Heirs of Planet Life 3 - The Battle of Gods

XXV - The Choice

Helen thought of her colleagues, and especially of Henry. Lorena didn't know what to believe in. Everything seemed crazy, but how did her granddaughter act so naturally at all that?

"Where are we going? I want to see my parents."

"I'll take you to them. Give me your hand."

She obeyed, and held the grandmother's, too. They vanished, suddenly, escaping from the enemy by a close shave.

At that moment, the classes stopped and the school was invaded by the special forces. Soldiers with helmets, rifles and war equipment began to enter in pairs, searching for the target and indicating to those who gave cover to the areas to be invaded.

Ronald Steighem appeared at the school gate with Agent Soliver.

"Sir, where's Agent Netil?"

"He's conferring all the student's and staff's records to see if he finds any new leads that will help us in the operation."

Agent X was apprehensive. Although he managed to maintain an apparent calmness, he tried to contact Dargan, looking for him around, but he didn't feel him nearby. He must have escaped. Collin Netil contacted each teacher, instructing them not to let anyone leave while the searches were being made. A panic mood settled among the children and collaborators.

The teaching staff tried to appease the moods and questioned the validity of that operation, which seemed badly conducted, since everyone thought the building should be evacuated if there was any real danger happening there, and not be kept imprisoned.

Little Henry, in his classroom, remembered his friend.

"Teacher, Helen's not back yet. Did something happen to her? Can I go look for her?"

"Just stand there, young man. This is a big people thing. You could be in danger if you leave. I'll ask an adult to find her."

Henry sat down and leaned over his desk. He hoped everything was all right with her. The teacher took advantage of some soldiers passing down the corridor and tried to find out more information and, also, to ask for help.

"Please, soldier, can you tell me what's going on here?"

"A criminal broke into the school. Don't worry, everything's under control."

"A student from our classroom left to speak with the principal and hasn't returned yet."

"Who's she?"

"Her name's Helen Traveler. Please, protect her."

"Where's the principal's office?"

"In the second corridor to the right, at the end."

"Stay calm, we'll investigate."

The soldier reported the fact to the command of the mission and the agents Steighem and Ann entered the indicated room, assisted by the soldiers. They found the real principal lying on the floor and woke him up.

He ended up talking about what had happened, how a man had suddenly appeared in his room and had knocked him down. When they asked about the girl, he said he hadn't even asked her to be called.

"At this point, our man must have fled. According to the secretary, the girl was in here with her grandmother. Then he must have taken them. We're pretty sure he's our target." Said Agent Ann Soliver.

"All this seems very strange to me. Let's see what Agent Netil got. Ask the soldiers to trace a three thousand and two hundred feet perimeter around the school and look for alien vestiges," Steighem ordered the soldiers as he walked with Ann to the classroom where the girl studied.