When the aliens came, there was no resistance. Humanity simply raised its hands and let them take what they wanted. After all, our weapons were nothing compared to theirs.
At least, the weapons we used to have.
“What did I say, asshole? You get your money when you give us something good. So far, you’ve given me nothing. We had a deal—you give me a name, and I won’t make you piss your pants.”
I wave my Taser threateningly and watch him turn pale even as he sneers.
“Think you’re so tough, bitch? You don’t even have a gun.”
I sigh. He has a point. While the aliens hadn’t seen our weapons as a threat, apparently they weren’t too happy about us being armed. They took away all our most effective weapons, which is why I’m left threatening a drug dealer with a Taser.
“You’re right, I don’t have a gun. That means I’ve got lots of practice using Mr. Friendly here.” I inch it closer to him. “You know where it really hurts?”
My partner groans loudly, and I shoot him a look.
“Is this going to take much longer?” he asks. “I’m ready for lunch.”
I frown at him.
“The balls,” I continue as if Blake hasn’t thrown me off my stride. “It really hurts when Mr. Friendly meets your balls.”
The snitch chokes, eyes the Taser, and tells me everything I need to know.
“Mr. Friendly?” Blake asks as we walk away, planning to grab lunch before we stake out our suspect.
“Yeah, it just came to me. It’s what I used to call my vibrator.”
He rolls his eyes, and I grin as we get in the car. I’m driving today, so he picks up the radio. “Code seven,” he tells dispatch, advising them that we’ll be on lunch.
My stomach grumbles and then sinks when I realize what day it is. “Great, my sub is going to be ruined by the sound of Arcav morons.”
Blake curses under his breath. “I’d forgotten. It’s the first of the month.”
The Arcav are the aliens who invaded Earth. On the first day of every month, humanity comes to a standstill as we all tune in wherever we are. Every available screen is used to showcase their message, and humans who refuse to watch are usually snitched on and taken away for questioning. The United States lucked out. The viewings are at noon Pacific Standard Time. People who live in Asia are expected to get up in the middle of the night to comply.
The worst part? It’s not like we can just reach for a phone or tablet. No, we all have to watch together so hidden informants can narc on anyone who speaks out against our invaders.
It’s a real fun time.
My stomach roils with anxiety, and I pop a Tums. I can practically feel my blood pressure rising at the thought of the next hour.
Blake glances at me. “You need to chill,” he says. “They’re here, and we have no control over the situation.”
“This is me chill,” I shrug. “I’ve even started meditating.”
Blake took the invasion like he took everything else in life—in his stride. He doesn’t like it, but he also doesn’t let it impact his day-to-day life.
I’m not quite so accepting. I spend hours imagining ways that we humans could rise up and kick them off our planet. I wake up in the night, reaching for my gun, and then feel naked when I realize it’s no longer there. If I could, I’d send each and every Arcav back to their planet where they belong.
Unfortunately, ignoring the viewing would mean instant suspension, and I like my job.
We pull up to a diner, where we’ve eaten before. There are a bunch of TVs hanging at various points on the walls, usually showing a Cubs game or CNN.
The smell of burned coffee hits my nose, and I order a Diet Coke, no longer able to stomach lunch. The pale faces around me confirm that the diner won’t be having a great day despite the many people squeezed into the booths.
Blake orders and then offers me a menu, frowning when I shake my head. “You should eat.”
“Don’t start on me, Mommy.”
The waitress walks away, eyeing my partner over her shoulder. As usual, Blake is completely oblivious, and he leans closer, his voice a low murmur.
“Look, this sucks, but we’re going to have to get used to it sometime.”
I scowl at him. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re not at risk of losing your life to these aliens.”