Infestation

Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. Maybe that’s why we had no warning, no chance to repel their invasion. They arrived in silence, their cloaked vessels soundlessly appearing over our cities without even casting a shadow. There was no war, no last stand for humanity. It was over long before we even knew it began.

At first scientists and government officials were sent to try and communicate with the aliens. There was a collective hush across the world as everyone gathered around their televisions, anxiously awaiting news of their intentions. I don’t think anyone truly believed it was a social visit. Not when they arrived in such great numbers, swarming every capitol city and great metropolis without even acknowledging us. The Media called them Arachnids, for their eight spindly limbs protruding from their hairy, segmented carapaces. In truth they were more like roly poly bugs, able to curl into a neat ball at the slightest sign of danger.

Peace talks were a farce. How do you communicate with a 12 foot insectoid creature that won’t acknowledge your existence? As they marched down city streets, each one in perfect unison, they didn’t even swat at the gawking onlookers. They simply marched over them, or even through them, always taking the most direct route regardless of obstacles. They sought out the large open spaces in each city – Central Park in Manhattan, The Mall in Washington D.C… and there they gathered, in orderly rows, as though awaiting orders.

When peace talks failed, the military rolled into action. Marines took up strategic positions around the park perimeters, tanks blocked the bridges to Manhattan, even though the only ones trying to leave the island were the poor residents.

We learned only one thing in those first hours, and we learned it the hard way.

NEVER FIGHT.

The President gave the order to attack. Airforce fighter planes swooped into action, gleaming white against the bright blue skies, a glorious display of patriotism and bravery. In living rooms across the country we were transfixed on our screens, and in the cities people craned their necks to watch the aerial battle that never came. Almost in unison the jets smashed against the massive arks, their presence invisible to naked eye and radar alike. In mere moments the USA airforce was reduced to flaming fireballs and metal confetti, falling down to earth to crash along with all our hopes for an easy victory.

Undeterred, the Marines and army were ready for action. It must have been unnerving, the way not a single Arachnid turned to glance their way, or gave any sign that they noticed the smoking trails of burning wreckage at all. Maybe fear was what caused the single soldier to break past the blockades, throwing a grenade far into the enemy’s midst. We will never know. As the metal explosive clattered to the ground the whole of America held their breaths, counting.

5,4,3,2,1…

The camera held steady, capturing the moment of explosion with all its brutality. The Arachnids nearest the blast were thrown 20 feet into the air, their limbs raining down on the others below, carapace sections and a visceral purple spray of their bodily fluids splattering the nearest Marines almost comically. We cheered to see them die so easily, to find how fragile their bodies could be. We thought, foolishly, that we had a chance.

For a moment, all was silent, only the smoke from the small detonation swirling overhead.

Then, as one, the remaining aliens dropped to the ground, curling up like wood lice into what we might call the fetal position, if their anatomy had been more similar to our own.

A moment passed, maybe only a single second, though it felt like an eternity to our adrenalin-fueled minds. Then the screen flashed white, and the signal was lost.

And New York City with it.

Or at least, everything that was human. A drone sent over by CNN a short while later revealed collapsed sky scrapers, rubble and dust spewing forth into the river beyond. No sign of the marines, no sign of anyone at all. No cries and screams from among the debris, no survivors in blood streaked clothing trying to escape. Only silence. The drone swept over Central Park, the footage shaded sepia from all the dust in the atmosphere. As it moved lower we were thrust from numb disbelief to a frozen sense of horror. The enemy was untouched.

Slowly, methodically, the Arachnids unfurled themselves, rising up once more. No sign that they had even noticed the attack, or the devastated city around them.

After that it quickly became all too clear that even the smallest sign of violence provoked a brutal response. A whole city lost for just a handful of Arachnids… How can you fight an enemy with no fear of death? An enemy so alien that they cannot be reasoned with, whose only response is annhialation? We only knew how to fight with our weapons and with our words. Neither was worth a damn against this foe.

New York wasn’t the only loss, in those first few days. News spread that cities in China and Europe had been similarly obliterated, though by then there were few channels still functioning. Mostly the talk was all about how to survive, where to hide. Biologists came on to talk about the physical traits of our enemy – discuss potential weaknesses. Sonic weapons were proposed, in hopes of disrupting their hive mind. Virologists spoke of developing a biological weapon, but the idea was laughable. Every weapon that was used was returned in kind, a hundred times as powerful. The flash bangs resulted in glowing orbs more dazzling than the sun appearing overhead, blinding all who saw them. The radio frequency blast showed no visible impact upon the aliens, but their response left thousands with permanent hearing loss.

