(continued from previous)

The next morning Liz, Isabel and Alex met before school at the Crashdown. Michael soon joined them with Maria not far behind. Liz noticed the two of them exchange a subtle glance across the table when she arrived and took a seat across from him in the booth. Maria was in for some serious girl talk when this was all over.

Liz looked around the Crashdown and thought back to the dream she'd had the night before. She and Max had held each other and talked until dawn. It was the best dream she had ever had. She awoke this morning with more determination than ever to get him back home safely.

Alex leafed through a stack of printouts on the table of the booth. "Seems our Miss Topolsky has been exchanging e-mail with this scientist in D.C." He pulled out a specific message and read the name, "Dr. Leonard Richter. This guy's supposed to be some kind of expert in the field of 'xeno-biology,' whatever that is."

"Alien autopsy," said Isabel with disgust. An uncomfortable silence fell over the group.

Alex continued hesitantly, "Anyway, Topolsky sent him this message saying she's uncovered a find that could make both of their careers. She doesn't go into details. He seems a little skeptical at first." Alex pulled another paper from the stack. "But then, in this one he says he's made arrangements to come out and observe her work. He's supposed to arrive tonight."

"That's not much time," said Maria.

Michael added, "Then we'll just have to get Max out before this guy gets there."

"I've got an idea," said Liz. "The only problem is, we need an adult. Someone we can trust."

At that very moment, Milton walked into the Crashdown from the UFO museum across the street. He saw them sitting in the back and headed straight for their booth.

"Have any of you kids seen Max? He hasn't shown up for work in two days. I wouldn't be worried except that he promised to help me with a new exhibit on cow mutilations and he seemed so excited about it. I can't think why he wouldn't even call."

Michael shook his head and mouthed the word "no." The rest of them shared a smile.

"What?" said Milton, suddenly feeling self-conscious at the ten pairs of eyes looking him over.

* * *

Max lay back on his thin mattress feeling oddly content. He thought about the night before. He was glad that they had waited. It would mean all the more when they could be together for real. Liz had told him about Topolsky's computer. She assured him that they would find a way to rescue him. He wouldn't hear of it at first, but the thought of spending his life, whatever was left of it, in this place was just too much to bear. He made her promise to be careful. For the first time since being kidnapped, he had a reason to believe that he would be free again soon.

There was a sound coming down the corridor, the clicking of heeled footsteps along the cement floor. He knew that sound. Topolsky was coming. He sat up in bed and prepared for her.

She swiped a card through a numbered keypad outside the cell and punched in a code. The glass door slid open.

"Morning Max," she said as she stepped inside.

"Agent Topolsky." He addressed her with added emphasis on the word 'agent.'

"You slept well, I trust."

"Why don't you check the video and see for yourself?"

"Smart," she said, crossing over to the bed. She sat down next to him. He edged away. "I knew you were a smart guy the first time we talked. Do you remember that session? The one about coming out from behind the tree? You were talking about Liz, weren't you?"

"You do realize that you don't have to keep up the whole guidance counselor thing, right? I'd say your cover is pretty much blown by now."

"I know. I just wanted to talk for a minute. Person to person, so to speak."

"If you say so."

"Are you comfortable here Max? Are you happy?"

"Sure. It's a regular five-star resort."

She lost her patience for a second and became dead serious, "I promise you that it will seem like a resort now compared to what you'll go through if you stay here." Then, out of nowhere, she regained her poise and the smile was back, sweet and understanding. It was like watching a snake put on a fur coat. "I know you miss your family and friends. And Liz. Wouldn't you like to get out of this place?"

"What are you getting at? What do you want from me? More blood? A urine sample? How about another spinal tap, cause that last one was so much fun."

"I know you've been through a lot. I know you'd like the tests to stop. I can help you, Max. If you help me. We could use a guy like you on our team."

"And what makes you think I would ever help you? You kidnap me, lock me up, treat me like a lab rat, and now I'm supposed to trust you?"

"It doesn't look like you have a lot of options here. I'm offering you a chance at freedom. Join us. We'll give you security clearance, complete access to information, whatever you need. You'll be helping us track down others like you. That's what you want, isn't it?"

"There are no others," Max lied.

There was a moment of intense silence between them, a test of wills to see who would flinch first. Max's gaze remained rock solid.

Finally, Topolsky gave in and stood up. "Fine. If that's how you want to play it. But I'm warning you, I can't protect you if you turn down my offer. They will just keep experimenting on you until there's nothing left. You won't be any use to me then. Just take some time to think about it."

"I have. No, thank you."

