Chapter 21 - Veiling Presence

[...Captain...her signal...it went silent] Utern stated seeing the blinking dot fade away to nothing. Her vitals flatlined registering her as dead before the entire readings went dark. It indicated to him that the implant was crushed.

"DAMN IT!" Olton shouted. Standing up quickly and stomping to the cockpit, he looked at the visual of the window. Hearing large metal gears move, the landing legs were being engaged as they continued to descend.

"Touching down on the property in 5...4...3...2...1...," the pilot began to say. When the landing gears stopped moving and the legs were fully deployed, the shuttle landed with a soft thud. Without waiting, the Captain began barking orders.

"Everyone! Arm yourselves and get moving! I want the corpse of this freaking human!"

"Aye aye sir!" a chorus of Primusian soldiers shouted back. While the two pilots got out of the cockpit and headed to the opposite wall of the main loading room, the 3rd soldier began giving out laser rifles. While they continued to gear up, the squad leader engaged the opening mechanism for the side hatch door. A loud release was heard followed by a whirl noise as the door began to open.

"Any response from the human authorities?" Olton demanded still having the phone to his ear.

[There is. 5 road vehicles are heading towards your direction. Coming from near the downtown area] the Primusian commander informed.

"That means we have 5 minutes," he stated then looked at the squad leader. "5...whole minutes...squad leader."

"Aye sir. It will be more than enough," the soldier affirmed. Engaging his weapon and hearing it power on, his men did the same. When the hatch fully opened, the ramp had almost extended into the neighbor's yard. Once it landed on the grass, the higher rank soldier gave the command.

"Move! Move! Move! Infiltrate and capture!"

The squad began exiting out of the transporter and hurried towards the front door of the house. Following behind them in equal pace was their Captain. Knowing that the locals would probably be stirred by this sudden advancement, Olton didn't care. As of right now, there was a lack of control over the situation. And he wanted that aspect corrected as quickly as possible.

[4 minutes till enforcement reaches your position Captain] Utern spoke as there was a distinct noise going off in the background. [We are being hailed by human airspace traffic control and other governments]

"Answer and stall them...refer answers to our mutual municipality friend directly."

[Aye sir] the Commander spoke and relayed those orders away from the microphone.

"Reached the front door of the target's residence," squad leader announced. His three troops occupied the front windows and peered in a blinds opening.

"Visual?"

"No activity or movement from the window," one soldier answered. The other two followed suit.

"Clear on left side."

"Clear on right side."

"What's the movement inside Utern?" Olton asked staring at the front door.

[...scanners show no movement so far...used all filters for any trace marks...it is still inside]

"..." the Captain grunted annoyed. Approaching the entrance and lifting his right foot and leg up, he front kicked it. Flinging the door open inward, he entered with his projectile weapon forward. The squad of Primusians followed in shortly after and pointed their weapons forward. Scanning around, it appeared to be a dimmed lit living room.

"What about now?" Olton spoke in the same tone of voice. Glancing left and right with his eyes, he silently swore at himself for not bringing a headset. The aspect that he was restricted to one hand left him in a disadvantage.

[...] Utern closed his eyes and sighed softly through his nose. [...still nothing Captain]

"Spread out and search," the squad leader ordered.

"Belay that order," the captain spoke causing the other Primusians near him to turn their heads. "We stay...as a unit. We are in this criminal's battlefield. No separation."

"Aye aye sir," the group lead stated. "Formation sphere."

With that command, the 3 soldiers shifted positions. Two stood in front of their leaders while one was on the opposite side guarding the rear. Though placed in a center spot of the formation, the squad chief looked in the direction opposite of the frontmen. Turning his head towards their leader, he was still facing forward and scanning around.

"Ready when you are captain."

"Proceed forward. Time to intercept?"

[2-3 minutes sir] Utern informed.

"Damn it. Quick sweeps. Take down anything that moves on sight," Olton muttered loud enough for everyone to hear. The soldiers tensed sensing that he was irritated.

"Aye sir. Let's move."

[I would advise to not shoot our weapons captain. The structures that human's live in are not made of metal walls. It is more likely to either go through the walls and on to other human properties or set the structure on fire]

"I did not ask for your advice nor opinion Commander. Do your job and tell me if something appears. Is that clear?"

[...crystal...sir]

Going into the intersection of a hallway and the dining/kitchen area, 5 firearms scanned for any movement. There was no sound coming from the kitchen as it seemed very still. The only faint indication that this was a house on ground was the small openings between the sliding shades and window shades. One of the soldiers muttered that it the environment felt like one of the engine room lower levels in a corner. Another stated the room was clear.

