Ultras: Effect of the Sky Canopy

By Travis Lefelhoc

In the near future, nightmarish creatures called Ferals have overrun the planet, pushing humanity to the brink of annihilation. But in the post apocalyptic turmoil, something unexpected happened. A small number of humans have transcended, giving them a rare trait to access the full capacity of the brain. Scientists believe that these Ultra humans may be a way for the resistance to fight back.

A scientist named Dr. Mirren is tasked with seeking out these extraordinary people called Ultras, but time is against him. The threat of the Ferals looms ahead and a quicker solution is devised.

Here in one of the last surviving cities on Earth, an effort to protect what is left has begun. A large electromagnetic shield called Sky Canopy has risen around the mega city of Cleveland to defend the people. The Sky Canopy may accomplish keeping the Ferals out, but at what cost? Does the technology itself pose a threat?

At the center of the conflict are the Ultras. A High-tech special-forces team, a mysterious ninja assassin, and a mixed martial arts warrior come together in a time of despair to face the deadly Ferals. This sci fi, action adventure leads us into a spectacular city of the future and back into the volatile lands of the Ferals. Between the terror and the tragedy, the triumph and defeat, the Ultras will discover the effect of the Sky Canopy.

Experience the action, horror, revenge and mystery in this dystopian world of superheroes and monsters. Purchase your copy of Ultras, Effect of the Sky Canopy and begin the journey today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Travis Lefelhoc
• Release date: Feb 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311402837

Travis Lefelhoc

Travis Lefelhoc is the author of Ultras: Effect of the Sky Canopy, his debut novel. Travis is a Graphic Designer that has decided to channel his creativity into words in addition to images. He started writing with the goal of creating a story that combined the things that he found fun and interesting. Five years later he had completed his first novel. His interests include writing, oil painting, football, movies, comics, and video gaming. He is currently working on a second novel in the Ultras series.

Book preview

1 Dr. Mirren

What do you mean you’re not sure if you can continue with the Sky Canopy project, Mirren? asked Walter Huff, CEO of the Association of Civilized Citizens. He slammed the bowl of candy he was holding back onto his desk with a thud.

Dr. Stephen Mirren stared back at his boss. He had known the news would not go over well. The leader of the AOCC was a very stubborn, demanding man. Dr. Mirren could feel the lump in his throat grow. He hated being in this office. He hated the big oak desk, the pale yellow walls, and the smell of cheap cologne mixed with B.O.

The overly obese form of Walter Huff leered back at him from behind his desk. We need a new form of energy, something that will give us a defense system against those damn creatures out there. They’re kickin’ our asses. You don’t seem to understand that there is no oil left. Without it our military has been reduced to infantry. No vehicles, no chance. We’re getting slaughtered out there.

Dr. Mirren closed his eyes. I know, I know. We need to do something, but the new Canopy technology is not the answer. It’s not ready.

It is ready! You’ve said it yourself. Spittle flew from Walter’s mouth. Last week we were celebrating for Christ sakes.

I’m sorry; I got over anxious. I was excited about the possibility of complete safety, but I have since discovered that there may be complications. He met Walter’s gaze. Sky Canopy is designed to completely encase the entire city, but the electromagnetic shield protecting us will ultimately cause side effects. Upon further analysis, I believe it will cause a dead-space.

Dead what? asked Walter with skepticism. You’re getting paranoid, Stephen. Stop second guessing yourself and trust your first conclusion. Let me ask you one question. Walter lifted his eyebrows. Will it keep the Ferals out?

Yes, but—

But nothing, interrupted Walter. That’s all I want to hear. The Ferals are our top concern. You told me that it would end the war.

It may end the war, yes... Dr. Mirren paused, drew in a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. You’re not listening to me, Walter. I’m not being paranoid, I’m being realistic. This thing could really affect the future of the outside world in a disastrous way. We have to think about everything else outside of Sky Canopy—the people, plants, animals… life. The effects of the Canopy technology could be catastrophic over time. We could potentially extinguish life all around us. I don’t want to be the cause of that. Do you?

