Playing Marbles for the Big Blue

05 Abducted by Helmagians

By Jo Dora Webster

Will Celeste foil the Helmagians seeking to abduct her daughters?

05 Abducted by Helmagians

I felt a chill run down my spine as I noticed the group of strangers eyeing us intently. What had started as a simple shopping trip with Greg and the girls had suddenly taken a sinister turn.

"Sela," I thought, reaching out to my AI companion through our telepathic link, "are you detecting anything unusual?"

"Caution, Celeste," Sela's voice echoed in my mind. "I'm picking up Helmagian energy signatures. They appear to be using Alvian detection devices."

My heart raced as I tried to maintain a calm exterior. I glanced at Greg, seeing the tension in his shoulders. He must have sensed it too.

"Girls," I whispered urgently, "stay close to us."

But it was already too late. The Helmagians were moving towards us, their eyes gleaming with a mix of triumph and malice.

"Well, well," one of them sneered, "if it isn't the son of the Alvian leader and his precious family."

I instinctively moved closer to Sally and Gail, my mind racing. How had they detected us? Our disguises had never failed before.

"Sela," I thought frantically, "can you interfere with their detection devices?"

"Negative, Celeste," Sela replied. "Their technology is shielded against such interference. We are exposed."

Greg attempted to bluff, but the cold smile on the Helmagian's face told me it was futile.

"Oh, we're not mistaken, Greg Hardin," he spat the name like a curse. "Or should I say, son of the current elected Alvian leader?"

Memories of the past Alvian spy incident flashed through my mind. The kidnapping of the Helmagian leader's grandchildren, the political fallout, the increased tensions between our peoples. And now, here we were, about to pay the price for those past actions.

I could feel Sally and Gail trembling behind me, and I silently cursed our carelessness. We should never have let our guard down, even for a moment.

"What do you want?" Greg asked, his voice steady despite the tension I could see in his eyes.

The Helmagian's eyes narrowed. "Justice," he hissed. "An eye for an eye, as you Earthlings say."

In that moment, I knew exactly what they were planning, and a cold dread settled in my stomach. They were going to take the girls, just as Alvian spies had taken their leader's grandchildren years ago.
"Sela," I thought desperately, "we need options. Now."

"Analyzing potential escape routes," Sela responded. "But our options are limited. The Helmagians have us surrounded, and we're in a public space. Any overt action could endanger civilians."

As the Helmagians closed in, I steeled myself for what was to come. I may not be the girls' biological mother, but in this moment, I felt every bit the protective parent. Whatever happened, I would do everything in my power to keep them safe.

The tension in the air was palpable as we made our swift escape. With each step, I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, my senses heightened and alert for any sign of pursuit. Greg's hand found mine, squeezing it reassuringly as we guided the girls through the crowded streets.

Despite the chaos of our retreat, I couldn't help but marvel at the strength of the bond I felt with this family—a connection that transcended biology and spoke to something deeper within me. As we rounded a corner and ducked into a quieter alley, I allowed myself a moment to catch my breath, the reality of our narrow escape finally beginning to sink in.

I felt my heart racing as the Helmagians discussed their plan, their voices low but filled with malice. Sela's voice echoed in my mind, providing a constant stream of information.

"Celeste, they're planning to kidnap Gail and Sally," Sela warned. "It seems they're seeking revenge for a past incident involving Alvian spies and their leader's grandchildren.

"I struggled to maintain my composure, acutely aware of Greg's tension beside me. The girls, oblivious to the danger, were examining a display of colorful toys nearby. I yearned to rush to them, to shield them from the threat looming over us, but I knew any sudden movement could provoke the Helmagians.

"Sela," I thought, careful to keep my face neutral, "what options do we have?"

"Limited, I'm afraid," Sela replied. "The store is crowded, and any overt action could endanger civilians. However, I've identified a potential exit route through the back of the store. If we can create a distraction, we might be able to slip away unnoticed."

I glanced at Greg, wishing I could communicate Sela's plan to him. But our silent communication was interrupted by one of the Helmagians stepping forward, his eyes fixed on Greg
."Son of the Alvian leader," he sneered, his voice barely above a whisper. "How fortunate for us to stumble upon such... valuable prizes."

Greg's jaw clenched, but he remained silent. I could see the calculations running behind his eyes, trying to find a way out of this situation without endangering the girls or the humans around us.

Suddenly, an idea struck me. "Sela," I thought urgently, "can you interface with the store's systems? Maybe trigger a false alarm?"

"Excellent idea, Celeste," Sela responded. "Initiating now."

As if on cue, the store's fire alarm blared to life, startling everyone in the vicinity. In the ensuing chaos, I grabbed Sally while Greg scooped up Gail. We pushed through the crowd, heading for the exit Sela had identified.

As we burst into the alley behind the store, I couldn't help but think of our Ceti Alphan and Silurian friends, the extraterrestrial families we had befriended. I wondered if Gail Sands, or Glivney Athos as she was known on Ceti Alpha, had ever faced such danger. Her calm demeanor in stressful situations suddenly made more sense.

