Moondust - Chapter 9

 

 

Chapter 9

Matt studied the cell. The door was locked securely and the bars were too close together to slip between. There was a food-delivery hole in the center of the door. 

“If I can get my head though, then the rest of me will fit.” He muttered, sizing up the space in the opening. 

“Don’t get stuck.” Jam warned. 

“Oh no!” The beautiful woman, Phina, shouted. “I think he’s trying to escape!”

Matt looked at her surprised. She was Iris’s friend, what was she doing? A guard came into the room.

“What’s going on?” The guard demanded. He was one of the tough men wearing combat armor. 

“I-uh…” Matt started.

“Over here.” Phina called to the guard. She let her hair fall over one eye and smiled a small, attractive smile.

The guard seemed entranced by Phina, so much so that he didn’t notice Jam. Jam was much shorter than the man and easily slipped the keys from his belt.

Phina grabbed the guard’s vest and yanked harder than any normal human person could. The guard slammed against the bars and sank to the floor. Jam worked the key into the lock and let himself out. A moment they were all free and headed for the door. Matt’s hand flew up.

“Wait, there’s someone out there.” 

“How do you know?” Jam asked skeptically.

“There were two guards who came in, I heard the pale guy order them to stand guard. Also, I heard him talk to the other guy earlier.”

“Kid’s smart.” Phina said, impressed.

“For an Earthling.” Jam scoffed. 

“I have an idea.” Matt knocked on the door. The guard opened it and came in, followed by three other men. 

“Uh, oh. Not the plan.” Matt moaned. 

“Hey! back in your cells!” One of the men shouted. 

Another guard came striding in, weapon raised. He was wearing a badge and Matt guessed that he was the leader of the squad. “Mr. Emerald is not picking up.”

“Code 9?” Another asked.

“What’s that?” Matt asked.

“Sorry, no witnesses, nothing left behind.” The guards surrounded them.

“Now, now, you don’t want to get in trouble with the Trust, do you? We’re intergalactic citizens.” Jam reasoned, trying to act casually. The guards looked at their leader. He shook his head.

“Orders are orders.”

“You’re going to be in big trouble!” Jam insisted. “Stupid humans.”

“That’s not helping. Phina whispered.

Matt took a deep breath. He never thought that he would be executed in some crazy underground compound with two aliens. He closed his eyes.

“Stop!” Someone shouted. Matt opened one eye to see Chris burst into the room. “Stand down.” He shouted. The guards obeyed and lowered their weapons. Iris came in behind Chris. She was holding her shoulder and both of them looked like they’d been wrestling bears. 

“What the heck’s goin’ on?” Jam asked.

“Where’s Mr. Emerald?” the head guard demanded.

“Busy. I’m in charge.” Chris ordered the men as if he were used doing to it. “I’ll be taking the prisoners. I want you all to return to regular post.” The mes dispersed, but their leader shot Chris a warning glare before striding out of the room.”

“That won’t keep them busy for long. I bet Hammer’s gone off the try and call the boss again.” Chris warned. 

“Then let’s get out of here.” Matt didn’t stop to question Chris at this point. There would be time enough for that later. 

An alarm sounded before anyone could move. The lights went out and red lights flashed up and down the hall.

“Time to go!” Chris shouted. 

“I have to find Petra!” Iris insisted. 

Chris nodded. They followed him down the hall to another locked door. He entered a pin on the pad next to the door and waited for the soft “click” of the lock. He opened the door and was met with angry shouting. Chris pulled his head out quickly and turned to Iris.

“Maybe you should talk to her.”

Iris went inside. Petra was there in a cell much like they ones they had been in. 

“Sis?” 

“Little Bow?” Petra’s voice was small.

“It’s me, now let’s get out of here. The guards are coming.” Petra stood and went to hug her sister, but Iris just pulled her from the room. There was no time. 

“Found them!” Someone yelled down the corridor and immediately gave chase. Chris let them down another long hall. A door in front of them opened and another came running out. Matt plowed into the man, knocking him over. Phina yanked Matt back to his feet and they continued running. After several confusing turns they came to the large garage. The car Iris and Chris brought back was already facing the exit. 

“Get in!” Chris shouted, heading for the driver’s seat. 

“Let me drive.” Phina insisted. “I can handle earth vehicles.” Chris didn’t argue. They piled in the car and Phina hit the gas. They could hear shots being fired, but the attempt didn’t last. 

It was several minutes until Iris felt like she could breathe. 

“Where are we going?” Petra asked after they turned onto the main highway.

“I’m taking you guys back home.” Phina stated. She didn’t ask directions. Iris figured she already knew. 

“Those men, they know about the cabin where you’ve been hiding. They know where Iris and Petra live.” Chris warned.

“Not for long.” Jam interrupted. “I have already notified the Trust.” Chris’s expression widened in surprise. It seemed to be enough of an answer for him and he didn’t press the matter. Iris made a mental note to ask about the Trust sometime. 

The Ojedas ran from the house when they saw Petra, Iris, and Matt get out of the car. 

“You two, meet us at the cabin.” Jam called to Iris and Matt before Phina drove off. 

“Mama, I’m okay. Iris and her friend found me.” Petra was reassuring her mother who was sobbing and holding her like a little child. 

“Iris? What does she mean?” Their father asked.

“Well, Matt and I were UFO hunting and we followed the clues to where Petra was.”

“UFOs?”

“We didn’t actually see any UFOs.” Matt added.

Mrs. Ojeda turned her attention on Iris. “I’m sorry for pressuring you about school, mija. If you want to chase UFOs then maybe you should become a detective.”

A smile spread across Iris’s face bigger than any her mother could remember. She crashed into her mother’s arms.

“Thank you, mama.” Iris cried. 

 

The black car pulled up to the old cabin. The three remaining occupants exited. 

“Chris.” Jam looked at the teen sternly. Chris knew he wasn’t off the hook. He waited to hear what his punishment would be. “I have a job for you.” Jam continued. Phina left them and began straightening up the cabin. As a waitress, she couldn’t stand the mess. Moments later she looked out the window to see Chris get in the car and leave. Jam joined her inside. Bast was sleeping lazily on the rug, oblivious to the two aliens and the messy state of the cabin. 

Jam waved at the open door. Phina saw Matt and Iris pull up on their bikes. 

“Ready for this, little earthling?” Jam asked Matt in his most mischievous manner. 

“I think I’m ready for anything now.” Matt replied.

Iris laughed.

The four of them went into the back room and through the gun safe. 

 

The bright neon glow of the Moondust met their eyes. Weathered wood paneling held road signs and discarded trucking supplies. An old gas pump stood as decoration in one corner, custom trimmed in thin red neon tubes. Matt blinked a few times. 

“Did we just get transported to Vegas?”

“Not to Vegas.” Iris said with a sideways smile.

Phina brought drinks to one of the tables. There was no one currently at the restaurant or bar. Iris wondered if Jam had anyone else working there besides Phina and him. He probably had to close the Moosdust up when they weren’t available.   

“Raiari fizz for the little heroes.” Phina announced. She brought drinks for Jam and herself and everyone sat around the table. 

“Job well done, guys.” Jam complimented. “I think I could use you two earthlings around here more often.”

“Really?!” Iris almost jumped out of her seat.

“Jam works for the Trust. We’re actually in charge of keeping order here on earth.” Phina filled in.

“So how about it? Want to become Moondust UFO investigators?” Jam asked.

He didn’t even need to ask. Matt and Iris both nodded in unison. 

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