Fallen + Marli & Lalo (Fallen Invasion, #3)

by Mia Mitns

  So he didn’t know they were from the crime scene?

  “Yes,” I said.

  I tensed and backed up as Marcus came to my side to see the meteorite through the microscope. “Nothing extraord—” Marcus said, lifting his head.

  He froze when he saw Lalo’s rock. “Where did you get this?” Marcus asked, picking up Lalo’s rock as if he knew it was alien without using the microscope. He put it back on the counter. “Lalo?” he asked as he directed his attention to Lalo.

  “I don’t know what—” Lalo said.

  “You are!” Marcus said.

  How did he know?

  “You’re alive!” Marcus grabbed Lalo and hugged him. Lalo remained expressionless and motionless. “It worked!”

  “It worked?” He had to be referring to the signs he used to find Lalo. Marcus was in charge of the kidnapping. He was our suspect. Just like I thought. It wouldn’t be a good idea to let him know we knew what he was up to. We could be in danger.

  “What are you talking about?” I asked.

  “Marli, I knew it,” Marcus said. “I knew you were the one that connected to Lalo when I shook your hand over at the lake. I sensed him.” Marcus paused when we didn’t respond. “Don’t do this to me. I’m on your side. We heard that the alien, who goes by the name of August, wanted you to be executed Lalo. This is the same alien who overthrew me when I was the leader of The Revolution. I sent a message back home to let the others know so they could save you. Lalo, there’s so much to tell you. Everything changed! August tried to execute me and a few others who didn’t want to be under his reign.”

  “Didn’t you want the same things?” Lalo said. “You wanted all humans dead.”

  No! Why did you reveal yourself Lalo? He wants you dead!

  “Lalo, I looked up to you,” Marcus said. “So I thought about what you said when we got to Earth, how killing humans was wrong. And at first I didn’t agree. We, The Revolution, had plans to go after what we wanted: the humans dead and control over the Masqysava Empire. But things changed.

  “We had to put ourselves into the society,” Marcus continued. “We saw that all humans weren’t the evil ones that the Emperor made them out to be. We changed our minds. We would go after our freedom and freedom alone.

  “But a small group didn’t agree. They still wanted to destroy all humans. None of my advisors knew how strong this group was. Before those of us who simply wanted freedom knew what was happening, August became The Revolution’s leader. He sent soldiers to kill me, and we went on the run.

  “However, I have spies within The Revolution. My secret advisers. They gave me August’s plans. That’s how I found out he wanted you dead. But there is hope! The aliens still in The Revolution are waiting for you. August is a temporary leader. That’s why he wanted to assassinate you—to get rid of the competition. You can still influence them Lalo. That’s why everyone is trying to find you.”

  “Where are the rest of your followers?” Lalo said.

  “In hiding,” Marcus said. “We discuss this every week, but we don’t know what to do exactly. We can’t tell the government an attack is coming. They will imprison us. We don’t have the power to take back control of The Revolution. We don’t have contact with the new aliens coming down. We’re lost.”

  “You kidnapped the homeless though,” I said. “Why didn’t you figure out how to find Lalo another way?”

  “No,” Marcus said, shaking his head. “That wasn’t me. I was on a plane from New York to Dallas. And it wasn’t my idea to move here; Dr. Stevenson found and hired me. It had to be another seeking you Lalo. It must have been August. Although August and his followers hide, they have the technology to track meteors. And they have spies back at home, among the Masqysava, in high positions. When you escaped, they were the first to know. I couldn’t depend on their information until I saw you though. I’m so glad you’re here!”

  “So what does August look like?” I asked. “Is he tall? Strong built?”

  “I don’t know,” Marcus said. “I never saw him.”

  “You said you have spies within The Revolution,” I said. “They never described him to you?”

  “No,” Marcus said. “They’ve never seen him either. That’s why he is so powerful. No one knows who he is.”

  I squinted. “Then how do you know he was in charge of the kidnapping? And how do you know it is a ‘he’ you are talking about?”

  Marcus chuckled. “Let’s not be ridiculous. I highly doubt this is a female we are talking about here.”