Shifting towards the hallway and walking a little, two more rooms came up on opposite sides of each other. The squad leader pointed his weapon at the door then front kicked it open. Immediately stepping into the door frame and shifting around, it appeared to be just a bedroom and storage room. Only a beam of sunlight was coming through the fabric blinds of the window on the opposite wall. Seeing the shine of air particles and faints of dust passing by the light, the space seemed devoid of life.

"...clear..." the higher rank soldier stated then backed up.

"This room is clear as well...just a lavatory," one of the front guards said. Closing the door a little, he moved back to being beside the other point man in the formation.

[1 minute till interception sir] Utern informed in a monotone voice.

"...keep...searching..." Olton sternly voiced. "We are not leaving here empty handed."

Continuing further down the hallway, they reached the end of it. However, there were two more doors opposite of each other. Both were partially open. Upon getting closer to them and staring, it was too dark to see details of what were inside. The squadron lead told both front soldiers to kick them open at the same time. Doing as ordered, both doors flew open and made loud bangs hitting the wall.

Immediately scanning and sweeping with weapons, the staircase to the second floor was to the left. A bedroom was to the right door. As with other rooms in the house, it gave the impression that no one lived in here. That is despite the furnishings and a general sterile cleanliness. Searching the closets and under the bed, there was nobody.

"Clear."

"If there is nothing in this house...I'm going to blow it up," Olton muttered with frustration.

[...human authorities are in the vicinity captain] Utern chimed in with the same stoic tone. [Their road vehicles will be producing alarm noises]

"..." the Primusian ship leader frowned a little. "...continue search and sweep."

Even as he said that, Olton could hear a faint noise in the background. It had a distinct sound to which was indication that it was the law enforcement. Frowning more, he followed next to the squad leader. Reaching the stairs and the two frontmen scanning cautiously, there was nothing out of the ordinary. Climbing to the second level, their first sign of something amiss in the home appeared.

At the top of the stairs and down a little walk hallway, it led to another door. On it showed that there was a bloody handprint. Closer to the 1/3 length of the door from the ground, it gave the impression that someone was bleeding a lot. The handprint was visible but the five fingers seem to smear towards the door frame as if someone was closing it. Proceeding forward, the commander piped in again.

[Human authorities have stopped and are surrounding our shuttle...visible from satellite shows weapons are drawn]

"Well...quite the dilemma...kick the door open."

Do as told, one of the front soldiers kicked the door harshly. It made a loud bang, but did not budge. Doing it again, the door stayed still and rigid. Getting another to help, both shoulder rammed the door at the same time. Instead of opening, both burst through the door causing it crater in the middle. Struggling to get their footing, both Primusians bumped into the wall that prevented them from falling down.

"..." Olton stared and continued to frown at what happened.

Not saying anything, he went through the opening along with the remaining others. Getting into another hallway, it broke up in two pathways. One went down left and right of the door they went through. The second level seemed to stretch the entire length of the house as more rooms were seen. However, that wasn't what caught the eye of the squad.

"Intruders!" a person's voice amplified.

"..." the squad took positions in a circle and pointed their weapons in their direction. Concentrating on where the direction of the voice came, it seemed to be from outside.

"This is police. Lay down your weapons and surrender. Failure to comply will be taken as acts of aggression and disorderly conduct. You have 2 minutes to come out with your hands up. If 2 minutes are up and you are not out here, we are forced to step in and apprehend you."

"Heh...empty words from an inferior species," the captain muttered out loud for others to hear. Pointing his weapon down to the floor, the others remained where they were.

"Continue with the search. If those...enforcers come in. Shoot on sight."

[Human authorities have two rotary aircrafts heading in your direction...scanners show air missiles and something called a minigun] Utern informed.

"..." Olton scowled and clenched his firearm harder. "Split up and search. If we can recover the bodies of the slaves or scouts, then that will be our alibi. Move it!"

Doing as he commanded, the two front soldiers took the left portion while the Captain lead the squad leader and remaining soldier in the other direction. Going to the rooms, there was more vacancy. It seemed as if this house was more of a ghost that only had a shell of a body left. While they searched, an eerie vibe was emitting the longer they stays. It seemed to add more haste to their hunt for something. Despite going to further rooms, that sensation never went away. Almost as if a shadow was following them around.

"You have 1 minute to come out and surrender intruders...1 minute."

[Rotary aircrafts are reaching the vicinity of your location...they will be above you momentary]

"There should be two bodies in this damned house!" Olton barked searching one of the many rooms. The aspect of time closing in on him made him edgy and being put on the spot. Despite knowing that the Primusian squad could take on humans through physical strength alone, the projectile weaponry he has seen was not something he was confident they would survive.

"Captain!" one of the soldiers shouted. "Found a body. It's one of the slaves"

"Have another one here! A Baklavaian!"

"You have 30 seconds to come out and surrender...30 seconds," the same human announced.

