Chapter 39

When the elevator doors opened again, Dr. Milldred was met by her sister and the three Gelflings. They were standing by as they watched Deet disabling another camera, flying up to it with her wings. With a satisfying spark, Deet was able to pull the camera off its hinges on the wall, letting it fall to the floor underneath her.

"Excellent work, Ms. Deet." Dr. Milldred nodded, startling the smaller group.

"Dr. Milldred! You're ok." Rian sighed in relief.

"I'm fine." She nodded. "I was able to apprehend Dr. Leeroy for a while, but not for long. We have to get Brea out and leave, now."

"Which way is Brea at?" Seladon asked.

"Straight ahead." Dr. Milldred nodded. "Not far from here. Let's hope that Dr. Rose isn't in there."

The others nodded and quietly followed her down the hall. When they got to Dr. Rose's lab, Dr. Milldred looked in, and frowned at what she saw. "What in the world?"

"What is it, Dr. Milldred?" Deet asked.

"Dr. Rose… she's releasing Ms. Brea."

Inside the lab, Dr. Rose unlocked the tank Brea was in and helped the Gelfling climb out. The blonde-haired scientist then closed the door and locked it again, seemingly creating the same illusion they had made for Seladon's escape. The human then put the key in her pocket and bent down to the Vapra, speaking to her quietly.

Frowning, Dr. Milldred went up to the door and knocked on it. She watched through the window secretly as the two inside panicked a bit. Dr. Rose tried to get the tank back open, but she was rushing too much and she accidentally knocked it to the floor, shattering it once it hit the ground. That's when Dr. Milldred decided to open the door.

"Dr. Rose?" She announced. "What's going on?"

"Oh, Dr. Milldred!" Dr. Rose said nervously. "Nothing is going on. Everything is fine. Ms. Brea's tank was just too close to the edge and it fell. Luckily, she's not hurt."

Dr. Milldred nodded. "Then, explain to me please why I saw you releasing her before the tank fell? Why were you trying to get her back in when I knocked?"

Dr. Rose and Brea looked at each other, both coming to a standstill, neither one of them knowing how to explain their actions. Dr. Milldred smiled.

"It's ok, Dr. Rose… I'm trying to help them escape too."

"What?" Dr. Rose blinked in surprise. "How did you…?"

"You have a large heart, Rose." Dr. Milldred chuckled. "I knew that you would eventually come up with a plan to help them escape."

"You're gonna tell on us, are you?" Brea asked her.

"Of course not. After all, like I said, I'm trying to help you escape too." She looked back at the door. "It's ok guys, Dr. Rose is on our side."

At that announcement, Penelope and the Gelflings walked into the lab. Brea and Dr. Rose gasped at the sight of them.

"Rian, Deet, Seladon, Penelope!" Brea cried, running up to the little group and hugging each of them. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again."

"Seems like everybody is saying that recently." Rian nodded. "Is Dr. Rose actually helping us escape?"

"Yes, she wants to help us." Brea nodded, looking back at the scientist. "Right Dr. Rose?"

"Right." The blonde-haired human nodded before looking back at Dr. Milldred. "I assume you have a plan, considering you started this way before I did."

"I do." She nodded. "But first, we need to get to my lab. Ms. Deet needs her medicine before they leave."

"I won't go without it." Deet said firmly.

"After that, we're gonna pull the fire alarms to create a diversion. With everybody panicking around, we'll be able to sneak past them."

"The rocket ship is all the way in Palo Alto." Dr. Rose frowned. "That's a whole day away. How are you getting there?"

"I'm going to drive us there." Dr. Milldred told her. "But it may take us more than a day. After this, NASA may report me as a felon for stealing private property. We'll need to lay low and not cause any suspicion."

"The center knows your car. You'll have to get a new one so that the police can't track you."

"Already part of the plan." Dr. Milldred nodded. "Don't worry. I have everything under control, but we can't waste anymore time. Dr. Leeroy is currently passed out on the fourth floor. He caught us trying to escape after freeing Ms. Seladon and Baffi. I had to apprehend him, but who knows how long it will be until he wakes up again."

"Then we must go now." Dr. Rose nodded. "Come on. Let's get that medicine from your lab, and then I will help you escape the building."