Bill seemed genuinely surprised by her earnest words. He gazed at her with a touchingly vulnerable expression. “Thank you, Gina.” His soft words seemed choked as Gina smiled back at the alien warrior.
“I think everyone’s here now,” Mike broke into the moment, standing from his chair. “If you don’t mind, I’ll introduce you,” he said to Jim, Gina and Grady. “We’ve found after dinner is a good time to hold town meetings and discuss things. I know a lot of folks have been interested in your arrival, and I think more than a few have already recognized Gina.” He winked at her and Jim looked around the large cafeteria, noting how full it was. There were more people in this installation then he’d realized.
Jim watched as Mike fetched a wireless microphone and switched it on. They seemed to have a lot of undamaged equipment—some of it more advanced than the stuff in his facility.
“Good evening, my friends,” Mike said as the room quieted. He stood, facing the group, and Jim realized why the cousins had chosen the table near the door. They were able to see the entire room from their vantage point, and everyone could see them.
Mike introduced Jim first, as the leader of one of the other old NORAD installations, which caused a stir among the people. Mike gave them the facts, which Jim silently applauded. He dealt with his own people in much the same way. Democracy ruled the day in his facility and he was glad to see it had survived here as well. Mike was understandably cautious, telling his people there would be ample time to discuss the possibility of opening communications and trade with the Colorado facility. Jim took the room’s cautious but optimistic response as a good sign.
Then came the time for general announcements. Mike read off reminders about events and safety issues, including a warning about a big cat that had been seen hunting near the facility. Jim knew a lot of exotic zoo animals had survived the cataclysm to breed with native species and the results were often deadly predators it was best to avoid.
Mike then introduced Grady as a visitor who had a history with the three de facto leaders—Mike, Dave and Jaci. Mike made no secret about the fact that Grady had emotions and had been a soldier until recently.
“I know some of you have seen him before. He was, in fact, the man who finally captured myself and my cousin Dave. We hated his guts for a good long while,” Mike admitted ruefully as the crowd laughed. “But now he’s different. Hell, even when he didn’t understand us, he was a fair-minded man. We’ve never had reason to tell anybody else this, but back when we first found this underground installation and it was just me, Dave and Jaci here, Grady was assigned to track us down. Jaci’s people wanted her back in the worst possible way.” Murmurs of sympathy came from all around. “Grady actually found us.” A few gasps sounded as Mike shook his head and grinned in memory. “Naked as J-birds, playing in the hot spring. He could have had us all right then, but he let us go.”
“Why’d he do that?” a woman in the back called out.
“It’s complicated, but the aliens have this phenomenon called Resonance Mating. When two mates touch skin to skin, there’s an audible Hum the aliens can hear. It’s out of the range of human hearing, but machines can pick it up and we know for a fact the sound is produced whenever either of us touch Jaci. We’re her Resonance Mates. According to ancient Alvian law, Resonance Mates can never be parted for any reason. Grady can hear the sound. He knew what it meant. Because of it, he let us go. He’s known where we lived all this time and has never told his superiors about this facility. Much as I hate to admit it, he’s a friend. Dave and I have put the past behind us to welcome him here. I hope you’ll all give him a chance.”
“He’s got feelings, like Jaci?” another woman asked nearby.
Mike nodded. “He’s part of an alien experiment. They’re tinkering with their own DNA, experimenting on a few volunteers to give them emotions.” Loud murmurs this time from the crowd. “We confirmed this with the Oracle and he said to take it as a good sign, which I’m inclined to agree with. I know firsthand what having emotions can do to the Alvians. They begin to understand what they’ve done to us and our planet. They become more human, more compassionate and understanding. First Bill, then Jaci and now Grady. All three have turned into friends of humanity with deep regret for what their race has done. Can you imagine what would happen if more of them took this treatment?”
Mike let the murmurs rise to open discussion and noise filled the hall. After a few minutes, he handed the mic to his cousin and Dave stood while Mike sat back down at the table.
“Friends,” Dave spoke as the crowd noise slowly wound down in volume. “Friends, there’s one other newcomer you should know about.” Everyone was finally quiet as Dave continued. “Some of you may have already recognized her and I’m glad to confirm the gossip, that yes, indeed, Olympic Gold Medalist, Gina Hanson is among us.” Whispers sounded as Gina turned in her seat to wave. She was a consummate professional when it came to making public appearances, though she hadn’t done one in years. “Tomorrow afternoon, she’s agreed to give a little exhibition of her martial arts skill in the gym. I hope you’ll all attend. In the meantime, I hope you’ll make our guests welcome and Mike and I will be around to answer questions if you have any. Have a good night, everybody.”
Jim stood when everybody else did. It looked like dinner was officially over. Everybody started clearing their own tables and busing their trays back toward the kitchen area.
“We set up shifts once we got enough people.” Mike fell into step beside Jim as he walked with the crowd toward the dumping area. “We’re on a rotation. Everyone takes turns cooking and cleaning every few weeks.”
“We do something similar,” Jim agreed. “But there are some folks who actually prefer kitchen work so we let a few of them—two older ladies in particular—run the show. Claudette and Sylvia used to run the busiest diner in town. Luckily somebody had the good sense to rescue them in the first days after the bombardment started. Since they took charge of the kitchen, we eat a lot better.”
“I bet.” Mike dropped his tray on the conveyor, and Jim followed suit. He turned to see the three Alvians right behind him and Gina bringing up the rear. “So what now?” Jim asked Mike, who hovered at his side.
“A couple of weeks ago, Dave instituted social time after dinner. All those who want to, gather outside in the main area and Burt plays music that some kind soul programmed into his memory long before the cataclysm. We talk, play games, even dance. Dave, Jaci and I try to make ourselves available every night for at least a little while. I think it would be a good idea for you and Gina to sit with us for a bit. I’m sure people have questions about your facility and your people.”
Jim agreed and followed Mike outside. The lights had been lowered to a twilight setting and people were already setting up folding chairs and tables that had been stored along one wall.
“Is that beer?” Jim almost didn’t believe his eyes when he saw a refrigeration unit being opened. Sure enough, there was more than one small keg inside and a few of the men were already pouring out mugs of a frothy golden beverage.
“Mrs. O’Hara shared her brewing secrets with us, and Bill’s had good success growing hops. Those kegs represent our very first home brew as a matter of fact. It’s darn good, if you ask me, but I think we’ll get better the more we brew. It’s not quite up to the O’Hara standard just yet, but it works.” Mike headed over toward the keg, and Jim followed eagerly. “We ration it. One cup a night. We want to make it last until our next batch is ready, and we definitely don’t want to encourage alcoholism by allowing some to get carried away.”
“Good idea. We haven’t had any alcohol since the General’s private stash ran out decades ago.” Jim was eager to try the home brew. He’d liked the occasional beer back in the old world but had never been much of a drinker.