  “You do know of Naya don’t you?” Lalo said.

  “She is one of a kind,” Marcus said. “And she hadn’t arrived yet.”

  “Marcus,” Lalo said, “I want to believe you, but you match the description of the kidnappers. And I have concluded that these kidnappers also want me dead.”

  “Please Lalo, you’re like a brother to me,” Marcus said. “I wouldn’t lie to you. And I wouldn’t hurt you.”

  “You are violent,” Lalo said.

  “Not anymore,” Marcus said. “I’ve learned how to change here on Earth. I can control my anger now. I wouldn’t have hurt other people to find you.”

  The creaking of the door ceased our conversation. We whipped our heads to look. Dr. Stevenson slid into the room.

  Ashley must have called him.

  Lalo snuck his meteorites into his pocket.

  “To what do I owe this great pleasure?” Dr. Stevenson said. “Dr. Young, associating with my team. I thought you already left for California.”

  “I was wrapping up a project,” Lalo said. “I called these two in. I thought I could use their expertise, being that they are an integral part of your team.”

  Dr. Stevenson approached us. “Aren’t they?” he said, full of happiness. “Marli was one of the best hires I ever had. Marcus as well. They both led me to you, Lalo.”

  “Who’s that?” I asked.

  “Aww, now don’t go lying to me Marli,” Dr. Stevenson said. “Lalo is standing next to you. I knew you would find your connector once you came, Lalo. All I had to do was find the connector first. Then you would come to me.”

  Dr. Stevenson used me? My mouth was wide open.

  “It was one of the most exhausting projects I took on,” Dr. Stevenson continued. “I had been searching for five years before I found Marli. I scoured every job that I thought she would work in. I knew of every psychic, physics major, astronaut wanna be, counselor, and the like who graduated in the past five years. I searched so much, and then it came to me. What if she didn’t know of her abilities?

  “Well, it took me about six months, and then I found you Marli. Everything was perfect from your age to your birthplace. Those longitudes and latitudes lined right up. The bonus was that you were also an ecologist.

  “When you came to Millsee, I stuck Kallen on you because he is obsessed with aliens. I didn’t get the impression that Kallen recognized you as harmful. So I found out he didn’t have the abilities that I believed he possessed. Not willing to let you go yet, I thought about it and searched again. And I found Marcus. Who would have known? One of our leading ecologists. When he paused, shaking your hand, I knew you were the one. I simply had to sit back and watch. I almost thought your ex-boyfriend coming to town would ruin it all, but alas, Lalo found you! And together you and I, Lalo, we will rule over the world!” A huge grin spread across Dr. Stevenson’s face.

  “It was you!” Marcus said, pointing to Dr. Stevenson. “You set up the kidnapping!”

  “And y’all saw the sign, found my rocks, and are here,” Dr. Stevenson said. “Lalo, I agree. They are very integral to my success. I never would have known I found you if it wasn’t for Marli and Marcus. So integral, yes indeed!”

  “You were honored by the President!” I said. “And you’re a kidnapper! You hurt those people!”

  “Marli,” Dr. Stevenson said. “Save the dramatics for later. Those people are safe. Safer than you’ll be when the invasion takes place if you don’
t do as I say.

  “Come now Dr. Young, since that’s what you want to be called,” Dr. Stevenson continued. “I’m afraid we don’t have time to spare. I never planned for August to exist. We need a strategy for his destruction, fast. We need to let the others know you are here. And that I will lead with your council.”

  Dr. Stevenson extended his hand and rounded the table we were standing behind, trying to get close to Lalo.

  Marcus positioned himself to fight. “We’re not going anywhere with you.”

  “Really?” Dr. Stevenson said. The words amused him. “You think you can take me on? One alien verses two humans and a weak alien. Allow me to give you a proper education.”

  Dr. Stevenson sprang toward us. My vision went hazy for a couple of seconds. The next thing I knew Lalo and I were squatting in the corner of the room. One of his hands was wrapped around my back. The other covered my head.

