CHAPTER 15
Miles was prepared for a battle. He brought back wetsuits, diver’s goggles operational with a thin but powerful light attached on the top rim for seeing underwater; water resistant backpacks equipped with stun blasters and shiny, GLYSTIN metal knives. Also, each pack had a communication device.
One of the packs had some kind of detonator bomb which Miles explained; “Might be needed for an escape diversion.”
KATRAVIN’S pack included the tracking gadget. The final pack included two guard outfits with cuffs and a wish-boned wire.
The plan from the control room sounded simple but its execution would be risky. When the control room was reached and secured; we would send a transfer of prisoner message to the prison block. Miles would then navigate us from the control room. Dressed as guards; KATRAVIN and I would reach a platform; waiting for Sonya to arrive in a shuttle. Once we had Sonya, Miles would obtain a transporter in one of the hangers near the station. The false impression of KATRAVIN and I as guards, escorting Sonya in cuffs to another destination would buy us a little time but it was the one part of the plan that made me the most nervous. At my present stature, I’d have a difficult time passing for a menacing security guard on Earth and I had my doubts that ALVERON would be different.
At any rate, we didn’t have a lot of time to waste so Miles went over the plan with us until we could repeat every step back to him with accuracy. We then set off in the transporter just as the planet’s sun was nearly set. This initially felt like déjà vu from the night before but as the ride to the lakes neared an end, something unfamiliar was realized. Tonight’s mission was clearly more dangerous than the previous night. Last night’s failed mission also occurred with a certain element of ignorance as I was unaware of the peril that Miles and I nearly faced with the guards in the abandoned base. I felt a nervous tension now and the only way I could feel normal is convince myself that this apprehension could save my life.
We then reached a place near the water that put us nearly in front of the new testing facility. We walked down a steep rock laden path to the water’s edge. In the AVERWOODS; it had been the sight of a simple canoe that had dumbfounded me in this advanced technological world. Here by the lakes; a rickety old row boat not made of GLYSTIN metal but actual wood and inside the boat lay two oars.
This place made no sense to me---wondering why technology’s touch on water travel hadn’t happened on this planet. The swim would be tough---now we added rowing five kilometers to the list of hardships.
“So, who’s rowing,” I asked.
“I’ll do it,” KATRAVIN answered spryly.
Miles then said; “We’ll take turns so no one has to tolerate the entire strain of rowing. I’ll take the last stretch since it could be the most difficult.”
KATRAVIN rowed us out. The water was calm and the scene was tranquil. I tried to calm my mind by scanning the surroundings and taking in the beauty of ALVERON’S moon lit water but I kept darting my eyes back toward the terrorizing testing facility that promised only dangers for me and my friends. I volunteered to take the oars from KATRAVIN but she resisted.
“We haven’t even traveled a third of the way yet,” KATRAVIN said.
When it was finally my turn to row; KATRAVIN made a point to tell Miles that her stretch of rowing would most likely be the quickest between the two.
“Not likely;” said Miles. “As soon as Baxter is done with his stretch, I’ll show you how it’s done.”
I was all too glad that KATRAVIN didn’t include me in this challenge. It took me nearly twice as long as KATRAVIN to row the same distance but when we were exactly two-thirds of the way thru with this stretch of the trip; Miles matched KATRAVIN’S pace and then arrived at the dive spot. Watching the two compete almost casually certainly took my mind off of the mission.
“What do you think William,” Miles asked. “Did I crush my sister’s pace?”
It was humorous how important this contest was to both of them; especially at a time when our lives could be in danger. Miles’ pace did seem considerably faster than KATRAVIN’S but for some reason the words; “KATRAVIN won,” blurted out.
KATRAVIN’S pleased voice called from the back; “I knew I’d beat you!”
Miles just shook his head and handed me a pack and then handed KATRAVIN hers. As he did; Miles said to KATRAVIN; “If we make it out of this alive, I want a rematch.”
I positioned my goggles to rest on my forehead and then pulled them over my eyes. Miles added; “Next time I will ask a judge that’s not attracted to you,” and then he dove in.
I froze after he said this. KATRAVIN and I looked briefly at each other through our swim goggles. I was about to say something that would have probably sounded stupid in that moment but she turned to the water and dove in before I opened my mouth. I followed after her.
The water swallowed me as I sank. I felt for the button on my goggles--- my light flickered on. I could see KATRAVIN well ahead of me already and my body pressed in that direction toward her beam of light. She was already inside the tunnel and I was pushing forward after her but more importantly; toward air on the other side of the opening. I was also mindful of any sea monsters that Miles had implied; which quickened my pace but none appeared.
I also became aware of the amount of time now under water as my lungs were near panic levels of gasping. I couldn’t though. I was counting in my head and knew that my number needed to reach one-fifty before I could pop up for air. I counted in my head, now at one hundred and thirty-four. My arms and legs began to get heavy. I needed control over my thoughts---I couldn’t panic. Finally, my head popped out of the water and I took a big breath.
Miles looked at me; light hitting my eyes and forcing them shut. “Are you ok?”
