by Celeste Raye
Ohber answered, "I am alive for now. That is the best I can hope for. Why did he abandon us? Is he finished with our experiments?"
Valeri defended her father. "He didn't know you were being neglected. The scientists promised him they were caring for all of you. After Monday, he was too busy to check. He trusted the others."
"He likes to remind us that this is his project. That should mean it is also his duty to make sure all are cared for. He certainly found time to give us a new illness, though some were already sick. The scientists took blood, but did not care for our wounds." Ohber looked away and continued. "I think he is done with us. We no longer serve a purpose. He does not care if we die now."
"I will speak to him again tomorrow. He will be calmer then. I can make things better for all of you. I refuse to believe he would allow you to die. This program has a long way to go. He still needs you. It's just so difficult to argue with him over this. He isn't just my father. He founded this program and has the power to fire me. If that happened, I wouldn't be allowed in this lab." Valeri gently touched his face. "You are my friend. I will not let you give up. Stay alive for me, please."
Ohber smiled, "I will continue to fight as long as possible. Do not fret. I will not ask you to defy your father. He is your family. I am nothing."
Valeri whispered, "That's not true. You are more important to me than you realize. In fact, you are everything that matters."
Valeri returned to the lab. She organized the data, ran the blood tests and cleaned the room. The maintenance people must have been banned from the premises for the week too. She tossed the trash into the recycler. Maybe, if she did her job well enough, Reginald would be more willing to listen to her suggestions. She even scrubbed the walls in the hallway and bleached the shower. With only a few minutes left in the work day, Valeri checked the schedule to see what the scientists had in store for her friends. Nothing was scheduled. That frightened her more than any new experiment could. If there were no new tests, the aliens were expendable, and she still had not discovered what their fate would be.
Valeri reached for the phone and hurriedly tapped a message to Victor. It read, "Hurry with the information. Tests almost complete. Bad situation. What happens to unusable aliens?"
He instantly texted back, "Have lots to tell you. Meet me in the park. Apartment may be watched. Bring food."
Of course, he was hungry. He always was. Why would her apartment be watched? Did her dad think she was doing something to sabotage his study or was there someone more sinister involved? What or who would she have to take on to save the aliens? It didn't matter. She would fight to the death if necessary. The aliens were the innocent ones in this mess. What did her dad do to get them all into this? Could she get out? Valeri couldn't answer her own confused mind.
Chapter 9
Victor was waiting under the trees by the lake. A few people strolled past on their way home from work. Despite all the advances in medications and technology, joggers ran through the park, getting exercise the old-fashioned way. Valeri dropped the bag of greasy burgers in her brother's lap. Fattening junk food never went out of style. It was too delicious. Victor tore open the bag and chowed down on its contents.
Valeri gave him a disgusted grin and said, "Can't that wait until you catch me up? Why aren't we relaxing in my apartment, where it's cool?"
Between bites, Victor answered, "I'm too hungry to wait any longer. I got so sucked in by the research, I forgot to eat. We aren't in your apartment because everyone in the program is being watched. Dad's in some deep crap. He doesn't even know how bad it is."
"Okay. Who's watching us?" Valeri had no trouble believing Victor. He always told her the truth, good or bad.
Victor groaned as he finished the last sandwich. "The government is watching. All the money came from them. If you or anyone tattles about the experiments, some big names get burned."
"They would only get burned if the program was a fraud. There really are techs searching for cures with the samples from the aliens. I had a part in working on the latest breakthrough." Valeri didn't understand the problem.
"Those discoveries are just a bonus. The government is paying for something else. What it is, I can't find. Their agenda is hidden too deep even for me. The money's big though. Dad and the others will have no problem retiring on their own islands when this is over. That is, if the government doesn't have them killed." Victor watched Valeri for a reaction.
Valeri asked, "What part of the government? How far up the chain does it go?"
Victor replied, "It's not the government we are all aware of. The president, vice president, senators, and others we know aren't involved. They don't even know this group exists. I always knew there was more to this world than what we are allowed to see."
"What about dad? Is he trying to help people and find cures or is he working for this group?" Valeri still held out hope for Reginald's innocence.
Victor's answer dashed her last hope. "He may have started out searching for cures, but that didn't last long. The funding disappeared when there were no alien volunteers. The government captured some stray unintelligent ones and paid dad to do tests. Then they got greedier. They began grabbing intelligent life, and the payments to dad grew. He doesn't care about any of it now. The money is all he sees. Some of the tests are completely useless, but he uses complicated scientific jargon to make them look good. The more information he funnels to these people, the more they pay. Dad's even lying to the scientists about the money. He's taking eighty percent and hiding it all over the world."
"Why are they watching me? I didn't know anything about this," Valeri questioned.
Victor shook his head. "I'm not sure. My best guess would be that they are getting suspicious. Dad's been sending them worthless crap. He suddenly brought you into the program, and you are his daughter. It makes you a prime suspect."
Valeri was shaking with fear as she asked, "What happens to the aliens when they are no longer viable candidates for the program? Can they go home?"
Victor refused to look her in the eyes as he replied, "I think you have already guessed. They are put down, just like sick animals. Releasing them would cause all the planets to take notice." He took Valeri into his arms and let her cry. He had one more shocking revelation to tell her. When her crying came to an end, he gently explained, "There are others. We missed the basement in our search. It is a prison of sorts. There are approximately ten aliens there. Two are Milisarian Knights. These captives are awaiting their turns in the experiment."
"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?"
