37º 24’ 54” North, 5º 59’ 37” West
Los Viajeros, Alameda de Hércules, Seville
21:00 GMT+1
At first, they didn’t even notice. Everyone was busy drinking, chatting and tucking into the first dishes to be served. Then someone had asked if there was some special event on that night, why were such big fireworks being let off? But it wasn’t until a few minutes later, when an explosion rattled the restaurant’s windows, that all doubt vanished. Something serious was afoot. Each explosion was swiftly followed by another, and another. Some were further away, others so close that everything shook from the blast. The restaurant customers jumped to their feet but before they could run outside to see what was happening for themselves, the restaurant owner closed the main door and blocked the way. He was adamant. Everyone had to calm down and stay put. Nonetheless, one man insisted on leaving the building and began to tussle with the owner while the owner’s wife desperately tried to pull them apart. Her voice stood out above the clamour as she yelled that they ought to check the television.
Luis and his friends had hesitantly got to their feet, unsure what to do. What was happening? Eva rushed over to Luis’s side; she needed to feel him close to her. Meanwhile, the owner’s wife was still shouting hysterically; no one could work out what she was saying. Finally, disentangling himself from the belligerent customer, her husband changed the television channel and put on the news. At that moment a reporter was speaking from Triana Bridge but it was hard to make out what she was saying.
“Turn it up !” Roberto shouted.
“Yes, we can’t hear!” Jorge waved his hands.
The owner turned up the volume and at last they could hear the news report. The presenter had just started talking about the Triana area and the centre of Seville. Luis recognised the attractive presenter; she was the same one who had spent two days hassling him while he was hospitalised after his skydiving accident.
What happened next left the restaurant customers speechless. They watched the report and heard shouts and people crying out, with one sceptical onlooker claiming that must be a set-up to promote a new film. No one could believe their eyes when the screen turned to static and the ‘connection lost’ message appeared. Luis glanced at Eva. He had taken her hand in his without even realising and was squeezing it hard.
“It’s just a PR stunt,” Santiago kept shaking his head. “Don’t fall for it. It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve done something like this.”
“Shut up and keep listening,” one of the waiters glared at him upset.
Santiago fell silent and turned back to the television screen. Now the reporter who presented the late edition of the news appeared.
<<As we’ve just explained, these are the only images we currently have of the disaster unfolding in Seville tonight. Since the connection was lost with our colleague, Maria Luces, we’ve had no further contact from her or her cameraman, Carlos Domínguez. We’re trying to gather as much information as possible about the situation in Seville right now. If you’ve just joined us, here’s a summary of recent events. During the live broadcast of our early evening show, one of our reporters witnessed two air force fighter jets flying at low altitude over the city. Immediately afterwards, we heard several explosions and saw the remains of these jets falling from the sky. Moments later, several more powerful blasts struck bridges across the city, including Isabel II Bridge where our team was located. Since then, we’ve received messages via social media informing us that the city is under a massive attack by unknown forces. We’ve heard unconfirmed reports that La Giralda, the city’s famous bell tower, has just been destroyed. At present, there has been no statement by the government confirming whether this attack is being perpetrated by terrorists or another country… Nor do we yet know what measures are being taken in retaliation. However, President Manuel Alonso has called a press conference that will begin in five minutes’ time. We’ll keep you up to date with all the latest developments about the disaster in Seville…>>
Another explosion nearby made the restaurant customers duck and search for cover. Panic was spreading rapidly through Luis’s group of friends and everyone was now desperately trying to ring their families.
“Can anyone get through?” Raquel was typing frantically on her cell phone. “Mine keeps saying ‘network failure’.”
“Same here,” Clara tapped the screen with her fingers.
“Me too. The network must be down because everyone’s calling at the same time,” Lucas looked at them, anxiously.
“What’s going on? Are we at war? Who’d want to attack us?” Marta asked in a tremulous voice.
