#35 - "Delta-Star-Delta"

Terrified, Whitney Parks frantically tried to escape the bonds holding her tightly to the cool metal table. The clamps continued to hold her fast. There was no hope of escaping on her own. Whitney's latest private eye case had taken an unexpected and potentially fatal turn.

Whitney had accepted the assignment of locating a pair of missing newlyweds. They mysteriously vanished on the drive to Las Vegas to celebrate their honeymoon. Whitney and Jim had traveled the same route and at the end of their first day of driving ended up in the small town of High Forks.

From their first moments in High Forks, the couple had been suspicious of the strange little town. They had taken a room at the High Forks Inn as part of their cover story. However, they had hardly seen any of the town's inhabitants and the Inn hadn't been cleaned in ages. Dust covered everything.

At Whitney's suggestion, the couple went off to explore this strange town. In the garage behind the Inn they found the missing couple's car and their luggage. But before they could report this finding to the local authorities, the elderly woman who ran the Inn discovered them.

Much to Whitney's amazement, the Innkeeper knocked Jim out and just as easily captured Whitney. Obviously, there was far more to the drab woman than met the eye! Her strength and speed were far beyond any normal human.

When Whitney came around she found herself imprisoned in this strange and futuristic looking room. She had been stripped of her clothes and held down by built in manacles on this metallic examination table.

Things took a further turn for the worse when a trio of humanoids arrived. Each had pale, waxy green skin, an unusually long neck and a sharply pointed chin. Their eyes were also larger than a normal person with equally large pupils. Each of them wore what appeared to be a white jumpsuit with parts of it armored to protect key locations. Three symbols appeared on the chest of each alien. The design was something that looked like an asterisk in between two triangles.

Two of the three aliens stood guard just inside the door, while the last of the aliens moved closer to Whitney. To Whitney's horror, he was akin to an alien butcher. These aliens considered human beings to be a food source! This futuristic chamber was nothing more than a slaughterhouse!

Picking up a particularly large and sharp instrument, the alien butcher grinned once more at Whitney as he prepared to go to work. Whitney shrunk away in terror as the alien butcher approached with his hideous appearing utensil. The instrument moved closer and closer to her goose bump covered flesh.

Unexpectedly, an alarm claxon suddenly sounded. It not only startled Whitney, but the three aliens as well. The butcher pulled back his instrument in confusion. He glanced at the two equally perplexed guards. The butcher said something to the guards in what must have been their native tongue. It only sounded like gibberish to Whitney.

The two guards bowed their heads in response to what the butcher said. They then turned and ran out of the room. The door silently slid shut behind them. The loud alarm continued to ring.

Hope momentarily flared through Whitney. With only one alien here, then perhaps there was a chance to escape from this nightmarish butcher shop. Then the realization that she was still held down on this metal cutting table filled her. She was still unable to escape her bonds in spite of the change in odds.

The butcher turned back to Whitney and once more moved closer with his cutting tool. However, a blast of orange energy slammed into the alien's chest and sent him flying backwards. The butcher was thrown violently into the table holding his tray of tools. He then crumbled to the floor, dragging the tool tray with him. The nasty looking instruments fell on and around the alien cutting him in spots.

"James?", Whitney cried out in a combination of shock and relief. Looking up and over herself, the lovely private detective could see orangish energy fading from around Jim's hand. "Thank goodness."

"Talk about the proverbial cliffhanger," Jim responded as he looked around the chamber. "That God-awful noise woke me up and then I saw that thing going after you with that knife. What the heck is going on here? Where are we? And what happened to our clothes?"

"I don't know where we are," Whitney explained. "I just woke up myself. Can you free yourself?"

"Not a problem."

Jim turned his attention to his own set of restraints. Orangish energy gathered around his hands once more and the manacles holding his wrists were blasted open. With his hands free it was a simple matter to undo the rest of the restraints. As he worked, Whitney filled Jim in on what he missed.

"You're saying that those things eat human beings?", Jim said in astonishment. After freeing himself he conjured his regular spectrum costume. Whatever was going on around here, the power of Spectrum was going to be needed. "I guess that brain sucking zombies from outer space line wasn't too far out of line."

