Indigo Incite

by Jacinda Buchmann

  Ian smiled. “I wouldn’t doubt it. He has a way of communicating with…others.”

  It suddenly occurred to Sarah that Ian might be able to shed some light on her gifts—or lack thereof—and the real reason why the IIA was interested in her. She explained how she had first met Eddie and Liliana in the diner and how she had eventually ended up traveling with them. She went on to explain that she and Liliana could both hear her baby’s thoughts, and he listened intently throughout her story.

  “So what do you think?” Sarah asked after she had finished her story. “Liliana thinks there is something special about my baby. Do you think maybe it’s him they’re after? I mean, you’re a tracker—or rather, you were. If you were still a tracker, would you be interested in my baby?”

  “That’s an interesting question. I can’t say that I’ve ever tracked an unborn baby, but now that you mention it…” He paused for a moment as if he were listening to someone. “Please don’t think this is weird. You can totally say no if you’re uncomfortable, but would you mind if I placed a hand on your stomach?”

  Sarah shook her head. “Um…no, Trevor already did. I don’t mind. Go for it.”

  “He did, huh?” He looked down at the boy who appeared to be unaware of their presence. “He must sense something special about your baby, too.”

  Ian stepped in close so that he stood about six inches in front of her, and placed both hands on either side of her stomach. He said nothing but closed his eyes, and Sarah was suddenly aware of each breath he took. She was acutely aware of his presence, aware of the smell of his cologne, the array of freckles on his muscular arms, and the warmth of his large hands on her abdomen.

  She realized then that her alluring observations were leading her thoughts astray, and she inwardly tried to shake them off. Even though she was madly in love with her husband, she reminded herself that it was only normal to be attracted to a handsome man, especially one who currently had his hands on her stomach.

  With a noticeable chuckle in his voice, Tyler asked, “Are we disturbing you?”

  Ian removed his hands from her abdomen and turned around. Her four friends, who had apparently become tired of waiting in the trailer, had come in search of them. Eddie looked back and forth between them and eyed Ian with a look of disdain.

  “I’m sorry, we got to talking…” Ian began.

  Tyler grinned. “It looks like it.”

  To offer an explanation, Sarah said, “I asked him to see if he could sense anything special about my baby that might explain why the IIA is after me.”

  “Oh!” Grace said. She grinned at Liliana. “Right. So what’s the verdict, Ian? Did you discover anything?”

  Ian addressed them all, but he looked at Sarah when he spoke. “Sarah’s baby is definitely special. I sense that he has powers stronger than we have ever seen in a Star Child.”

  “A Star Child?” Sarah asked. “Are you sure? How can you tell?”

  “Well, for one, Star Children often exhibit a greater variety of powers than the typical Indigo. I sense that his list of powers is a long one. In addition, he and Trevor, already seem to have some sort of a mental bond. Even as we speak, they’re communicating telepathically with each other. That is very common among Star Children.

  “When you said that you could hear your baby’s thoughts, did it occur to you that babies don’t typically learn a language for at least a year? If your baby is already communicating with words. That tells me that he is highly gifted and more than likely an old soul.”

  “Wow, so I was right,” Sarah said. “They don’t want me. They want him.” She placed a hand instinctively on her belly.

  “It’s true. I suspect it is your baby they’re after, but don’t sell yourself short. I sense that you have several abilities within yourself that you’ve been denying. I think you have a psychic voice within yourself that you stopped listening to a long time ago. Am I right?”

  Sarah looked at him in awe. “How did you know?”

  Ian smiled. “Because that’s what I do. I used to get paid to know these things, remember?”

  She didn’t reply, but the look of shock on her face, was answer enough.

  “I think it’s time you start looking within yourself again to discover who you are. Your baby is going to need you, and the more you know about your own abilities, the more you’ll be able to help him.”

  As he spoke, she was captivated by Ian’s green eyes, and she wondered if he felt the same chemistry. She was thankful when Tyler broke the growing discomfort.