Walter clenched his jaw and wrinkled his eyebrows into a deep scowl. Dr. Mirren hated seeing that look. As head of the AOCC, Walter could easily force Dr. Mirren to relinquish the Canopy technology.

With some effort, Walter rose from his chair and turned to look out his window. I’ve got panicking citizens all over the city. They’re scared stiff. They’re out there right now with signs that say: ‘The end has come,’ ‘Apocalypse is here,’ ‘Hell on earth’… on and on. More soldiers are coming back in bags every day. Those Feral monsters are relentless. We have to do something to keep the damn things out.

Walter turned his hefty body back to face Dr. Mirren, planting his meaty hands on the desk and leaning forward. Sometimes, we have to make tough decisions. I won’t stop the project because of some theory of yours. He fell back into his chair with a thud.

It’s not a theory. New technology of this kind needs testing. We can’t jump ahead of ourselves, said Dr. Mirren. The Ultra project is coming along nicely. If you need an immediate solution, that’s where we should look. We have three new potentials at the moment. Let’s get them integrated and out there on the line.

"Freaks and carnival acts. That’s a pipe dream. I haven’t seen any evidence that the ones we have put out there made any difference. Even if they are more advanced than you and I, what can they do against millions of ferocious monsters? I know what I’m talking about. I have all the undisclosed facts."

Dr. Mirren closed his eyes again. They’re not a hoax, Walter. There are some exceptional people out there. Ultrasapiens have the ability to access the full potential of the human brain. It allows heightened skills unique to each individual. It’s more like a miracle, a balancing act to give us hope against the Ferals. The Ultra trait is rare, yes, but we have found that they are much further evolved than the rest of us. We shouldn’t look past what’s happening. I think this could be the answer we are looking for.

You keep saying you ‘think’, or you ‘have a theory.’ That’s bullshit. Theories and prayers aren’t going to save us. I’ve seen nothing that leads me to believe those Ultra people can make a big enough difference. I can’t sit around and wait for your miracle makers while all the other humans die.

Why do you insist on ignoring everything I tell you? I’m your lead scientist and you disregard everything I say!

Not true. I listen to you, Stephen. You’re a brilliant man, but sometimes you get a little mad-scientist on me. I just can’t make my decisions based on a theory. Even if these people are special and can do all the wonderful things you say they can, we still can’t win. We need to protect ourselves. I am willing to take the chances necessary for our immediate future based on the factual information you’ve given me. We know Sky Canopy is a solution. The discussion is over. I want those engineers with their nose to the grind stone first thing in the a.m.

Dr. Mirren had lost the argument and he knew it. He looked at the ground as his mind raced to find a way to win the dispute.

Walter kept talking. Look at the bright side. What you’ve discovered is a major breakthrough. It will go down in the history books. You’ll be a hero. He paused and changed his facial expression into a threatening stare. "Just do me a small favor and keep your mouth shut about your theories. What we just talked about stays in this room—capice? I don’t need any more stress on the population than there already is. If the people start thinking we’re making the wrong decisions up here—you and I will both be out there with the Ferals."

Dr. Mirren rolled his eyes. I’m not worried about a revolt. I’m trying to save the people. He paused for a moment. This isn’t a popularity contest to me. Maybe the general population should have a say in these developments.

I’m not fucking around here, Stephen. You take this theory of yours public—I’ll put you in the ground.

Calm down, Walter. I can see I’m not going to change your mind. You can threaten me all you want, but if you go through with this, you’re going to regret it. He turned to leave, then stopped. Just give me some more time, please. Let me run some more tests.

No! Damn it! My decision is made! Now get out of here. Go find us another superhero if that will make you feel any better. Walter rose from his desk and waddled over to the door. He stopped and pointed one finger at Dr. Mirren. And, Doctor, just remember to keep your mouth shut. Don’t make me take extreme measures.

Dr. Mirren stared back defiantly for a moment, then turned and walked out. He left the office in defeat. There would be no convincing that bully. At least he had tried. After all, it was his own fault. He had presented Walter with a way that could save humanity without full knowledge of the subject. Now there was no turning back. Walter saw a solution to stopping the Ferals and he was going to proceed at any cost.

