SOLAR & The Specialists
They Come

AXL ARENA BUILDING

Christian searches for Selena's whereabouts among the supporters who come to encourage their team. The girl disappeared again. The house was empty last night. Selena's phone is dead, too. He was restless last night. Christian fears Selena is disappearing for days like before.

"Not seen it?" Mindy just arrived. Through the pass card, he can watch from the sidelines. Christian shakes.

"Don't worry, he'll show up!" Mindy bit her lower lip. He himself was not sure what he was saying. "Focus playing! If Selena comes, I'll pull her here so you can see the full extent!" His friend smiled, though somewhat forced.

"Honestly, I'm feeling nervous." Christian said.

"Not just you!" Mindy hugged Christian. He patted her on the back as a form of support and encouragement. "Whatever happens you must win! You have to be MVP! I see there are four big sponsors coming to watch today." Christian nodded from behind his back.

"Make sure you drag Selena here when she comes!" Christian said last time before joining his team.

Their coach signaled to gather soon. "Keep the tempo! Don't be too aggressive at the beginning! Christian, Reagan, this is a warning to you!" Christian looked at Reagan who looked calm. There was not the slightest nervousness from his expression. "Our focus is the final! Show me who you are, okay?"

"Yes, coach." Garuda Sakti Team answered compact with enthusiasm.

The sound of a long whistle indicated the start of the match. Everyone is in their own position. The opponents had already entered the field after their names were announced one by one.

Christian looked out on the sidelines. Mindy is alone. No sign of Selena anywhere. He shook his head, convincing himself to concentrate on the match.

The first ball is controlled by his team when Felix takes the ball from the opponent. He set the rhythm of the game and pass on Reagan who has a position as a guard. The ball was dribbled into the opponent's area before he threw it at Christian. Getting the chance, Christian tricked the opposing players and immediately did three-point. The audience cheered as Garuda Sakti scored in the first half.

The next minute, the opposing team managed to grab the ball. They moved aggressively through the defense of Kaleb who served as a power forward in the team. Fortunately Leon, the center managed to break the attack and make the ball controlled again by Reagan. He moves more agile than usual to bring the ball to the opponent's ring. Reagan had a chance to score points, but instead threw him behind, where Christian was being blocked by the opponent. The decision made his team have to work twice to dribble and pass, keeping the ball. Reagan protected Christian so he could break through the opponent's defense to make another three-point. Trial succeeded. The referee confirmed their numbers.

Christian looked at Reagan. It's not usually the rhythm of Reagan's game like this. In training, Reagan and Christian were always aggressive to get on the ball and score. This time Reagan more relented and pass the ball to him. Christian didn't have time to think about that because the game time went on.

The first half ended quickly at 18:26 and without a change of players from both teams. The highest point belongs to Garuda Sakti. They had ten minutes to rest on the strategy.

"Reagan!" Coach approached them. "I'm not saying your game's fucked up, but you've got plenty of chances to score. Why even buy time??" Demand Coach.

Reagan drank a lot of water. His body did not sweat a single drop, whereas others were already raining and bathing in sweat. He raised his shoulders in response while looking at Christian who was also looking at him. Christian squinted both eyes suspiciously. His hands were busy wiping his face and neck with a towel.

"You made Christian their moons!" Said Coach half-stomping. Now Reagan looked down, as if he were contemplating his mistake. Coach took a breath. "Your games are good. Unfortunately, we have to change our strategy. They're too aggressive." The coach replaced the exhausted Leon from working hard into a defensive wall. Caleb also asked to be replaced so he could rest. The opponent this time was quite heavy due to their aggressiveness.

Once the break was over, all teams returned to the field with a new formation. The second half went more than before. Each team has not scored until the third round is over. As expected Coach, Christian became the months of the opposing team. He was always caught, not getting a chance to get the ball. On the other hand, Reagan who today looks very fit, always managed to trick the opponent and snatch the ball. But never once did he score. He always passes when he is near the ring.

When the fourth round began, Caleb returned to the field. Felix was replaced by another player. While Christian was adamant to continue playing because he did not want to lose. Reagan himself is still considered by the Coach because again did not score. He is threatened to be expelled if he continues to stall for time.

Throughout the game, Christian keeps a close eye on Reagan's strange moves. His ability is still good, but why won't he score points? Was he on purpose?