  “Ian, do you think you could give us some ideas of how we can find my brother?”

  Ian turned to Tyler. “I was thinking about that. And you know, I think I might have an idea. It’s a crazy one…Very crazy. But I think if we plan it right, it just might work.”

  CHAPTER 17: THE PLAN

  Tyler grinned and proclaimed, “You’re awesome!”

  Simultaneously, Grace cried, “You’re crazy!” She turned with a glare, which made him laugh. She couldn’t believe their absurd plan was under serious consideration. “Sure, you think it’s funny." She combed her fingers through her hair. “You’re not the one who’s going to have to walk into the lion’s den!”

  Tyler grinned. “I’ll be waiting right outside of the lion’s den, ready to catch you.”

  “And I’ll be by your side the entire time,” Eddie told her.

  She turned to Eddie. “So you think this is a good idea, too?”

  “I think it’s about the best damned plan we’re ever going to come up.”

  Ian interrupted. “If you want to go through with it, we’ll need to spend the rest of the day working out the details, and we’ll need to find something for the two of you to wear. I don’t think it should be too difficult. Eddie, you look to be about my size. I think my old uniform should fit you. And Grace, Melissa is about your size; I’m sure she has an old uniform that you could wear.”

  “Melissa was in the Air Force?”

  “She was. After she got married, she moved back here to her home town. We can go see her this evening and see what she has for you.”

  Grace sighed and with obvious reluctance said, “Fine.” If this ridiculous plan was going to be a success, she would have to give it all she had.

  *****

  Melissa’s small two-bedroom house had a wrap-around porch and a small garden in the front. The house was quaint but comfortable inside. Trevor’s mother invited them to sit and then excused herself to change out of her uniform.

  Trevor pulled Sarah over to a bookshelf, near the television, and showed her his collection of cast iron antique model cars he’d inherited from his Grandpa Hank. He was busy explaining details of each car, when Melissa returned to the living room and took a seat on the couch beside Ian.

  “So, what’s up?” she asked. “On the phone you said you had a big favor to ask.”

  “First of all, I need you to promise not to ask questions and especially promise that you won’t tell anyone about our visit,” Ian told her.

  “Of course. If there’s anything that I can do to help, you know I will.”

  “Thank you. I knew we could count on you.”

  He went on to explain Grace’s need to borrow an Air Force uniform, and then she followed Melissa into her bedroom, to try it on. Grace turned in a circle and then cranked her neck to get a view of her backside. The free-standing, oval, full-length mirror showed off the perfect fit of the navy blue skirt and light blue button dress shirt.

  “I promised Cameron that I wouldn’t ask questions, and I won’t,” Melissa said. “I just hope you know what you’re doing.”

  She met Melissa’s gaze in the mirror and shook her head. “Not really. I’m going to need all the luck I can get.”

  “Well then, I wish you luck,” Melissa said, with a friendly smile. “Here, let me show you how to do your hair.”

  *****

  Back in the living room, Ian and Melissa went over identification of rank and how and when to
salute, until Eddie and Grace had all of the information memorized.

  Sarah sat on the floor with her back against the couch and watched the interaction. Trevor scooted in close beside her, and she wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

  “Don’t go,” Trevor whispered to Sarah. Grace watched with curiosity as Ian took a seat beside Sarah on the floor.

  “You don’t have to go, you know,” he said to her. “You’re welcome to stay. I know your husband is gone right now. Maybe…maybe you would be better off if you stayed here for a while, at least until we know that things are safe.” He glanced discreetly from Sarah to Melissa and back again, and Grace saw that he didn’t want to say too much in front of Trevor’s mother. “If you want to stay, I can find a place for you.”

  “I don’t know,” Sarah began. “My aunt is waiting for me back home—”

  “And if you go home, what do you think will happen? They will come for you, again. Even if your friends succeed at this plan, the people who are interested in your baby won’t give up.”

  Sarah stared at him and for a few moments and said nothing. “I’m scared,” she said finally. “You’re right. I can’t go home.”

