Mothership (Invasion Survivor Book 4)

by Hayley Lawson

  “I know, but that witch wouldn't let me go. I tried everything to get away.”

  Paige really believed that.

  “I will make it up to you, I promise,” Tilley said.

  Peter looked at her, clearly thinking about it before nodding.

  Tilley looked at her group and frowned. Naturally, they all wore red uniforms like hers. “Ugh,” she scowled. “They’re giving us a tour. I should probably get back to it so they won’t rat me out to Captain Zoya.” Paige frowned in confusion, and Tilley continued. “She declared herself my guardian on board since I'm a minor.”

  “I'm sorry, Tilley,” Paige replied, sympathetically. Then she thought about what the young girl just said. “A tour, you say? Do you mind if we tag along? We only recently got here as well, and besides this place and a docking area, we know nothing about the ship.”

  “Sure,” Tilley replied instantly. “It will be more fun with you to keep me company, anyway.”

  “Great.”

  They joined the Reds, who were not pleased to see a few Greens join in. The woman in blue blinked rapidly as if she didn't know how to react.

  “I think we broke her,” AJ said in a hushed voice, and Paige nearly lost it.

  “These are my friends,” Tilley informed them. “They will accompany us.”

  That seemed to do the trick, and the guide nodded. “Certainly, Miss.”

  Cool, Paige thought, loving the idea of having a friend in power.

  “As I was saying,” the guide continued without further delay. “The common center is divided into four sections. The ground level—” she gestured with her hands around herself, “—is imagined as the ideal leisure spot. You have sofas and picnic tables with board games. You also have tables for ping pong and a few stations with video games.”

  “Video games?” Peter squeaked with delight. “Cool.”

  It wasn’t until then that Paige noticed any of those things. It was fortunate they had a proper guide. No one else would show them; she was sure of that.

  “The second level,” the guide said, “can be reached by four sets of stairs.” She pointed at every set. “It’s reserved mainly for dining, although there are a few shops there as well.”

  That only rich people can go to because the rest of us are short on cash, Paige added silently. Still, it was good to know where to go to eat.

  “On the third level, you have the clinic center and the guard's station.”

  Only then did Paige notice how the whole place looked like a giant mall. It had the round center and floors built around it.

  The guide stopped as they reached one set of stairs. “The fourth level is exclusive for the VIP passengers.” She intentionally looked at Paige as she spoke.

  “Meaning?” Paige couldn't help herself.

  “Only those wearing red coats can visit,” the woman answered.

  Ouch, Paige thought to herself.

  “But they are my friends,” Tilley insisted.

  “I am sorry, Miss, but those are the rules.” The woman in blue was adamant.

  Tilley became red in the face, and Paige intervened before the girl caused a scene. “Tilley, it's okay. We don't have to go with you.” She turned to the tour guide. “We thank you for the guide. It was educational. We have to go to work though.”

  “Work?” Tilley was visibly shocked.

  “Yeah, no freeloaders on this ship,” AJ added, only half joking.

  “Okay, but I'll see you later, right?” Tilley insisted.

  “Of course,” AJ and Paige reassured her at the same time.

  “Okay, see you later then,” Tilley said glumly.

  Instantly, Paige realized there was a huge flaw in their plan. What are we going to do with Peter? They couldn't just leave him wandering about. Although, if they left him to the gaming area, he would be happy for hours.

  Still, he’s hungry, too. Paige gave herself a migraine with all those thoughts, but inspiration hit her finally.

  “Tilley?” Paige called out to her, and the girl returned in a flash.

  “Yes?”

  She really doesn't want to go with them, Paige realized.

  “Could you do me a huge favor and watch over Peter while we're at work?” Paige asked.

  “Of course. He can come with me,” Tilley replied instantly, clearly pleased she could be of some help. She was probably excited to have some company outside of all the snobs.

  “Great. You’re the best,” Paige replied. Her face fell when she realized something.