No one answered. They were all stunned. Outside they heard the repeated sound of explosion after explosion. And another noise they didn’t recognise… It sounded almost like an aeroplane flying overhead but they couldn’t see what was making the strange noise through the restaurant windows.
“Sorry about earlier.” The owner of Los Viajeros caught their attention. “I didn’t mean to be so rough. When I found out what had happened, I figured the best way to keep everyone safe was to stop you going outside. My brother was near La Barqueta Bridge when it exploded. He rang me to say there’s some huge object flying over Seville. That’s where the blasts are coming from… Right now, the best thing we can do is stay here until we find out what’s going on. You may as well sit down.”
Murmuring among themselves, the customers agreed and returned to their tables. But they were not ready to sit down just yet. Luis was still grasping Eva’s hand. She looked at him in dread.
“Luis, your father was in the air force, wasn’t he? Have you got any idea what’s going on?” Eva tried to control the trembling of her hands, without success.
“Yes he was… But I’ve no idea. There’s something weird about this… It’s not a normal bombardment. But that guy’s right. It’s better if we stay here. At least until we know more,” Luis said firmly, looking at her and then around at his friends to make sure they heard.
“Well, I’m not eating another bite. I’ve totally lost my appetite,” Raquel couldn't stop looking at the television screen.
“Anyone had any luck with their phone yet?” Jorge tried to make himself heard.
Luis checked his mobile. It still said ‘network failure’. There was no way of getting in touch with his father, the one person who was sure to know more about the attack. There must be some way of contacting him… And then he realised. Why hadn’t he thought of it before?
“Hey, everyone! We can’t make calls, but what about the internet? It might still be OK… There’s Wi-Fi here. Let’s try sending messages to our families, so they know we’re alright,” Luis searched for the network to connect to.
“Of course! Maybe someone out there will know what’s going on. I’m going to check Twitter and see what it says,” Santiago opened the app quickly.
The group of friends quickly took out their phones and connected to the internet. Luis was right. It was still working and, to their great relief, everyone could send messages to their families. Meanwhile, random blasts continued to explode outside, the noise intermingled with the disturbing sound of unknown objects roaring overhead. Sometimes the restaurant lights flickered on and off after a detonation and everyone shivered in fear. They had been lucky so far; nothing had exploded close enough to affect them. Luis sent an email to his brother. Tristan would definitely check his emails before his parents. He told Tristan that he was fine and explained where he was, also asking if he knew what was going on and what the army was doing to help.
“Listen up, everyone! President Alonso is about to give a press conference,” the restaurant owner shouted.
Everyone instantly jumped to their feet and crowded around the television to hear what the president was saying. President Alonso addressed the nation, his expression sombre yet resolute.
<<…I’m addressing you at what may prove to be the most precarious and difficult moment in the recent history of this nation. Less than two hours ago, NATO Command informed us that an unidentified flying object, codename 2012 UA, was heading towards Spain from the Eastern Mediterranean.
All attempts to establish communication with the object failed. In view of the potential threat, it represented to the Spanish people, I issued an order for it to be intercepted. At 8:45 PM, our Air Force sent two F-18 fighter jets to shoot it down before it reached the metropolitan area of Seville. Regrettably, they failed. Two pilots died in the attempt. Immediately afterwards, 2012 UA launched a series of attacks across Seville and has now deployed what we believe to be smaller spacecraft with advanced offensive capabilities.
It is for this reason, with the authority vested in me as your president and by the Constitution and Congress of Deputies, I hereby decree an immediate State of Siege across all Spanish territory. Furthermore, I hereby declare the province of Seville to be a war zone. Several air force squadrons and army brigades are being mobilised as I speak. They will eliminate the threat and protect the civilian population of Seville.
The emergency services are working at full capacity to tend to the injured. Field hospitals are being set up across the city. Aid has been requested from our NATO allies and they are currently preparing to send us more fighter jets. President Powell has already confirmed that the US fleet in the Mediterranean has been sent to assist us. People of Seville, please stay at home and take shelter in basements, garages, metro stations… Above all, do not go outside or try to leave the city until the threat has been neutralised.
