Trapped in Your Storm

by Darien Cox

  JT reached for the tablet. “What is it?”

  “A lot of data. Hang on.”

  “He said it’s for me,” JT said. “What is it?”

  “Looks like a letter. It’s in English. And some schematics. What—”

  JT snatched the tablet from Ogden, and Ogden glared. “He said it’s for me.”

  “Then read it,” Ogden said. “Now.”

  JT tucked his blond hair behind his ear then scowled at the tablet. He took a deep breath. “Okay, here we go. ‘JT.’” JT glanced up. “Huh. He spelled it right.”

  “Read it,” Ogden said.

  “I will, relax. Okay. ‘JT. It is me who you call Baz. I am locked in safe room with four others. We are trapped. Can no to get message out but have access to words to make this clear for you. I am about to try escape but may be die. If succeed and be live, time short and wish to give you detail in way much smooth than when we speak I am more fluid this way with words at my side.’” JT looked up.

  Ogden nodded, looking grim. “Continue.”

  JT cleared his throat. “Okay. ‘I address this to you because you most advance mind to understand maybe this diagrams.’”

  JT smiled appreciatively, and focused back on the tablet. His grin slid away. “He says, ‘But since you are still very simple…’” JT frowned.

  “‘But since you are still very simple, I try to use simple words. Baz stays at base for traffic. Other hybrids sometime switch out and replace with new that come in from ships. Group of hybrid show up recently to replace for where I work. There is one who is call close in your language name Ikto. Ikto is horrible bag of dirt and I hate him. We did not know when he arrive to his bad agenda. Ikto make deal with…’”

  JT blew a breath out and his lips pursed.

  “What’s it say?” Wiley asked.

  JT frowned and continued reading. “‘Ikto make deal with Greys who give to Ikto disruptive technology to take into base and put all Whites to sleep. Hybrids protected from signal because human side of brain no effect.”

  “What the fuck,” Elliot whispered.

  “‘All Whites sleep now,’” JT continued. “‘Hybrids who not horrible bag of dirt like Ikto tell either cooperate or be locked and bled to no interfere. Baz fight and get bled and lock. But some hybrid friends to Baz find and take to safe place in base and lock in. Signal to outside block all over base so no to get message out. But Baz get in to read internal of Ikto messages with Greys. One of us must get outside base to escape block zone for help. The four have decide this should be Baz because can maybe get help by humans of lake.’” JT looked at Ogden. “Any comments? There’s more.”

  Ogden shook his head slowly. “Does it say what the hybrids…and the Greys are after?”

  JT’s head bowed and he focused on the tablet, his hand trembling slightly. “‘This is much to ask and your superiors sure to be cautious. But need access to outside. Traffic been divert by Ikto to other bases on earth so Whites coming in not to know things happening. Ikto and his hybrids go all over base now to steal much from Whites while asleep before Greys come to…take Whites’ babies.”

  Nolan flinched. “What?”

  “Oh, Jesus,” Ogden said, pinching the bridge of his nose.

  “There’s a couple more paragraphs then some schematics. It says, ‘I will attempt dangerous escape through vent when time come round soon to go. I have include diagrams to system we know for certain is place Ikto plant sabotage for signal that continue to keep Whites asleep. If I am not alive when you read this I hope that…’” JT leaned into Ogden and pointed to the tablet. “You think that’s supposed to be you?”

  Ogden took the tablet from JT. “May I?”

  “Yeah.” JT hugged himself.

  Ogden took a deep breath then read. “‘I hope that…Hoghun be willing to contact his…” Ogden glanced up, then frowned as he continued. “‘Contact his not human friends that have ability to help.’”

  “Whoa, whoa,” Elliot said. “Not human friends? Who the fuck is Baz talking about, Ogden?”

  “Hold off, Elliot,” Wiley said. “Ogden, continue.”

  Ogden scowled. “He says, ‘I worry if contact other Whites’ bases and come to help will fall to signal and sleep. But Hoghun friends to be convince please. I include below extreme sensitive information about Whites’ base under mountains, but Baz and others agree Whites would rather give in situation than have babies fall to Greys in this trade Ikto made because he is greedy horrible bag of dirt that should die by pain. Please to help. Please to help. From who you call Baz. Thank to you.’”

