CHAPTER 78: Invasion Day
Adam woke in his bed. The clock said 6am. He groaned from having to wake early. There was still plenty of time to get ready though he didn’t want to be late. It would be a big day.
He didn’t want to be early either. That might worry the crowds further. Better to seem like any other day, even though it wasn’t any other day.
Movement around him caused him to reach for his connections. Four connections, each had a bit of excitement and satisfaction in waking with him. Abbey was feeling the happiest, Brittney a bit excited and impatient to get to the invasion, Andrea wanted to be playful and try to prevent him from getting up, and Alissa…well, she wanted to get to business.
They each wore their own sleeping clothes. Adam slept in gym shorts and boxers. Abbey slept in a nightgown type dress. Brittney was in her usual cutesy shirt and pant pajamas, though the print on these was a caricature of a super deformed Adam fighting a super deformed goblin. Andrea slept in a long shirt while Alissa only had on underwear, and that was to be respectful of the other girls.
As everyone stirred, a delicious smell wafted through the air. Adam smiled at everyone and then climbed over Andrea and Alissa to get out of the huge bed. While Adam stretched, the girls slowly got themselves up. They didn’t usually sleep in the same bed as him, but they didn’t know how much time they would have together after the invasions hit. The five had stayed up late talking and cuddling to enjoy their time.
Adam was surprised when he came out of his room. Sometimes his mother came by and made him breakfast. She missed him and was having trouble dealing with all the changes since the [System] arrived, yet she still wanted to support him. It always amused him when his mom would look at the girls unsure of whether she should show disapproval for their relationships, or support because she liked each of the girls individually.
However, this morning the breakfast was not being cooked by his mom, but by Elouise, with a bodyguard soldier actively helping set the table. His dining table, large enough to fit 10 people, was filled with pancake, waffles, French toast, eggs of different kinds, three kinds of sausage, loose, linked, and patties, as well as pitchers of orange, apple, and papaya juice.
“Can anyone just walk into my penthouse? I’d better talk to the doorman,” Adam joked as the girls filed out behind him.
Elouise put on a grandmotherly smile without raising her head from the pan she was using. “If you don’t want this food then I’ll give it to the people outside. With how much you eat I’m sure it’ll fill more of their bellies.”
Adam sat in a chair in the middle of the table. Abbey and Alissa sat next to him, with Brittney taking the table’s end seat and Andrea sitting across from him. While everyone started grabbing food, Adam brought up a Rift Menu window that only he could see and panned it around the base.
There were thousands of people down there waiting. They grouped, and chatted, but most waited in nervous silence. Families huddled together and some kids, unable to understand the mood, were playing in the tree forts. Soldiers stood ready in designated spots, with hundreds waiting by the Rift door, ready to leave should they be needed.
Barely responding to the breakfast conversations, or Elouise and her soldier joining them to eat, Adam continued to focus on the window while shoving food into his mouth. Everyone was staring at him when his hand found only empty serving dishes.
“Oh, sorry. I was looking over the base. There’re a lot of people down there and most are crazy nervous,” Adam said with embarrassment. “Thanks for the breakfast, Elouise. It was delicious.”
“As if you even tasted it the way you were distracted,” she teased. “Don’t worry, you aren’t the first general I’ve cooked for before an intense day started. You and your cute wives have a long day ahead.” Elouise took satisfaction at the blush of the girls when they were called wives. “You’d best all get dressed. The people will find more confidence with you there, Adam.”
Adam wore the same outfit as the day before except without the chain mail cloak. It was just before 7am that he exited the building. As the automatic door slid open, all eyes turned towards him. He looked around and found that his friends were spread out, each doing their own thing.
Randall and Joseph were messing around with a group of teens from school. The two were teasing the guys and flirting with the girls. Everyone was nervous and some were intimidated by the pair’s armor. The two were oblivious, not picking up on it at all.
Elias was in one of the numerous chairs set up by the Rift entrance reading a book. Brandon was with the Rhodes and Hutchins families, being teased by Brittney’s brothers while being defended by Tom’s sisters. Both Mrs. Rhodes and Mrs. Hutchins were mothering him, brushing his hair and checking that his equipment was fastened correctly, while the husbands watched with amusement. Brandon didn’t seem to mind any of it, since even though he didn’t have a strength build his Strength stat was at 22, high enough to handle Brittney’s rowdy brothers. He also seemed to enjoy the fussing of the mothers and sisters, enjoying family connections he had never had.