Hostile forces have destroyed every bridge in the city and we believe the enemy is controlling all main entry points. Finally, I would like to confirm that the origins of the flying object are as yet unknown. We have ruled out terrorists or any known military force. Be strong, don’t lose heart. The world is on our side! You are not alone! This may be our fiercest battle yet, but as one nation together we shall prevail…>>
As soon as he finished, urgent conversations broke out across the restaurant. It was unbelievable… They were under attack? And what was the unknown flying object the President had mentioned? Aliens? There were far more questions than answers.
“Hang on, everyone, let’s try to keep calm. The army’s been mobilised. Pretty soon we’re going to hear the Eurofighters that have been sent from Morón. Whatever that thing is, they’ll wipe the floor with it,” Luis called out.
“How do you know?” one of the other diners asked.
“My father’s a retired air force colonel. He was assigned to Morón. Planes from the base will be the first to get here and I promise you, those guys are the best pilots we’ve got.”
“I hope you’re right. This doesn’t look good at all… It’s like we’ve suddenly been dropped into the middle of a science fiction movie,” Santiago lamented with a sad face.
“I’m frightened!” Sandra was on the verge of tears. “I hope they shoot down those things fast.”
Clara came over to comfort her. Luis spotted Marta ensconced in a corner, alone and trembling. Despite everything, he didn’t like to see her that way. He went over to her, asking, “Marta, are you OK?”
“What do you think? These explosions are going to give me a panic attack.” Marta was breathing very quickly.
“Relax, it’ll all be fine, you’ll see,” Luis said, resting an encouraging hand on her shoulder.
“Really? So now you’re all friendly with me? You suddenly care?” She pushed him away furiously.
“Marta, I—”
“Leave me alone. Did you honestly think I hadn’t noticed? You’re dumping me for that stuck-up cow, Eva,” she said accusingly, shooting him a furious look.
Guilt overwhelmed Luis. “I’m sorry, Marta. I wish things had turned out differently, but—”
“Go away! I don’t give a shit about you or that bitch! Get lost!” she yelled, standing up and moving away to the far side of the restaurant.
Raquel swiftly joined Luis when she heard the terrible scene Marta was creating.
“Seriously? We’re being bombed and all she can do is act like that? What the hell’s wrong with her?”
“Nothing really… She’s put two and two together and worked out that I want to leave her for Eva.” Luis felt sick.
“Well, I guess this was never going to end well. Listen, Luis. It’s better this way. With all the crap that’s going on right now, she won’t have much time to dwell on it… She’ll get over it fast enough.”
“Assuming this ends any time soon, of course…” Luis murmured to himself.
“You think there’s something more to it? It’s not just an attack by some lunatics?”
“I don’t know… But think about it. Who’d attack a NATO country like this? You’d need a lot of weapons and some real balls.”
“What if it’s aliens, like they said?”
“Aliens? I don’t think they’d invade Seville, of all places. And even if they did, they’d have destroyed the whole city by now, like in a film… Don’t you think?” Luis speculated.
Just then a murmur spread through the restaurant and they saw their friends crowding around Santiago. Luis and Raquel rushed over to see what was happening.
“What’s going on, Santi?” Luis made a place for himself among the group.
“Look… It’s just come up on Twitter. A friend of mine filmed it with his mobile phone. He’s hiding in the Prado de San Sebastian metro station,” Santiago nervously held his phone.
