How her brother could make her laugh at such a bad time, she didn't understand. Laughter through tears did wonders to calm her. She answered, "If it's so simple, tell me how to accomplish the miracle."
"With my excellent computer skills and the help of some other hackers, you can get in and out of the building and lab. The basement holds more than aliens. Three small spaceships that were captured with the aliens reside there as well. One is a Milisarian ship. It only holds four and wasn't meant for deep space travel, but it got here, so it should get him back home." Victor tried to sound confident, though he was far from it.
"What if it's broken or he doesn't know how to fly it?" Valeri asked.
"Our cars drive themselves. I would guess the spaceships could too. If it's broken, take one of the others." He made it sound so easy. Valeri almost believed him. They both knew none of it would be simple. They were also aware that she had no other choice. She ordered a coffee and a cinnamon roll and settled in to make a plan.
Valeri dressed in black jeans, a black t-shirt, and a black leather jacket. She tucked her hair into a black baseball cap. Her backpack held a change of clothes, some food, a flashlight, and a first-aid kit. She tossed in an old white cotton shirt in case Ohber needed bandaging. She was as ready as she could get. Terror rushed through her at the thought of what she was about to do. If the government was still watching her, it would make everything harder. She left on her bedroom light, her computer was open and running, and the television was tuned to her favorite show. Hopefully, anyone watching the apartment would think she was still there.
She took the stairs down to the basement. She was afraid of seeing another tenant in the elevator. Valeri slipped out through the maintenance entrance. True to his word, Victor was waiting. He sat astride a black motorcycle. It looked ancient. He silently strapped her bag to the back, handed her a helmet, and helped her climb behind him. They roared through back alleys until they came within a few blocks of the lab.
Victor hugged her tight and kissed her cheek. She clung tightly to him. If things went wrong, she could end up in jail or dead. If all went right, she would be going to Milisaria. It would be a long time before she saw her brother again. She whispered, "Don't get caught. You shouldn't have to suffer for my misdeeds. Never forget how much I love you." She ran down the alley blinded by tears. She heard the motorcycle zoom away.
Alone, Valeri searched the back of the building for a tiny hidden door. She found it down concrete steps in the darkest corner. The hackers had unlocked it. She opened it and was knocked back by the noise inside. This room was far below the basement level. It held pipes, recyclers, and machinery she didn't recognize. She chanced using the maintenance elevator to the lab floor. It would take forever to walk up that many floors, and she needed to hurry. The hackers could only keep the doors open and the cameras off her for a short time. The hallway was dark except for tiny lights along the floor. She glanced up at the ceiling to make sure the cameras were turned away. They were. She quietly navigated the distance to Ohber's room. It popped open as she neared. Ohber was unconscious and sweating profusely. His breathing was rapid, indicating illness. She gently shook his shoulder to rouse him. His eyes opened, but he had a hard time focusing. She wiped his brow and explained, "I'm getting you out of here. I have to ask for your help. Can you walk at all?"
He replied, "I will crawl if I have to. Give me just a minute to sit up." He struggled, but with her help sat and then stood. Each step was agony, and he could only make it a few feet before resting. Valeri was worried, not only about his condition, but whether the hackers could keep them hidden and the doors unlocked long enough to escape. They reached the elevator, and he slumped to the floor.
The elevator stopped on the basement level. Valeri could see where the aliens were being held, yet she knew there was no way to help them. If they made it to the ship and it was in working order, it could only hold four. Her bag was in the corner of the elevator, right where she had left it. She hooked it over her shoulders, assisted Ohber in rising, and headed for the ships. She had to ask Ohber to point out the Milisarian ship. She eased him into a seat and stared at the control panel. Ohber saw her hesitancy. He reached out and pushed a few buttons. The spaceship lit up, and the engine came to life. Victor had made it back to his computer. The huge doors opened, and the floor moved, carrying the ship outside. Ohber pushed more buttons and said, "Pull back on the long handle slowly. We will rise into the sky." Valeri pulled a little too hard, and the ship shimmied dangerously as it rose. It leveled out. Ohber put it on autopilot and passed out. They were free, but not out of danger. Valeri had no idea how to get to Milisaria or how far this ship could fly. She needed Ohber's help. It was time to bring out the first-aid kit and do her best to make him well enough to get them to his planet.
