by Celeste Raye
"I'm going to dad," Valeri replied. "He's got to stop this. He has enough money and can leave. There is no reason to start more experiments. The techs have enough to make a difference in many lives. I'll warn dad about the government. It may be the way to make him stop. Don't worry. I won't mention you."
Valeri slept little, and when she did, nightmares plagued her. She was exhausted and sad the next morning. Everything was turning out wrong. She knew that her dad had started out wanting to help mankind. He had taught her to do the same. Somewhere along the way, he had left that righteous path and became money hungry. She didn't want him to suffer for his mistakes or be punished. She wanted him to give the government the last of his real research, shut down the program, and release the aliens. It was a lot to ask, but miracles happened every day.
She went straight to Reginald's office and barged past the secretary. He was once again on the phone. Valeri grabbed it out of his hands and turned it off. He was furious and jumped up from the chair shouting, "What do you think you're doing? That was an extremely important conversation! Get out of my office!"
Valeri stood her ground and shouted back, "I'm not leaving! You aren't going to push me around anymore. I know all about your setup with the government. How could you change so much? I looked up to you all my life. I became a scientist because of you. Now, money means more to you than helping mankind, telling the truth, or even loving your children. Stop this mess! Shut it down."
"You have no idea what you’re talking about. You say you know about the government involvement, yet you think I can just shut this down whenever I please. That's laughable! I don't control things now; they do." Reginald paced the room. "I've grown to resent these creatures. Actually, it's more than that. I hate them. I blame them all for this predicament. If they had volunteered for testing, everything would be fine."
"Would you have volunteered to be tested? Would you have allowed humans to submit to experiments?"
"That's completely different," Reginald began. "Humans are superior to all others. These aliens are only a few steps up from animals."
Valeri replied, "You don't believe that. I know you don't. That's why you hate them. You've discovered that they are just like us and it frightens you. You deal with it by becoming angry and treating them badly. It makes you feel superior."
"Think what you please. Just stay out of this and let me do my job." Reginald motioned for her to leave.
"You should know that you are being watched. So am I. Everyone involved in this program is under surveillance." Valeri watched as fear entered his eyes. "The government is suspicious about your data. They are beginning to figure out that some of your tests are useless. Get out while you can."
Reginald took his fear and anger out on Valeri. "You've gone too far and stepped over too many boundaries. Give me your badge. I'll have security clear out your personal items. Your handprints will no longer open any doors. All your codes will be wiped within the hour." He pressed the buzzer for security and three large men entered the office. "Take my daughter to the lobby. Keep her there until someone can bring her personal items to her. She is no longer welcome in this building." He turned back to Valeri and said, "I'm sending you back to your old job. The demotion is punishment for your insolence, and it should also get rid of the surveillance. Stay away and keep your mouth shut. This is my life now."
Valeri waited in the lobby. She was in deep panic mode. How could she help Ohber and the others now? They wouldn't even allow her to say goodbye. Ohber would think she had lied and abandoned him again. Reginald or the government would have them put down. She had to get them out, especially Ohber. Her heart was ripping into pieces. She had meant her words to the handsome knight. He was everything to her. She was now sure that she was in love with an alien.
Security gave her the few personal things she had left in the office. She was walked from the building and banned from returning. She went down one block to a coffee shop and immediately called Victor. "Dad shut me out," she sobbed. "I can't get back in to help Ohber. I have to get him out. He will die soon if I don't. What can I do?"
"It's simple," Victor replied. "You will help him escape, fly him home, and shut down the program. No problem."
How her brother could make her laugh at such a bad time, she didn't understand. Laughter through tears did wonders to calm her. She answered, "If it's so simple, tell me how to accomplish the miracle."
"With my excellent computer skills and the help of some other hackers, you can get in and out of the building and lab. The basement holds more than aliens. Three small spaceships that were captured with the aliens reside there as well. One is a Milisarian ship. It only holds four and wasn't meant for deep space travel, but it got here, so it should get him back home." Victor tried to sound confident, though he was far from it.