They began to watch the video. It showed a pavement outside the station; the person filming it was running towards a roundabout while sirens wailed in the background. Suddenly, two police cars appeared, screeching to a halt just in front of the roundabout. Four policemen leapt out, pulled out their guns and fired several shots. The camera turned to show what the policemen were shooting at. Then they saw it. The strangest metal vehicle they had ever seen. It appeared to be some type of spacecraft and was gliding above the wide avenue and heading towards the roundabout. It looked like a long, clenched metal fist. All of a sudden, it rapidly descended and approached the ground. As it did so, it unexpectedly changed shape. It almost seemed to unfold, opening out into what looked like five limbs. Two ‘legs’ spread out on either side to touch the ground, while the central two stretched out forwards. They appeared to be pointing at the policemen. All of sudden, the central limbs fired two powerful plasma blasts and the screen was lit up by a huge explosion. The person filming the video was knocked to the ground and started to crawl away on their hands and knees, screaming to anyone who would listen that they had to get back to the station. Then there was another explosion, followed by the distinctive noise of the strange spacecraft in movement. It was the same noise they had been hearing from the restaurant. Before he took shelter in the metro, Santiago’s friend turned around to film where the policemen had once been. All that remained was a smoking crater.
“Oh my God! It killed them!” Clara was horrified.
“Did you see that thing? There’s no way that’s human! I’ve never seen anything like it…” Lucas exclaimed loudly.
“There’s nothing like that here on Earth. Did you see how it changed shape? I can’t think of any material that can do that. It’s light years ahead of our technology,” Jorge insisted.
“They’re aliens! They’re going to kill us all!” Marta screamed. “I don’t want to die in here! I want to go home!”
Marta made a dash for the door. Her face was twisted with fear and she shoved anyone in her path out of the way.
“Stop her! She’s lost her mind! We’ve got to stay here… It’s more important than ever!” Raquel shouted in desperation.
Luis knew there was no time to lose. He belted after her but she had already reached the door. She opened it and rushed out onto the Alameda. Luis had no choice but to follow her. Marta was fast but Luis was in exceptionally good shape and he caught up with her just over twenty yards away from the restaurant. Tackling her, he knocked her to the ground and threw himself on top of her slight body.
“Marta! That’s enough! We’ve got to get back. It’s not safe out here right now!” Luis shouted.
“Leave me alone! Leave me alone! I don’t want to be anywhere near any of you! You bastards! I don’t want to die with you!” she screamed, half-crazed, beating him and scratching him with her nails. She struggled underneath his weight, trying to wriggle free.
Luis didn’t want to hurt her but she was giving him no choice. Raising his right hand, he struck her hard on the cheek. Marta instantly froze.
“I’m sorry, Marta. I don’t want to hurt you. But we’ve got to go back to the others. It’s not safe out here,” Luis tried to be gently.
Gazing at him in confusion, she burst into tears, mumbling that she was sorry, she didn’t know what had come over her. Luis was helping her to her feet when her eyes suddenly filled with terror.
“Marta, what’s wrong?” Luis didn't understand her reaction.
“Oh my God… We’re all going to die…” she stammered.
Luis quickly span around and followed her gaze, looking up at the sky. A vast object was hanging over Seville, stretching upright into the heavens. It was thousands of feet above their heads and yet it still looked gigantic. Every now and again, strange bolts of energy flashed out of it and were instantly followed by powerful blasts booming across the city. Whatever it was, it was clearly not made by human hands. What was almost worse was seeing the huge number of smaller spacecraft, like the one they had seen in the video, flying over Seville. There was no doubt about it. They were in danger.
“Come on, Marta. We’ve got to move. Now!” Luis grabbed her shoulders tightly.
He pulled her up and dragged her with him as he dashed back towards the restaurant. There were no vehicles moving on the Alameda now, just people running to take shelter. Columns of smoke were starting to appear across the city skyline. The sight made Luis shiver, as if it reminded him of something long forgotten. But he couldn’t remember what it might be.
“Wait, what’s that?” Marta asked, the sound of hope ringing in her voice.
“Marta, not now…” Luis began, but he couldn’t resist turning around.
Then he saw it too. Up in the sky. Fighter jets rushing towards the huge alien spacecraft at full speed. Moments later, the jets launched several missiles at the target. Luis knew that there was no time to lose. He tugged Marta’s arm again and this time she docilely let him lead her away. They ran on without a backwards glance at the sky as the explosions intensified. It wasn’t safe to be in an open space for one second longer. They had to get back to the restaurant to tell the others what they had seen. Help had arrived. They were saved.