Mothership (Invasion Survivor Book 4) Read online

  Mothership

  Hayley Lawson

  Chapter One

  Why is this taking so long? Paige fumed.

  She felt trapped like a caged animal, and she didn't like it one bit. One would think, after everything she went through, the feeling would somehow lose its power over time or that she would get used to all the pressure and drama.

  Unfortunately, nothing like that happened.

  On one hand, she felt extra charged, almost desperate to take action and fight like she always did. On the other hand, Paige felt hopeless because, at the moment, there was no one she could actually fight.

  And that sucked.

  As she waited for the people in charge of the mothership to release them and finally let them on board, all kinds of thoughts went through her head.

  What if they already know everything and that Mom lied? What if they imprison us!

  She got frustrated with herself instantly. Stop that! she chastised herself. They were all here and safe.

  She knew Tilley and Peter were safe on the Genesis which would probably dock soon as well.

  Yes, the captain of the Genesis and its Elite 20 crew treated them all rather poorly. That witch even sold them out to that psycho Dillon. Granted, it was so she could save all the other passengers, but that didn’t make it right. That made Paige wonder what kind of atmosphere would greet them here.

  This is the mothership. The situation must be different here, Paige told herself. Yet another thought followed. Will we be a bunch of stowaways again, or will they treat us fairly? We all survived the same fate. So, one could only hope things will be better here...

  While Paige was lost inside her head, a very distinct voice snapped her out of it.

  “Where is it?” her mother, Angela, mumbled.

  As Paige stood by the door and waited for something—anything—to happen, Angela was rummaging through the bag, while muttering something.

  And Paige looked at her with intent. She's up to something again, Paige guessed.

  Finally, Angela looked content as she took something out of her bag.

  “Listen carefully now, Paige. You have to be on high alert from now on,” Angela warned as she pushed a card into her hands.

  Paige didn't need anyone to tell her that since she already was, but she wasn't about to contradict Angela as she clearly had more to say.

  “This is an Elite member's ID card, and you'll need to show it to them when they ask for it,” she explained.

  Paige nodded, checking the card out. It was a special issued NASA card that stated she was one of the Genesis passengers.

  The paying card.

  And on it, there was a photograph of a young girl with brown hair and blue eyes.

  How on Earth did she get a hold of this? Paige couldn't help but wonder.

  “Do I have to pretend this is me? I’m Mandy Connors for now?” Paige asked while her eyes never wavered from the image of the young girl in the photo.

  “Definitely,” Angela replied instantly. “How else do you think they'll believe you're an Elite 20 member?”

  They’ll never believe that regardless, Paige wanted to say. Besides, what will happen when the real owner of this card shows up?

  Genesis was close by, and it was just a matter of time before they reached the mothership. Then this little identity swap would be over.

  that, however, was a worry for later. For now, she only had to focus on finally getting onto the mothership without problems. This was her best option, maybe even her only option.

  It was obvious Angela gave her the card precisely because the girl on the photo looked a little like her—and that was it. Only her hair and eye color matched. Otherwise, they looked nothing alike.

  This will never work. I don't look like a Mandy, Paige thought to herself, glumly.

  The more she looked at the card, the more Paige feared their little ploy wouldn't work.

  They’ll know this isn't me. I suck at lying.

  Sighing, Paige reminded herself there was no other choice so she would just have to try to flash it if they ask for it. She hoped the personnel who came for them would act more like a bouncer at a club than a guard at a highly secured mothership.

  One can hope...

  “And here's mine,” Angela said happily, showing her another card, also from an Elite 20 member.

  Who knew her mother was such a skilled pickpocket?

  Paige glanced at her mom's card and frowned because hers looked nothing like her.

  “Oh, Mom. No way. Yours doesn't even look like you!” Paige said in exasperation. The woman on the photo had a darker complexion and jet-black hair. There was no chance in hell someone would look at it and think that was a photo of Angela on that card.

  Maybe a blind person, she thought sarcastically.

  “That's not important,” her mother replied, waving her hand casually. “They won't even notice,” she added with confidence.

  Paige wasn't that convinced.

  “All right,” she said instead. She waited for Angela to give AJ his card, but she made no movements to do so.

  That didn't sit well with Paige.

  “What about AJ?” she prompted. “Where’s his card?” She knew they didn't have a lot of time to prepare for the boarding.

  “He doesn’t have one,” Angela said as she turned towards the exit of the Viper.

  Paige froze for a second, even if she should have predicted that. There were frictions between Angela and AJ since the first time they met, and that was to put it mildly. This was a classic Angela move.

  “AJ needs a card as well!” Paige called after her when her brain worked again. They were all in this together, and if any of them looked suspicious, they would all look suspicious.

  Why can't she see that? Paige wanted to scream in outrage.

  “Paige,” Angela turned on her heel to look at her daughter. It didn’t take a genius to notice right away she was angry at Paige’s request.

  Well, tough shit. She was sick and tired of her mother’s unnecessary tantrums. AJ had been with them, helping them from the start, and now Angela wanted to leave him hanging? No way!

