in her cage. "Hey, Mully. Wouldn't be dangerous to bring your pug here?"
"First of all, don't call me that. Second, the dogsitter had a cardiac arrest this morning and I couldn't reach another dogsitter. Third, she'll be fine. I built that cage and I make sure it's secure." William said. Eddie gave William a wary look but decided not to press the issue further. Instead, he focused on the room full of Navy SEALs, sensing their scepticism and concern. He knew they were used to facing human adversaries, not alien light creatures, and their reaction was understandable.
The admiral continues. "Now these aliens, probably for their own sick amusement, are going to attack us in the form of 'video games'. So, to help us develop defence strategies and counter-tactics, the President has brought in, and I really can't believe I'm saying this— these three civilian 'arcaders' who we are now required to listen to for 120 seconds." The admiral stalks off.
Eddie, Gabby and Gaege look at each other nervously and then step forward, to a silent reaction.
"I think I'm gonna piss myself," Gaege whispered to Eddie.
"Me too," Eddie whispered back to Gaege. He glanced towards Gabby who look slightly trembling but smile towards Eddie. Eddie takes a deep breath before finally speaking.
"Thank you for that warm introduction, Admiral. My name is Eduardo Saucedo but you can call me Eddie. This is Gaege, my friend and this is my fiancé, Gabrielle. I know this looks and sounds weird that some normal people telling you this but..." Eddie takes another deep breath before he speaks again.
"The fact that three normal civilians like us advising you badasses. Since we were little nerdy teens, we've been training our prefrontal cortex to perform extremely complex motor feats with hand-eye coordination unique to a particular cognitive acuity. All of it's been not very sensible in all areas of our life but then suddenly, it might be coming in handy to saving our planet. So we're hopin' you guys can forget about us bein' civilian morons, and let us teach you a few things in the little time we have. I think we might help you win this thing." Gaege then interrupts and starts yelling, his confidence suddenly boosted.
"This is serious, gentlemen! We may be facing an unprecedented threat here, and I know you might have doubts about listening to us civilians. But believe me, we know these aliens and their attack patterns better than anyone else on the planet. We're your best chance at neutralizing this threat!"
Gaege's enthusiasm took some of the SEALs by surprise, but Eddie and Gabby nodded in agreement, affirming his words. Eddie quickly followed up to provide more context and to steady the group's nerves.
"These creatures operate differently from anything you've faced before. Their attacks mimic patterns from video games, using light energy to disrupt and confuse us. It sounds strange, but the three of us have experienced it firsthand, and we know how they think."
"Especially Eddie here, he's the best gamer you guys ever get!" Gaege yell.
Gabby stepped forward, taking on the role of mediator. "Let's not waste time with too many introductions. We'll get to the point quickly and show you some of the patterns we've observed in the alien attacks."