Ed was at a communications table, filled with computers, laptops, and devices. Numerous techs and operators were surrounding him and watching while he operated three Rift Menu displays at a speed that put their computers to shame. He was checking videos from the day before, while editing them and posting them on the website. Even if there was little chance the internet continued after today, Ed was true to his hobby.
Nick seemed to be checking with his family, and extended family, who had traveled here for the safety. Carlos was hanging around Emily and her friends. Emily seemed to want nothing to do with anyone wearing the Sentinels logo and the Earth, so she furiously ignored Carlos.
Lamar was by the entrance checking over supplies. He and his dad were going through canteens, quivers of arrows, testing out bows, ensuring they were full on MREs, and checking first aid kits. Definitely a preparedness family.
Not surprisingly the weirdest was Tom, who was by the side of the building holding hands with a beefy woman that Adam recognized from MMA shows. She wasn’t a fighter but a muscular and attractive host from the shows who was in her mid-20s.
Adam brought up the Rift Menu and checked the condo assignments. Sure enough, Tom had reserved the one across from his unit and the two on either side. Adam just shook his head and headed over to where Lucas was, surrounded by 20 older and grizzled men.
“You must be Mr. Fenton,” Adam said as he approached them. To a man they all stood tall and saluted him.
“Yes, General,” answered Lucas’s dad.
“I was glad to hear that you and Lucas worked things out. I’m also proud that you and your distinguished squad were willing to join our Sentinel Army. We’re the better for having you with us.”
“Sir!” all the men answered.
“Are you sure the new suite we made for you by the barracks is enough space? We can give you each your own units if you’d prefer.”
“No, sir. What you gave us is generous enough. It’s nice to all be together again,” said Mr. Fenton, while the other men echoed his thoughts. “Thank you for your consideration.”
“If it’s enough then that’s fine. It’s ok to change your mind in the future. Just talk to Lucas about it and we can have it remodeled. However, I heard the story of the picture you gave to Lucas; the only picture of the two of you,” said Adam.
“Yes, sir. It was the most meaningful reminder of my son that I ever had. I hope it will keep him safe when he is out in the field.” The words sounded harsh and emotionless, but Adam could detect enough affection in them.
“I hope it does too. However, as a housewarming gift I got something for you and your unit.”
The men squirmed and shifted around, not expecting anything and being unused to receiving gifts. Adam handed a small picture frame to Mr. Fenton. Inside was the same picture as in the photo he had given to Lucas, except it looked brand new with no folding lines or worn bits. The man choked up as he saw it.
“H-how did you get this?” Mr. Fenton stammered, showing genuine emotions. The other men began patting his back and congratulating him. Lucas burst out into the biggest grin that Adam had ever seen on him, even bigger than when Adam showed up in the Testudinate world right before they were killed.
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“Alien technology sure is magical,” said Adam without really explaining. Then he handed a larger picture frame to the other men. That one was almost as large as a table. Inside was a scene from when Lucas had been training them and they were attacked by the mutated bobcats. Lucas was in the center spinning his hammer, and all the other men had guns or swords out and were fighting. Even the two men on the ground weren’t cowering but were pulling their knives. The men oohed and aahed over it.
“Thank you, General,” one of the men said while choking up. “This means more to us than we can express.”
Adam nodded to them and then excused himself while they all gathered around to marvel at the action picture which was so impressive it looked choreographed.
As Adam continued to walk towards the entrance of the rift. People were pushing forward to get closer to him, though they always kept the paths clear. He would casually greet them, wave, or shake hands as he walked. The lack of stress that he showed really seemed to calm nerves wherever he passed. Joseph and Randall pushed through and walked behind him after the high schoolers tried to get closer to him. Lucas joined up as the girls arrived from getting their outfits on. Tom hurried to them, having separated with the woman from before.
