The T.V. in the corner of the ice cream shop had suddenly changed its tune, interrupting the sweet melody of the song list with a loud, insistent beeping. Everyone turned to look at the screen as the emergency broadcasting signal took over, followed by a news report.

"We have just received an urgent message from the President," the news anchor announced, her voice trembling with urgency. "A mysterious alien group has invaded the main inner world of Oron. They are a grey-skinned race and have been reported to be eating the populace. The Vandarian government has officially declared war..."

Jarath watched as Aleck clutched her spoon tightly as she watched the report unfold. Her thoughts were racing, her heart pounding in her chest. "No, no no!" she exclaimed, her voice cracking with emotion. "It's not enough time. I want more time with my family."

Ben and Jareth sat across from her, their eyes red and tear-streaked. Odette, on the other hand, quietly fought back sobs

"It's not fair," Ben said through clenched teeth.

Odette took a long drink of her shake and got her emotions under control. "So all three of you will be taken?"

"No, just me," replied Aleck. "Shem and Payton have already been recalled."

Odette's brow furrowed in confusion. "But I saw them at school today. How is that possible?"

Aleck shook her head sadly. "The General is keeping them on Vandar as his personal assassins. I mean, who would suspect two teenage boys from a small town as trained killers?"

Jareth's hand twitched with the desire to reach out and comfort the woman in front of him, but he knew it was forbidden for an unmarred man like him to touch someone who wasn't his wife. He longed to use his power to change the fate of this woman and her brothers, As a prince, his influence and power had greatly diminished after his scandalous divorce so now his influence on Vandarian worlds was les than nothing.

Suddenly, Ben's voice broke through Jareth's bitter thoughts. "Come on Aleck, we need you downstairs," he said urgently, gesturing for Jareth to follow.

———————————————————————————————————

As they descended to the basement, Ben removed one of Aleck's arms and inserted a tiny chip, invisible to the naked eye. Aleck watched with curiosity. "What is that?" she asked.

"It's our goodbye gift, something Odette and I have been working on since the night we watched that vampire movie," Ben explained. "It's a virus."

Aleck's eyes widened in shock. "You're giving me a virus?!"

With one of his many gadgets in hand, Ben continued to fine-tune the arm. "Yes, it will eventually render your cyborg codes useless, and anyone else's that you come into electronic contact with. Odette even added some images of home to the chip. If you want to view them, just say 'The Impossible Dream activate photos' and they'll appear.”

“However, be cautious when resisting your cyborg codes; it will only work for short periods initially."

"To ensure that our tampering is not detected too quickly, we must make changes slowly," he explained further. "To activate the virus, all you have to do is say 'impossible dream.' A timer will appear in the corner of your optics, giving you a limited amount of time to resist the cyborg code command. The same process applies when infecting others - simply touch any of your cyborg parts to theirs and whisper 'impossible dream.' It can be as subtle as a handshake. They will then receive directions on how to spread the virus on their own optic screens."

Aleck gasped at the immensity of the weapon Ben put in her hand; a way to eventually rebel against the cruel rule of the general. "Why 'impossible dream' though?" Aleck asked, still trying to wrap her head around the plan.

"Flex,” Ben ordered her as he tested her arm. "It's a phrase that symbolizes hope and fighting against impossible odds."

Aleck couldn't believe the gift that Ben had just given her. It was incredible, and more than she could have ever hoped for. She hugged everyone in the room, but when she turned to Jareth, she gave him a respectful bow.

"Thank you," she said her voice rasping as tears filled her eyes. “With this my people have hope.”

Jareth nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation. "But defeating General Waller will not be an easy task," he warned. "We must plan carefully."

Aleck agreed, realizing that if they were going to take down the tyrannical General, they needed a well thought out strategy.

As they sat around the table in Ben's basement workshop, Aleck shared what little information she had on the General and his operations.

They spent hours brainstorming and strategizing, using all of their knowledge and skills to come up with a plan to bring down the General and free Aleck and the Cyborgs from his grasp.

“I have my own gift to say goodbye but if you don’t mind, I’d like to wait till we are at your house looking at the stars together to give it to you. Jareth said gently as Aleck got up from the old worn brown leather couch.

Gazing at the stars was their cherished activity, shared among the four friends. Jareth and Aleck had discovered a way for Aleck to see through Jareth's eyes using their telepathic connection. However, Odette had expressed concerns about the potential risks and they agreed to limit this experience to once a day.

As the friends walked through the quiet town, Aleck look around with sorrow. She would most likely never get to see this town again. Soon they arrived at heir destination was a little wooden swing in Aleck's aunt and uncle's yard, where they often gathered with their four friends to look at the stars. '

The evening sunset painted the sky with vibrant reds and oranges, casting a fiery glow on the surrounding mountain wildflowers. The warm summer breeze carried their conversation about overthrowing the general as they swung back and forth, enjoying each other's company under the night sky.