  I looked for Marcus. Dr. Stevenson threw unsuccessful jabs at him, missing every single time. Marcus was too swift. Marcus’ punch connected and Dr. Stevenson was sent spinning in the air. Unfortunately, Dr. Stevenson regained his balance mid-air and landed firmly on the ground. He squinted. “Huh. Never thought you would be an alien too Marcus. Never crossed my mind that you too are on August’s kill list. Consider my offer, co-lead.”

  “Never,” Marcus said. “You are too concerned with power to lead.”

  “Au contraire.” On the contrary. “I do kind of lead multiple important programs in the human society,” Dr. Stevenson said, “thus giving me a lot of power and connections. I don’t fail at that. You may want to reconsider. I couldn’t imagine being hunted by both humans and aliens at the same time.”

  “No!” Marcus said.

  “Step out of the way then,” Dr. Stevenson said. “You and I both know the clock is ticking.”

  Marcus motioned for Dr. Stevenson to come and fight him. Dr. Stevenson ran at Marcus with speed and performed a few quick moves, jumping to the wall, to land behind Marcus and pound him in his back. Then he swept Marcus’ legs, making him fall forward. Marcus broke the fall with his arms but was too weak to get up. He cried out.

  Dr. Stevenson laughed then he directed his attention to us in the corner. “Now, for my prize.”

  Lalo and I stood up. I held my arms up. Though Dr. Stevenson was an alien, I was going to give him the best fight I could. He wasn’t going to take Lalo away from me. He wouldn’t have his chance to kill him.

  “Isn’t that sweet?” Dr. Stevenson said.

  “What’s going on?” I heard Ashley say.

  We spotted Ashley, Ren, Alessandro, and Sahar at the door. Sahar held meteorites in a clear bag.

  “You brought goodies?” Dr. Stevenson said. “Come right in.”

  “What are you doing?” Ren said as they advanced into the room. “Why are they in the corner?”

  “Part of a project,” Dr. Stevenson said, curving to face them. “Listen, we are all going to Florida for a few weeks. They found some other animals that migrated in a similar pattern. We’re leaving tomorrow. Why don’t you all go home, get your things packed, and we’ll meet here to leave together at 9 a.m.”

  “Dr. Stevenson, are you alright?” Ashley asked.

  “Go now,” Dr. Stevenson said. “While there is still daylight. Who knows if there will be another attack? All of you.” He motioned for Lalo and me to go too, but we stood our ground.

  Ashley and the rest of the group didn’t move either. Dr. Stevenson strolled towards them. “Go,” he said.

  Marcus stood up, still in pain.

  “Marcus!” Ren said. “What did you do to him?”

  “Stop right there!” Dr. Stevenson yelled as Ren moved to get closer to Marcus. Ren mouthed the word “what” as he squinted.

  “I called myself letting y’all off the hook,” Dr. Stevenson said. “This has nothing to do with you. But since you don’t want to go, you’ll just have to reap the consequences.”

  “No, you will,” Ashley said, and whipped out some sort of compact, high tech gun.

  “That’s not going to stop me,” Dr. Stevenson said.

  Ren pulled out a matching gun and aimed it at Dr. Stevenson too.

  “This is pretty hilarious,” Dr. Stevenson said. “I must have been so engaged in finding Marli that I didn’t realize I hired police too.” He shrugged. “My bad.”

  “You’re coming with us,” Ren said.

  “For what?” Dr. Stevenson said. “You have nothing on me. So excuse me.”

  Dr. Stevenson made a move to leap towards Lalo and me. As soon as he landed, he stumbled back, as if he was drunk. In his arm was a dart like object. He pulled it out. A few second later he was back to normal.

  “Bet you didn’t know that would happen!” Dr. Stevenson said.

  Ren and Ashley shot at Dr. Stevenson several more times but missed more than half of the time. When he got hit, he pulled the daggers out and he was back to normal again.

  “Seems like after all those years of experimentation on us, the government still can’t get it right,” Dr. Stevenson said. “You know what. I feel like I’m a nice guy. We all had some history together. So even though you keep attempting to kill or paralyze me, I don’t want to hurt you. But I can’t let you be free, so it looks like all of you will be coming with me. Guys!”

  Dr. Stevenson paused as if he was waiting for something to happen.