Dr. Mirren returned to his lab. He punched in the key code on the door, crossed the room and unlocked a glass case that held a small, cylinder-shaped tube. He gently removed the unusually heavy object from its nesting spot. Admiring the intricacy of the small contraption, he thought about how it was originally supposed to save the human race; how this small canister would provide the core power source to Sky Canopy. He pondered the options in front of him: concede to the wishes of Walter Huff, or take matters into his own hands. There must be a way to stop the Ferals, something other than this, but what? Dr. Mirren stuffed the core into his satchel and headed for the exit. He was sure that Walter would do everything in his power to get the core back, but this was the only way. If he could get far enough away, maybe there was a chance.

2 Dr. Mirren

Dr. Mirren hurried out of the building carrying the core safely in his nap-sack. He had to get out of the city and get as far away from Walter Huff as possible. There was only one place to go. Outside the city, to a farm on the edge of the border, they wouldn’t be able to find him there.

He arrived at the Magna-rail station. He slid a plastic card through the ticket booth, grabbed his receipt and rushed toward the nearest train. He slumped into an open seat waiting nervously for the train to move. Was he making the right decision? He was about to be one of the most wanted men in the city.

He felt the train lurch forward and a feeling of relief swept over him. At least he was going to make it out of the city. He peered out the window as the train left the station his thoughts spinning in many directions.

The sun spilled in through the window and warmed Dr. Mirren’s face, a small relief from the last several hours. He shook his head wondering how he got to this position. He could have made many different choices in his past and avoided this whole mess. He reached back squeezing his neck, trying to rub the stiffness out. He thought back to the day that it all began.

*****

It had been a cool fall day as Dr. Mirren remembered it. The AOCC was looking in all directions for ways to get an upper hand in the Border Wars against the Ferals. They were always looking for new people that had potential of carrying the Ultra gene. The Alliance had already utilized these special humans to help in the war effort, but there just weren’t enough to make a big difference. Dr. Mirren was tasked with finding more.

He had pinpointed a new Ultra candidate. His research had shown the new prospect to be a young boy living with a single mother. Due to this situation, he wanted to make his introduction look coincidental. He waited until the opportune time and anticipated their monthly supply run to the local market.

The town was a boomtown, consisting mostly of military units stationed there in effort of the Border Wars. The market was especially crowded on that day, with a new shipment from inside the city arriving earlier. Dr. Mirren stayed back keeping inconspicuous as he watched the family.

It was the first time he had seen the boy’s mother; she was beautiful. He had researched the family and knew roundabout all their ages, but she looked much younger than her thirty-five years. Of Asian descent, she had long dark hair and an athletic, slender build. She tried to downplay her beauty by dressing very casual. It was hard not to notice her.

Three boys accompanied Mom. As Dr. Mirren surveyed them from a distance, he quickly noticed how the boys acted older than their ages. The oldest—around twelve—was tall and lanky, with a thin face that favored his mother. The second oldest was shorter with a round face and a thicker frame; Dr. Mirren put him at about ten years old. The youngest boy was the prospect for the Ultras program, and he couldn’t have been more than eight years old. He wore a hat that kept his face in shadow.

Dr. Mirren navigated through the market making sure the family didn’t notice him. He needed to wait for the right moment.

The market itself was in an old structurally, unsound schoolhouse. The floors and walls were covered with dirt and grime, but most of the overgrown vegetation had been removed. He could tell where they had fixed the roof, but spots of water damage still lingered throughout. Rows of holo-clerk vending machines sprinkled with human-attended stands filled the open space. Most of the customers flocked around the human-operated carts, looking for fresher products.

The family passed by a stand of fresh fruit that had just been delivered several hours earlier. The oldest boy stopped to look at the bananas.

Dr. Mirren stood close by pretending to look at a cart of apples.

Mom tried to usher the boy along, but he refused to go. He just stared at the large bushel of ripe, yellow bananas. We need to go, Lucas, we don’t have enough credits for that. I’m sorry, maybe next time, she told him.