The eight of them arrived at the entrance and the platform that waited for them. It was large enough for around 20 people to stand on without crowding each other too much. There were chairs in front of the platform, one occupied by Elias. The rest of their group sat in the chairs chatting while Adam, Lucas, and Tom climbed the stairs onto the platform.
When Adam arrived at the platform, the chatting crowds all hushed. Wanting to be a bit theatric for their benefit, Adam waved his hand and 12 massive displays appeared in the air, triggered through Adam’s control over the Rift Menu.
The displays were news feeds from all over the world. There was the local station that Angeline Victoria was from, reporting from right outside the Rift warehouse. Tens of thousands of people were packed as close as they could get to the Rift Base, with the soldiers walking patrols at the edge of the roads. High camera shots showed army men with sniper rifles and radios, scanning further out in the city.
There were other news stations from Washington DC, California, China, Canada, the UK, France, Japan, and even Russia. Every station was discussing their preparedness and would rotate between shots of their impressive military forces, overhead shots, and the people gathering. The Russian station frequently posted pictures from the previous day’s stream, criticizing the US government for allowing kids to make a fool of them.
It was 7:10, and everyone was watching. Twenty minutes to go according to the [System] timer. Time was passing slowly. Few people talked, they just watched the big displays. Tension filled the air. Every now and then someone would move to a different group, or a person would enter the Rift door.
Adam, Lucas, and Tom didn’t speak, so no one else did either. They waited. The people waited.
Soldiers were in lines behind and to the sides of the Rift gate, headed by Colonel Davian. Captain Krysti and his higher-level troops were outside the base, ready to deploy. The police were also ready, split into groups between four and eight, made of people between level 5 and 12, though they were further inside the base. Packs of soldiers were spread throughout the base, so they could respond to threats inside and out.
7:25am. Five minutes to go.
Someone moved. A group of five soldiers entered the Rift. As if in response, twenty more of the soldiers stepped away from the waiting lines. Everyone’s eyes were on the news displays, ignoring a few troops moving around. Instead of heading for the Rift entrance, the 20 joined the five and they came to stand around the platform and chairs. They were all between level 11 and 14. Each one raised their assault rifles and aimed at one of Adam’s friends. Five came up the stairs onto the platform and aimed at Tom, Lucas, and Adam.
Adam didn’t look at them. He kept watching the displays. Still the people didn’t notice. A handgun was raised to his temple. The man holding it spoke quietly.
“Adam Clemens. You are being charged with treason. Turn over control of this base and come with us quietly or you and your accomplices will be shot on the spot.”
The man frowned. He had meant to speak quietly. He was sure he had. Yet his voice had come out everywhere. A collective gasp came out from all the civilians, and some of the soldiers, in the base. The man turned and looked at the displays, all of which were showing him threatening Adam.
Adam still didn’t move, staring into the air towards the displays. The faces of the people grew angry and frustrated. They began to yell. The various groups of soldiers raised their own rifles and pointed at people with chest protectors pulling their swords.
The man saw the situation and felt he needed to do more to get control.
“You have created panic, incited riots, formed an unauthorized army, withheld foreign technology and intelligence from the US government, and taken actions that led to the deaths of US soldiers. You are no hero and the extend of your crimes will be known to all.”
Adam turned his head, but not towards the man or the gun, but the other way to look at Colonel Davian. The Colonel had sweat and shame pouring out of him. A small number of the soldiers around him looked surprised and just as angry as the people. The rest of the soldier had known. They stood confidently at attention, ignoring everything. A few even smiled and snickered.
The stare Adam leveled at Davian shook the man, though he had the decency to maintain eye contact. A hand on Davian’s shoulder caused him to jump. Elouise was behind him. She looked up at Adam and imperceptibly shook her head. Adam turned away and looked back in the air.
“Why do you side with the invaders?” Adam asked in an even voice, transmitted to the whole base.
“I’m not with the invaders!” the man snapped.
“You do their work. You betray humanity, the Earth, and your own country.”
“You know nothing, twit! You’re the betrayer!” snarled the man, smashing the muzzle of the gun against Adam’s head. Adam didn’t move even a twitch.
“This is the one sanctuary and base set up on Earth and you threaten to destroy it minutes before the invasion starts.”
Some of the soldiers had the decency to lower their guns and heads, looking slightly ashamed.
