THE LAST RECRUITS

The children were quiet. Elizabeth had drawn her gun. Harry was defiant, emitting a low growl. She knew this could rapidly turn worse than it was, so she focused on Sarah and pieced together a plan. Elizabeth presumed that this creature had to come from somewhere other than Earth. These weren’t hiding out somewhere waiting for discovery. She guessed the bug might be proficient only in English, possibly Spanish, considering this area of the country. Invaders should be prepared. Yes, she could assume that if It was intelligent and with an invading group. Liz remembered James telling her how to kill by shooting the vital organs right down the torso’s center line, which is the body’s most protected part. The Sheriff had reinforced that in his training. She could only hope this thing was set up the same way. Elizabeth gathered those thoughts and settled on the best way forward. She aimed the gun. Now, she had to get Sarah away from the thing.

Elizabeth yelled, “Sarah, a gauche՛,” praying she was the scrappy kid Elizabeth thought she was.

In one incredible motion, Sarah ducked, twisted, and pulled herself to the left, her right arm pulling free from the creature. 

Kids are notoriously slippery, Elizabeth thought with a flicker of a smile.”Everybody Down!”

A look of intense concentration formed on Elizabeth’s face as she aimed her gun and fired multiple times down the middle, which caused a commotion in the kitchen. The creature only had time to look up, startled at her shots, and then fall over. It had been distracted by Sarah’s non-cooperation. The group in the kitchen erupted from the house into the backyard. Charles made a beeline to Elizabeth. Kelly and Brian ran toward Sarah, who sobbed and rubbed her arm. Elizabeth lowered her weapon.

“Are you OK?” Charles asked her, approaching from behind.  

She turned to him. “Yeah, let’s make sure it’s dead.”

Elizabeth holstered the gun, and then she, Charles, and Brian walked up to the creature while Kelly and Sarah watched, shaking. It was oozing yellow fluid. The twitching slowed down and finally stopped. Elizabeth knelt and felt down the center line of its body. There was nothing like a pulse, but she wondered if that meant anything. She grimaced. 

Charles knelt beside her. “I’d say yes.” 

“What the hell is that?” Brian asked, almost yelling.

“Got me,” Elizabeth shrugged.

“Is that one of those you told us…?” Brian started.

Charles head snapped up, looking at Elizabeth. 

“No, not at all. I don’t know what it is,” Elizabeth said as she inspected the body.

“Are you sure?” Brian asked.

“I don’t think I would forget something so ugly,” Elizabeth spoke in a rush. “OK, everyone, please come over here. Some things you all need to know.” 

As she turned, Elizabeth saw two very familiar faces but new here. Sidney and Madie had come. She smiled at them and pointed to the porch area while looking around at the whole assembly. The group assembled there on the patio, looking relieved to be away from the creature yet still being able to see it. Then, taking a deep breath, Elizabeth started. This wasn’t her job, but now it was necessary.

Some of you know what I am about to tell you, but the new ones to the group do not, but you could probably guess,” Elizabeth said, looking at Charles.

 “As you see,” she pointed to the alien corpse.”There are aliens. They’re here on Earth and in Tucson. I think you will agree that this particular alien is dangerous.” 

The group remained silent, grumbling, or was it growling? She turned toward the corpse to make sure it was the humans. 

“Kelly and Brian know that at least one alien race is also here, helping us leave Earth. This is not one of that race.”

Gene and Marcos gasped. Sarah was still shaking with her parents wrapped around her. Harry was leaning up against George, trying to calm the little boy. Charles remained silent, stoic.

“I have known another alien for a while. It approached us in Mesaland about a year after the asteroid struck. I believe It is a good person who wants to help us. It is not like this one.” Elizabeth nodded toward the corpse. 

“It?” Charles asked.

“Yes, we’ve been unable to tell the gender of our friend, like this one here, and no one dares to ask. We don’t want to be rude. It doesn’t seem to mind. Its name is Zior, and It’s been working with us to take our subdivision to a new planet, one Its people have prepared for us,” Elizabeth answered.

“Take your subdivision?” Gene asked. “You mean we get into their ship?” He did not quite comprehend, which was understandable and needed clarification.

“Nope, the plan is to launch, like a rocket, the whole subdivision including the soil, aquifer, and biota.” Elizabeth looked around and, sensing the confusion, added, “All the plants, animals, and people. We will be the representative of the Sonoran Desert.”

