Leena's Declaration
Brittney couldn’t contain her excitement as Evan maneuvered the hover car through the streets of Zora. “Look how beautiful it is Evan.” She said as she leaned out the window and took in a whiff of the strong smell of the flowers. Evan smiled keeping his eyes on the road so his wife wouldn’t see his amusement. “Can you believe this? Imaginess has never looked this good. Even my serum has nothing on this.” She looked at him and noticed that he was smiling. “You think this is funny don’t you?”
“No not at all.” He said faking a frown but he couldn’t do it for long before he burst into a small fit of laughter. “It’s just that ever since I’ve known you, every single time we come to Zora you marvel at how beautiful it is.”
Brittney looked back out the window again dreamily but calm. “It’s just that for so many years this place was so dull and dry the vegetation so overgrown. When I came along things changed so much but not even my serum was able to make it this beautiful.”
Evan smiled again. He had heard this speech from his wife so many times since he had met her four years ago but he had never tired of the excitement and enthusiasm that came over her every time they visited this place.
Evan reached across and grabbed his wife’s hand rubbing his thumb along the smooth skin. “I’m so glad things have worked out so well here.”
Brittney nodded agreeing “Thanks to Jatar and his experiments Imaginess is perfectly safe. As long as the humans keep their thoughts peaceful during their stay here they keep in control but as soon as a humans brainwaves become hostile toward an Imaginese they come under the Zotac’s control and she can punish them accordingly.”
“How much longer do you think it will be before his new serums done?”
“The one that protects Imaginese from Juptan control? For all we know he could be finished with it. I guess we’ll know when we get to the mansion.”
Leena entered the polar out of breath “Finally you’re here. I thought you would never come.” Brittney ran to great her aged mother, well not her real mother for her mother and father had dyed tragically many years ago, but this woman had taken her into her home when she was thirteen while she began her research for the plant growing serum.
“It’s been a long year but we could never miss the annual 4th of July party, mother.” Leena smiled at her daughter.
“So can I ever expect any little Turner’s to run through the halls of this mansion.”
Brittney’s face darkened and she glanced across the room at Evan. He gave her an encouraging nod and she turned back to her mother. “I went to see the doctor last week. He said he doesn’t think I’ll be able to have children.”
“I’ll have Dr. Utopia take a look at you.” Leena put in stubbornly.
“Mom,” Brittney protested, “He won’t find anything that my doctor didn’t. My doctor knows my history and has studied under one of the best Imaginese doctors in Pookum. He said that the Quaple I got all those years ago damaged my reproductive system. I can’t have children.”
“You can still let him take a look at you.”
“Alright, if it will make you feel better.”
Just then two men one 20 and the other in his early 40’s entered. “Brittney!” said the older man going to give her a hug.
“Father! Wilhelm!” she gave her younger adopted brother a hug as well.
“Well how was the trip?”
“It went smoothly, Dad, it always is you don’t need to worry I’ve been taking this trip for years. I know all the stops.” Her husband Evan came up and put his arms around her now.
“Yeah Mattim don’t worry she knows more about those trips then I do.” Mattim knew this man had his daughter well taken care of.
“So Wilhelm, how ‘bout you? When are you going to find a woman to settle down with?”
“Don’t rush me Brit, I’ll settle down when I meet the right girl. Besides you’re one to talk you didn’t get married until you were nearly thirty.”
“Hey, I had my brother to worry about you know that.”
“How is Joseph doing anyway?” Mattim spoke up.
“He’s doing good. Can’t make up his mind when it comes to girls but he’s pretty successful when it comes to work.”
“Why didn’t he come with you?” Asked Wilhelm, he’d always looked up to Joseph when he had lived on Imaginess but as soon as he had turned twenty he had bolted back to Earth and hadn’t returned.
Brittney couldn’t stand the thought of telling him the truth: That Joseph couldn’t stand Imaginess and had come to blame Leena for the death of the man he had come to call father. A man that Brittney had loved as a father as well.
“Well,” Leena interrupted Brittney’s thoughts “I’m sure you two are tired. Brittney, I set up your old room if the two of you would like to go and get some rest.”
“Thanks mother.” She reached down and grabbed her suit case and Evan did the same then she turned to leave the room.
“Brittney?” Leena stopped her, “As soon as your rested I would like to talk to you in my office on a matter of business.”
Brittney looked at her mother for a moment confused. She couldn’t read the look in her mothers eyes but her mother gave her a reassuring smile and said, “It’s nothing bad just something I’d like to discuss with you when you’re ready.” Brittney nodded and followed her husband out of the room.
Brittney tapped lightly on the door to her mother’s office. It was nearly an hour later and though Brittney had tried to get some rest her curiosity kept her from sleeping. Finally she had resorted to applying some fresh makeup and went to find her mother.
A gentle call from inside the room bid her open the door and she stepped in smiling at her mother as she entered.
“Ah Brittney have a seat.” Brittney seated herself in one of the soft chairs across from Leena’s desk. “Don’t look so worried, dear. As I said it’s nothing bad.”
“So what is it then?”
Leena came around her desk and sat on the window sill beside Brittney. “As you know me and your father are getting old and we are thinking of retiring.”
“Retiring! You can’t do that the people need you. This is the coolest job in the universe you can’t just retire.”
“I can if you and Evan take over. You don’t have any kids to complicate things.” Leena let her words sink into Brittney for a moment and when they did she jumped up shouting her protests
“WHAT! What about Wilhelm.”
“I’ve already discussed this with him and he agrees that you’re the best one for the job.”
Brittney fell back into her seat. That didn’t sound like Wilhelm at all. All he’d ever talked about as a kid was what he was going to do when he got to rule Imaginess. She leaned forward again as another thought surfaced. “What about the people? You always taught us that the choices you make have to do with what’s best for the people.”
“Of course.”
“Well mom I don’t think the people would approve of a human running this planet. I mean look at the stuff they’ve done to the hotel. I don’t think it’s going to be standing much longer. And why do you think they’re doing that? It’s not because they don’t like you.”
“It’s only some of them.”
“Even so mom I don’t want to take that chance.” With that she stood and stormed out of the room not giving her mother another chance to respond.
Brittney wasn’t quite sure where she was headed but as soon as she arrived she knew why she was there. She glanced down at the pristine waters of the outdoor pool and glanced around for a moment to see if anyone else was about. A servant was washing windows farther down but otherwise no one was about. She moved to the wall and grabbed one of the cleaning nets off the wall and moved back to the water. She slapped the net on the water three times and returned it too its place on the wall.
She then returned to the side of the pool removing her shoes and socks and rolling up her pant legs she stuck her feet in the water kicking them gently. A shadow moved in the water and she smiled, a moment later she jumped to her feet as a spray of water hit her square in the face. She screamed and then broke into a fit of laughter as she lowered herself back to the wet pool deck. “Hello Delphis.” She greeted patting her dolphin friend gently on the nose. She remembered that she had stuck a peppermint in her pocket back on Earth and fished it out of her pocket and unwrapped it. She threw it too him and he caught. He was shocked at its minty taste and dropped it into the water. After a moment he decided that he liked it and dove down after it.
Brittney laughed when he surfaced having swallowed it whole. “I’ve missed you Delphis.” She said rubbing his nose. The dolphin gave a series of clicks and whistles and Brittney nodded she had been surprised when after learning the language of Neptune she was able to understand Delphis. While it was a slightly different dialect she was able to understand it with some work and had now become quite fluent in both speaking and understanding.
“I am upset.” She said in Neptunee.
“What’s wrong?” He chirped
“It’s mother she wants me to rule Imaginess instead of Wilhelm. I just wish I could make her understand Delphis. It’s not that I don’t want the job it’s just that I don’t want to make the people upset. What am I going to do”
“You could always refuse.”
“Yeah I could do that but that would just make her mad.”
“You could dump her in here and let me give her a piece of my mind.” Brittney laughed but then became serious again. “She’s taking the idea to the council today to see what they say”
“Are you worried?”
“No I’m not worried they’ll say no and she’ll except because as she always says ‘it’s the people that matter.’”
“What about Wilhelm?”
“See that’s why what’s got me most confused. It’s always been Wilhelm who was going to do it I was never even a consideration. The people love him too and he’s a Imaginese which helps a lot. But apparently he’s ok with this. I hope this doesn’t become bigger than it needs to be.”
“There you are!” Evan’s voice made her jump and she turned toward him. “I’ve been looking all over for you. What are you doing?”
She turned back to see that Delphis had disappeared his shadow disappearing into a hole on the other side of the pool. “Nothing, just soaking my feet in the water and thinking.”
Evan sat down beside her kicking off his socks and shoes and dipping his feet in the water. “So what did your mother want?”
“Nothing much, it’s just a big misunderstanding that will get sorted out soon enough.”
“Oh really!” Evan looked into her eyes and she turned away, “that’s not what your eyes say.”
Brittney sighed. “Linda and Matthew are retiring.” She said using their Earth names which Evan knew could only mean she was more irritated than she was letting on. “They want us to rule in their place.”
“What! That can’t be right.”
“It is and apparently Wilhelm agrees it’s the right thing to do.”
“Don’t worry Brit, she won’t get away with this, the council will never agree.”
Leena sat at the table surrounded by her advisers they had covered almost everything on her agenda and the agendas of those around her, everything except her big announcement. Now the counsel stared at her as if trying to decide whether or not she was serious but when she repeated the announcement a look of complete seriousness on her face the room erupted with protests
“My command is that my daughter Brit will become the leader of Imaginess when I retire.” The council erupted with protests
Japhin looked at her aghast “I’m sorry Leena but the people will never allow it.” The others in the councel nodded their agreement murmuring among themselves
“I didn’t ask if they would allow it, I’m commanding that Brit become leader after me.”
“But Leena she’s human.”
“Do you think that I don’t know that?”
“Of course you know ma’am.” He said trying to keep calm and respectful before his leader but already he was raging. “It’s just that people may start thinking that you’re becoming a human lover.”
Leena glared at him now “I am not a human lover I just want what’s best for my daughter.”
Anger boiled within Japhin forcing him on his feet as the council exchanged whispers among themselves “And in the process you’re destroying this planet.” Shouted Japhin pointing his finger accusingly at Leena, “you are being selfish.”
The words hit their mark and dug deeply into Leena’s self-esteem. Leena rose to her feet, planted her hands firmly on the table and leaned forward her voice rising “I am not selfish and my daughter will rule.” The council became quiet, dead quiet, all eyes were on her now. She leaned back recovering from her outburst “anyone else have anything to say.” No one dared to say a word “good. Then it’s official my daughter will rule starting the beginning of next year.”
Japhin scowled and dared to speak once again “You’re making a big mistake Ma’am.”
“Thank you Japhin for that advice.” Leena said brushing off his comment and changing the subject, “Now remember you are all invited to my annual 4th of July party. Hope to see you all there. Counsel dismissed.”
“What I can’t believe it, they accepted.” Brittney, Evan, Mattim, Wilhelm and Leena were all sitting in the polar. “I’m going to run the planet.” She turned to Wilhelm “What do you think of this Will.”
Will shrugged “I think it’s the right thing to do. I have to say I was surprised. But mother makes some good points. You have nothing weighing you down Brit.”
“Neither do you.” She said leaning down near where he was sitting and looking into his eyes.
Will was quiet and suddenly Brittney understood. This wasn’t what he wanted at all. He still wanted to rule but he wanted to please his mother even more. Brittney was silenced by this revelation. She straightened herself staring at him
“Well then.” Stated Leena oblivious to what had just occured “It’s all settled then Brittney you better start packing your bags if you’re going to learn anything before the end of the year. I’m going to bed.” With that she left the room followed by her husband.
Brittney put her head in her hands. Evan scooted over to her side and pulled her close to him “You don’t want the job do you?” He asked. Brittney shook her head.
“That’s not it,” she looked up “Something just doesn’t seem right. This job is yours Will it always has been since you were little it’s always been said that you would one day rule. I can’t take it from you and I can tell you still want this.”
Will looked away
“My first act as Zotac will be to give the job to you.”
“You can’t do that.” Shouted Wilhelm
“Why not if I don’t the people will rebel.”
“If your mom doesn’t change her mind soon” Said Evan “they may rebel before that.”
A mist filled Leena’s sleeping brain and voices and pictures flitted through her head. This wasn’t the first time she had dreamed like this she had had dreams often when she was younger but it had been years since she had had one.
