“I wonder why they... There must have been a mix-up with the tests.” The woman spoke her thoughts out loud, so Paige stayed out of it, trying not to take offense.
Paige looked at her with a blank expression, waiting somewhat patiently for what would come next.
“Wait right here and do not touch anything. Do you hear me? Do not touch anything!” she repeated as if dealing with someone unreasonable.
Paige wanted to roll her eyes at the woman. What do you expect me to do in your absence? Throw a party? Rage? Paige wanted to snap back, but she shrugged in response.
If she wanted her to do nothing but stand around, that was fine with Paige. It gave her more free time to snoop around and figure out where the pilot’s cabin was.
Without further words, the woman in the Red Coat walked away and disappeared into a back-room Paige hadn’t noticed until then.
Taking a chance, Paige examined the current room she was in a little more. Slowly, silently, Paige walked around the stations, looking closely at all the equipment. She knew she would get no better chance than right then to check the room for a radio.
That woman disliked her from the first minute she’d learned of Paige’s presence, and Paige was certain nothing she did or said would ever change that. Not that she cared.
There is one! Unfortunately, Paige cheered too quickly because it looked like an internal radio.
Shame, she thought in exasperation as she continued her search.
Upon closer inspection, all the equipment in the room seemed to be internal only. Paige searched, but she couldn’t find anything that Angela would find useful.
Well, crap! She really hoped she would find something there, but maybe Angela and AJ would have better luck.
Coming to a full circle, Paige looked at the big screen again. After watching for a few moments, Paige caught a glimpse of just what she needed. She couldn’t believe her eyes. This time, she could clearly see the pilot’s station.
She wanted to jump from happiness, but she refrained from doing so. She quickly noticed that only the Red Coats worked there which put a damper on her joy.
How are we going to sneak in there?
Thinking that over, Paige caught sight of a woman among the Red Coats and nearly choked from shock.
Am I hallucinating? Is the air thinner in this section of the ship? There had to be a reason because it was impossible for what she saw to be real.
The woman she saw wore a red coat, but something about her made Paige do a double take. She had to look at her again more closely.
Even though her hair was straight and somewhat combed back, there was no mistaking her. Paige stared directly at her freaking mother!
Oh, Mom, what did you do now?! Paige wondered in panic. Where did she get it? How? From who?
Paige had a nasty feeling her mother’s actions would turn around and bite them in their asses. Then it was floating time. On the other hand, this was seriously badass, even for her mother.
Still, Paige couldn’t believe Angela could be that reckless. They had all agreed they would only snoop around, not do something so stupid.
In all fairness, if the opportunity presented itself, Paige would do the same thing, so she couldn't judge Angela too harshly.
Paige had to have some faith that she wouldn't get caught. She glanced around nervously, hoping no one had spotted her. She knew someone could soon enough though. Then there was no telling what would happen to them all.
Suddenly, Paige had trouble swallowing, and her heart pounded wildly as she stared transfixed to the image on the screen. I can't let us get floated out for this. Paige wanted to help, but she didn't know how.
Maybe the best thing she could do for now was do nothing, simply observe and pray for the best. Still, that was easier said than done since Paige hated standing around and doing nothing.
Please, please, please, she prayed Angela wouldn’t have any problems.
What if it’s not her? Maybe she was freaking out over nothing. It was a fleeting image after all.
Paige wished she could have a better look. There was no way she could go to her station and just start work. That Red Coat lady would have an aneurysm for sure if she caught Angela.
Oh, who are you kidding, Paige? You have perfect eyesight. That’s definitely Mom.
At that moment, the image of Angela suddenly zoomed in, and she occupied the entire screen!
The cat's out of the bag! Crap, crap, crap! Now what? Paige’s panic reappeared in full swing. That was not the way she wanted that to play out.
What am I supposed to do now?
Paige quickly looked around, and sure enough, everyone had noticed Angela.
“We have an intruder,” one of the people monitoring yelled. That was when all hell broke loose.
“Issuing code yellow protocol,” another one added.
What's code yellow? Nothing good and nothing she wanted to ask about, that was for sure.
The others in the control room made calls. The place buzzed with unwanted excitement. They even set an alarm. As far as Paige could tell, it was only audible for those inside this room.
People in the other parts of the ship were completely unaware of all the ruckus, oblivious and going on about their business.
The pilot room was different, of course. That was very smart. Paige took a fleeting moment to appreciate the inner-workings of the mothership, although it worked to her disadvantage right then.
I need to help her! Paige frantically looked at the screen and the guards who would come.
In full panic—while the adrenaline coursed through her body as if she was personally under attack—Paige tried to find a way to distract them in some way while avoiding the unnecessary attention to herself. Inspiration hit, and she ‘accidentally’ knocked a glass of water on one of the computers. Unfortunately, that small stunt didn’t help. Even though that station short-circuited and blanked out, it was too late.
The commotion in the control room kicked up a notch, and Paige watched the workers type frantically on their keyboards, obviously alerting everyone about her mother.
