Paige instantly spotted the stowaways because they were grouped together by the ship’s entrance. Everyone completely ignored them.
No special treatment for them.
A girl in a green uniform who was about Paige’s age passed by carrying additional trays with refreshments and some snacks.
“Here, let me help you with that,” Paige offered, jumping at the opportunity.
They would look less suspicious and out of place if they pretended they were there to work.
“Thank you.” The girl offered a small smile, handing Paige one of her loads before disappearing into the crowd. AJ and Angela stayed close by, offering drinks to the Elites. Paige silently prayed, hoping no one would recognize her. She nearly came face to face with the obnoxious bald man who yelled at her on the craft, but she turned in the nick of time, walking in the opposite direction.
I need to get to the stowaways and find Peter and Tilley.
“Hey, you, girl,” he called out.
Crap. She quickly realized her celebration was premature.
Seeing no other way, because running would create a large scene, Paige slowly turned, hanging her head low while trying to hide behind her half-empty tray. She wished she had a hat.
Please, don't recognize me, she prayed.
“Yes, sir?” she asked in a deeper voice.
Paige, what are you doing? Stop acting like some movie character, or you'll get caught, she chastised herself.
“My wife wants a drink,” he demanded.
“Here you go, sir,” Paige replied instantly.
He grabbed two without sparing her a glance and turned away, clearly forgetting about her.
She wanted to sigh in relief, but that was a risk. It would be a disaster if he recognized her and made a scene.
Working the crowd of survivors, Paige, AJ, and Angela made it to the entrance of the ship.
“Paige!” someone yelled, and she instantly recognized the voice. It was Peter.
She turned her head toward the source of the noise, and sure enough, he wore a beaming smile as he waved like crazy. Paige reached him, and he jumped into her arms.
“Thank God you're safe.” Paige breathed out a sigh of relief. She hugged the boy as tight as she could without crushing him, and he did the same.
“I thought you were gone for good,” he cried out, his emotions obviously all over the place.
Paige had also thought that a time or two, but whoever said fighting would get you nowhere was dead wrong. It got her precisely where she needed to be.
“Everything will be all right now.” She tried to soothe him, and it worked.
“Where is Tilley?” Paige asked while looking over to the group of stowaways. She tried to distract him so he wouldn't cry again.
“She's gone,” he replied.
Paige pulled back slightly so she could look at his face.
“What do you mean she's gone?” Paige prompted, trying to remain calm.
If that witch of a captain did something to that sweet girl who practically saved them from that army base, Paige would bring hell to her—no matter the consequences.
“After that Dillon guy—” Peter made a face “—took you, Tilley made a scene. She screamed at the captain, and everyone learned she was the president's daughter. Captain Zoya took her away.”
She could picture Tilley’s bravery, and that put a smile on her face. Tilley was a brave girl, even though she wasn't aware of that fact herself.
Yet, Paige added.
“Maybe she's with the Elites,” AJ commented, turning to look at them.
They stood by the exit, and their faces ranged from irritation to outright rage at being expected to wait around for anything. A few of them even demanded entrance, and the woman in blue who looked so confident before caved.
“Probably,” Paige replied, even though she couldn't see her.
“I'll go check,” AJ offered.
Before he left, Paige stopped him. “If we get separated, let's meet up in the common room by the sofas in fifteen.”
“Roger that.” AJ goofed around by saluting her, and Peter chuckled. “I'll go and do that other thing then,” Angela informed her.
“Wait, Mom, let me come with you,” Paige said, but looking at Peter, she wavered.
I can't bring him, too. She didn't want to leave him alone. Even though it wasn't her fault, Dillon had kidnapped them. Paige felt guilty for leaving Peter and Tilley behind, and she didn't want something like that to happen again.
“No, stay with the boy,” Angela countered.
“Ok,” Paige replied reluctantly. “But our rendezvous place applies for you, too.”
Angela nodded before she jumped into the ship and disappeared in no time.
I hope she contacts Brooke, Paige prayed.
The other stowaways eyed Paige with interest. It was obvious they all knew who she was. Some of them even waved to her, but it was clear they wondered how she survived because her departure from Genesis was more than dramatic.
Still, Paige didn't care enough to deal with their curiosity. Dave's brother was in her care, and soon, Tilley would be as well. That was all that mattered. Having everyone safe and together again was her goal.
After she found the rest of her family, everything would be right in the universe once again.
“Is Dave here?” Peter's hopeful voice snapped her from her reverie.
Paige cringed inwardly. She knew this would happen. “No, sorry, buddy.”
“Is another ship coming?” he asked, still hopeful.
I really hope so, Paige thought to herself.
“I don't know, but I hope so,” Paige replied honestly.
The woman in blue interrupted their conversation. She’d finally approached the stowaways. Paige and Peter stood off to the side, but Paige moved them behind the others, so the woman wouldn't spot her or her green uniform. She could still hear the woman in charge as she spoke to the group.
