Chapter 20
Drake could feel Jamie start to shake at his side. He wanted to growl, to smash both smug Cargraves impersonators in their faces. Instead he gave them a short nod.
“Command said to bring the prisoner to Lakewood.”
One of the Cargraves gave him an answering nod. “We’ve been informed.” The other entered a code into the pad beside the entrance, and after a moment the door opened. “You can go in.”
Drake pushed Jamie ahead of him into the room. He waited until the door closed behind them, then moved closer to the room’s only inhabitant.
Dr. Keith Lakewood was bent over a workbench, his hands a blur as he assembled parts. He was a small human, balding, with big round glasses. His once white lab coat was filthy, encrusted with grease and burned in several places. He had yet to acknowledge their presence.
Drake did a quick sweep of the room, noting the cameras positioned at several points in the room. They would have to be careful, for they were certainly being watched.
“Lakewood,” Drake said as he approached. “I’ve brought your assistant, Jamilla Herman. She’ll be working with you.”
The human scientist’s head shot up at his words. His expression was confused, but his eyes were shrewd behind his glasses. “Herman?” he said, after a moment. “How did you get here?”
Jamie swallowed. “We were looking for you. I got your coordinates from the array you built.”
Lakewood’s eyes narrowed. “But the array wasn’t strong enough to find me from Earth.”
“I wasn’t on Earth,” she replied. “We took off from Chicago and searched until we found your signal.”
“We?” Lakewood looked Drake up and down. “You and this guy?”
“He’s not technically a guy,” she said. “He’s an alien.”
Lakewood nodded. “I thought he might be a robot.”
Drake caught on to the code Lakewood was using. He let out a short laugh. “Incorrect. Although your mistake is understandable. You do not have access to the needed information.”
He hoped that his use of a modified phrase from Herman’s lexicon would be enough to signal to Lakewood that he was on his side. The scientist stared hard at him, then gave a short nod.
“Well, you’re here to help, so come over here and look at this.” He motioned for Jamie to join him at the workbench. Picking up a pencil, he rapidly scribbled something down on a piece of paper. “Is this calculation right?”
Drake leaned in until he could read the words.Can he be trusted?
“Yes, I’m certain that’s correct,” Jamie replied.
Lakewood scribbled something else.Escape?
Jamie nodded. “That’s what we were working on, yes.”
“And have you come to any conclusions in my absence?” the scientist asked.
Jamie nodded, but before she could reply the chamber door opened. In walked one of the Cargraves. He pointed at Drake. “You’ve been ordered to report to Command. They want a full debriefing.”
Drake wanted to scowl. His gaze flicked to Jamie. Her eyes were wide with fear. “I think it would be best to remain with the prisoner now. I’ll debrief as soon as I’m able.”
Cargraves looked at him like he was crazy. “No one disobeys a direct order from Command. We’ve got the prisoners covered. Now go.”
There was no way in hell Drake would allow himself to be separated from the human female. Not only would it throw a wrench in their plans, but the mating frenzy would not allow it. “No,” he spit out.
Cargraves eyes narrowed, going from Drake to Jamie and back again. “You’re one of them. The rebellion. Trying to steal our scientist from us?”
There is no way to talk my way out of this, Drake realized.Time to improvise.
He threw his fist towards Cargraves with a speed that was unexpected. The man’s head bounced back, and Drake hit him again, knocking him to the ground. “Looks like it’s time to make our move,” he said.