  The room was silent. Wiley pulled a chair out and sat down, his complexion pasty.

  “Who are these friends Baz is talking about?” Elliot asked. “Ogden?”

  Ogden shook his head.

  “Ogden!” Nolan said. “Baz said ‘not human’ friends. Who does he mean? You have contact with another race of aliens? Besides the Whites?”

  “Yes.”

  Nolan shook his head. “I knew you guys kept secrets, but this? Why don’t we know about this? Who’s this other alien race?”

  “Just give me a minute to think, Nolan,” Ogden said.

  “Christ, Ogden,” Christian said. “You’re in contact with another race and Baz knows about them, but not us?”

  “They’re an advanced race and so are the Whites,” Ogden said. “It stands to reason they might have compared notes on our planet, that’s probably how Baz knows about them.”

  “But who are they?” JT asked.

  “Doesn’t matter, they won’t help,” Wiley said.

  “We don’t know that for certain,” Ogden said.

  “Yes, we do,” Wiley said. “They don’t get involved. And maybe neither should we.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Nolan said. “You’re just gonna let the Greys come and steal the Whites’ babies? When there might be another way?”

  “There’s no indication there’s any potential harm to humans in this plan,” Wiley said.

  Nolan’s brow lowered. “Oh for fuck’s sake—”

  The door in the corner of the room creaked open, and Baz stepped out, arm resting on Rhonda’s shoulder as they walked back toward the cot. Rhonda smiled at the group. “Had a little trouble but we got it done, right Baz?” Rhonda’s grin fell. “What’s wrong?”

  Baz let go of Rhonda and walked gingerly over to the cot. He sat down and crossed his long legs, resting his arms on his knees. Baz’s huge, bloodshot eyes shifted around the room. “You read?”

  Ogden walked over. “We read.”

  Baz’s head bowed.

  “How long?” Ogden asked. “Until the Greys come?”

  Baz’s head lifted then his eyes shifted, high white forehead furrowed in concentration. “Baz you find day before this?”

  “That’s right,” Ogden said.

  “Two,” Baz said. “Greys to come in two days.”

  “Fuck,” Wiley said.

  Baz glanced back at Wiley. “To help? Yes?” He looked at Ogden. “Hoggin? To help?”

  “What do the Greys want with the Whites’ babies?” Ogden asked.

  Baz made a soft sound, not quite a laugh. “Hybrids steal from Whites’ base, all can take. Greed. Greys no need ships or other things. To Greys, babies big prize. To learn Whites’ abilities.” He pointed to his head. “Inside brain. To have White babies? To use. Maybe to cut. Greys always to hurt.” He looked up at Ogden. “So many babies. Locked away and in sleep. Ikto to give babies to Greys. Greys unlock White ships for Ikto. Take off with what steal.”

  “Are you saying these bad hybrids can’t steal the Whites’ ships themselves? To get away with all their loot?”

  “Ah ah ah!” Baz smiled. “No. Baz sneak and fix so Ikto no to use ships. Ah ah! Get so angry.” He sighed. “But after this Baz get caught. Greys…Greys can undo when arrive. Ikto try to wake White to activate ships but sleep signal too strong. Too bad. Fuck himself.”

  “But those Greys are coming to take th
e babies either way,” Ogden said.

  Baz’s eyes widened. “Oh. Yes. Big flock coming. No to break deal with Greys. No sympathy. Cold. Ikto hybrid second generation, like Baz. Should not be so stupid to make deal. But…”

  Wiley stood up and walked over. “But what?”

  “Baz probably to insult you.”

  “I don’t care,” Wiley said. “Say what you were gonna say.”

  Baz’s head bobbed in a nod. “Some hybrid…less like Whites. More like humans. More selfish. Greed.”

  “I see,” Wiley said. “You get a few bad apples in the hybrid community, you go ahead and blame it on their human DNA.”

  “Apology. Insult.”

  “We have to do something to help them,” Nolan said. “Right?”

  Ogden remained silent.

  “All of the Whites are asleep?” Wiley asked. “Throughout the entire base?”

  “Yes,” Baz said. “All fall down. Still where they fall. Bodies…everywhere.”

