The Rain: The End by Marietta Standlee (good summer reads TXT) 📕

"At the time, we thought they might have taken them to be relocated somewhere else, to stage attacks," Colin explains our thought process.

"Doesn't make any sense," Fedorov says thoughtfully. "There has to be something else going on."

"They could just be getting rid of evidence," McFarland suggests.

I can't shake the feeling that there is something more sinister on the aliens' agenda, but there is no sense in voicing my suspicions; I don't have anything concrete. Speculations will lead us nowhere. I try to stifle the yawn making its way up from my chest, a glance at the clock tells me it's nearing two o'clock in the morning, but I fear our war council is far from over.

"Well, at least now we know." McFarland picks up his glass and takes a long sip. "We'll have to be more vigilant on what we say around Ka."

Dimitrov nods his agreement. "We'll keep him around and an eye on him."

A moment of silence follows before McFarland clears his throat and looks first at Colin and then at me, "Anyway, we're assembling a cross-training brigade, and we're hoping that you two will lead it."

Colin nods, "Of course."

I swallow. I would much rather fight for Earth on Earth and voice my thoughts.

"I understand," McFarland agrees. "And you will, eventually, but right now, we need you up there." He points at the ceiling. "Of course, this is all still new, and I'll have to run this by Admiral Farnsworth, General Pheng, your dad, and brother. They're the ones who will have to come up with a list of soldiers."

"My Generals are assembling teams as we speak. They'll accompany you back to Fort Lewis," Fedorov informs us.

Colin raises his eyebrow questioning. "Fort Lewis?"

McFarland explains, "We had to relocate your people from Alaska to Washington. It just wasn't a sustainable base. They were running out of provisions faster than they could be replenished."

Colin thoughtfully says," I was afraid of that."

"Washington seemed like the best choice, plenty of farmland everywhere, we need people to start planting, so we can eat." He laughs self depreciatively. "It also has plenty of forests for hunting game. Plus, the existing army base offers protection from predators." He empties his glass and puts it down.

"We weren't gone that long." I protest.

"Long enough." Colin laughs and grudgingly I admit he's right. I just wish things wouldn't constantly change.

"We talked about it beforehand; once it was decided, it did happen fast." McFarland agrees.

"Alright, so off to Fort Lewis we go, to prepare to go.... where?" Colin turns to our President expectantly.

"They'll use one of their home planets, Cenlar, I believe." McFarland clarifies.

"If this is all, I need some sleep." Fedorov rises.

"One more thing," I hold them off. All three look at me expectantly, and I realize I've lost some of my awe, and I'm finally me again and able to speak without hesitation.

"Mister President, we should invest in research and training on the aliens' physiology so our troops will have a better understanding of how to kill them."

"Excellent suggestion. I already have scientists' study some of their dead, I'll have them contact your Professor.... Dunn?" He waits for my nod. "He'll be able to train you and your troops properly."

Fedorov shakes our hands, holding mine for a second longer, "It has been an honor to meet you, Commander Allister."

"Thank you, Sir. Likewise."

He turns towards Colin, "One more word of advice, if I may. Don't be too eager to train those bastards. My men have been instructed to follow yours and Commander Allister's lead. I highly recommend holding back as much as you can without raising any suspicion."

"Will do, Sir." Colin agrees happily.

Chapter 9

Backhome, which isn't the home we left—I don't even know where home is any longer; we're greeted by a small welcoming committee consisting of Blake, Maggie, Martin, General Pheng, and a few soldiers I don't know. I assume they're here to take the Russians to their temporary quarters.

Ten incredible big planes filled with over one thousand men and women from the Russian armed forces accompanied us. From what I understand, most of them come from their equivalent of our Marines and Special Forces, and the rest are Air Force trained pilots to learn how to fly the alien spacecrafts.

Maggie slaps me on the arm, hard, as a greeting, before hugging me tightly to her. "Quit making me think you're dead." She admonishes.

"You're glowing," I reply, looking at her glowing face—the pregnancy suits her.

I take turns hugging Martin and Blake before greeting the General who looks proudly at Colin and me. "Told them, it'll take more than a little spacecraft crash to kill you two." He breaks out into his booming laughter at his own joke.

"We'll have a lot to talk about, but I imagine you guys are tired?" Martin asks.

Colin shakes his head. "Actually, we had more rest in the last four days than we had in a long time."

I agree with him. After our clandestine meeting with the Presidents, it took another two days before the troops were ready to leave, and there had been nothing else to do besides meeting our new comrades.

We introduce Karsten, who follows us like a shadow. Colin informs Martin, "We hope you might find something for him; he speaks fluent English and Russian."

"Of course, welcome my German friend." Martin shakes Karsten's hand, before sending the German off with the soldiers to be processed like the Russians.

Ten he turns back to us. "Well, if you're not tired, let's go to Alfredo's and get some grub."

"Alfredo's?" I raise my eyebrow.

"Believe it or not, he took over one of the small, hole in the wall restaurants and is already making a name for himself."

"I believe it," Colin says.

My stomach rumbles, reminding me that we haven't eaten anything since breakfast this morning. Military planes are not big on providing service during the flight.

A Humvee awaits us, and Martin gives orders to take us to Alfredo's new place. The base is huge, and