The Government Is Going To Wipe My Memory! Fred Vorson's Story

"Get out of here! If I catch you in my house again, I'll turn you into a coonskin cap! raged a usually mellow voice from deep within the tiny, weather-beaten shack.

A rather plump raccoon dropped from the window, celebrating the prize he had escaped with. Fortunately for Fred, it was only a slice of apple this time.

The intruder had a knack for locating the most expensive parts, and making them disappear. If it was shiny and new, it was a prime target.

The bald eagle, which sat on a high branch of the large tree in front of Fred's house, took note of the theft. But he preferred fresh trout from the lake to fruit.

"I've got to get this done, or they'll be able to contact Gamma Thirdnation..." a tall gangly man muttered, as he went back to work on a metal box with curly metal antennas sticking out all over.

The whole thing had the appearance of a small, curly quilled, square, robot porcupine. But instead of a head, at one end protruded a smartphone, connected to the rest of the contraption by a metal clamp for a "neck", and a USB cable.

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Several hours later:

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Brushing his graying hair out of his eyes, Fred put on a Captain America baseball cap, and took the strange object outside.

"Hello, Santa. Never fear, good old Fred will make sure that you can make your run again this year!" he said, smiling at the painted figure on the outside of his door.

Examining the Christmas tree on the porch, he nodded in satisfaction. "Good, the thieving raccoon finally learned to leave well enough alone!" he said, chuckling at the memory of the poor creature jumping back due to the electric wire he now used to hang the bulbs and other trinkets on.

Grabbing his ladder, Fred climbed up on his roof. "I really should get some new shingles next year..." he thought idly, as he made his way towards the pastel pink satellite dish.

Connecting the "metal porcupine" to the dish with a cable, he then flipped a switch on the small box.

The smartphone lit up, and loaded a Google Earth map. Soon it displayed his little shack, and the familiar terrain surrounding it. Satisfied, he switched to a custom program which he had created, and various constellations were displayed.

Slowly moving the dish he concentrated on the screen, until a green "Match found" message flashed. "There! Now to jam their signal..." he said to himself, as he brought up a settings menu, then selected "prevent transmission".

Climbing down, he glanced at the eagle. "Hey there! Keep an eye on this, will you? It's a matter of national security! There are some really dark forces which have already infiltrated our government, you know. We can't let them get to that box, or they'll help their evil allies bring in reinforcements from space."

The motionless eagle simply blinked, then focused its eyes towards the lake again. No doubt waiting for supper to make an appearance.

"Thanks, buddy!" Fred said grinning, as he saluted the huge bird.

"I sure hope they never find out the static isn't a natural phenomenon - or worse yet, that it's coming from here. If they ever did, I'd be a goner for sure! Either they'd make me disappear, or wipe my memory..." pondered Fred, as he went back inside.

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The next morning:

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"There's nothing like fried blueberry pancakes, with maple syrup..." thought Fred, closing his eyes in pleasure at the first delicious bite.

"What's that?" he wondered, as he was scraping the last pool of syrup into a bite of pancake. Quickly popping it in his mouth, he went to the window.

"What's up with the racket, buddy? You're supposed to be an eagle, not a blasted rooster." Fred asked, laughing at the screeching bird.

A second later, it took to the air. The magnificent creature climbed steadily, and Fred got his binoculars. This particular bird rarely did much more than skim across the lake, snagging a fat fish to enjoy on the bank.

"Where are you going, buddy?" he whispered, watching the bird soar high over the lake. Suddenly it plummeted, not coming out of the dive until it was about five yards from the surface - no, not the surface, but a small speedboat.

At the wheel was a humanoid creature, with four arms. It had hands, Fred noted. But instead of fingers, it had tentacles, similar to those of an octopus. Its skin had a greyish green tint, and it was wearing a black suit.

Standing next to the creature and holding a phone where both could view it, was a man. He was middle aged, with dark hair. The bright summer sun reflected off of his sunglasses.

"Uh oh..." was the only thing Fred uttered, as he raced outside.

Climbing to the roof in record time, he quickly disconnected the box, and shut it off.

Sliding down the ladder then stowing it, Fred ran into the woods. Yanking off the solar power supply, then removing the battery backup, he buried the expensive hardware in the moist earth.

"Well, it's time for me to say goodbye to Eagle Lake..." Fred whispered regretfully, as his human form slowly became more compact, and sprouted feathers.

Soon, two magnificent bald eagles were soaring high overhead, watching as what now appeared to be two humans in black suits approached a little shack with a pink satellite dish perched on the roof.

Collage made entirely in Canva Pro

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Image sources:

Shack by @muelli : https://www.lmac.gallery/lmac_gallery-image/7559

Raccoon by @redheadpei : https://www.lmac.gallery/lmac_gallery-image/6321

Eagle by @redheadpei : https://www.lmac.gallery/lmac_gallery-image/4440