Page 11 of Alien Abduction for Experts
Not that it mattered. They were our targets, to be abducted and brought to Professor Katila so we'd stay safe. I should stop thinking about them. It would only make it harder to turn them over to that crazed bitch.
"Get the Jade ready," Havel ordered. I knew Xil would be grumpy about that. He hated it whenever one of the other guys told him what to do. On one hand, he always insisted that they were a family, but on the other hand, he loved being in charge.
"There's a park behind this building and it might be a good place to abduct them. Matar, hurry up so we can sedate them together."
Now that action was finally happening, I sat on the edge of my seat, every fibre of my body filled with tension. This was exciting.
"Was this what it felt like when you abducted me?"
Xil chuckled. "That was very different. Remember, we found you by the side of the road, barely conscious. There was no drone involved, no pursuit, no stalking. You made it much easier for us."
"I shouldn't have," I grumbled. "I should have fought."
"No, it was perfect that way. Our first proper abduction. We were so proud."
I laughed. My mates were adorable when it came to abductions. But now that I was part of one, I kind of understood why they'd wanted to become professional abductors. This was fun.
The drone turned around a corner and we saw the park Havel had mentioned. It was a wide open space with a few gnarled purple trees dotted around the landscape. Such a stark contrast to the modern buildings right next to it. Hix and Hex took a winding path through the park. Darkness was slowly setting and not many other people were around. If Havel and Matar did their job right, nobody would notice the abduction.
Though as much as I loved my aliens, I somehow doubted they'd get this done without mistakes.
Xil started the Jade and we took off from the space port. Because of flight zone restrictions, we had to ascend quite a distance until the city below us was just a flickering of lights and colours. It made sense that we weren't allowed to be any lower or the shuttles may have collided with us.
He gently steered us towards the park and hovered high above. I doubted we were visible from the ground, not now that it was almost dark. And even so, people here were used to seeing spaceships all the time, so close to a major space port.
On the screen, I watched as Matar joined Havel and they now walked together.
"Maybe they should hold hands, pretend they're a couple," I joked, but Xil took me seriously.
"Do what Trish said. Maybe kiss."
"Klat you," Matar hissed. "I won't kiss Havel. Not even if I pretend that he's Trish." I was almost a little disappointed. It would have been hot to watch. Not that this was the time or the place.
"Should we get closer to them and hit them with a tranquiliser?" Havel asked. "Or do you want them conscious?"
"Sedate them," Xil ordered. "It'll make things easier. We don't want them to scream and attract attention. Split up. Havel, you hide near that little copse of trees. Matar, involve them in a conversation, ask them for help with... something that makes them go there."
"An escaped puppy," I suggested. "A tribitt in distress."
Xil shot me a look, rolling his eyes to show me what he thought of that idea.
"Excellent idea," Matar said, and I grinned at Xil in triumph.
I wished I had more brownies as we watched the abduction take on shape. Havel hid in the shadows, hopefully with his prepared syringe in his hand, ready to take out the Gemi'i. Matar ran towards them, waving his hands in distress. He was a surprisingly good actor.
"Please, help me, my offspring has got stuck in a tree!"
We couldn't hear their response, but the Gemi'i followed Matar towards the copse of trees. Perfect. So far, everything was going to plan. The drone had trouble piercing the darkness, so all we could see were shadows. The sounds coming through the speakers sounded promising, though.
"They're out cold. Engage the tractor beam," Matar announced.
Xil didn't move. "Please."
"What?"
"Say please. You're not the Captain, you can't give orders. Turn it into a request."
Matar huffed but complied. "Please, engage the tractor beam, oh wise and wonderful Captain."
