Alpha Centauri

Thirty-Two - Daemon

I keep my eyes on the cracked, eroded road ahead of me, wondering if my guess about our destination is true.

I keep glancing at Nizami in the rear-view mirror. I figure she told me all she's going to tell me about her mission. I just know she can't do it alone, and that's plenty enough for me to help her.

I'm just starting to wonder if wishing for an adventure like this was a good idea.

"They have to be taking him there," I say. "I don't like it, but I know they are."

"What is Area 51?" Nizami asks, her gray eyes fixed on the government vehicles ahead of them. I can feel the change she's going through because of this trip. She hardly says anything and hardly ever looks away from the vehicles.

"I keep forgetting I have to explain normal stuff to you," I laugh sarcastically. "It's supposed to be this abandoned artillery test range, but there's some conspiracy theory that it's some secret facility for examining confiscated alien spaceships. I mean, the conspiracy is a load of bullshit, but now I guess that's the perfect cover."

"You don't think they could have my space pod there?" For once, she looks at me, the old, blinking cab light catching the side of her beautiful face. I try to keep his eyes on the road."

Space pod?  "I, uh..."

"Just another reason we must get in. They're making another stop."

I steer the pickup truck into the parking lot of a BP gas station. I park as far away from the entrance as I can. We watch the agents leave their vehicles. I can see the driver of the front vehicle head-banging to music through a huge pair of headphones.

"Nizami, we have to make a move now," I say. "This is their last stop."

"What do you mean?"

"If they're taking Julian to a government facility, there's no way we'll be able to get in from outside."

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

"Come on."

I jump out of the pickup and make my way across the parking lot. Nizami is protesting from behind me. I slip past the agent in the first vehicle and disappear behind the last vehicle—a silver Sedan. I almost yelp with joy when I discover that the trunk is unlocked.

"Why aren't we getting in the vehicle Julian is in?" Nizami hisses in a voice lower than a whisper.

"It's guarded. Come on." I crawl into the trunk of the Sedan and motion for her to squeeze in too.

Nizami looks in the direction of the store and immediately scrambles into the trunk, pulling the door shut after her.

Nizami and I are engulfed in darkness. I can feel her chest heaving with every breath and her whole body shaking. After a few moments, the car lurches forward, continuing the journey to Area 51.

I can hear the two agents' muffled conversation. It's hot back here, and the fact that two people are crammed together doesn't help. Suddenly this doesn't seem like such a great plan. Not just the heat—what if each vehicle is checked before they enter the facility? I don't want to think about it. Before long, it cools down, and I drift off to sleep. I've been driving for Nizami most of the way and it's starting to take its toll.

I don't get much more than an hour of sleep before Nizami shakes me awake. It's still pitch black in the trunk.

"What?" I say.

"I believe we're almost to our destination. I heard the agents' conversation."

I swear under my breath.