I will be heading back to the scoop, with your permission, Prince Jake. Ax said. When Jake nodded, he morphed wings and left the barn.
A couple of minutes later, Jess burst back in, claiming to have left her schoolbag in the barn.
"Jess?" Jake said. "It's on your back."
She looked around and sure enough, strapped firmly onto her back was her black backpack. "Oh. Oh well."
She bounded across the barn to me and began to hug me again. I wasn't objecting; this time I was ready. Arms wide open, and Jess sailed into them.
"Sweet." Rachel sneered, as I sat back down on my bale of hay, buckling under Jess's weight. Poor Marco wasn't built to cope with girls willingly jumping into his arms. But he'd learn.
"Glad you think so." I replied. I adjusted my position to allow Jess to sit on me more comfortably. To do otherwise would probably have been disastrous for me.
And hey, I don't want to get hurt.
"Jess?" Jake again. "Now that you know that you do have your backpack, how about leaving the barn and going back to Lora and heading home?"
She shrugged. Didn't move, although she started purring again.
Guys? There's a noise outside. Sounds like engines…and a voice. Tobias ruffled his feathers. Don't quote me on this, but it sounds like Lora.
Jake left the barn. Rachel and Cassie followed. So did I, after having to yet again disentangle myself from Jess's grip. She maintained hold on my hand and we left the barn together.
Outside, we followed the dirt track to a gate. Laying next to the gate was a purple backpack. It was Lora's. No Lora, though.
About half a metre above the backpack was a single ship. About ten centimetres long, baton-shaped and it had a death's-head bridge at the front.
Rachel swore. Loudly.
"Amen to that." Cassie said uneasily.
"What the hell is that thing?" Jess took a step closer, dragging me along as well since she refused to let go of my hand.
"You really, really don't want to know." Jake answered.
Step back, human, or be incinerated by the force of our weaponry!
Jess shook her head, confused. "Where -?" She began, but was cut off by the Helmacrons.
Take us to the blue box of transforming power and live as the lowest of our slaves. Refuse and you will be the second to die an ignoble death!
"Second?" Cassie frowned for a moment, then looked horrified. "No. No!"
"Take us to the box now!"
Slowly, Cassie turned around and walked in the direction of the barn. The Helmacron ship followed her. Rachel began to morph to grizzly, and Jess watched, apparently fascinated.
She bit her lip, then said, "So this is what you guys do."
Jake looked at her. "This really isn't the time, Jessica."
"I know that!" Jess exploded. "I worked it out the same as Cassie! But I don't want to think about that right now, okay? Do you actually believe I want to think about the fact that whoever's in that ship just- just -"
She stopped speaking. Held onto my hand even tighter. I squeezed it back, wishing I could do something to help. A small smile appeared on Jess's face.
Uh, Jake? Rachel asked. She had finished morphing. Where exactly is the blue box? I assume that isn't at the barn?
"No. Ax has it."
"With him, or at the scoop?" I asked, knowing the answer already.
Jake didn't reply. Instead, he started running full-pelt towards the barn. Like idiots Jess and I followed. Rachel blew past us, truck-style, also in the direction of the barn.
Jess stopped. I stopped along with her. "What?"
"Lora's bag. I want to go back and get it."
"Okay." We both turned around and went back to the gate. Lora's bag was still there next to the gate, just as it was when we'd left it.
Marco! Now would be a good time for you to get your sorry butt in here! Rachel screamed in private thought-speak.
I started to morph. As my feet grew I kicked off my trainers and handed them to Jess with ever-growing hands. "Hold onto theeee-oyws."
I waited a couple of seconds. Tried again. Could you hold onto these for me? I…I have to go.
"Is that you in there?" Jess asked, taking the trainers.
I nodded my head slowly, keeping my eyes on Jess. Then I turned around and knuckle-ran towards the barn.
On second thoughts, I've pretty much got it all covered. Rachel said.
You would. I muttered.
I reached the barn and stopped just inside. I couldn't see Cassie anywhere, but Jake was human. He kept shooting worried glances towards the door that led into Cassie's house. Rachel's grizzly was panting, and had the Helmacron ship pinned underneath one clawed paw.
But, the Helmacron ship was also hovering over Tobias's still body in the opposite corner to Jake.
There are two ships?
Well done, Einstein. Rachel said acidly. Jake, you mind coming over here and keeping an eye on this one for me?
Jake started to move away from the door. Then he stopped. A trainer blew past him in the air and knocked the second ship onto the ground next to Tobias. The engines dulled from a fiery red to a dirty grey, then stopped altogether.
"That'll teach 'em to mess with my sister." Jess said ruefully. She walked over to the ship she had hit and carefully picked it up with one hand.
Angry thought-speak voices promptly ensued.
Put us down, filthy human, or we stalwart Helmacrons will incinerate you!
We will destroy you unless you replace our ship. Then you may live as the lowest of our slaves.
"Oh, please. You guys are pathetic." Jess muttered.
A minuscule red beam shot out of the front of the ship and got Jess in the shoulder. It smoked a little, but she didn't even flinch.
Jake left the door and walked over Jess. Rachel demorphed and I followed suit. Jake waited patiently for us to finish, then turned to Jess.
"Jess? I'm sorry about…about…I'm sorry about what happened to your…to Lora." Jake said quietly.
Jess looked at him then did something I thought I'd never see her do.
She started crying.