Survivors

It was a couple of days later that the opportunity to go and explore the town presented itself. Bretnel had been so relived at the change in atmosphere that he had insisted in hanging around and talking to them. Small talk was not Bretnel’s forte, so in a strange way this couple of days was as awkward as the previous ones had been, but for completely different reasons. Eventually even Bretnel got the message that his continued presence was unwelcome and happily retreated to his secret part of the base.

“Toodle pip” he chirped as he disappeared through the door he always locked behind him.

“Phewww” said Joe “I thought he’d never go”.

“I know what you mean” said Luke “Shall we hit the sky”

“Yeah!” cheered Joe “Lets fly!”.

“Woa there, hang on there boys. We need to think about how we’re going to do this” said Holly in her most serious voice.

“Oh what do you mean! You’re not going to take all the fun out of this are you?” whined Joe.

“No, I’m not going to take all the fun out, but I am going to make sure we’re safe. If we see any Aliens we’re out of there like lightening. If we see any people, we’re out of their like lightening, if we see anything that makes any of us nervous, we’re out of there…”

“Like lightening by any chance” sniggered Joe.

“I’m serious Joe. We can’t afford to get this wrong”

“But we’re superhumans now, if any Alien wants to take me on, just let them try” said Joe.

“And that’s exactly why you are going to do what I tell you to do, and run if we see anything that makes us feel nervous. Because we would be in more trouble than we’ve ever been in before if you attack a Alien”

“I hate to say it, but Holly’s right” chipped in Luke. “We can’t let anyone know we’re there. We go in and out quietly and carefully. Just because we have a few extra powers now it doesn’t mean we can take on the whole Alien army. So Joe we need..”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah I got it. I’ll be careful, I’ll be a good boy” said Joe a little sulkily. Then he grinned “So can we go now!”.

It was just thirty minutes later that they landed in a small copse just outside the town. Things were going well, even Joe had managed to land without making too much noise. Using their eagle eyesight they had scanned the town from high in the air and had seen absolutely nothing moving. The coast seemed pretty clear.

“So where are we going to go?” Said Joe with barely suppressed excitement.

“Can we go to the library” whispered Holly. “Can you remember where it is Luke”

“Yeah, it’s just a couple of roads over to the left. If I lead the way you two can follow me, okay?”

“Yeah, just like old times” said Joe a little wistfully. “Only difference is, I’m going to be following you as a bloody big panther”. As he said this he transformed into a massive black panther with huge paws, fangs and piercing green eyes.

Holly changed into a panther as well. Not quite as big as Joe but still a pretty hefty creature. Luke chose to transform into a weird looking cross between a meerkat and a cheetah. With a nod of his, now furry head he darted off up the street. Even though they’d all spent a lot of time in animal form it was still sometimes a little overwhelming when the heightened animal senses kicked in. Luke was suddenly aware of the increased scope of his eyesight and hearing, but the biggest difference was in sense of smell. It was all the different odours that really hit you, tarmac, concrete, oil, rubbish and decay all buffeted his delicate nostrils. No wonder most animals had kept away from people to them we must have really stunk!