An Alien Rescue (10 page)

The most recent Grey venture was to provide a hybrid that shared human morphology with Grey intellect and appearance. What made the Grey Empire more determined than ever to replace humans on Earth was the fact that a crude human, a simple and ignorant organism, had destroyed an almost completed group of hybrids. The domination plan had been delayed because of this unforeseen action,
which raised concerns that if one man could outwit and destroy a ship of the Empire, what could several million manage to do? The question worried many Greys beyond comprehension. To the higher Grey elite he was nothing but a puny intellect-lacking human male who had the pathetic nerve and audacity to take on the Empire. What he really succeeded in doing was upsetting
them
, making them more determined in their efforts to destroy all human life. His unplanned interruption of this vital project caused a massive rumpus across Grey space once the information of a wrecked ship and its destroyed crew reached certain quarters. The dignity and credibility of the Grey Empire was at stake. Should this information of destruction be leaked and supported by evidence, the strength of its reputation as a formidable and strong race would be weakened and misinterpreted. This insignificant ant of a being had to be captured and silenced immediately, with his severed body-parts and DNA used to complete the hybrid’s final construction. His two off-world human accomplices had already been captured and were presently held in cryogenic isolation. The female had been found to be undergoing an internal mutating transformation, whereupon a human offspring would have been the result of the newly formed zygote. This condition was confirmed as recent enough to be from the union of the female and the man in question. A decision was agreed-upon in the highest Grey Chambers, that the female would be the bait in a trap, the sweetest honey to attract the disease-carrying insect. Should the human colony, to which she belonged, decide to use him in a mission to search for the missing crew and ship, which was fully expected, he would be caught and appropriately disposed of. Any search and rescue attempt would have to be organised in absolute secrecy. Therefore, if this additional ship and crew went missing there would not be an outcry or any questions asked. There couldn’t be! They were not supposed to be there so no questions
could
be asked.

With the ship well on its way towards the Mothership, Belinda had received a communiqué informing her there was an increase in communications throughout the Grey Empire. It was recognised the increased radio traffic status coincided with the collection of Scott from his campsite on Earth, a mission that was supposed to be completely secret with no official record of the ship’s insertion into Earth’s system being registered or recorded. She considered the implications of the increased communications, recognising her secret mission wasn’t so secret after all. It had been observed and reported by unseen eyes. There were supposed to be no bases within Earth’s solar system since humans began sending unmanned exploration craft into deep space. The purpose of destroying craft that landed on other worlds could only be used as a last resort or temporary measure, until all traces of bases were destroyed and artefacts removed. Mars had been the main planet where exploratory vehicles were neutralised to prevent data being collated and transmitted while work was progressing. All traces of extraterrestrial operations and their effects were to have been removed completely, leaving no identifying marks or obvious signs. However, there
had
to be a hidden base somewhere, where the Greys could observe all craft as they entered and left the system, whether their own or otherwise. If that were true, they would have witnessed the destruction of the black ship as they attempted to apprehend Frell and Drang during the mission to return Scott to his island home. If this was the case, there was indeed a base close-by. This could mean Frell and Drang might be imprisoned there. Without any transmitted signatures from the organic transponders situated within their heads, and no relayed marker received from the ship’s unique organic memory bank, it could only mean they had not left and were still within the isolated solar system. There was a grave possibility that the lost ship was already dismantled, dismembered into its component elements. It might resemble nothing more than several unidentifiable blobs of purified metal and silicon. The energy field around and within the ship would have quickly discharged, decaying to a minimal capacity as its molecular structure would have undergone extreme changes, well outside its operational and safe limitations.
There was much to do
, Belinda thought to herself as she checked their present position on the overhead monitors.

“Scott,” she asked. “Would you like to escort me to a cabin below decks?”

“Mmm, just lead me to it,” he replied without hesitation. He thought this sounded like an offer of coffee… or something else, which he was keen to accept.

The cabin’s door slid open with hardly a sound. Scott recalled the same event when he had been with Frell. A clear image of a tall woman with flowing golden hair started his complete memory return in haste. As he stepped into the small room, there was an indescribable sensation of déjà vu.

It was just as he remembered it. The furniture with its metallic colours, the fabric with its revolting pattern completed the memory restoration.

“Please, sit down,” she bid him with a hand.

