"I was hired to do a job," the man said as the SGA officer interrogated him. His name was Raymond Downs, a well-known hired hand around the area.
"Who hired you?" the officer asked.
Downs knew he had been caught. There was no reason to lie to the SGA… he already had his money…
"Some creature… I think his name was… something- Wing. I don't exactly remember," Raymond said.
"Why'd you do it?"
Raymond sighed. "For the money of course."
"But WHY kidnap two innocent children? You could have just stolen the money like you've been known to do before," the officer pried.
"He said that if I took the kids, then the Commander would have to stop the SPD project… trade his kids for the reassurance that the project would be gone."
"But why get rid of SPD? Things have been going well since the integration… Crime's lower…"
"I don't know, man. All I know is that this Wing-guy said that SPD couldn't come to Earth… If you ask me, I think he's working for someone else."
Outside the room, Taylor and Eric sat behind tinted windows, listening to every word the guy was saying. Cruger was there as well, and he didn't like what he was hearing… he had a feeling…
"Who is this… 'Wing' guy?" Taylor asked as she seethed.
"Broodwing," Cruger said through his teeth. Both humans stared at him. "He works for one of the of the most notorious villains in the galaxy… Grumm."
Eric pulled Taylor a little closer to him. All four children were with Wes and Jen, and they knew they were safe… for now.
"Who's Grumm?" Eric asked.
It was then that Cruger revealed his past to the Meyers'. About Grumm, Sirius, his beloved wife, and SPD.
"SPD was made to stop creatures like him," Cruger concluded. "We began them all over the galaxy and he found resistance. One of his targets must be Earth, and he was trying to eliminate the threat."
Eric and Taylor let the entire story sink in as they watched Raymond being taken away. He was charged with kidnapping, and intent to injure. The weapon Ani had taken away from him had been a small switchblade…
After what seemed like a small lifetime, Eric came to his senses.
"We have to get him," he said as he balled his fist. "Get this Grumm guy before he can hurt anyone else."
"He won't stop," Cruger said. "His kind are like locusts. They will never stop fighting-"
"Unless we destroy them," Taylor said. "I WILL NOT put my kids' lives in danger. Something has to be done." Cruger sighed. He knew they were right.
"I'll head back to the base and see if we can find anything, but for now, I suggest you go spend time with your children," he looked directly at Eric as he said the last part…
Taking Taylor's hand, Eric led his wife to the car. As they were driving, Taylor knew that something needed to be done NOW.
"I think we should put them in private school," she said out of nowhere. Eric didn't say anything as he drove. He had a few other things on his mind.
"Wes and I went to a private school on the outskirts of the city… it was very exclusive and well protected," he said softly.
"Then that's what we're going to have to do," she said carefully. "Eric, we can't just have them out in the open anymore… Alec and Katie either. They're in just as much danger as Schuyler and Animaria are."
"But they'd still be known at the new school."
"What if we changed their names? People wouldn't make the connection right away anyway," she said.
"You've thought about this haven't you?" he asked, smiling a little.
Taylor looked in her lap and sighed a little. "I just… I can't stand to have anything happen to them again. I know you feel the same way but you won't admit it."
She was right… and he HATED how she could read him like a book.
"I don't want anything to happen either, but… change their names? Isn't that a little extreme?"
"I don't think so."
"What would you change them to?"
"Well, I was thinking about your mother's maiden name and my mother's. No one would be able to trace them," she began.
Eric's mind began to turn. His mother's name had been Bates, and Taylor was named for her mother, whose maiden name was Taylor…
"I was thinking Tate," she finished. "And instead of Schuyler and Animaria, just Sky and Ani, or if Ani wants, AJ."
They pulled into Wes and Jen's driveway and he parked the car. "And I'm guessing it would be the same for Collin and Lucky?" Taylor nodded her head.
"Until they're safe… yes," she said softly. Eric leaned over and pressed his forehead against hers.
"I think you have too much free time on your hands, but I do agree with you." He kissed her softly. "I just hope the kids won't fight it too much… they act too much like you."
Taylor smirked at him and kissed his again. "Let's just hope it's enough," she said.
They exited the car, but Eric's mind was still focused on Cruger's hidden message… he would go to the ends of the universe to protect his family…