Paige looked up at the screen again, and in her head, she screamed at Angela to act fast.
Run, Mom! Please!
She only had seconds before they would catch her.
Oh, no, Paige thought, watching the screen helplessly.
There is no way out of it.
Chapter Ten
Paige wondered if there was audio available, but sound suddenly blaring through the room answered that question for her.
The alarm still sounded in the Operational Room while the main screen showed images only of her mother. The guards yelled at her to stop and come with them.
“You there, intruder! Stop right there!” a guard yelled. He had the posture and presence of a leader.
Angela slowly turned.
“You need to come with us, now!”
On the outside to the bunch of strangers, she appeared calm and raised her hands in the air as if surrendering, but Paige knew her mother well enough to know the situation was far from over. Paige bit her lower lip in anticipation.
Come on, Mom. You can find a way to talk your way out of this. Paige hoped so, anyway.
The guards surrounded her slowly.
The rest of the Red Coats watched with mixed emotions in their expressions as the scene unraveled before them. Some looked scared, but others wanted bloodshed. It was plain on their faces.
Paige prayed with all her might that her mother wouldn’t give them what they wanted.
Oh, no! Paige’s jaw dropped as she helplessly watched Angela pull a weapon from a guard’s belt. She twirled out of their way and pointed it to a person’s head. That single decision just created countless more problems for her mother.
They’ll never let her go now!
Paige quickly realized Angela hadn’t grabbed some random person she was the closest to. That man a pilot.
Oh, crap!
“Nobody move!” An
gela yelled. Everyone froze in response.
Paige knew the standoff wouldn’t last forever, but she feared the outcome. Sure enough, on a smaller screen, Paige could see more guards running towards the pilot station.
Oh, Mom, what are you doing? You need to get out of there! She wanted to yell, but it would do nothing except draw attention to herself for being associated with Angela. Then she could never help her. It seemed her mother had nowhere to run, and soon she would be trapped.
A small part of Paige wished AJ would be among the guards, so he could help her mother, but she banished that thought immediately. It would only get more complicated if they involved him as well.
Paige couldn’t move. She froze like those guards she watched on the screen as if she had a gun pointed at her head as well.
If only there was some way to call my mom and tell her to stop, Paige mused, prying her eyes from the screen for a second to look around.
I need to help her get away!
While Paige wanted to help her mother, Paige also wanted her to hurry with whatever she needed to do. They badly needed a win.
What am I supposed to do, Mom? Paige wished Angela had included her in her plans. Paige wouldn't have been blindsided and useless. Or was she?
“Lower your weapon and come with us,” one of the guards said, but Angela was having none of it.
“Stay back, or I’ll shoot him,” she threatened, and Paige cringed. She knew Angela never bluffed.
Please, don't kill him. I don't think I'm a good floater, Paige thought as she continued to watch the drama unfold in another part of the ship. Angela fiddled with dials while still pointing the weapon at the pilot’s head.
It was clear the guard wanted to stop her, but he was hesitant, as if unsure of the outcome.
Smart man!
Angela pushed buttons on the dial, and a second later, her voice could be heard throughout the room via the pilot’s radio. It looked different from those in the Operations Room. Paige could only hope that meant it was an external one.
“Brooke! Brooke! Can you hear me?” she called out into the radio. Paige’s heart jumped into her throat.
Please, let this work, she prayed. Please, please...
She wanted to hear her sister’s voice so bad, even though she was terrified for her mom.
Please, let them be all right!
“Brooke?” Angela repeated.
“Mom?” came over the radio.
Yes! Paige was shocked and relieved to hear Willow’s voice. She sounded happy and surprised.
“Mom, this is Willow,” she explained even though there was no need for that. “We’re fine. Where are you? Did Dave find you? When are we meeting?” There was a short pause then. “Here, Brooke. It’s Mom…”
“Thank God,” Paige murmured, relieved to no end.
There were no words she could find to express her feelings while hearing her baby sister’s voice after so long—after thinking she was dead.
Paige was beyond happy to hear that her sisters, and probably her father, were safe. Something her sister said caught her attention. Why did Willow ask if Dave found them? Where is he?
“Willow! Thank goodness you’re all right!” Angela spoke excitedly into the radio.
“Mom... some... high...”
The line made high-pitched noises for a moment, but Paige didn’t have time to panic. Angela fixed it with a couple of strokes on the dashboard.
“Brooke, can you hear me?”
“Yes, Mom, loud and clear.” That was a true relief.
“Brooke, listen to me. The Black Mass has the location of Avignon. It has the coordinates! Can you hear me? They have the location to Avignon, Brooke!” Angela’s voice sounded urgent and rightfully so.
Even though Paige had never met her grandparents, she didn’t want anything bad to happen to them. They needed to stop those alien bastards from destroying Avignon the way they destroyed Earth.
“I understand, Mom.”
Paige was ecstatic to hear Brooke reply. Still, she tried her hardest to remain calm and keep a straight face so no one in the Operations Room suspected anything. Luckily, no one noticed. They were all engrossed in the drama happening in the pilot’s room. Paige included.