Eric, the oldest boy of the Nelsons, spoke up, “Cool!”

“How do you know this guy is good?” Charles asked.

“I know what I’ve experienced. It offered us this opportunity and has not faltered to help us achieve the goal,” Elizabeth said. “Granted, I don’t understand all of it, but many in our group can or at least a close approximation. Enough to understand what is going to happen.”

“Are other biomes going to come, too?” Charles asked.

“Yes, the five major biomes and many subcategories. This is a lot to swallow, but we must get moving. I understand if you don’t want to come, but I hope you all will. I’m partial to wanting access to a salad.”

A ripple of laughter went through the Desert Rose group.

“Well, it’s still better than what is around here,” Marcos said—many of the group mumbling in agreement. 

“I need a cell,” Elizabeth said. Charles pulled one out of his pants pocket, opened the phone, and handed it to Elizabeth.

“Here.”

Punching in a number, she spoke. “I’m over at my friend’s, the Nelsons that I told you about,” she paused and glanced at the dead creature. “Something quite disturbing has happened. Their daughter, Sarah, was grabbed by this…this, I don’t even know what to call it,” Elizabeth caught her breath.

“I killed it. No, she’s OK. We must find out what this thing is and what it’s doing here. I’m sending you a picture. Get everyone together at the school. EVERYONE.”

Then, she paused again and said, “Yeah, it’s over now. We’re all OK, but it was bad.” Elizabeth listened.
She nodded several times, said, “We’re coming right now.” and hung up.

After that, the Nelsons quickly decided, and the caravan increased by two minivans. First, the family loaded one van with the boxes packed previously. The world was dangerous, and you never knew when you would have to ‘bug out’ (forgive the pun). Then, the family piled in the second van. The trip now included a stop to pick up Kelly’s aunt and uncle. At first, it looked like a stalemate between Kelly and her relatives, but viewing the creature changed their minds, and they, too, loaded their prepacked stuff, and the caravan started home, Elizabeth’s home. Gene and Marcos were more determined than ever to follow Elizabeth.

The last stop was Charles’s apartment and he hurried through his prep. Charles wasn’t as gung ho but felt getting away from all this, like the dead thing in Elizabeth’s van, was a good choice. He had to vacate the apartment and his practice but that was quickly done since he was leaving the furniture, and housewares. So much had changed, so little left. In less than an hour he was back in his car and they started the train again.

***

Elizabeth turned into Mesaland. It was an old subdivision northwest of Tucson, there since 1958 when untouched desert surrounded it, and Tucson only came up to Grant. The road inside had no sidewalks and curved sinuously through the Sonoran Desert landscaping. She loved the colors; the sage green of the trees and cacti, the bright yellow and red flowers all rising above the desert sand floor. This desert was said to be the lushest one in the world, and she was grateful she didn’t have to leave it behind. James liked this best about Tucson, one of the main reasons they had moved here, besides the thunderstorms. The family had come from Sacramento, which was very similar in weather and semi-arid in its flora before irrigation, which allowed lawns in front of every home. Tucson was different; the green was above the ground. Still, the monsoon brought the lushness here, too. Elizabeth would now be one of the escorts of the Sonoran Desert Biome, an honor to be sure, but a grave responsibility. She only wished James was here to be a part of it.

The goal was the elementary school, and Elizabeth entered its roundabout following the curve to the main administration building. Two men and a woman rushed out. In full uniform, the Sheriff, John Bascom, and two deputies in training: Danny Herald, Elizabeth’s bright and funny neighbor, and Zoe Rodgers, Betty Rodgers’s granddaughter. Betty, a former resident, had decided to leave Mesaland but encouraged Zoe to take her house and join the neighborhood. They were lucky to have her. The three came to the back of Elizabeth’s truck, and she opened the tailgate.

“This was attempting to hold Kelly’s daughter hostage in their backyard,” Elizabeth said as she lowered the gate and pulled the quilt forward on the truck bed. They leaned in to look.

“Is Zior here?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yeah, in the front office. What is this?” John asked.

“I don’t know, but I dearly hope Zior knows, and that It’s not a long-lost cousin.”

“Let’s get it inside. Holy crap, it’s ugly.” John said.