  “I don’t know what this is all about,” Melissa interrupted, “and I promised that I wouldn’t ask questions, but I know Cameron. If he thinks it’s best that you stay, maybe you should consider it. Obviously my son likes you, and he’s a hard one to win over. I don’t have a lot of room here, but you’re more than welcome to stay with me. We have an opening at the restaurant for a waitress. Do you have any experience?”

  “Actually, I do. I work at my aunt’s restaurant back home. But I don’t want to impose on you. It’s a generous offer, but—”

  “No buts!” Melissa reproved. “I would actually welcome the company. With my husband gone, it gets lonely around here. It would be nice for some adult conversation.”

  “I don’t have any of my stuff here though. And I don’t have a clue how I would explain this to my aunt, much less my husband!”

  “I’m sure we can think of something,” Ian said. “If you want to stay, we’ll figure out a way.”

  Grace glanced at Eddie, was looking back and forth between Ian and Sarah as the conversation unfolded. Judging from his expression, it appeared that he didn’t like the idea of Sarah staying behind. She silently agreed that Sarah and her baby probably would be safer in Roswell, and though she hated to admit her selfish reasons, it occurred to her that if Sarah did stay, Eddie might pay more attention to her.

  “I know it’s hard, Sarah, but Ia…Cameron’s right.” Grace realized that she had almost called him by his real name and hoped that Melissa hadn’t noticed the fumble. “You have to do what you think is best for your baby.

  Eddie’s sharp glare directed at her went unnoticed by everyone else. He was obviously not happy that she had voiced her opinion. Oh well, she thought. He’ll get over it.

  When all was said and done, Sarah decided to stay in Roswell. As they drove back to Ian’s place, Grace and Liliana sat with her in the backseat and discussed her possibilities for the future. Grace admitted to herself that she would miss her new friend but knew Sarah’s decision was a wise one. Roswell and Ian would provide safety for her and the baby.

  *****

  “If we get caught, I don’t know how I will ever explain this to my parents.” Grace eyed the entrance to Edwards Air Force Base as the car crept slowly forward. Each vehicle in line was admitted only after careful examination and questioning by the security guards.

  “We’re not going to get caught,” Eddie reassured her. “It’s time to think positive and put on your game face. Are you ready?”

  “Ready as I’ll ever be.” She sat on her hands in an attempt to hide the visible tremors. Dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, she looked like any other visitor who had come to see the air show.

  The car moved forward another few feet, and Grace bit her lower lip, in anticipation. Ian’s explanation of their plan continued to replay in her mind.

  “How are we supposed to get in to a secure Air Force base?” Eddie had asked. “Even if we do have uniforms, we don’t have identification.”

  “There aren’t many ways,” Ian had agreed.

  “There’s an air show this weekend,” Melissa interjected. “I thought about taking Trevor, but didn’t feel up to the long drive, just for the weekend.”

  “There is?” He turned to Eddie and grinned. “It’s perfect. You guys are all set.”

  Eddie shook his head in confusion. “How so?”

  “Whenever there’s an air show, they open up the base for visitors. They get thousands of spectators. All you have to do is drive in. No one will look twice at you.”

  When they reached the gate, Eddie explained to the guard that they had come for the air show. The guard nodded and told them to have a nice day, and they were admitted without hesitation. Grace breathed a sigh of relief. Ian had been right.

  Eddie glanced sideways at her, with a grin. “See? Piece of cake. Nothing to worry about.”

  “Sure. That was the easy part. Now the real fun begins.”

  As promised, there were large crowds gathered for the day’s events. They eventually found a parking lot with no one in sight then took turns changing in the backseat, while the other stood on the lookout for anyone who might wander by.

  Grace stepped into the parking lot and made her first appearance to the world as Airman First Class Smith. She looked at herself in the car window to examine the tight bun in her hair. It looked perfect, just as Melissa had taught her.

  “You look great,” Eddie said, from behind.

  She took one last glance at herself in the window and then turned to him. “I do?” The compliment caused her pulse to beat faster.