“You should have handed it over from the beginning! This is why you’ll die! You and the other brats! Now give us control of the base or we’ll open fire!”
Voices shouted and grumbled. More swords were drawn. Then a new voice spoke through the air.
“You won the bet, Adam. I just couldn’t believe they’d assassinate you right before the invasion. I owe you an ice cream…truck,” said Jordan Lane from the safety of the control room.
Then reality inside the base shifted. The air rippled all over. The man aiming his gun at Adam pulled the trigger, but it was too late. His gun was fading. It wasn’t disintegrating, or dissolving, it was simply trying to stop existing.
“[Quick Step]!” yelled Tom, appearing between Adam and the man. “[Quick Strike]!”
The man’s head hitting the platform was the loudest sound until his body also fell a moment later. The other soldiers didn’t waste more time as they lifted their assault rifles and opened fire. Weak jets of water came out of the nozzles instead of bullets.
Only slightly after came the response. Swords and knives were thrust at the soldiers. Clubs were knocking the rifles away. Lucas and Tom jumped from the platform at soldiers around them while Andrea, Elias, and Alissa cast spells.
Some of the soldiers dropped their weapons and got down to surrender. A few from Colonel Davian’s group raised their own still working guns towards their fellow soldiers. Violence broke out.
Time until invasion: 00:00:00. The Invasion has begun.
A scream brought everyone to a halt. The giant screens were back to showing news feeds. The reporters were screaming. Not just one or two, but at least 10, with a background of explosions and people yelling, shouting, and crying. It was instant.
Helicopters and airplanes were falling from the skies. The pentagon, Tiananmen Square, and The White House in Moscow had all imploded on different feeds. They were drawn into the ground and only the impression of their foundation was left. Other government and military headquarters in countries throughout the world ceased to exist.
Many types of communications were killed, but in a way that left the news stations able to broadcast. Power stayed up but no one could make phone calls, according to the reporters, many of whom were weeping. Scenes were shown of castles, fortresses, and alien buildings shimmering into existence over highly populated areas.
Cameras witnessed monsters, both animals and sentients swarming out of those new buildings in waves and slaughtering any humans they encountered. There were thousands per building. Cameras were dropped as reporters and their staff ran for their lives, screaming everywhere.
For every news broadcast that ended, one in another part of the world would appear showing almost the same scene.
Inside Adam’s Rift people were dropping to their knees and crying, even some of the soldiers that had turned on them. Shouting arguments between people occurred as they pointed to screens. The only news feed that showed no atrocities was the local one from Jackson. Even the Memphis feed that they checked showed invader bases rippling into existence followed by the slaughter of the people.
Defensive fortifications and armies had to turn around, having been set to defend from outside threats, unprepared for the enemies to come from behind them. They responded too late as military base after base fell in minutes.
Adam stood forward and watched the feeds, monitoring even more through unseen Rift Menu displays. A system message had appeared to him as soon as the invasion began.
You have control of four Dimensional Convergence Rifts. You can now merge one or all of these with the planetary reality. Merging a Dimensional Convergence Rift will alter its capabilities and allow your forces greater offensive actions. Leaving the Dimensional Convergence Rifts in this form will retain the barrier while preventing the majority of non-native forces from leaving them. Once a Dimensional Convergence Rift is merged, it cannot be returned to its dimensional space without being conquered by a native faction. Dimensional Convergence Rifts may be merged at any time from their dimensional space.
Merge Dimensional Convergence Rift with planetary reality?
[ Yes / No ]
Heat blasted out of Adam. Steam hissed out with every breath. The air warped around him and the platform below him ignited.
CONQUER! His soul roared. The river raged through him. Power enough to kill people that got close was released from his skin, turning it red and crispy. Adam’s consciously struggled to not lose itself to the river.
CONQUER! The coolness in his mind reached out and grabbed at every other soul that it could find, trying to keep Adam’s mind from being swept away by his hate and fury. The people gasped and tried to back away but couldn’t back away from the soul connections that were formed. The fury hit every single person there.
“I will kill them all!” Adam whispered with all his strength.
Every person in that base, feeling Adam’s fury through the unplanned connections with him, swore the same as they watched the rest of humanity come to an end.