The teacher rolled out the classroom tv and flicked on the switch. A middle-aged newscaster stared calmly from the screen, a banner rolling beneath him telling all of the unnamable horror that was occurring seemingly around the world. Intermittent static interrupted every few words, as if there were a bad connection somewhere.

"-have been urged to stay calm and shelter in place." Static. "-seems to be an invasion from another world. The ministry-" Static. "-confident that the allied military can deal with the situation." The camera cut to an official looking office where a man far past his prime stood at podium, trying to look both reassuring and serious at the same time. "I can assure you, we will all be safe. Stay where you are. If you are unsure about what to do, listen to the voice in your head."

A member of the press stood with a raised hand. "Do you mean...listen to your conscience?"

The prime minister shook his head. "No, I mean listen to the literal voice in your head; the one giving you instructions."

"Prime minister..." There were muffled exclamations of shock around the room.

The aged man raised a hand for silence. " Allow me to explain: From around 0500 hours, I've been hearing this voice in my head, as have all of my chiefs of staff. Everything they have said has come true and they have, by passing information to world leaders, saved an estimated 20 million lives worldwide. Be assured, if they wished us harm, we would already be dead. The monsters out there - those are the enemy."

Taki's eyes widened. He was transported back in memory to that moment he had died. WAKE UP, the voice had said. His eyes met Natsuki's from across the room and he knew, instantly, that she had heard something too. Had they both died and been reawakened back into this world?

"An initiative is being announced," the prime minister continued, "the most rapid mobilization of forces in our country. And while the military is committed to the effort on a world-wide and national scale, we ask that you at home do what you can locally to defend against this otherworldly threat. We are calling on all citizens to do their duty, no matter how intimidating that may be. For now, that is all. Good day and let's all do our best."

The students were in an uproar.

"What the hell does he mean?"

"He's hearing voices in his head!? Why are we listening to someone like that?"

"This is bullshit. I've got to go back home."

Suddenly, there was a voice. It wasn't the one Taki had heard before. This voice didn't sound concerned. It was more...commanding:

You must defend your home. Do not be afraid - we will help you become strong. To do that, you must fight.

And then it was gone.

All of the students looked around at each other, afraid that they had been the only one to hear it.

Natsuki was the first to speak up. "So, you all heard that, right?"

Everyone reluctantly nodded their heads.

"Good, so either there's an alien invasion and one side claims to want to help us or we're all crazy." She tossed her platinum blonde hair. "I'm going to assume we're not crazy." She winked at Taki, "Not all of us, at least."

Just then, their teacher cleared his throat. "If you all could, please form teams of four. According to the plans set forth by the government and our...new allies, we will begin a strategic retaking of the town.

There were audible gasps around the room. One clearly nervous student raised a hand. "What if I have a doctor's note that says I can't do anything physically strenuous?"

The teacher rolled his eyes. The answer was already clear.