I could only manage a head nod and then Miles went back under. KATRAVIN was still trying to catch her breath but she soon followed---as did I. The lights ahead of me moved forward toward a smaller opening under the facility. This stretch of underwater proved to be the most difficult as I nearly passed out. I probably could’ve used a longer amount of time in the opening to catch my breath but I was chasing two aliens under water.
When I popped up for the second time---I was wheezing a bit more. My entire body was shaking and it took every bit of my strength to pull out of the water. I rested on my back for a minute; trying to catch my breath. Miles and KATRAVIN leaned over me. Exhaustion was on each of their faces but they carried the worn out look better than me. They each grabbed an arm and pulled me up.
Miles, KATRAVIN and I then quickly changed out of the wetsuits and armed ourselves with the weapons in each pack. One detail Miles forgot to mention was how the stun blasters worked. They weren’t as simple as pistols or rifles I had grown up shooting on the farm back home. These were eight or ten inch shafts that displayed four buttons. I could guess which end I’d point at a scientist or guard but which button would I push to activate a stun blast? It turned out; all of the above was the answer.
Each blaster had four shots so Miles said in a lowered voice; “Make them count and by the way; don’t hit the same button twice.”
“Why,” I asked?
“Because a button already pushed won’t release a shot.”
Miles gave me an unconfident look and then said, “And stay close to me.”
Miles moved forward. There was an empty hallway with bright light coming from a room at the end of it. I progressed toward Miles and was only a few steps further than KATRAVIN. We stayed near a wall as voices emerged from the room. I couldn’t understand what they were saying nor could I make out how many were in the room. Miles peaked around the corner then darted for the other side of the opening. KATRAVIN replaced Miles at this spot. I stayed behind KATRAVIN. I gripped my stun blaster tightly but noticed the shakes from the rattled nerves. My eyes closed and I calmed myself. I was beginning to get use to the excitement and fear; noticing my senses were locked in another level.
Then Miles held up a hand---fou
r fingers were up. There are four of them in there; I thought. Then a finger dropped followed by another one, then another until finally one closed fist. Miles rushed in with KATRAVIN behind him. I heard blasts. It was really happening. My legs had to catch up with my brain. I whipped around the corner and immediately saw one trying to jump on KATRAVIN. I pointed my blaster at the alien. A ZEEEOOOO sound came out of the shaft followed by a streak of light that directly hit the target. A scream came from the hit alien that sounded similar in tone to when breaks are applied seconds before a crash or a near crash. I saw another one out of the corner of my eye that hobbled toward me. This wounded alien had Miles’ knife stuck in his leg and was reaching for my stun blaster. I whipped around; backing off a little and shot him with a second blast from my stun gun. Direct hit followed by a screeching noise. This one fell forward; pushing the blade further into the leg.
I backed up; astonished at what had happened. The element of surprise was truly on our side as I scanned the room to find Miles and KATRAVIN unharmed. Miles was checking one of the pockets in a scientist’s lab jacket. I walked over to KATRAVIN who was doing the same thing as Miles.
“What are you guys looking for?”
It was Miles who answered me; “Check that one’s pocket over there and see if he has a metal device that would fit into your palm.”
I turned the one over with a knife in his leg and searched his pocket. My hand felt something cold and solid. I pulled it out and a shiny GLYSTIN metal object immerged. I held it up.
“Is this---is this what you’re looking for?”
A grin on Miles’ face was mirrored by KATRAVIN’S. He walked toward me and I placed it in Miles’ hand.
“That’s it.”
Miles put it in his pack.
“I’ll explain later what that device is but right now we need to get Sonya.”
KATRAVIN was already scanning the screen from the main computer; rapidly touching the tiny squares with symbols on the monitor and then producing the architectural design plan of the facility.
“Well---have you found her,” Miles asked?
KATRAVIN gave no indication that she had.
“We’re short on time---have you found her,” Miles said with a tone that contained his anxious energy.
KATRAVIN answered; “They moved her; she’s not in a cell. They moved her to a room at the top.”
Miles asked; “Which one?”
“Room seventeen,” KATRAVIN responded.
Miles walked over to the control desk where KATRAVIN was standing. Looking at the monitor he said; “Okay---this can still work. Both of you---put your uniforms on.”
I threw KATRAVIN her disguise and proceeded to put my own cover on. The guard suits were a silver color; solid from shoulders to ankles, a belt and hat to complete the outfit. The suits had patches on the right and left side that were situated just under the collarbone when I was in uniform. I rolled the pant legs up and stuffed the excess inside the remaining pant leg. KATRAVIN’S uniform fit better on her than mine fit on me and it was after looking at her in the suit that I realized the patches were actually supposed to rest on top of my shoulders.
This prompted the question to Miles; “Are you certain that I’m able to pass for a guard in this facility?”
Miles responded; “How many blasts do you have?”
“Two,” I said.
“Well, shoot anyone that doesn’t think you’re a guard.”
Miles didn’t look up at me when he said this but I knew that this charge was meant to mean, ‘just figure it out, I’m busy.’