She took a deep breath, then walked through the door to the corridor outside. Glaring at him through the glass, she pressed a button and the door slid closed. Max sighed. He felt a strange sense of victory mixed with terror as he heard her footsteps fade down the hall.

* * *

"I was afraid this would happen," said Milton.

"You were afraid what would happen?" asked Michael pointedly.

"It's the government." The five of them looked at each other, surprised. Could Max have let Milton, of all people, in on his most guarded secret? "They've been trying to keep the truth about aliens from us for over 50 years. They know we have information here, but they don't want the public to know about it. It's all part of their elaborate cover-up scheme. Poor Evans. He was a target from the moment I let him see those archives. They're probably interrogating him right now. Oh, why couldn't they have taken me instead?"

A collective sigh of relief came over the group. Milton was as clueless as ever. The gang had gathered in his little studio apartment above the UFO Center. Like the center, the walls were filled with goofy alien memorabilia and posters. It reminded Maria of her mother's gift shop.

"Guess you're just too smart for them," said Maria, patronizing him.

"Well, that's true. I've spent years learning how to evade their covert agents. You have to be on your guard when you work in a place like this. But Evans, he hasn't been working here that long. He doesn't have the benefit of my experience. He probably didn't know what hit him."

"Right about that," said Michael.

"So, you'll help us?" asked Isabel, anxiously.

"Of course. This is all my fault, you know. I knew he had the bug, but I just encouraged him. I didn't warn him about how dangerous this information could be. And now it's too late."

"Don't blame yourself, Milton," said Liz. "The important thing is that we're going to get him out of there. Have you ever heard of a place called the Canyon Ridge Research Center?"

"Are you kidding? Any UFOlogist worth his salt knows about Canyon Ridge. It's just a few hours drive from here. It's where they brought the bodies, you know, after the crash, to do the autopsies." Michael and Isabel exchanged uneasy glances.

"Do you know how to get there?" asked Isabel.

"Never been there myself," said Milton. Disappointment quickly replaced the feeling of excitement in the air. "But I've got a map."

At last, the pieces were starting to fall into place.

* * *

Michael searched the sidewalk in front of the airport terminal. He was dressed in the uniform of the men directing traffic in the street. It had taken Isabel only a minute after seeing the uniform to transform his clothes into a reasonable facsimile. Soon he found what he was looking for. A man in a black suit stood near his non-descript black car parked in front of the terminal. He held up a sign that read "Richter."

Michael walked up to him and said, "Excuse me sir, you can't park here."

"What do you mean," he said, annoyed. "This is the loading and unloading zone isn't it?"

"Yes, and I don't see you either loading or unloading, so I'm going to have to ask you to move your car."

"I'm waiting for someone," he said, pointing to the sign.

"I see that," said Michael condescendingly. "But you'll just have to wait for them someplace else. Now please move the car or I'll have someone move it for you."

"Fine," said the driver. He got back into the car and moved it down the block to a less crowded spot. He parked, walked back to his place and help up the sign again.

Michael passed the driver and headed down to the car. After looking around to make sure no one was paying attention, he leaned against the side of the car and put his hand on the hood. There was a hissing noise and the engine began to smoke. Casually, Michael stepped away from the car and slipped inside the terminal unnoticed.

A woman came up to the driver and said, "Sir, is that your car over there?"

"Yes, and I'm not moving it again so you can just lay off." he replied, not taking his eyes off the exit.

"I was just trying tell you that it's on fire."

"What!?!" exclaimed the driver. He ran down the curb to tend to the smoking vehicle.

* * *

Meanwhile, Alex pulled up to the curb in his father's Oldsmobile. He got out and held up his own sign that said "Richter." Soon, a man emerged from the terminal and headed straight for the car.

"I'm Dr. Richter," he said.

"Excellent, sir, " said Alex with a polite smile. "Right this way." He took the man's shoulder bag and opened the door for him. The man climbed inside.

"Hi," said Isabel from the back seat.

"I'm sorry?" said the doctor, a little confused. "There must be some mistake..."

"Oh, it's no mistake," she said with an alluring smile. Isabel reached out a hand and touched the side of his head. The man was surprised, but didn't back away. She concentrated on the veins in his head, choosing one to apply the slightest bit of pressure. Before he could react, the doctor was out cold. He slumped over and landed in Isabel's lap. She rolled her eyes and pushed him up again with her fingertips. His head flopped back onto the headrest.

"Is he going to be all right?" asked Alex, settling into the driver's seat.

"He's going to have one hell of a headache when he comes to, but other than that he'll be fine. Now let's get Michael and get out of here."

* * *

"You're not actually going to wear that?" asked Liz, walking in with a tray of drinks. Milton stood there in the middle of his living room in an open Hawaiian shirt, T-shirt and khaki cargo pants.