"What if it's broken or he doesn't know how to fly it?" Valeri asked.
"Our cars drive themselves. I would guess the spaceships could too. If it's broken, take one of the others." He made it sound so easy. Valeri almost believed him. They both knew none of it would be simple. They were also aware that she had no other choice. She ordered a coffee and a cinnamon roll and settled in to make a plan.
Valeri dressed in black jeans, a black t-shirt, and a black leather jacket. She tucked her hair into a black baseball cap. Her backpack held a change of clothes, some food, a flashlight, and a first-aid kit. She tossed in an old white cotton shirt in case Ohber needed bandaging. She was as ready as she could get. Terror rushed through her at the thought of what she was about to do. If the government was still watching her, it would make everything harder. She left on her bedroom light, her computer was open and running, and the television was tuned to her favorite show. Hopefully, anyone watching the apartment would think she was still there.
She took the stairs down to the basement. She was afraid of seeing another tenant in the elevator. Valeri slipped out through the maintenance entrance. True to his word, Victor was waiting. He sat astride a black motorcycle. It looked ancient. He silently strapped her bag to the back, handed her a helmet, and helped her climb behind him. They roared through back alleys until they came within a few blocks of the lab.
Victor hugged her tight and kissed her cheek. She clung tightly to him. If things went wrong, she could end up in jail or dead. If all went right, she would be going to Milisaria. It would be a long time before she saw her brother again. She whispered, "Don't get caught. You shouldn't have to suffer for my misdeeds. Never forget how much I love you." She ran down the alley blinded by tears. She heard the motorcycle zoom away.
Alone, Valeri searched the back of the building for a tiny hidden door. She found it down concrete steps in the darkest corner. The hackers had unlocked it. She opened it and was knocked back by the noise inside. This room was far below the basement level. It held pipes, recyclers, and machinery she didn't recognize. She chanced using the maintenance elevator to the lab floor. It would take forever to walk up that many floors, and she needed to hurry. The hackers could only keep the doors open and the cameras off her for a short time. The hallway was dark except for tiny lights along the floor. She glanced up at the ceiling to make sure the cameras were turned away. They were. She quietly navigated the distance to Ohber's room. It popped open as she neared. Ohber was unconscious and sweating profusely. His breathing was rapid, indicating illness. She gently shook his shoulder to rouse him. His eyes opened, but he had a hard time focusing. She wiped his brow and explained, "I'm getting you out of here. I have to ask for your help. Can you walk at all?"
He replied, "I will crawl if I have to. Give me just a minute to sit up." He struggled, but with her help sat and then stood. Each step was agony, and he could only make it a few feet before resting. Valeri was worried, not only about his condition, but whether the hackers could keep them hidden and the doors unlocked long enough to escape. They reached the elevator, and he slumped to the floor.
The elevator stopped on the basement level. Valeri could see where
the aliens were being held, yet she knew there was no way to help them. If they made it to the ship and it was in working order, it could only hold four. Her bag was in the corner of the elevator, right where she had left it. She hooked it over her shoulders, assisted Ohber in rising, and headed for the ships. She had to ask Ohber to point out the Milisarian ship. She eased him into a seat and stared at the control panel. Ohber saw her hesitancy. He reached out and pushed a few buttons. The spaceship lit up, and the engine came to life. Victor had made it back to his computer. The huge doors opened, and the floor moved, carrying the ship outside. Ohber pushed more buttons and said, "Pull back on the long handle slowly. We will rise into the sky." Valeri pulled a little too hard, and the ship shimmied dangerously as it rose. It leveled out. Ohber put it on autopilot and passed out. They were free, but not out of danger. Valeri had no idea how to get to Milisaria or how far this ship could fly. She needed Ohber's help. It was time to bring out the first-aid kit and do her best to make him well enough to get them to his planet.
