Drake stood, pulling up his suit. He’d been sure to let it recharge before the mission, and it was now in its red jelly form. Before donning the suit, he picked up a small pack with shoulder straps.
“Are you ready for this?” he asked the robot.
Herman beeped his agreement, and Drake picked him up and placed the robot in the pack. He then strapped it on his shoulders. Once he was equipped, he pulled on the human disguise.
Jamie was amazed to see that the robot’s shape was invisible under the suit. She supposed she shouldn’t have been surprised, since the human disguise hid the enormity of Drake’s own form. Still, it was a jarring image.
Drake steered the ship towards the planet, approaching the compound. He’d told them a little about his time as a prisoner, and his knowledge of the layout was sure to work to their advantage.
He landed the craft, then rose, coming over to help Jamie out of her harness. He bent to give her a quick kiss after she’d risen. “You remember your cover story?”
Jamie nodded. His eyes were full of an unnamed emotion. “If anything goes wrong, stay close to me. I’ll try to keep you safe.”
She appreciated his words, but knew the risks were great and he might not be able to follow through on his pledge. She barely had time for a deep breath before the door opened.
Drake pushed her behind him, ready to confront whatever dangers headed their way. Jamie was shocked to see the form of Danner Thompson enter the scout ship.
“Report,” Thompson said, his mouth turned down.
“I’ve got the prisoner. I’ve been instructed to bring her to Command.”
Thompson’s eyes narrowed, but after a moment he nodded. “Let’s go.”
Jamie tried hard to remain calm as they followed the shapeshifter off the ship. Around them, there were crafts of every kind in the gigantic hanger. There was little time to take everything in as they headed in the direction of one of the many doors.
Thompson, or his impersonator, led the way. They headed down a long corridor, passing several creatures along the way. Aliens of all shapes and sizes, including tall blocks of red jelly that must be the real forms of the Hareema. Jamie couldn’t stop her mouth from dropping open as a creature covered with mobile eyes sped past. She shook her head, trying hard to focus on the task at hand.
There were many twists and turns, and Jamie gave up trying to remember where they’d come from. Finally, they reached the entrance marked with symbols she didn’t recognize. Thompson hit the control panel and motioned for them to enter, then walked off down the hall. The door opened, and Drake pulled her in behind him.
She was close enough to hear his heavy inhale. Across from them stood the form of a large alien male with mint green skin. He looked very like Drake in his natural form. A Zantharian male form, one that Drake must know.
“What have we got here?” the Hareema impersonating a Zantharian asked.
“A human female recovered from a destroyed Earth vessel,” Drake replied. “I believe she is important us.”
The fake Zantharian raised an eyebrow. “This little thing? How could she possibly be important?”
“I was able to scan the human database before their ship exploded. According to her bio, this one worked as an assistant in Lakewood’s lab. I figured she could help him with his work.”
“Interesting,” their adversary replied. He eyed Jamie up and down. “She doesn’t look like much, but these humans have surprised us before. Take her to Lakewood’s cell and have her assist him.”
Drake nodded, turning to leave and pulling Jamie along with him. The door shut behind them and she saw him let out a relieved breath. Then he was whispering. “Okay, Herman, I need your help. Which way to Lakewood?”
Jamie could not hear the robot’s response but Drake nodded and started off down the corridor. She walked at his side, ready for whatever happened next.
At least, she thought she was ready, until she saw what came around the next corner.
“Sylvie!” she shouted as she saw her sister coming towards them.
Drake grabbed her, pulling her behind him. “That’s not your sister,” he whispered.
Jamie couldn’t help herself. It had been months since she’d laid eyes on her sister, and she struggled against him. “Let me go!”
Sylvie came up beside Drake, her face neutral. “This one giving you problems?”
Jamie recoiled in shock. Drake was right. This wasn’t her sister.
“No,” he said shortly. “She thinks she knows the one whose form you inhabit.”
