Attack of the Klowns: Part 12 (Lauren)

When we last left our heroes, they had rescued the human prisoners and now await their escape vehicle via the friendly aliens.

There was a whoosh as the Akrobat's teleporter appeared in the landing bay.

"All aboard!" cried Xidorn. 

The girl, the test subjects, Ben, Dor, Xanthony, and Sven raced for the exit, just as a group of Klowns came around the corner. 

"You will never escape!" cried Dr. Greg. 

Sven stopped, turned toward the Klowns, and raised his arm. 

"Well, hoop-de-doo." he said, and shot a spoon missile at the door frame. The door collapsed, trapping the Klowns inside. Sven hurried into the teleporter just in time. It shot off to the Akrobat ship just as J.E.R.O.S.L.A.V. fired up the EUME and erased the Klowns' memories. 

"That worked surprisingly well," said Dor. 

"Yeah," said Sven, gazing out the window at the drifting Klown ship. "J.E.R.O.S.L.A.V. can you send their ship back to wherever they came from?" 

"Very good, sir," said J.E.R.O.S.L.A.V. The ship zoomed out of sight. 

Meanwhile, Ben and the girl were staring out into space. 

"The stars are beautiful," said the girl. 

"Yeah," said Ben. His heart wasn't really in it. 

"Your heart really isn't in it," said the girl. "What's wrong?" 

"My wedding. That's what's wrong," said Ben. 

"Oh," said the girl. "Right." 

They stood in silence for a while, until Ben asked. "So, um, what's your name?" 

The girl blushed. "It's - well, you'll think it's silly, but -" 

"Xanthony!" cried Xidorn. The teleporter was docking in the Akrobat ship. "You!" 

Xanthony stepped back guiltily as the test subjects hurried onto the Akrobat ship. Sven stepped in front of Xanthony, and Dor stood beside him, umbrella in hand.

"How dare you take our stuff? How dare you join the Klowns?" yelled Xenia.

"Woah, guys. Chill. He did help us," said Sven.

"Aye, he was a worthy ally," said Dor.

"No, he's a traitor," said Xidorn. 

"He's not allowed back on our ship," said Xenia. "And neither are you if you're defending him."

"Hey!" said Ben. "I'm not involved in this and neither is she, so can you let us on your ship now please?" 

He started heading toward the ship. The girl grabbed his arm. 

"We can't just run away!" she hissed. 

Ben looked wistfully at the rest of the test subjects sitting in the Akrobats' comfortable chairs, sipping soda, reading magazines, and watching TV.

"I guess you're right," said Ben. 

"We have no argument with you two," said Xidorn. "You're free to travel back to Earth with us." 

"Well, did you hear that?" said Ben. He started to head to the ship. 

"No!" said the girl. "We aren't going unless Xanthony comes with us. He saved our lives!"

"Guys, just get on the ship," said Sven. "We'll handle this."

Ben was tugging on the girl's sleeve. She sighed.

"All right. Let's go Ben."

Ben mouthed sorry Xanthony and followed the girl into the ship.

"Come on, Xidorn, we're leaving," said Xenia.

"Wait," said Dor. "You cannot depart yet."

"You can't leave Xanthony out here in the middle of - well, space," said Sven. "He's wounded." 

"Guys," said Xanthony. "They're right. I'm a traitor. Leave me." 

"You stay out of this," said Sven. 

"I guess you're right. No, wait a minute - no you're not. Why should I stay out of this?" said Xanthony. 

Xenia walked back inside. 

"You're either with us or you're with Xanthony," said Xidorn. "Your decision. And you better make it quick." 

Sven glanced at Dor. Dor glanced at Sven. They nodded.



Will our heroes abandon their new friend? Will they abandon their old friends? Will they abandon all their friends? the story continues next time in Attack of the Klowns: Part 13!