A scene flitted though her mind the scene was of her talking to the advisers and telling them that they didn’t have a choice. Then it went black and a familiar voice filled the stillness
“Leena, you must be the best Imaginese you can be. We understand if you make mistakes everyone makes mistakes but know this, if you put yourself before others you will never be able to see us and instead all of your world will fall to pieces around you…fall to pieces around you…around you…around you.” The voices seemed to bounce off the walls of her mind and made it difficult for her to tell where it was coming from. “You will have many choices in your life do your best to choose the right ones…right ones…right ones.” A man stepped out of the shadows then “Do these words sound familiar my daughter.”
“Of course they do they were the warning you gave me the first time I met you. How could I forget?” Leena crossed three sets of arms in front of her not sure what her father was striving at.
“So you haven’t forgotten them I thought for sure you had or maybe you have chosen to ignore them.” Her father sounded angry or maybe just disappointed she wasn’t sure
“No!” she said not bothering to hide her own irritation
“But you have made a most selfish declaration” Gaylin pointed out, “and if you don’t make things right your world may very well turn upside down.”
“I don’t have to take this.” Leena turned her back toward her father and put her hands over her ears as she said, “I’m tired of listening to you. You are a dream your not my real father you’re a figment of my imagination and I don’t think your stupid prophesy is ever going to come true either. I may have listened to you as a kid but I’m done. Brittney will become leader and the people will just have to deal with that fact. Now go away and don’t ever bother me again.”
There was silence behind her and Leena glanced over her shoulder to see if he was even still there. He stood there a look of pain etched deeply in his face. A lump caught in her throat as she realized what she’d said but she was too stubborn to apologize. Finally Gaylin spoke again. “It isn’t my prophesy Leena. It’s Kohath’s.”
Leena swallowed but refused to show that the words were hitting their mark. She gained her composure and threw another biting remark at him. “Well then why doesn’t he come and talk to me himself?”
Gaylin shook his head. “Kohath works in mysterious ways. He never works the way we want him to or think he should.”
Leena scoffed, “Yeah that’s what I thought. Why don’t you go bother someone else’s dreams?”
Her father didn’t respond but just faded into the mist. Then the voice of her mother called out from the darkness that had suddenly enveloped her. “I will miss you my daughter and I’m sorry that I will never get to meet you.”
“Wait what do you mean Mom I didn’t send you away just Dad. I like you Dad’s just so demanding come back. MOM!” She sat down in the middle of the blackness and began to cry then her mind went black and she saw no more.
Leena woke up with a jolt and glanced around the room. Mattim lay beside her undisturbed by her dreaming. She climbed out of bed and grabbed her robe off a chair and moved down the hall until she came to a balcony overhanging a courtyard. The wind had picked up and the morning mist was beginning to settle as the sun began to peek above the horizon. She took in a breath of the morning air. It smelled fresh and beautiful as always but even the air wouldn’t remove the haunting feeling from her mind.
As the sun rose higher in the sky the full impact of what she had done began to weigh on her mind causing her to fall to her knees and cry out to the quiet courtyard. “Kohath, what have I done? Please forgive me.” A gentle breeze brushed her hair and she knew that Kohath had forgiven her but as she glanced up once more at the rising sun she knew that it was too late she would have to pay for her poor decision. Death was in the air.
Brittney slipped out of her room she was unable to sleep after having a disturbing dream. A man had come and told her that she had to get off the planet before the 4th of July. Her mother had failed he said and now she was going to have to pay for her selfishness. The thought disturbed her but it was only a dream that had probably been induced by the stressed feelings she was having over her mother’s decision.
The sun was beginning to rise as Brittney moved through the mansion she passed one of the courtyard doors and heard a gentle moan she stopped in her tracks and moved to the door glancing outside to the balcony. There sat Leena curled into a tight ball and sobbing. Brittney threw open the doors and ran to her mother’s side.
“Mother what’s wrong?”
Leena looked up at her and tried to get a grip. Finally she got a hold of herself and stood to her feet brushing away the tears. “Nothing I’m fine. What are you doing up so early anyway? Not even the servants are here yet.”
“I had a nightmare and couldn’t sleep.”
Leena glanced at her strangely then asked. “What did you dream?”
Brittney hesitated. “I dreamed that a man came and told me to go back to Earth I think he was afraid there was going to be a disaster or something. He was kind of a nut job.”
“What did he look like?”
“He had long brown hair kind of scraggly and wore really old fashioned clothes, his eyes looked kind of sad when he spoke.” Brittney related surprised at how well she was able to remember the man from her dreams.
Leena turned toward Brittney again and she looked nearly panicked. “You must do what he says Brittney. You and your husband must leave at once. I’ve made a mistake that I regretfully can’t fix and now I must pay for it. But you must leave immediately you aren’t safe here. It was a mistake to think that you or any other human belonged here. Your place is on Earth now go.”
Brittney didn’t know what to say so she did the only thing she could ran back to her room her mothers words ringing in her ears. “Evan, we must leave immediately.”
“You wanted to see me Japhin?” A beautiful woman with pure gold hair and the slenderest features of anyone on Imaginess had ever seen stood in the doorway nervously as Japhin turned to great her.
“Yes my dear I did.” Japhin said moving toward her, grabbing both of her hands in his and pulling her into the room. Wella relaxed as he pulled her down beside him feeling safe at his nearness.
“What’s going on?” She asked in her gentle voice placing her hand gently on his arm and sending a shiver up his spine. She was completely unaware of her power over him so clueless as to anything having to do with men. Which made her all the more perfect for him.
Japhin gained control enough to answer her question, “Leena has gone mad she is commanding that her daughter Brittney become ruler after her.”
“But she’s a human.” Wella stated her beautiful eyes widening at the thought.
“Exactly, that’s what I told her but she wouldn’t listen.”
“GRRRR, that makes me so mad.” She growled standing and pacing the room. This was another reason Japhin liked her. She was timid on the surface but deep inside she was greatly opinionated, only he knew how to unlock the beast within her. “Why does she think that she can do things like that?” Wella continued to fume, “I mean letting humans come here for vacations and sightseeing and building Hotels and museums for their amusement is one thing but then making a human ruler of the planet that’s going overboard.”
Japhin smiled “I agree and I personally won’t stand for it.”
“What are you going to do?” she said crossing her arms in front of her.
“Destroy them we can’t let them get away with this. She’s invited me to the Porth of Tuly party or whatever it’s called…”
Wella interrupted him “She never holds Friendship Day parties and she invented that holiday and what about Techno, or albino day all the great Imaginese holidays and she never celebrates them anymore.”
“Exactly that’s why we attack on that day.”
“What if she renounces the declaration?”
“I’m tired of letting her think she can use us. Leena’s time is up. We strike either way. Meanwhile you get close to the boy.”
“What? What boy?” she said sitting down beside him again.
“Wilhelm of course get close to him and find out their weaknesses anything you can find that will help us take them down.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Sure you can, you’re an amazing looking woman all it will take is a couple bats of those eyelashes and one glance into those beautiful eyes and your set.”
Japhin leaned over to kiss her to prove his point and brushed his hand gently down the side of her face and down her arm.
“I’ll try.”
“That’s my girl.” He leaned over to kiss her again and helped her to her feet. She turned to leave but he called out, “Oh and Wella don’t forget your engaged to me.”
Wella turned back and smiled at him. “Of course, Japhin, how could I forget?”
Monday, June 21, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Rebellion (Preview and Synopsis)
Synopsis:
Peace has reigned supreme for the last twenty years now and the Baker family couldn’t be happier. Brittney’s coming home for 4th of July and it seems the whole planet is preparing for the festivities. But under the surface an evil is brewing that threatens to undo everything that Linda has worked so hard to accomplish. Then she makes an announcement that unleashes the terror that she has tried so hard to hold back and now she has no choice but to send both her son and her daughter away before they too are harmed by her decision.
Wilhelm and his new girl, Wella, go into hiding but refuse to leave the planet. Wella thinks she knows a way to stop the rebellion before anyone is hurt but in the end they only find themselves in danger just as Linda had foreseen. Death is in the air as darkness falls upon the land. There is only one hope for the future and it lies within Wella.
Preview:
Punt came out with the potion and handed it to Japhin. “Now be careful whose cup you put it into. It’s strong and will most likely kill instantly.” Punt lifted a finger to shake at the young Voy standing before him. “If my daughter gets any of this you’d better leave the planet because if you stay on this planet you won’t live for very long.” Japhin took the small glass bottle with an arm from his stomach and pulled it inside himself.
“Don’t worry, Punt, you’re daughter won’t even be at the party.” With that he pulled on his coat and walked out the door.
Peace has reigned supreme for the last twenty years now and the Baker family couldn’t be happier. Brittney’s coming home for 4th of July and it seems the whole planet is preparing for the festivities. But under the surface an evil is brewing that threatens to undo everything that Linda has worked so hard to accomplish. Then she makes an announcement that unleashes the terror that she has tried so hard to hold back and now she has no choice but to send both her son and her daughter away before they too are harmed by her decision.
Wilhelm and his new girl, Wella, go into hiding but refuse to leave the planet. Wella thinks she knows a way to stop the rebellion before anyone is hurt but in the end they only find themselves in danger just as Linda had foreseen. Death is in the air as darkness falls upon the land. There is only one hope for the future and it lies within Wella.
Preview:
Punt came out with the potion and handed it to Japhin. “Now be careful whose cup you put it into. It’s strong and will most likely kill instantly.” Punt lifted a finger to shake at the young Voy standing before him. “If my daughter gets any of this you’d better leave the planet because if you stay on this planet you won’t live for very long.” Japhin took the small glass bottle with an arm from his stomach and pulled it inside himself.
“Don’t worry, Punt, you’re daughter won’t even be at the party.” With that he pulled on his coat and walked out the door.
Earth Under Attack (Chapter 6)
Peace
It was quiet for quite some time as the Cuthbert’s sat about the living room at the farm. No one knew what to say as each sat there lost in their own thoughts. Even Maria, whose mind was filled with questions, couldn’t find a voice to ask them. Tania Cuthbert was still shaking her head in disbelief at all that had happened.
Finally Mary managed to speak. “H-has anyone called Tyler yet?”
Linda shook her head. She stood silently in the corner letting her family deal with the horror of the things that had happened to them. She had dealt with so much over the years that something this small could hardly break through her tough shell anymore.
Brittney stood up she was slightly shaken herself by what had happened but she had managed to pull herself together fairly well. “I’ll go call him.” She stated as she moved out of the room.
Not long after Tyler, Joseph and the still wounded Jatar joined the group and had listened to the story of what had happened. Jatar smiled weakly. “I wish I could have been there to help,” he said attempting to sit up, “but you all seemed to manage quite nicely.” He tried pushing himself up into a sitting position but the wound in his arm caused him to fall back onto the couch in pain. Brit ran to his side and helped him settle in. The Juptan was one of her closest friends and she couldn’t stand seeing him in pain. “Now, now Brittney,” he scolded her in Juptan a language in which she had become quite fluent in, “It’s not bad I don’t need you fussing over me and causing a scene. It’s not like I’m going to die. The most damage is in my nose and it’ll will grow back within a couple weeks…once we return to Imaginess that is.” Brittney nodded and moved away turning her attention once again to what was going on around her.
“We do have a slight problem?” Tyler was saying as he found a seat beside his twin brother. “The news has already picked up on the story. The gas station we were at had security cameras outside and it’s been running all over the news. We ran into a couple of news cars wanting to get a good picture of Jatar but we managed to avoid them. But even still the stories out and it won’t be long for them to completely dig it up and when they do I can guarantee that you will have more than your fair share of pesky scientists coming to Imaginess.”
Alita looked at Leena “Now what do we do.” Leena stood and crossed to the window at the other side of the room. “You’re the Zotac Leena surely you have something we can do?”
Still Leena didn’t say anything.
“We can’t let them come to Imaginess.”
Leena turned then. “And why can’t we?”
Silence filled the room at this statement and Alita and Rowel glanced at each other in stunned silence. Finally Rowel spoke. “You can’t be serious. They’d destroy us. The people would never allow it.”
Leena crossed two sets of arms in front of her another she put on her hips. “I’m very serious Rowel. What better way to keep the humans from invading than to give them what they want.” She turned to Jatar. “Jatar informed me a couple weeks ago that a new technology that he has been working on using his DNA has been completed. Allowing any alien that visits our planet to be completely under our control. He’s going to be working immediately on a serum that will keep Imaginese from being controlled by Juptans. Within just a few years we could have a completely fool-proof system. Besides I know how much Jatar has been itching to get some real energy food. Ever since he vowed not to control the Imaginese he hasn’t had a truly filling meal. Keeping an eye on the humans will be a full time job for him and will give him plenty of good energy to feed off of.”
