"Shay, can I join all of you?" asked Billy Stream.
"We will discuss it later. Right now, we have to..."
Before Shay could finish, the Galiexian alarm pulsed through the farmhouse. The vibrations in the air were more felt than heard, and a faint blue ripple illuminated the walls as the defense systems activated.
Grandma Shay's voice cut through the tension with precision. "Alena, Marcus—rear perimeter. Drake, you're with me at the front. Shay, gear up. Everyone else, stay in designated safe zones and monitor the feeds."
Shay darted toward the wall panel in the dining room. Her fingerprint triggered the hidden compartment, and it slid open with a faint hiss, revealing the Galiexian combat suits and weapons. The combat suit adjusted around her as she pulled it on, its adaptive material flowing like liquid before locking into place. The energy weapon she grabbed felt weightless but hummed with dormant power.
Drake passed her on his way out, already suited up. "Don't do anything reckless," he said, flashing a grin.
Shay smirked back. "Right back at you."
Outside, the farmhouse's defensive grid shimmered faintly, its translucent energy field forming an invisible dome. The surrounding forest was cloaked in shadows, but the stillness carried menace. Grandma Shay was already assessing the situation, her expression sharp and focused.
"Perimeter breach, west side," Grandpa Mitch's voice came through their comms. "Their testing the grid integrity, but it's holding."
"Not for long," Grandma Shay muttered. "They always escalate."
A series of flashes erupted from the tree line; streaks of energy aimed at the farmhouse. The grid absorbed the blasts, each impact sending ripples of light cascading through the defenses.
"Hostiles spotted," Marcus called over comms. "Humanoid. Armor suggests enhanced operatives."
"Stay sharp, everyone," Shay said, moving to the east side for a better vantage point. Her blaster was in her grip, the charge ready.
The attackers emerged from the tree line, testing the grid's weak points. Their armor gleamed faintly, a liquid-metal sheen that reflected the moonlight. Shay raised her blaster, taking aim at the lead figure.
"Stenvexial tech-users," Marcus confirmed through comms. His voice was calm, but his tone carried an edge.
Her first shot struck the target's shield, sending a ripple through its protective field. A second shot followed immediately, breaching the shield and hitting the operative square in the chest. It crumpled, dissolving into particles.
"Confirmed non-human," Drake added, his own shots landing with precision.
Alena's voice came through, steady and focused. "Stick to their shields. Break them before they can regroup."
At the rear, Marcus and Alena worked seamlessly. Marcus's enhanced reflexes were on full display as he deflected incoming shots, while Alena provided precision cover fire, each shot landing where it mattered.
"Thanks," she said, her focus unbroken as she returned fire.
"Anytime," Marcus replied, ducking behind cover.
"Four incoming at the south corner," Grandpa Mitch announced.
Shay pivoted, catching sight of the new wave. "I see them."
Drake joined her, his shots complementing hers as they picked off the operatives. "Two down," he said, spinning to fire at a third.
On the front line, Marci and Grandma Shay coordinated their strikes. The operatives moved in coordinated bursts, testing the farmhouse defenses. Grandma Shay's voice cut through the comms. "Focus on their shields. Overload them before they adapt."
A sudden explosion rocked the farmhouse, sending a shockwave through the grid. Shay stumbled, but quickly recovered.
"Status on the grid?" she asked into the comms.
"Holding at 80%," Grandpa Mitch replied. "But another hit like that could compromise the outer layer."
"Then we can't let them get that far," Drake said, his tone resolute.
Markey's voice broke through next. "One has breached the rear entrance!"
Shay's stomach twisted. She sprinted toward the farmhouse, her suit amplifying her speed. By the time she reached the rear, Markey was grappling with an operative inside the kitchen. The alien figure towered over him, its energy weapon sparking erratically.
"Markey, drop!" ordered Shay.
He obeyed, and Shay fired a precision shot that struck the operative's chest plate. The alien dissolved into a cascade of glowing particles.
"Are you hurt?" asked Shay, rushing to his side.
Markey winced, clutching his side. A scorch mark on his suit revealed the edge of a burn beneath. "I'm fine. Just a scratch."
"Alena, Marcus, clear the rest of the house," Shay ordered into her comms. She turned to Markey. "You're done for now. Go to the med bay."
"I'm not leaving," Markey protested, but his voice wavered.
Shay's tone left no room for argument. "You're no good to us injured. Go."
The attack ended as abruptly as it began. The operatives retreated into the forest, their mission incomplete. Inside the farmhouse, tension hung heavy in the air as the group reconvened in the living room.
Grandma Shay stood at the center, her presence commanding. "We survived. That's step one. But let's not kid ourselves, this wasn't a random attack. They wanted to see what we could do."
