The Goldilocks bomb definitely got the attention of the bugs. Almost immediately, an enemy ship uprooted from somewhere in Florida and planted in the center of the Ellipse at the National Mall in Washington D.C. It seemed to be a warning. If we continued to destroy their ships, they would wreck the U.S. government. People, buildings, and all. The Pentagon would be a likely target too, since that is close to the Mall.
The bugs didn’t do any damage. They just landed smack in the middle of the National Mall. It seems they want the government intact if possible. That must be part of the big plan in keeping with their care to maintain infrastructure. It would help with the ultimate subjection of the populace.
Grandad seemed uncharacteristically angry with the National Mall situation. We knew he had been working on a plan of action. The whole team assembled in Grandad’s lab expecting to hear all about the plan, but were surprised.
Grandad threw up his hands. “How can I do it? I’m not strong enough.”
Grandad left the lab. We heard the front door slam. He was ... gone.
Rock’s brow was furled. He raised his hand, fingers spread, like he was releasing a question to the wind. “What is your grandad talking about? We need to be involved in this! Our capabilities could make a huge difference.”
Para interjected. “Take it easy on Grandad. This has all been really hard on him. He’s not a young guy any more. He feels responsible for us. But he understands the world needs us too.”
I understood what Grandad was saying. “Like Para said. Grandad is worried one of us will get hurt. He is having a hard time with that. Think about it. The responsibility he has, for us, in this. All the strain. He is having a hard time facing the possibility, or maybe even the probability, of us dying. It could happen you know. We could all die.”
Roll nodded. “I get the sentiment. We don’t have a choice though. Do we? We have to do this with or without your grandad. It is our responsibility to do so. Just saying.”
Rock drummed the table in contemplation. “We have to do this, though there is a much better chance of NOT dying if your grandad is with us. Statistically speaking. We need to convince him.”
We didn’t need to hear anything more from Para. She had been pestering Grandad several times a day to get the team up and moving to end the bugs.
“Let’s vote,” I said. “I’m in for the long haul. Wherever this bug war takes us, I’m in.”
Everyone agreed. It was unanimous. We would enter this war with or without Grandad. He came back about an hour later. We were all waiting in his lab.
I put on my serious-face. “Grandad, we had a meeting, and have decided to directly engage in the war effort. With or without you. Obviously, we want it to be with you. Like Rock said, statistically we will be safer with you. So, you really don’t have a choice in this. We are serious Grandfather!” I tried so hard to stay tough, but I started tearing up. “We all love you Grandad but we need to go and do our part to save the planet now. Or die trying.”
Grandad’s lip trembled a little. “Seems I don’t have a choice. Let’s do this thing then. But first, all of your parents need to sign off on it. We need to bring them in on our secret. I’ve been recalcitrant in not having done so already.”
I did see that little tear in your eye Grandad. But tell our parents? It would require a full-on military OPORD to pull that one off.
Roll chimed in. “Our dad will give us the okay if we insist. Right Rock?”
Rock thought about it. “Probably. We’ll point out we are not safe anywhere. Too bad we can’t get in the military and use these capabilities to counter the invasion. Military benefits include college tuition. Dad’s always worried about tuition expense. It doesn’t look like there’s much chance for a football scholarship now, not with the invasion. For that matter, what am I even talking about? Unless we win this thing, there will be no college.”
Grandad had a contemplative look. “No matter how we look at this, you’re on the right track. Direct involvement with the military will add legitimacy to our operations. It makes sense.”
Grandad, I mean Mr. T, made some calls. It is legal to serve in the military when you turn 17, as long as you have parental permission. And as it should happen, only recently, we were all 17 years old. Grandad had served in the military, though that was a long time ago. He didn’t finish his full time in the military. I think he ended up working on a DARPA project instead. But he still has Individual Ready Reserve status. He decided to see if he could pull in some favors. And he can be quite creative when the need arises.
He worked out a contract to get us into the military developing counter-invasion intel. It didn’t hurt that he offered to do all the work using his own funds. It wouldn’t have to cost the government anything. He said he wanted to do his part, though he wanted a seal of legitimacy.
Then he finished off with a by-the-way. There was this group of promising 17-year-old youth who could help him out. With parental consent, could they have some sort of standing in the military? The branch of service wouldn’t matter.
Mr. T’s