Dr. Mirren stepped forward. He shifted his grey coat to the side and slipped his hand into his pocket, trying to stay casual. Excuse me, ma’am, I couldn’t help but overhear. I would be happy to pay for some fresh fruit for your children. I can see your boy is very excited. I understand times are tough.

Mom looked at Dr. Mirren skeptically. Eh… thank you, but we must decline. We can make do on our own.

Dr. Mirren persisted. I insist. Please. He reached up and took a group of bananas and gave the man behind the stand his card before Mom could act.

He ripped off a banana and handed one to each of the boys. There are places to sit down if you like, or you can enjoy them right here. He offered one to Mom, but she waved the offering off.

You shouldn’t have done that, but thank you anyways. Boys?

They all mumbled their thanks.

It was my pleasure, Dr. Mirren said as he squatted down to look at the youngest boy. A strapping young fellow this one. I bet you will turn out to be someone very special.

The young boy looked up into Dr. Mirren’s face. He wore a black baseball hat that concealed most of his eyes, but when he lifted his head, Dr. Mirren knew he found the boy he was looking for.

He studied the boy’s eyes. They were nearly all white, with a slight gray ring around the iris and just the black dot of the pupil; an apparent side effect from the Ultra gene.

Mom quickly reached out and pushed her son’s hat down further over his eyes. The boy dropped his head to look back down at the ground.

Dr. Mirren stood back up and extended his hand to Mom. My name is Dr. Stephen Mirren, ma’am. It is nice to meet you.

She looked at his hand for a moment, and Dr. Mirren thought she would refuse to shake, but she raised her hand and lightly gripped his. Aiko Smith.

I would like to offer to buy the four of you lunch, if you would just give me several minutes of your time, Mrs. Smith.

Mom immediately became defensive. No thank you. We would like to continue with our own business now. Thank you for your generosity, but we’re not interested in anything you are selling. She began to shuffle the boys along.

Mrs. Smith, please don’t go. I am not a salesman. I just need to speak with you for a moment. I have the means to make it so that you can buy anything you like in this place, if you’ll just listen.

She continued moving along and turned her back to the doctor. Not interested, we keep to ourselves. Thank you again.

Dr. Mirren hustled up to walk alongside her. Mrs. Smith, please? I know about your son. He’s special. I can help him.

Aiko stopped abruptly and raised her finger. You stay away from my son, she hissed through her teeth. We don’t need any help. Please leave us alone.

Hold on, let’s calm down, said Dr. Mirren as he made a motion with his hands to suggest innocence. All I would like to do is spend some time with him. No crazy tests or anything like that, just observation under your supervision. I can pay handsomely for that.

We don’t need money; we get on fine ourselves. We really must be going now, excuse us. She continued toward the exit of the market.

There are others like him, Dr. Mirren said from a distance.

They kept moving toward the exit.

I can teach him to control it.

Mom stopped. Can you! Then what? You’ll take him away?

It was all happening so quick. Dr. Mirren stood watching not sure what else to say. But the young boy reached up and grabbed his mother’s arm. Momma? I think I might want to talk to the man.

She looked down at her son with sad eyes. His small voice had calmed her instantly. She placed her hand on his cheek. "Is that what you really want?

He nodded and smiled up at her.

Dr. Mirren knew he was in.

*****

Dr. Mirren was beginning to feel sleepy as he sat in his chair on the train. It had been quite a morning, arguing with Walter and fleeing from the city really took it out of him. He felt much safer now that the train had left the city. He figured it would take them some time before they figured out that he had left. They would surely search his lab and his apartment before realizing that he was truly gone.

He had never mentioned to anyone inside the city about the family he stayed with while he worked with the young boy. There was no record that the small farm even existed.

The farm…he couldn’t wait to get back and see the family again. He should never have left. As he began to drift off to sleep he thought of the day he made his discovery.

*****

The boy’s father had been killed in the war several years earlier. He had left them to tend the farm by themselves. The three brothers did a pretty good job in his place, but they still missed a father figure. The youngest boy didn’t even remember much about his father; the only thing he left the boy was his looks. Aside from his white eyes and hairless body, he looked much like his father, with little to none of his mother’s Asian features.