Kelly had sacrificed an old quilt to lay it on. Elizabeth thought it was a waste for such use, considering how much work went into such a beautiful object, but necessary given that they didn’t know what they had and what was leaking from it. Elizabeth watched as the Sheriff, and Danny slid the beast out, and she shivered. A slight tug on her hand brought Elizabeth’s attention down to Sarah. By all rights, the child needed comfort, but she offered it now to Elizabeth. Life was funny.

Charles was itching to get a closer look than he already had. But, since they had decided it was prudent to get inside quickly, he couldn’t linger. A glance was plenty for Elizabeth, though. She watched Charles following the two pallbearers in, wondering how he would react to Zior. Gene and Marcos thought this was a great adventure and, at least for now, game for anything. At that moment, Madie and Sydney pulled up. Sydney was pulling a horse trailer. 

Oh, that’s interesting, Elizabeth thought.

Elizabeth had made another call about the two, and John knew about them from Jeff, the manager. That made the extras easier to handle. She knew there were horse facilities in Mesaland; it was the original plan when the subdivision was developed. Quite a few were empty. Horses, as would young women, would make an excellent addition to the colony. When they took off, they would be at capacity for people and animals if you counted Danny’s menagerie. Luckily, the Arizona Desert Museum would be hooking up with their neighborhood and carrying most Sonoran Desert animals and plants. The whole flotilla would be called Mesaland.

Harry sprinted by. He was headed for the principal’s office and looked like he was escorting the pall bearers. Harry looked happy, he had duty to preform and he was going to do it- PROTECT! John laughed and made sure the dog didn’t get entangled in their legs.

Coming into the cooler hall, they immediately turned into what was previously the principal’s office, now the police station. The officers, Charles, Elizabeth, Kelly, Sarah, and George, entered the station. The rest hovered in the hallway or spilled out into the adjoining hallways. John had asked Zior to wait in the office, not knowing what Elizabeth would bring in. Even so, Zior was in the back, so you had to enter to see It. 

Charles was the first to see the little creature standing against the back wall as they laid the corpse on one of the desks. It was good he wasn’t a bearer because the dead creature would have been on the floor. Kelly, Sarah, and George focused on the corpse. When the men laid it on the receptionist’s desk, they noticed Zior. Sarah’s eyes widened, and she quietly sobbed. Elizabeth leaned over to the two children.

“Don’t be afraid. This is Zior, my friend,” she said, motioning towards the small alien looking at them.

Elizabeth wondered if she should feel that way. After all, the icky alien that had threatened her dear friends could be related to Zior’s people, but it was hard to believe. Zior was more like the “grays” from UFO legends. It stood about four feet tall and had large eyes peering out from a very child-like head. Elizabeth had always found Zior kind, concerned, and somewhat sad. It had been responsible for her excellent, youthful health and always respected her and all the humans in Mesaland, filling them with hope. Straightening, she addressed It. 

“Zior, do you know what this is?” Elizabeth said, pointing to the corpse.

It stepped forward, and Kelly backed up, pushing George behind her. “Yes, I am afraid I do.” Its voice was deep and smooth. Surprising and not childlike. “It seems they are scavengers which swoop in when planets get in trouble.”

“Like Earth is now,” John nodded.

“Yes,” Zior agreed. “I’d hoped Earth would be spared. We have been watching, but this is a big planet, and we don’t have access to view all of it.”

Zior paused, pondering the corpse, and spoke again. “We know this species. They are called the HAGOR. We have long suspected they were scavengers,” It said with quiet emphasis, “that have also been observing us. Until now, they have done nothing that we have witnessed. However, we have tried to help living creatures before, and it would be within their ability to use what we do to their advantage.”

“What do you mean, to their advantage?” John asked, frowning.

“Well, we identify planets near their end, and the Hagor could take that information and use it. In this case, stealing the children left after a die-off. The Hagor could step in and harvest before the final event occurs. My people knew such procedures were taking place but were unsure who was responsible. So we became involved partly to counterbalance these practices.” 

No one asked about a harvest. It was gruesomely explicit what that was. 

“Damn, damn, and here I thought all aliens were good,” Danny said holding his arms close to his body.

Zior awkwardly shook Its head in imitation of humans, “No, there are many different species that roam our galaxy, and I suspect in other galaxies, too.”