"I don't know what drew the other aliens away, but we should be gone before they return."

"You got that right," Jim agreed. He hopped down from the table and quickly moved beside Whitney. He couldn't help but smile upon seeing the lovely and naked private investigator. "Under different circumstances, this could be very interesting and potentially a lot of fun."

"No time for romance, James," Whitney urged. "I'm not particularly fond of playing the helpless captive role."

In short order Whitney was also freed. She rubbed her wrists. They were red from her previous escape exertions. She slid off the table that had been holding her and gingerly stepped away from the unconscious alien. She eyed the alien fearfully.

"Is it still alive?"

"You got me," Spectrum admitted. "You okay?"

While Spectrum had his share of strange experiences, he suspected that Whitney had not. Most people would have been hysterical by this point. Whitney, however, seemed to be in control of her emotions. She was a tough lady.

"For the moment," Whitney calmly answered. "Running on adrenaline. This hasn't fully sunk in yet."

Spectrum drew Whitney into his arms and held her naked body close. "Good girl. You know I won't let anything happen to you. Judging on how easily this guy went down, these aliens may not be any tougher than regular humans."

"I hope so." Whitney slipped free of Spectrum's grasp. "We had best get moving before those guards return."

"Agreed." Spectrum turned back to the fallen alien and regarded his unconscious form. "Still, no reason to let this clown sleep on the cold, hard floor when we've got these nice and comfy tables here."

With effort, Spectrum picked the alien up and placed him on the table that had just held Whitney. He quickly reapplied the manacles to imprison the alien.

While Jim was working, Whitney looked around for her clothing. It was stashed in what appeared to be an alien trash bin underneath her table. She quickly donned her garments. Everything seemed to be there, including her Colt Python and tool kit. Whitney held on to the firearm, keeping it ready for use. She wouldn't hesitate to use it against these aliens.

On the floor near where the alien had fallen was an odd looking pistol. It was only about the size of a small handgun. It didn't have a place to load in fresh ammo like an earthly revolver. Still, its function seemed quite clear. Pull the trigger and point the barrel at the intended target.

"What's that you got there?"

"Some type of weapon," Whitney guessed, showing the pistol to Spectrum.

"An alien death ray," Spectrum said in a melodramatic voice. No doubt there was a wide grin underneath his mask. "Just be careful where you point that thing."

"Indeed. The exit is this way."

The alien weapon was placed in the back of Whitney's jeans, ready for use as an extra weapon. Cautiously, she moved towards the exit, Spectrum following right behind her. The colorful mutant reached out and grasped Whitney by the shoulder.

"Hold up. Let me grab my stuff first."

Just as unexpectedly as it started, the claxon went silent. Spectrum and Whitney exchanged concerned glances. "Make it quick," Whitney directed.

In a bin much like the one under Whitney's table, Spectrum found his clothes. The clothing itself wasn't any great deal, since Jim could create his own. However, he did retrieve his personal effects including his wallet and his X-Factor communication watch. The wallet went into a pocket Spectrum willed into existence in his costume. The watch was put on his wrist.

"I'm gonna check in with SIMON," Spectrum explained. "Without knowing exactly what we're going up against, I'd feel better having back up on the way."

"Good idea," Whitney nodded. She kept her gaze and gun fixed on the sliding door. If one of those cannibal aliens returned, Whitney would shoot it.

Spectrum activated the watch just as SIMON had demonstrated on the night the mechanical man had handed them out. However, only static came from the communication device. Something was blocking communications.

"So much for that idea," Spectrum sighed.

"We're on our own then. Let's get moving."

"I think I should go first, dear," Spectrum suggested. "After all, I am the one with superpowers here. If either of us is going to be hit by those ray guns, it's gonna be me." To add further emphasis to his statement, Jim activated his force field for further protection.

"Of course," Whitney quickly replied. "I wasn't thinking. Clearly this case has moved into your realm of expertise from mine." Whitney gestured for Spectrum to pass her and lead the way.

The door silently slid open as Spectrum reached it to reveal a figure stepping in. It was a figure in what appeared at first glance to be medieval armor. The armor was black and silver in color and even stranger the black portions resembled a star field. In one hand the stranger held an energy mace and an energy shield in the other.