Miles was distracted right now with the main control computer. He turned to both of us and pointed to a door.
“There’s a hallway that leads to an elevator. Take that up to the fifth floor and follow the hall to room seventeen. The door will be unlocked. Remember; there is very little time so grab Sonya and head to bay four; which is on this level, where I’ll be waiting with a transporter for our escape.”
KATRAVIN and I moved toward the door but before we left the room; I looked back to see all of the aliens we hit with stun blasts. There were eight total bodies lying on the floor. Miles was reaching for something in his pack. Was it the bomb device perhaps? KATRAVIN grabbed my arm and pulled me through the door before I had a chance to see.
“Come on; the hall is clear. Let’s go.”
And since no one was in sight, we ran to the elevator and waited for it to reach our floor. When the doors opened; two guards stood between me, KATRAVIN and the inside of the elevator. They were young looking. I could only hope that neither caught my expression of dread when I initially saw them. Both guards studied KATRAVIN and then looked down at me before making a move out of the elevator. KATRAVIN and I stepped aside as they walked past us. One turned and said something that I couldn’t understand but KATRAVIN was able to reply. Her response proved sufficient as the two guards walked past us and down the hall; toward the control room. I looked at KATRAVIN with big eyes; knowing this surprise on Miles would not be good.
KATRAVIN pulled out her stun blaster and shot the one on her side in the back. The other turned and grabbed for his blaster but I shot him before he had a chance to shoot KATRAVIN. The second guard fell over the first.
“Come on; let’s go,” KATRAVIN said.
We entered the elevator. KATRAVIN pushed a button and we shot up. Within seconds; an empty hall lined with many doors on both sides. I followed KATRAVIN out of the elevator and through the hall. We stopped at the last door of the hallway. KATRAVIN pushed the door and it opened. The room was dark but a large window in the room provided enough moonlight; allowing me to make out some of the rooms features. I walked through; ahead of KATRAVIN and to the foot of the bed.
Even though we were there to rescue Sonya, it was still so surreal; seeing half her face with that long and flowing black hair on the pillow. She looked at peace, as if all these things that had happened to her were dreamt. KATRAVIN nudged my arm.
“Wake her and let’s get out of here,” KATRAVIN said.
“Sonya; wake up! It’s me; William Baxter.”
Sonya’s eyes opened. She popped up; “William, what are you…”
I interrupted; “there’s no time to explain.”
KATRAVIN handed me the cuffs and I tried to put them on her wrists but she pulled away and backed across her bed. She was staring at me; not completely sure I was William from the Sorenson and Lankford office. It was dark and I was much different from the last moment she had seen me before my disappearance. All she probably saw was a miniature ALVERON guard.
“Sonya; it’s me William Baxter. I know I look different and I’ll explain that when there’s more time. I’m here to get you out of this place. We need to go home.”
KATRAVIN turned on a light near the bed. Astonishment is the only word to describe Sonya’s face when she got a better view of me. I know this because I had that same look on my face when I discovered my new appearance in the mirror that morning before I left Earth.
“William; is that, could that be you.”
Sonya leaned forward. KATRAVIN was looking nervous and said; “We really need to go. William’s explanation can be given on our way to NOBI.”
I turned to Sonya and said; “Here; put these cuffs on quickly.”
She did but it was almost an afterthought as she continued to look me over. KATRAVIN attached the wire to her belt and we walked out and toward the elevator. I was holding my breath; dreading the chance of anyone else popping out and slowing us down. We made it to the elevator but I wondered if another two or even three guards would meet us when the doors opened. By my calculations; there were two stun blast shots between KATRAVIN and me. I assumed Miles ran out as he opted for his knife to hobble one instead of shooting it with a stun blast. When we left the room; there were eight bodies on the floor and then the two young guards in the hallway.
The elevator opened and I was relieved to see that it was an empty space this time. W
e stepped through and shot down to the control room floor. I peeked out before stepping off the elevator. No one was around. My posture eased a bit and I turned to tell Sonya and KATRAVIN that all was clear. We walked out of the elevator and toward the bay area where Miles told us he’d be waiting. As I turned a corner; with KATRAVIN and Sonya behind me, a tall stone-faced looking guard stood there. Noticing Sonya; he reached for his blaster. I tried to get my blaster out but was hit in the arm before I could raise it to fire. The blast knocked me off my feet and past KATRAVIN and Sonya. I landed on my back. Then an intense burn sensation shot through my arm. My head went back and I squeezed my eyes tight as I felt the hot surge break through a bone and push out of flesh on the other side. It was either my scream or a second blast that sounded.
I couldn’t lift myself to see what was happening. Was KATRAVIN or Sonya shot? My ears were now ringing and my eyes were watered; I was unable to know what was happening around me. Smoke filled my nostrils and I was suddenly having difficulty breathing. I could feel my body being lifted. I heard low tones; muffled, and then---I only saw the dim presence of light through my eyelids. Then all went black.
The LOMMETRUS Chronicles: Book One: The Abduction of William Baxter Page 16