“Yes, please?” he asked. He knew what was coming; he remembered everything now. When he’d been transported to the Mothership about one year ago, he had been given a drink, a plain cup of water. He remembered it all, including his suspicions at the time that the water might have been drugged or poisoned. The memory-shrouding curtains of fog had finally dispersed, opened at last as the mists of confused haze cleared for ever. His memory was complete and the recollection of the past events restored.

Belinda was astounded. Had Scott read her thoughts? She wondered. Following a slight hesitation, she in turn asked, “How did you know I was about to ask if you would like a drink?”

“I guessed,” he answered proudly, unwilling to tell her the truth, yet.

She had learned of these things happening before, but only by psychics with the strongest abilities; and even then, only after training. Had Scott guessed luckily, or was he already conversant with the level of telepathy her kind shared and used as a matter of course.

“I’m not a magician, or anything like that,” he added. “I just recall Frell so clearly now, remembering she offered me a drink after I was brought to a room exactly like this while travelling to the Mothership.”

“
But I haven’t told you we’re heading for the Mothership,” she fired back instantly.

“I guessed that too.”

Belinda was completely taken by surprise, unsure if he could communicate by thought or not. She would test him. Turning towards the dispenser panel, she asked him by telepathy, “Would you like anything else, or is water fine?”

A moment elapsed without a reply or a sound from Scott, then, “Water is just what I need, thanks. I drank a little too much wine earlier and feel incredibly thirsty.”

Smiling with self satisfaction, she placed the drink on the small table by his seat. He was tired as well as thirsty, so it only took a short time before the sleeping agent had its desired affect.

After his, “Thank you,” for the drink, his eyes slammed shut
almost like slamming-doors before he could utter another sound. His body slumped to one side as he relaxed back into an untroubled sleep. Belinda looked on, taking in the sight of him sleeping. His breathing was steady as she leaned over him, studying his features closely. Her lips closed upon his, giving him a little kiss. He never moved as she said, “Sleep well, sexy man.”

The long awaited order was received; both captives were to be moved to the single remaining Earth Base by Empire transport. Their de-energised ship would remain on Mars, securely hidden inside a sealed and shielded cavern. The risk of using a ship belonging to the human colony was a hazard as its residual functioning systems might still be able to communicate with that of another, hailing its
stolen presence and position. The Grey Elite were aware of the recent collection from planet Earth and the fact it was from the same small island where the destructive man was collected almost one year ago. It occurred to them the man might actually be a human agent, one of the few off-world human spies who lived and observed the planet’s day-to-day occurrences while mixing with the populace. But it also crossed their devious minds that the human colony couldn’t resort to violence in the manner this one individual so obviously had. No! In retrospect, he could only be an ordinary human, but an exceptional one if they have decided to use him yet again. There must be a plan in-operation, an attempt to locate the prisoners in the futile hope of rescuing them. The Greys hoped so because they desperately wanted this particular man for their own purposes. He would come walking into their trap, voluntarily, like a virus looking to infect a host for self profit. But this body would be ready and waiting to destroy this puny piece of carbon-based flesh full of stinking red blood-cells and brittle bone before it could do any more damage. And once its fragile organs were utilised for more important roles it would no longer be a problem and the hybrid project would be all but complete. Earth’s new future would only be a war or infection away, and then another system would bow like a servant to its new master, the Greys.

The ship
carrying Belinda, Phyllis and Scott finally arrived and had safely docked within the Mothership, with the usual formalities of isolation and quarantine already prepared. Automated systems quickly kicked in, purging the ship’s structure of any impurities and bacteria. Any human from Earth was seen as a potential disease carrier, even though their body had been disinfected when they first set foot upon the small ship. Scott still slept soundly in the small cabin, stretched-out on the couch that was almost as long as he was. A grotesque looking blanket with the strangest choice of pattern and colour lay spread across him, more for psychological security and dignity than to keep him warm. He lay there naked, his blue suit having been removed to disinfect his body once more, although with much greater concentration than previously. His lycra-tight underpants were placed within a sealed bag and would be destroyed as would the blanket that covered him following his disembarkation.