We were masterfully outmaneuvered at every turn. And we were no closer to understanding their motives at all. Why had they come to Earth? What was their plan?

The last thing the television channels reported before they went dark for the final time was a warning for all of humanity. A young reporter in a rumpled blouse, mascara smearing her cheeks and a haunted look in her watery blue eyes, stared out of our tv sets.

“This is Vanessa Irving at PBN News. I don’t have a teleprompter, most of the staff here have abandoned the station. It’s just Mikey and me now, he’s the cameraman. We stayed behind to try and warn you all. I’m so sorry for what I have to say.

The enemy are mobilizing. They’ve been building strange structures that disappear once completed, I guess they’re shielded by the same cloaking device used on their transporters. We don’t know. The structure nearest our station was completed a few hours ago, on the site where the Washington monument used to stand. It was about 40 storeys high and appeared to be carved from mud. Our science advisor said he thought it looked like a termite nest, but the internet’s down and he’s gone now, so I don’t know.”

A low thumping sound came from somewhere off camera, and her eyes widened in fear.

“Oh! We’re running out of time. I have to hurry! When the structure was completed, a new kind of alien appeared from the top. They fly, and they make a high-pitched humming sound. They kind of look like mosquitos, with a long sharp beak thing in the middle of their heads.”

The camera shook as more thumps could be heard, louder this time.

“The Arachnoids started marching, forming eight lines away from their structure. They stopped in place, and we saw them passing humans from one to another, like a conveyor belt, towards their building. They weren’t gentle, the people were screaming, oh god…”

A dark blur appeared outside the window behind Vanessa’s desk. It crashed against the glass, cracking it and pushing a long, wickedly sharp black proboscis through the jagged hole.

“The Mosquito things dragged people from buildings, cars. They flew and grabbed people from balconies and rooftops… kids, adults, they didn’t care! They took everyone! Every victim was dropped down to the Arachnids, to be transported back to their nest. The people who tried to fight back were ignored, I watched a man with a rifle have his arms torn off before he was sent down the line.”

A high-pitched scream came from off camera, and the angle slanted crazily as Mikey shouted to Vanessa to run. Her voice shook as she carried on.

“If you live near any of the landing sites, gather your families and leave now! Run! Head for the mountains, or anywhere rural. Find shelter – doors don’t stop them, walls can’t keep them out. If you stay in the city, you will die…”

Sounds of wood splintering and a bloodcurdling shriek from Mikey, followed by a gun shot that turned the screen red. Then the soft hiccupping sobs of Vanessa, growing fainter. And after that, nothing. No more media, internet, radio - nothing. We were on our own.

***

That was three days ago. It took two days to dismantle the fences enough around our ranch so the horses could escape… Carla refused to leave unless she knew they had a chance, however small. She loves them more than most people – it’s a wrench, for sure.

The kids packed up some backpacks, only what they couldn’t bear to leave behind. They were crying for their kitten, looking all over the damn place for it. I let them search; it wouldn’t do any good for them to know I drowned it. We can’t take a cat to the shelter with us. The dog is bad enough.

It’s a day and a half’s ride up to the mountains, and a few hour’s hike from there to the shelter. I reckon we’ll make it – haven’t seen any of the Arachnids around these parts yet. Guess we got lucky in that respect. We’ve seen smoke over the hills to the South, I’m guessing Aurora’s all but destroyed by now. We can’t hold off any longer.

If you find this video, and you’re sure you aren’t being followed, head northwest and look out for red ribbons along the way. The kids made me promise to leave a trail, in case their friends came looking for them.

There’s enough food at the shelter for 5 years, at least. More, if we ration it up well. You’re welcome to join us. I reckon it’ll get lonely down there real fast. God knows I don’t want us to be the only ones left after all this.

Carla’s ready now, the horses are saddled. One more thing – if you find the shelter – DON’T TOUCH THE DOOR! Just wait someplace nearby. We’ll see you on the cameras and come get you, if it’s safe.

Good luck. Good luck to us all.