“Is there something we can do to warn people?” Brian asked.

“Yes, I think that is only fair,” Dep. Zoe said.

She was new, but she knew that it had been decided against for security reasons. Danny and John looked at each other. Indeed, some would choose to stay on Earth, like Betty, her previous neighbor, and the Nelsons. Others could also believe that all humans should come to the Nelson’s conclusion and not leave Earth, that going would be wrong. It was risky. However, things had changed.

John sighed, looking up. “Perhaps, with some care of the wording and timing. Maybe right before we leave or as we leave?”

“This is, of course, your decision, as it has always been,” Zior said. “You should know we consider the Hagor to be cowards. Therefore, face-to-face confrontations are rare with them. This probably helped you, Elizabeth, and could be to your advantage.” 

Elizabeth smiled, “Then let’s give humans a fighting chance. I think it is proper to warn Earth. What do we do with this?” she said, gesturing at the corpse.

“I’d like to autopsy it. Do you have any equipment?” Charles asked.

“Sure, and you are?” Danny asked.

Elizabeth started to speak and paused on how to phrase the introduction. She was embarrassed about her personal history with him; not the original plan but her decision not to go ahead.

“Oh, sorry, this is Dr. Charles Murray. A cardiologist and surgeon.”

She recovered enough to turn and introduce Gene and Marcos, who leaned their heads farther into the office from the doorway. “The doctor and these two men approached me at the restaurant today. It seems many in the restaurant hoped I would show up before they closed. They knew some of our goal from Matt.” Elizabeth smiled, gesturing at the family.

“And the Nelsons, who unfortunately got in the middle of whatever this thing was up to.”

The deputies knew some of this, and the sheriff knew more of today’s events. Zior came around the desk and reached out Its hand to Kelly, who extended her hand slowly, and they shook.

“Mrs. Nelson, I heard what happened. I am very sorry your child was put in danger.” Its big eyes looked at her, puppy-like. Kelly relaxed and smiled down at Zior as It released her hand. It then turned to Sarah, who was now peeking over an unoccupied desk. And you, young lady, it is an honor to meet such a brave girl. We could use such strength.” Sarah beamed.

“Well, let’s get this thing back to the infirmary and get you folks through screening and orientation.” Zoe motioned to the group, leading them down the hallway.

The Nelsons, Marcos, and Gene followed the deputy. The restaurant group allowed Zoe to pass by and then fell into line themselves. Only a few looked back at the corpse. It was scary and ugly, and it had begun to stink. Dep. Zoe led them into the school library, where they would learn what they had gotten themselves into, though most of the intense stuff was out of the way. Charles helped John and Danny carry the corpse, especially since It had been dead for a while and might start falling apart. Elizabeth followed them to the Infirmary, walking beside Zior.

“Can you do anything about these Hagor?” she asked It. 

Zior nodded awkwardly again, a little better this time, “Yes, I am informing all the biomes and formulating some search scenarios.”

Elizabeth marveled that she never saw Zior communicate with its fellows or the other biomes. She assumed It did it internally; whether telepathic or hardware, she couldn’t tell. The Mesaland humans had their own communication now with the other biomes, alleviating some of their fear of what was happening between Zior’s people without their knowledge. Elizabeth was wary, though.

“Elizabeth, are you OK? That must have been difficult.”

“Still shaking, that was the last thing I expected. My friend’s home,” she shook her head.

“Yes, quite invasive.”

“Zior, how do your people feel about such a thing?”

“The Mayones are more interested in getting the biomes off the surface and on their way. I’m afraid they think this is part of natural behavior. Not good behavior, but quite common. My people don’t like to get into confrontations.”

In the Infirmary, they found the GP of Mesaland. He was also newly young, like Elizabeth. His name was Christopher Daniels. The Infirmary looked well stocked, even more so since the last time she was here. When the corpse came in, Christopher brightened up. He and Charles started a lifelong friendship, bonding over their new obsession. 

“So,” Charles said to the humans as he gowned up and washed. “Zior is your patron, I assume?” Zior bowed.

“And what is it you have offered these good people?” Charles asked as he nodded to John, Elizabeth, and Dep. Herald.

“I offered them a way to get off the planet and try out a new one when the die-off occurred. We knew much of what was to come because of the asteroid hit. The new planet is in the final stage of terraforming to accept Earthens.”