"Why not?" said Maria, proud of the ensemble she had put together.

"Scientists do not dress like that," answered Liz.

"Topolsky's never met this guy before. He doesn't have to be a boring old stuffy scientist. For all she knows he's a quirky, off-beat scientist."

"I kind of like it," said Milton.

Liz shook her head. "Maria, we're not role-playing here. He has to look respectable. Come here," she took Milton's hand and lead him to the closet. She pulled out a white, short-sleeved button down shirt, a tie and a pair of plain brown pants. "Do you have a lab coat?" she asked.

Milton seemed befuddled by all this attention. "In my office."

"Good. Now, are you sure you've never met Miss Topolsky before? If she recognizes you it's all over."

"No. Never met her. Hey, do you think I should carry a weapon? Could come in handy." Milton looked in the mirror and practiced pulling out a gun, pointing at the mirror with his finger. He was really starting to get into this whole secret agent thing.

"No weapons. They might search you. You'll have Michael and Isabel for back-up," assured Liz.

"The punk kid and Evans' sister? What good are they?"

"You just worry about your part. We'll take care of the rest," said Maria.

"Who am I supposed to be again?"

Liz spoke to him slowly and patiently. "You're Dr. Leonard Richter. You're a government scientist. You've just flown in from Washington D.C. Here," Liz handed him the stack of e-mail messages. "Read these. You have to know all this."

"Dr. Leonard Richter, the famous xeno-biologist? What's he doing out here?"

Maria threw up her hands, "Not he! You! You're him, remember? Just read the e-mail."

* * *

Alex, Isabel and Michael returned to the UFO Center with the comatose Dr. Richter in tow. Michael and Alex carried him up the back stairs to Milton's apartment.

Liz heard them coming and opened the door. "Thank god you're back. Everything go all right?"

"So far," said Isabel as they entered the living room. Michael and Alex laid the doctor on the couch.

"Okay. Everyone know the plan?" asked Liz. They all nodded.

"Simple. We get in, get Max and get out," said Michael, indicating himself, Isabel and Milton.

"I'm going with you," said Liz.

"No you're not," said Michael.

"He's right, Liz," agreed Isabel. "I don't think it's a good idea."

"You don't understand. I have to go. I can't just sit here and wait. I need to be there. I owe it to him. It's all because of me that he got taken in the first place. Please." Isabel softened, but Michael held firm. Liz went up to him and took his hand. Of all the people in the room, Michael probably understood her feelings for Max the best. He had read it all in the pages of her journal. She counted on his understanding now. "Please."

Michael didn't change his expression. "You stay in the trunk. Do not make a sound until I give you the signal. Stay low and don't get in our way." Liz squeezed his hand in thanks. "Now, let's get moving."

"Good luck, you guys," said Maria, hugging Liz and Isabel in turn.

"Be careful," said Alex, shaking Michael's hand.

Alex put his arm around Maria's shoulder. The two of them looked on nervously as their friends headed out the door to rescue Max.

* * *

The Oldsmobile rolled down a dark, deserted highway. Only the light of the bright stars above kept the night from total abyss. Michael was at the wheel. Isabel sat next to him in the front seat while Liz and Milton shared the back. The mood was tense. Not a word had been spoken since they left Roswell. It had already been two hours and they still had almost an hour of driving left to go.

Liz stared out the window at the blackness that surrounded them. She thought about Max, locked away in that cold, frightening place. She just wanted to have him home again safe and sound. She wondered if they would be able to pick up where they left off when it was all over.

The map led them to an unmarked service road off the main highway. Michael pulled off the road so Liz and Isabel could hide in the trunk. The ride would not be comfortable from here on out, but they would be inside the compound soon. That was, if everything went according to plan.

The service road wound through the desert. Empty, black space loomed before them as far as the eye could see. Just as Michael was starting to wonder if he'd taken a wrong turn, a mass of lights rose out of the distance. An unassuming sign on the side the road confirmed that they were almost there. "Canyon Ridge Research Center." He swallowed hard and gripped the steering wheel tightly. He wasn't scared. He couldn't afford to be scared. Everything was at stake.

As they neared the center, Michael started looking for an escape route. They had a solid plan for getting in, the problem was going to be getting out. The compound was surrounded by a barbed wire fence. He couldn't tell for sure, but it was probably electrified, too. Max would be able to disable it if they made it that far and didn't have the entire Army behind them.

No one had discussed it, but just rescuing Max was not going to be enough. If they had really been performing tests, the evidence would have to be destroyed as well. He was not planning to leave even a trace of solid proof behind. He hoped that everyone else was as prepared to do whatever was necessary to protect their secret and their lives.

