Sparks flew from the globe as shotgun pellets hit and drove the aliens away from the machine. Then the light winked out, leaving a profound darkness.

Casey moved the night goggles from his forehead to his eyes and tripped the switch to engage the device. The charge of the actors had been stunning in its intent and equally shocking in its quick demise. The reach and accuracy of the floating gun platforms was amazing. Seemingly without direction from the aliens, the guns had snapped two rapid shots that destroyed the actors.

In the eerie green light of the enhancer, he saw one actor had not died, moving slightly as he lay on the ground. It was a case of the totally unprepared thinking they could fight like professionals. Casey felt sorry for the man as he watched an alien bring another machine to the edge of the woods and aim it at the house.

A wave of distortion emitted from the machine, a line of distorted focus that swept rapidly across the lawn towards the actor as the man rose from the ground to run.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

It was incredible, Casey watching the man run a race for life while warped air swept at him. The actor kicked his heels up as he pushed for every ounce of speed from his body. The wave seemed to catch him, then the actor was clear and ducking into the woods, the sole of his boot clearing the distortion by inches.

The wave hit the house and seemed to envelop it in a spatial hug, settling into the wood and brick.

He had done it; the actor had outwitted the aliens and Casey felt a pride for the man and his accomplishment.

One of the floating gun platforms hovered past Casey’s hiding spot as it began a hunt for the actor.

There had to be something he could do.

The silencer still worked on the gun. If he fired one shot, he could destroy the platform and give the actor a decent chance against the aliens.

He had to justify his presence outside the house. Casey shifted the gun into position and aimed at the platform as it moved silently through the trees with light from the house glinting off its metal skin.

The shot came as a surprise as his gun leaped in his hands. Immediately, he froze and waited for any sign of discovery.

The gun platform wobbled in the air, then fell to the ground and lay motionless.

Casey smiled. He had begun a silent fight to beat the aliens. He was not a coward.

Casey turned his attention back to the house.