The small family made do. And in the years that followed the death of their father, Mom had grown very protective of her three boys. They lived as far out as civilization reached, before the land turned over to Feral territory. She kept them away from the public. She wanted to shield them from its corruption.

It was surprising how the family was able to survive this far away from town. How the Ferals left them alone. For some reason, they would not cross a boundary line set up around the farm. Something kept them away and allowed the family to run their farm normally. The monsters simply avoided them. Dr. Mirren had never seen anything quite like it. He thought it must have been another ability of the boy. The phenomenon gave him an idea.

Dr. Mirren had done as he suggested and stayed with them only to observe and teach the young boy. He had found the boy to be much more potent than any Ultra to date. He had the ability to generate bioelectricity. Although young and raw, Dr. Mirren worked with him and helped him to understand. He explained to the boy how the Ultra-sapien genes had left him without any hair and unusually white eyes, but had given him an extraordinary gift in its place.

Dr. Mirren even gave him a nickname, he began to call him Raiden. A Japanese god of thunder and lightning. The boy seemed to like that name, so it stuck.

It took some time, but the Raiden’s mother, Aiko finally began to warm up to Dr. Mirren. At first he found himself stumbling on his words and embarrassing himself in her presence. But she must have found him likeable. In fact, Dr. Mirren began to see signs of a possible relationship with the pretty Asian woman.

A deep thinker, Aiko loved nature and all things that grew. She always felt that the earth had a spirit of its own and that the humans had been killing the planet little by little. She raised her boys to respect all living things—to not take for granted what had been given to them. She taught them that their own lives were a gift. Dr. Mirren respected that about her. She was a strong woman and gave her sons a solid foundation to survive in the difficult world they lived in.

Everything seemed to be going so well until one fateful day, when Dr. Mirren made a discovery that changed everything.

He and the youngest boy were outside working on the electrical generator. They were converting it to use Raiden’s abilities to help give the house electricity.

Dr. Mirren fiddled around with a special type of synthetic metal compound called Syneranium—it could amplify energy. He explained how the substance was very hard to create, with components even harder to find. He had invented this new metal compound and carried some of it with him.

He whispered in Raiden’s ear that the tiny chunk of metal, no more than a dime-sized piece, was worth a fortune as he let it glitter in the sun. Two wires loosely connected the small, shiny metal to the generator.

Alright young fellow, I want you to come up and take hold of this, Dr. Mirren told him.

Raiden moved closer and placed the small rock with the two wires into his hand.

Now go ahead and concentrate on creating energy, like we’ve been practicing. Let it build up, then with everything you have, release it into the metal.

Raiden closed his eyes and began to concentrate. Dr. Mirren could see the energy begin to charge in his body. He started to shudder as it gathered. Then Raiden opened his eyes and sent the energy into the metal. It must have been more than he had ever released before, because the generator soared to life and lights began to glow inside the house.

Yeee haw! It worked! yelled Dr. Mirren patting Raiden on the back and smiling. Now I want you to pull it back.

They boy must have taken what the doctor said literally. He had meant to say—stop the flow of energy into the metal. But Raiden did the opposite of pushing the energy, and began to pull it.

The lights inside the house began to burst as he strained to control it. The small piece of metal pulled all the energy from the house, then it began to siphon energy from other sources in the area; the electric plow in the field shut down and the lights in the barn went off. The area around Raiden’s hand began to grow dark as the stone pulled the surrounding energy—including light—into it and back into him.

Dr. Mirren watched, with his jaw open. Raiden seemed frozen in place. It was like he was in a trance. It was only several seconds, but it seemed much longer. Dr. Mirren quickly came to his senses and knocked the metal from Raiden’s hand. It was over that quick.

Are you OK? asked Dr. Mirren.

Er… yeah. What just happened?

I think we just made a major discovery, said a very excited Dr. Mirren. He paced around thinking to himself. If the flow of energy can be pulled in by the metal…and amplified…we may be able to create an energy shield that could hold off the Ferals!

This is major, my boy. We really stumbled on something here. I need to do more research.

Dr. Mirren spent the remainder of the day typing things into a small computer device he had brought with him.

