“It appears that way,” Paige replied bleakly.
So, Dillon is back.
Oh crap, Paige cursed.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“This is priceless, I wished I had a camera to record this moment,” Francis teased.
Shut the hell up, AJ growled. I'm trying to concentrate.
“Come on,” AJ said out loud. “From the beginning now. 1,2,3...5,6,7... Ladies sway with those hips!” He instructed.
Not knowing what else to do, he started dancing Cuban salsa in the middle of the Ground Level. And because he was in Red, some nice lady in Blue provided some music for him.
At first, they all looked at him like he lost his ever-loving mind.
“I think that too, just FYI,” Francis interjected in the middle of his monologue.
Yet now, he gathered a fairly nice crowd, a lot of people joined in.
So, it turned out to be a free class of sorts. And all colors joined in. Once again proving that dance is universal.
They all needed a break after the horror they've been through.
Yet not all were on board (pun not intended).
“Sir, excuse me.” Some Blue Coat tried to get his attention. “You are causing a disturbance,” he informed him.
Good, AJ thought. Because that was the point in the first place.
“It's just dancing, man.” And to the group he said. “All together now, the first combination!”
And the Blue Coat didn't know how to react in return. On one hand, he had a job to do, on the other, as far as he could tell, AJ was a rich Red Coat, and that changed everything.
Unfortunately, AJ saw his boss Colonel Brown approaching as well.
Oh shit, that's my cue to get the hell out of here, he thought to himself.
“You think?” Francis said sarcastically.
“On second thought, you are right,” AJ told the Blue Coat and turning toward the group, he bowed. “You were all wonderful, class dismissed.”
And with that he started running.
He just hoped he bought enough time for Paige and Dave to get Mrs. Moon out of jail.
* * *
“Ok, so Dillon is alive,” Paige said, getting used to the idea, and hated every second of it.
She couldn't help but picture AJ, and what his reaction would be hearing the news.
He is going to flip out. And rightfully so.
She just stared at Kwan for a moment as if waiting for him to negate everything. Unfortunately, he didn't.
What are we going to do? Paige pleaded. Dillon has my Mom. And that turned this into a completely different game.
Paige was still stunned by this turn of events when the elevator doors finally opened, and they entered.
Dave pushed the button and the doors slid shut again.
They rode in silence, obviously too wrapped up inside their heads to hold any kind of conversation.
Paige definitely had a lot on her mind.
This is unbelievable! Dillon is on the mothership! Paige still couldn’t wrap her mind around that.
How was something like that even possible?
After everything that happened to him. After Paige personally ending him, well AJ shot him first, Paige allowed. And after floating him out.
How is he still around?
And then it hit her, and Paige wanted to smack herself across the forehead.
Well, of course he survived. Paige thought to herself bitterly, the Black Mass inside him could repair any damage to his body, and it is probably what kept him from being able to die.
And as he was a Seedling, just like every Watcher, he could easily adapt to any situation and atmosphere, including space. That was how he survived the gunshots and the floating.
Well crap, Paige cursed in exasperation.
All of that was so obvious now, so why didn’t she think about it before?
Because she had hope that some natural laws would remain intact, keep the universe in balance or something like that.
But no such luck.
Paige shook her head, still pondering about everything.
I can’t believe how naive we all were, floating Dillon out and believing that he was gone for good.
Not even imagining that he could survive in space and get onto this spaceship without any difficulties. They should have known better. Luckily, Paige learned from her mistakes, and letting Dillon continue to breathe was not optional.
He must be laughing at us right now, thinking how foolish we all were, Paige fumed. Still, they were going to be the one, who had the last laugh.
What were they going to do now? Dillon had Angela and at this moment that meant he held all the cards, even though they had the element of surprise on their side since he didn’t know they knew he was still alive.
So that was something.
Paige looked at Dave and was once again happy to have him by her side, they were going to need someone cold-headed to win against Dillon. Because God only knew how AJ was going to react. Still, even Dave looked a bit on edge at the moment, but that was understandable. Their mission wasn't a smashing success.
What are we going to do and where are we going to start looking for him? Paige asked herself again.
Come on, you have to think of something!
The only person that didn’t look worried or pissed off during that elevator ride was Kwan, and Paige assumed it was because he didn’t know the whole story of what happened on the Genesis. Or know much about what was happening now on the mothership being locked up in that cell.
On the other hand, as proven, he was not a stupid man, and he could read the current mood of Paige and AJ. Which he confirmed in the next second.
“So, what’s the plan?” he asked them, looking at Paige than turning toward Dave.
“Do you two even have a plan?” Kwan added.
“The plan,” Dave said calmly, and Paige was really impressed he pulled himself together that fast. “Is to free Angela, pick up AJ and my brother and get the hell out of this spaceship as fast as we can.”
And even though she didn’t say it, the part about killing Dillon in the most painful of ways was somehow implied as far as Paige was concerned.
Kwan chuckled. “Leave this mothership? Are you serious? And how are you going to do that, if I may ask?”