[Rotary aircrafts are above you and descending] Utern stated. Just as he was saying that, the Primusians could hear a sound rumble. Like a blade moving at high speeds to produce a low decibel pulse. It was strong enough to seemingly rattle the house.

"Grab them and get them to the front door!" the Captain shouted then pointed at the higher rank grunt. "Go assist them! When I go through the front door to stall the humans, you better be on the other side the door."

"It will be done sir!" the squad leader stated.

He and the other soldier bolted down the hallway to help the other two soldiers. Olton then dashed towards the door they came through. Rushing towards the stairs and running down them, he reached the bottom of the steps. Heading towards the door, he opened it and continued down the hallway. The aspect that all the doors were closed didn't register in his mind as he focused on what his goal was. Reaching the end of the hallway and turning right, he stopped at the front door.

'...to show the most imposing aspect...one must influence and expose their guilt...to have vengeance on a false notion,' Olton thought trying to calm down.

Even hearing another statement of time remaining, he grabbed the door handle and breathed in. Exhaling and turning the handle, he put on a slight smug on his face. Pushing the door open slowly, he stepped outside to be on the porch. Letting go of the door handle and stopping, he viewed what was in front of him. Tightening his facial muscles from the sight of weaponry pointing at him, he kept the same expression.

"That's fine...now drop your weapon and put your hands up where we can see them," the one with a megaphone spoke from the center.

"My my," Olton spoke loudly keeping his grip on his firearm. "All of you here...to escort us back to our ship? How flattering."

"I repeat alien...drop your weapon and put your hands up where we can see them. This is not a warning."

"Really..." the Captain spoke and tilted his head little. "Is that a threat...human? Or do I need to call your legislative leader to ask...what betrayal is this?"

"I don't care who you have talked to or who you know. You broke into one of our citizen's homes. We are responding to the citizens that called to say aliens were breaking in an entry," the uniformed individual spoke with no amusement. "If you don't do as we command, we will take you and the others by force."

"...Utern..."

[Yes Captain?]

"Send live feed to our...mutual human administrator."

[I have already done so when the task force was incoming sir]

"...e...x...c...e...l...l...e...n...t..." Olton drew out the word. Feeling relief briefly, he kept the cocky smile and continued.

"Breaking an entry you say...heh heh heh...ha ha ha ha..."

"..." the police reacted with priming their firearms and pointing directly at the lone individual.

"Correction my good humans...I am here to retrieve...STOLEN goods that one of your...citizens...murdered...and...kidnapped," he stated then moved his right arm out sideways.

As if on cue, two individuals were carrying out women while the other two carried one male humanoid. Each did not look physically harmed. However, the females appeared to be in a state of shock or had fainted while standing with their eyes open. The male just seemed lifeless as it barely was standing on its own two feet.

"We tried looking for the Primusians killed by this residence's hands...if you paid attention to your own planet's news organizations. Alas...nothing was found in the house that we...deliberately entered since the home was empty. Well...except for one of the two."

[A transmission is being sent from a location in the metropolis...it is not being sent to us...but to your location] Utern informed. Just as the commander finished, a faint ringing was heard where the police were. Seeing one ]person with the megaphone continue to stare, he slowly reached into his pocket. Pulling out a cellphone, the smug look on the Captain's face turned into a grin.

"If they move an inch, stun them," the officer ordered. Opening up the mobile device and turning around, the phone call commenced.

"Captain...the slaves...and the Primusian scout," the squad leader whispered. "It is about their current-"

"Can it...we don't have the flexibility to talk now," Olton whispered back remaining looking forward. Seeing the same human close the portable telephone, he remained looking the other way for a moment or two. Turning around, his face looked somewhat contorted.

"Now there is...the face I'm looking for," the Captain said to himself with a soft chuckle. Watching the human leader approach the spot he was before, he addressed everyone nearby.

"Stand...down."

"...?" the other police officers remained still. Keeping their weapons trained forward, they glanced over to their chief.

"I said stand down. That's an order," the man stated again with anger. One by one, the police personnel pointed their guns down to the ground. With some getting up from kneeling, all of them watched as the chief walked up to the leader of the 5 person alien squad. Stopping at the bottom steps, Olton stood on the top step still having a grin on his face.

"Ahhh...you have news for me human?"

"..." the officer frowned at him before responding. "Go to your shuttle and then to your ship alien."

"Why...thank you...I did enjoy this...show of entertainment," Olton stated then motioned the others. Continuing to carry the two female slaves and male scout to the transporter, the police watched them closely. The Captain and the Chief continued to stare at each other in silent tension. Reducing his grin to a smirk, he went down the steps.

"Almost had me there human...if it wasn't for your friend in your...local government...you could have had my head as a trophy."

"..."

"Haha...better luck next time," the Primusian leader taunted after a short laugh. Passing the chief and not looking back, he sensed that the man's face was red with agitation.