Chapter 10:
Ohber thought Valeri had left him to die. She had not returned to the lab. He did not fight when the scientists came for him. There was no use in fighting anymore. He had accepted his fate. The needle plunged through his skin and within minutes he was too weak to move. He felt as if he was burning from the inside. It did not matter. He closed his eyes and dreamed of home and Valeri.
His dream seemed so real. In it, Valeri had come to his rescue. She had taken him beneath the Earth and found a spaceship. He had managed to get it up in the sky and then the dream had ended. Hours later, he awoke to find the dream was real. Valeri was washing his face with a cold, wet cloth. She kept repeating, "Wake up. You have to wake up. I need your help." His eyelids felt so heavy. It took all his strength just to keep his eyes open.
His voice came out as a whisper, "Where are we? What did you do?"
"We are on a small Milisarian ship. I stole it from the lab. I'm trying to take you home, but I don't know how to fly this thing, and I don't know where Milisaria is. I really need your help." Valeri wiped away his sweat and offered him a drink. "You are getting dehydrated from sweating so much, and you're burning with fever; you have to drink. Please stay awake. We've been going in circles for hours. I don't have any idea how long this ship will last."
Ohber swallowed as much of the liquid as he could stand. It made him nauseous. The ship controls swam before his eyes. He told Valeri, "I cannot see or sit up to fly this ship. You must follow my directions. Turn the black knob on your left to the right. A screen should awaken."
Valeri did as she was told. A blue screen popped up on the console. It showed star constellations. Ohber continued, "Touch the screen. Wherever your finger touches, a name will show up. These are planets and stars. Milisaria will be somewhere on the top left. When you find it, hold your finger there and push the large green button." It took some time to sort through the thousands of names and find Milisaria. It was harder still, to keep her finger on it and reach for the green button. If her finger so much as twitched, it would show a different name.
With that accomplished, she asked, "What do I do now?"
Ohber sighed, "It is on autopilot and headed for Milisaria. Pray no enemies attack and that this ship has enough power to get us there. If space trash or an asteroid get in our path, I will try to steer us around it."
Valeri feared the answer to her next question. "How long does it take to get there?"
Ohber barely managed to say, "Seven Earth days," before he passed out.
Each time Ohber regained consciousness, Valeri was there to give him a drink, wipe his face, and coax him to swallow some medication. On the seventh day, she demanded, "You have to stay awake for a while. You said it would take seven days to get to Milisaria, and that's today. I can't land this thing."
Ohber tried to sit up. He could not. He replied, "I cannot do it either. There is an emergency beacon. We must use it. Slide open the center console. Turn the red knob and push it in. You will soon be speaking to someone on Milisaria. I am sorry, I cannot stay with you." He slipped back into the darkness.
Valeri jumped when a deep voice came from the console. "Who is this? What is the problem?"
Valeri answered, "I am an Earth female named Valeri. I am in a small ship bound for Milisaria. One of your knights is also aboard. He is too sick to navigate. I do not know how to fly the ship. It is now on autopilot. We need help."
The voice replied, "We have the beacon on screen. You are still too far away for us to control the ship for you. It is getting low on energy. Turn off unnecessary lighting and equipment. When you are closer, we will take over. What knight is aboard?"
"His name is Ohber." Valeri heard a gasp.
"King Shene told us Ohber died. How is it that you have him?" The voice sounded angry and disbelieving.
"I swear he is alive, although he needs medical attention. I rescued him from his captors. They have harmed him." Valeri had done her best to explain. If she told the voice everything, it could start a battle with Earth.
Two hours later, the spaceship gave a jerk. Valeri almost fell out of her seat. Ohber groaned. The voice returned. "We have taken control. Get ready to land."
As the ship lowered toward the planet, Valeri watched from the window. She caught her first glimpse of the four huge moons. They were breathtaking. The seas were bright green and their waves slapped the shores. It felt like the sea was welcoming them home. She wished Ohber was awake to see it.