They talked for a while then Odette whispered something to Ben. They both made an excuse to leave so Jareth could present his gift and say goodbye. “I don’t get it, Odette,” Ben asked in reference to letting them have alone time.

Odette rolled her eyes. “Really! No offense Ben but when it comes to people you can be a bit dense. Have you ever noticed how Jareth stares after Aleck with that hunger in his eyes? He has more feelings for her than he’ll admit even to himself.”

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

As Ben watched Jareth and Aleck walk off towards the swing, he turned to Odette with a confused expression. "Are you saying, Jareth has feelings for Aleck?"

“Yes Ben that is Exactly what I’m saying

Ben frowned as thought about it. He had always seen Jareth and Aleck as close friends, almost like siblings. But now that Odette pointed it out, he couldn't help but see the way Jareth looked at Aleck with longing and adoration.

Ben's eyebrows furrowed in deep thought as he listened to his friend, Odette, speak. He stood beneath a massive willow tree, its branches gently swaying above him. Ben reached up and brushed aside the thin strands that tickled his face.

“Then do you think it’s smart to leave them alone given he’s a Rillian and all,” Ben replied, concern evident in his voice. In the distance, two figures could be seen swinging on an oak tree in the front yard. "Shouldn't we keep a closer eye on them? Especially since he's a Rillian."

Odette turned to look at the distant figures before addressing Ben's concerns. "Normally, I would agree with you. But this gift of Jareth’s feels personal. I don't think he would intentionally harm anyone."

Ben nodded, understanding her reasoning. Each race had their own strengths and weaknesses, and the Rillians were no exception. They had strict laws when it came to marriage and physical contact between sexes due to their heightened sex drive. It was something that both the men and women of their race struggled with.

“Don’t worry we’ll head back in a bit,” Odette said. Ben did not tear his eyes from the two sitting on the swing. He was not comfortable with this, not one bit.

Jareth was grateful for his chance to talk to Aleck alone for a bit. His gift was the gift of princes. It would enable her to get help from any in the Rillian royal family. Jareth took off a necklace around his neck. “This is a Starguard necklace.” The Nova Starguard necklace glinted in the light. Jareth broke it neatly in half and placed it on a chain made of valuable, thin metal. The half pendant held 3 and a half points of a star, each glowing with a different color, creating a mesmerizing effect.

“Hold out your hand.” Aleck did as Jareth carefully lowered the pendent onto he palm without touching her. “Put it on.”

Aleck hesitated. . “Jareth, they’ll just take it away.” She said as she gave the ground a nudge with her feet to set the swing in motion.

“Put it on and I’ll show you why they won’t.” Alek slid it over her neck. “Yaza,” he said and the necklace and chain disappeared. “Not even a scanner can detect it. It will mark you, to any of my family you meet, as under my protection. They’ll give you help if you need it. You see only one wearing a Starguard themselves can see it and any of those would protect you.

“Thank you,” Alek whispered as she slid it over head and around her neck.

“You two done.” Odette asked as her and Ben walked up. Aleck nodded and then flinched as she saw the bright lights of the government vehicle that shone in the distance.

“Thank you for everything,” Aleck said to her friends with tear-filled eyes. She hugged Odette and Ben tightly, trying to hold back her emotions.

“Goodbye, Aleck,” Odette said, her voice full of sadness.

Ben nodded, his face somber. “We'll miss you.”

Aleck then turned to Jareth and gave him the Rillian hand sign of respect and friendship. “Thank you for your gift,” she said gratefully.

Jareth smiled warmly at her. “Stay safe.”

Her friends then hid in the bushes to watch, with a stark warning from Aleck not to interfere no matter what. It would only get them and her family killed.

With one last look at her friends, Aleck ran towards the house where her family was waiting. She knew this might be the last time she would see them.

Aleck walked into the dining room area where her Uncle Donald and Aunt Karla sat sipping tea. She could feel their eyes on her as she took a seat at the table.

“I’ve been recalled,” Aleck whispered, breaking the silence.

Donald put his tea down, his expression serious. Aunt Karla, on the other hand, burst into tears.

Uncle Donald came and wrapped his arms around her. “I'm sorry, baby girl,” he said softly. “Come on, Karla, getting angry won't change anything.” He turned to look at Aleck with a sad expression. “We will do the only thing we have the power to do now. Pray for the Creator of All to watch over you.”

Tears welled up in Aleck's eyes as she hugged them both tightly. She didn't want to leave them behind and go off to war again, but she was a cyborg slave. She did not have the freedom to do what she pleased.

Uncle Donald bowed his head. “Dear Lord, free our beloved niece from this nightmare called war. Protect her since the power to do so has been taken from us.”