"This'll sting," she said matter-of-factly, pressing the agent into his skin.
Markey hissed, but didn't pull away. "What doesn't these days?"
Shay stood by the window, looking at the forest beyond. "They weren't here to destroy the farmhouse," she said. "They were testing us. Pushing to see how far they could get."
"And they learned too much," said Grandma Shay.
Markey sat on the couch, his wound already closing thanks to the Galiexian healing patch. "If that's their idea of a test, I'd hate to see the real thing."
"You won't be seeing it anytime soon if you don't rest," said Alena, her tone softer than usual.
Shay stepped forward, her gaze looking over the group. "Grandma's right. This wasn't about taking us out… it was reconnaissance. They were watching how we operate."
"Could be a trap," said Marcus.
Grandpa Mitch placed a salvaged device on the table. The alien tech gleamed under the room's lighting, its intricate design.
"This was left behind," he said. "It's a modified interface—Stenvexial, but clumsy. They're trying to reverse-engineer Galiexian systems."
"We can't keep waiting for them to come to us. We need to go after them."
Shay retrieved the device. "Or it's a clue. Grandpa, can you analyze the signal?"
"I'll start now," he replied.
Grandma Shay's voice cut in. "We don't have time to wait for answers. Edwin's out there, and they know we're coming for him. We move in an hour."
Shay's stomach twisted at the words. She met Grandma Shay's gaze.
"I'm leading the team," said Shay.
"No, you're not," Drake interjected, his tone sharper than usual.
Shay turned to him. "Excuse me?"
"You're the leader," said Drake. "We can't afford to lose you. You need to stay here and coordinate while the rest of us handle the rescue."
Shay opened her mouth to argue, but Grandma Shay raised a hand, silencing them both. "Drake's right. Your role is bigger than the field. You're our leader, Shay."
The words hit their mark. Shay exhaled and nodded. "Fine. Marcus, Alena, Drake, Macie, Grandpa, and Markey, you'll lead the mission. I'll coordinate from here."
Drake's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he nodded. "Good call."
The group dispersed, each person preparing for the mission ahead. Shay lingered near the table, her hand resting on the Stenvexial device.
Grandma Shay approached her quietly. "You're making the right choices. Trust that."
"I just hope it's enough," said Shay.
Shay sat alone in the study, staring at the glowing transmitter on the desk and making entries into her notebook.
Grandma Shay entered the study. "You're doing the right thing, you know."
"Am I?" asked Shay, her voice barely above a whisper. "Staying behind feels like giving up."
"It's not," said Grandma Shay. "It's trusting your team. You can't be everywhere, Shay. Sometimes leading means stepping back."
Shay nodded slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing. "Tomorrow, Marcus, Alena, Drake, Macie, Markey, and Grandpa will lead the mission. I'll stay here and monitor from the farmhouse."
Grandma Shay smiled. "And that's how you lead."
Shay looked up, her resolve firming. "I just hope it's enough."
"Shay, after we get Edwin back, Markey and Macie are leaving tomorrow. They've been assigned to handle a new threat in the Tansmalia galaxy.
"They are strong operatives. Hate to see them leave."
"Shay, you had mentioned to me that they seemed familiar to you."
"Yes, I feel connected to them somehow."
"You are connected." Grandma Shay paused to figure how to tell Shay who they were.
"Who are they?"
"They are your great grandchildren seven generations in the future. It's best not to tell them."
"Why? How could it hurt? They know they are immortal. Grandma, is everyone in my family immortal?"
Grandma Shay hesitated, but told her the truth.
"Yes, everyone volunteered over time because of you."
"What about Alena's family?
"Yes, they volunteered also."
"Is it so terrible that everyone volunteers?"
"Not everyone. No one is forced. Humanity was almost eliminated by the Slenvexials. If it hadn't been for you negotiating with the Galiexians, there probably wouldn't be a human race."
"This is so much to understand, but I will do my best to push back and someday destroy the Slenvexials. I promise I will do everything I can in my power to destroy them."
"Shay, I'm here to help you and your team. Be sure to ask me if you have any questions. I don't care how dumb you may think a question might be. Promise me you will still ask and trust your team. They work hard for you to protect mankind."
"I will. I promise."
"We better take a quick break. They're leaving to rescue Edwin soon."
"I need to make more notes in my notebook. Something doesn't add up, and I'm going to get with Alena in just a minute. Maybe we can figure it out before they leave to rescue Edwin."
"Well, I'm here if you need me."
Shay, not sure what was wrong, narrowed it down to three possibilities. What doesn't add up? Why do I question myself? That's not like me. I hope I can figure out… oh, I hope I am wrong! Please let me be wrong about…