  “He’s not getting a card,” her mother said with a certain finality in her voice.

  Paige had to work hard to hold back her sudden temper.

  “That’s not fair, and you know it!” Paige challenged, practically yelling. “He saved us from the Viper guards, and he helped you get rid of them. After all that, how can you do this to him?”

  “You surely know the answer to that question,” Angela bit back.

  Oh, for crying out loud! Paige felt like screaming. Angela was unbelievable.

  “Just give him a break!” Paige pleaded, unsure what else she could do.

  “No. He doesn’t get to have a card,” Angela repeated slowly, stubbornly emphasizing each word.

  Paige could only look at her mother for a second, shaking with her head with fury.

  “This is ridiculous!” Paige tried again, not caring if she raised her voice.

  After everything AJ did to help Paige’s entire family, she couldn’t believe her mother would behave like that. It wasn't fair. Most of all, it wasn't the humane thing to do. And why? Because he had something inside him that he didn't ask for.

  Even fully knowing she could help him get rid of the Black Mass, her mother still acted like he was a dangerous person!

  It was mind boggling because she treated them so differently when she shouldn’t.

  It didn’t matter is she was her daughter.

  She had the same substance coursing through her veins, which should make her dangerous and untrustworthy, too.

  The injustice and the
hypocrisy of the situation made Paige feel insane.

  Paige looked at her card and felt pissed off. Angela got ready to open the doors when the ‘welcoming committee’ finally arrived.

  Paige was tempted to destroy it, and then she realized she had no reason for not doing just that.

  “If AJ doesn't have a card, then I won't use mine either,” Paige announced.

  Her actions might have been spiteful, but her mother needed taught a lesson.

  Angela looked at her daughter, unimpressed with her behavior, which only fueled her anger even further.

  Game on, Mom.

  Paige was about to destroy the darn thing when she felt AJ’s hands on hers. He stopped her, and Paige looked at him questioningly.

  “What are you doing?” she mumbled.

  “Don’t worry, Paige,” AJ said gently, trying to muster a small smile. “There’s no need to argue with your mom. I'll be fine.”

  It was clear he wanted to calm her, but she knew how much Angela's behavior must have hurt him.

  Angela huffed in outrage.

  “But she …” Paige started while trying to hold back her anger.

  How dare she act like this? Paige fumed. Her emotions were all over the place, and she didn’t know how to handle it.

  “If I’m asked about the card, I’ll just tell them I lost mine,” AJ interjected. “It’s that simple. I think it’ll be enough for them.” He tried to reassure her, pleading with his eyes for her to calm down.

  Can it be that simple? she wondered.

  “Are you sure it won’t become a problem for you?” Paige asked him, still feeling worried and pissed at Angela for her behavior.

  “Absolutely sure,” he replied instantly, flashing Paige’s favorite smile. “Everything will be all right.” He winked at her for good measure, instantly making her feel better.

  Paige nodded in return. “Then I'll do the same,” she replied.

  “Paige.” It was clear AJ wanted to stop her, but he didn't know how.

  She’d set a perfect trap for him. Either it was too dangerous for them to not have identification—in which case Angela screwed him over good, and she needed to flash hers—or it was perfectly safe for both of them to lie and say they had no documents. In which case, he had to let her destroy the one Angela got for her.

  I’m a genius. Paige felt like congratulating herself.

  “Paige,” Angela said. “Stop with this foolish behavior right now.”

  “Relax, Mom,” she replied, faking nonchalance. “We’ll both say the same thing. We lost our cards, and you’ll vouch for us. Case closed.”

  Her mother huffed again, turning toward the door. Paige couldn't help but grin, basking in the light of this small victory.

  Eventually, AJ nodded, and Paige nodded in return.

  They stood by the doors of the Viper behind Angela, waiting for further instructions from the mothership. When nothing happened, Paige worried again.

  Was this just a ploy to trap us? She panicked. No, it can't be.

  They wouldn't allow them to dock but shoot them down instantly. Telling herself that somehow wasn't comforting at all.

  * * *

  How long will they keep us waiting to twiddle our thumbs? AJ wondered. What is taking them so long to let us in, anyway?

  It was just the three of them, so if that posed a serious threat, then he worried for the rest of humanity on board.

  Four of us, Francis corrected him.

  Sorry, four of us, AJ rectified his mistake.

  I don't understand why you are so eager to get on the mothership in the first place. Francis continued, and his comment made AJ frown.

  Because I want to survive, he replied to his alien friend.

  Francis huffed. It was nice knowing you, he said in a strange voice.

  Is he scared? Of what? AJ wondered, unable to understand.

  Of course, I'm scared. You should be, too, Francis replied. He hated when Francis read his mind, but sometimes it wasn't avoidable.

  What's wrong with you? AJ asked in return.

  Everything! Francis practically shouted.

  AJ quickly lost his patience. Don't dance around the bush and just tell me what got your knickers in a twist.

  Luckily, the alien complied. Do you want to know why they are keeping us here locked up for so long? Francis replied.