"My apologies for talking so long," the armored man said as he stepped into the room. "Those Howarians put up more of a struggle then I had originally anticipated. I shall have you freed momentarily..."

Upon seeing Spectrum and Whitney standing there, looks of confusion etched on their faces, the armored man came to a stop. "Now this was most unexpected."

"All the way around, the way I see it," Spectrum spoke up. He positioned himself between the new arrival and Whitney. "Who the heck are you?"

"I am Starguard," the stranger proudly announced. "Defender of the planet Earth. According to my database, you are Spectrum, leader of X-Factor. A pleasure to meet you. Fortunately my delay in rescuing you was not critical." The energy mace in Starguard's right hand shimmered out of existence. The armored hero then offered his hand to Spectrum.

"Likewise, I guess," Spectrum said in a confused voice as he shook Starguard's hand. He lowered his force field as well. No need to expend the energy to maintain it if it was not going to be needed. Jim then gestured towards Whitney standing behind him. "This is Whitney. What's going on here?"

"An honor, madam," Starguard responded with a slight bow towards Ms. Parks. Whitney didn't say anything and continued to observe, unsure what was going on. She was just happy that this stranger had arrived after she had put her clothes back on.

"I have been trying to locate these aliens for the last several weeks now," Starguard casually explained. "They had sent spies out into the world to gather intelligence and supplies. I noticed their activities and had been searching for their base of operations."

"Let me guess," Whitney finally spoke up, "they set up shop in High Forks, California."

"Correct, milady. I located the Howarians ship upon my arrival here in High Forks and the delicate situation you were in. My plan was to draw them away from you so that I could deal with them. Unfortunately, not all the aliens responded to the alarm and those I did encounter put up a tougher fight then I suspected they would. Fortunately, you were able to deal with the alien on your own."

"So what happens now," Spectrum wondered. "How come I never heard of you before?"

"I prefer to keep a low profile," Starguard responded. "My mission is to deal with any alien threats that may face the planet Earth. These Howarians are most definitely a threat."

"Ugly suckers too," Spectrum quipped. "Let me get Whitney to safety and I'll give you a hand in rounding up these alien cannibals."

"Hold on a minute," Whitney started to protest. "I'm no shrinking violet that needs protection. Now that I know what I am up against, I can hold my own."

"Dear, we are dealing with aliens who eat people and have high tech weapons," Spectrum diplomatically objected. "That's a little bit out of your league. I don't want anything to happen to you."

Whitney started to say something, but was cut off by Starguard. "I appreciate your offer, Spectrum, but your assistance will not be needed. I have the situation well in hand. Right now the safest place for you and the lovely lady is here, on the Howarian ship. Please remain here and I'll return shortly."

Spectrum started to object, but Starguard simply vanished before he and Whitney's eyes! "Hey! Come back here! There's no way I'm gonna sit this one out!"

"Really, James," Whitney purred, an amused look on her lovely face. "Looks like Starguard seems to think that you are out of your league and doesn't want anything to happen to you." Starguard had used the same argument on Spectrum that he had used on Whitney.

"Touché," Spectrum muttered dejectedly. "Although, I certainly hope that Starguard's reasons are not so personal as mine are. I don't know what I would do if something happened to you." Spectrum drew Whitney close once more, enjoying the close contact of their two bodies.

"A sentiment I share, James. However, both of our chosen professions carry some element of risk and danger with them. Hazards that we both were fully aware of going in. I appreciate you trying to protect me, but there is always going to be some element of danger in what I do."

"I guess you're right. I never really thought about it in those terms. This is the first time that I've really been involved with one of your cases."

"Most private investigation work is dull and tedious. But there are those rare occasions when things do get exciting."

"I'll try to remember that in the future." Jim willed away his mask and shared a short kiss with Whitney. "In the meantime, let's take a look around and try to figure out a way to get off this ship. I'm not sure I trust this Starguard guy."

"Agreed. Let's make sure that this ship truly is safe." After separating herself from Spectrum, Whitney drew her handgun and took a look outside the door. Beyond the portal was a hallway running parallel to the door. The far side of the wall had the same curved ceiling like the slaughterhouse and was also metallic in appearance.

