The War of Pawns (The Human Chronicles -- Book Three) by T.R. Harris

shuttle rose from their seats and began to move toward the troops.
    “No!” Adam called out. “Stay where you are.” He then stood near the rear of the shuttle and raised his arms, clasping his hands behind his head. Sherri and Riyad quickly followed suit. Soon, all 35 of them stood like silent monuments, casting long shadows in the approaching evening light, their hands locked behind their heads, and watching as the troops and scientists drew near…
     

    What followed was a daze of activity – and confusion – as the troops and scientists soon came to learn that all the occupants of the spacecraft were Human. After checking them for radiation and other trace elements that could contaminate the scene – or the planet – the scientists removed their hoods and stood around with nothing much more to do. They had to wait for more qualified personnel to arrive before entering the spacecraft itself.
    The leader of the military troops, Army Captain Jonathan Aronson, was soon led to Adam. For his arrival back to Earth, Adam had cut his hair to a tight half-inch buzz, and changed into his olive green t-shirt and boonie hat. As the officer approach, Adam saluted briskly and introduced himself and his rank. The captain slowly returned his salute.
    “I suppose you have some explaining to do, mister,” he said, scanning Adam up and down.
    “Yes, sir. And do we have story to tell. However, I believe the information I have to report should be done at a more secure location. I also recommend that all the people here with me be sequestered until fully debriefed.”
    Sherri and Riyad looked at him with deep frowns. He turned to them. “We can’t let the news about what’s coming leak out to the public. It could cause a panic.”
    “I know that,” Sherri said pointedly, “but I would really like to let my family know that I’m still alive.”
    “You will – as we all will – but first we need to control the scene. Let’s let the military do their thing first.”
    “You have a lot more trust in them than I believe the two of us have,” Riyad spoke up. Sherri nodded vigorously.
    “Just trust me on this.”
    Aronson had watched the back and forth between the three of them long enough. “Quiet!” he commanded, getting their attention. “I’m securing this location, and this…vehicle. Once I get direction from Command, I’ll tell you what’s going to happen next. Is that clear?”
    “Yes, sir,” all three of them said in unison.

 

    Chapter Thirteen
     

    Within four hours of their arrival on Earth, all 35 repatriated Humans were aboard a military Boeing 757 and on their way to Washington D.C. Adam, Sherri and Riyad had been singled out and moved into the forward section of the aircraft. An Air Force major was with them, along with three stenographers and four military police. Adam did his best to report the sitrep clearly and distinctly. Every five minutes or so, the information he was relating was transmitted to Washington.
    During the trip, real Human food and drink was provided, much to the immense pleasure of all aboard. Adam had not realized how far off the alien food modules had been until he had something to compare it to. He ate so much, and so fast, that he risked getting sick. But he didn’t care – none of them did. They were home.
    It was a little after four in the morning on the East Coast when they landed at Andrews Air Force Base. From there, a military and police escort, complete with flashing lights, took the three of them through the near-deserted streets of the city to the Pentagon. Adam was told the other 32 men would be following, and would be housed at the Pentagon as well.
    Adam had never been to the Pentagon before, and it was only a minute after they entered the massive structure that he was completely lost and turned around. But much to his surprise, the building appeared to be full of people, even at this early hour. Many of the people they passed looked as though they’d been