The spaceship landed safely. Valeri opened the door and found a stunning human female on the other side. Her long brown hair was shiny and its waves blew in the cool air. Her sweet voice rang out, "Welcome to Milisaria. I am Queen Destiney. May I enter and see to our lost warrior?" Valeri was surprised that the queen would meet such a small ship. She moved out of the way and let her approach Ohber. Queen Destiney rushed back to the door and called out, "Warriors, he needs your help. Carry him to Alexis's medical rooms. One of you, find her and our doctor. Hurry!"
As four strong warriors lifted Ohber onto their shoulders, the queen took Valeri by the hand. "Come with me. He will be cared for. You are in need of food, a shower, and rest. Then you can tell Alexis and me what has happened."
Valeri protested, "I brought him all this way. I won't leave him now." She saw understanding in the queen's amber eyes.
Queen Destiney replied, "Fine. While he is examined, you can shower and change. I will take you to him as soon as Alexis allows." She took Valeri through the capitol building and showed her how to use the public shower. She provided Valeri with a bodysuit much like her own. The queen's was green like the sea. Valeri's was golden. She blushed to see every curve on display. It was more revealing than anything she had ever worn. Dad would really have a fit.
Brushing her embarrassment aside, she begged, "Please take me to Ohber. He will think I have abandoned him again." The queen quirked an eyebrow at that statement but led the way to Alexis's lab.
Alexis and the doctor were working frantically over a very still Ohber. His eyes were open but rolled back in his head. Alexis saw Valeri enter and asked, "What was done to him? We need all you can tell us. It will aid in his treatment."
Valeri said, "I'm sorry to say, I only know some of the things that were done to him. He was in captivity for over three years. I have only known him for a few months. To begin, he was in an explosion. It broke most of his bones and tore his aorta. The aorta was replaced. He has been electrocuted by a Voltuni. It wasn't her fault. She was forced by their captor. He was injected with several of Earth's illnesses and forced to lift heavy weights despite his weakened body. I have no idea what illness he is currently fighting."
Alexis's face was grim as she continued to work. Valeri could tell she was angry and didn't blame her. Stating the details made her realize how evil their treatment of the aliens had been. She was just as guilty as her dad. It was a sobering thought.
Queen Destiney forced her to sit. She sat a plate filled
with fruit and cheese on the table at her side. "You must eat a little. You need to stay strong so you can take care of Ohber. As you said, he is counting on you. I have been in your position. My husband came close to death. It's so hard to watch and not be able to do anything. But remember, you have done quite a lot. You rescued him, stole a spaceship, and kept him alive."
Valeri began to cry. "I am also guilty of causing him pain. I stood by as he was used in experiments. He lifted the weights because I asked him to. I'm sure my father gave him this illness to punish me."
The queen patted her back and replied, "You've atoned for all that by bringing him home. I betrayed Siefer by having an affair with his deceitful brother. I made atonement by killing Rowl. King Siefer forgave me. We still love each other dearly. You love Ohber, don't you?"
Valeri nodded. She prayed the queen was right and Ohber would forgive her for all the bad things she had allowed to happen to him. He had to survive. She wanted to make amends and tell him she loved him. He deserved to see Milisaria once more.
Alexis and the doctor stepped away. They had done all they could for Ohber. He was gray and silent, except for each gasping breath. Alexis motioned for Valeri to come closer. She said, "Sit with him. Talk quietly. Reach out to his soul and call him back. He needs a reason to fight for his life. Give him one."
Valeri pulled her chair to the bed. She lifted Ohber's limp hand and placed a kiss on it. She began to speak, "We made it. We escaped from the lab. You're safe now. No more pain. Come back to me. We need to talk. I saw your four moons. They are just as glorious as you described. The green seas welcomed you home. Your Milisaria is beautiful. Open your eyes and look around. Ohber, you're finally home. The queen greeted our ship. She is anxious to meet you. You were missed by the warriors. They carried you in on their shoulders. I'm told that it's a sign of respect used for soldiers who are badly injured in battle. Keep fighting. You promised to stay alive. Please, Ohber, I need you. Don't leave me all alone on a strange planet. Everyone is kind, but I need you."