Paige was about to reply but Dave beat her to it.
“We’ve got the Necromancer, my ship” Dave said coldly. “It’s here, at the docking area, waiting for us to get on it and put as much distance between us and this madhouse as possible.”
“We have the Viper as well,” Paige reminded him.
“Ok, now that’s something!” Kwan replied, obviously impressed.
“Yeah, Dave got his ship from the Space Cadets, long story,” she added seeing Kwan was about to ask additional questions. “And Viper...”
“Let me guess, your Mom did that?” Kwan asked Paige. Even though it was formulated as such, it was more of a statement. He knew he guessed it right.
“Yes, but how did you know?” Paige wondered and he gave her the look.
“I knew something was going on with the three of you the moment you stepped on the Genesis and even though there are a lot of things I don’t get, let’s just say I learned not to underestimate you.”
And Paige had to grin at that.
Smart man.
“Look, I do have a suggestion …” he added.
“Yes?” Paige asked eagerly for any suggestions.
“I want in.”
“Excuse me?” Dave countered.
“I want in on the Viper, or whatever, and in exchange, I’ll help you save your Mom,” he told Paige.
That is a very good offer, Paige mused. And she already trusted him.
“And once I help you get your mom back from Dillon, you will take me to Mars on your spaceship,” he added, sounding hopeful. He looked from Paige to Dave and then back at her again.
“I really need to go to Mars. It’s very important,” Kwan insi
sted.
Mars?
“Mars?” Paige repeated, looking at Dave, silently asking him a question, and he understood. Mars wasn’t the destination they were aiming for. It wasn’t in their plans since saving Avignon had to take precedence.
On the other hand, an extra person helping them against Dillon wouldn’t be bad, so Paige guessed it would be okay if they took a slight detour and stopped to Mars to drop Kwan off.
And once Dave shrugged, it was clear he came to the same conclusion.
“All right, Kwan, we can drop you off, but only if you really help us get my Mom from that maniac,” Paige said, offering him her hand.
“Agreed,” Kwan said simply, nodding and accepting her hand. “I will help you as much as I can.”
The elevator reached their destination, and once the glass door opened, they stepped out of it and Paige felt a little lighter despite the dire situation.
Because they had additional help now, and with Kwan’s skills that will make all the difference.
Of course, he alone was no match for the Black Mass that was coursing through Dillon’s body, but they could really use someone who was good at planning and creating strategies because everyone knew those were not Paige’s strongest suits.
Getting to the Ground Level, they ran into AJ. Or more accurately put he ran into them.
“Where's the fire, man?” Dave commented.
“Just trying to avoid some unnecessary attention,” he started to reply but then registered Kwan. “I guess things didn't go as planned,” AJ guessed.
“No,” Paige replied with a sigh. “My Mom is gone AJ, Dillon took her,” she decided to just say it.
He looked at her like she grew two additional heads. “What?”
“Dillon is alive,” Paige said to him then let Kwan repeat everything he knew while she watched AJ change colors.
“Dillon? Dillon is alive?” He snapped. “Are you kidding me?”
And Paige understood his outburst. She wanted to rage too but was too worried for her mom's wellbeing at the moment to indulge.
AJ shook his head, as if having some internal monologue, while trying to accept the truth.
He paced in front of them for a bit before he stilled and turned to look at Paige. “I will kill him,” he told her, completely serious.
And Paige didn't know if she could just roll with that. From her point of view, she had bigger claims on his life, or death, as it seemed.
AJ could see that, her hesitation, so he continued.
“He is mine, Paige,” he snapped, and Paige didn't take that personally. She was aware AJ didn't mean to just lash out at the wrong person.
As if to prove her point he continued in a much calmer way. “That bastard played tricks on me, drugged me, and tried to frame me for murders. He fucking made me question my sanity, so his ass is mine!” He was adamant.
“Ok,” was all Paige said, then decided to add a bit more. “We need to find him first, my Mom too.”
“Can I get out of this uniform first?” AJ asked.
“No,” Paige replied instantly. “There's no time for that.”
They started moving forward. “Where should we go now?” Dave inquired.
Paige didn't have a clue. Where would that psycho take my mom?
It was then that Paige spotted Angela being dragged across the common room.
And the only reason she managed to do that was because Angela had such distinct hair color, and she was fighting and screaming.
What were the odds of that? Paige watched in disbelief.
Dillon had her by the arm and was using all of his strength to pull her along.
Angela tried to get free, fighting him as much as she could, but she was
weaker than him.
“Guys, that’s him!” Paige shrieked, snapping from her stupor. “That’s Dillon, look! He has her!”
Kwan, Dave, and AJ followed her direction, and they yelled practically in unison. “Let’s go.”
They started to run. Paige took the lead, but the boys stayed closely behind her.
She had to stop short when she spotted a group of Blue Coats rushing toward them.
It appeared the loop has been discovered and they were now visible again.