We ran, our feet pounding the pavement as we put distance between ourselves and the Helmagians. I could hear their shouts of frustration fading behind us, but I knew this was far from over. They had discovered our presence on Earth, and they wouldn't give up easily.

As we turned a corner, I held Sally close, my heart heavy with the knowledge that our peaceful life on Earth was about to change dramatically.

We hurried away from the store, my heart was still racing from our close encounter with the Helmagians. Greg's face was etched with worry, and I could feel the girls' fear radiating off them in waves.

"Sela," I thought, reaching out to my AI companion, "we need to regroup and figure out our next move."

"Agreed, Celeste," Sela responded in my mind. "I suggest we contact the Ceti Alphan and Silurian families immediately. They might have valuable insights or resources to help us."

I nodded, catching Greg's eye. "We should reach out to our friends," I said aloud. "The Ceti Alphan and Silurian families might be able to help us."
Greg's expression softened slightly, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "You're right. We're not alone in this."

We made our way to a secluded spot, and I used our secure communication device to contact our Earth allies. As we waited for their response, I couldn't help but feel a mix of gratitude and anxiety. These families had become our lifeline, our connection to this world we'd been stranded on.

When we finally connected with them, the flood of relief was palpable. We quickly explained our situation, the close call with the Helmagians, and our fears for the girls' safety.

"Sela," I thought as we talked, "can you scan for any Helmagian presence nearby?"

"Scanning now, Celeste," Sela replied. "No immediate threats detected, but we should remain cautious."
As we shared updates with our Earth allies, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. We weren't just hiding anymore; we were actively working towards a solution. The Ceti Alphan and Silurian families offered their support, suggesting safe houses and potential strategies for evading the Helmagians.

Greg then brought up the upcoming rescue mission, explaining our plans to locate and help other stranded Limoxians. Our allies listened intently, offering their assistance in any way they could.

As we discussed the complexities of our situation, I couldn't help but marvel at the bonds we'd formed on this planet. These humans, who had no stake in interplanetary conflicts, were willing to risk so much to help us. It was a testament to the compassion and resilience of Earth's people.

"We're stronger together," I said, squeezing Greg's hand and looking at the girls. "With our friends' help, we'll find a way through this."

As we ended the call, I felt a renewed sense of hope. Despite the dangers we faced, we weren't alone. We had allies, both on Earth and beyond, and together, we would find a way to keep our family safe and return home.

We drove in our minivan to meet with the Ceti Alphan and Silurian families. Our understanding was that in the worst-case scenario they might hide us in their space pod which was the only thing that had survived from their crashed shuttlecraft. Although on the outside it took up the space of a closet, it had on its dimensionally transcendental inside plenty of rooms available to host us.

As we approached the group of Ceti Alphan and Silurian families, I felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness. These were people who understood our unique situation, who lived with the same daily fear of discovery that we did. I reached out telepathically to Sela, seeking reassurance.

"Sela, what can you tell me about these families?" I asked silently.

"They are like you, Celeste," Sela responded. "Extraterrestrial beings stranded on Earth, trying to maintain their cover while longing for home."

A woman stepped forward from the group, her human disguise flawless. I recognized her as Gail Sands, though Sela informed me that her true Ceti Alphan name was Glivney Athos.

"Greg, Celeste, it's wonderful to see you both," Glivney said warmly, embracing us in turn. Her touch was comforting, a reminder that we weren't alone in our struggles.

As we exchanged greetings with the other families, I felt a surge of emotion. These people had formed a tight-knit community here on Earth, supporting each other and keeping each other's secrets. It was a stark reminder of how isolated our own family had become.
"Why haven't we been in closer contact with these families before?" I asked Sela silently.

"Greg has been cautious about maintaining too many connections," Sela explained. "But recent events have made him realize the importance of community support."

We moved inside the space pod, and I listened intently as the families' shared updates on their situations. The air was thick with a mixture of hope and anxiety. For many, the prospect of returning home was both thrilling and terrifying after so many years on Earth.
I found myself drawn into conversations about the challenges of maintaining our cover, the difficulties of raising children who straddled two worlds, and the constant fear of discovery. Despite my initial reservations, I felt a sense of belonging among these people that I hadn't experienced before.

As the meeting progressed, I realized that this gathering was about more than just sharing information. It was about reaffirming our bonds, supporting each other through the uncertain times ahead, and preparing for a future that might take us far from the lives we'd built on Earth.
Glivney approached me during a lull in the conversations. "Celeste, how are you holding up?" she asked, her eyes filled with understanding.

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "It's... challenging," I admitted. "Balancing our true selves with our Earth identities, always looking over our shoulders. But being here, with all of you, it helps."

She nodded, placing a comforting hand on my arm. "We're all in this together. Remember that, whenever things get tough."
As I looked around the room at these extraordinary beings disguised as ordinary humans, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. We were more than just stranded aliens; we were a community, bound by shared experiences and the hope of one day returning home.