The street remained eerily deserted as if the authorities had cleared the area in anticipation of the event. The only sound was the fading hum of the Coupe's engine.
John's eyes widened in astonishment as he gazed at Djuma, who continued to struggle in the net despite the sedative darts.
"How the hell is he still conscious?" he wondered aloud. "Those doses are enough to knock out a fully-grown elephant. How is he resisting the effects?"
"Turn on the countermeasures," Dr. Idris ordered.
Instantly, the employees in charge of the lighting system sprang into action.
It became clear that the 'countermeasures' Dr. Idris had mentioned earlier referred to the specialized lighting system he had installed as a precautionary measure in case of a confrontation with the Anthropters.
This strategic setup was designed to suppress potential threats by bathing the streets in intense illumination, temporarily blinding the Anthropters and rendering them vulnerable.
However, despite the sudden activation of the lighting system, Djuma remained resilient, continuing to struggle against the net that restrained him.
The streets were transformed into a brilliant canvas, with Djuma at its center, his determined efforts to break free starkly highlighted.
Dr. Idris's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with calculations. He adjusted his eyeglasses as he took in the alien's amazing endurance.
"Hand me my medical bag, please," he demanded and Carla hesitantly stepped forward, her hand trembling as she handed over the bag. She quickly retreated from the scene, fearful of inadvertently colliding with or becoming a scapegoat.
Dr. Idris carefully collected his medical bag and retrieved a vial filled with a vibrant yellowish liquid and a syringe. With meticulous precision, he inserted the needle into the vial, ensuring the syringe was filled to the exact required volume.
He then slowly removed the needle, checking the syringe for any air bubbles before proceeding cautiously toward Djuma.
"Hold him," he instructed authoritatively.
Four muscular agents from the NPS force advanced, attempting to restrain the alien. However, Djuma summoned his remaining strength despite being hindered by the net and swung his hand with incredible force. The agents were flung several meters away, unconscious.
The sudden display of power left the onlookers gasping in awe, imagining the devastating consequences if Djuma were unfettered.
"How did he detect them without even opening his eyes?" Lara exclaimed.
"Echolocation," he whispered to himself as he realized, stunned.
"It seems Dr. Idris's claims about them being day-blind are indeed true," Mrs. Mary said. "Their echolocation abilities compensate for visual limitations, making them formidable even in bright environments."
She turned to John. "The tables have turned, now's your chance for revenge."
John's face remained stoic, but he said nothing.
"I think Mr. Mark would want you to consider the consequences of your actions, Mr. John," Carla whispered. "Would he really want you to have blood on your hands in the name of revenge?"
"Are you suggesting I should ignore the monsters that brutally murdered him?" John said, glaring. "I'll hunt them down, no matter how far they flee. I'll annihilate their entire world, ensuring Mark's death isn't in vain."
Carla opened her mouth to speak, but no word came. She closed it back in silence. The heavy tension hung until Djuma's loud groan pierced the air.
After a grueling and protracted struggle, he was finally subdued by seven heavily-trained NPS agents. Exhausted but relieved, they pinned him down, enabling Dr. Idris to administer the sedative directly to his neck.
Stepping back, Dr. Idris and the agents observed as Djuma fought valiantly to maintain consciousness.
For approximately two minutes, Djuma's body wrestled with the sedative's effects, his limbs flailing and his chest heaving in a desperate bid to resist the impending blackout.
Despite his remarkable resilience, the sedative eventually overpowered him, plunging Djuma into a deep, unresponsive slumber.
Dr. Idris watched in awe, his scientific curiosity piqued.
"This is truly astonishing," he murmured. "The strongest human would succumb to unconsciousness within ten seconds of receiving this sedative. Yet, this creature endured for nearly two minutes, defying all known medical expectations."
Turning to the NPS agents, he issued a crisp instruction. "Transport him to my laboratory immediately. Tonight promises to be an extraordinary and demanding night."
