“What are you talking about, Harry?,” asked John.

“We’re on defense,” said Harry. “The xenos can do what they want as long as they have this gate tech that can bypass aerial defenses. They can get here to this planet from any planet they control that has a line to us, even with their vehicle xenos. They’re winning the war of attrition. The only thing we have going is that the gates are two way. When they open here, they open there. We need to use that.”

“You’re talking about trying to catch a random gate, get across, and kill a ton

of xenos who can get backup whenever they want,” said Guy. “You’ll be dead

if you try that on your own.”

“I’ll have the bees,” said Harry. “And Nick. We also need to find their homeworld and take that out if they have one.”

“That’s easy, depending on if they hit in a straight line from where they came from,” said LeRoi, the wheel man. He adjusted his Panthers hat.

“An extension of the line reaches yonder galaxy,” said Bubba.

“Did they kill all the other life in that galaxy?,” asked Wozniak. “That’s what we’re worried about, isn’t it? Extinction?”

“Let’s worry about one thing at a time,” said Box. “Let’s say all of this is right, and we need a gate to get over to their side of the line. How would we even plan for such a thing?”

“They’re going to want to take Earth,” said Harry. “They probably know their first sign is down. So they need to open another gate for another team to come across and reset. The problem is where will they hit?”

“Unless they move a star whale into position,” said John. “We only have two exits to hit.”

“The bees are clearing around where they tried to get here,” said Harry. “We don’t know if they have to use that pad to launch from, or if they can make another.”

“There is a way to test it, but it’s dangerous as crap,” said Box.

“Everybody in this room is dangerous as crap,” said Harry. “Not the kids. But the rest of us have shot someone sometime.”

“I’ve shot people,” said Delmar. He glanced at the detectives. “Hypothetically.”

“We think these two planets are launch zones,” said Box. “I assume they are out of line right now. When they come back on line, if they want to try to invade, they will want to open a gate and reset their marker. All you would have to do is guess which one will open first and where.”

“Wu U and the beacon were in a straight line,” said Marques. “If we knew where they were trying to launch from there, we would have a landing spot here.”

“Do they have to reset?,” asked Cat. “They might be able to use the marker from their side as long as they can activate it.”

“Nick?,” said Harry. “Can you relay an order to take out the marker the bees have claimed.”

“Done,” said Nick. “The drones say they have cleared an area around the original marker and are waiting for the enemy to try to regain the ground.”

“The wheelson?,” asked Harry.

“On overwatch, and heavy artillery for the drones,” said Nick.

“That answers another question,” said Harry.

“The xenos don’t overpopulate,” said Box.

“Yeah,” said Harry. “They’re too busy replacing their numbers on other worlds.”

“You’re going to need more than your bees for backup,” said John.

“I can’t take the kids with me,” said Harry. “It’s too dangerous.”

“You right about that,” said Garry.

“I was thinking more about Guy and me,” said John.

“You’re not qualified,” said Harry. “And first we have to see if we’re right. If the

planets are lining up, which parts will be tied together first?”

“These two spots here,” said Nick. “In twelve hours.”

“It’s away from the beacon,” said Harry. “This other spot is on the edge of town.”

“So what are you planning to do?,” said Wozniak.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“I’m going over to see if we’re right,” said Harry. “Kind of get ready. What about from the other planet?”

“Here and here,” said Nick. “It’s a few states over, but there is a twelve hour

difference.”

“I got that,” said Box.

“Verily, we shall smite these foul miscreants,” said Bubba.

“In twelve hours, we see if we’re right,” said Harry. “Twelve hours after that will be our confirmation.”

“I think it’s a bad idea to try to go this alone,” said John. “You’re going to need the help.”

“This is what I was born to do,” said Harry. “If it will make you feel better, I’ll have the kids spot for me so I can keep the area sealed. It will be fine.”

“You say that, but what happens if you’re wrong?,” said Guy.

“Then I won’t be at poker night,” said Harry. “Don’t worry. I’ll go out there with

Delmar and the guys to look for places they can keep watch without getting killed.”

“Why not use SWAT for lookouts instead of these guys?,” asked Bellvue.

“Because I want people who will run away,” said Harry. “And if everything goes right, a group of guys keeping an eye on things is better than shooters.”

“We still need a presence,” said Wozniak. “We need to be ready to stop the incursion if it happens.”

“I know some guys,” said Box. “We’ll handle the other one if it happens.”

“What happens if we’re wrong?,” asked Cat.

“We meet back here and brainstorm some more,” said Harry. “I’m sure this is the key. I also think that we can’t stop the xenos until we go to that other galaxy, and take it back unless they just cut through that one from some other galaxy beyond that one.”