  “What will happen to the Whites if the hybrids make their escape after the Greys come? Will the sleep signal be turned off?”

  “To guess? No. Bag of dirt, Ikto. If left sleep, three month, Whites starve. Die. Ikto and horrible hybrids long time gone.”

  “Jesus Christ.” Ogden dragged a stool over and sat, rubbing his chin. “So you know where this signal is originating from in the base. Could you get back inside? Maybe shut it off yourself?”

  “All entrance block,” Baz said. “And vents? Only access from inside. Move, always move. Not to know where.” Baz reached over and touched Ogden’s shoulder. “Even if entry unblock, Baz entry activate alarm. Genetic code. Apology to ask for help.”

  “You don’t have to apologize,” Christian said. “Ogden, we have to try to stop this from happening.”

  “You’re asking us to save the Whites,” Wiley said. “We don’t have that capability, whether we’re willing to risk it or not. And you heard him. The place is locked down.”

  Baz turned to Wiley. “But you have agreement with those who do have capability.”

  “Agreement, sure.” Wiley pointed at Baz. “And part of that agreement is they stay out of our business and we stay out of theirs!”

  Baz’s head bowed, his shoulders hunching.

  “We’ll try,” Ogden said.

  Wiley’s head whipped around. “This isn’t your call, Ogden.”

  “And what if the Whites wake up, Wiley? What then? Say they wake up and discover we had a chance to stop the Greys from stealing their children and we did nothing. You think they’ll be pleased?”

  “You know the rules. We can’t contact them.”

  “Who is them?” Elliot shouted. He looked at Baz. “Baz. Who are these other aliens you think can help?”

  Baz looked up at Ogden. “Hoggin?”

  Ogden paced back and forth.

  “Ogden, come on,” JT said. “Baz said we’ve only got two days.”

  “You don’t know what you’re asking,” Wiley said.

  “Then explain it to us,” Nolan said.

  “They’re peaceful. They don’t get involved in conflicts.”

  Elliot huffed. “If they’re so peaceful, wouldn’t they want to help babies for Christ sakes?”

  “Wiley,” Ogden said softly. “We have to try. Your sons. They’re how old?”

  Wiley’s eyes narrowed. “Watch it, Ogden. You know how old my sons are.”

  “Two and five,” Ogden said. “If someone was coming for them, to experiment on and kill them, would you expect someone to help if they could?”

  “I’m not getting in an ethics debate with you. You know the rules.”

  Ogden stood. “We’re about to break the rules.”

  “You don’t have that authority,” Wiley said.

  “I know. But I’m going to get it. I’m sure at the very least our superiors will care that a fleet of Greys are on their way to our planet. Take the guys back to their rooms. JT? I’ll call you all when I’m ready to brief you. This will take some time. So shower, sleep, eat, do what you need to do. It’s going to be a very long night.”

  “Ogden—”

  “Wiley!” Ogden shouted. “I’m taking charge of it and I’ll handle whatever the consequences are. Take the guys back to their rooms.”

  Baz swiped a tear from his eye.

  “You okay?” Christian walked over and took Baz’s hand.

  “Okay, Chrischris. Thank to you.”

  “Let’s go,” Wiley said. “Frankly I don’t want to watch while Ogden commits career suicide.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Elliot woke from a nap and took a shower. The room was small and efficient, like a hotel room—if that hotel room had been designed by robots, everything stark and white, no frills, nothing on the walls. He dressed then sat on the bed, checking his phone. Christ, it’s been hours.

  He was about to text Nolan when someone knocked on his door. When he opened it he was surprised to see JT standing there. “Hey,” Elliot said. “What’s going on?”

  “Not sure. Christian got called out a while ago so he’s off somewhere in the bowels of this facility to help with something ominous that Wiley wouldn’t share with me.”

  “Just Christian?”

  “For now.”

  “So at least we know they’re working on some strategy. But when are they gonna call the rest of us in? I’m antsy.”

  JT shook his head. “I don’t know. I should go talk to Nolan too. I wanted to stretch my legs anyway. Not that there’s far to go. Our keycards don’t allow access off this floor.”

  “I’ll go talk to Nolan,” Elliot said.

  JT smirked. “That’s very noble of you to volunteer.”

