Lucy exited the cave and shook her head as she leaned against the van.

　　She wished she hadn`t let Lecorondia walk away from them, but she`d been determined to hash out what they needed to do when they got back. If Jerry was correct and Erodicilee remained inside, that changed things. With Lecorondria`s pet hunting humans, letting people aimlessly wander would be irresponsible.

　　The thought of going back to explain everything made her blood run cold. Fear gripped her chest, and she stared back toward town. Julep might still be there. If she told him they`d lost Lecorondia, she didn`t know what he`d do.

　　Her mind wandered back to when they`d traveled together to the spot where Erodicilee had terrified those teens. He`d watched her with those cold and hungry eyes. Lucy wondered if she could borrow a handgun from the police station. Though she doubted it would be enough to stop him from tearing her apart.

　　"Lass, we need to talk," Jerry said softly, his attention on the sky as he leaned beside her. "We might be in trouble. I don`t believe we are, but I`d feel bad if I didn`t warn you as my commanding officer."

　　"I don`t like it when you talk like that," Lucy admitted.

　　Jerry`s attention didn`t waver from the clouds. "Lecorondia and I had a chat before she left. If she was still here, I wouldn`t be telling you this. As she`s mysteriously vanished, well..."

　　She shifted, turning to look at him. He was right; she knew. There weren`t any signs that her pet had killed her. Heck, it was entirely possible she`d found Erodicilee and taken him home. Her gut told her the last one wasn`t likely, however.

　　When he didn`t continue, she gave a small cough. "Jerry?"

　　"She was their government`s plan A. The first line, as it were."

　　Lucy grimaced. She knew what that meant. "So, we`re likely facing their plan B?"

　　"Yes."

　　"And you know what it is?"

　　Jerry nodded and smirked. "Yes."

　　"And?" Lucy reached out and prodded him, which got a laugh. "Tell me."

　　"Alright, lass. Sorry. Just thought I`d lighten the mood. Nukes, Lucy. Lecorondia talked about nukes." Jerry`s smirk faded, and now she stared at the sky, wondering if anyone would see it coming.

　　"We`re going to die."

　　She didn`t frame it as a question. It couldn`t be. If an alien civilization wanted to destroy them, she knew full well it would. However, that was the question. Did it want to? If destruction was its goal and they truly didn`t care, why bother sending Lecorondia down at all? Her eyes narrowed.

　　"No, we aren`t, are we?"

　　"I`ve worked in government most of my life, lass. If there`s one thing I know, it`s that they don`t go with the easiest solutions. No. I believe they`ll come up with an alternative. They`ve seen, hopefully, that we`re intelligent enough that they can reason with us. My best guess? We`re going to get Lecorondia 2.0, and that one won`t be as nice."

　　Lucy could imagine it. Aliens in black armor pointing laser guns and barking orders as they hunted the creature down. After they arrived, people would panic, someone would do something stupid with a gun, and it would implode into a clusterfuck.

　　She wondered if maybe she shouldn`t give her position to Jeff after all.

　　"Alright. We need to warn people, then. Get this place cordoned off to make sure the locals don`t disturb whoever the Galactic Government sends. I really wish Bob had sent some actual people, like, oh, I don`t know, the military." Lucy failed to keep the irritation out of her voice.

　　Jerry chuckled and finally looked at her. "I know what you mean. Do you think Peter might—"

　　Her phone rang—a series of shrill beeps that signified it was a call from her department. With practiced motions, she pulled it from her pocket and raised it to her ear.

　　"Lucy McCloud."

　　"Hey Barbie, when are you getting back?"

　　She closed her eyes and tried not to grimace. "I`m busy, Jeff. What`s wrong?"

　　"Bob wanted me to let you know to turn on the TV or radio, if you have one. The Prime Minister is making a statement about the information you sent earlier today. Bob`s going to be with him."

　　"He`s what?" She didn`t bother to hang up; instead, she wrenched the door open and turned on the radio. "Which station?"

　　"All of them. Geeze, Barbie, this is good. What are you so worked up for?"

　　"Jeff, how stupid are you?" Lucy barked. "If he tells people there`s a dangerous alien, what do you think is going to happen?"

