Chapter 21
Liz sat on the examining table trying to answer the woman’s questions while stalling for more time. They had taken her watch but she knew that the time had to be close and the last thing she wanted was to be caught lying on the table during a physical examination when everything went down. She could see how aggravated Ms. Cantel was getting and there was a sick satisfaction inside of Liz. This woman was cold and unattached with her questions, making Liz wonder how many times she’s done something like this in the past.
Ms. Cantel looked down at her clipboard and was writing when they heard voices outside the door and a soft bump. The woman looked up from her work and listened.
“Is there a problem?” She called out to the soldiers that were standing outside the door waiting for her to finish with the patient.
“No ma’am.” A male voice answered. “It’s taken care of.”
Ms. Cantel turned back to Liz and continued with her notes leaving Liz waiting for the next series of questions.
‘Use your powers and knock her out. It’s time to go.’ A voice whispered inside Liz’s head. She recognized it immediately as the soldier who had warned her earlier about Max and who now stood outside the door.
Without hesitation, Liz reached out with her hand and touched Ms. Cantel’s head with the tips of her fingers. With full concentration, she easily made the older woman slump out of her stool unconscious. She just hoped she didn’t kill the woman because she wasn’t exactly sure how she did it.
Liz jumped off the table and rushed to the door feeling that now was the time to leave this place. She didn’t know what this soldier had to do with all of this and wasn’t sure if she even trusted him but he’d yet to lead her wrong. He knew what he was talking about when he warned her about not letting them take Max first. He was in a very fragile state of mind right now and it would take all of their support to get him back to normal.
Liz nearly barreled into Isabel as she rushed out the door. She was standing with her palm toward the soldier Liz knew would be out there waiting for her. He was standing there with his hands raised in the air in a gesture of surrender with a smirk on his lips.
“Isabel. Let him be.” Liz said as she stopped for a moment and looked at Isabel’s watch.
“Liz.” Isabel breathed out in relief but didn’t take her eyes from the man.
“We don’t have time. Let’s go.”
“What about him? He’s not human.” Isabel asked glancing to Liz.
“He’ll follow us. We’ll need him.” Liz glanced back at the man as she started down the hall. “He can explain later. Right now, we have to get Max and Kyle and get out of here.”
Still weary, Isabel lowered her hand as Liz said and started off after the smaller woman. Without a glance she heard the man catching up to them and falling into step with Liz by her side. Isabel was surprised when Liz allowed him to take her arm as if he were escorting her. Isabel merely shook her head and followed along hoping that Liz knew what she was doing. It was obvious that she knew something about this man.
The threesome met up with Max, Michael, and Kyle in the hall just as they came from the white room. Liz rushed to Max and embraced him then pulled Kyle into their arms.
“Are you ok?” Max pulled back enough to take Liz’s face in his hands. “Did they hurt you?”
“No Max. I’m fine. They didn’t get that far.” She reached up and kissed him softly.
In the distance a boom filled the air and Michael heard Valenti’s command to get out. Bells rang loudly throughout the building signaling a problem.
“That’s our cue.” Michael said as he glared at the man that had approached with Isabel and Liz. “Who is that?”
“We’ll explain later. But for now, he’s coming with us.” Liz said, her tone leaving no arguments from Michael.
Reluctantly, Michael bit his tongue and turned to Kyle to bind his hands behind his back. He did the same for Liz and Max. He knew that those two would have no trouble getting them off, but he was unsure of Kyle because he’d yet to show any signs of his powers developing.
“Let him lead the way.” Liz said indicating the soldier that had so far helped them.
“What?” Isabel asked. She didn’t know who this…person was, but she surely didn’t trust him.
“Liz…” Michael began to argue but she cut him off.
“Just do it Michael. He’s security, they won’t question him.”
Michael and Isabel exchanged glances, neither liking this turn of events. Their eyes narrowed as the soldier drew his weapon and stepped in front of them all. They both decided to keep a close eye on him as he turned and started down the hall.
Liz and Kyle followed behind the soldier while Michael helped Max. Max, only a little groggy, really didn’t need the help but it was mainly for show. Max was supposed to be drugged so Michael’s help only helped their cause. Isabel followed behind them all, her eyes staying on the man that could possibly be leading them to their deaths.
They reached the security door to find chaos on the other side. Their new ‘ally’ passed the screening process and the door slid open.
“Dr. Higgins has ordered our guests be taken to safety on the other side of the base until further notice.” Setters said when the other guard tried to stop him. This did not faze the man. He stood nose to nose with the other man. “Do you want to risk their harm or Dr. Higgins’ wrath?”
The other man shook his head. “Where is Dr. Higgins?”
