Haverford knew from his radio contracts he
was the last man alive on Earth. His death was
certain—for the enemy numbered trillions, a—
Homecoming Horde
By Robert Silverberg
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy
August 1958
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
The room was sealed as tightly as possible. Haverford had checked it for cracks, made sure the windows were caulked, and now kept constant guard. He was alone. He could never tell when the alien invaders would break through.
I must be nearly the last, he thought. It was strange, this feeling of being alone on Earth. But it was probably true.
The aliens had come six days before. Haverford remembered picking up their ultimatum on his ham set:—
EARTHMEN, THE LANTHAII ARE COMING. BEWARE!
That was all it had been—an ominous warning, rather than a threat or an order. The way the message had been worded left little doubt that they were conquerors—conquerors from space.