Belinda and Phyllis had already vacated the craft, meeting the Mothership’s commander within a confined and safe area. While questions were asked and answered, their personal reports were automatically logged and registered. They had also been disinfected of harmful bacteria and microbes, suitably cleansed of dangerous viruses and germs by vapour, gas, radiation and light. The blue suits they had worn on board had already been dispatched for disposal, while both Phyllis and Belinda stood naked while communicating with the commander through an observation window. Following their disinfection, new suits hung on hooks outside the door, waiting for them as they left the observation room.

Many on board the Mothership had both witnessed and welcomed the return of the little ship that carried Scott, the famous lover of Frell and father of Skye. Many hoped to see him in the flesh, with a few wondering if he might perhaps share his body with another while aboard. More than just a few wanted to feel the rumoured sensations of lovemaking, whether physically or by thought-transmission. But all they could do was to wait patiently, to see if their desires and wishes might be granted.

The Mothership’s Commander’s name was, Patricia, a tactful woman of splendid beauty and great intelligence. She stood five foot six inches tall with short brunette-coloured hair. Her frame was perfect for her height and bust, giving her a figure of favourable proportions. Her personnel file stated that, like Frell, she too was compatible with Scott for producing offspring, but her important duties meant she couldn’t be used in the function of reproduction. She had also heard the stories concerning Scott and Frell’s sexual exploits, wondering what it was like to make love. And like everyone else on board, she was aware of Scott’s presence while trying to imagine what he was like to be with. While off duty, her passion for relaxation was working with wood, which wasn’t as often as she would have preferred. Apart from Earth and their home planet, good quality wood was almost impossible to find. Her favourite pastime was limited to periods when supply ships could deliver the lumber she requested. The trunk of a tree was never the easiest thing to be delivered, especially when you’re a great distance from the nearest forest. She would always smile as the request for timber left her workstation, wondering with a mischievous grin how the individual receiving the demand would react when they read it. She imagined someone with a questioning expression, wondering why a piece of dead tree was required on a metal-structured ship in space. She continued with her demands for wood as her desire for carving and creative energies necessitated the need for more. Her working hands had carved many decorative objects, all tastefully and expertly created, giving their owners an innermost feeling of pleasure while admiring each exquisite piece. She sometimes hummed a simple tune as the shavings and chips of wood gathered around her feet, feeling at peace within her sawdust covered surroundings. Most of the carvings were sent home, given freely to anyone who wished to have a genuine wooden ornament. What she really wanted to do
, though, was to build a log cabin or a timber house, something that was simple and spacious, a structure built for living in. Steel nails would be a problem, she appreciated, and hoping her request for them from Earth would succeed. She supposed that nails made from the same metal the ships were made from would suffice, but steel would make her dream house much more authentic. But until she eventually retired from her commanding position and returned to the home planet, there wasn’t going to be any chance of building what she desired. She had already drawn the plans for a typical structure from her imagination, completely based on an early North American prairie cabin. It was the type built and lived-in by early pioneers. The invading farmers and homesteaders unwittingly occupied fertile lands already owned by the native-Americans, slaughtering the indigenous people before turning a beautiful wilderness into grassland for herbivores to graze upon. The natives were massacred; whether by bullet, sword or the invading white-man’s terrible diseases. Her interesting education had extended to Earth’s history, where her special talents were aimed at understanding where mistakes had been made in Earth’s violent past with an emphasis on helping to prevent them reoccurring elsewhere. That study was still ongoing, even while commanding this huge and complicated Mothership. It was obvious to her and everyone else that Earth humans didn’t learn from their mistakes and would continue repeating them until there was an unprecedented intervention by an external force … or became extinct.

The wooden hobby was a cleverly chosen diversion on her part, where she could lose herself while whittling pieces of wood in an artistic fashion. Her own special enjoyment was stroking the wood, feeling the smoothness of its polished grain and texture. It resembled a part of the living cosmos, reminding her of home and youthful days.

“I would like to meet Scott,” Patricia said. “When he awakens. You will need to treat him very gently,” she added as an afterthought.

Belinda thought it best to mention something about Scott that would come to light as he was questioned, information that might get Frell into bother, although she hoped not. “He actually remembers some of the things he did during his previous visit.”

Patricia pondered over this information, knowing he must have been left with some of the memories. She didn’t know why and didn’t comment, deciding to leave any further questions about it until later.
Frell must have had her reasons
, she considered, while her own suspicions began to draw conclusions.