Kudzu

Dr. JJ Bookman is an exobiologist, on his way to Tallahassee to plan future research, but everything is down. No electricity or cell service. He finds a hotel that takes cash, and he waits for the gas stations to get power. The room is an oven, so he sits in the car until the mosquitoes drive him inside. A military humvee enters the hotel lot and stops behind a car. The Sergeant, in full battle gear and grenades, checks the first tag. With a shake of his head, the Private pulls to the next car, the next, and then JJ's.

JJ rolls up his window.

The Marine Sergeant checks JJ's tag. His gaze shifts from the tag to the clipboard three times.

The Marines exit their vehicle, rifles ready, and the Sergeant says, "Get out," and nearly breaks JJ's window with the butt of his rifle.

The Marine drag him out, throw him into the Humvee, and drive to a secret facility because the Marines need someone who speaks 'alien.' Except that's not JJ.