  “Absolutely. I’d believe you’re in the Air Force.”

  She looked him up and down, in careful examination. He was stunning in Ian’s uniform. To complete the ensemble, Ian had given Eddie’s hair a short buzz cut, and Grace admitted to herself that he pulled the look off well.

  She couldn’t tell him that he looked ‘hot’, so instead she said, “You’re nametag’s a little crooked. Here, let me adjust it.” She reached out, adjusted the nameplate, and then gave him a firm pat on the arm. In her manliest voice, she said, “There you go, Sergeant Martinez. You look good. Don’t forget your hat.”

  “Thanks. I guess we might as well do this thing, huh?”

  She let out a deep breath. “I guess so. It’s now or never.”

  They got back in the car and followed Ian’s instructions until they located the building that housed the office of Colonel Davis. After they had exited the car and ensured that their hats appeared straight and proper, they strode toward the entrance.

  Grace had been curious why Ian had possessed an Air Force uniform. He had explained that it had been a necessary disguise, for certain missions. “Martinez was the best name that they could come up with for you?” Grace had asked. She observed his red hair and freckles. “You don’t look much like a Martinez.”

  “Well, people often believe what they read,” Ian had said. “If anyone ever noticed anything odd, they probably didn’t want to insult me.”

  Luckily, Eddie did look like he could be named Martinez; at least that was one less concern. They had decided that Melissa’s last name, Smith, was generic enough so they wouldn’t have to worry about tracing the uniform back to her, if Grace should happen to be caught.

  They located a directory board and saw that Colonel Davis’s office was located on the second floor. They rode the elevator up together, and when they stepped off, Eddie said, “I’ll be just a few steps behind you.”

  “All right,” Grace said with a forced smile. She was acutely aware of each step as her dress shoes clicked on the shiny floor. She glanced over her shoulder once to make sure that Eddie still followed. He offered a smile of encouragement. At least he had her back.

  It was Sunday, and very few people were working. She realized that
any time she passed someone she held her breath in anxious anticipation. She didn’t want to obviously stare as she tried to observe the rank on each uniform but worried that she would neglect to salute an officer and get stopped for reprimand. Along the way, she received a few smiles and friendly nods, but no one stopped to question her presence. As she continued in the direction of Colonel Davis’s office, the conversation she’d had with Ian continued to play in her head.

  “Colonel Davis is the main liaison between the IIA and the Air Force,” Ian had explained.

  “The Air Force is also a part of the IIA?” Eddie had asked.

  “They play a small role. The Air Force makes it their business to be involved with anything that has to do with aliens. If the IIA discovers a genetic link between Star Children and extraterrestrials, the Air Force wants to be the first to know. So, they’ve made a point to make themselves a part of the IIA. In turn, the IIA gets unlimited access to the secret underground tunnel system.

  “Secret, underground, tunnel system?” Grace questioned.

  “Yep, it branches off in several directions. One of the main branches spans from Edwards Air Force Base to Area 51.”

  “You’re serious?” Eddie asked. “Area 51? That’s not where we’re going is it?”

  “No, but the tunnel has several branches that lead to a variety of locations. You’ll start off in the main tunnel that leads north, toward Area 51, but then you’ll branch off and head east. That’s where the main IIA office is located, about forty miles northeast of the base.”

  “There’s a tunnel that runs for forty miles?” Eddie asked.

  “That’s nothing. The tunnel from Edwards Air Force Base to Area 51 is about three hundred miles or so.”

  “How have they managed to keep it a secret?”

  “Just like any other military secrets, there have been some leaks and rumors, but they’ve always been negated. The military claims that the tunnels are just stories. It’s been said that the tunnels couldn’t possibly exist because a tunnel of that extreme length wouldn’t have enough air ventilation.”

  “That’s right though, isn’t it? How do they have enough air?”

  “There are several substations and outlets along the way through various other military and government installations. Some are through secret tunnels and caves in the desert. The IIA offices are an example of one the stops.”