　　"You`re going to get swamped with work." He sounded smug.

　　"What does Jeff want?" Jerry asked, but before she could answer, the PM`s voice came over the radio.

　　"—as I was saying, this is a disaster!" His outrage sounded fake to her, too clean for the benefits of the listener. "This beast that the so-called` ambassador dropped in our laps is a dangerous menace. Her lies spread by that man, Julian, on Firm Chat were nothing more than a lullaby designed to make us feel secure. A man is dead. People at my department have seen the video."

　　"Oh, you have to be joking." Jerry sounded like he was about to scream in frustration.

　　Lucy listened, unable to believe what she was hearing. The Prime Minister was sitting there, telling everyone about the murder as though it wouldn`t matter. If anyone at all heard this, it was going to cause a panic. Why was he doing this now?This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author`s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

　　"And that`s why my government has committed to making sure we send out the best people for the job. I`ve tried to get in contact with the ambassador, and it seems she`s unavailable for questioning."

　　The interviewer was tossing him softballs, but Lucy wasn`t listening to it anymore. Instead, she was breathing hard.

　　"Barbie? Uh. Lucy?" Jeff sounded concerned. "Hey, so there are people beating on the door? What should I tell them?"

　　"Tell them she`s on a mission to find Erodicilee. A private one. Something about Alien Biology, I don`t know." Lucy snapped out the words, barely breathing. "You make sure nothing happens. Nothing. Get Peter, Erick, and Kyle to the station. We`ll be there soon."

　　Jeff sounded like he was about to respond, but she hung up and turned to Jerry. He looked beyond pissed.

　　"This is stupid. Stupid! Lass. I know you`re in charge. Do you want my advice?"

　　"Yes." She nodded quickly.

　　"Get back, get in control. Now. We need to make sure this doesn`t spill over. People are going to put two and two together, and this place is going to get swarmed. We need to make sure the citizens are safe. Everyone else can look after themselves."

　　With a deep breath, she nodded. He was right. Most people in the town weren`t hunters or wannabe soldiers. They were tourists, and having someone in charge would help. As for the wannabe commandos? Well, they would do what they did. She wasn`t going to stop them.

　　"You`re right. You want to drive?"

　　Jerry laughed and hopped into the driver`s seat. "Put your seatbelt on, lass. This is going to get bumpy."

　　She did, grabbing the bar above the window as she heard Jerry mutter to himself.

　　"I`m glad my daughter isn`t here. She`d really complain after this."

　　With a squeal of tires, they were racing back to town.

　　***

　　Chaos reigned over the town.

　　People were everywhere, and Jerry laid into the horn to get them to move. She heard yelling, crying, and someone firing a gun. That last one caused her blood to run cold. As soon as she stepped out, flashing lights assaulted her vision.

　　Names of different stations and vlogs screamed at her as a multitude of people crowded around. Cameras and microphones jabbed at her as people demanded comments. Unfortunately, she had nothing to give that wouldn`t make the situation worse.

　　A hand grabbed her shoulder, but before she could scream at them, she saw Kyle and Eric standing there. Both men got into position behind her as they started pushing. They stared with hard eyes and jaws set, uncaring about who they knocked aside.

　　Fresh shouts replaced the noise outside as the door slammed shut behind them. Lucy noticed first that neither of the local police were around; instead, Jeff appeared to be barking orders into his phone. People in worn bulletproof vests and helmets surrounded Peter, who appeared on the verge of tears.

　　"ENOUGH!"

　　Lucy flinched at Jerry`s shout, but she moved through the now quiet room, hastening towards her desk. Jeff got to his feet. He looked terrified, but he was clearly trying to hide it. Her gut told her to go easy. She ignored it. Instead, she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him forward.

　　"Why the hell did I hear a gunshot? What did you do?"

　　"I-I went and got help. Found people willing to protect the town. I told everyone to stay within borders until we could be sure it was safe." His voice cracked, and for a minute, she thought he was going to cry.

　　Lucy wanted to strangle him. "Who did you tell?"

　　"I can answer that, ma`am." Eric said, stepping forward. "He put out an open call to anyone with a gun who wanted to help."