Uncle Donald raised his head.

“You should say goodbye to your sister.” Aleck shook her head no. “There’s no time and she honestly wouldn’t understand.”

“They’ll be coming soon, “I’ll go wait for them on the porch. Keep everyone inside. They aren’t safe people.” Aleck said as she turned and left.

______________________________________

Alexia sat impatiently on her bed, staring out the window as she waited for Mitchel to pick her up for their movie date. She refused to come downstairs and face whatever drama was happening with Aleck. She heard her Aunt’s and Uncle’s muffled voices through the floorboards, but she tuned them out. She just wanted to have a normal night out with her boyfriend.

Movement outside caught her attention, and she saw Aleck pacing back and forth on the front porch. Alexia rolled her eyes, annoyed that her sister was being so dramatic.

Suddenly, headlights appeared down the long driveway and Alexia froze as she saw an army vehicle pulled up in front of the house. Her stomach churned as she watched two men in uniform step out of the vehicle and approach Aleck on the porch. She had a very bad feeling about this.

She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she could see Aleck's body starting to tremble uncontrollably. And then to Alexia's horror, she saw the skin from Aleck's limbs fold away, revealing robotic parts underneath attached to a ripped up body.

One of the men said something else and Aleck collapsed onto the ground. Alexia gasped.

What was happening? Why did Aleck have robotic limbs? And why were these army men here?

Alexia gasped she watched one of the men grab her twin sister, Aleck, by her bright red braid and drag her limp body to the army jeep. She expected to hear her sister cry for help as she was stuffed into the back of the vehicle like a piece of luggage but their was only a terrible silence.

Filled with fear and panic, Alexia ran downstairs and screamed for her uncle. But before she could reach him, Uncle Donny grabbed her and put his hand over her mouth. "We can't save her if they kill us, sweetheart," he whispered urgently in her ear. Alexia's sobs were muffled against his shoulder.

Finally, Uncle Donny released her and held her at arm's length. "Listen to me carefully," he said sternly. "Something horrible has happened to our family during the cutoff." Alexia's eyes widened in shock as Uncle Donny explained everything to her.

Tears streamed down Alexia's face as she realized that all this time, while she had been living a comfortable life with her Aunt and Uncles while Aleck, Shem and Payton had been serving in a warzone as cyborg slaves. And now she was being taken away again, possibly never to return.

Uncle Donny hugged Alexia tightly. "We have to be strong now," he said firmly. "For Aleck and for ourselves."

Together, they watched helplessly as the army jeep drove off into the night with Aleck inside. They didn't know where she was being taken or what would happen to her next.

But one thing was certain - their family would never be whole again until Aleck came home safe. And even then, things would never be the same.

But for now, all they could do was pray for Aleck's safety and hope that one day, they would be reunited as a family once more.

————————————————————————-

Ben gasped in pain as he held physically on to Jareth as he try to tear free from his grasp and go run to Aleck.

"Don't do it," Odette pleaded with Jareth, her grip tightening on his arm. "You'll only get her family killed and us too."

Jareth's body shook with sobs as he dropped to the ground, tears of blood streaming down his face. “No, No, It’s wrong. She’s so afraid, so very afraid.

Jareths heart ached for Aleck, he also felt the intense throbbing in his head as she tried to block pain from her mind of the soldiers violently dragging her to the vehicle. But their connection was too deep for her to shut him out completely.

"

As the jeep disappeared into the darkness, a heavy silence fell over the group. Jareth sat slumped on the ground, tears still streaming down his face as he struggled to control his emotions.

"We have to help her," he spoke through clenched teeth, struggling against Ben’s hold on him. "She needs us."

"We are helping her," Odette promised, placing a gentle hand on Jareth's shoulder. "We have a plan and we need to stick to it."

Jareth stared at Ben then nodded, wiping away his tears with one hand as he tried to calm himself down. But deep down, he could feel Aleck's fear and desperation and it only fueled his urge to rescue her.

"I can feel her fear," he said through gritted teeth.

"I know," Odette said calmly "But we can't help her now. We need to be patient and wait for the right moment."

Ben released his tight grip on Jareth once the vehicle was out of view.

Jareth stood up, and paced back and forth in frustration. "We can't just sit here and do nothing," he exclaimed.

"We're not doing nothing," Odette reminded him firmly. "We have a plan."

"But what if something happens to her before the virus takes effect?" Jareth argued.

Ben put a hand on his shoulder. “We have to trust that the Creator of All will keep her safe, and let Him work. You’ll see, Him and and His Son and His Spririt have ways of making thing work out. You just watch and see.”

“I wish I had your faith Ben.” Jareth muttered.

“Me too,” Said Odette. “Come on let’s go home.”