Spectrum replaced his mask and cautiously stuck his head out of the opening and looked both ways. The passage to his left only traveled a few more feet before ending at another sliding door. The right hand passage was far more interesting. It was very long with two more sliding doors on the same side as the slaughter room. It also ended at another sliding door, but this one was currently open. A fallen alien in white armor was sprawled in the opening.

Spectrum flew the up the nearly forty foot long corridor and landed in front of the sprawled alien. It had yet to stir. In spite of that, Spectrum activated his force field once more for protection. The room behind it seemed to be a control center of some type. There were several banks of control panels with chairs before them. Three other aliens were also unconscious within the control center. Signs of battle were everywhere. Chairs were overturned and several panels appeared to be damaged. A short gangway led down to the next level.

"I guess Starguard did take these guys out," Spectrum said as he surveyed the situation. He lowered his force filed once more. "Whoever this guy is, he is efficient."

Whitney arrived at the doorway; her colt python swept the room looking for a target. Upon not seeing one, she lowered her weapon. "Too efficient if you ask me. Not a alien cannibal left standing."

"Yeah really. I'd like to get some payback in myself." Spectrum moved towards the nearest control panel and gave it the once over. There were buttons, gauges, and dials. However the labels were in the aliens' language and were incomprehensible. "I always hated to be the wallflower at the dance."

"Regardless, we should move these creatures to some place more secure in case they recover faster than this Starguard anticipates."

"Good idea." Spectrum moved away form the panel he had been observing, figuring it was better to touch nothing. With his luck, he'd hit the self-destruct button. Spectrum grabbed the alien in the doorway by the leg and started to drag him back to the slaughterhouse. There were two more tables in the room. At least most of the aliens could be secured.

Spying another of the alien ray guns laying on the floor, Whitney picked it up and the placed weapon into her pants pocket. Better in her possession than theirs. Next she grabbed the alien closest to the door and dragged him down the hallway after Spectrum. Even with the strange plasi-armor it wore, the alien was no heavier than a man of the same size.

Reaching the slaughterhouse, Spectrum placed his alien on one of the two free tables and secured him. By then, Whitney appeared in the doorway, dragging a second alien behind her.

"Let me give you hand with that," Spectrum offered.

"I can manage," Whitney stated. "Given my profession, I try to keep physically fit."

"And I certainly approve of that." There was no denying that Whitney's physical conditioning was impressive. She had excellent muscle tone but not at the expense of her flattering figure. Whitney dragged the alien over to the last table. Spectrum came over and helped her place the alien the cutting table.

"Now if I could just get you to exercise a bit more often," Whitney teased as she secured the alien with the built in manacles. "Your doctor did say that you could stand to loose some weight."

"I know, I know," Spectrum grumbled. "I just don't have the discipline to exercise regularly and eat right. The odd hours I keep don't help either."

"I'll have to see what I can do to change that."

"My weight or my hours?"

"Both, James."

Spectrum just grinned at that thought. He certainly wouldn't mind Whitney looking after him for the rest of his life. Jim just wanted his writing career to be a bit further along before asking Whitney to marry him. He hoped that he would get a big break and soon.

In short order, the alien Whitney had dragged was also secured. Satisfied with their efforts, the couple turned and headed back to the control center where the last two aliens had fallen. Spectrum led the way, his force field up once more.

"I'll feel a lot better once we get the rest of these cannibals locked up," Spectrum noted.

"I'm going to feel safer once back home and in my own bed. This experience will probably give me nightmares."

"Nothing is going to happen to you, Whitney. Not as long as I have anything to say about it! If it makes you feel any safer, you could always move in with me."

Before Whitney had a chance to reply, the sliding door to the control center opened up. The pair was only halfway down the corridor-- the door wasn't opening for them! Both Spectrum and Whitney came to a dead stop. Standing behind the door were the two aliens that had been unconscious! Each one had a pistol in his hand. They fired!

"Incoming!" Spectrum yelled as he moved in front of Whitney.

Bluish beams of energy leaped from the weapons. One struck the startled Spectrum and was dispersed by his force field. The second shot was wide and struck the wall further down the passageway.