　　"Actual guns. Not these losers play toys." That came from a woman stepping away from Peter.

　　"And you are?" Lucy asked.

　　"Shelly. From the Anti-Alien Collective." Her voice made Lucy assume she was a smoker.

　　Lucy forced herself to sound polite, even as she heard the threatening tone Jerry was using as he loomed over the younger man. "Sure. Shelly. Why are you harassing Peter?"

　　"We wanted to know where you were. You`re in charge, not that idiot. Is the call legit? Are we hunkering down? Are they invading?"

　　She disliked the excited grins amongst Shelly`s group. "No. No one`s invading. We don`t need to defend the town; we need to evacuate."

　　"Because of the alien menace?" Shelly nodded. "How can we help?"

　　"Are you serious?" Lucy asked.

　　"Sure am. We`re not going, but god knows we don`t want these wannabes in the way." The woman grinned, showing yellow teeth. "How do we get them out?"

　　That, Lucy thought, was a fantastic question. Thanks to Jeff forming his own militia, the man had put ideas in people`s heads. Ideas she would need to deal with. Her eyes wandered to the windows and the sea of people. She had reporters at her beck and call.

　　"I`m going to speak to the reporters. I need you and any others you can gather to round up cars or help families get their gear together. Maybe find the local cops and send them over."

　　"And then we get to fight the alien?" One of Sally`s gang asked.

　　Lucy shrugged. "You want to go out hunting? I`m not going to stop you. I`d advise against it, however. He`s getting stronger."

　　"Better idea to put him down early. Men, get the cages!"

　　Her entire group cheered and scrambled out the door. As they did, Peter dusted himself off and straightened his prosthetic ears.

　　"That`s something, at least."

　　"Isn`t it just?" Lucy murmured. "Jeff. Stop crying and sit up."

　　To her surprise, he did, and Jerry backed away with a smile. "Go out there and tell your group of idiots to let anyone who wants to leave out without harassment. Eric, Kyle, go with him."

　　"On it, ma`am."

　　She couldn`t deny enjoying the sight of the two men hauling Jeff away before the crowd swallowed them. Lucy paused, psyching herself up before she joined them. Lights started flashing, and people shouted questions. Nearby, a child cried. She grimaced and waved.

　　"Hi. My name is Lucy McCloud. I`m here to tell you that this area is potentially unsafe. Please, if you could pack up your tents and head to the airport, we will try to get you transported home."

　　She didn`t know how she would do that, but she would call Mr. Black. Damn the department`s budget. This was only going to get worse.

　　"Miss McCloud!" rang from the voices of what seemed to her to be thousands.

　　She winced, fear rising in her gut, not wanting to do this. However, unanswered questions would turn into rumors. If she could give them a sound bite, perhaps they could chew on that and leave her alone.

　　Her hand shook as she pointed at a random face in the crowd. The jumbled shouts making it impossible to tell what anyone actually said.

　　"You first, and please, be quick. I am needed elsewhere."

　　"Adam Herald, Sydney Herald. Did you know how dangerous the beast was when you did your original interview?"

　　"No. I was acting on the information we had at the time." Lucy said, before selecting another face in the crowd. "You in the green shirt?"

　　"Elliot from Podscastpants! Is it true you`re single?"

　　"Relevant questions only, please," Jerry barked.

　　Lucy nodded at him and gestured to the crowd once again. "Last one. Then I need to help with the evacuation. You?"

　　"Hi. Penelope Evers. State News. My question relates to the danger here. Do you think the Prime Minister`s response was appropriate? His press conference appears to have done more harm than good."

　　Her smile faded, and she frowned. This was a complicated question, but she knew what the department wanted her to say. "I don`t think I`m qualified to answer that. I`m simply boots on the ground. Thank you."

　　With that, she pushed her way forward. She`d fed the vultures; now the more pressing tasks weighed on her mind. Finding Julep was at the top of the list. If anyone knew where Lecorondia was, he would.

　　Plus, she admitted to herself that she really didn`t want to leave him hanging if he didn`t know. With that settled, she turned and moved off to hunt him down.