  “What is it, Paige?” AJ asked, noticing her expression. “I'm sorry I asked you Tilley, but that guide lady won't let you bring Peter. He's the wrong color,” Paige mocked, ticked off.

  It was Tilley’s turn to make a face, and it was one of resolve. “Peter is my little cousin. Of course, he can come. If that witch says something, she will have to deal with my father.”

  Paige chuckled, impressed.

  “Totally badass,” AJ complimented.

  “Speaking of your father, is there any news?”

  Tilley sighed. “No, not yet, but I keep my fingers crossed.”

  “That's my girl. Now go before your guide kills us all with her death stare,” Paige joked, and Tilley rolled her eyes.

  “We'll see each other later—in your sleeping quarters?” Tilley inquired, and Paige looked at her, frowning. “We still don't know where that is,” she confessed.

  “I don't know either, but Daisy over there told us each color has its own floor.” “Great, but let's just meet up back here,” Paige offered.

  Tilley nodded in return. “Come, Peter. Let's hang out for a while,” Tilley said, offering her hand to the boy. He accepted it without hesitation.

  “Do you have snacks?” he inquired.

  “Oh, yeah. I have tons in my room,” Tilley replied, and Peter beamed back.

  “And I have something else,” Tilley added cryptically.

  “What?” Peter urged.

  “Smokey is with me.”

  Peter clapped. “Let's go right now!”

  Paige shared his enthusiasm and joy. She, too, wished to see that cat again.

  Peter waved at the trio he left behind before they climbed the stairs. If the guide had any objections, Tilley shot them down quickly because they resumed their tour without a problem.

  With that settled, Paige, Angela, and AJ were free to take care of their business of finding a radio. They also needed to report for duty as well.

  AJ broke the silence first. “We still don't know where we're supposed to go from here,” he said, stating the obvious.

  At one point, Paige hoped she could ask Tilley's guide, but she was so prissy like the rest of the Blue lot that she held back.

  “I know you told us not to talk to the others, but we have to this time. We need to ask someone for directions,” Paige pointed out to her mother.

  Angela made a face in return like the idea repulsed her, but eventually, she nodded. “All right but be quick about it and don’t give anything away,” she commanded. “Don’t start an unnecessary conversation. Only ask for directions,” she added as an afterthought.

  Paige wanted to roll her eyes because Angela sometimes treated her like she was five years old.

  “I know,” she countered, annoyed.

  “So, who are you going to ask?” AJ asked.

  Paige shrugged. “I have no idea. Someone who looks approachable, I guess,” she thought out loud.

  AJ looked at her incredulously, and she knew exactly what he meant. From the moment they’d stepped on board, they had encountered no one who fit that bill.

  Maybe that man who wanted to talk with us earlier would help us, but Mom probably burned that bridge to the ground, Paige thought to herself.

  Either way, they had to find someone because the ship was large, and their time was limited.

  Chapter Eight

  They looked around, but AJ spotted someone first. “Paige, what about him?” AJ offered.

  Paige foll
owed his hand and noticed a man in a green uniform walking by himself.

  Perfect, she thought to herself. She preferred someone who was alone, so she sent a thumbs up to AJ before walking away.

  Talking to someone who was alone was ideal because an entire group of people could be too intimidating. More people also meant too many nosy ears and inquiring questions, and as her mother pointed out, they needed to avoid all that.

  Here we go. She gave herself a pep talk.

  He looked surprised as Paige approached him as if that was something he wasn’t used to.

  In a low, non-threatening voice, Paige said, “Excuse me, but could you tell me where 4A is?”

  She decided it was best to ask what interested her the most without small talk.

  He looked at her with his mouth gaping open. “What? That’s where the Blue Coats are. Why would you need that?” he asked, surprised.

  Paige forced a smile. “How can I get there?” Paige asked again, ignoring his question.

  The man chuckled. “Girl, you’d better learn your way around. The sooner, the better.”