"Now that wasn't very friendly! Those fancy ray guns of theirs don't have much of a bite to them." Spectrum returned fire with another orange energy blast. It caught one of the aliens square in the chest and flung him back into the control center.

Whitney dropped to one knee and leaned out and around Spectrum. She aimed her handgun and fired. The loud discharge of the gun filled the hallway, momentarily startling Spectrum. Whitney's aim was true and the alien was struck in his right shoulder, the bullet piercing his armor. The force of the impact sent the man backwards.

"Nice shot," Spectrum complimented. He surged forward, covering the short distance between him and the control center. Both aliens continued to lie on the floor. Whitney joined him a moment later. "I think they're down for the count this time."

Unexpectedly, a high-pierced whistling/keening noise filled the chamber. Both Spectrum and Whitney scanned the room trying to find the source of the noise. Much to their surprise, it was coming from the downed aliens. They looked on with great interest.

Even stranger, one of them suddenly burst into flames! The fire quickly covered the alien's body and began to consume it. Just as mysteriously, the second alien ignited. Neither alien moved as the flames consumed their body and the strange whistling noise ceased.

"I think I'm going to be ill," Whitney remarked, her face turning green in revulsion.

"You and me both. That's disgusting. Come on, let's get out of here." Spectrum forced Whitney to look away from the blazing bodies and directed her back out into the hallway. Mercifully the door slid shut behind them sparing them the site of the burning aliens. If only the smell could have been dealt with as easily.

Whitney gagged a few times, bile nearly reaching the top of her throat. Somehow she managed to retain the contents of her stomach. She trembled slightly from the horror uncovered during this assignment.

"Can we please leave? Now?"

"Sounds like a plan to me," Spectrum agreed. Jim had managed to keep his cookies intact thus far. Still, this whole experience was nauseating. "There's got to be a way off this ship."

Moving back away from the control center, the couple approached the first door on their left. It slid open for them as they approached to reveal a small passageway. At the end of the passage was what resembled an airlock. There was a small view port in the outer door along with a locking wheel.

"Ask and you shall receive," Spectrum happily noted, trying to keep the situation light for Whitney's sake. "One exit coming up!"

"Thank goodness."

Reaching the airlock, Spectrum turned the hatch wheel, causing the portal to open. A short distance behind the hatch was the interior of a wooden wall with a small walkway. While that in itself wasn't peculiar, what was strange was that the walkway appeared vertical to Spectrum and Whitney!

"What's wrong with this picture?" Spectrum peered out the hatchway in an attempt to figure out why someone would build a walkway going straight up and down. Much to his surprise, the walkway has actually horizontal and in perfect harmony with the outside world. It was he and Whitney who were out of sync. "Now this is perfectly weird."

Whitney took a glance out the hatch as well. Outside the ship was dark; the only light was the illumination pouring out of the open hatch. She had simply surmised that the alien ship was laying flat on the ground. Instead it was standing on end, placing her and Spectrum perpendicular to the outside world. While they thought they were walking along the deck of the ship, they were actually moving up and down in relation to the outside world!

"Artificial gravity would be my guess," Spectrum suggested. "Good thing I was always a science fiction fan. Fortunately, gravity isn't much of a concern for someone who can fly."

Spectrum surged out of the airlock. He felt a momentary disorientation as he left the artificial gravity field of the ship and passed back into the Earth's regular pull. Re-orientating himself, Spectrum landed on the walkway. Looking down he could see that the cigar-shaped Howarian spaceship was indeed standing on its end. Looking back into the sideways hatch, Whitney seemed to be standing on the wall!

"Give me your hand." Spectrum leaned out over the railing and stretched out to reach Whitney. "I'll pull you over."

"Just don't let go." Whitney took a firm hold of Jim's hand.

"Never."

Whitney closed her eyes and leaped out of the hatch. She felt the disorientation of the changing gravity fields and then felt something firm underneath her feet once more. Opening her eyes, Whitney found herself standing on the walkway beside Spectrum. They were outside the alien spaceship.

