Three weeks have passed since the weapons tests and I finally had enough time to develop a new pair of jet boots, which use magic instead of fuel. The test flight of the new boots went well as I made it to the state border with New Mexico before deciding to turn around.
As I flew back to the city of Mesa, I heard gun fire and car horns going off from beyond the horizon and decided to investigate.
As I got closer a horrifying sight unfolded. A small town was under siege from... spiders?
Massive spiders !?!?
They were everywhere, hundreds scurrying along the road and rooftops following after the townsfolk. Who were all heading towards the mall at the far end of the town.
The spiders vastly outnumbered the townsfolk and despite several individuals with firearms there was little they could do to stop the spiders.
Even with the special ammo I had access to, I didn't have anywhere near enough to eliminate even half of the spiders.
Still... I couldn't just stand by and let the townsfolk be slaughtered.
Swooping down, I hover above the main street, pull out the lawgiver, I call for 'AP', and begin firing at any spider close to a civilian.
The bullets go straight through the spiders, so change the ammo type to incendiary and begin firing again. But I could only eliminate several dozen before I run out of incendiary ammo.
I decide to switch tactics.
Using the zero-point gloves, I lift an empty vehicle and toss it towards the spiders, crushing several before it comes to a stop. I repeat the process four more times as I cover the retreat to the mall.
After the final toss most of the townsfolk have already entered the mall, but the spiders are still right behind them. Thus I call for 'HE' and shoot several of the abandon vehicles in the mall parking lot.
BOOM X5
The ensuing inferno forces the spiders to fall back, allowing the surviving townsfolk to enter the mall. Once everyone is inside they drop a metal gate that blocks the entrance.
With no idea of what was really happening, I tried to find a way inside.
Eventually I noticed an entrance on the roof and I land to enter.
Inside the mall the townsfolk were in a panic, looting several stores for anything that can be used as a weapon.
While this was happening I noticed a small group near the metal door. Comprised of law enforcement, some civilians, and two children.
They appeared to be arguing and as I got closer I overheard the conversation.
"What were those things?"
"Those were giant mutated spiders"
"No! I'm telling you those were aliens! Those eight legged freaks have come to conquer the town as a foothold for their invasion of Earth! I always knew this day would come! I have been saying it for years on the radio, but noooo... you guys never bother to listen. Well I! TOLD! YOU! SO!!"
"Wow hold on! Even if these were aliens. Do you honestly believe that they would have gone completely undetected?"
"Your right... then the government is in on IT!"
"O Please Harlan"
As the adults continue to argue about the origin of the creatures, I decided to walk up to the young boy.
"Do you have any idea what is going on?"
The young boy took a moment before introducing himself as Mike, son of the sheriff, than he began to explain his theory of events.
He claimed that the trouble first began after his mother and the deputy sheriff discovered a drum of biohazardous waste in a local stream. Whether the chemicals that leaked out were actually responsible is something he couldn't say definitively.
A week passed after the discovery of the waste and with several unanswered phone calls to Joshua, his friend and owner of an exotic spider farm, Mike decided to investigate the farm.
There he discovered the inside in shambles and all the spiders gone. He reported his discovery to his mother who didn't believe him, thus no formal investigation into the disappearance of Joshua was ever conducted.
As more time passed the disappearance of several pets occurred around town, including the sheriff deputy's cat.
Several individuals also went missing, but few paid attention until today. In the morning telephone communications went down throughout the town, but it wasn't until the attack of the sheriff's daughter that the authorities took decisive action.
Unfortunately it was too late. With telephones down a message was sent to all the townsfolk using the local radio station, but few believed the message and when they did the town was already under siege.
Several businesses were attacked, while those running through the streets were ambushed. If I had not intervened there would have been more casualties.
As Mike finished up his story a loud bang was heard from the gate. All the townsfolk took a set back as those with firearms took position at the front.
A man standing next to the sheriff began to address the group.
"That gate won't hold for long and if they manage to get inside we are screwed."
He was right. These were ordinary civilians armed with few pistols, shotguns, and hunting rifles, while the rest held makeshift weapons. There was no way they could survive a direct assault, especially in an enclosed space.
"Then we need to buy time" The sheriff answered "while help arrives"
"How?" The deputy asked "The phones are down and you already tried with the radio, the signal is too weak to travel far"
"A cellphone would do the trick... Make a call to the state police, the military, HELL! call the justice league!" Harlan responded
"Unfortunately you can't get a signal from inside the mall. You will need to go outside to get a signal."
After a moment of silence the man speaks again.
"Then the best plan would be to make a call from the roof. I am willing to try, but everyone else needs to prepare for when the spiders make their way in."
The sheriff stares at him for a moment before answering "Ok take Harlan with you as backup. In the meantime we will prepare the best we can... Good Luck"
"Thank you... Let's Go Harlan!"
Seeing the two men run off I decided to speak out.
"Sheriff! I have an idea that could buy us more time"
"O? That is great"
"Wait!" The daughter of the sheriff shouts. "Where did the Mayor go?"