War Of The World
by G. G. Bee
(Officer Brent) "Well Sergeant Wilks, Sir, there’s just no explainin’ it. We cruised by this location and everything’s as peaceful as a graveyard, not a peep on this squawk-box. Everything in Restinn was quiet, before all hell broke loose. We find this fellow, out in the street, in front of his house, preachin’ at the top of his lungs. Quite animated, Sir. Before we can subdue him, out comes another, half block away, then another, probably three blocks south, all yellin’ EE, AH, OOH, AY. It’s spooky, DAMN spooky. Now we’ve got more than a hundred of ‘em here in the looney bin, sorry, that’s holding yard for safe-keepin’. They keep poppin’ up, scanner says, it’s happened all over town. What should we do, Sir?"
(Sergeant Wilks) "Officer Brent, the State Police are calling this, an as yet, unnamed phenomenon. The families of the affected have been questioned and they can offer no explanation to the cause though the stories are much the same. The perps have all displayed a contemplative attitude just prior to these out bursts, some relatives believe they were meditating or praying. Then like someboby turned on a light there comes the look of complete surprise. Some say it’s as if they had suddenly awakened from a long sleep. They then become spontaneously animated and begin to speak in some yet unknown language with some English thrown in. They babble about a second coming, resurrection and then, there’s that incessant chant..EE, AH, OOH, AY, at least, that’s the report I have got. If you ask me, I think it’s a terrorist act, some alien force, playing with mind-control that’s affecting some of our citizens. State says we have this outbreak here in Restinn and I’ve heard reports of some of the same activity in Middleburg.
We have to get on top of this situation, State’s sendin’ in a team of electronic experts in specially outfitted choppers, they can interfere with any mind bending, high frequency emissions, if there are any. They’re also equipped to detect anything warm, movin’ or stationery.
Certain mid-east terrorist groups have bought themselves that old soviet mind control hardware and devices. If that’s the game bein’ played, we’re gonna’ real quick nip that in the butt. Now, as to our game plan.- - - Wait, Hold up, the U. S. Cavalry has entered the fray, we’re on red alert. Cancel that game plan of ours, momentarily. Our chopper reports no unusual high frequency R.F. in this sector but right now, they’ve been ordered out of the sky by the Feds. In fact, all civilian air is grounded.
Big Guns are on the case now, Officer Brent. We can rest assured this chapter is written and sealed. Are you hearing any reports from the loo... holding yard?"
(Officer Brent) "Yes Sir, I’m there now and the whole bunch of ‘em are lying face-down in the dirt, repeatin’ and repeatin’ again,
‘AB ABAH AB ABAH AB ABAH, EE, AH, OOH, AY’, oh but wait, they’re all gettin’ up , brushin’ themselves off, you oughtta’ see this, they’re babblin’ to one another in some strange tongue, but they seem to understand each other. Sir, I did’nt notice this before, all the men have beards, their heads are covered and not one has a real haircut, they kinda’ look like a bunch of rag-tag A-rabs."
(Sergeant Wilks) "We’ve run more checks on these people. Most have open Federal dossiers indicating involvement in fringe cults. At first blush, they seem innocuous enough, a thorough search of their homes turned up some varmint rifles and shotguns. We did find one peculiar thing. Every one of them had what their family called a Passover knife, big, sharp as a razor, carefully, almost ceremonially cleaned and stored. I sure wouldn’t want to pass under a weapon like that. Scary bunch ‘a people, I say. They are a scary bunch ‘a people.
Hold up, Officer Brent, we’re receiving orders to stand down here. I’ve received word that you will soon be relieved by a duly authorized Op.. We’re shutting down our communication links as ordered so we’ll see you on the other side of this hell-night, or should I say, un-named phenomenon.
Brent, ...you bring the champagne."