Gus paced as the ship came to a complete stop in the middle of space.  Normally, he’d be ecstatic that he was in outer space, in a space ship with real, live aliens.  Not so much when he knew that his best friend, the Chief of Police and the Head Detective were on their way to who knows where.

“They’re heading toward us.  They have agreed to meet with us,” L’wana said.

“Good,” Henry said, the gruff sound in his voice giving away his emotions.  He was worried.

“I just hope they agree to let them all go,” Juliet said sadly.

Henry looked over at the blonde detective, “They’ll let them go, or else.”

J’ahara shook his head, “I wouldn’t threaten them, Mr. Spencer.  The Elders are the type to take a threat and turn it into an opportunity.  They are not giving like we are.  It is why they are the Elders.  If they believe they will be harmed, they will harm your friends.”

Shawn followed the aliens closely; Lassie and Karen right behind him.  It seemed like they’d been walking for hours, but it was only ten minutes from the time they left the ‘prison’ until they arrived in the main control center of the ship.

The psychic detective looked around, trying to memorize every button he could see.  Of course, considering the buttons had symbols on them instead of English words, Shawn figured it wouldn’t do much good.  He turned his attention to the aliens and which buttons they were pushing. 

Lassie was doing a similar move, watching the aliens’ every twitch.  He knew that whatever was going on, these aliens were preparing for some kind of attack on the other ship.

Karen watched her two detectives closely, knowing they were both forming a plan of their own to get them all out.  Deep down, she was hoping that Juliet and the others were planning some kind of rescue, but figured that would be almost impossible.  They were in space, after all. 

Shawn looked up at the screen just as the aliens made contact with the other ship.  There was Sara and Peter Jones staring back, with two other people and…

“Gus!  Jules!” Shawn cried suddenly.

The two aforementioned people looked up, relief in their eyes upon seeing the three safe and alive.

“Shawn?  Are you three okay?” Henry asked.

“Silence, human!” the front alien on Shawn’s ship hissed. 

Henry looked like he was about to explode when Juliet walked over to him and began talking to him.

“J’ahara, what is the meaning of this?” B’harla exclaimed.

L’wana began to speak, but was silenced by J’ahara, “Esteemed One, I know that this was not part of the plan, but,”

“You following us is in direct violation of your mission on Earth.  You brought this human to our attention,” T’kana pointed to Shawn with a menacing finger, “and we took over.  Your mission is over.  Return to Earth for further instructions.  That is an order, Lieutenant,” he finished.

Palar took a deep breath and let it out slow, “We refuse the order, Esteemed One,” he said finally.

The front Elder growled, “You refuse an order?!  How dare you disobey an Elder!”

L’wana looked over at J’ahara, then at Suina and Palar, and then turned back to the screen, “We believe the order to be unfair and unjust, Esteemed One,” she said calmly.

“Explain,” T’kana replied.

“Not only have you taken the Chosen One, but you have taken two other humans that have no impact on our research.  That is a direct violation of our laws.  Our people are not to take any creature without an interest in said creature.  Detective Lassiter and Chief Vick are of no interest, yet you abducted them along with Shawn Spencer.  You have broken our laws, Esteemed One,” she said.

“We are the Elders!  The laws do not apply to us!” B’harla exclaimed.

“The laws apply to all on our planet, B’harla,” Palar said.

“How dare you use the name of an Elder?  You must be an Elder yourself to speak their names!” T’kana said.

The other Elder began speaking in what was apparently their language.  It was loud and it sounded extremely angry.  Shawn, Lassie and Karen covered their ears as he seemed to get louder with each word.

Juliet, Gus, Henry and Marlowe did the same on their ship, as his voice was booming through the speakers.

A moment later, he had finished, and the four aliens hung their heads.  They turned toward the group with fearful expressions.

“I’m afraid that your friends are to be punished for our insolence,” L’wana announced.

“Say that again?” Henry asked.

“They will be tortured and killed because of our disobedience.  We are sorry, but there is no saving them,” Palar said.

“There’s always a way,” Juliet said, determination showing on her face.  There was no way she would lose Shawn, Lassiter and the Chief.

“Can you lock on them and teleport them to this ship?” Gus asked.

“The Elders have their shields up.  There is no way to teleport through them.  They would have to drop their shields in order for us to even lock on, and there is no way they will now,” Suina said.

Marlowe walked over to the controls, and then looked back at the four aliens, “I’m betting you can make them drop their shields,” she said.

The rest of them looked at her with wonder.  Gus asked the question first, “You know how to work this thing?”

“I was watching Carlton the whole time the aliens were talking.  He kept mouthing the words ‘circular star’ over and over.  There’s one button here that looks like that.”

L’wana nodded, “That is our laser cannon.  However, firing upon the Elders would be suicide: for all of us.  They will retaliate without hesitation.”

Suddenly, Shawn’s voice boomed over the speakers, “Release them!  I’ll cooperate, but you have to let Lassie and the Chief go, first.  Send them over to the other ship, or I won’t let you do a thing to me.”

The picture on the screen told the story to the others.  Serious Shawn had made an appearance; and he meant every word he said.

“Human, you are in no position to give orders.  We are Elders.  Our wisdom goes far beyond what even your mind can comprehend.  Our race has been across the cosmos, to other worlds in galaxies that have not been seen by human eyes except through a telescope,” B’harla said with a snobbish air about her.

“I don’t care if you met Superman or E.T., you let my friends go or you get nothing from me!” Shawn demanded.

T’kana looked at the other Elders, then toward the screen, “Is what this human saying truthful?  Will he truly refuse further study if we do not follow his wishes?”

Palar nodded, “Yes, Esteemed One.  He will not follow procedure.  We watched him with interest during the police cases.  Shawn Spencer is one not to follow protocol.”

Henry had to choke back a laugh, ‘For the first time in his life, I’m glad he doesn’t follow the rules,’ he thought.