July 4
A group has gathered outside as fighter pilots prepare an attack against one of the alien ships.
President Whitmore grabs a microphone.
"Good morning. In less than an hour aircraft from here will join others from around the world and you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. Mankind. That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests.
Perhaps it's fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom. Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution. But from annihilation. We're fighting for our right to live. To exist. And should we win today, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday but as the day that all of mankind declared in one voice we will not go quietly into the night. We will not vanish without a fight. We're going to live on. We're going to survive. Today we celebrate our Independence Day."
Soon, the President joined the pilots in the air. The assault was a complete failure. Casualties were enormous. Amongst the dead were
Dudd and
McAvoy, who were
human. One of them was reportedly shot down by friendly fire.
"Let's kick the tires and light the fires, big daddy!"
-- Captain Jimmy Wilder
"The only mistake I ever made was to appoint a sniveling little weasel like you Secretary of Defense. However, that is a mistake, I am happy to say, that I don't have to live with. Mr. Nimzicki... you're fired."
-- President Thomas J. Whitmore
Night will fall on Sunday night.