floating

Patricia was used to people looking down at her -- literally. Puberty and growth spurts had passed her by with barely a glance, leaving her 4'10" and just shy of 90 lbs. "Trixie the Pixie", they called her in high school. Boys treated her like a disposable sex toy. Girls saw her as an object of pity and scorn, when they weren't just stuffing her into lockers. Her intellect, talents, and assertive personality went unnoticed, wrapped up in such a tiny package. But Patricia was determined not to let her body's failings define her destiny.

   No one had anticipated their arrival, and no one moved quickly enough to stop it. "They" had descended onto earth and, without a word, began dismantling every military on Earth. Those who resisted or attacked were vaporized. The alien things looked like car-sized stars, floating steadily on their obtuse bodies. All humans had come to let the creatures alone, all but one, one woman who was determined to find every weapon still available and use them in an often dreamed-of war.

"Okay, heisters, we've got a lead on the scientist.  She's working on a private island a mile off shore - guess those research grants can get you some cushy labs.  You're heading in by boat; once you're there, find the scientist and her little project and bring them back here in one piece.  I've got an idea for lifting them off the island."

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