“Why did you believe Zior?” Charles asked, looking around at the humans. Elizabeth smiled.

“Well, three reasons,” John ticked them off on his fingers, ever the pragmatic leader; “One- Without the structure and the rule of law, we had anarchy. It was possible to restore order, but it would be tough. Two- The decimated plant, animal, and human populations severely impacted food distribution. That and everything else modern civilization offers being affected would repeat the die-off. Perhaps letting the cycle run its course is best, but it’s hard to go through, and who knows how many of us would be left.” Charles nodded. “Three- Finally, the Earth had an expiration date. We could feel it; too much had happened.”

Dep. Herald finished the answer, “Unfortunately, the asteroid hit changed Earth’s course, leading it to a more inhospitable situation. We became more exposed to interstellar radiation from disrupting the Earth’s magnetic field, hence another die-off and the end date.” 

The room looked at Danny, surprised.

“What?” he said, “I know someone at NASA.”

Then, when the group still looked puzzled, he said, “I was an astronomer before my retirement.” John, Zoe, and Elizabeth laughed. 

“I would be happy to show you the data we collected, the recent work we have done before, and the project now, Dr. Murray. It is the core of our mandate.” Zior offered.

Surprised, Charles said, “I would like to see that.” 

“Zior approached us because we had organized our neighborhood well here. It offered a way out, bringing a piece of Earth with us. We put it to a vote, and many of us decided to accept the offer,” Elizabeth said.

“Make no mistake, Dr. Murray, we make most of the decisions here. Zior is a liaison, and his people are in charge of their ships and coordinating the technical aspects of this trip with all the biomes but with our advice and veto power. Mesaland asked me to complete the transition of this group into a town and be part of the administration council. It is going well. Until this, of course,” The Sheriff said, gesturing to the alien corpse.

“So why the boy scout routine, Zior?” Charles asked as Christopher put on his gloves.

“What?” Christopher looked around.

Surprisingly, Zior answered. “It is what we do. We feel the universe needs help in keeping sentience alive. You’d be surprised, Dr. Murray, at how many sentient species die.” 

“Now, that doesn’t surprise me.” Charles chuckled and approached the autopsy table.

“Zior’s people have been around a long time. So I guess they didn’t like being alone,” Dr. Perez said as they maneuvered the light, and then the medical men turned to the creature. Zior nodded in agreement. 

Dr. Perez proceeded to clean the corpse and exposed the bullet holes. 

“We have never attempted so large a rescue. So many things are new and somewhat unpredictable,” Zior said. “We knew of the Hagor’s existence; they are in some sense our competitors, but we have not co-mingled. We are very different and would not enjoy each other’s company.”

Elizabeth approved.

“Nice shooting, Elizabeth,” John smiled.

It surprised Elizabeth how straight the holes were down the body’s mid-line. She had been quite nervous. 

I guess all that practice paid off.

It had been many hours with John, learning how to handle a weapon, actually many weapons.

With the autopsy underway, John, Zior, and Dep. Herald decided to go into an adjacent office because they still had to learn what Zior’s people knew about the Hagor and decide what to do next. Elizabeth had enough of that bug for now and wanted to go to the library and check on the rest of her recruits but stopped to consult with Charles first.

“How do you feel about all this? Do you still want to come?” She asked him.

He turned to her and smiled, “Hell, yes. I’m more optimistic than I have been for quite a while. Yes, I want to go!”

“OK, then I am off to the library to see how everyone else feels about it.”

This had been a sloppy revelation, and Elizabeth was anxious to see how it was going now that the excitement had died down. She walked into the library. The adults sat at two tables while the children were checking out the books in what had been the library. The school had been closed when the asteroid hit, and no one was interested in re-opening, but it was a welcome addition to the fledgling town of Mesaland. It seemed boisterous, but the room was just noisy with the children’s conversations. The adults, on the other hand, were subdued, speaking in hushed tones.

Elizabeth cleared her throat and spoke, “Well, how are we getting along? I hope this isn’t too fast. We leave in two days, and I apologize, but you need to be sure. Once we take off, the decision is final.” She shrugged her shoulders. 

Marcos said, “I haven’t changed my mind; this is wilder than I thought. It’s fantastic!”

“Agreed,” Gene nodded. 

