“Fret not, Earthling. There is a plan.”
Ouellet unfroze enough to whisper, “I can’t believe I’m on an alien ship.”
“From my perspective, you’re the alien,” Beta remarked.
“This is amazing.” Ouellet stared around before frowning. “It’s plainer than I expected.”
“This is our intake chamber, kept purposely simple so as to evade potential damage from items or living beings brought aboard.” Whoosh. A door slid open. “If you wish, you can proceed to the control chamber, where you can watch the events unfolding. Follow the lighted path in the hall.”
The corridor appeared just as plain, with white walls and floor, the only color coming from a glowing dot a few feet ahead of them, which moved with every step they took.
Soon enough, they found themselves on the bridge, which held a console full of flashing lights and buttons, but not as many as Star Trek used to have. The most interesting thing? The massive screen, which showed dark space and the glowing speck that was Earth.
“I’m in space,” whispered Ouellet.
They didn’t admire the view for long, as it switched, splitting into many panes, each featuring different video feeds from?—
“That’s the inside of the base!” Ouellet exclaimed, pointing. “You hacked into the security network.”
“Among other things,” Beta murmured.
“There’s the cell.” Colette couldn’t help but approach the screen and watch as a large group of soldiers formed ranks in front of it, protection for the scowling general who approached.
“She’s pissed,” Ouellet remarked. “I am so getting court-martialed for this.”
“Don’t be so sure of that. You saved me,” Colette stated, putting a hand on her shoulder. “And I repay my debts. I’ll hire you the best lawyers money can buy. I won’t let them lock you away for doing the right thing.” Assuming the world didn’t get fucked by the Krampus monsters.
The door to the cell opened, and the general remained a few paces back as Jaspar and Cade emerged, straight shouldered, steely eyed.
“Is she releasing them?” Colette wondered aloud.
“No,” Beta replied. “The general has made a deal with the Krampusonians to hand them over.”
Shock exploded from Colette. “What? She can’t do that?”
“She doesn’t have a choice,” Ouellet murmured. “I told you she was compromised.”
“The general is being blackmailed,” Beta informed. “The Krampusonians have taken her grandchildren and offered them back in return for my commanders.”
“Guess she now knows who was telling the truth.” Colette couldn’t help but sound sour. “Is there anything we can do to save them?”
“Fear not, Earthling. There is a plan.”
Sound suddenly emerged from a speaker.
“…prisoner exchange,” the general could be heard saying.
“You foolish female.” A disapproving Jaspar shook his head. “I warned you this would happen.”
“Trust me, I wish I’d listened,” the grim reply from the general. “I am sorry, but they have my grandbabies.”
“We understand. Children are more important than the lives of two old warriors.” Cade actually nodded.
“If it helps, the higher-ups have finally authorized lethal force. If we manage to successfully launch the nukes, you won’t be in their custody for long.”
Because they’d be dead!
The camera view kept flipping as the soldiers marched Cade and Jaspar to the elevator. The feed cut as they ascended and resumed once they emerged in the concrete hangar, with Cade and Jaspar both wearing the Faraday blankets.
