“To save you.”
A surprising reply. “What about Cade and Jaspar?”
“Unfortunately, there was no way I could get them out without drawing attention.”
“Why save me, though?” Because Colette didn’t understand why the doctor she barely knew would bother. “Won’t you be fired for helping me escape?”
“Most likely I’ll be jailed, but I had to because of this.” Ouellet produced a round smooth disk and put it in into Colette’s hand.
She eyed the dark blue rock-like object with confusion. “What is it?”
“Jaspar gave it to the general and claimed it could communicate with their ship. Which is true, by the way. I’ve spoken to the onboard AI.”
“How? I thought Beta couldn’t get a signal inside the underground base.”
“The ship’s computer can’t penetrate the metal shielding in the walls, which is why, despite orders to keep it contained underground, I snuck it outside to see if it actually worked.”
“And?”
“And the AI immediately made contact.” Ouellet’s lips twisted. “Beta confirmed what Jaspar and Cade said, even managed to send me all kinds of documentation on the Xamian as well as the Krampusonians. Wildly interesting stuff with actual video footage. I took what I discovered to the general.”
“What did she do with the information?”
“Nothing. She commanded me to hand over the device and told me to keep what I’d learned quiet. But how can I not act when humanity’s children are at risk?”
“How did you get it back?” Colette glanced at it in her palm.
“I drugged the soldiers guarding the containment chamber to steal it.”
No wonder the doctor appeared so nervous.
“Why give it to me?”
“Because Beta said to.”
Before Colette could ask why, someone shouted. Even worse, a glance past the towering containers showed a trio of soldiers jogging in their direction.
“Oh dear. We’ve run out of time.” The doctor turned pale.
“Don’t lose hope yet.” Colette squeezed the device in her hand and murmured, “Beta, if you’re listening, we could use some help right about now.”
“I’ve got a lock on you,” was the reply. “Doctor, if you require extraction, please grab hold of Colette.”
Ouellet pinched her lips but gripped Colette’s arm tight. A bright flash of light occurred, followed by a disorientation that Colette now recognized. A blink later and, no surprise, she found herself on the ship with the doctor, who gaped in astonishment.
“Greetings, Colette and Dr. Ouellet. Welcome aboard.”
“Uh…” The poor doctor seemed to have lost her ability to speak.
A relieved Colette grinned. “Nice timing, Beta.”
“You’re welcome. If you don’t mind, I’m going to run the decontamination procedure on you.”
A warning that had Ouellet standing still as a statue as the lasers sluiced up and down their bodies, leaving Colette feeling fresher than she’d felt since locked in that cell.
A cell still holding her two blue hunks.
“Beta, we have to do something to save Cade and Jaspar.”