  “You ever gonna stop giving me shit about him?”

  “Of course. But not yet. I’m gonna go back to my room and try to check in with Rudy.”

  “Okay. I’ll let you know if I hear anything. You do the same.”

  JT patted Elliot’s shoulder then moved off, disappearing through a nearby door.

  After grabbing his phone and keycard, Elliot started out the door then paused. Is it possible? To maybe grab a quickie from Nolan before they call us? Elliot chuckled. “Why the fuck not?”

  He needed the distraction, and memories of Nolan’s body and mouth and words from last night still lingered no matter what else was going on. He searched the first aid kit and found a couple packets of petroleum jelly. He chuckled as he stuck one in his pocket. Government-issue lube. Dig it.

  He walked down the hall to the door he’d seen Wiley send Nolan into. He knocked three times. Nolan opened the door with a scowl, a waft of freshly showered scent coming off him, shirtless in boxer shorts, hair tied back in a bun. “Hey. Come in.”

  Okay, maybe no quickie. Nolan had his grumpy face on. Elliot followed him into the room, admiring his muscular back and thick round buns in the boxer shorts. “JT said they grabbed Christian for something. Haven’t heard anything myself. You?”

  “Nothing.” Nolan paced the room. “I feel like punching something. But this room is so bare there’s nothing to punch.”

  “Yeah. That’s probably a good thing.”

  “That baby White trusted me. And we handed her over to be sold to the Greys.” Nolan sat down on the bed, hanging his head.

  “We didn’t hand her over, the hybrid fucking tractor-beamed her out of my arms.”

  “Doesn’t help. She trusted me. Someone probably sent her topside for her safety for all we know. And we handed her right back to that…bag of dirt.”

  “Quit beating yourself up. It’s not helping anything.”

  Nolan looked up at Elliot. “Don’t you feel guilty?”

  “No. We’re here to try and help all the babies now. If we can help save the fucking Whites, that’s huge. You need to readjust your focus.”

  “Easy for you to say.”

  Elliot approached the bed. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

  Nolan shrugged. “It’s always be
en easier for you to shut down your feelings.”

  “I have plenty of feelings. But storming around and sulking and punching things isn’t productive.”

  “Sitting here doing nothing isn’t productive either. I can’t just shut my emotions off when I don’t like them.”

  “Hey.” Elliot gave Nolan’s shoulder a shove. “You trying to take a jab at me? What’s this crap?”

  “You know what I mean. You internalize everything.”

  Elliot was getting annoyed. “I internalize, huh? Because I’m not sulking and making a list of my shortcomings like a big broody baby-man when there’s a possible intergalactic war on the horizon?”

  “Screw you, Elliot! You’re the one who flipped out and was all ‘I quit’ just because Brett, a stranger, called you unprofessional.”

  “You did the exact same thing! Said you were gonna quit.”

  “I was just pissed at Brett! You were talking to your friends when you said it. To me! And it actually sounded like you meant it.”

  Nolan tried to stand but Elliot shoved him back down. “That’s right, I flipped out. I didn’t internalize my feelings. I always say what’s on my mind and I’ve always been honest with you. So what the fuck is with these little comments?”

  Nolan stood. “Don’t shove me again or I swear to God—”

  Elliot pushed his chest with both hands and Nolan fell back onto the bed. “There you go. Now you have an excuse to punch something. You want to hit me?”

  Nolan glared up at him, but stayed on the bed, stretched back on his elbows. “That how you treat your little fuck-boys in the village?”

  Elliot’s cheeks flamed. He knelt on the mattress and pointed in Nolan’s face. “You can’t stop bringing up my past, can you? There’s something to that. Maybe you don’t like thinking about me being in control of my own life before you came along and tried to tame me.”

  Nolan’s mouth fell open in shock, and Elliot instantly regretted the words. But he was pissed, feeling judged again by the one person he thought he could trust completely.

  “You think I’m trying to tame you?”

  “Well, you always gotta control everything, don’t you? You’ve been writing the instruction manual on our relationship since the first kiss. You like that you set me off-kilter and get to be some mentor teaching me how to accept romance and get fucked properly. Don’t like thinking about me the other way, the way I was before you got your hands on me.”