“Welcome to the Mothership. You stowaways are very lucky to be here. You’ll be provided with boarding in exchange for manual work. Those who can't work, can't stay,” she said harshly.
She needs to work on her people skills.
“You will go with my colleague now—” she gestured toward a fully armed guard, “—for decontamination, briefing, and evaluations. You will be allowed a small break for rest or a reunion with your family before your first shift.”
Suffice it to say, the people she addressed weren't too pleased with this turn of events, but honestly, what could they do? They were in the middle of empty space, so the people in charge could enforce any rules they deemed fit.
“If you have any questions, save them for later,” the lady concluded. With that, she turned and left.
Talk about a warm welcome, Paige thought sarcastically.
The line formed, and the stowaways followed the guard.
Toward the showers, Paige guessed.
She was certain she couldn't follow them there. It would look too suspicious.
“Peter, you’ll have to go with the rest of them now. You’ll be alone, but I will wait for you after you're done, ok?”
“I don't want to leave you,” he argued.
“I know, but it's just for a short period of time,” Paige told him, offering a reassuring smile. He still looked at her with pleading eyes that reminded her so much of Dave. “Look, you’ll get a cool uniform just like me.”
Paige grasped at straws. The stowaways moved away, and she needed him to follow suit.
“I don't like green,” he deadpanned.
Of course not, Paige thought in exasperation. “What's with the attitude?” Paige asked. “You’re usually much cooler than this.”
He pouted without reply before looking away.
Is there a way to smuggle him out without detection? she wondered. But then what?
“Peter, I really don't know what to do here.” Honesty was the best in this situation. “I'm afraid they’ll punish us if we try to snea
k out without permission.”
He pondered about that for a moment. “You promise you'll wait for me?” he said, eventually.
“Yes, of course,” Paige replied instantly.
“Ok, I’ll go. But do I really have to do everything they say?”
Paige couldn't help but smile. “That's the Peter I know and love.”
He smiled back. “You'll be here when I return?”
Paige nodded. “I’ll wait for you in the common room. I promise.”
Maybe by then, she could find a treat for him. He had a real sweet tooth, just like his big brother.
“Ok, bye,” he said, running to catch the end of the line.
Paige watched him go even though every fiber of her being told her it was a mistake, a bad idea.
Stop with the paranoia. He's just going to take a shower for crying out loud. God knows he needs one.
That did the trick. Knowing she couldn't stay in the half-empty receiving area, Paige slipped away, pretending to pick up the trash the Elites made.
There was a moment where she debated whether she should follow Angela onto the Genesis, but she decided against it. Angela could handle herself. Besides, she didn't know how to contact Brooke, so she would just be in the way.
Paige hurried toward the common room, hoping AJ had found Tilley. She loved how everything was organized. Even someone with a lack of orientation skills could manage to get around. It was perfect.
Once Paige entered the vast room, her eyes almost immediately located AJ. He already waited for her, but he was alone. Paige frowned as she approached. Then she remembered she had to wait for Peter as well.
“Did you find her?” she asked without preamble.
“Yes,” he replied with a frown of his own. “Captain Zoya was close by, so I had to get out of there fast.” He must have noticed her expression because he continued to speak. “I still managed to exchange a few words with her.”
Paige was relieved to hear that. It was imperative for Tilley to know she wasn't alone.
“Tilley said she was fine, but once the captain learned who she was, she took her to her private quarters and refused to let her see Peter.”
That bitch. Paige fumed.
“She’s happy all of us are here and promised she would find a way to meet us here,” he concluded.
“Perfect,” Paige replied, relieved.
“She asked about her father,” AJ added as an afterthought.
“What did you tell her?”
AJ shrugged. “The truth. That we just arrived ourselves and know nothing.”
Because nobody wanted to tell us anything.
“Where is Peter?” AJ asked in return.
“Decontamination,” she replied quickly.
He nodded. “Tilley, too. Then debriefing.”
“She has to do that, too, even though she's an Elite?” Paige wondered out loud.
He shrugged again. “Apparently so. We can ask her when she meets us here.”
“Good. I told Peter to come here as well.”
He was a smart boy, and Paige was confident he would figure out how to do just that.
With that settled, there was only one person who was unaccounted for.
Her mother.
Chapter Six
Dave leaned back against his seat and waited for further instructions. A nice lady with a pleasant voice informed him that he could board the mothership soon. He’d finally arrived and in one piece at that. That had been a true accomplishment since he’d never piloted anything, let alone a spaceship.
He couldn't believe it. He had high hopes he would reach the ship, but so many things could have gone wrong and left him stranded somewhere in space.
I would be a goner. He wondered if he had a guardian angel. Or maybe I'm just that good.
Dave drummed his fingers across the control deck, making sure not to press anything accidentally. While he flew from the Watchers’ Space Station to the mothership, he’d been super tense while concentrating on the task at hand. He tried hard not to screw anything up. That meant keeping himself focused and not allowing any intrusive, unnecessary thoughts.