“He is gathering information but should be along shortly.” Setters answered.
The guard let his eyes go from person to person and they could see the dilemma he was fighting. As if to answer it for him, another boom racked the building, this one sounding closer than the last. The guard nodded and let them pass.
Once they made it further down the hall, Michael pulled out his phone and pushed a series of buttons causing another set of explosions to occur. This allowed them to quicken their pace without being suspicious.
Outside the doors, hot dry air beat them in the face. The soldiers that were stationed there were no longer around and Tess’s vehicle still sat where Michael had parked it. Isabel rushed forward and opened the door for Kyle, Liz, and Max to climb in the back while Michael went around to the driver’s side and started the engine. She watched as Setters went to the back and get in before she got into the driver’s side.
Michael looked in his rear view mirror and glared at the man that was seated behind Max. He didn’t like that he still had a weapon in hand.
“Who the hell is this man and why is he coming with us?”
“Still the same untrusting Rath.” Setters muttered shaking his head but it was loud enough for all to hear.
“Go Michael. We’ll sort it out later.” Max commanded wanting to get as far away as possible. His mind was almost clear but his body was tired from the exertion or breaking down the complex chemicals in his system.
Michael put the vehicle in drive and started toward the entrance of the base. He tried not to draw attention to himself with his speed as several military vehicles rushed past them to the research building they’d just left.
“Royals are flying the coop.” He said into his phone.
When they reached the small guardhouse at the entrance, the guard from earlier was standing outside with radio in hand.
“What the fuck is going on over there?” He demanded. “I can’t get anyone on the line.”
“There was an explosion in the research facility. We were ordered to take the prisoners to their secondary location for safety until everything was cleared out.” Michael said.
Another loud explosion made them all jump. The guard looked in and saw the woman who was with this man earlier tonight sitting in the passenger seat. In the back were two men wearing nothing but scrub pants and a girl with a medical gown on. All three had their hands bound behind their backs. Then there was a soldier, weapon drawn and aimed at the three that he was behind. The man nodded and backed away to wave them through.
As soon as they were clear of the guardhouse Michael lifted his hand and caused Setters’s gun to fly from his hand. “Get that damn gun off of them.” Michael growled.
Liz shrugged when Max looked to her. Using his powers he released the handcuffs and reached back to retrieve the weapon. Setters already had the gun in hand again and held it out to Max. His head was bowed when Max took the gun.
“Majesty.” He said softly when he raised his head.
“It doesn’t matter if he has a gun or not Michael. If he wanted to kill us, he would have done so already.” Liz said as she released her cuffs and worked on Kyle’s.
“How do you know that?” Michael asked.
“He’s an alien.” Liz, Kyle, and Isabel answered simultaneously.
Michael stopped the vehicle abruptly. He turned in his seat and looked back at his passengers. “What?” He looked to Max. “Did you know about this?”
Max shook his head. “Just drive Michael. I’m sure Liz will explain herself and why they think…” He paused and looked back at the man behind them.
“Todd is my Earth name.”
“Why Todd here is an alien.” He continued. He didn’t know why he felt so calm but he was. Maybe it was the residue of the drugs, but he also trusted Liz and knew that she was right. If this man had ill will against them, he would have already done something, not help save them.
Michael took a deep breath and turned back to continue toward their destination. His nerves were on edge and he couldn’t believe that Max was so calm about all of this. But then again, Max had just gone through another traumatic experience so this was probably a cakewalk of a problem to him. At that moment, he heard Valenti’s voice in his ear saying that the building was completely destroyed and that they were heading toward the mine.
“It’s done.” He announced to his passengers.
Max nodded. “Now, let’s hear how it is that you know that Todd here is an alien.” Max said making sure the safety was on the weapon and tucking it into his pants. He wished he had a shirt but that was the least of his worries at the moment.
Liz, Kyle, and Isabel each took a turn telling them about the experience they’d shared with Todd Setters. Max turned and studied the man. He was young, looking to be around 25 years of age. He had blonde hair and bright emerald green eyes. He was a pretty boy probably standing almost as tall as himself and from the fit of his uniform, he was toned.
“Who are you really, Todd? How did you get here? Who sent you? And how do you know about us?”
“Maxwell. How can you be sure that anything he says is the truth?” Michael, the ever skeptic challenged his best friend.
“You are correct to be concerned General.” Todd answered. “However, I am under strict orders to tell you the complete truth to any questions that you may ask. And I am unable to go against direct orders from my King.”
“And that would be?” Isabel asked. She didn’t trust Todd either but she held her own judgment. She was curious about who he was and if he was like them.
