Story 1. Strangeness in the Borderlands

For close to a century, the officers of the United States Border Patrol have traversed the foothills and valleys of the Otai Mesa,

located in California's San Diego County.

But in addition to contending with an endless stream of individuals attempting to illegally enter

the United States, these agents have sometimes

encountered intruders of a far more inexplicable nature. You're going to be. And the And then. You're going to be. The agent watched on through his imaging scope as the other three members of his team quickly made their way across the valley floor below.

As they readied themselves to execute their hastily planned ambush,

he continued to provide regular updates in relation to the progress of their quarry.

Further along the trail, a group of people had illegally crossed the Mexican border

and were steadily progressing deeper into US territory.

The scope itself was ex-military and had previously been incorporated into a tank turret.

Now it was unceremoniously wedged into the rear of a pickup, gifted to the border patrol

as it was no longer needed by the army.

Whilst lacking definition it was still reliable enough to make out the thermal signature of anything larger than an average size dog,

and its current readout suggested that the group under observation contained around 30 individuals.

When the last of his fellow agents radioed up that they were in position, the trap was finally set. All that was left now was to wait for the perfect time to engage the approaching targets.

Border Patrol agents were always outnumbered, so speed and surprise were vital. Only the handlers of these migrants were ever likely

to offer resistance. Identifying and apprehending those individuals first was key to success.

Several minutes passed before the men down in the valley requested an update.

Peering through the scope, the agent replied that they must have been spotted,

as the group had now come to a halt.

His message was met with an indignant reply.

...