Intruder Alert: Part 14

As Alice and Blake hurried towards the break room, they tried to be calm and cool, so as not to attract attention and questions from employees or customers.
“Do you think that one of the Critens has shape shifted to resemble Fred?” asked Alice in a low voice.
“It looks that way, or else Fred has been playing tricks with our minds,” Blake responded in a subdued tone.
The break room was not far from the office, and there was only one entrance/exit.
Upon arriving, they could see that neither Nellie nor Fred were there. Blake’s first impulse was to turn around and look else where, but as he was about to leave the break room, one of the other supervisors, Cathy, asked, “Blake, are you looking for someone?”
“Yes Cathy we are. Have you seen Fred and Nellie?
“When I was coming in here for my break, I noticed them walking by, I think I overheard something about the hardware department,” Cathy said.
“Great, Cathy, thanks,” Blake said. After they left the break room and were walking toward the Hardware department, Blake said softly. “Hmm, I wonder what they plan to do there.”
“I hope it’s not what I think it is,” Alice said with alarm.
The hardware robot was taken and returned precisely because below the ground in that area were the requisite natural and ancient metal deposits that would enable the galactic transport beam to function. Blake, realizing the worst, said, “Of course, Let’s hurry.” and so they did, almost running, with care not to bump into and knock down any unwary customer or employee.
As Alice and Blake arrived at the end of the hardware department aisle, they both felt a slight momentary rush of air flow past them towards the middle of the aisle, an indication to them that air was rushing in to fill a vacuum, probably caused by the sudden disappearance of something in that space.
“I would say they did use the transport beam, “ said Blake.
“I might be able to follow them, the energy trail will be fresh for a few minutes,” said Alice.
“What if they go back to the Critten home planet. They may not able to be able to see you, but they will become aware of your presence and may try to capture you. And if the Crittens are working for another species, the species may be able to see you the moment you arrive,” said Blake.
“I realize that. I will only stay long enough to determine that Nellie is okay, and find out what they plan to do with her,” said Alice.
“I’ll wait here for you, then,” said Blake.
“Whether or not they take her to the Criten world, I may stay longer if necessary. But I’ll play it safe,” said Alice.
“If detect your presence on arrival, you may not have much time to find out anything. There’s also the possibility that they will be expecting us to follow them. In fact, maybe that’s the whole idea, they want us and not her,” said Blake.
“Hmm, I’ll be able to see the surroundings before I’m fully materialize, and if I see any danger, I can pass through that locale, and on to another,“ Alice said, knowing that she could not safely reverse the direction of her jaunt, and would be required to hop to another planet.
“How will I know what your circumstances are, if you don’t come back right away?” asked Blake.
“Telepathically, of course,” said Alice, she realized why Blake had to ask. Although they had used that instant communication method many times in the past, since he was under the illusion that he was Blake, and not Bhoj, he had forgotten the immediacy of that ability.
“Oh yes,” Blake said in a dreamy sort of way.
“Yes, just be aware, sweetheart. I’ll be in touch,” said Alice, “I’d better depart, before the trail completely dissipates.” She gave him a quick embrace, stepped away and as Blake said, “Be careful,” she vanished.

…to be continued