Oh, shit just keeps piling up! “They are onto us,” Paige stated the obvious.
There wasn’t a lot of them, probably six or seven in total, but they could prevent Paige’s little group from reaching Dillon.
He was escaping without being seen, and the Blue Coats didn’t even have a clue that he was there. Or who he was for starters.
With a quick glance over her shoulder, Paige realized that AJ was ready for the collision with the guards. His fists were clenched, and he had a determined expression on his face.
Kwan looked pretty much the same, but there was a cold determination in his stare that she never saw before, but Paige didn’t have time to ponder about the meaning of that.
Dave was already throwing the first punch.
Quickly, Paige scanned area, the common room was full of people of different colored coats, and Dillon was hurrying Angela to the doors on the opposite side of the corridor room.
And to her chagrin, he was about to get away.
“Mom!” she screamed from the top of her lungs, hoping that if Angela heard her she would fight even harder. And buy them some additional time.
Paige strained herself as much as was possible to become stronger and more powerful, hoping that the Black Mass in her would help her deal with the guards, so she could get to Angela in time.
“Hurry!” Paige cried out gathering all her strength before running straight at the Blue Coats and shooting through them. They started flying in all directions, shouts followed and unfortunately the sounds of bones being broken as Paige pushed them aside.
“Sorry,” she yelled honestly.
Even though some of the Blue Coats got injured, and she felt a bit guilty about that, that still wouldn’t divert her from her goal.
Going through the wall of bodies happened so fast that even Paige felt mildly surprised at her abilities to gain so much speed in such a confined space.
And she could hear guys right behind her, their footsteps as they ran through the passage she created.
Kwan and Dave were slightly behind but they were holding their own despite being just humans.
Impressive, Paige thought to herself.
The people in the common room were staring at Paige with their mouths wide open at what she did.
Those regular people in awe were also in her way, she realized too late while approaching them. And there was no time for her to slow down, or to think and try to bypass them. Instead, Paige started yelling. “Move! Out of my way!” As she stormed straight through the group.
Some managed to get away but others Paige had to push out of her way. Paige tried to be gentle about it, however ridiculous that may sound.
Surprised gasps could be heard, but there was no time for her to stop and explain anything.
“Sorry,” she simply yelled again, risking a quick glance behind herself to check the damage and was relieved to see that most people were fine with a few bruises.
An outcome she can live with.
“Let me go!” Paige heard a male voice protesting and skidded to an abrupt stop.
She totally forgot that Kwan wasn’t like them and because of that, the Blue Coats got him.
Paige groaned, not knowing what to do now. She wanted to help yet didn’t want to lose Dillon out of her sight.
Luckily, AJ sprinted back to help Kwan.
“I’ll get him, Paige! You stop Dillon!” He called over his shoulder.
“Let's go,” Dave urged her, panting.
That was all Paige needed to hear to turn and resume with her pursuit.
There was quite a distance between them, but she had the advantage of running freely, while he had to drag her mother with difficulty as she continued to struggle.
So, she did hear her... Goo
d.
Paige tried hard not to lose sight of Dillon or her mom, yet people were everywhere, and all this commotion only brought more spectacles.
And why do I hear salsa music? Came a fleeting thought.
Angela waved with her hands hysterically, trying to slap him, harm him in any way possible but Dillon just scowled at Paige, and easily subduing her Mom, showed her his gun that he now pointed at his first love.
“You will not win,” Paige spat in outrage, but he simply smiled.
Dillon and Angela were about to go through the door when Paige lunged forward. “No!” she screamed.
But it was already too late, the door closed right under her nose, and she couldn't get it open. “No!” She repeated hitting it.
He did something to it, she realized.
He is taking Mom to the Viper, Paige realized with dread.
He planned to flee with Angela and leave them all here on this stupid Mothership. To work forever or to be floated out.
“He must be taking her to the Docking Area,” Dave said beside her.
Paige figured that out too.
“No! No! No!”
That was more than Paige could take, and she started to scream and kick the stupid door until she made a crack in it.
The sound sobered her up and she stopped.
AJ and Kwan managed to get to them by that time as well, and that was a relief. At that point, Kwan was panting hard, but he was still following them and that made Paige respect him even more.
“We don’t have much time!” AJ said and pushed Paige to the side kicked the door with all his might. The hinges practically shattered and they went inside the corridor.
Going as fast as they could, the boys plus Paige were just in time to see Dillon drag Angela across the hallway.
“Dillon, stop!” Paige shouted suddenly.
He glanced back and catching sight of them made him quicken his steps.
Fortunately. Angela was no dead weight. Or in this case, that was exactly what she became. She flung herself on the ground and made everything more difficult for him since she was flailing with her hands and feet around, clinging to anything and everything that appeared in their way which stopped Dillon for a few seconds before he managed to jerk her off it again. Even Dillon, having the Black Mass in him and being a Watcher, was having trouble dragging her.
Mothership (Invasion Survivor Book 4) Page 24