“I hate to point out the obvious,” spoke up Brit, “but Jatar is kind of missing a nose.”
“So we’ll hold them off until Jatar’s fit. It won’t take longer than a couple of weeks once we get him back to Imaginess.”
Mattim came up beside his wife and put his arm around her shoulders. “I think we can pull it off. If we only open Zora to human tourists then those who disagree with what we’re doing can move to one of the other cities that are open only to native Imaginese while those who don’t mind and are more interested in humans can move to Zora.”
“Well since you already seemed to have made up your mind,” said Alita, “I only have one thing to say: If you let the humans live there then eventually they will start working their way into our societies.”
“Then we won’t let them live there. We’ll open up one hotel that is available for humans and restaurant and store owners can choose whether they want to make it available to them. Everything will stay authentic with Imaginese culture. I’ll remind you I’m only doing this for the betterment of the people. I’m just trying to avoid another war. If it was any planet other then Earth than I wouldn’t do it but humans can be easily kept under control by us. And just think about how beautiful Zora will be with so many humans walking around.”
“Well you’ve got me convinced.” Spoke up Mattim.
“Me too.” Rowel agreed
The rest of those in the room agreed and the decision was made. “We’ll hold them off for as long as possible with out fighting but once they’ve found us it’ll be done.”
Tannia made an amazing dinner for the group many of whom had never had a good human meal before. As soon as dinner was finished they prepared to leave. Tannia found Linda and pulled her aside. “I wanted to apologize to you Linda.”
“For what?”
“For not being a good mother to you.”
“Oh mom-“
“No you listen to me, ever since you found out about your heritage I haven’t been the mother I should be. I couldn’t stand the thought of losing you and so I pushed you away. I’ve tried so hard to block you from my mind and from our family.” She paused, “When those aliens captured us and threw us into that jail I thought for sure it was all over. But when you showed up…” Tannia began to cry now and Linda moved to her side taking her into her arms. Tannia pushed her away after a little while, wiped her eyes and continued, “Anyway I just wanted to tell you that I love you, Linda, and I think you as important a part in this family as anyone else.”
Linda was crying now too and she hugged her mom again. “I’m sorry too mom,” she whispered into her ear. “I should have come to visit more.”
Tannia shook her head. “You’re a busy woman. Just try to do better now.” Linda smiled. “I still want to meet that grandbaby of mine.”
“He’s not a baby anymore mom…he’s almost 8 years old.” Tannia shook her head in disbelief. “But just think by this time next year maybe you and dad can come and give us a visit.”
While Linda was saying her goodbyes to her family Brittney had taken Joseph back to his house. The house had such an eerie feel to it with out Chris there. “So what’s going to happen to me now?” He asked as he stood in the dismal hallway almost afraid to go any farther into the house.
Brittney sighed as she looked at a nice picture of Joseph and Chris that was framed in the hallway. “Your going to come to Imaginess with me now Joey.”
Mixed emotions flooded over Joseph’s face finally ending in a smile. “Really?”
“I’m the only living relative you have left Joe, and my place is on Imaginess even more so now that Linda wants to open this human hotel. I know she’s going to need my help and I’m sure she could use yours too. But you have to promise me you’ll behave.”
“I will.”
“Good go get your things.”
As he raced off to collect the things he’d need to take with him she worked her way up to Chris’s study. The eerie looking words on the wall sent a shiver up her spine. This is where he had spent the most of his time. She could tell by the piles of books and papers lining the desk she shuffled through the papers and books grabbing a few things that she wanted to take with her. She turned when she heard her brother in the doorway a large backpack stock-full and almost as big as him on his back. “You ready?” he nodded. She moved to the door stopping only long enough to grab the angel statue off the shelf and with that they left, closing the door for all eternity.
Bedula was very happy to see the true Gnik Tucker return and willingly returned the throne to him.
Leena returned to Imaginess and immediately started preparations for her plan, one that would not be put into action for many more years
Brit moved out of the mansion and into a home of her own where she lived with her little brother until he was old enough to move out and moved back to Earth, it wasn’t until then that Brit finally met a man who came to visit Imaginess and married him. After she married she went to live on Earth where she was closer to her brother and only went to Imaginess on holidays and to visit family.
Wilhelm, Leena’s young son also grew up and married a Voy woman and eventually became the leader of Imaginess when his parents died.
Rowel and Alita decided to never have children but served at the Zotac’s side until the very end of their lives. Sira and Adan loved children and over the course of their lives had three more children after Mella, Pluma who was born 2 years after Adan returned from his capture by the Utavi, Limon who was born 3 years later and was their only son and finally Kiwi, who was born 10 years after Limon and was the sweet little one that everyone loved.
Teesha never married but became a traveler of the universe and learned a lot about other life. And made lots of friends with other aliens and even went to other universes.
Shanti went to live on earth with her best friend Brit she became very accomplished in politics working as a in between for earth and Imaginess she kept earth and Imaginess from fighting as much as possible but their were always Voy that didn’t except the humans and vice versa but for the most part they were safe. Jatar continued with his research to protect Imaginess and was successful in protecting the planet from enemies so there was never a fight between two planets ever again.
The End
(Or is it….?)
It was quiet for quite some time as the Cuthbert’s sat about the living room at the farm. No one knew what to say as each sat there lost in their own thoughts. Even Maria, whose mind was filled with questions, couldn’t find a voice to ask them. Tania Cuthbert was still shaking her head in disbelief at all that had happened.
Finally Mary managed to speak. “H-has anyone called Tyler yet?”
Linda shook her head. She stood silently in the corner letting her family deal with the horror of the things that had happened to them. She had dealt with so much over the years that something this small could hardly break through her tough shell anymore.
Brittney stood up she was slightly shaken herself by what had happened but she had managed to pull herself together fairly well. “I’ll go call him.” She stated as she moved out of the room.
Not long after Tyler, Joseph and the still wounded Jatar joined the group and had listened to the story of what had happened. Jatar smiled weakly. “I wish I could have been there to help,” he said attempting to sit up, “but you all seemed to manage quite nicely.” He tried pushing himself up into a sitting position but the wound in his arm caused him to fall back onto the couch in pain. Brit ran to his side and helped him settle in. The Juptan was one of her closest friends and she couldn’t stand seeing him in pain. “Now, now Brittney,” he scolded her in Juptan a language in which she had become quite fluent in, “It’s not bad I don’t need you fussing over me and causing a scene. It’s not like I’m going to die. The most damage is in my nose and it’ll will grow back within a couple weeks…once we return to Imaginess that is.” Brittney nodded and moved away turning her attention once again to what was going on around her.
“We do have a slight problem?” Tyler was saying as he found a seat beside his twin brother. “The news has already picked up on the story. The gas station we were at had security cameras outside and it’s been running all over the news. We ran into a couple of news cars wanting to get a good picture of Jatar but we managed to avoid them. But even still the stories out and it won’t be long for them to completely dig it up and when they do I can guarantee that you will have more than your fair share of pesky scientists coming to Imaginess.”
Alita looked at Leena “Now what do we do.” Leena stood and crossed to the window at the other side of the room. “You’re the Zotac Leena surely you have something we can do?”
Still Leena didn’t say anything.
“We can’t let them come to Imaginess.”
Leena turned then. “And why can’t we?”
Silence filled the room at this statement and Alita and Rowel glanced at each other in stunned silence. Finally Rowel spoke. “You can’t be serious. They’d destroy us. The people would never allow it.”
Leena crossed two sets of arms in front of her another she put on her hips. “I’m very serious Rowel. What better way to keep the humans from invading than to give them what they want.” She turned to Jatar. “Jatar informed me a couple weeks ago that a new technology that he has been working on using his DNA has been completed. Allowing any alien that visits our planet to be completely under our control. He’s going to be working immediately on a serum that will keep Imaginese from being controlled by Juptans. Within just a few years we could have a completely fool-proof system. Besides I know how much Jatar has been itching to get some real energy food. Ever since he vowed not to control the Imaginese he hasn’t had a truly filling meal. Keeping an eye on the humans will be a full time job for him and will give him plenty of good energy to feed off of.”
“I hate to point out the obvious,” spoke up Brit, “but Jatar is kind of missing a nose.”
“So we’ll hold them off until Jatar’s fit. It won’t take longer than a couple of weeks once we get him back to Imaginess.”
Mattim came up beside his wife and put his arm around her shoulders. “I think we can pull it off. If we only open Zora to human tourists then those who disagree with what we’re doing can move to one of the other cities that are open only to native Imaginese while those who don’t mind and are more interested in humans can move to Zora.”
“Well since you already seemed to have made up your mind,” said Alita, “I only have one thing to say: If you let the humans live there then eventually they will start working their way into our societies.”
“Then we won’t let them live there. We’ll open up one hotel that is available for humans and restaurant and store owners can choose whether they want to make it available to them. Everything will stay authentic with Imaginese culture. I’ll remind you I’m only doing this for the betterment of the people. I’m just trying to avoid another war. If it was any planet other then Earth than I wouldn’t do it but humans can be easily kept under control by us. And just think about how beautiful Zora will be with so many humans walking around.”
“Well you’ve got me convinced.” Spoke up Mattim.
“Me too.” Rowel agreed
The rest of those in the room agreed and the decision was made. “We’ll hold them off for as long as possible with out fighting but once they’ve found us it’ll be done.”
Tannia made an amazing dinner for the group many of whom had never had a good human meal before. As soon as dinner was finished they prepared to leave. Tannia found Linda and pulled her aside. “I wanted to apologize to you Linda.”
“For what?”
“For not being a good mother to you.”
“Oh mom-“
“No you listen to me, ever since you found out about your heritage I haven’t been the mother I should be. I couldn’t stand the thought of losing you and so I pushed you away. I’ve tried so hard to block you from my mind and from our family.” She paused, “When those aliens captured us and threw us into that jail I thought for sure it was all over. But when you showed up…” Tannia began to cry now and Linda moved to her side taking her into her arms. Tannia pushed her away after a little while, wiped her eyes and continued, “Anyway I just wanted to tell you that I love you, Linda, and I think you as important a part in this family as anyone else.”
Linda was crying now too and she hugged her mom again. “I’m sorry too mom,” she whispered into her ear. “I should have come to visit more.”
Tannia shook her head. “You’re a busy woman. Just try to do better now.” Linda smiled. “I still want to meet that grandbaby of mine.”
“He’s not a baby anymore mom…he’s almost 8 years old.” Tannia shook her head in disbelief. “But just think by this time next year maybe you and dad can come and give us a visit.”
While Linda was saying her goodbyes to her family Brittney had taken Joseph back to his house. The house had such an eerie feel to it with out Chris there. “So what’s going to happen to me now?” He asked as he stood in the dismal hallway almost afraid to go any farther into the house.
Brittney sighed as she looked at a nice picture of Joseph and Chris that was framed in the hallway. “Your going to come to Imaginess with me now Joey.”
Mixed emotions flooded over Joseph’s face finally ending in a smile. “Really?”
“I’m the only living relative you have left Joe, and my place is on Imaginess even more so now that Linda wants to open this human hotel. I know she’s going to need my help and I’m sure she could use yours too. But you have to promise me you’ll behave.”
“I will.”
“Good go get your things.”
As he raced off to collect the things he’d need to take with him she worked her way up to Chris’s study. The eerie looking words on the wall sent a shiver up her spine. This is where he had spent the most of his time. She could tell by the piles of books and papers lining the desk she shuffled through the papers and books grabbing a few things that she wanted to take with her. She turned when she heard her brother in the doorway a large backpack stock-full and almost as big as him on his back. “You ready?” he nodded. She moved to the door stopping only long enough to grab the angel statue off the shelf and with that they left, closing the door for all eternity.
Bedula was very happy to see the true Gnik Tucker return and willingly returned the throne to him.
Leena returned to Imaginess and immediately started preparations for her plan, one that would not be put into action for many more years
Brit moved out of the mansion and into a home of her own where she lived with her little brother until he was old enough to move out and moved back to Earth, it wasn’t until then that Brit finally met a man who came to visit Imaginess and married him. After she married she went to live on Earth where she was closer to her brother and only went to Imaginess on holidays and to visit family.
Wilhelm, Leena’s young son also grew up and married a Voy woman and eventually became the leader of Imaginess when his parents died.
Rowel and Alita decided to never have children but served at the Zotac’s side until the very end of their lives. Sira and Adan loved children and over the course of their lives had three more children after Mella, Pluma who was born 2 years after Adan returned from his capture by the Utavi, Limon who was born 3 years later and was their only son and finally Kiwi, who was born 10 years after Limon and was the sweet little one that everyone loved.