Most of the functions worked on autopilot, and Brooke had set the course for him before he started the journey, but he still had to monitor several things and adjust others by hand so he could survive. Once the worse part was over, however, his mind ran wild.
Is Peter here? Is Paige? What happened to the rest of the gang? He had so many questions, and he hoped they would have answers shortly.
“Mr. Davis, you are cleared to board the mothership. Please release your security door hatchet.”
Finally, Dave silently cheered as he pressed the button. After he made sure he powered everything off as Brooke taught him, he jumped out of his seat and waited patiently for the pressure to even out so he could leave. The door finally opened with a hiss, and for a second, he was blinded by the pure white light.
That must be like 100,000 watts! he exaggerated, even though his retinas protested that it was a pretty fair assessment.
Once his eyes adjusted to the assault, he could see a woman wearing a blue uniform waiting for him at the glass bridge. Dave honestly hoped that wasn't real glass but something much stronger.
He could see the space around them as he stepped out of the ship. It mesmerized him. The woman greeted him with a professional smile.
“Mr. Davis, welcome to the Mothership.”
No one had ever called him ‘mister’ a day in his life, not even in the principal's office. That was probably because he was right at home in there from all the weekly trips he made.
“What's with the blinding lights?” Dave blurted out, giving his eyes a final rub.
“We learned the Black Mass don’t react well to it. It's just a precaution, but I apologize for the inconvenience.”
Dave already knew that about the alien goo. What about a Mass that already had a Host? He wasn't about to ask that.
“Smart,” he said out loud. “I feel safer already.”
Her smile never wavered, and she gestured for him to follow her.
“What about my ship?” he inquired. Dave didn't want to have to explain to Brooke he’d lost or damaged her ship, not that he was afraid of her or anything. He just had the common sense and decency not to piss her off.
“The maintenance crew will inspect it, and it will remain at your disposal.”
That put him slightly at ease. “Thanks.”
The woman in blue nodded in return.
Picking up his backpack, Dave decided to trust these people and get going. Besides, he had more important things to do than to babysit a spaceship.
“I hope your flight was a pleasant one,” she said conversationally.
Dave simply nodded. He had a cover story, but he couldn't remember most of it, so responding didn’t seem like a good idea.
“Could I have your identification card, please?” she asked.
“Oh, yeah, of course,” Dave mumbled, trying to remember where he put the darn thing.
Don't do this to yourself, jackass, he chastised himself. It would be awful if he traveled all that way just to be denied access. Aha, victory!
Dave produced a gold card and gave it to her. She pressed it against her tablet, and he could see when her eyebrows raised ever so slightly.
I really hope this works, he prayed, knowing he didn't have a plan B.
The card had been a parting gift from Brooke. He didn't know how she got it, but she told him it would give him full access while wearing that sly smile of hers.
“Your identity has been verified,” she announced, returning the card to him.
He felt like kissing the thing, although he would do that later in private.
“Welcome again, Mr. Davis, and may your stay be a pleasant one,” she recited.
“Thanks,” he replied.
“My name is Gretchen, and I will be your guide,” she introduced herself. “In the future, you can always call me to assist you for whatever
you need.”
What was on that card? Dave started wondered. Who does she think I am?
Someone incredibly rich, apparently, since he had his own spaceship.
“Nice to meet you, Gretchen,” he replied politely. “And will do.”
She nodded approvingly. “Now, if you would please follow me, so we can settle you in.”
Dave nodded and walked with her, but then something else caught his attention.
“What’s all that commotion?” Dave inquired, gesturing with the jerk of his head. He noticed the other ship before and was curious.
“That’s our tourist spacecraft, Genesis. It just arrived from Earth,” Gretchen explained.
That piqued his interest. “There's a chance my little brother is on that ship,” he blurted out, unable to stop himself. “Is it possible for me to go look for him?”
Gretchen seemed cool so far, and he hoped the trend would continue. He started toward Genesis.
Can't take the direct route, he realized instantly. Even though he could see it, a lot of glass divided them. He would need a guide to navigate over there.
“How can I get to it?” Dave prompted.
Gretchen materialized in front of him, just not in a way he’d hoped. She prevented him from walking any farther. Dave reluctantly stopped to avoid colliding with her.
“I'm afraid that's not possible at the moment,” she informed him. To her credit, she did look rather apologetic. “The passengers and other personnel of the Genesis have to go through decontamination first before joining the rest of the population on the Mothership. It's standard protocol,” Gretchen explained.
Decontamination? Dave didn't like the sound of that. All kinds of images with people in hazmat suits pouring chemicals on people rushed through his head.
“Do I have to go through that as well?” Dave asked, trying hard not to make a face.
“Yes,” Gretchen replied instantly to his disdain. “However, you will be allowed to do it in your private quarters.”
Ok, that doesn't sound too ominous.
He nodded.
What about Peter? Dave didn't want to move as he looked at the groups of people being told what to do, just like he was. What if his little brother was in there, and Dave was so close and missed him? Maybe he could see him if he stayed there long enough.
Mothership (Invasion Survivor Book 4) Page 5