A uniformed guard stopped them at the front gate. This was it.

"Can I help you, sir?" asked the guard.

"I have a Dr. Leonard Richter to see Special Agent Kathleen Topolsky."

"You were expected an hour ago."

Michael was caught off guard, but he recovered quickly. "Sorry. Flight was delayed."

"I see. Just a minute." The guard went back into his kiosk and checked some papers. Michael peered in the rear view mirror at Milton in the back seat. He seemed to be holding it together, but just barely. In the corner of the mirror Michael could see the reflection of his own forehead beaded with sweat.

Liz and Isabel felt the car come to a stop and knew they had reached the center. Curled up in the trunk, Liz couldn't see Isabel's face, but she knew that she had never been more scared in her life. Liz's own heartbeat was racing. She found Isabel's hand in the dark and held on tightly.

After a few tense minutes the guard came back to the car. Michael tried not to look nervous. "All right, sir. You're cleared to enter." He slipped a pass under the windshield. Michael let out the breath he had been holding ever since they had pulled up to the gate. The guard handed him two plastic I.D. cards. "These are your credentials. Wear them at all times while on the premises. Park just ahead and wait there. An escort will come out to meet you."

"Thank you," said Michael, his jaw clenched. He pulled the car up to the designated area and parked.

Liz and Isabel heard the car door open and shut. There were three short knocks on the hood. Michael's signal. Isabel put her hand on the lid of the trunk and unlocked it with a touch.

"God, it's good to breathe again," she said as they climbed out.

Michael pointed to a dimly lit area beyond the parking lot. "You two wait over there. Milton... Milton?"

Milton's attention was lost in the wonder of his surroundings. "Well, this is just amazing. We're actually inside the infamous Canyon Ridge. Do you realize how few people have seen the things we're about to see? What secrets this place must hold."

"Isabel?" Michael urged her to say something. He knew if he tried it would come out all wrong.

Isabel grabbed Milton's shoulders. "Get a hold of yourself, Milton. You have to remember your cover story. You're a research scientist. You see this kind of thing every day. It's no big deal, right?"

"Right," he nodded.

"Okay," said Michael. "Now, let's go over this again. Once they lead you to Max, you pretend you forgot your notes or something and come back to the car..."

"And tell you where he is. Got it. I'm fine. I just have to get into character," he closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths.

Michael mumbled under his breath, "I can't believe we're trusting our lives to this guy." He was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching and shooed the girls away. "Go! Now!"

* * *

The entire security wing was quiet. Too quiet. Twice during the day a solitary guard had delivered Max a tray of bland food, placing it just inside the door and leaving without a word. There had been no other visitors since Topolsky had left that morning. Max had the feeling that something was going to happen tonight. One way or the other, he wouldn't be stuck in this little cell much longer.

It was still too early for Liz to be asleep. He was anxious to join her in her dreams again. When he was with Liz it seemed like everything was going to be all right. He wanted to hold her again. He wanted to do a lot more than that. Last night they'd agreed to wait until they could be together in person. At the time it made sense. But now he was starting to worry they would never have the chance.

He had been avoiding the issue, putting it out of his mind to make way for more pleasant thoughts of Liz. But he couldn't deny it any longer. There was a very real possibility he was going to die here in this place. He didn't want that to happen before he could tell Liz how much she meant to him. And show her.

* * *

The guard escorted Milton down a hallway lit with fluorescent lights to an elevator. Milton reminded himself of his role and tried to look bored. When they reached the bottom floor, Topolsky was waiting for him with a team of lab-coated scientists.

"Dr. Richter, I presume," she said as she shook his hand. He hoped that she wouldn't notice the sweat congealing on his palms.

"Agent Topolsky, we meet at last."

She looked at him quizzically. "Have we met somewhere before?" she asked.

"No. I'm pretty sure we haven't...?" Milton answered. It almost sounded like a question.

Topolsky tapped her temple with her index finger. "Photographic memory. I never forget a face."

"Perhaps you've seen one of my autopsy videos...?"

"Ah. That must be it." Milton nodded and felt the tension in his neck muscles relax. Topolsky wasn't completely convinced, but she put it aside for the moment. "Let me welcome you to Canyon Ridge, doctor," she said with her arm outstretched.

Topolsky led the way through the lab. Milton fell into step with her. The rest of the team and the guard followed closely behind.

"Since I'm sure you're anxious to get to right to work, I'll give you the short tour. Then you can see the specimen for yourself."

"Specimen?" asked Milton.