Teesha never married but became a traveler of the universe and learned a lot about other life. And made lots of friends with other aliens and even went to other universes.
Shanti went to live on earth with her best friend Brit she became very accomplished in politics working as a in between for earth and Imaginess she kept earth and Imaginess from fighting as much as possible but their were always Voy that didn’t except the humans and vice versa but for the most part they were safe. Jatar continued with his research to protect Imaginess and was successful in protecting the planet from enemies so there was never a fight between two planets ever again.
The End
(Or is it….?)
Earth Under Attack (Chapter 5)
Surprising Reunions
Mattim couldn’t believe she was gone. They all stood there in stunned silence not wanting to believe that what had happened had truly happened. Rowel was the first to recover. “We have to go after her.”
“How?” His wife asked breaking out of the trance Leena had left them in.
“Well we know where she’s headed. We just need to get there.” Brit nodded and moved to her father’s side reaching up and placing her hand on his shoulder “She’s right father,” she said, “we must move forward. We’re not done here yet.”
Mattim turned anger burning in his eyes “Let’s go!”
Leena felt strange as she marched through the halls of Martian ship not even attempting to hide. She had seen ship hangers many times and knew exactly where to direct her transportation to. She marched up to the first set of Martian guards she saw and demanded to be taken to their leader.
The guards were surprised when the realized who she was and were glad to comply. She was led to a large room where a cloaked figure stood at the window with his back turned to her. His voice was rough when he spoke, “So you’ve decided to turn yourself in?” The figure didn’t turn but continued to speak as he looked out the window out over the distant earth. “After all these years I thought I would get more of fight out of you than this.”
“I demand to see my family which you captured.” The figure turned at this statement his face still covered by his hooded cloak, he was surprised by her tenacity even when he held all the cards.
He turned to one of the guards and nodded “bring her family to me.”
The Brit was still surprised at Leena for what she had decided to do as she and the three Imaginess stood walked down the halls doing their best to stay in hiding it seemed that most the soldiers were preoccupied with other things and they were able to slip though the halls fairly easily.
“I wish I understood this language better,” Brit complained, “I never did like Saturian very much, too difficult. It just figures that these would be the aliens we’d run into.”
“We’ll figure something out.” Alita said trying to be comforting.
They heard footsteps coming down the hall and dove into a room to hide. Brit kept the door open a crack trying to see what was going on. It was a man and woman Saturian and they were talking in hushed voices glancing nervously up and down the hall. But what surprised Brit even more than their behavior was their words for they weren’t speaking in Saturian but in Martian, a language she knew well.
“– what is going on here, Uliver?”
“It’s hard to explain, Trine.”
“What’s so hard to explain? You sent me on the mission of a life time and then follow me as if you don’t trust me? What aren’t you telling me?”
“I’ve got my own reasons for being here. But there’s been a change of plans.”
“I know,” she paused, “What was she thinking turning herself in like that.”
“I don’t know. What I do know is that we are not leaving this ship until both her and her husband are mine.”
“You want her husband too? What’s so important about him?”
Uliver turned to look at her a strange look in his eyes. “He’s albino Trine.” Then he turned and moved down the hall Trine following close behind him.
As soon as they were gone the four spies moved from their hiding place and Mattim noticed how white Brit’s face had turned. “Brit, what’s wrong?”
“They're after you too.”
“What?” Mattim was surprised by this then asked, “Wait you understood them?”
Brit nodded, “They were speaking Martian.” This earned another look of surprise and then a realization dawned on Mattim.
“Did you catch their names?” Brit hesitated and Mattim grabbed her by the shoulders shaking her as he yelled again “Did you catch their names?”
“Uliver and Trine.”
“Trine? I knew it. We have to get out of here.”
“Why? What’s wrong?” Brit asked starting to get highly freaked by Mattim’s actions.
A female voice from behind them startled them all into silence. “Why Matthew, what are you so afraid of?”
The four of them turned to find Trine and Uliver standing behind them in Saturian form.
As Leena’s family was escorted into the room Leena did her best to hold back the tears that suddenly sprang to her eyes at the sight of the family she hadn’t seen in years. The looks of fear on all their faces were nearly unbearable.
She turned in the direction of the cloaked figure. “I command you to release them.”
“Release them? Why would I do that when I already have you?”
“I can change that” With a tap to her belt she disappeared another tap and she returned. “I can leave as easily as I got in. Now release them.”
Once again Mattim stood there in stunned silence not knowing what to say as he looked at the two figures standing near them. “I don’t believe it.” He finally managed. Then he gave a joyful whoop and ran toward the man known as Uliver pulling him into an enormous hug. The man was beaming as he returned the hug.
Finally the two men pulled away and Mattim looked at him in shock. “What are you doing here?”
“Helping an old friend.” He said clapping Mattim on the shoulder.
Mattim turned then to the four people behind him. “Guys, I would like for you to meet and old friend of mine, Tucker.” They stood there for a moment in surprise as they recalled Mattim’s story of meeting this alien. “How on Imaginess did you get here? And working beside Trine of all things.”
“That will have to wait for another time, Old Friend. But for now we have some rescuing to do.”
“Right! So what’s the plan?”
Leena could sense her captor’s hesitation even though she couldn’t see his face. She glanced over at her family all huddled up in the corner and surrounded by guards. Their fear had given way to surprise and interest now as they watched her in action. Finally the Hooded Figure seemed to gain control of himself again and stated “How do I know that you won’t just disappear once I’ve released them?”
Leena was surprised by this question; she hadn’t expected the alien to be that smart. But before she could respond a loud knock on the door caused everyone to freeze as the Hooded Figure nodded for the door to be open.
Leena’s heart dropped when she saw her husband, daughter and two friends being led on a rope by two Saturians.
“What have we here?” Asked the Hooded Figure.
Tucker held the rope that bound Mattim and Brit lightly in his hands. His heart was beating rapidly as he entered the room. It had been close to 10 years since he had begun working for Hamol; ever since he had saved him in a battle the two had been nearly inseparable and when Hamol became High Kong he had asked Tucker to be his advisor. But even still he had never done something as dangerous as this.
He glanced at Trine stood beside him calm and collected. She was used to this kind of thing. Danger and risk were practically her life. He watched as she took a step forward giving the rope an effective jerk. “We found these stowaways’s wondering the lower hallways.”
Tucker waited as the hooded figure who he decided must be the leader examined the prisoners. Keep it together Tucker. All we have to do is wait for him to send us to lock up the prisoners and hope that he lets us take all of them then we can bust them all out.
The hooded figure finished his examination and in a raspy voice ordered them to take them and the other prisoner to the prison cells. The four guards who stood beside the group turned to follow but Tucker knew they could take them.
Trine turned to lead them out of the room ignoring Leena’s protests as she attempted to bargain with the Hooded Figure.
Trine gave Tucker a slight nudge trying to get him to focus and not give them away. But there was something about the Hooded Figure that had struck a chord with him he just couldn’t put his finger on it.
“Is something wrong?” The raspy voice of the Hooded Figure caused his heart to jump. Although the voice was hoarse from years of neglect he would never forget that voice. His mind raced and his heart leapt within him as realized just who it was that was hiding beneath the cloak. Tears began to well up in his eyes as he choked out the only word that he could manage.
“Chaka?”
The whole room seemed to freeze as the room echoed with the word. No one moved as they waited with held breathes for the drama that was sure to unfold before them. Finally a raspy voice spoke from behind the hood: “Tucker?”
With that single word Tucker could hold back no longer. He rushed forward and scooped Chaka into his arms knocking the hood from her face and kissing her for the first time in over a decade.
“Tucker? Is it really you?” All Tucker could do was nod as he embraced his long lost love. “I thought you were dead.”
“I thought you were dead.”
“No,” said Chaka “I was captured and put in prison never knowing who I could trust, being alone. Then someone told me about Su Kutcha and that it was rumored that she lived on earth. It didn’t matter then, it mattered once I escaped I needed something so I would be accepted on Saturn.”
“But you’re Neeuk why would you need to be accepted.”
I know that now but after all those years I had forgotten. I had forgotten everything that I was Neeuk, about you, everything. They considered us all to be boys and gave us numbers and cut our hair. I was so used to being called a ‘he’ it didn’t bother me that Neeuk Bedula thought I was a boy or that I was treated as one but after seeing you… I remember, I remember it all.”
“And I’m so glad.” Said Tucker as he leaned down and kissed her again
Then Tucker turned toward Mattim who was standing beside his wife. “Well if it isn’t the infamous Leena.” He said as he came over to join them Chaka never leaving his side, “Matthew I would like you to meet Chaka the woman I told you about, over 10 years ago when we were in prison together.” Matthew shook her hand and then said “this is my wife Linda.”
Tucker laughed “of course who could have missed that wedding announcement?”
Matthew suddenly got serious. “So Tucker how did you get out of that prison? I thought you had died in that war that they had the prisoners fight in.”
Tucker smiled and said “that is a story worth repeating…”
“After you were taken by the Imaginese, I dived into the battle hoping that a stray shot would pierce me and I would die something just to end my miserable existence. That’s when I saw him: A Martian man laying facedown in the mud a gaping wound in his side.
“Something inside me compelled me to come to his aide so I did. I did my best to stop the bleeding and patch the wound and then raced him across the battle field to the medical tent.
“I was surprised when so many medics ran out to help me until a young boy – no older than thirteen – told me that he was none other than the Kong Hamol himself.
“About a month later after he had recovered past the point of death I was rewarded with my freedom. But I asked that he not send me back to Saturn and offered him my services and my knowledge. Before long I was promoted to Hamol’s right hand man.
“He began to trust me more and more and even began to take my advice on certain things and I was able to protect both Earth and Imaginess from attack. And when I saw the ships heading here I knew it was for Leena and you so I asked if I could go to the rescue and he accepted.
“Oh! And get this, Matthew. Hamol has a knack for turning into a shukan to spy on his prisoners. He was the shukan in our cell that always seemed to be watching us and listening to our conversations.”
“What!” Matthew burst into laughter at this bit of news and soon everyone was laughing. Introductions were made and everyone was escorted back to the Cuthbert’s farm where Tucker and Chaka said their goodbyes.
“We’re going back to take our rightful place as the rulers of Saturn.”
“Just remember me when you get home.”
Tucker smiled as he repeated the words he had said so long ago as they had sat together in the mud of Mars. “A good friend doesn’t leave his friends to fend for himself.”
Matthew smiled as he recalled the words “You still have an entire life to fix your mistakes, Tuck. You can still be the best husband and the best Gnik to ever rule Saturn.
Tuck smiled as he remembered telling Matthew his list of horrible things he had done. “I guess it’s time to start a new list…a list of ‘Bests’”
“Be sure it starts with Best Friend because you have truly become my best friend, Tuck.”
Tears sprang to Tuckers eyes at these words but he quickly blinked them away as he clapped his friend on the shoulder, “Until the end.”
“Until the end.”
Mattim couldn’t believe she was gone. They all stood there in stunned silence not wanting to believe that what had happened had truly happened. Rowel was the first to recover. “We have to go after her.”
“How?” His wife asked breaking out of the trance Leena had left them in.
“Well we know where she’s headed. We just need to get there.” Brit nodded and moved to her father’s side reaching up and placing her hand on his shoulder “She’s right father,” she said, “we must move forward. We’re not done here yet.”
Mattim turned anger burning in his eyes “Let’s go!”
Leena felt strange as she marched through the halls of Martian ship not even attempting to hide. She had seen ship hangers many times and knew exactly where to direct her transportation to. She marched up to the first set of Martian guards she saw and demanded to be taken to their leader.
The guards were surprised when the realized who she was and were glad to comply. She was led to a large room where a cloaked figure stood at the window with his back turned to her. His voice was rough when he spoke, “So you’ve decided to turn yourself in?” The figure didn’t turn but continued to speak as he looked out the window out over the distant earth. “After all these years I thought I would get more of fight out of you than this.”
“I demand to see my family which you captured.” The figure turned at this statement his face still covered by his hooded cloak, he was surprised by her tenacity even when he held all the cards.
He turned to one of the guards and nodded “bring her family to me.”
The Brit was still surprised at Leena for what she had decided to do as she and the three Imaginess stood walked down the halls doing their best to stay in hiding it seemed that most the soldiers were preoccupied with other things and they were able to slip though the halls fairly easily.
“I wish I understood this language better,” Brit complained, “I never did like Saturian very much, too difficult. It just figures that these would be the aliens we’d run into.”
“We’ll figure something out.” Alita said trying to be comforting.