“Larek of Soltarus. A neighboring planet to Antar. He was a close friend to you and your family Majesty. And a cousin to your past Queen Ava.”
Michael pulled up to the silver mine and parked the vehicle so they could hide it. He turned in his seat.
“If that is true, then why are you here? Surely you realize that we know very little of our past lives and have no way of getting back to…Antar if we wanted to that is.” As much as he obsessed over information on who he was as he grew up, now that he had Maria in his life, he knew that he’d never want to leave her to go to some planet he didn’t remember.
“I was sent here to help protect the Antarian King and his family.”
“Then where the hell were you when Pierce captured Max? In fact, where were you when they were poking and prodding me?” His anger was evident in Kyle’s voice. If this man was sent here to protect Max, then why didn’t he show himself sooner or help them before all of this could escalate.
“I was unable to reveal myself as long as Nesado was watching over you. Larek knew that he made a deal with Khivar but he didn’t know the specifics. The best we could do was wait for the plot to be made known. I was to stay away unless he tried to take you back to Antar with him. With Nesado around, I was unable to approach you, to warn you without you demanding who I was.”
Todd turned to Kyle. “When I found out Dr. Higgins’ plans, I infiltrated the unit and waited. You, being but the consort to the King, was a means for me to get access to his Majesty.”
Max suddenly grabbed Todd by the throat with a swiftness that surprised everyone. His fingers tightened around his windpipe as he pulled the man’s face close to his.
“Kyle may be my ‘consort’, as you call him, but he’s a part of me and my family. You are never, and I mean NEVER, to put any member of my family in harms way no matter the reason. I don’t care what YOUR King tells you. I will not hesitate to kill you myself if you do that again.” Max threatened through clenched teeth.
The vehicle was silent as they all stared in shock at the usually calm, shy, and docile Max.
“Yes Majesty.” Todd managed to wheeze out through his blocked pipes.
Max abruptly let go of Todd and pushing him back in the process. He was shocked at his own behavior but when he heard the tone that Todd held as he spoke of Kyle, he couldn’t control the anger or protectiveness that flowed through him. He hated the thought that another being had used Kyle in such a way.
Liz reached over and slid her hand into Max’s, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “How did you know that Kyle was Max’s consort Todd?” She asked.
Todd sat up and rubbed at his throat. It would be bruised but he guessed that he deserved it. Inwardly he felt pride for this young man. He was truly King Zan reborn. Sensitive and caring to his people and ever protective over his family. Yet, he was ruthless when all he cared for was in danger.
“King Zan healed him. Gave him life. A connection was made just as he did with his Queen. That was the reason behind Higgins’ research. That connection would draw his Majesty to him. It was rumored that King Zan needed many consorts to appease his appetite but he only connected with those that could be his equal.”
Max looked down with a blush on his cheeks. Liz had told him earlier what Tess had told her on the way to Maria’s. They had both blushed as Liz told him how Zan had many lovers, often more than one at a time. In the end, she thought that it had helped him understand what he was feeling toward Kyle.
“Well, we don’t need another Protector. We just got rid of the last sorry traitor.”
This caught Todd’s attention. “What do you mean you just got rid of him?”
“Nesado is dead. Tess killed him.” Isabel said without emotion. She still couldn’t believe how he’d treated her. Of course that also explains how detached Tess was when she first came to Roswell.
“The others will be here in a few minutes.” Michael announced not giving Todd the opportunity to respond. “We need to get inside.” He opened the door and got out, the others following suit.
Michael went around to where Max was letting Todd out the back. “I don’t trust him Maxwell.” He glared disapproving at Todd. He wanted the other alien to know just how he felt about him.
“Neither do I Michael.” Max looked at Todd and saw that he had bowed his head and not responded to Michael’s words. ‘But he appears to know his place.’ Max thought. “Yes, he helped us escape this time but he’s still got a long way to go before he can earn any sort of trust from us. We’ll just have to keep an eye on him.” Max said following Kyle and Liz who were heading toward the mine. He made sure Todd heard every word letting him know they would not let their guard down around him.
TBC...
Just wanted to add a little note here before I post the next chapter. I will be moving within the next two weeks then it will take a couple of weeks to get things settled down. So this may be the last chapter for a bit. I have several chapters handwritten in my notebook and hope to have a little relaxation time to type them out but I don't know how long my net access will be limited (thankfully I have dial up and a laptop, it shouldn't be much but I'll probably have just enough time to keep my email from exploding on me 
) If possible or needed, I'll let my beta Strawbehry Shortcake post some for me. But in advance, thanks for being patient. It's been 18 yrs since I've moved to a new town so there's LOTS to be done. (I'm tired just from thinking of all that I need to do)
Sorry about that