"So you're coming to the meeting?" Sam asked Ren at the end of the day.

"Yeah," Ren answered. "I might come here next year, so I think I should. Where is it again?"

"We're meeting behind the playground. There's a clearing in that little pocket of trees. It's at six, so it might be dark by then."

Ren nodded his thanks and walked down the hall. He was really becoming confused by the Human's strange habits and expressions. And why in the world would twenty-four teenagers be calling a meeting when it was getting dark outside?

He decided it really didn't matter. The meeting gave him plenty of reason to finish his mission. He was almost certain that Roya was the one he'd been searching for. The tricky part would be getting her to Gundalia.

"I have an idea," Stoica's voice said through Ren's communicator.

*.*

"I really would like an anime club," Roya put in. "Or a Go club. Something based in foreign countries maybe."

Ren traced pattern in the dirt, not fully paying attention. He was listening for any sign that his plan was working. He'd just let the Humans talk and forget he was there.

"We should do a gaming club," Strom interjected. "We could learn to play different card and board games every week."

"What would you want to do?"

Ren looked up to see twenty-four pairs of eyes watching him, waiting for input.

"Programming," he mumbled.

"Like computer coding?" someone whose name he hadn't bothered to learn asked. He nodded, and the group began to discuss. Blair's friend with long wavy hair feverishly scribbled down notes.

Thankfully, no one asked him again. It was dark outside by the time everyone had shared their ideas. Ren stood and began talking into his communicator; there was no need to hide his intent any longer.

"Yes, I have them all here. It's time for us to finish this."

Roya was looking at him, her eyes wide. A friend was standing next to her, looking nervous.

"Hey, Ren," Roya said, a little louder than necessary. "Is your last name Krawler?"

Ren smiled and nodded. While her friend looked utterly amazed, Roya looked afraid.

"You know what's happening next, don't you? Ren asked. The clearing was very quiet, everyone watching the exchange. Roya glanced at her friend, then almost imperceptibly nodded.

The wind picked up, making the leaves on the trees rustle loudly. Stoica's ship slowly covered the opening in the treetops. Roya went white.

A yellow beam shone from the bottom of the ship, and the whole ninth grade class began to teleport. Several of them shrieked or screamed. Ren tried to ignore them as he teleported onto the ship himself.

*.*

"Where are we?"

"What in the-?"

"What is this nonsense?!"

"Shut up and face the wall," Sid snapped. No one listened to him, though some of the class stopped talking. Sid growled in frustration. Roya watched him with wide eyes, trying to process what had just happened.

"Face the wall!" he roared. The class stopped talking, but only a few obeyed and turned their backs to him.

"Do as he says," Roya whispered. "These guys are serious. They won't hurt us too bad if we cooperate."

Grudgingly, all the humans faced the wall. Sid muttered under his breath as he cuffed their wrists together. Roya twisted around to watch him. Though it made no sense, he felt nervous when they made eye contact.

Whispered questions broke out the instant Sid left the room. Roya tried to answer them, but even she didn't know what was in store. She could only suspect-she admitted grimly-that they were going to be used as soldiers.

Silence ensued the moment Stoica and Ren entered. Roya could understand: they had never seen Gundalians before. All she could do was glare at Ren, ignoring his true form. She willed him to feel her anger at his betrayal. Even if it was expected.

Stoica laughed at the shocked expressions that greeted him.

"Not what you expected, right?" he asked scathingly. "Well, I hate to disappoint you, but this is how it is."

"I think my eyes are burning," Roya whispered. Her friend, Mei, laughed.

"What was that, sweetheart?" Stoica asked, standing directly in front of her. Roya curled her lip in disgust.

"Don't call me sweetheart again. You might get bitten. Right after I vomit from being so grossed out."

"Oh, I like this one!" Stoica laughed. "She has a fiery side!"

Roya grit her teeth and shook her head in exasperation. She glared at Ren again. He turned away.

"Where are you taking us?" Mei asked. She looked like she really didn't want to know the answer.

"Nowhere special," Ren said. "Just home."