They heard footsteps coming down the hall and dove into a room to hide. Brit kept the door open a crack trying to see what was going on. It was a man and woman Saturian and they were talking in hushed voices glancing nervously up and down the hall. But what surprised Brit even more than their behavior was their words for they weren’t speaking in Saturian but in Martian, a language she knew well.
“– what is going on here, Uliver?”
“It’s hard to explain, Trine.”
“What’s so hard to explain? You sent me on the mission of a life time and then follow me as if you don’t trust me? What aren’t you telling me?”
“I’ve got my own reasons for being here. But there’s been a change of plans.”
“I know,” she paused, “What was she thinking turning herself in like that.”
“I don’t know. What I do know is that we are not leaving this ship until both her and her husband are mine.”
“You want her husband too? What’s so important about him?”
Uliver turned to look at her a strange look in his eyes. “He’s albino Trine.” Then he turned and moved down the hall Trine following close behind him.
As soon as they were gone the four spies moved from their hiding place and Mattim noticed how white Brit’s face had turned. “Brit, what’s wrong?”
“They're after you too.”
“What?” Mattim was surprised by this then asked, “Wait you understood them?”
Brit nodded, “They were speaking Martian.” This earned another look of surprise and then a realization dawned on Mattim.
“Did you catch their names?” Brit hesitated and Mattim grabbed her by the shoulders shaking her as he yelled again “Did you catch their names?”
“Uliver and Trine.”
“Trine? I knew it. We have to get out of here.”
“Why? What’s wrong?” Brit asked starting to get highly freaked by Mattim’s actions.
A female voice from behind them startled them all into silence. “Why Matthew, what are you so afraid of?”
The four of them turned to find Trine and Uliver standing behind them in Saturian form.
As Leena’s family was escorted into the room Leena did her best to hold back the tears that suddenly sprang to her eyes at the sight of the family she hadn’t seen in years. The looks of fear on all their faces were nearly unbearable.
She turned in the direction of the cloaked figure. “I command you to release them.”
“Release them? Why would I do that when I already have you?”
“I can change that” With a tap to her belt she disappeared another tap and she returned. “I can leave as easily as I got in. Now release them.”
Once again Mattim stood there in stunned silence not knowing what to say as he looked at the two figures standing near them. “I don’t believe it.” He finally managed. Then he gave a joyful whoop and ran toward the man known as Uliver pulling him into an enormous hug. The man was beaming as he returned the hug.
Finally the two men pulled away and Mattim looked at him in shock. “What are you doing here?”
“Helping an old friend.” He said clapping Mattim on the shoulder.
Mattim turned then to the four people behind him. “Guys, I would like for you to meet and old friend of mine, Tucker.” They stood there for a moment in surprise as they recalled Mattim’s story of meeting this alien. “How on Imaginess did you get here? And working beside Trine of all things.”
“That will have to wait for another time, Old Friend. But for now we have some rescuing to do.”
“Right! So what’s the plan?”
Leena could sense her captor’s hesitation even though she couldn’t see his face. She glanced over at her family all huddled up in the corner and surrounded by guards. Their fear had given way to surprise and interest now as they watched her in action. Finally the Hooded Figure seemed to gain control of himself again and stated “How do I know that you won’t just disappear once I’ve released them?”
Leena was surprised by this question; she hadn’t expected the alien to be that smart. But before she could respond a loud knock on the door caused everyone to freeze as the Hooded Figure nodded for the door to be open.
Leena’s heart dropped when she saw her husband, daughter and two friends being led on a rope by two Saturians.
“What have we here?” Asked the Hooded Figure.
Tucker held the rope that bound Mattim and Brit lightly in his hands. His heart was beating rapidly as he entered the room. It had been close to 10 years since he had begun working for Hamol; ever since he had saved him in a battle the two had been nearly inseparable and when Hamol became High Kong he had asked Tucker to be his advisor. But even still he had never done something as dangerous as this.
He glanced at Trine stood beside him calm and collected. She was used to this kind of thing. Danger and risk were practically her life. He watched as she took a step forward giving the rope an effective jerk. “We found these stowaways’s wondering the lower hallways.”
Tucker waited as the hooded figure who he decided must be the leader examined the prisoners. Keep it together Tucker. All we have to do is wait for him to send us to lock up the prisoners and hope that he lets us take all of them then we can bust them all out.
The hooded figure finished his examination and in a raspy voice ordered them to take them and the other prisoner to the prison cells. The four guards who stood beside the group turned to follow but Tucker knew they could take them.
Trine turned to lead them out of the room ignoring Leena’s protests as she attempted to bargain with the Hooded Figure.
Trine gave Tucker a slight nudge trying to get him to focus and not give them away. But there was something about the Hooded Figure that had struck a chord with him he just couldn’t put his finger on it.
“Is something wrong?” The raspy voice of the Hooded Figure caused his heart to jump. Although the voice was hoarse from years of neglect he would never forget that voice. His mind raced and his heart leapt within him as realized just who it was that was hiding beneath the cloak. Tears began to well up in his eyes as he choked out the only word that he could manage.
“Chaka?”
The whole room seemed to freeze as the room echoed with the word. No one moved as they waited with held breathes for the drama that was sure to unfold before them. Finally a raspy voice spoke from behind the hood: “Tucker?”
With that single word Tucker could hold back no longer. He rushed forward and scooped Chaka into his arms knocking the hood from her face and kissing her for the first time in over a decade.
“Tucker? Is it really you?” All Tucker could do was nod as he embraced his long lost love. “I thought you were dead.”
“I thought you were dead.”
“No,” said Chaka “I was captured and put in prison never knowing who I could trust, being alone. Then someone told me about Su Kutcha and that it was rumored that she lived on earth. It didn’t matter then, it mattered once I escaped I needed something so I would be accepted on Saturn.”
“But you’re Neeuk why would you need to be accepted.”
I know that now but after all those years I had forgotten. I had forgotten everything that I was Neeuk, about you, everything. They considered us all to be boys and gave us numbers and cut our hair. I was so used to being called a ‘he’ it didn’t bother me that Neeuk Bedula thought I was a boy or that I was treated as one but after seeing you… I remember, I remember it all.”
“And I’m so glad.” Said Tucker as he leaned down and kissed her again
Then Tucker turned toward Mattim who was standing beside his wife. “Well if it isn’t the infamous Leena.” He said as he came over to join them Chaka never leaving his side, “Matthew I would like you to meet Chaka the woman I told you about, over 10 years ago when we were in prison together.” Matthew shook her hand and then said “this is my wife Linda.”
Tucker laughed “of course who could have missed that wedding announcement?”
Matthew suddenly got serious. “So Tucker how did you get out of that prison? I thought you had died in that war that they had the prisoners fight in.”
Tucker smiled and said “that is a story worth repeating…”
“After you were taken by the Imaginese, I dived into the battle hoping that a stray shot would pierce me and I would die something just to end my miserable existence. That’s when I saw him: A Martian man laying facedown in the mud a gaping wound in his side.
“Something inside me compelled me to come to his aide so I did. I did my best to stop the bleeding and patch the wound and then raced him across the battle field to the medical tent.
“I was surprised when so many medics ran out to help me until a young boy – no older than thirteen – told me that he was none other than the Kong Hamol himself.
“About a month later after he had recovered past the point of death I was rewarded with my freedom. But I asked that he not send me back to Saturn and offered him my services and my knowledge. Before long I was promoted to Hamol’s right hand man.
“He began to trust me more and more and even began to take my advice on certain things and I was able to protect both Earth and Imaginess from attack. And when I saw the ships heading here I knew it was for Leena and you so I asked if I could go to the rescue and he accepted.
“Oh! And get this, Matthew. Hamol has a knack for turning into a shukan to spy on his prisoners. He was the shukan in our cell that always seemed to be watching us and listening to our conversations.”
“What!” Matthew burst into laughter at this bit of news and soon everyone was laughing. Introductions were made and everyone was escorted back to the Cuthbert’s farm where Tucker and Chaka said their goodbyes.
“We’re going back to take our rightful place as the rulers of Saturn.”
“Just remember me when you get home.”
Tucker smiled as he repeated the words he had said so long ago as they had sat together in the mud of Mars. “A good friend doesn’t leave his friends to fend for himself.”
Matthew smiled as he recalled the words “You still have an entire life to fix your mistakes, Tuck. You can still be the best husband and the best Gnik to ever rule Saturn.
Tuck smiled as he remembered telling Matthew his list of horrible things he had done. “I guess it’s time to start a new list…a list of ‘Bests’”
“Be sure it starts with Best Friend because you have truly become my best friend, Tuck.”
Tears sprang to Tuckers eyes at these words but he quickly blinked them away as he clapped his friend on the shoulder, “Until the end.”
“Until the end.”
Earth Under Attack (Chapter 4)
Hidden Force
Leena’s fingers clutched the side of her desk as she attempted to keep herself from falling. The news of the attack on her father-in-law had really shaken her up. The messenger relayed more of the news telling how Brit was fairly certain that her parent’s and sibling’s houses had been invaded as well. Leena felt her knees begin to shake and as the messenger left the room she lowered herself slowly into her chair.
After all this time someone had picked up her trail and followed it straight to earth and her family. Brit could handle herself she’d always been able to ever since she was 13 and had first come to Imaginess and had been adopted by Leena and Mattim. Leena knew that if Brit was calling for help then the problem must be beyond what her daughter could handle alone.
Her hands were shaking and she clutched them together to keep them still as she turned to the 3 people surrounding her. “Well what do you suppose we do?” Mattim came and put a comforting hand on his wife’s shoulder he was equally shaken by the news on the attack and was barely keeping himself together after hearing of his father’s death.
Alita and Rowel looked at each other and Rowel spoke. “I think it’s obvious that you must do your best to protect your family.”
“But at what cost?” Stated Alita, “revealing ourselves to the humans has never been at the top of any species ‘List of Things to Accomplish.’ Humans are safer in their innocence.”
“That’s what everyone keeps saying.” Leena said. “But I’ve lived with them. They aren’t much different than any of the aliens in the ‘Milky Way’ and they’ll handle it the same way any other species did.”
“So it’s settled then?” Rowel asked “We’re going to Earth?”
“We have no choice. They have my parents and…” She looked in the direction of her husband and decided against revealing her mind. “We’re the only ones who can help them.”
“There’s not much we can do with just the 4 of us.” Mattim spoke up
Leena nodded “We’re going to need Jatar’s help.”
Trine moved silently through the Saturian halls doing her best to still her beating heart as yet another group of the ghostly Saturians passed by. She had to remind herself yet again that her ability to shape shift kept the Saturians from recognizing her as an enemy. Even still she couldn’t help but get a little nervous when ever they walked by.
She was on a very important assignment given to her by Uliver himself. Uliver was the High Kong’s adviser and an assignment from him was like getting one from the Kong himself. Trine was trained for these kinds of things she had grown up on the streets picking locks and robbing stores when the Kong the current Kong’s father had discovered her amazing talent he had made her promise that she would live a better life in exchange for her services. The job paid well and she was the best at what she did. But this was the most important job that she had ever been or ever would be assigned.
She moved through the halls of the Saturian mothership heading toward the dungeon. That was where her subject’s family was being held and that was where her subject was sure to come. And when she did Trine would be ready she was always ready.
Tyler’s heart was pounding like a drum. The call from Brit had really shaken him up. “I’ve tried calling everyone else but no one answered.” According to Brit he was the only one who hadn’t been caught. All the other homes had been taken and even his own house was probably being staked out.
He had been sitting in a gas-station parking lot for about a half hour now each minute that dragged by adding to the stress. The manager glanced in his direction for the 50 time and he prayed again that the man wouldn’t call the police.
He jumped when Brit appeared in the back seat with Joseph beside her. “You scared me.”
“Sorry.” She apologized as she crawled into the front seat
“So what’s the deal?”
“I checked all the houses. I was right they’re all captives and your house is surrounded as well.”
“So what are we going to do?” Joseph spoke up from the back seat. He’d been through a lot in the last hour but he’d taken it well.
Brit looked back at her brother. He was doing his best to hide his fear and he’d done a pretty good job. But it was a lot to take in, in only an hour. Brit turned back at Tyler. “Tyler I need you to keep an eye of Joseph for me. He’s been through a lot.”
Tyler nodded but Joseph protested. “No Brit, take me with you.”
She looked back at him and sighed. “Joseph you’re not experienced I’ll be able to accomplish more with out either of you. It’s nothing against you I’ve just grown up differently than you and I’m trained.”
Joseph felt the tears welling up in his eyes and he turned to the window so that they wouldn’t see as they continued to discuss plans.