  What do you think I'm doing? Paige had to work hard not to snap back at him, but luckily, he continued to speak.

  “Even though I’m sure you must be mistaken about having business with the Blue Coats,” he said in a condescending tone, “you can find them on the fourth floor. Use the glass elevator.” He pointed towards an elevator close to them.

  Finally, some real answers!

  What he said made sense to Paige. Each number was on a different floor, which meant they were assigned to jobs on different floors.

  Perfect, Paige exclaimed. That would really make their search that much easier.

  As he was about to walk away, Paige stopped him. “And how do we get to our sleeping quarters?”

  “Press the button inside the elevator of your color, and it will take you to your sleeping quarters,” he explained, looking at her as if thinking Paige was a complete idiot.

  He’s so judgy! No wonder why he walks alone.

  Paige looked at the so-called glass elevator and frowned. The thing didn't look like one at all. It was just a glass box, really.

  That's an elevator? Where can it possibly go?

  Paige quickly mumbled a ‘thank you’ as the man walked away. She returned to tell Angela and AJ about what she learned.

  “Excuse me,” a woman approached them.

  Paige and the rest of her companions looked at the newcomer with interest.

  “Hi, I didn't mean to eavesdrop,” she started, wearing a small smile. “Yet I couldn't help but overhear your exchange.”

  Yeah, he was a real charmer. Paige looked at her questioningly.

  “My name is Lilly, and my shift is about to start. If you want, I can help you get around,” she offered, and Paige wanted to jump from joy.

  Finally, someone normal and kind! Paige cheered.

  “Yes! Yes, of course. Thank you,” she replied.

  Paige knew Angela couldn't be completely pleased, but they needed help; plain and simple. Glancing at AJ, she knew he was on board with this new plan.

  “Ok, let's go this way,” Lilly pointed.

  While they walked, Paige made introductions.

  “This is the center of the ship,” she explained. “So, the elevator goes downward.”

  Paige nodded, finally understanding things. So, there were more levels below. Interesting.

  They entered the elevator, and Paige looked at the buttons. Sure enough, there were four buttons, and each matched a uniform color. The green button was the lowest level.

  Just like in the tourist spaceship, we’re located at the lowest level. Paige fumed.

  In order after the green button came orange, blue, and finally red on top.

  “Yeah, there's a strict hierarchy here,” Lilly commented, clearly guessing her trail of thoughts.

  “Really, we didn't notice,” AJ jumped in, joking. They all smiled.

  “So, these are the sleeping quarters?” Paige waved at the buttons.

  “Yes.”

  Next to them were buttons numbered from zero to five.

  “And these are the floor numbers,” Lilly continued.”

  “The numbers for our job floors,” Angela said, repeating what the man told Paige.

  “Yes, but Greens usually only work on the lower levels since we do only low-level jobs like maintenance, janitorial work, cooking, and cleaning,” Lilly counted.

  Paige exchanged a look with AJ and her mom. That certainly wasn't the case with them. Well, Angela worked in the kitchen, but that was by choice.

  “I can only show you around the first two floors because I'm only allowed on those,” Lilly said apologetically. She tapped the ID card pinned to her jacket. “Low-level clearance.”

  “That's okay. You've already helped us plenty,” Paige replied honestly.

  “So, what's on each floor?” AJ asked.

  “As I said before, all low-level jobs are on the first floor, and mostly Greens work there. The second is the primary Orange level. They work all kinds of jobs at the clinic or in the botanical garden, growing food—”

  “They grow food here?” Paige was amazed.

  “Well, yes. How else are we going to survive on Mars?” Lilly countered.

  Point well taken.

  “And what's on the third floor?” Angela asked impatiently, clearly hoping to speed them up.

  Paige, however, didn't want to rush Lilly. She wanted to learn as much as possible.

  “The third level is where the Blue Coats work,” Lilly answered. “They either work as security or as guides, assistants to Red Coats.”