  Enlighten me, AJ urged.

  Because they know.

  Know what? AJ prompted, wishing he could physically knock some sense into his copilot to speed things up.

  I'm sure they have the technology to detect me on this mothership, Francis said, catching him off guard.

  AJ really didn't see that coming. You think so?

  Yes, and if we're lucky, they'll kill us on the spot. I really don't want to be a lab rat, Francis added as his voice wavered a little.

  Francis’ words stunned AJ. He understood Francis' worries, but he didn't share them.

  What's with the sudden doom and gloom, my man?

  Maybe we can strike first and kill them all, take control of this place, Francis said, avoiding the question.

  AJ felt like rolling his eyes. And then what? AJ wasn't sure why he indulged Francis in his madness. Maybe because he needed to calm the alien down simply to have some peace and quiet.

  That seemed like the best explanation. Having a raging alien inside one's head was no party.

  Then we survive and live happily ever after with Paige, Francis said.

  Wow, you really thought this through, AJ replied in the same manner. I can hear the wedding bells already.

  I know when you're teasing me now. Francis sounded irked. That didn't stop AJ from thinking, Well, bless my heart. It's a Christmas miracle. Alert all the media because he finally got it!

  It's not Christmas, and you are not nearly as funny as you think, Francis spat back, clearly angry that AJ didn’t take him seriously.

  Oh, I’m hilarious. You, on the other hand, AJ sighed, were making great progress before losing your sense of humor again.

  That made AJ think. I hope it's not permanent damage.

  AJ, please listen to me.

  AJ cut him off. Look, stop with all this paranoia. We’ll be fine, I promise. You’ll be fine, he insisted. You’ll remain a secret to everybody, and there will definitely be no killing, AJ added sternly, hoping he’d reached him.

  I hope you're right, AJ, Francis replied carefully. For both our sakes.

  This time, AJ couldn't help but roll his eyes. Francis was such a drama queen sometimes.

  Paige noticed his behavior.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “Nothing, just a small inner debate about our predicament,” he replied, tapping his temple.

  She understood what he meant and offered a small smile in return.

  “I just had one of those myself. They’re fun.”

  “Yeah, hilarious,” he agreed. “So, what's your prediction?”

  “Everything will be just fine,” she replied with confidence.

  AJ nodded. “My sentiment, exactly.”

  They chatted softly for a bit while they waited. Eventually, after a long wait, a voice came through the speaker again and startled them.

  “Attention. You are now allowed to open the door,” the voice instructed.

  Finally, AJ cheered to himself.

  Not wasting any time, Angela pushed a button on the door, and they waited. A few seconds later, the doors slid open slowly and silently. Bright lights came from the other side, instantly blinding the trio and invisible alien.

  Chapter Two

  Despite everything, Paige felt excitement as she waited for the door to fully open, wondering what would happen next.

  This is finally happening!

  She started to feel peckish, so she hoped one of the first places they visited would be a cafeteria.

  Suddenly, the light dimmed, and a few soldiers appeared from the mothership and stood in front of them. They boarded the Viper without uttering a s
ingle word.

  They wore striking blue uniforms. Paige remembered Kwan from the tourist ship. Their uniforms looked just like his. And just like on the Genesis, these soldiers had guns and looked strict. Without any greeting or permission, they looked around.

  “Please remain calm and don't move,” one of them instructed. His name tag read B. Chesters.

  He didn’t have to tell Paige twice. She had the Black Mass inside her body, and that gave her an advantage, but she hoped her fight was finally over.

  They reached their destination, and she felt like she deserved at least one moment of peace before being forced to continue on their journey toward Mars.

  “Is there anyone else on your spaceship?” Chesters eventually asked her mother.

  “No, there isn’t,” Angela replied flatly while keeping her gaze straight ahead. The soldiers looked at one another, clearly confused.

  “What do you mean?” another man named Gutierrez asked, frowning.

  “We were informed you were held captive on this spaceship. Where are those people who held you and what happened to them?” he demanded as his colleague spoke softly into a comm device.

  Paige wondered how Angela would react and what she would say. She certainly wouldn’t tell the soldiers they floated everyone out. Still, Paige held her breath and occasionally looked at Angela with worry.

  Mom is a badass, she reminded herself. She’ll know exactly what to do. After a deep breath, reminding herself again of her mother’s strength calmed her.

  As was in her nature, Angela rolled her eyes at the soldiers, anger etched on her face. The sudden change was so drastic it made them flinch. Paige included.

  Paige knew that look well. Trouble was on the horizon, and she hoped the men had enough sense to back off. Angry Angela was a force to be reckoned with.

  Paige also hoped she’d inherited that trait.

  “What are you talking about?” Angela asked in a high-pitched tone. “Who are you? Filthy little soldiers! I need to speak to the Commander in charge!” she announced, raising her chin.

  Paige’s jaw fell open as she looked at her mother. Angela's theatrics surprised her to no end despite the seriousness of the situation.

  For a second there, Paige could have sworn she’d gone space crazy, but this time, she was acting, and she performed brilliantly.