The attack on Hills Port was an isolated event. Some buildings were destroyed, and there were a few injuries, but no one was killed. Nevertheless, the militia maintained its vigilance.

The robotics team accelerated their efforts. They completed another Krept unit, and sent it to Hills Port, to strengthen their defense.

Days shortened and darkened. The first snow arrived, and a festive atmosphere befell Plumgrove. Despite the looming War, the town observed all of its cherished traditions.

The Fairpoole family invited Delia to their Yuletide celebration. Daddy insisted, knowing she would otherwise be by herself. It was good fortune for the coming year to host a lonely person.

Delia accepted, and it was one of the best holiday gatherings ever.

Weeks flew by, and a chill settled over the valley. The warm clothing Nana made was put to good use. Snow drifted against the sides of houses and barns, layered against fence rails and stone walls. Icicles as long as bayonets fringed the rooftops, and reached like fingers from the lamp posts along Main Street.

Winter in Plumgrove was the best time to be a kid. Lily played outside a lot more with her siblings, and the other children in town.

She turned ten years old, as the muted sunlight of early spring thawed the frozen earth.

The shifting of the seasons brought change, and nothing would be the same again.

It came at dawn, without warning. A synchronized attack, on every capital city still obstinate to the Kaezer. The last free nations crumbled before the fist, sword, and gear of the enemy banner. Within hours, it waved over them all.

The message broadcast across the globe issued one command. "Surrender. The Kaezer is your leader. Bend the knee, or face annihilation."

It came to be known as Black Sky Day, because the sooty exhaust of the robots darkened all hope.

However, the skies over Plumgrove were clear, as she and Daddy hurried to headquarters. They reached the station, and met the somber expressions of Delia and the team. All were fixated on the image above Delia's wrist.

"You need to see this," Gabriel said.

The hologram displayed was of their own leader, President Hollander. He was terrified, humbled to shame, with a pistol against his head.

"And who is the great leader, Hir Hollander?" a heavily accented voice asked. "Please repeat, so that all people will hear the truth."

The pistol clicked.

President Hollander winced. "The Kaezer is the great leader, from this day forth."

"Thank you for serving your purpose. All victory to Hir Kaezer."

Daddy shielded Lily's view as the gunshot cracked.

She gasped, and clung to his arm.

"Are you okay, Sunshine?"

She nodded, overcome with shock.

His hand shivered against her own.

The Kaezer now ruled the known world. With their President assassinated, Amerixca's infrastructure collapsed.

Captain Rutherford called the militia to the yard. All were armed, and ready to defend. The robotic fleet stood with them, and it was an awe-inspiring sight.

"War comes, but we'll be ready for it," the captain shouted. "Death to the Kaezer!" He raised his fist, and was answered with riotous ovation.

The four major towns of Harmony Valley—Hills Port, Amstelwick, Plumgrove, and Cherry Bluff—united in purpose. The captains met, and discussed their strategies. Sentries and guard posts were placed along every road and hillside trail. They dug trenches, built lookouts, and conducted daily drills. There was one viable entrance an invading force could use. It lay at the valley's mouth, near Hills Port. They barricaded the area, and posted a valiant battalion to keep watch at all hours.

The calm days that followed were a charade. It seemed like any other springtime. The farmers should have been pruning their orchards, and tilling the ground. Instead, they cleaned their guns, and stocked their cellars for the imminent struggle.

All communication with outside towns revealed that the Kaezer advanced steadily. Any who resisted were razed into submission. The armed forces of their land were devastated, along with the leaders. Only those who banded together had any sense of freedom left.

Almost two weeks after Black Sky Day, a late snow shrouded the landscape.

Lily was at the station one evening, with Daddy and the rest of the team. She sat beside Delia in a dim corner. A display visor covered her eye, revealing the code for the latest Test robot.

The snow was already knee deep. Everyone assumed that it would deter the Kaezer, as it was hard to maneuver anything through the drifts.

Right before sundown, an uncertain knock came at the door.

