My phone beeped. I picked it up to read the new SMS:
'Yeah, we're still meeting. Left Kasey's house, a few houses over now. Look for Kasey's dog. Call me when you get here if you can't find us.'
Hmm, ok, so I hadn't missed much then. She didn't answer my question of car vs air, so I guessed it didn't matter which I picked. Then again, even if my Harpy Eagle morph could carry my wheelchair easily, it wouldn't exactly be subtle. Without my wheelchair, I couldn't get around very well after demorphing, so I decided car would be best.
I grabbed my keys from where I usually kept them: My only competition-trophy from my old trials-riding days. I smiled as it caught my eye and reminded me of the day I'd won it. Well, 3rd-place wasn't exactly winning but it had gotten me a trophy for my efforts.
This in-turn reminded me of my fateful accident, and the machine I'd been riding at the time. The mangled wreck had almost been scrapped, but for some weird reason I'd kept it as a reminder. It was in a lock-up I owned several blocks away from my appartment and I hadn't been there to look at it for several months now.
My nostalgic smile turned into a grin as I realized that when I got my legs working again there'd be no reason I couldn't hop back on a bike. Granted not that bike, at least not in its current state. I'd been told the engine was still intact and that theoretically the bike could be rebuilt, but I hadn't really been listening at the time, considering I'd been told I'd never regain the use of my legs. - Little did those doctors know that I'd eventually be gifted with alien morphing technology that fixed my spine for me!
The only things in my lock-up were the twisted wreck that had once been my pride-and-joy, and various mechanical tools which I still used once in a while to fix something on my car. Still, it had been a while since my last visit and I could only hope nobody had broken in and stolen anything...
I shook my head to clear the nostalgic fog and get back to the present. Keys in hand, I opened my window so Pentium could come and go as he pleased - I was on the fifth floor and there were suicide-bars outside the window to prevent any burglar gaining entry that way anyway. Of course, that had never stopped Pentium; He easily fitted between the bars, where he could prowl the narrow ledge as far as the outside fire-escape that he used to get to the ground. It still amazed me that he showed no fear negotiating that narrow ledge - Apparently its 3-4 inch width may as well be a mile, so far as cats are concerned.
I petted him goodbye and he gave me an annoyed look that reminded me, in no uncertain terms, that he still did not like being petted while he ate. He didn't hiss though, as he would have done if anyone but me had tried that.
About 6 minutes later, the lift came to a halt with a BING and the disembodied voice announced that I'd reached the parking-level. I wheeled over to the first space - A disabled-bay that had essentially become my own private parking space, considering I was the only wheelchair-bound resident using this carpark.
After I folded myself and my chair into the black Triumph Acclaim, I picked up my mobile phone and sent a message to all my new morphing-buddies:
'I'm on my way 2 K's now. NE1 need lift? Let me kno by rply.'
I smiled at the message I'd tapped out, hoping nobody minded 'txt-spk' shortening of certain words. That sent, i started the engine and drove out of the parking structure on my way to Kasey's neighbourhood.
Hmm... Andalite technology, of course, but still pretty advanced for them... An active sensor, eh? Well, if the Chee hadn't picked up its outgoing signal while the complex was robbed, then it was unlikely the Yeerks would be able to pick up on it. Still, it was curious that this device had apparently led them to this exact address... What was it designed to detect?? I guessed I'd have to ask this 'Jethsa' about it when, or indeed if she got rescued and was conscious enough to answer.
I got a reply back from the Chee, summoning me to the complex ASAP. I did NOT like the tone of their request, it didn't bode for anything good.
[Shall I collect the box on my way and bring it back with me?] I replied, standing up from where I'd sat and making my way to Kasey's bedroom-door.
Everyone's cellphones beeped (except for the three newbies) as I started walking; It was a text-message from Eddie. I read the SMS then caused my cellphone to ring, pretending I was getting a phone-call from 'Jenny', and 'answered' it.
"Hi Jenny, what's up?... I'm needed back there?... Oh sure, just a second." I covered the microphone with one hand as I addressed the room en-mass:
"I've got to go help Jenny with something. She hasn't told me what it is, but she requested me alone so I suppose it's to do with one of her 'friends' you're not 'supposed' to know about yet. I'll try to hurry back, but don't wait-up: Jethsa needs you. Oh, and Eddie's on the way in his car - He could probably drive people to The Gardens if that's what you decide. Still, having them acquire Reggie anyway is a good idea - He may not look like a fighter, but all dogs can fight when needed; They were predators once, after all. It'll also help protect their human identities, should you encounter Yeerks." I removed my hand from the microphone and spoke into my cell again:
"I'm on my way now." I didn't bother sending this message to the Chee for real though, I'd wait for their answer about the box first. I ended the fake-call and put my cell away as I reached Kasey's bedroom door and started through it.
