Training has gotten intense. Becoming a Marine has exhausted me down to my bones. We get little sleep, and most of the time, I feel like a walking zombie.
Tyren says they keep us awake to simulate actual war-time conditions.
I’ve become an expert rifleman. The firing range is great stress relief.
Everything is building up to this thing called The Crucible. It’s a 54-hour exercise that simulates a battle. We march about forty miles and get maybe four hours of sleep the entire time.
When I first signed up to be in the military, I thought I might fly around in cruisers and rescue people like Tyren did when he saved me. But it turns out, I’ll actually be in a war.
I ship out in a few weeks. Where I’m going is secret. I’m scared shitless, Reed. If there’s any way you can get news or other information, you should try.
Stay safe and write soon.
Ida S.
26 January 2040
Dear Ida,
This letter may reach you before I get yours. I couldn’t wait any longer.
Strange things are happening here. The adults are acting nervous, and they seem scared. Some supervisors have stopped showing up, and I could smell alcohol on Nurse Tilda’s breath one day.
Kilpatrick is still lurking around. He’s an even bigger creep than before, if you can believe it. This letter may not even make it to you—I begged Nurse Tilda to mail it after she left work, so Kilpatrick wouldn’t intercept it. If he finds this, I’ll get in big trouble. She agreed, but it’s hard to trust people around here. Hell, you know that.
They’re still taking kids away—even more than before. Now, they don’t even pretend that couples are adopting them. A cruiser arrived yesterday and took ten kids!
Do you remember Rian? She was a short girl with blond pigtails?
They were about to take her, and I stood up to Kilpatrick.
I said, “She’s too young—only six years old. You can’t take her.” He was pissed at me because I yelled it in front of the strangers who were taking the kids. He tried to ignore me and push me away, but I remembered what you said about standing up to bullies. I shoved her behind me and blocked them. Kilpatrick gave me the evil eye, but he picked another girl and they took her instead.
At least I saved Rian. For now.
Woodlawn was bad enough, but it’s really going to hell now. Wish you were here. You’d know what to do.
But don’t worry too much. Just keep working hard in basic training and get a good place in the military.
Someday, I’ll find you again.
Reed
4 February 2040
Dammit, Reed. I said keep a low profile. But you didn’t get my letter in time obviously.
I’m glad you saved Rian, but that was risky as hell! They could have taken you. If I ever lay eyes on Kilpatrick again, I will ring his slimy little neck. What a raging piece of human garbage.
As soon as I saw your letter, I showed it to Tyren and begged him to help you and the other kids at Woodlawn. He was worried and said he would send word to his colleagues in NYC to investigate. Help should be on its way soon.
By now, news of the Heavies must have reached you. The reason all the adults are acting crazy is that an alien species has invaded. I found out about them shortly after starting basic. The Affiliated Nations blocked the news from the media for a while. They didn’t want to start a panic.
But, it doesn’t matter because everyone knows now. The news spread. I’ve been learning more about the species from special training that only the military has.
The creatures are scary, Reed. I’m not gonna lie. Their tech is advanced—there’s a huge spacecraft over the Middle East where they’ve “parked” for some reason. For them to have been able to travel here—nobody knows exactly how they made it so far. There aren’t any other planets with life near enough. Do you have any idea how? You were always into space and geek stuff. I’m sure you have a theory.
When Tyren’s men come to help you (and arrest Kilpatrick), ask them to join Space Guard. I think you’d be perfect there. The world needs help to fight the Heavies before they kill us all.
Keep your head down.
Ida
12 February 2040
Ida,
I’ll keep this short. I think this is my last chance to write you. Tilda agreed to send this final letter (I’m in her office writing it now). She’s leaving Woodlawn for good. Said it’s too dangerous where we are on account of looting and rioting, and she’s going to stay with her family out in the country.
I thought about going with her, but I don’t want to leave Rian and the other younger kids behind. They have no one but me to look out for them.
Nobody came to investigate Woodlawn. At least, I don’t think they did. Maybe Kilpatrick paid them off.
The place has gone to shit. Nearly every adult quit, and Kilpatrick is using robotic flying drones to control us. A bunch of kids have an escape plan. I’m going with them and taking the younger kids.
Not sure where we’ll end up, but it’s got to be better than here.
Until we meet again,
Reed
17 February 2040
Reed,
No idea if you’re still at Woodlawn. You’re brave for leaving. And for looking out for the younger kids.
But I’m worried. Make sure to write ASAP. Tyren says I’ll get your letters for another two weeks.
My time is drawing near to ship out. I received my orders, and I’ll be serving as a medic.
I’ll get more training once we arrive at our base. I’m nervous. Wish me luck.
There’s something I haven’t told you. The
