The five of them walked out of the Mars exhibit and through the crowds of people, either of them being dressed in alien costumes or tourists,

"So how well do you know this guy?" Jack asked

"We've had a few panels and debates together on opposite sides" Alex answered

Charlotte-Mae turned them out, her eyebrows furrowing slightly,

". . You were six years of age" Sara said softly, gaining her attention "when you were taken"

"I don't remember anything before that" Charlotte-Mae replied, shaking her head slightly

Suddenly Jack and Alex stopped in front of a skinny guy with glasses,

"Well, hello Dr. Friedman" he greeted "so, you've finally decided to accept my offer of a romantic Benihana dinner for two. Huzzah!" 

"What?" Alex asked, causing him to clear his throat awkwardly,

"Uh . . . three years ago, a screening of the Cooper footage" he replied "you were in the fourth row, second seat, in a saucy flower print"

". . . That's just sad" Charlotte-Mae commented, shaking her head slightly once more

"Sorry, I keep my work and social life separate" Alex said "I don't date . . . colleagues"

"Colleagues," the guy said, "indeed" taking a bow

"Listen, we need to see Harlan right away" Alex told him

"Dr. Harlan is currently unavailable for consultations" Another man said as he stood up from a table sitting a little further away, "we're more than qualified to answer any questions"

"There is no time for that, it is a matter of life and death" she replied "we need to see Harlan, now"

"Life and death, ooh!" The second man mocked and turned to the first guy,

"Uber scary drama queen theatrics" The first guy laughed, "what's the 411 sitch?"

Charlotte-Mae crossed her arms in annoyance.

Why do guys always call girls drama queens in serious situations like this?

"Okay-" Alex began, Jack placing a hand on her shoulder

"You're currently alive" Charlotte-Mae said, gaining their attention "unless you take us to Harlan, you'll be dead"

"And what could you possibly do, little lady?" The first guy asked, placing his hands on his knees and bending slightly, mocking her

He let out a small yelp as she suddenly grabbed his ear, Jack and Alex fighting smiles as she grabbed the other guys ear, pulling him down two her level, the teen stiffly tilting her head, cracking her neck, leaning in,

"Listen here" Charlotte-Mae said in their ears "I've lived with two meth heads for eight years, and been on the streets for two. I know how to fight, and I am not afraid to kick both of your asses. So, do me a favor, take us to Harlan"

She let go, causing them to back up and rub their ears, giving in, jumbling over words before leading them outside towards an RV sitting in the parking lot, Jack raising an eyebrow at Charlotte-Mae. Seth and Sara smiled slightly in amusement as she feigned innocence, giving Jack a million dollar smile as Alex chuckled to herself. Halfway over to the RV, the back of Charlotte-Mae's hand brushed against Seth's, which only caused him to grasp her hand, their fingers lacing together. The first nerd knocked on the RV door,

"Go away!" A voice shouted from the inside "the book signing is not till 4:30. Read the brochure!" 

"Harlan, it's Alex Friedman!" Alex called out and immediately, the door to the RV opened to reveal and smiling old man

"Dr. Alex Friedman" He said, leaning on the door frame, "Quelle surprise" 

"We have to speak with you immediately" Alex said "it is incredibly important"

•

Jack, Alex, Sara, Seth and Charlotte-Mae all filed into the RV, leaving the two nerds to stand at the back as Alex explained everything to Harlan, about the siblings, Jack and Charlotte-Mae, Seth's hand never leaving hers,

"So, you're saying the four of you witnessed this reported UFO crash?" Harlan asked, gesturing to Sara, Seth, Charlotte-Mae and Jack, earning nods from them

"That's right" Jack replied

"We were wondering if there was any intel amongst your sources" Alex said, looking at Harlan

"I hate lying" Harlan said "i really don't like lying. I can tell when people are lying to me" smiling "but thankfully, your story checks out"

They all sighed in relief and exchanged glances, Seth gently squeezing Charlotte-Mae's hand,

"With all the reports I got from SETI and NORAD and NASA" Harlan continued

Seth took a step toward him, and leaned forward as Harlan leaned back, obviously uncomfortable with Seth's assertiveness,

"We have reason to believe a team of government-sponsored operatives recovered the spacecraft" He said

"Okay, back up a little, this is not space camp" Harlan said to him and Seth leaned back, "let the experts do their work" Charlotte-Mae gently pulling Seth back "you're very lucky, you three, that you didn't come face to face with the aliens who were in that craft. They're like deadly praying mantises. They eat your flesh" 

Charlotte-Mae couldn't help but close her eyes, shaking her head slightly,

"Oh, oh. Yes we are, indeed, lucky kids not to have had our flesh eaten by the aliens" Sara said and Seth nodded along with her,

"You got that right" Harlan agreed, "okay, lets get to work here" 

Alex stepped forward past the siblings and Charlotte-Mae to get a closer look at what he was doing,

"I got an email from a source that sent me this Sat-grab" Harlan said

"Where would they take the spaceship?" Charlotte-Mae asked, opening her eyes to look at him "51? Nellis? Wright-Patterson? Vandenberg?" seeing Jack's look "what? I've been on the streets for two years, you really think I didn't hang out in a library?"

"From the size and scope of the crash, little lady" Harlan said "I would say there's only one possibility. Witch Mountain" 

"Witch Mountain?" One of the nerd guys up the back said at the same time, causing everyone to turn around to look at them

"What, are we a singing group here?" Harlan asked "let me talk, and you guys nod a bit." causing them to nod slightly, turning back to the five "Witch Mountain" turning back to his computer, "let's take a look, here we go. California. About fifty miles from the border of Nevada. And it's one of our top-secret facilities. I got a schematic here someplace." turning around to face them, "you know, if you're planning on visiting, don't. When I say this place is fortified up to the yin yang, I'm making an understatement. Here's the schematic." handing a rolled up piece of paper to Alex who placed it under her arm with a mutter of thanks, "and do you have the book?"

"Yes I do" Alex replied.

"Alright then, here's an aerial view" He said, handing an envelope to her

"Thank you, Harlan, for everything" She replied with a smile,

The others nodded in agreement, giving Harlan a smile before turning to walk out of the RV

"Whatever trouble you're in . . . " Harlan trailed off, stopping them in their tracks, "trust no one"