"Didn't I tell you that I'd found it? Proof positive that aliens exist. Some would consider it the holy grail in our line of work."

"You mean you actually have... aliens here on the premises?" Milton broke character in a moment of excitement, then remembered himself. "I mean... hmmm... yes. That sounds quite interesting, agent. Lead the way."

* * *

There were footsteps coming down the corridor. Max could hear Topolsky's voice speaking to someone. The scientists were back. Could this be the end? Max's life flashed before his eyes. It had been a good life. At least he had had the chance to tell Liz the truth about him, and that he loved her, before it was too late. He hoped that she would forgive him for getting her mixed up in all of this. He hoped that she would get over his death eventually.

Topolsky and her team reached the cell. Max was shocked when he saw who was standing next to her. Milton? What was Milton doing here? He tried not to show his surprise and relief. Maybe he wouldn't be dying tonight after all.

Milton, too, was surprised when he saw who it was sitting there in the little gray room.

"What, him? He's a...an...."

"A living, breathing extra-terrestrial life form, doctor. I know that he looks just like you or me, but I assure you that he's not."

Milton, a doctor? Was this all part of Liz's plan? Did that mean she was here?

"Amazing. Agent, I left some of my notes in the car. Do you mind if I go back and get them? I want to document this fully."

"Of course, doctor."

Milton was led out by a guard. Topolsky shot Max a look as if to say, "I warned you," then left him alone again in his cell.

* * *

Back at the car, Michael was getting anxious. After what seemed an eternity, Milton finally came back with his escort. Michael looked at Liz and Isabel across the parking lot and motioned for them to hide. He opened up the car door and pretended to help Milton look for his notes.

"Looks like your friend Max is in more trouble than we thought," whispered Milton.

"What kind of trouble?"

"You won't believe this, but they think he's... I can't even say it... they think Max Evans is an alien."

"And you believed them?"

"Of course not. Craziest thing I ever heard."

Michael shook his head. "Crazy. Now, where is he?"

"Security's pretty tight in there. It'll be tough to get past the guards."

"Let us worry about that. Just tell me how to get there. Then go back and keep Topolsky away from the detention wing as long as you can."

Milton nodded. "I'll see what I can do."

* * *

Max's mind was racing. Having Milton pose as a scientist must have been Liz's idea. His Liz. As brilliant as she was beautiful. She could be somewhere inside the compound at that very minute. Yes, she was there. He knew it. He couldn't explain how, but he positively knew it.

Something made him remember back to the first night he had tried to go into her dreams. The connection he had felt - maybe it wasn't his imagination after all. Maybe he really had reached her that night. And maybe he could get through to her again.

* * *

Liz and Isabel crouched down behind a dumpster, peering out occasionally to see what was going on. They watched Milton come back to the car, talk with Michael, then disappear inside the building again with his shadow. Michael gave them the signal to come out again. Isabel got up and dusted herself off. She began slinking across the wall over to the parking lot. Liz started to follow, but Isabel stopped her.

"No, Liz. It's better if you stay here." Liz wanted to go with her, but she understood. Isabel had powers that would help her get out of trouble if need be. Liz, on the other hand, was human and helpless. She didn't want to be a hindrance.

"I know. You're right. I just... Please be careful, Isabel." Isabel smiled understandingly and continued to make her way back to Michael.

As Liz turned back to her hiding spot, she had a sudden momentary flash. It caught her off guard and nearly knocked her off her feet. There weren't any pictures, just a sense.

The sense of Max. Reaching out for her.

Flash. It came again, this time with emotions attached. He was scared. He was counting on her. Flash. Was it working? Could she feel him? Flash. She tried to send back her own feelings. It's working. I'm here Max. Flash. Relief. Wonder. Love. It was truly amazing. They were completely connected. It felt like no space existed between them. Their souls were one.

* * *

Max felt the power of their connection too. Their bodies were separated, but their minds were joined. He could feel everything she was feeling. He wondered if she could sense his emotions as clearly. She answered him in the affirmative. The flashes increased in frequency until they were both totally enveloped in one, long flash.

He tried to send her a message. His fierce protection came through to her loud and clear. He did not want her to get hurt. He could not stand to lose her. She wanted him safe and wanted to help make him safe. She needed him. There was no arguing, no discussion. Each knew how the other felt. It was astonishing how much understanding could be accomplished without words getting in the way.

She gave him a sense of the parking lot where she stood and the building Michael and Isabel had just entered. Max grew worried for their safety. The connection fuzzed for a moment, but he was soon back again. There was nothing either of them could do now but wait. At least they had the benefit of waiting it out together.

Continued next page...

Back to Area 51 (Section I)