  Paige nodded. She already figured that one out on her own.

  “And on the fourth, the Blue and the Red Coats work.”

  “The Red Coats have to work as well?” Paige couldn't believe her ears.

  Lilly shrugged. “Not all of them, but some,” she hedged. “They basically run the mothership.”

  Yeah, go figure, Paige thought to herself.

  “And that's it,” Lilly concluded. “Ready?”

  “I wonder what’s on the 5th floor,” AJ chimed in.

  Lilly stayed silent for a while. “I'm not quite sure,” she started. “I heard that's where our government is.”

  Paige felt like rolling her eyes. They governed us so well we had to leave Earth. I can't wait to see their next trick.

  Lilly pressed the first floor, and they descended. It was a smooth ride.

  We’re definitely not in Kansas anymore, came a strange thought, and Paige almost giggled.

  * * *

  Dave looked at his suite and felt the need to rub his eyes. It was better than his old place back home. Scratch that—it was better than any place he’d ever visited, period.

  And once again, he silently thanked Brooke from the bottom of his heart. If she was there, he would kiss her. He was that happy.

  There's a possibility I wouldn't survive to tell the tale, but it would be worth it.

  She’d saved his life more than once.

  Looking around, he had everything he could possibly need, yet all that luxury confused him. Not that he wouldn't take full advantage. A part of him wanted to see how far he could go.

  Not now, he reminded himself. Dave had more pressing matters at hand than goofing around.

  He needed to find Peter. That was the whole point of this crazy journey.

  As promised, he received a full gourmet meal they’d served in his small dining room, and it looked stunning. It was almost too pretty to eat. Dave didn't know who their chef was, but he was certain it was one of those fancy ones. Maybe even that British guy who had his own TV shows and wrote a ton of books.

  Dave decided to preserve everything as it was and wait for Peter to share it with him. His little brother had been a foodie since he was young, and he would lose his mind at the display. Dave thought Peter enjoyed cooking shows more than cartoons even when he was a toddler. The boy sure loved comic bo
oks though.

  The first thing Dave needed to do upon arriving in his suite was to take a shower. He didn't know why Gretchen insisted on that so vigorously, but he complied.

  Unfortunately, she also informed him they would have to burn his current clothes and that they would provide him with new. She was very apologetic about it, probably because he made a face.

  Dave really liked the black clothes he got from Brooke. He thought he looked totally badass and was saddened to part with them, yet there he was, freshly showered and in his new red uniform.

  It's the protocol, he mimicked Gretchen while putting it on. There was something funky going on with the water on the ship. The water pressure was better on the Watchers' Station, but it still felt nice to be clean.

  And while it initially seemed strange to wear a uniform, Dave thought he could get used to the military look.

  “Dave, you stud,” he sent a kiss to his reflection, watching himself in his bedroom mirror.

  He had a full-length mirror in his bedroom. He looked like a prince in so much red. The uniform had gold trimming that looked extra cool and furthered the illusion. That thought made him grin even bigger.

  Me, a prince...

  On his way there, Dave noticed other people in uniforms as well. As far as he could tell, there were four colors. He could bet his ass there was a hierarchy system in place, and it seemed he was at the top of the food chain.

  He saw some other Reds, and they didn't have the gold he sported.

  The additional bling looks nice on me. Another thought quickly followed that one. Not all are equal here, I suppose. Not that he cared, as long as he got what he wanted. At the moment, that entailed his brother safe and sound and by his side.

  There was a soft knock against his front door that snapped him from his thoughts.

  Who could that be, a French maid?

  Dave opened the door and wasn't surprised to see Gretchen on the other side.

  “Yes?” he inquired. Dave put one arm behind his back and corrected his posture.

  Maybe he took the prince thing too seriously. Judging by Gretchen's expression, he nailed it.

  She recovered quickly, her pleasant yet professional smile returning. “Mr. Davis,” she greeted him. “Your list.”