“You’re talking about a generational war,” said Guy.

“The guys on the ground are stupid,” said Harry. “Their generals are protected and they can produce more grunts like I made this hut. They are trying to seize our commanders, but we can’t get to them unless we use their tech. It’s the only way to win.”

“Defense is what we do,” said Nick. “Offense is not that good for us.”

“Don’t worry about that part,” said Harry.

“All right,” said John. “Is there anything else we need to talk about?”

“Naw,” said Harry. “Come on, guys. Let’s look at the battleground. We’ll need to pick spots for you to watch things.”

“I’m not sure that this is the right way of going about things,” said Cat. “Are you sure about this?”

“We’re betting everything on a hunch,” said Harry. “Box is the one that will have to work hard if we’re right.”

“I’ll have a squad of guys,” said the other contractor. “You won’t.”

“I’ll match your squad with my band of cutthroats any day,” said Harry. He gestured at the former gangsters. “I’ll take all this down when we’re sure we’re right.”

“You can’t be talking about us,” said Garry.

“Man up, bro,” said Delmar. “We’re saving the world here.”

“Let’s roll out,” said Harry. “Grab whatever you want from the leftovers and soda and let’s hit the road.”

He grabbed the confiscated phone off the table and put it in his pocket.

“I still need to put out an alert for this even if we’re wrong,” said Wozniak.

“Just see if you can put up a cordon,” said Harry. “I don’t want them wandering into a free fire zone and getting chewed up.”

Wozniak nodded. He grabbed a piece of pizza and a can of soda before leading his partner out of the hut.

“I’ll see you guys later,” said Harry. “Half of the bees will stay with you, but I’m

going to need the rest.”

“You can take them all,” said John. He waved his hand at the drones at rest around them.

“Not as long as you need help driving,” said Harry. “All right, guys. I need you to split into two equal groups. One group stays here. The other comes with me.”

The drones shuffled around. A group took to the air to surround Harry. He smiled.

“Keep Cat and John safe until I get back,” he told the sentries.

They buzzed in acknowledgment.

“It was nice to meet you and your friends, Harry,” said Box.

“They aren’t that nice on poker night,” said Harry. “Come on, guys. It’s time to earn the big money.”

“I know I told you before, Delmar,” said John. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

“I’m staying out of trouble, Mister Stuart,” said Delmar. “More than I was anyway.”

“We all are,” said Garry.

“All right,” said John. “Good luck.”

Harry led the way down the front of the house, bees swirling around him. He opened the door and let the bees file in. They hopped around on the back seat until they were comfortable.

“LeRoi,” said Harry. “Meet me down on Acadia Street, and we’ll look around for good spots for you guys.”

“What about this thing?,” said LeRoi. He indicated the bee still sitting on his

shoulder.

“He’ll keep you safe in case I screw up,” said Harry.

“Does he need to ride on me?,” asked the wheel man.

“Just ask him to move,” said Harry. “Hey, buddy. LeRoi needs his shoulder. Would you mind riding in a seat?”

Delmar gestured for the bee to settle on the central part of the console where

cupholders holes were.

“If something happens, he will protect you,” said Harry. “As long as you are with me, then you’re with him.”

“You’re not going to throw us under the bus?,” asked Garry.

“I don’t throw people under the bus,” said Harry. “That’s for cowards and scum. I would rather shoot you myself.”

“That makes me feel a lot better,” said Garry. His eyeroll said the opposite.

“All right,” said Harry. “I’ll meet you down there. Then we’ll work out where we

think the gate will come in and where you guys can watch things without getting killed.”

“Do you really need us?,” asked Delmar. “We don’t bring a lot to this.”

“I just need someone to call in and tell the police where the xenos are going,” said Harry. “If a gate does open, I will be too busy to try to chase everything down myself.”

“We can do it,” said Marques. “If we don’t, Earth will match up with those other planets that lost. I’m not losing my grandma.”

“Let’s ride,” said Harry. “The faster we prep, the better I will like it.”

He walked back to his bumblebee car and got behind the wheel. He told it to drive down to Acadia Street. Nick said he had the spot marked, but he wasn’t quite sure where on the road it would be until they got there.

An inset marked LeRoi’s Honda right behind him. He thought about what he would be dealing with when they got to the scene. He couldn’t let them stay in the open. The xenos would chew them up in a second just running by.

And he might have to arm them. He didn’t want to, but it might come down to that. He couldn’t let them get killed helping him out. That would be a failure in his opinion.

“If we’re right, what does that mean for the war?,” asked Nick.

“It means we can attack them in their strongholds and they can’t do anything about it,” said Harry. “Just the way I like it.”