The agents carefully lifted Djuma's limp form onto a stretcher and proceeded into the NASA building.
*****
Christina stepped into the house, her tear-stained face illuminated by the soft hallway lights. Emily, her stepmother, looked up from her reading.
"Where have you been at this ungodly hour, Christina?" she demanded.
Christina ignored the inquiry, hastily wiping away her tears as she rushed upstairs.
"Did I just see you crying, Christina?" Emily asked, surprised. "It's been twelve years, who made you cry?"
Twelve years had passed since Christina last shed tears in front of her, or anyone, and Emily couldn't fathom what could have triggered this emotional outburst.
"What could have happened to her?" she whispered to herself, scurrying after Christina.
Christina slammed her bedroom door shut and locked it, seeking refuge. She collapsed onto her bed.
"Mike, do you copy? Can you hear me?" she pleaded, her voice cracking as she double-tapped her Lav. "Talk to me, Mike. I just want to know if you're okay."
The only response was Emily's muffled voice behind the door.
"What's wrong, Christy? Open this door. Who are you talking to?"
"Mind your own business and leave me alone! Or else..." Christina's warning trailed off. Undeterred, she continued speaking to her Lav, desperate to reach Mike.
Emily stood frozen, her eyes wide with astonishment as she struggled to process Christina's uncharacteristic outburst.
Flabbergasted, she felt a wave of shock and embarrassment wash over her. For twelve years, Christina had bitten back her anger, locking it deep within.
The Christina she knew would never dare to raise her voice at her. But now, Emily saw a different person - one who refused to be intimidated.
After a perplexing silence, Emily retreated, wondering what had happened to the Christina she thought she knew.
*****
Rachael and Stefan were unceremoniously dropped off on the deserted road leading to their homes. Still fuming, they directed their frustration at the NPS agents, unleashing a string of expletives before turning to head home.
As they walked, Stefan broke the silence, his question piercing through Rachael's fragile emotional state. "What are you going to tell your parents about Mike's disappearance?"
Rachael's pupils dilated in fear. The query sent her spiraling into a vortex of sadness and anxiety. "I–I really have to go now," she stammered, and without collecting her backpack from Stefan, she hastily departed.
Stefan sighed, regretting his stupid question. "I guess I shouldn't have said that," he whispered. His head hung low as he continued his solitary journey home.
Meanwhile, Rachael approached her home, where her mother sat anxiously at the doorstep. Mrs. Smith's reaction upon seeing Rachael revealed she's been worriedly waiting for her—or them.
"Jesus Christ, Rachael! Where have you been?" she exclaimed. "I've been waiting for you; it's past eight. Where are you coming from at this time of the night?"
Rachael's words caught in her throat; she couldn't bring herself to tell her what had happened; all she could do was stammer, "Um... I... went to..."
"Are you okay, love?" Mrs. Smith asked, staring ahead of her. "Where's your brother?"
"He... He's... at..." Rachael stuttered as she struggled to articulate a coherent response. Her mind was still reeling from the shock of Mike's disappearance. The words swirled in her head, but her thoughts remained jumbled.
"Don't tell me he's at Stefan's place, is he?" Mrs. Smith asked.
Rachael let out a deep sigh of relief as her mom's question sparked a desperate solution.
"Oh, yes! That's where he is; he's sleeping over," she quickly replied, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.
"I guess I'll have to call Stefan's parents to confirm his—"
"Don't!" Rachael cut in, her outburst startling her mother, almost knocking her off balance. "I mean... Stefan's parents aren't home tonight, so Mike stayed with him since he'd be alone."
"Then why did you yell?!" Mrs. Smith retorted, her whining filling the air. "You almost scared me to death!"
Rachael's face flushed, she watched as her mother opened the door and stepped inside, her exhale shallow.
Ugh, that was close, she thought to herself, then stepped into the house and shut the door behind her.