Lycan bustled about, making last minute preparations in the larger compartment. His faceted eyes gleamed with excitement. Now and then he spoke to a mutant.
"You ready, Fred?"
"Yes, Lycan. I'm nervous, but I'm ready."
"It's natural," Lycan reassured.
The mutants shuffled their feet and cleared their throats and wiped their palms. They smiled uneasily.
"Form a line!" the Elder called. "We're ready to load you."
The mutants complied. They spoke in hushed undertones. Their focus rods, like tall staffs, bristled unevenly above their heads.
Lycan led them up the ladder to the second level. Led them down the long corridor. Led them past gleaming, whirring machinery.
In the huge, open launching area, the other aliens made last minute adjustments on the saucer ships.
The Elder sent the first group forward. They boarded their ships. The aliens withdrew.