Leena remembered the gas station well. It was a gas station that her and her siblings had gone to many times as kids. It hadn’t changed much and there was Tyler’s car sitting in the parking lot. As Leena and her small group of followers crossed the street she took a deep breath. She still hadn’t let anyone not even her husband know her secret plan she knew if she told them they would never have let her come. But she knew that there was only way to stop these attacks and that was to give them what they wanted…her. They neared the car and Tyler and Brit stepped out.
Brit took in the five figures: Brit and Mattim followed by Rowel and Alita who were both wearing skull caps to cover their hair and Jatar who was hooded to cover his alien face. “The Saturnian’s have everyone.”
Leena nodded. “Well what are we waiting for? Let’s get those aliens out of here.” But before they could even move the thing Tyler feared came to pass as two police cars pulled into the parking lot sirens wailing.
Everyone froze unsure of what was going to happen now as the police piled out of the car “get your hands up.” Nobody moved. “I said get your hands up.” He shouted again.
Leena stepped forward. “We really don’t have time for this. Jatar get rid of them.”
Jatar who had moved closer to the front pushed back his hood and the officer stepped back in shock at the aliens face. “Get back!” The officer screamed waving his gun at them. As Jatar’s nose began to rise the man let out a frightened shout and pulled the trigger. Jatar fell back as the bullet sliced through his shoulder and he fell against the car smacking his face against the side and shattering his half hardened nose. Leena ran to his side and upon seeing his condition turned viciously at the police officer. “Fine you want to do this the hard way?” The officer took another step back as she stood to her feet letting her arms stream out of her sides and pulled two guns and three knives out from under her cloak. The officer gulped and turned and ran for his car followed by the other officers. Leena let her arms drop and shook her head. “We’re sure to be all over the news in less than an hour.” She pocketed the guns and knives and pulled her arms back inside. “We better get moving.”
They moved Jatar into the car and agreed that Tyler would take Joseph and the injured Juptan to a safe place while they rescued everyone else. As soon as they had driven off the rest teleported to the Cuthbert farm.
It wasn’t that Uliver didn’t trust Trine to succeed in her assignment but even still he couldn’t help but follow her. She wasn’t aware of his presence that much he was sure of. After all, he had done enough experiments in the last few years and had discovered that he was the only alien on the planet of Mars that could not be recognized by smell.
This skill served to his benefit since he did not want to Trine to recognize his presence. He had too many other things occupying his mind to worry about Trine finding him. He was on a mission of his own. A mission that was much more important the goose chase he had sent Trine on. Sure Trine’s mission was important but it wasn’t Leena that he truly wanted. It was her husband, the albino.
The 8 Cuthbert’s and 3 Gerard’s and Maria had all been brought to the Saturian mothership where they were led down countless halls and thrown in a cell. Mary could see the fear in her family’s eyes and tried to encourage them. “Don’t worry you guys Linda will rescue us.”
“Since when has Linda cared about earth?”
“Don’t be like that mom we’re her family.”
“Some relation she turned out to be running off and becoming queen of some planet never bothering to come and visit. It’s her fault we’re in this mess.”
“You can’t blame her mom for wanting to live with her people. She may be busy but she’s never been too busy to send a letter and a box of flower-nuts and she’ll certainly not be too busy to rescue us.”
Tannia crossed her arms and grunted turning her back on her daughter and walking away.
Mary watched her mothers receding back and glanced over in the direction of the rest of her family. Jasmine was sitting in a corner holding Micah to her chest and crying, Trevor was doing his best to console her. Jenny, always the restless one, was pacing back and forth like a caged tiger ready to jump on the first person who opened that door. Mary’s father had followed his wife to another corner and was now arguing in hushed voices. Tom sat in a third corner his legs spread out in front of him and his head against the wall, his arms crossed in front of him.
To all appearances Tom looked half-asleep but Mary knew better than that. She followed his gaze to the forth corner where Kyle and Maria sat. Maria was sitting in front of Kyle and leaning back against his chest. His arms were around her and one hand stroked her face gently as he whispered calming words into her ear.
The poor girl had been scared out of her mind as they all had but Mary had never found the need to tell Kyle about his alien aunt making the two teenagers the most scared of them all. Kyle had done his best to put on a brave face for Maria but when they had been reunited in the cell Kyle had run into her arms tears threatening to spill over and had begged to know why they were there. She had explained the best she could then Maria had joined them and Kyle had pulled her into the corner before his mother had a chance to blow up.
Mary sat down beside Tom. “What’re you thinking?”
“You know what I’m thinking.”
“You’re right I do. But it helps when you put these kinds of things into words.”
Tom sighed and looked at his wife then back in the direction of the two teenagers. “What is she doing here, Mary?”
“I don’t know, Tom.”
“If the aliens went to the house then they wouldn’t have captured Kyle. Unless…unless they were both at the house.”
Mary pulled her legs up to her chest and put her chin on her knees, staring down at the ground. “I know. I’ve thought the same things. But somehow I think there are more important things to worry about then the two of them. We need to focus on getting ALL of us out of here. Then we can worry about what to do with Kyle.”
Trine wasn’t stupid. She knew a familiar smell when she smelled it and Uliver’s was definitely familiar. He thought she couldn’t smell him but a lying thief was what she was paid for and she had her fair share of prized secrets.
Wouldn’t she couldn’t figure out was why he was here. She had quickly realized that he wasn’t following her. His patterns seemed to have a more sinister purpose. More sinister than making sure she was doing what she was supposed to.
It made her wonder if maybe there was more to this assignment than she had at first thought.
The house was empty, completely and utterly empty. There were signs of struggle throughout different areas of the house adding to the complete silence that surrounded the place it gave the whole farm a kind of eerie feel.
Leena shivered and moved to close an open window. Mattim reached down and picked up a broken picture frame studying the old picture of Leena and her family before placing it back on the shelf where it had fallen from.
“We’re too late.” Stated Alita breaking the silence.
Leena looked around the room one more time before speaking. “They must have taken them back to the mother ship already.”
“So now what?” Asked Rowel moving to stand next to Alita.
“We get on that ship of course”
“Are you crazy Leena?” Mattim spoke up moving to stand in front of her. “You’re just asking to get captured if you want to board the mother ship of all things.” That was when Mattim noticed the look in her eyes. “No, no Leena you can’t.”
“I have no choice Mattim. The only way to be sure this sort of a thing doesn’t happen again is to give them what they came for.”
Mattim grabbed her shoulders. “I won’t let you do it, Leena.”
Leena pushed his hand away and took a step back. “It’s too late.” Then before they could stop her she’d pressed the button on her belt and disappeared.
Leena’s fingers clutched the side of her desk as she attempted to keep herself from falling. The news of the attack on her father-in-law had really shaken her up. The messenger relayed more of the news telling how Brit was fairly certain that her parent’s and sibling’s houses had been invaded as well. Leena felt her knees begin to shake and as the messenger left the room she lowered herself slowly into her chair.
After all this time someone had picked up her trail and followed it straight to earth and her family. Brit could handle herself she’d always been able to ever since she was 13 and had first come to Imaginess and had been adopted by Leena and Mattim. Leena knew that if Brit was calling for help then the problem must be beyond what her daughter could handle alone.
Her hands were shaking and she clutched them together to keep them still as she turned to the 3 people surrounding her. “Well what do you suppose we do?” Mattim came and put a comforting hand on his wife’s shoulder he was equally shaken by the news on the attack and was barely keeping himself together after hearing of his father’s death.
Alita and Rowel looked at each other and Rowel spoke. “I think it’s obvious that you must do your best to protect your family.”
“But at what cost?” Stated Alita, “revealing ourselves to the humans has never been at the top of any species ‘List of Things to Accomplish.’ Humans are safer in their innocence.”
“That’s what everyone keeps saying.” Leena said. “But I’ve lived with them. They aren’t much different than any of the aliens in the ‘Milky Way’ and they’ll handle it the same way any other species did.”
“So it’s settled then?” Rowel asked “We’re going to Earth?”
“We have no choice. They have my parents and…” She looked in the direction of her husband and decided against revealing her mind. “We’re the only ones who can help them.”
“There’s not much we can do with just the 4 of us.” Mattim spoke up
Leena nodded “We’re going to need Jatar’s help.”
Trine moved silently through the Saturian halls doing her best to still her beating heart as yet another group of the ghostly Saturians passed by. She had to remind herself yet again that her ability to shape shift kept the Saturians from recognizing her as an enemy. Even still she couldn’t help but get a little nervous when ever they walked by.
She was on a very important assignment given to her by Uliver himself. Uliver was the High Kong’s adviser and an assignment from him was like getting one from the Kong himself. Trine was trained for these kinds of things she had grown up on the streets picking locks and robbing stores when the Kong the current Kong’s father had discovered her amazing talent he had made her promise that she would live a better life in exchange for her services. The job paid well and she was the best at what she did. But this was the most important job that she had ever been or ever would be assigned.
She moved through the halls of the Saturian mothership heading toward the dungeon. That was where her subject’s family was being held and that was where her subject was sure to come. And when she did Trine would be ready she was always ready.
Tyler’s heart was pounding like a drum. The call from Brit had really shaken him up. “I’ve tried calling everyone else but no one answered.” According to Brit he was the only one who hadn’t been caught. All the other homes had been taken and even his own house was probably being staked out.
He had been sitting in a gas-station parking lot for about a half hour now each minute that dragged by adding to the stress. The manager glanced in his direction for the 50 time and he prayed again that the man wouldn’t call the police.
He jumped when Brit appeared in the back seat with Joseph beside her. “You scared me.”
“Sorry.” She apologized as she crawled into the front seat
“So what’s the deal?”
“I checked all the houses. I was right they’re all captives and your house is surrounded as well.”
“So what are we going to do?” Joseph spoke up from the back seat. He’d been through a lot in the last hour but he’d taken it well.
Brit looked back at her brother. He was doing his best to hide his fear and he’d done a pretty good job. But it was a lot to take in, in only an hour. Brit turned back at Tyler. “Tyler I need you to keep an eye of Joseph for me. He’s been through a lot.”
Tyler nodded but Joseph protested. “No Brit, take me with you.”
She looked back at him and sighed. “Joseph you’re not experienced I’ll be able to accomplish more with out either of you. It’s nothing against you I’ve just grown up differently than you and I’m trained.”
Joseph felt the tears welling up in his eyes and he turned to the window so that they wouldn’t see as they continued to discuss plans.
Leena remembered the gas station well. It was a gas station that her and her siblings had gone to many times as kids. It hadn’t changed much and there was Tyler’s car sitting in the parking lot. As Leena and her small group of followers crossed the street she took a deep breath. She still hadn’t let anyone not even her husband know her secret plan she knew if she told them they would never have let her come. But she knew that there was only way to stop these attacks and that was to give them what they wanted…her. They neared the car and Tyler and Brit stepped out.
Brit took in the five figures: Brit and Mattim followed by Rowel and Alita who were both wearing skull caps to cover their hair and Jatar who was hooded to cover his alien face. “The Saturnian’s have everyone.”
Leena nodded. “Well what are we waiting for? Let’s get those aliens out of here.” But before they could even move the thing Tyler feared came to pass as two police cars pulled into the parking lot sirens wailing.
Everyone froze unsure of what was going to happen now as the police piled out of the car “get your hands up.” Nobody moved. “I said get your hands up.” He shouted again.
Leena stepped forward. “We really don’t have time for this. Jatar get rid of them.”
Jatar who had moved closer to the front pushed back his hood and the officer stepped back in shock at the aliens face. “Get back!” The officer screamed waving his gun at them. As Jatar’s nose began to rise the man let out a frightened shout and pulled the trigger. Jatar fell back as the bullet sliced through his shoulder and he fell against the car smacking his face against the side and shattering his half hardened nose. Leena ran to his side and upon seeing his condition turned viciously at the police officer. “Fine you want to do this the hard way?” The officer took another step back as she stood to her feet letting her arms stream out of her sides and pulled two guns and three knives out from under her cloak. The officer gulped and turned and ran for his car followed by the other officers. Leena let her arms drop and shook her head. “We’re sure to be all over the news in less than an hour.” She pocketed the guns and knives and pulled her arms back inside. “We better get moving.”
They moved Jatar into the car and agreed that Tyler would take Joseph and the injured Juptan to a safe place while they rescued everyone else. As soon as they had driven off the rest teleported to the Cuthbert farm.
It wasn’t that Uliver didn’t trust Trine to succeed in her assignment but even still he couldn’t help but follow her. She wasn’t aware of his presence that much he was sure of. After all, he had done enough experiments in the last few years and had discovered that he was the only alien on the planet of Mars that could not be recognized by smell.
