The Sensorians: Awakening

would like you to help me decide.”
She walked over to her mum and gave her a hug.
“Don't you want to know?"  Eliza pleaded.
I could feel the hostile atmosphere dissipate.  Alice relented and motioned us through to the living room.
“Take a seat,"  she offered.
“And you must be Zack."  she said with a sideways glance to Markus.
I could tell she thought I was a little young to be the 'best coach' so I had to convince her to trust me.
“Yes Ma'am, I am."  I said as I shook her hand.
“Pleased to meet you.  You've done an amazing job raising Eliza.  She has impressed me in many ways, but mainly with her open mindedness and willingness to listen to me, but with a healthy dose of scepticism.”
I could see Alice wasn't having any of it.  She raised her eyebrows at me and turned back to Markus.
“So this boy is meant to protect and train my daughter? You have got  to come up with something better than that!"
She looked me over again; her lips forming a mocking smile.  Markus took over and reassured her that I was indeed the best man for the job and that, though still young, I had proven myself in numerous occasions, even saving people's lives.
I started feeling a little awkward.  I had never really heard Markus sing my praises before, as normally he just expected the best and that's what he got out of me with hardly a word of appreciation.  I caught his eyes and they bored into me.  They told me not to get used to it and not to get cocky.  He didn't have to worry.  I knew my place.
“So this is my plan,"  Markus broke the impasse.
“Eliza will come with us straight away as time is of the essence.  She'll start her mission and training on the job soon after we have weaned her off her medication and when we have received a bit more intel on the last movements of your ex-partner."  He turned towards Eliza.
“Your father.”
I implored Eliza not to interrupt by touching her hand, but I hadn't counted on Alice butting in.  I should have.  Eliza clearly didn't get it from a stranger.  She shuddered and spoke with confidence.
“That can't happen.  Eliza is in the middle of her exams! Her father will just have to hang in there.  I won't allow him to ruin this for her, or you for that matter.”
I checked out Markus.  He wasn't used to being spoken to like that and I dreaded his reaction.  However, he looked calm and I didn't feel any tension coming from him.  I truly loved watching this man at work.  He'd taught me so much.
So instead of losing his patience, like he would have done had it been one of us, he calmly took Alice by the hand and spoke.
“Look Alice, everything will be fine.  Eliza is not going to miss out on her exams.  We'll make time for her to study and we will arrange for her to do her exams in our compound.  It has been done before and it won't be a problem.  If the timing is wrong and interferes with our mission, she'll be allowed to do them at any time as we can guarantee she won't have contact with anyone who has sat the exams, until she's sat them too.”
Eliza looked troubled by this and I could feel her tensing.  Why can't these people just fucking listen and do what they're fucking told.  They can trust Markus.  He knows best and the sooner they accept that, the better! I knew it wasn't going to be like that though, they were brought up in a different type of society than us.  I took a deep breath to calm down and made myself ask Eliza what was bothering her.  At least she had waited to be asked.
“Uh..., how exactly are you going to make sure I don't see or contact any of my friends or indeed anyone of my age sitting these exams?”
She looked at Markus, but I answered.
“I will be with you 24/7 Eliza, strict orders.  No contact with the outside world unless it's part of our mission or training.  No socialising or access to computers and mobiles.”
I saw the horror in her face, bless her.  She really had no idea how far our powers and influence stretched.
“However, it's only temporarily and hopefully we'll find your father safe and sound soon."  Markus tried to reassure, obviously not happy with my abrupt answer.
I was sure to be reprimanded for that later.
Markus continued.
“Listen Alice, we’ll take good care of your daughter.  We always look after our own.  We need her and I'm sure Eliza wants to help her father and keep him safe.  With her on board, our chances of contacting him sooner and find out what is going on, are so much better. She'll be able to tune into him better than we can due to their genetic bond.  If we don't get to the bottom of this as soon as possible it could spell disaster either for your father or for our whole Sensorian community.”
Alice looked at Eliza and nodded.
“I suppose I owe you and your father that.  There certainly seemed to be more than just a normal connection between the two of you, and it does explain how he always understood you so well.  But Eliza, (she took both hands in hers) only if you're sure you want to do this.  Remember this is the man who caused us both a lot of pain, but we also loved him deeply.  So, if you do, I will support you a hundred percent.”
Then she looked at me with fierce passion.
“And you, you better look after her with your life.”
I looked straight back into her eyes, not shirking away from my responsibilities.
“Her life will be mine.”
And I meant it.
Eliza sighed a deep sigh.
“I do want to find my father.  I'm not sure how I'm going to react, but I want to have the opportunity to confront him.  So yes, I'm