Jury Duty (First Contact) by Peter Cawdron

Author:Peter Cawdron [Cawdron, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-05-28T05:00:00+00:00

Colonel Buckley

Nick is on his hands and knees, cradling his head, unsure whether the blood dripping on the floor is Dmitri’s or his. He cries. Tears fall from his eyes as he rocks back and forth, trying to catch up with reality.

Colonel Buckley grabs him by the nape of his neck, jerking his head back and forcing him to look up.

“It’s not polite to ignore basic pleasantries. What’s your name, son? Your full name?”

The colonel’s voice is deceptive. He’s from one of the southern states. His accent is relaxed, making his words sound soft and warm. At a guess, Nick would think he’s from Mississippi or Louisiana. Buckley smiles from behind a thin mustache, encouraging him to speak.

“Nick. Nicholas. Nicholas James Ferrin.”

Nick stares at the overhead fluorescent lights, still trying to comprehend what’s happening. Now that he’s upright on his knees, the colonel lets go.

Buckley strides around in front of him, speaking with a voice as bitter as the storm outside.

“Do you know why you’re here, Nicholas?”

“N—No.”

“You’re here to do your duty. You have a solemn duty to the people of God’s sacred Earth, Mr. Ferrin. Do you understand me?”

Nick nods. He looks around. Computer monitors line the walls, displaying dozens of graphs along with video images from throughout the base. Most of the shots are of the lights above an external door somewhere, revealing frozen stairs leading down to the ice. There are a few internal shots, but they’re of empty corridors. On one screen, he sees Adrianna kneeling next to a body sprawled out on the floor. The images are monochrome. The blood seeping from Dmitri’s chest is as black as coal.

“W—Why? Why did you kill him?”

The colonel ignores Nick.

“You have been called upon to serve your country, Nicholas. That is a noble endeavor.”

Jazz is down on her knees not more than ten feet from Nick. Her hands have been bound behind her back with a plastic zip-tie. Blood drips from her chin, running in a steady stream from a cut on her forehead. Bruises have formed on her cheeks. Their eyes meet. She mouths the word, ‘Don’t.’

Bear is beside her, kneeling on the linoleum floor with his hands bound behind his back. His face is black and blue. Large welts have formed on his cheeks.

“You’re here to serve on the jury, Nick. Can I call you that, Nicholas? Nick is much more informal and relaxed. It’s more appropriate, don’t you think?”

Nick nods, still trying to focus through the haze of pain surging through his scalp.

There’s a rhythm to Colonel Buckley’s words. He speaks with deliberation. Every sentence is precise. Each word is pronounced with vigor.

“There’s something I need you to do, Nick. As a member of the jury, I need you to authorize our response to the alien attack. Father has been disabled. We’ve got his core functions back online, but he needs your approval to proceed with our response. Do you understand me?”

Reluctantly, Nick nods.

Buckley walks over to Jazz. He places the barrel of his pistol under her chin, raising her gaze as he speaks.

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