That evening he announced that he needed to go back to the city, to conduct some tests. He thought he had a solution to stop the war. He told the family he would come back in due time, but this was of great importance. Aiko pleaded with him to stay and run the tests at the farm, but Dr. Mirren needed his lab inside the city. He tried to convince the family to come with him, but Aiko would not leave her home. She felt that the city was against most of her morals and she would wait for him on the farm.

So, it was just like that. They watched Dr. Mirren leave. He had swooped into their lives, and left just as abruptly.

*****

After all these months, he was finally returning to the farm, but this was not how he envisioned it. He wasn’t coming back to visit or stay. He was coming back to hide.

3 Raiden

Late in the day on a cold winter afternoon, the boy called Raiden was working on his daily chores for the farm. The overcast, gray sky looked as if it would snow, and the cold, mushy ground would soon turn solid. His two older brothers were working inside the barn. Jin and Lucas, were nearly inseparable. At twelve years old, Jin acted more mature than his age; he had the pleasure of being the oldest with the most responsibility. Lucas always seemed to be helping Jin, he was two years younger, but pulled his own weight around the farm.

Raiden worked alone digging a hole for a fence post. As he pushed the shovel into the soft ground, he noticed someone walking toward the farm off in the distance. He watched the figure approach until he recognized it was his friend Dr. Mirren. Seeing him on foot was strange, and he appeared to be in a hurry.

Dr. Mirren waved to Raiden as he got closer. The boy dropped the shovel and raced out to greet him.

Hello, young man, Dr. Mirren said in his usual courteous tone. I hope you have been well, he said and shook the boy’s smaller hand as if he were an adult. Raiden always liked how the doctor treated him with respect.

I suspect your mother is around. I would very much like to speak with her, he said.

She’s just inside. She’s been wondering when you would return. She’ll be happy to see you. Come on. Let’s go. Raiden ran up ahead, laying down a path of heavy footsteps from the large boots he wore over his feet.

Mom greeted the doctor with hugs and kisses, obviously glad to see him after the long eight months he had been away. The two had become romantically involved during the time he had stayed with them earlier.

They went into another room to discuss something important. After a lengthy amount of time, they both came out of the room and called the three brothers over to them.

Mom did not look happy. Boys, Stephen is in trouble. He needs to stay here until things calm down in the city. In the meantime, I don’t want you to tell anyone that he is here. Understood?

Raiden nodded in agreement along with his two brothers. It was like a game to him, a big game of hide-and-go-seek. It sounded fun. Dr. Mirren would hide at their farm and they would pretend he wasn’t around.

Over the next few days, they turned the barn cellar into a hiding room for Dr. Mirren. They kept a watchful eye for any strangers, but it was unlikely that anyone would know where to find the tiny farm at the edge of the borders.

Dr. Mirren spent most of his time fiddling with a cylindrical object that he had built while he was in the city. He explained how the object had put him in danger, that he couldn’t let it fall into the hands of the Insiders. If they used his invention, it would cause great harm to the world.

One day Raiden sat at the table playing cards. It was a bright and sunny, yet briskly cold winter afternoon. Jin, his oldest brother, came bursting into the kitchen out of breath. Momma, strangers.

Mom and Dr. Mirren exchanged a quick glance at one another before he jumped up and grabbed his backpack. How far away?

They’re just over the ridge. I saw them while I was fixing one of the fence posts. You can still get to the cellar.

Good, all of you follow me. He ran out the back door toward the barn. As the family followed, Dr. Mirren gave out instructions. Remember, try to act normal. Be polite and most importantly, don’t do anything to put yourselves in harm’s way. He kissed Mom lightly on the lips and told her to be careful before he disappeared into the darkness of the barn cellar.

The brothers tried to act busy and Mom resumed working in the kitchen. As three men came into sight, Jin and Lucas stopped what they were doing and waited for the men to get closer. Raiden ran up onto the porch while Jin and Lucas waited for the soldiers to approach.

The three men wore AOCC military uniforms. Each man carried weapons that they held casually. As they got closer, one of the men raised his hand to wave in greeting. The brothers waved back to confirm that they were friendly.