Looking around, Whitney realized that the spaceship had been placed inside a tower. The structure just barely held the craft, leaving enough room for the walkway. The couple had two choices. Either go down to the ground or up to the top of the tower.

Whitney tried to place just where they were. The only building that met this description they had seen in High Forks was the clock tower near the center of town. Looking upwards, she could barely see the internal workings and hear the mechanical movements of a large clock.

"Tactically speaking, one should always seek the high ground," Spectrum announced. Still holding Whitney's hand, Jim led the way up the inside of the dark tower. "Or at least that's what I've been told."

"I really don't care which direction we take, James. As long as it's far away from this spaceship."

In short order, the couple reached the top of the clock tower. An access door led out to a walkway that circled the top of the tower. The darkness of night had fully enveloped High Forks. There were no streetlights active or any other source of light down in High Forks.

"I guess they didn't believe in paying their electric bill either," Spectrum quipped. The darkness was no hindrance to his enhanced eyesight. Jim was able to perceive a wider area of the color spectrum, allowing him to see into the infrared and ultraviolet ranges. To him, the darkness covering the small town below seemed more like an overcast day.

Suddenly bright beams of blue energy rang out in the town below. It reminded the couple of the discharge of the alien weapons. However, the attacks were not directed at Spectrum and Whitney. The beams were targeted at something else in the city. A minor explosion followed the attacks. Other energy discharges were noted all over the small town. A major battle was being fought down below!

"Stay here, Whitney," Spectrum said. "You'll be safe here. I'm going to check this out." Without waiting for a response, Jim flew off from the clock tower and was smothered by the dark of night.

"James!", Whitney cried out, annoyed at being left behind. She clutched her gun and ducked down low to make herself less of a target. "Don't do anything foolish."

Figuring that the darkness would conceal him, Spectrum didn't bother making himself invisible. He also didn't raise his force field. It would only make him stand out against the dark of night. He flew towards the last round of alien weapons fire. Drawing closer to the source, Spectrum could now see what was transpiring.

More of these aliens were on the loose. A group of five was huddled together back to back, firing their ray guns at distant targets. The aliens were dressed much like the others on the ship. They each wore a white jump suit with armor protecting key body areas. The strange symbol was also on their chests. It looked like the Greek letter delta with an asterisk in between. Delta-Star-Delta.

Banking away from the aliens, Spectrum attempted to locate what they were firing upon. Some forty yards away and closing were a small group of ordinary people. At least they looked like ordinary people. Each was plainly dressed in typical clothing. Each of the people was advancing forward, their arms raised up in front of them as if they were sleepwalking.

There was something wrong with the way the citizens of High Forks were moving. They were unusually stiff and rigid in their movements. It wouldn't have been as noticeable if not for the fact that every one of them was moving in the exact same manner.

Several of the people had been struck by laser fire and yet they continued to advance. Moving closer and keeping himself above the advancing people, Spectrum quickly realized how they could survive such an energy discharge. While they looked and dressed like regular people, they were not people at all! Holes had been blown into them and inside those holes machinery and moving parts could be seen! They were robots!

"Of course," Spectrum thought to himself as he flew away from the robots. "The people of High Forks must have been the first victims of the aliens. Since these 'biters from beyond the stars' don't exactly blend in, they must have replaced the people with robots! That's why that innkeeper acted so weird and how she knocked me out so easily. I thought I was dealing with a little old lady!"

But why were the aliens firing upon their own creations? And exactly how many aliens were there?

Judging by how small the alien ship was, it must have been a scouting vessel. Perhaps these other aliens were in suspended animation or maybe they were clones or something. Simply put, there were more aliens than comfortably fit on the space ship. So some of them must have been staying in the town itself.

Starguard did tell Spectrum and Whitney that they would be safe inside the alien ship. Perhaps this was what he meant? Maybe he had taken control of the robots and sent them after their former masters? That theory did seem to fit the facts. The energy discharges that Spectrum and Whitney had seen all over town were the aliens fighting the robots.

"Might as well give the tin man brigade a helping hand," Spectrum thought to himself. He flew back towards the small group of aliens. Once close enough, Spectrum slowed and hovered in front of the aliens. He activated his force field and its glow lit up the night.

