"You've got until sundown to bring someone in, or I'll end you myself. We don't need failure if we are to defeat our enemy" she snaps.
"I understand" I reply then end the transmission. I sigh brushing a hand over my hair.
The transport ship makes a stop in the city of Luxor. I step into the hangar. The first step is to pass through customs. I wait in line as we pass through a metal detector, and fortunately I didn't bring any weapons.
When my turn comes up I hand over any metal objects I have on me, and everything in my pockets. Once through I retrieve my items then leave the station.
To be honest I'm not sure when the best time would be to make my move, but even in war I know the best place to go: The Park. I flag down a taxi, and hand the driver money. I've already gotten a pretty basic idea on what the boss wants. She did give a list of specifics including age, height, and weight. It has to be a male.
Once there I sit on a bench then stretch my legs out. 16:24 I have time to observe. I glance around at all of the people. Searching. Being a park there are many families here, and it's a good spot to search. Except I'm not allowed to take a subject in a public place.
A birthday party. Interesting.
I locate a pair of binoculars then observe except only for a couple seconds to avoid suspicion. My cover is that I'm a bird Watcher. There we go. Brown hair, blue eyes. Seems like the correct requirements, and there's an older child meaning the parents won't be too heartbroken.
I lay back, and cross my legs. I could pull the old bait trick where I use something appealing to lure the child away, but I shake my head. Too many parents. Too many eyes. I guess the waiting game begins. I just need more time.
I contact my boss, and keep an eye on the new subject. "Progress?" She questions like an interrogator. Creepy lady really, and no one ever sees her unless you're up in the command chain. I'm just a foot soldier, but get this right then I'll jump up two spots.
"I have a target in sight except there's too many eyes. I need more time" I reply.
"How many times do we have to grant more time?!" She almost yells.
"I know. I have it this time, no more mistakes. He's better than the last one" I explain in an almost pleading tone. I'e been out here on this planet for almost a month, and three weeks. Upper command is up my as about this.
I can hear her growl. "You have until 0400 hours to contact me with progress, or you're done" she orders.
"Done" means dead. Someone's going get sent to shoot me. No more chances. "I understand" I say after a while. Glancing back up I focus on observing the family.
I feel a chill up my spine then sigh with relief. The last subject was older, and tried to rebel before she vanished. I've never seen her after that because command doesn't tell us that much, but I'm sure they weren't released.
~°~
I head off to a restaurant to grab a bite to eat. It's a cheap meal because I'm not wasting my money on a subject even if I'd be killed instead. Inside of my wallet is the address. Stolen from a bill in the mother's pocketbook.
I type the coordinates into the gps, and follow it. The address is located near Elysium city. Why drive to another city for a party? Never mind why does it matter?
I park my car down the street, and head back down. The house sits on the beach side close to the ocean. I tread down the hill then duck down. Assuming there isn't an alarm system.
I start down the hill then keep an eye out. I reach long grass then take cover still watching for lights except I freeze for a moment. I can hear something nearby.
Voices, soft voices.
I sit on my knees to locate the source of the voices. I can barely see two children laying in the grass ahead. I pull out a bottle with a liquid in it. I dump a little on a rag, and then I slowly creep my way closer.
I cover both of their mouths to prevent them from screaming. The rag knocks out the girl first, and I hold down the boy. "Keep quiet. You tell anyone, and you die" I threaten.
"Is there an alarm?" I hiss uncovering his mouth so he can speak, "Something that makes noise when you go inside" I add. The boy shakes his head. "You have a brother?" I question. "H-his name is Dylan, a-and he is t-three years old" he says crying.
Damn a year below what we need, but I hope it doesn't matter to the boss.
I hold the rag over his mouth until he falls asleep. I have the audacity to carry them both inside. I open the glass door very slowly. I lay the two children on the couch.
I slip into the first room I see before freezing. Parents. I retreat carefully then use more or the drug to knock them out too. Need to be careful before I use it all.
I have to save a little for the last kid.
I search the last bedroom, and find the kid I'm looking for. Not sure whether, or not I'll need the drug then I just pick the kid up. I rest his head on my shoulder to carry him.
I shut the glass door behind me after ensuring it was locked. I head down to the beach carrying the boy. Now I have to get back to Draco III. It's an outer colony not far from here. Well not far compared to the distance from here to Earth.
I brought the kid back to the rental car I picked up earlier, and buckled him in the backseat. I leave the house, and continue down the road. I open a com channel to my superior. She's not the highest rank, but she's up there.
"I'm surprised you called. An hour late" she says before I glance down. 0509 hundred hours. Holy shit. "I'm good, and ready for transport. I will arrive in a few days." I explain to her. "Very well, but make haste. You're already late" she says.
I feel a lump in my throat. The boss will not be happy. He could have me killed even if I completed the mission. "I understand" I reply as she cuts the transmission. I have to drive through Luxor to reach the port in order to board the cargo ship, or I can return to the station. Except when the parents find out the boy is missing they'll contact the authorities.
However, if we're off the planet by then they won't be able to do anything. I take a side road, and change course. Transport it is. It'll be a while before I get back to Luxor. I also have to return the car. It's only a rental.
~°~
The transport takes eight days to reach Draco III then it's through more customs. Once that was done I was in the clear. I carry the boy outside "Took you long enough" someone says as I left the station.
"Trent" I greet while buckling the boy Dylan in the backseat. "He's out. Woke up during the trip, and threw a tantrum" I explain as Trent shakes his head. "At least you got him. You're the last one to arrive, but we're going quiet for a while" he tells me.
"Some idiot tripped ONI, and now they know about one kidnapping. Oh course the guys upstairs had the one executed" he added. I pray that I won't be next.
Trent leaves the city, and we begin the four and a half hour drive to pickup point. I kick back, and decide to sleep the ride. I am jolted awake by Trent. "The kid's up" he says.
Dylan
The stranger yells at me to be quiet waking up the person next to him. He gives me a stern stare, "not another sound out of you, or I'll take my hand and slap you" he threatens. I don't respond.
I scratch my nails on the seat, and stare out the window. I can't see the huge lake where mum and dad live. There's no long grass where my big brother used to play with his friends.
I don't remember any of it being close to home. We leave the big place mamma calls a city. She said there were many across our home. I think she said many people live together there, and that I go to school in a city too.
We pass by many tall plants. My brother used to scare me, and say that monsters lived inside them. He said they're big, and strong. They can kill someone with a big swipe of their claws.
On the road we pass many cars. Mommy's car is a red one.
I turn to look through the front as the car slows down. The first man turns us down a dirt road. A couple seconds later he stops the car at a house.
It looks old, and ugly. Next to it is a smaller red building. The car slows to a stop. The second person came around the car to where I am sitting, and I unbuckle the seatbelt.
He takes me by the shirt, and I end up in the dirt. I get to my feet then the person forces me to walk next to him. I hear a bang from a door. Coming up to us is a old lady. She looks mean, and scary.
The person who drove the car gave her something then we walk behind her house. I don't even know what I am. I want mommy. I do remember what the one said to me about being quiet.
On the other side of the home is a field of grass. Long grass. It reminds me of the beach. There was a ship sitting there. I get taken aboard, and buckled up.
I watch the doors close then it's black. I just sit there. I wanna go home. I start biting my nails. The second guy it sitting away from me with his head back.
I think he is sleeping.