Ignoring the stern stares of humans in blue, body armor, and handheld weapons, he followed the squad back into the transporter. Once all were inside, the pilots went to the controls and began powering the ship. The humans watched the side hatch close. Once full secured, they heard the engines roar a bit before they felt a strong wind of pressure. Slowly seeing the ship levitate off the ground, it began to accelerate and go up to be in the air.

"Hey...chief," one of the police officers spoke. Drawing everyone's attention, everyone stared at the chief.

"What happened? Who called?"

"Damn government," the chief spoke then spat on the ground. Turning around, he pointed at some of the men in blue.

"I want a complete sweep inside this home. Nothing goes unturned. For all we know, those aliens could have planted something in this residence's house. I want a group to examine the backyard, another for the first floor, and another for the 2nd floor. Is that clear?"

"Yes chief," the group of police officers spoke.

"Good now get going. You two are with me. We need to cone this area off before more residence and the reporters start coming."

Traveling back to the main ship, the Primusian squad took a sigh of relief. The number of weaponry pointed at them was enough for them to feel apprehensive to not move. If it were mere melee and hand to hand combat, then they would have been confident about overtaking the humans. Setting the recovered captives in the passenger room of the ship and closing the door to it, the 3 non-pilots resided in the main chamber of aircraft. Olton sighed while still on his cellphone.

"Are they pursuing us?"

[No captain. They are remaining on the ground and have begun to search the house] Utern replied based on the readings of the radar.

"Any issues at the main ship?"

[Negative sir. All systems are operating normally]

"No protest or aggressors outside of the ship?"

[No protesters present sir]

"Hard to believe after all that, there is no other spectacle."

[Indeed sir]

"We have retrieved the two Baklavaian slaves and one of the two Primusian scouts that had entered the home. Are they dead or alive?" Olton asked looking at the lower ranked soldier.

"Based on just looking over them sir...they are alive. However, they don't respond when talking or hitting them."

"Hmm...what do their vitals say Utern?"

[Since entering the house, both of the slave readings have vanished...which was presumed that they were killed in a way that damaged their implants. We don't have any monitoring record for the scout]

"..." the Captain stroked his beard a little before making a decision. "We shall find out what happened later back on the ship. Put them in the infirmary for monitoring...have the surgeon re-examine the slave's implants for any damages. And send a wire to the high council that mission "retrieval" was a success."

[Aye sir]

"..." the Primusian leader exhaled another sigh of relief. Closing the phone and putting it back in his pocket, he closed his eyes. Rubbing his hands over them, something crossed his mind.

'One of the soldiers was going to say something about the slaves,' he thought. Removing his hands and looking at the closed door to the passenger room, he stared. Trying to think what would be the concern, only the aspect that they were in a coma-like state came to mind. Blinking and turning away from it, he brushed it off.

'Doesn't matter in the end. I have retrieved them...and have the human enforcement searching that home,' Olton said in his mind. Smirking to himself, he crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes.

'Played the victim card well...and have a municipality individual that can be leveraged with blackmail.'

"All that is left to do is rest a little...attend a meeting the with high counselors...and then finally get off this inferior rock."

Inside the passenger room, both Aerialus and Fiona were haphazardly laid cross seats. Only shallow breathing emitted from their partially opened mouths as their eyes would blink after long sessions of staring. Despite not able to do anything else, they continued to watch the ceiling. Feeling the aircraft ascend and knowing they were going back to the slave ship, the fear of going back had changed. And it wasn't the aspect of what punishment and isolation cell they were going to be thrown into.

Both knew that they were near each other. However no matter how much they struggled internally, none of their limbs responded. It made them wonder if the monstrosity they encountered did something to each of them. From the time of passing out and awaking from being carried by the Primusian soldiers, it was a fog. A void of memory that they couldn't remember if something happened. A dream with no image or content to view as time passed unconsciously.

When being carried out of the neighbor's house, they were able to move only their eyes. The room that found themselves in was different from where they met the creature. Also, there was a vague feeling that something had dripped down from the inside of their left ear. The more they concentrated on that area, the feeling of a hole began to register in their minds. Concerned that something was put in it, they couldn't check to see if something was.

"..." both Baklavaians blinked from seeing something in their right peripheral vision.

Glancing over, their eyes widened. A large silhouette with sapphire-colored orbs stared at them. Blinking, it was gone. Feeling the elevation of their heart rate and pulse, blood was circulating faster through their veins. Not enough to move their limbs, but enough for their fingers to twitch. Despite feeling that fear was still at play and warping their minds, Fiona looked back at the ceiling.

'...the neighbor...is he human...or alien...?' she pondered. 'The things inside of the home...were monsters...felt like predators...why would they reside amongst humans and hide?'