"Hey guys! Can I interest you in a vegetarian life style?"

Predictably, the aliens all turned to face Spectrum. A few cursed something that was incomprehensible to the colorful mutant. Two of them even fired their ray guns, but missed the hovering target by a wide margin.

"Now wouldn't this just make a wonderful group portrait? Say sleaze!"

With all the aliens staring at him, Spectrum generated a bright pulse of light all around his body. The flash took all of the aliens by surprise and succeeded in temporarily blinding them. Some of the aliens blindly fired their weapons, wildly sending destructive beams of energy through the night.

None of the attacks came close to Spectrum, as he changed locations in the sky to a point directly above the cannibals from the stars. While the aliens aimlessly tried to shoot Spectrum out of the sky, the robots closed in. The battle was strictly one sided as the mechanoids easily defeated the aliens. Once all the aliens were unconscious, the robots continued on into the night in search of their next target.

"Efficient little assimilators," Spectrum noted.

"What are you doing out here?" The question caught Spectrum off guard. Turning, he saw Starguard flying towards him across the night sky. Here in the dark, his armor very nearly blended it. Only his energy shield and matching mace revealed his presence. "I told you to remain on the ship!"

"Hey, I'm not the type to sit on the bench while a game is in progress! Besides, I figured you could use a hand."

"That is not necessary," Starguard curtly replied. "I reprogrammed the robots to round up all the rogue Howarians here in High Forks. I didn't want you and the woman to get caught in the crossfire. You were to remain on the ship for your own protection."

"I can see that now. Maybe if I had ever heard of you before, I might have taken you at your word. For all I know you could be an alien yourself out to eliminate the competition."

"It is vital that knowledge of my presence on Earth be kept to a minimum. To do otherwise would jeopardize my mission."

"And what mission is that?", Spectrum asked bluntly.

"As I stated previously, I am the defender of Earth against alien incursions and other such menaces. These Howarians are the equivalent of galactic outcasts always on the lookout for a new potential food source. This must not be allowed to happen Earth!"

"Yeah, I don't think I'd be too keen to invite them over for a visit either. Their table manners leave a lot to be desired too," Spectrum quipped. "So what happens now?"

"The robots have nearly completed their task. Once I have all the aliens rounded up, I shall load them onboard their ship and return them to their home space. All data for their mission here on Earth will be deleted. Hopefully, they will never plague this planet again."

"But you can't be sure? What if there are more of these aliens lurking around?"

"There are no guarantees in life, Spectrum," Starguard answered. "We can only do our best to protect our planet."

"I'm really going to sleep easier tonight knowing that."

"The robots have just about completed their task," Starguard announced. "My advice is for you and your charming companion to leave High Forks as soon as possible. Be gone before any local authorities find High Forks deserted. Before you are asked questions you do not want to answer."

"I can take a hint when I'm not wanted. And you're right. I certainly don't want to try and explain all of this to anyone. You sure you've got everything under control here?"

"Positive. Even now the robots are talking the aliens to their ship."

"All right then. I guess this is it. Thanks for helping us out." Spectrum offered his hand to Starguard. The two heroes briefly shook hands.

"All part of the service. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a sizable mess to clean up."

"Later."

Leaving Starguard, Spectrum turned and flew back towards the clock tower. True to Starguard's word, all the fighting seemed to be over. No more beams of energy were spotted in the darkened town. All seemed peaceful.

Reaching the top of the clock tower, Spectrum found Whitney huddled on the walkway around the outside of the structure. Sobs could be plainly heard. Concerned, Spectrum landed close by and caused a low level of illumination to come from his body. It was bright enough for Whitney to see by.

"Whitney?", Spectrum called out in an alarmed voice. "Are you hurt? Did one of those aliens come after you?"

"James!", Whitney cried out upon realizing that he had returned. She stood up and rushed into his arms. "Please... Just hold me..."

"You're shaking", Spectrum noted as held on tightly to Whitney. She buried her head on his chest and continued to weep. The strain of this whole situation had finally caught up to her. This whole ordeal was far beyond anything Whitney had to deal with before.

"It's okay," Spectrum whispered into Whitney's ear. "It's all over with now. We can go home."