Hello boys, called out the closest soldier as he approached. We’d like to have a word with you and your family if that is OK?

Mom emerged from the house and put her arms around Raiden protectively. It’s OK boys; let them come up.

The soldiers were young, in their mid twenties, but they all seemed battle-hardened. Two out of the three men were of average size, but the third was a large menacing black man. He looked scary to Raiden.

Mom greeted them kindly. Hello gentlemen, we don’t usually see many strangers out this way. What can we do for you?

The confident, handsome soldier in front said, Morning Ma’am, my name is Lieutenant Timburk. He pointed to his left, at a thin man that could have passed for a sixteen year old kid. This is Private Taylor, and the big fella here is Private Jones. We are looking for someone. We had hoped that you might be able to help us. Have you seen this man? He took out a digital photo of Dr. Mirren. He may have just been passing through… Or if he’s staying with you, even better.

Mom took a moment to look at the photo. No. I’m sorry. We haven’t seen anyone around here lately outside of you, gentlemen. Like I said, we don’t get many visitors out here.

Understood, Mrs.…?

Smith, said Mom.

OK, Mrs. Smith. Would your husband happen to be around?

My husband was killed about five years ago. He was a soldier like you. It’s just the four of us now, but we manage just fine.

Sorry to hear that... about your husband that is. We don’t want to intrude, but if it’s OK, we would like to set up camp back over the ridge there and conduct our search around this area.

That will be fine. I would offer you the house or the barn, but there is really no space.

No, Ma’am, we are perfectly fine with our camp. We have very good equipment and we don’t want to intrude. We’ll be out of your way as soon as we can.

Well, if you’re going to be around, it wouldn’t be polite if I didn’t invite you to have dinner with us this evening. Will you please join us and fill us in with any news?

Why thank you, Ma’am. We could use a good home-cooked meal. It would be our pleasure.

How about coming back around five o’clock? We eat a bit early, due to the time of year.

We’ll look forward to it. See you then.

The two others nodded in acceptance and the three of them departed back over the ridge to set up their base camp. Mom waited until they were out of sight, then she went to give Dr. Mirren the news.

The soldiers returned precisely at five p.m. They were greeted by Jin and led into the dining room where the place settings awaited them. The large formal table had eight place settings and the group of seven found them seated comfortably. As the soldiers took their seats they found a glass of cold milk and a glass of water waiting for each of them. Jin, Lucas and Raiden brought out a dish of food and set it on the table.

Once all the food had been brought out, they joined the soldiers and sat down. The first dish passed around was a heaping mound of red skinned smashed potatoes dripping with butter. The second was a healthy amount of green beans lightly salted, and the third, a mass of fried chicken with a peppery breaded coating on each plump piece. Lastly, a plate of warm golden brown biscuits sliced in half and filled with a thin slice of butter, made its way around the table. Mom said a short prayer and we all dug in.

Before Raiden took his first bite, he looked out over the feast in front of him, seeing more food than he had ever seen at his table. As he surveyed the feast, he noticed Lieutenant Timburk looking at his mother. Raiden was only a young boy, but he could tell by how the man was looking at her that something wasn’t right about it. Lieutenant Timburk chewed his food slowly staring at mom and looking at her chest. He noticed Raiden was watching him, he winked at the boy and dove into his food.

Only the sounds of silverware and plates clanking filled the room as everyone focused on dinner. Eventually conversation started and the soldiers continuously thanked Mom for making them dinner. They came dressed without their heavy armor and only carried light side arms. As their bellies began to grow the conversation began to pick up.

It was Lieutenant Timburk, who led the conversation. So, Mrs. Smith… how is it that you are able to live this far out? I mean, how is it that your family doesn’t get attacked by Ferals?

I’m not exactly sure, Lieutenant. We don’t bother them and they don’t bother us.

So you’re saying you don’t have any problems with the monsters at all?

Yes, that is correct. I don’t know why they don’t bother us; they just don’t come on the property.

"That’s the strangest thing I’ve ever heard. I’ve never seen them leave humans of any kind alone. There must be something you