In the eighth minute, Reagan suddenly stopped, even though the ball was in his hand. For a few seconds he did not move. Empty views. The ball slipped out of his hand. At the same time, the arena lights went out. The electricity went off suddenly, leaving everyone confused. Fortunately, there was still light coming in from the top of the building. The match automatically stops temporarily.

Sounded from outside. His voice was quite disturbing the eardrum. Anyone who heard it must have felt the inside of their ears tremble. Everyone flocked out of the arena to see what was happening.

The sky turned dark. The clouds gathered above them. Lightning and thunder were rumbling as if splitting the sky. Everyone is scared. They went back into the arena thinking there would be a big storm. Several people, including Christian and Mindy, stayed out of curiosity. Suddenly the cloud split open, revealing something behind it.

"What is a UFO?" Mindy asked because she had no other ideas.

A huge ship shaped like a giant umbrella and shining silvery appeared from behind the dark clouds. The shape is foreign and enough to make anyone who saw it shudder in horror. No man-made plane is shaped like that. The cries of 'UFO' and 'alien' sounded simple.

"I have to call my grandfather!" Mindy pulled out the phone from her bag with trembling hands. "Kok dead?!" He panicked because his phone wouldn't turn on. Christian heard the noise around them.

"Everyone's cell phone is dead, too. The ship's shutting down power and disrupting electronics." Christian says. "Let's go in! We'll take cover inside until help comes." Christian pulls Mindy's arm into the arena.

Simultaneously, an announcement was made for everyone to re-enter the arena for shelter. Everyone is panicking. The situation is starting to get out of control.

Christian brings Mindy to join his team.

"Everything here? Christian, where's Christian?" Christian hears his Coach looking around. He came closer to Mindy. "Thank God! You guys should stay together. I'm gonna find out what happened. Where's Reagan? I didn't see it."

All the team members looked around, looking for Reagan. Some call his name. He was not found.

"Gosh, where's the kid? Quickly find him! Felix, Leon, Christian, please find him, okay? I'll find the officials to ask for an explanation."

They came out of line to split up. Christian asks Mindy to stay with the basketball team no matter what. The last time he saw Reagan on the pitch was with a blank look. He was a little worried in case Reagan fainted somewhere and was trampled. He had to get used to the minimal light from the arena ceiling. Both of his eyes wandered around looking for signs of his teammate's whereabouts. The search led him back to the main door of the building. He would turn around when he saw Reagan's back outside. Christian immediately rushed out of the building to catch up with him.

The wind is getting stronger. Unidentified large objects in the sky move closer to the ground. Before Christian regained consciousness, the storm was already rolling around nearby.

"Rogan!! Hey!!" Christian Seru. Reagan did not flinch. He was still standing motionless looking up at the sky, towards the giant alien object. Christian starts to panic as the storm gets louder. He tried to get close to Reagan.

"Reagan, awake!!" Christian's screams were finally heard by Reagan. His team-mates looked over. His expression is hard to interpret. Both eyes were sad, looking sad when I saw Christian. "What are you doing there?! Come on quickly in! Hold hands!" Christian stretched out one hand while holding back the wind that at times could throw him. Reagan was still unmoved even though his body had now turned to face Christian. The strong winds did not affect Reagan. Both of his legs were nailed to the ground. "Come on!" Christian still didn't give up.

"Selena is dead." Reagan opened his mouth.

"What?" Christian didn't hear it clearly.

"He's gone. Sorry I can tell you now."

"Basic jerk, what the hell is he talking about?" Christian protects his eyes from dust and sand.

"Go back inside! I have to go home." Reagan.

"Where to?! Come on, we could be dragged by the wind if this continues!" Christian tried to extend one more hand to Reagan.

Unexpectedly, Christian's body was thrown back in front of the building. An invisible force restrained him so that Christian's back wouldn't hit the wall. It was a heavy shock. His heart seemed to have just been pulled out of the chest cavity. The wind was still raging outside. Reagan's disappeared. Christian blinked his eyes and looked again. He's not where Christian saw him last time.

The main door of the building was wide open by strong winds. Again Christian's body was pushed inside by an invisible force. The door slammed shut as soon as he was inside. Now he's safe from the storm.

***