Arthur answered it. Tension mounted, as it might be a call to attack, or another drill.

A short, bundled figure trudged in, flecked with snowflakes, and holding a covered pot between two thick mittens. Only the child's dark eyes showed, glancing about the room over a fluffy orange scarf.

Lily recognized her brother. She removed her display, and ran to hug him. "Clarence, how did you get here through all the snow?"

He handed her the pot. "The nice men from the militia came to check on us. Mama wanted you to have some of this, so they gave me a ride in their car."

Daddy picked Clarence up, and kissed him on the forehead.

When she peeked under the lid, the most delicious smell wafted out. Chicken stew. Her stomach grumbled.

Clarence was seven now, and getting taller every day. "There's enough for everybody," he said. "Sorry, I don't have any bowls, but it's my favorite thing Mama makes. You've gotta try some."

Everyone thanked him.

Ed went to the mess hall to get some utensils.

The food warmed Lily up, and brought smiles to tired faces. All was quiet, with everyone enjoying the company.

Then, a wave of deafening force swept through. Glass burst against the window coverings.

Delia threw her arms around Lily, shielding her.

Lily couldn't see, but felt Delia trembling.

Fierce voices bellowed outside. "It's the Kaezer. To arms!"

Another explosion rocked the station, knocking tools and parts from the walls. Several more rumbled in the distance.

Bombs dropped all over town, as the scream of sirens pierced the cold air.

Her legs wobbled, and she grasped Delia's hand to stand up.

Daddy looked grim. "Miss Swann, may my children stay here, until we return?"

"Of course," Delia said. Her voice was hoarse, almost a whisper.

The adults gathered their weapons, and donned their helmets.

Daddy knelt before Lily. "Keep the door locked, no matter what, and wait here for me."

"I understand," she said, trying to sound brave.

Clarence's cheeks were damp. "Okay, Daddy."

Daddy nearly crushed them with a hug. He went to a rack in the corner, retrieved his rifle, and handed it to her. "Do you remember how to use it, Sunshine?"

"Yes." She was cold, even with her brother's arms thrown around her.

"Good. Hopefully, you won't need it." Daddy looked back, one last time, and his voice wavered. "I love you both." He closed the door, and it locked with an abrupt click.

"What about Mama, and Nana?" Clarence asked. "And Aimee, and Grace, too?"

Lily clutched the rifle tightly. "We'll just have to wait, until Daddy can reach them."

Clarence was restless, and tried to peek out the windows.

"Get over here," she said. "We have to stay out of sight."

He looked at the ground. "I'm scared. I heard some people talking in town. They said the Kaezer takes kids away from their parents, and puts everyone in prison. Is that true?"

"I don't know." She shuddered.

Clarence had a peaceful, expressive soul. He'd never cried much as a baby, and never picked a fight with her, or her sisters.

She wanted to distract him from his fear.

The test robot beeped from the corner, and gave her an idea.

She set the rifle carefully against the wall, and strapped on one of the transmitter gloves.

"What are you doing?" Clarence asked.

"You'll see." She walked to the center of the room. "Stand next to me. You have to give them some space."

He obeyed, watching with wide, hollow eyes.

Another distant explosion startled them.

Lily straightened her shoulders. "We don't have to be afraid, we have a friend. Test."

The robot chimed its acknowledgment.

She whistled, and waved her gloved hand. "Come."

Test responded. It was on battery power only, which was standard during programming.

"Is this one of the robots you helped to build?" Clarence asked.

"Sure is. I assisted Delia with the operating system, and I constructed the central processing lattice, too."

'Wow." Clarence put a hand on Test's leg, admiring it.

This unit wasn't ready for combat. The attack protocol existed, but she wasn't sure if the weaponry was functional. She could still amuse Clarence with it, and made Test perform a few simple tricks for entertainment. It worked for a while, but eventually lost its novelty.

"I hope Daddy comes back soon," Clarence said, watching the door. "I want to go home."

"Me, too."

They snuggled to stay warm, and fell asleep with an unfinished robot standing guard.