  “Guys!” he said in a more frustrated tone. “Now!”

  The door busted open and people dressed in a police like uniforms filed into the room after Kallen. “Freeze!”

  “Oh now they’ve got the backup police on me,” Dr. Stevenson said. “And Kallen, what are you doing?”

  “They contacted me,” Kallen said.

  “Shoot him!” Ren ordered.

  Dr. Stevenson maneuvered the same way he previously did with Ren and Ashley, but a shooter, with a much bigger gun, connected directly with his shoulder. Dr. Stevenson struggled to pull the dagger out, taking a few steps forward before he sat down. The “police” ran to restrain him.

  “I didn’t do anything,” Dr. Stevenson said.

  Ashley walked over to him, holding up the bag of meteorites. “We found this in your home Dr. Stevenson. It matches the out of place rocks found at the crime scene.”

  “How did you know about that?” Dr. Stevenson said. “They were created for one to see. One has that ability. I didn’t leave them out in the open. How did you see that?”

  “We also found plans to attack the government,” Ashley said.

  “I didn’t have plans,” he said. “I’m being framed!”

  “We’ll see about that,” Ashley said. “You’re under arrest.” Ashley read him his rights.

  “Are you sure aliens have these rights too?” Dr. Stevenson said and chuckled.

  “Take him into the station and find out where the kidnapped people are,” Ren said.

  “Ren, you can’t do this,” Dr. Stevenson said, switching his demeanor to a more concerned one. “You are putting them in danger. They are safe where they are.”

  Was this the ramblings of a lunatic or did he really did bring them to a safer place?

  Ren didn’t say anything as the police took Dr. Stevenson into custody. Ren waited until the team was gone to address us.

  “Aliens?” Sahar said. She and Alessandro were in shock. Dr. Young, Marcus, and I pretended to be too.

  “Dr. Young, Marcus, Marli, Alessandro, Sahar,” Ren said, “what you witnessed doesn’t leave this room.” Ren and Ashley revealed a badge that stated that they were members of the FBI. “This is part of an ongoing investigation. Discussing it will put you in danger. We don’t have all the answers yet.”

  “Is this related to the incident in Greele?” Sahar asked.

  “We believe so,” Ren said. “However, we have other reasons to believe it is due to another entity.”

  “Human entities?” Alessandro asked.

  “Yes,” Ren said.

  “So what do we do?
” I asked. “Is our job finished?”

  “No,” Ren said. “We will continue. Instead of working for Dr. Stevenson, you will work for us. And as part of your work it is important to keep Ashley and my affiliations unknown. Revealing our identities will also put you in danger due to our relationship with you all. Besides, it is against the law to reveal us. Marcus, Marli, and Dr. Young, we will contact you later tonight for questioning. Does everyone understand?”

  “Yes,” we said, preserved in our confusion, wondering if the showdown really did happen.

  “Good,” Ren said. “When the city is declared safe again, we will call and give you information on where to meet us.”

  “Get some rest,” Ashley said. “Dr. Stevenson was right about one thing. This is the beginning.”

  Lalo and I made our way to Kallen who didn’t say anything except that he would follow us home. Outside, my colleagues and I said goodbye to each other. I lingered around, talking to Dr. Young as the others got into their cars. Interestingly enough there was an extra car, one that didn’t belong to Dr. Stevenson, parked in the lot. A woman hung her head out of the window and called for Dr. Young.

  It was Shelie. I could tell that Lalo wanted to go with me but knew it would be strange if he got into my car. Who knew if someone was watching?

  I drove alone with Kallen trailing me. Inside my house, I paced for about forty minutes while Kallen tried to reassure me that Lalo was fine. “She probably took him to see the other Masqysava,” Kallen said. Finally, Shelie and Lalo arrived.

  I ran to Lalo and hugged him.

  “Don’t give me that look Marli,” Shelie said once inside the closed door. “We had to go out of the way. The last thing you need is those FBI or police investigating you.”

  “I thought you were the police,” I said, sitting down at the table.

  “I’m not that kind,” she said. “That’s the government’s secret. They are higher than me. They are the ones that allegedly hunt our kind.”