Angela visibly sagged with relief, but the hand with the gun remained unwavering.
“Brooke! You must prepare for war! We’ll be there soon! Don’t worry!” Angela said.
Paige really hoped that would be the case, but the odds certainly weren’t in their favor at the moment. Paige believed in her mother. She believed her mother knew a way to get them out of everything, including the mess she’d just made.
Paige’s eyes involuntarily widened as she watched the screen. Angela had clearly forgotten she held someone hostage, and the guard closest to her took his chance. He lunged at her and smacked the gun out of her hand.
“No,” Paige gasped, pressing a hand against her mouth.
Angela fought against the guard, but it was in vain. There were too many of them. Paige could have easily evened the odds, but she wasn't there to help.
“Let go of me!” Angela screamed with rage. “I have to warn them! I have to warn everybody!”
I should have gone with her! Paige chastised herself, feeling guilty they’d separated in the first place.
“Don’t harm her!” someone yelled to Paige’s relief. “We need her alive!”
While Paige didn’t think it was a good thing that someone wanted her alive so they could use her, it was certainly better than killing or floating her.
The guards overpowered Angela and dragged her out and away from the pilot’s station. The radio went dead.
My family is alive, and Mom got the message to them. Paige allowed herself another moment of relief, a second to be grateful for winning the small victory, before snapping back to reality.
The guards had taken Angela away, and it was up to Paige and AJ to get her out.
The problem was the guards would take Angela somewhere to punish her. Paige had to find out where and help her escape. There were a lot of holes in her plan, but it was the best she had at the moment.
She could only assume time was of the essence. Seeing how people in charge of the ship threw around floating as a punishment for nearly everything, Paige had a sinking feeling that might be in her mother’s future as well.
Not if I have a say in this!
Angela had solved one problem but created another.
So much for keeping a low profile. Still, there was no point in dwelling on it. The problem existed, and Paige needed to find the solution—just like always.
Paige needed to find AJ. With joined forces, they could help Angela out more efficiently than if she tried to do it alone. Two heads are better than one and all that.
Paige looked at the screen while thinking. She watched the guards take Angela away.
Where are they taking her?
Even though she struggled the whole way, she was pushed into the elevator. Luckily, there was a camera in there as well.
Once inside, Angela turned toward the camera in the corner as if she somehow knew Paige was watching. She had a crazy grin on her face.
Only my mom, Paige thought in exasperation, shaking her head before she remembered she was surrounded by the ‘enemies’ and stopped.
Angela completed their goal all on her own, but she didn’t do it in the best way.
She never does anything the right way.
Paige learned a long time ago that Angela didn’t think the way most people do. Maybe that's an alien thing, Paige wondered, but she somehow doubted it. It was an Angela thing. Judging by the proud and satisfied look on her face, that day was no different.
Her number one priority had been to contact Brooke, and she’d done it by any means possible.
And she crapped on everything for the rest of us in the process, Paige thought glumly, but she immediately felt guilty for it.
Angela did a brave thing the only way she knew how. As a result,
not only did they know for sure the rest of their family was safe, they also warned them about the future danger to even more people.
Paige would fix the rest somehow. She owed Angela that much. Actually, she owed her mother everything. Angela had kept Paige safe all those years while she was none the wiser about the dangers that lurked in the shadows.
I can do this, Paige encouraged herself. I can find a way to help her. There was no other way. It had to be done.
The cameras followed her as she traveled in the elevator. The elevator stopped at Level 0, and they led Angela out.
Paige had wondered about that level since it could only be reached with a specific key. Now she knew why.
Parts of the mothership were restricted to most people, and Paige didn't like that. With each passing moment, and with each new fact she learned, Paige realized the whole ship seemed more like a prison than a safe haven for humanity. The divide between the poor and rich was too great, and prejudice ran deep here.
Focus, she snapped at herself.
The image on the screen flipped to a different camera, and Paige watched the guards lead Angela towards small rooms with transparent doors.
Holding cells? Paige speculated.
Her mother didn’t struggle anymore, and Paige was glad. There was no need for her to get hurt even more.
Angela calmly let them push her inside one of the small rooms. The guards locked the door after her and walked away.
Paige was right. Angela appeared to be in a cell, and Paige could feel the familiar panic rising in her stomach. She quenched it instantly because she needed to find AJ and save her mom. Afterward, she could have her moment of panic.
If they survived—and that was a big if.
Talk about keeping it positive, she thought dryly.
The woman she spoke with earlier—who was clearly a supervisor in this place—came out of the back-room in a hurry. She looked even more pissed off than before. Paige assumed she was delayed by the incident, and Paige thanked whoever had helped them for that small miracle. Because of it, she saw where Angela was held.
Now I only need to find a way to get her out of there. Easy-peasy.
“Green!” the woman screeched, making Paige jump a little. “You have to leave. You’re too young to be here,” she insisted, taking her roughly by the arm as she pulled her away from the screen.
Mothership (Invasion Survivor Book 4) Page 9