This skill served to his benefit since he did not want to Trine to recognize his presence. He had too many other things occupying his mind to worry about Trine finding him. He was on a mission of his own. A mission that was much more important the goose chase he had sent Trine on. Sure Trine’s mission was important but it wasn’t Leena that he truly wanted. It was her husband, the albino.
The 8 Cuthbert’s and 3 Gerard’s and Maria had all been brought to the Saturian mothership where they were led down countless halls and thrown in a cell. Mary could see the fear in her family’s eyes and tried to encourage them. “Don’t worry you guys Linda will rescue us.”
“Since when has Linda cared about earth?”
“Don’t be like that mom we’re her family.”
“Some relation she turned out to be running off and becoming queen of some planet never bothering to come and visit. It’s her fault we’re in this mess.”
“You can’t blame her mom for wanting to live with her people. She may be busy but she’s never been too busy to send a letter and a box of flower-nuts and she’ll certainly not be too busy to rescue us.”
Tannia crossed her arms and grunted turning her back on her daughter and walking away.
Mary watched her mothers receding back and glanced over in the direction of the rest of her family. Jasmine was sitting in a corner holding Micah to her chest and crying, Trevor was doing his best to console her. Jenny, always the restless one, was pacing back and forth like a caged tiger ready to jump on the first person who opened that door. Mary’s father had followed his wife to another corner and was now arguing in hushed voices. Tom sat in a third corner his legs spread out in front of him and his head against the wall, his arms crossed in front of him.
To all appearances Tom looked half-asleep but Mary knew better than that. She followed his gaze to the forth corner where Kyle and Maria sat. Maria was sitting in front of Kyle and leaning back against his chest. His arms were around her and one hand stroked her face gently as he whispered calming words into her ear.
The poor girl had been scared out of her mind as they all had but Mary had never found the need to tell Kyle about his alien aunt making the two teenagers the most scared of them all. Kyle had done his best to put on a brave face for Maria but when they had been reunited in the cell Kyle had run into her arms tears threatening to spill over and had begged to know why they were there. She had explained the best she could then Maria had joined them and Kyle had pulled her into the corner before his mother had a chance to blow up.
Mary sat down beside Tom. “What’re you thinking?”
“You know what I’m thinking.”
“You’re right I do. But it helps when you put these kinds of things into words.”
Tom sighed and looked at his wife then back in the direction of the two teenagers. “What is she doing here, Mary?”
“I don’t know, Tom.”
“If the aliens went to the house then they wouldn’t have captured Kyle. Unless…unless they were both at the house.”
Mary pulled her legs up to her chest and put her chin on her knees, staring down at the ground. “I know. I’ve thought the same things. But somehow I think there are more important things to worry about then the two of them. We need to focus on getting ALL of us out of here. Then we can worry about what to do with Kyle.”
Trine wasn’t stupid. She knew a familiar smell when she smelled it and Uliver’s was definitely familiar. He thought she couldn’t smell him but a lying thief was what she was paid for and she had her fair share of prized secrets.
Wouldn’t she couldn’t figure out was why he was here. She had quickly realized that he wasn’t following her. His patterns seemed to have a more sinister purpose. More sinister than making sure she was doing what she was supposed to.
It made her wonder if maybe there was more to this assignment than she had at first thought.
The house was empty, completely and utterly empty. There were signs of struggle throughout different areas of the house adding to the complete silence that surrounded the place it gave the whole farm a kind of eerie feel.
Leena shivered and moved to close an open window. Mattim reached down and picked up a broken picture frame studying the old picture of Leena and her family before placing it back on the shelf where it had fallen from.
“We’re too late.” Stated Alita breaking the silence.
Leena looked around the room one more time before speaking. “They must have taken them back to the mother ship already.”
“So now what?” Asked Rowel moving to stand next to Alita.
“We get on that ship of course”
“Are you crazy Leena?” Mattim spoke up moving to stand in front of her. “You’re just asking to get captured if you want to board the mother ship of all things.” That was when Mattim noticed the look in her eyes. “No, no Leena you can’t.”
“I have no choice Mattim. The only way to be sure this sort of a thing doesn’t happen again is to give them what they came for.”
Mattim grabbed her shoulders. “I won’t let you do it, Leena.”
Leena pushed his hand away and took a step back. “It’s too late.” Then before they could stop her she’d pressed the button on her belt and disappeared.
Earth Under Attack (Chapter 4)
Hidden Forces
Leena’s fingers clutched the side of her desk as she attempted to keep herself from falling. The news of the attack on her father-in-law had really shaken her up. The messenger relayed more of the news telling how Brit was fairly certain that her parent’s and sibling’s houses had been invaded as well. Leena felt her knees begin to shake and as the messenger left the room she lowered herself slowly into her chair.
After all this time someone had picked up her trail and followed it straight to earth and her family. Brit could handle herself she’d always been able to ever since she was 13 and had first come to Imaginess and had been adopted by Leena and Mattim. Leena knew that if Brit was calling for help then the problem must be beyond what her daughter could handle alone.
Her hands were shaking and she clutched them together to keep them still as she turned to the 3 people surrounding her. “Well what do you suppose we do?” Mattim came and put a comforting hand on his wife’s shoulder he was equally shaken by the news on the attack and was barely keeping himself together after hearing of his father’s death.
Alita and Rowel looked at each other and Rowel spoke. “I think it’s obvious that you must do your best to protect your family.”
“But at what cost?” Stated Alita, “revealing ourselves to the humans has never been at the top of any species ‘List of Things to Accomplish.’ Humans are safer in their innocence.”
“That’s what everyone keeps saying.” Leena said. “But I’ve lived with them. They aren’t much different than any of the aliens in the ‘Milky Way’ and they’ll handle it the same way any other species did.”
“So it’s settled then?” Rowel asked “We’re going to Earth?”
“We have no choice. They have my parents and…” She looked in the direction of her husband and decided against revealing her mind. “We’re the only ones who can help them.”
“There’s not much we can do with just the 4 of us.” Mattim spoke up
Leena nodded “We’re going to need Jatar’s help.”
Trine moved silently through the Saturian halls doing her best to still her beating heart as yet another group of the ghostly Saturians passed by. She had to remind herself yet again that her ability to shape shift kept the Saturian’s from recognizing her as an enemy. Even still she couldn’t help but get a little nervous when ever they walked by.
She was on a very important assignment given to her by Uliver himself. Uliver was the High Kong’s adviser and an assignment from him was like getting one from the Kong himself. Trine was trained for these kinds of things she had grown up on the streets picking locks and robbing stores when the Kong the current kong’s father had discovered her amazing talent he had made her promise that she would live a better life in exchange for her services. The job paid well and she was the best at what she did. But this was the most important job that she had ever been or ever would be assigned.
She moved through the halls of the Saturian mothership heading toward the dungeon. That was where her subject’s family was being held and that was where her subject was sure to come. And when she did Trine would be ready she was always ready.
Tyler’s heart was pounding like a drum. The call from Brit had really shaken him up. “I’ve tried calling everyone else but no one answered.” According to Brit he was the only one who hadn’t been caught. All the other homes had been taken and even his own house was probably being staked out.
He had been sitting in a gas-station parking lot for about a half hour now each minute that dragged by adding to the stress. The manager glanced in his direction for the 50 time and he prayed again that the man wouldn’t call the police.
He jumped when Brit appeared in the back seat with Joseph beside her. “You scared me.”
“Sorry.” She apologized as she crawled into the front seat
“So what’s the deal?”
“I checked all the houses. I was right they’re all captives and your house is surrounded as well.”
“So what are we going to do?” Joseph spoke up from the back seat. He’d been through a lot in the last hour but he’d taken it well.
Brit looked back at her brother. He was doing his best to hide his fear and he’d done a pretty good job. But it was a lot to take in, in only an hour. Brit turned back at Tyler. “Tyler I need you to keep an eye of Joseph for me. He’s been through a lot.”
Tyler nodded but Joseph protested. “No Brit, take me with you.”
She looked back at him and sighed. “Joseph you’re not experienced I’ll be able to accomplish more with out either of you. It’s nothing against you I’ve just grown up differently than you and I’m trained.”
Joseph felt the tears welling up in his eyes and he turned to the window so that they wouldn’t see as they continued to discuss plans.
Leena remembered the gas station well. It was a gas station that her and her siblings had gone to many times as kids. It hadn’t changed much and there was Tyler’s car sitting in the parking lot. As Leena and her small group of followers crossed the street she took a deep breath. She still hadn’t let anyone not even her husband know her secret plan she knew if she told them they would never have let her come. But she knew that there was only way to stop these attacks and that was to give them what they wanted…her. They neared the car and Tyler and Brit stepped out.
Brit took in the five figures: Brit and Mattim followed by Rowel and Alita who were both wearing skull caps to cover their hair and Jatar who was hooded to cover his alien face. “The Saturnian’s have everyone.”
Leena nodded. “Well what are we waiting for? Let’s get those aliens out of here.” But before they could even move the thing Tyler feared came to pass as two police cars pulled into the parking lot sirens wailing.
Everyone froze unsure of what was going to happen now as the police piled out of the car “get your hands up.” Nobody moved. “I said get your hands up.” He shouted again.
Leena stepped forward. “We really don’t have time for this. Jatar get rid of them.”
Jatar who had moved closer to the front pushed back his hood and the officer stepped back in shock at the aliens face. “Get back!” The officer screamed waving his gun at them. As Jatar’s nose began to rise the man let out a frightened shout and pulled the trigger. Jatar fell back as the bullet sliced through his shoulder and he fell against the car smacking his face against the side and shattering his half hardened nose. Leena ran to his side and upon seeing his condition turned viciously at the police officer. “Fine you want to do this the hard way?” The officer took another step back as she stood to her feet letting her arms stream out of her sides and pulled two guns and three knives out from under her cloak. The officer gulped and turned and ran for his car followed by the other officers. Leena let her arms drop and shook her head. “We’re sure to be all over the news in less than an hour.” She pocketed the guns and knives and pulled her arms back inside. “We better get moving.”
They moved Jatar into the car and agreed that Tyler would take Joseph and the injured Juptan to a safe place while they rescued everyone else. As soon as they had driven off the rest teleported to the Cuthbert farm.
It wasn’t that Uliver didn’t trust Trine to succeed in her assignment but even still he couldn’t help but follow her. She wasn’t aware of his presence that much he was sure of. After all, he had done enough experiments in the last few years and had discovered that he was the only alien on the planet of Mars that could not be recognized by smell.
This skill served to his benefit since he did not want to Trine to recognize his presence. He had too many other things occupying his mind to worry about Trine finding him. He was on a mission of his own. A mission that was much more important the goose chase he had sent Trine on. Sure Trine’s mission was important but it wasn’t Leena that he truly wanted. It was her husband, the albino.
The 8 Cuthbert’s and 3 Gerard’s and Maria had all been brought to the Saturian mothership where they were led down countless halls and thrown in a cell. Mary could see the fear in her family’s eyes and tried to encourage them. “Don’t worry you guys Linda will rescue us.”
“Since when has Linda cared about earth?”
“Don’t be like that mom we’re her family.”
“Some relation she turned out to be running off and becoming queen of some planet never bothering to come and visit. It’s her fault we’re in this mess.”
“You can’t blame her mom for wanting to live with her people. She may be busy but she’s never been too busy to send a letter and a box of flower-nuts and she’ll certainly not be too busy to rescue us.”
Tannia crossed her arms and grunted turning her back on her daughter and walking away.
Mary watched her mothers receding back and glanced over in the direction of the rest of her family. Jasmine was sitting in a corner holding Micah to her chest and crying, Trevor was doing his best to console her. Jenny, always the restless one, was pacing back and forth like a caged tiger ready to jump on the first person who opened that door. Mary’s father had followed his wife to another corner and was now arguing in hushed voices. Tom sat in a third corner his legs spread out in front of him and his head against the wall, his arms crossed in front of him.
To all appearances Tom looked half-asleep but Mary knew better than that. She followed his gaze to the forth corner where Kyle and Maria sat. Maria was sitting in front of Kyle and leaning back against his chest. His arms were around her and one hand stroked her face gently as he whispered calming words into her ear.
The poor girl had been scared out of her mind as they all had but Mary had never found the need to tell Kyle about his alien aunt making the two teenagers the most scared of them all. Kyle had done his best to put on a brave face for Maria but when they had been reunited in the cell Kyle had run into her arms tears threatening to spill over and had begged to know why they were there. She had explained the best she could then Maria had joined them and Kyle had pulled her into the corner before his mother had a chance to blow up.
