01/05/2026
MEMO
From: Agent John Beck
To: Asst. Dir. Tyson Reed
Re: Missing Geek
Classification: Top Secret
Asst. Dir. Reed,
Per your request, the unredacted police report concerning the incident splashed all over today’s news. The main line of speculation out there today is that Tobias Salt, age 17, was abducted by aliens. It might explain the amnesia affecting his friends, they say, and the ultraviolet light exposure that left them all a bit on the crispy side. You and I know this isn’t the way The Grays operate. Something much stranger than E.T. is involved here. Take a look, let me know how you want me to handle it. Maybe this will ring a bell for you.
Beck
Enclosed
Attachment: Omaha_PD_Report.pdf
WARNING: This email and any attachments may contain sensitive, confidential, or classified information protected under federal law, including but not limited to 18 U.S.C. § 793 (Gathering, transmitting or losing defense information). Unauthorized access, use, disclosure, distribution, or reproduction is strictly prohibited and may result in civil or criminal penalties. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of this message.
—
Omaha Police Department
To Protect and Serve
Police Report
Case Reference: MP-2026-1-009
Filing Date: January 5, 2026
Lead Officer: Henrietta Brinkman
Event: Missing Person
Event Date: January 1, 2026
Event Time: 00:00
Event Location: Zorinsky Lake Park, North Trailhead Shelter #6
…
Assistant Director Reed read the police report attentively, set it on his desk, grabbed a cup of coffee, picked it up, and read it again.
“Why the hell did they redact this?” He muttered to himself, sputtering a bit of coffee on his display. Of all the things to redact, this police report contained nothing interesting. A handful of goofy teenagers, all of them nerds in elaborate costumes, confused about what happened. A few small board games that seemed to be part of a collection. Figurines. Dice of various shapes.
Beck’s hopes would be dashed, unfortunately. Not one bit of this rang a bell for him.
—
“Strangest thing I’ve seen all year!”
“The year started this morning!”
“Then I’m not wrong!” Insisted Ugo, the town drunk, between a loud gulp and a louder burp.
“No, but your claim is nothing special,” replied the taverner.
“Nothing special? Nothing special?? Guido, when was the last time you stumbled upon a naked man surrounded by dancing fish?”
“Well, I can’t admit to ever having done that, but that hardly makes it miraculous, Ugo.”
“Fresh fish, hopping all about, on dry land, on top of a mountain?”
“They could’ve come from the lake.”
“They could’ve … what? Did the naked man carry them? How’d he keep them alive?”
“Dunno. Maybe in a big bowl of water.”
“There was no bowl! More than that, there was no water!”
“Maybe there was beer!” Came a shout from across the tavern. “That seems to keep you alive!”
The room burst out in laughter. Ugo frowned.
“I tell you, strangest thing I’ve seen all year.”
“Maybe, Ugo,” answered Guido with a grin. “We’ll see if it’s the strangest thing the abbot’s seen. Leave it to the man of learning. He’ll know what’s up.”
___
Make it this far? Want more? Let me know!