Brian and Kelly were shell-shocked but also nodded. Kelly’s aunt and uncle seemed resigned, but they, too, nodded. They had seen two aliens, so…The children yelled,” YES!”

Whoa, Elizabeth thought, looking at their enthusiastic faces. Zior had done well with them. 

“We are finishing the assignment of houses,” Dep. Zoe said looking up from her plot plan. 

“OK, that’s good,” Elizabeth said, letting out a breath.

Brian, Kelly, her aunt, and uncle were looking over the map and choosing homes. These were abandoned houses on Sage. Most of the original owners lived here in Mesaland when the asteroid hit. It was to be expected that many elderly people would die from age and shock. That demographic had changed with Zior’s offer of health restoration, but many houses were still empty.

One of the lots had a four-bedroom house and a casita behind it, which fit Kelly and Brian well. Right next door, a three-bedroom, was a good place for Kelly’s oldest and her new husband. That worked well for the Nelsons. Further down Sage, two more houses went to Gene and Marcos.

As the Nelsons chatted, Zoe came over to Elizabeth. “Seems they are either resigned or actively looking forward to this,” Zoe said.

“Yes, Charles is quite enthusiastic,” Elizabeth answered. “The plague really took the joy in the Earth out of everybody.”

“Hmm,” Zoe said.

“How are you doing? Is this OK with you?” Elizabeth asked.

Zoe turned to Elizabeth, a little surprised, “OK? I don’t know about that, but this is the best choice. Rioting is starting in Phoenix; the groceries are almost gone, even here. But, Elizabeth, are you still comfortable with this Hagor creature? That is creepy.”

“Tell me about it,” Elizabeth paused. ” I was worried that Zior, or his people, might somehow be connected with the Hagor. Yes, I still trust Zior. We must be skeptical, but it looks like the best choice. Why bother moving biomes if the Mayones wanted to ‘harvest’ us?”

“John said about the same thing,” Zoe said. “What if it’s easier to harvest us out there?”

Elizabeth shrugged, “I don’t know. I’ve got to go with my gut. Are you packed up?”

“Yes, I assembled my disaster kit and ensured everything was secure. I didn’t have much; I hadn’t been on my own that long, and Grandma took most of her memory stuff.” Elizabeth touched Zoe’s shoulder, drawing her brows together.

“Oh, she left me what I most wanted, don’t worry. I’ll have that.” Zoe said. “You know, she’s going to watch us take off, even wave goodbye. I feel so guilty about leaving Nunu. It doesn’t seem fair.”

“Sometimes, it is impossible to make one more change.” 

“Yeah,” Zoe said. “Well, there will be lots of positive things to do.” Zoe turned to the group of recruits when another resident entered the library, “OK, let’s get you to your new homes.” The group exited the building and into their cars, following the Mesaland golf cart.

Sydney separated from the group to talk to Elizabeth, “Wow!”

Elizabeth turned to her, “Yep, interesting day. I see you brought horses?”

“Yeah, one of the main reasons I waited so long. Madie urged me to ‘just ask,'” Sydney smiling shyly.

“I’m so glad there were multiple places with facilities available. That I didn’t expect. I was happy just to have somewhere safe to put them.”

“The original owners often had horses. Many died, some of just old age. We needed more horses. You’ve settled on a place?”

“Danny is about to show me what is available. Did you know he has a camel? I have to wait for him to finish his briefing with Zior. That is weird to say. He’s a cute little bugger.” As she finished that thought, she slapped a hand over her mouth.

“Don’t worry; It has a sense of humor. I might even steal that phrase from you,” Elizabeth laughed. “It’s pretty easy to get along with.”

Slowly removing her hand, Sydney said, “Well, that’ll be easier.”

Danny poked his head into the Library, winking at Sydney. “Oh, that’s my cue, bye Elizabeth; and thanks,” waving, Sydney went to catch up with Danny.

Zior had gone off somewhere—an elusive person. The Sheriff returned to the police station with Dep. Rodgers to consult with the other biomes and formulate a safe method of warning the rest of humanity. Elizabeth met them at the police station. Nothing was needed of her now, so she returned to her truck to go home. Elizabeth was tired. The Nelsons and Desert Rose group were in good hands, and she needed the time for herself and her family.

Launch in two days! Ugh!

End of Chapter 2

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