Ash Ketchum: Rise of Galactic

Ch. 36 The Glow

   When we walked back out to the freezer, the rest of our group was huddled together, their arms wrapped around themselves against the cold. They stepped back when they saw us.

   I raised my visor. "It's us."

   Serena held a hand to her chest. "Oh, you scared us. We thought you were real."

  "Good," I said. "That's the idea."

  "It's about time you got back," Drew said, annoyed. "We're freezing."

  "Enjoy it while you can," Calem said. "Everything is about to heat up."

  "We found out where my mother is," I said. "She's over in the Re-Ed."

  "And we've got the key," Brock said, holding up a card.

  "What's the plan?" Serena asked.

  "First, I was want to see who's in that cell Brock saw. Then Brock, Calem, and I will go to the Re-Ed to find my mother. While we're gone, the rest of you need to see if you can find a way to shut down the power plant. But don't take any dumb chances. We're going to find my mom and get out of here as fast as we can." I took the GPS iPod out of my pocket and gave it to Serena. "If things go bad, get to the jungle as fast as you can. We'll catch up to you."

  "But you won't know where the pickup is," Serena said.

  "She's right," Clemont said. "How will we find you?"

  "This is only in case things go bad," I said. "But if we get separated we'll make our way back to Cuzco and hide out in a hotel under Calem's name. The voice can call the hotels and find us. But don't wait for us. Promise me."

   Serena looked upset but relented. "Okay. I promise."

  "Do you remember how to use the GPS?"

  "Yes. Aria Elle."

   We walked from the refrigeration room back out through the butchery. The three of us in guard uniforms walked out first. I could see what Raúl had meant about the ranchers hating the guards. They avoided even looking at us. Serena and the others followed a few yards behind us. Raúl led us through a set of double doors at the side of the room that opened to a long, tiled corridor.

  "The cells are there," Brock said, pointing toward a magnetic keypad next to the thick, metal door. "There's a guard inside."

  "Maybe he'll let us in," I said. "Clemont, ask Raúl what the guards' names are."

   Raúl did his best to pronounce the names. "Al-x, Kork, Sco-tt."

  "Alex, Kirk, and Scott," I repeated. I hit the button on the keypad.

  "Who is it?"

  "It's Kirk," I said.

  "What do you need?"

  "We're bringing an American group through on a tour."

  "I can't let you do that."

  "Dr. Cyrus's instructions. They are about to open a new Starxource facility in New Mexico, and he wants them to see every inch of this place."

  "You know the rules. This is a controlled access. No one comes in here without direct EGG written clearance."

  "And you know that Cyrus changes the rules whenever he pleases."

  "And you know what he does when you break a rule. No form, no entry."

   I looked at Serena. "Try it," I whispered.