The Bean Brigade #6
"Luck be an Alien"
In their secret mountain stronghold, the members of the Bean Brigade were listening as Control Freak continued his explanation of alien sightings.
"As you can see, the sightings have been reported all over the country" he said, "and some of the same aliens have been sighted in different places."
"Is there a point to this?" Temblor asked, obviously bored.
"Only this; it's obvious a powerful alien race has sent its' advanced scouts to prepare for a full-scale invasion" CF said "we need to set up a bunker with plenty of food and water."
"No matter how much food we have, between you and Slipstream, it would all be gone in a day" Ember said.
"Man, I'm tired of people making fun of my weight" Slipstream whined.
"Then go on a diet, chunky" Ember said, "I'm out of here, this is lame." And with that, she ghosted through the floor.
"I'm gone too bro, seriously" Motor Ed added, "call me if you've got any slides of rock videos or tricked out monster trucks."
"I believe you about the aliens" Jack said.
"As do I" Hannibal said, "it seems ta be too much of a coincidence that all these aliens appear where they do. And your invasion theory don't hold water, cause the reports indicated that these aliens do good deeds."
"That's just their plan to lure you into a false sense of security" CF replied "then, once humans think they can trust them, bam! We're all alien zombie slaves!"
"I want ya ta do something for me" Hannibal said "double check all of the alien sightings and see if you can find something they all have in common."
"Can do" CF said, rushing out of the main chamber.
"Why the sudden interest in these aliens?" Jack asked.
"I've got a little suspicion" Hannibal said "and it may explain where these aliens is coming from."
Later that day, Control Freak reported to his leader with his findings.
"I did as you said boss, and found something very interesting" he said. "At most of the places where the aliens were sighted, this RV was also seen."
He handed Hannibal a picture of said RV. "I did some checking and found that it belongs to a Maxwell Tennyson. He's an old retired plumber."
"So how does he fit in with the aliens?" Hannibal asked.
"I'm not sure, but get this" CF added "I did a background check on this Tennyson guy and there was hardly anything on his job. But some of my internet buddies heard a rumor about a group called the Plumbers, a sort of a Men in Puce like group who…"
"The men in what?" Hannibal asked.
"Men in Puce, it's a comic book series about these agents in purple suits that fight aliens without the public knowing, very entertaining. Anyway, supposedly these Plumber characters also fought aliens and such. And supposedly, Mr. Tennyson himself was part of their group, that is, if they existed."
Hannibal rubbed what served as his chin "very interesting" he said "perhaps he knows about the aliens and might know how to control them. I think we should have a talk with Mr. Tennyson. Any way to track him down?"
"He seems to be on the road a lot" CF said "but I might be able to get a trace on his vehicle."
"Do so" Hannibal ordered "I look forward to meeting this fascinating individual and picking his brain about aliens."
Meanwhile, on the road towards Georgia, Max Tennyson had no clue about the danger that he would soon face. Instead, he was concentrating on the trip and hoping that his grandkids didn't tear each other apart.
"Am too!"
"Are not!"
"Am too!"
"Are not!"
"Grandpa, tell Ben that I'm more than his stupid sidekick!" Gwen shouted.
"You're not even my sidekick" Ben replied "if I had a sidekick, he'd be way cooler than you."
"At least admit that I'm useful and you need me" Gwen said.
"When have I ever needed you?" Ben asked.
"How about the time I went into the Null Void dimension and saved your butt?" Gwen asked "or when we were trapped in that Sumo Slammer video game?"
"Okay, I'll admit you've helped me out a bunch of times" Ben said.
"Then why won't you let me be Lucky Girl and help you full-time?" Gwen asked.
"Duh, cause you need a magic gem or something to be Lucky Girl. And last I checked, the one you have doesn't work."
"So? I still have my martial arts moves, which are getting better every day. And I have Charmcaster's spellbook."
"Some good that will do" Ben countered "you don't even know how to use it properly!"
"I'm doing my best!" Gwen shouted back.
"Calm down, both of you" Max replied, "instead of fighting, you two should be getting ready for our next stop, the annual acorn festival. You know, Georgia is the nut capital of the US."
"Hoo-rah" Ben replied sarcastically "looking at a bunch of nuts is going to be way more fun than stopping bad guys."
"Even I agree with you" Gwen said "and that's scary."
Roughly a half-hour later, the camper pulled into a nearby parking space and the inhabitants disembarked for the festival. It was a wide-open place, filled with oak trees or people selling acorns or acorn related merchandise.
"Boooring" Ben said "maybe a little Wildvine will shake this place up."
"Don't you dare Ben!" Gwen shouted "I'm not the biggest fan of this place myself, but if you go alien in here, you'll attract a lot of unwanted attention. Let's just sit through this and make grandpa happy."
"All right" Ben grumbled, "but I really wish something cool would happen."
Ben will get his wish in the next chapter when the BB attack the festival. Can he stop them and prevent Gwen from getting herself killed? You'll have to read and find out.