Mary sat down beside Tom. “What’re you thinking?”
“You know what I’m thinking.”
“You’re right I do. But it helps when you put these kinds of things into words.”
Tom sighed and looked at his wife then back in the direction of the two teenagers. “What is she doing here, Mary?”
“I don’t know, Tom.”
“If the aliens went to the house then they wouldn’t have captured Kyle. Unless…unless they were both at the house.”
Mary pulled her legs up to her chest and put her chin on her knees, staring down at the ground. “I know. I’ve thought the same things. But somehow I think there are more important things to worry about then the two of them. We need to focus on getting ALL of us out of here. Then we can worry about what to do with Kyle.”
Trine wasn’t stupid. She knew a familiar smell when she smelled it and Uliver’s was deffinetly familiar. He thought she couldn’t smell him but a lying thief was what she was paid for and she had her fair share of prized secrets.
Wouldn’t she couldn’t figure out was why he was here. She had quickly realized that he wasn’t following her. His patterns seemed to have a more sinister purpose. More sinister than making sure she was doing what she was supposed to.
It made her wonder if maybe there was more to this assignment than she had at first thought.
The house was empty, completely and utterly empty. There were signs of struggle throughout different areas of the house adding to the complete silence that surrounded the place it gave the whole farm a kind of eerie feel.
Leena shivered and moved to close an open window. Mattim reached down and picked up a broken picture frame studying the old picture of Leena and her family before placing it back on the shelf where it had fallen from.
“We’re too late.” Stated Alita breaking the silence.
Leena looked around the room one more time before speaking. “They must have taken them back to the mother ship already.”
“So now what?” Asked Rowel moving to stand next to Alita.
“We get on that ship of course”
“Are you crazy Leena?” Mattim spoke up moving to stand in front of her. “You’re just asking to get captured if you want to board the mother ship of all things.” That was when Mattim noticed the look in her eyes. “No, no Leena you can’t.”
“I have no choice Mattim. The only way to be sure this sort of a thing doesn’t happen again is to give them what they came for.”
Mattim grabbed her shoulders. “I won’t let you do it, Leena.”
Leena pushed his hand away and took a step back. “It’s too late.” Then before they could stop her she’d pressed the button on her belt and disappeared.
Leena’s fingers clutched the side of her desk as she attempted to keep herself from falling. The news of the attack on her father-in-law had really shaken her up. The messenger relayed more of the news telling how Brit was fairly certain that her parent’s and sibling’s houses had been invaded as well. Leena felt her knees begin to shake and as the messenger left the room she lowered herself slowly into her chair.
After all this time someone had picked up her trail and followed it straight to earth and her family. Brit could handle herself she’d always been able to ever since she was 13 and had first come to Imaginess and had been adopted by Leena and Mattim. Leena knew that if Brit was calling for help then the problem must be beyond what her daughter could handle alone.
Her hands were shaking and she clutched them together to keep them still as she turned to the 3 people surrounding her. “Well what do you suppose we do?” Mattim came and put a comforting hand on his wife’s shoulder he was equally shaken by the news on the attack and was barely keeping himself together after hearing of his father’s death.
Alita and Rowel looked at each other and Rowel spoke. “I think it’s obvious that you must do your best to protect your family.”
“But at what cost?” Stated Alita, “revealing ourselves to the humans has never been at the top of any species ‘List of Things to Accomplish.’ Humans are safer in their innocence.”
“That’s what everyone keeps saying.” Leena said. “But I’ve lived with them. They aren’t much different than any of the aliens in the ‘Milky Way’ and they’ll handle it the same way any other species did.”
“So it’s settled then?” Rowel asked “We’re going to Earth?”
“We have no choice. They have my parents and…” She looked in the direction of her husband and decided against revealing her mind. “We’re the only ones who can help them.”
“There’s not much we can do with just the 4 of us.” Mattim spoke up
Leena nodded “We’re going to need Jatar’s help.”
Trine moved silently through the Saturian halls doing her best to still her beating heart as yet another group of the ghostly Saturians passed by. She had to remind herself yet again that her ability to shape shift kept the Saturian’s from recognizing her as an enemy. Even still she couldn’t help but get a little nervous when ever they walked by.
She was on a very important assignment given to her by Uliver himself. Uliver was the High Kong’s adviser and an assignment from him was like getting one from the Kong himself. Trine was trained for these kinds of things she had grown up on the streets picking locks and robbing stores when the Kong the current kong’s father had discovered her amazing talent he had made her promise that she would live a better life in exchange for her services. The job paid well and she was the best at what she did. But this was the most important job that she had ever been or ever would be assigned.
She moved through the halls of the Saturian mothership heading toward the dungeon. That was where her subject’s family was being held and that was where her subject was sure to come. And when she did Trine would be ready she was always ready.
Tyler’s heart was pounding like a drum. The call from Brit had really shaken him up. “I’ve tried calling everyone else but no one answered.” According to Brit he was the only one who hadn’t been caught. All the other homes had been taken and even his own house was probably being staked out.
He had been sitting in a gas-station parking lot for about a half hour now each minute that dragged by adding to the stress. The manager glanced in his direction for the 50 time and he prayed again that the man wouldn’t call the police.
He jumped when Brit appeared in the back seat with Joseph beside her. “You scared me.”
“Sorry.” She apologized as she crawled into the front seat
“So what’s the deal?”
“I checked all the houses. I was right they’re all captives and your house is surrounded as well.”
“So what are we going to do?” Joseph spoke up from the back seat. He’d been through a lot in the last hour but he’d taken it well.
Brit looked back at her brother. He was doing his best to hide his fear and he’d done a pretty good job. But it was a lot to take in, in only an hour. Brit turned back at Tyler. “Tyler I need you to keep an eye of Joseph for me. He’s been through a lot.”
Tyler nodded but Joseph protested. “No Brit, take me with you.”
She looked back at him and sighed. “Joseph you’re not experienced I’ll be able to accomplish more with out either of you. It’s nothing against you I’ve just grown up differently than you and I’m trained.”
Joseph felt the tears welling up in his eyes and he turned to the window so that they wouldn’t see as they continued to discuss plans.
Leena remembered the gas station well. It was a gas station that her and her siblings had gone to many times as kids. It hadn’t changed much and there was Tyler’s car sitting in the parking lot. As Leena and her small group of followers crossed the street she took a deep breath. She still hadn’t let anyone not even her husband know her secret plan she knew if she told them they would never have let her come. But she knew that there was only way to stop these attacks and that was to give them what they wanted…her. They neared the car and Tyler and Brit stepped out.
Brit took in the five figures: Brit and Mattim followed by Rowel and Alita who were both wearing skull caps to cover their hair and Jatar who was hooded to cover his alien face. “The Saturnian’s have everyone.”
Leena nodded. “Well what are we waiting for? Let’s get those aliens out of here.” But before they could even move the thing Tyler feared came to pass as two police cars pulled into the parking lot sirens wailing.
Everyone froze unsure of what was going to happen now as the police piled out of the car “get your hands up.” Nobody moved. “I said get your hands up.” He shouted again.
Leena stepped forward. “We really don’t have time for this. Jatar get rid of them.”
Jatar who had moved closer to the front pushed back his hood and the officer stepped back in shock at the aliens face. “Get back!” The officer screamed waving his gun at them. As Jatar’s nose began to rise the man let out a frightened shout and pulled the trigger. Jatar fell back as the bullet sliced through his shoulder and he fell against the car smacking his face against the side and shattering his half hardened nose. Leena ran to his side and upon seeing his condition turned viciously at the police officer. “Fine you want to do this the hard way?” The officer took another step back as she stood to her feet letting her arms stream out of her sides and pulled two guns and three knives out from under her cloak. The officer gulped and turned and ran for his car followed by the other officers. Leena let her arms drop and shook her head. “We’re sure to be all over the news in less than an hour.” She pocketed the guns and knives and pulled her arms back inside. “We better get moving.”
They moved Jatar into the car and agreed that Tyler would take Joseph and the injured Juptan to a safe place while they rescued everyone else. As soon as they had driven off the rest teleported to the Cuthbert farm.
It wasn’t that Uliver didn’t trust Trine to succeed in her assignment but even still he couldn’t help but follow her. She wasn’t aware of his presence that much he was sure of. After all, he had done enough experiments in the last few years and had discovered that he was the only alien on the planet of Mars that could not be recognized by smell.
This skill served to his benefit since he did not want to Trine to recognize his presence. He had too many other things occupying his mind to worry about Trine finding him. He was on a mission of his own. A mission that was much more important the goose chase he had sent Trine on. Sure Trine’s mission was important but it wasn’t Leena that he truly wanted. It was her husband, the albino.
The 8 Cuthbert’s and 3 Gerard’s and Maria had all been brought to the Saturian mothership where they were led down countless halls and thrown in a cell. Mary could see the fear in her family’s eyes and tried to encourage them. “Don’t worry you guys Linda will rescue us.”
“Since when has Linda cared about earth?”
“Don’t be like that mom we’re her family.”
“Some relation she turned out to be running off and becoming queen of some planet never bothering to come and visit. It’s her fault we’re in this mess.”
“You can’t blame her mom for wanting to live with her people. She may be busy but she’s never been too busy to send a letter and a box of flower-nuts and she’ll certainly not be too busy to rescue us.”
Tannia crossed her arms and grunted turning her back on her daughter and walking away.
Mary watched her mothers receding back and glanced over in the direction of the rest of her family. Jasmine was sitting in a corner holding Micah to her chest and crying, Trevor was doing his best to console her. Jenny, always the restless one, was pacing back and forth like a caged tiger ready to jump on the first person who opened that door. Mary’s father had followed his wife to another corner and was now arguing in hushed voices. Tom sat in a third corner his legs spread out in front of him and his head against the wall, his arms crossed in front of him.
To all appearances Tom looked half-asleep but Mary knew better than that. She followed his gaze to the forth corner where Kyle and Maria sat. Maria was sitting in front of Kyle and leaning back against his chest. His arms were around her and one hand stroked her face gently as he whispered calming words into her ear.
The poor girl had been scared out of her mind as they all had but Mary had never found the need to tell Kyle about his alien aunt making the two teenagers the most scared of them all. Kyle had done his best to put on a brave face for Maria but when they had been reunited in the cell Kyle had run into her arms tears threatening to spill over and had begged to know why they were there. She had explained the best she could then Maria had joined them and Kyle had pulled her into the corner before his mother had a chance to blow up.
Mary sat down beside Tom. “What’re you thinking?”
“You know what I’m thinking.”
“You’re right I do. But it helps when you put these kinds of things into words.”
Tom sighed and looked at his wife then back in the direction of the two teenagers. “What is she doing here, Mary?”
“I don’t know, Tom.”
“If the aliens went to the house then they wouldn’t have captured Kyle. Unless…unless they were both at the house.”
Mary pulled her legs up to her chest and put her chin on her knees, staring down at the ground. “I know. I’ve thought the same things. But somehow I think there are more important things to worry about then the two of them. We need to focus on getting ALL of us out of here. Then we can worry about what to do with Kyle.”
Trine wasn’t stupid. She knew a familiar smell when she smelled it and Uliver’s was deffinetly familiar. He thought she couldn’t smell him but a lying thief was what she was paid for and she had her fair share of prized secrets.
Wouldn’t she couldn’t figure out was why he was here. She had quickly realized that he wasn’t following her. His patterns seemed to have a more sinister purpose. More sinister than making sure she was doing what she was supposed to.
It made her wonder if maybe there was more to this assignment than she had at first thought.
The house was empty, completely and utterly empty. There were signs of struggle throughout different areas of the house adding to the complete silence that surrounded the place it gave the whole farm a kind of eerie feel.
Leena shivered and moved to close an open window. Mattim reached down and picked up a broken picture frame studying the old picture of Leena and her family before placing it back on the shelf where it had fallen from.
“We’re too late.” Stated Alita breaking the silence.
Leena looked around the room one more time before speaking. “They must have taken them back to the mother ship already.”
“So now what?” Asked Rowel moving to stand next to Alita.
“We get on that ship of course”
“Are you crazy Leena?” Mattim spoke up moving to stand in front of her. “You’re just asking to get captured if you want to board the mother ship of all things.” That was when Mattim noticed the look in her eyes. “No, no Leena you can’t.”
“I have no choice Mattim. The only way to be sure this sort of a thing doesn’t happen again is to give them what they came for.”
Mattim grabbed her shoulders. “I won’t let you do it, Leena.”
Leena pushed his hand away and took a step back. “It’s too late.” Then before they could stop her she’d pressed the button on her belt and disappeared.
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