Alien in the Family

“Coleman moved the Pontifex’s supporters out and his own supporters in,” Chuckie said. The way he said it, I knew he had no doubts, meaning I had no doubts.

“I suppose so.” Lucinda sounded as though she had some doubts. “None of us were in any condition to worry about it. Losing Theresa the way we did . . . the boys and Richard consumed all of our attention. Besides, the Diplomatic Corps perform a hugely important function for us. Robert is the person who ensures any issues we create get smoothed over and smiled away, if you will. He’s done a good job, honestly, they all have. We don’t get along with every government agency as well as we do with NASA, Angela, or Mister Reynolds.”

“And Jeff would never say he and Chuckie get along.”

“Neither would I,” Chuckie said. “So the people with the most influence in both the A-C community and with all the governmental agencies, outside of those in the actual wedding party, want to stop this marriage. And we have to stop them in a way that won’t cause repercussions in the A-C community.”

“Nicely summed up, dude.”

“Great. Have you any idea of how we’re going to manage this?”

“Give me a minute.” I closed my eyes. ACE, I have to talk to Richard White. Can you help me do that?

Yes, Kitty, ACE can help. There was a pause.

Yes, Miss Katt? You never fail to surprise in your ability to communicate at any time and via any source possible.

Robert and Barbara Coleman and their cronies forced you to make a bad deal, right?

Yes. Long story I shared with the only person capable of doing anything about it.

You told James because you knew I’d do what he said?

And because he would do it with haste, discretion, and accuracy so to speak. How did you find out?

Serene has a daddy-crush on you. She spent her time when we weren’t fighting for our lives watching over you, so she saw the ‘let’s attack Richard when he’s got a lot more important things going on’ meeting.

Ah, intriguing. However, you and Jeffrey are racing along, so I foresee no issues.

This is why you have Alpha and Airborne. We have identified major issues. My question to you—if I have the Colemans and their gang detained and removed from the premises, what kind of problems does that create for you?

What would your reasons be?

Suspicion of terrorist activities.

Sounds nasty.

Sounds like a trip to wherever the C.I.A. likes to take people.

We can’t have these people disgraced, harmed, and so forth. The Colemans may be unpleasant, but they are quite vital to our race’s well-being.

So I keep hearing. And I know only someone you saw as important would have gotten away with this dirty trick.

And we are speaking in this amazing ma

I have always respected your ability to see through the marketing-speak.

Then as long as I can be upset and outraged once you and Jeffrey are on your honeymoon, and Mister Reynolds will release the offending parties without problems the moment I request it, go to town Miss Katt.

No scuff marks on the merchandise. Other than Barbara. I can’t promise there, but I’ll make sure she’s still somewhat presentable.

Your restraint is admirable. Jeffrey is picking up your distress, by the way. I think we’d best break off so I can keep him under control.

Tell him I’m handling it.

He knows Mister Reynolds is with you.

Tell him Chuckie saw everything I own years ago, and if I weren’t interested in marrying Jeff, I would let the Colemans do their thing. But diplomatically.

Anything I could come up with would be more diplomatic than that. Best of luck, Miss Katt. I’ll keep the boys in here with me.

Wise man always does the smart thing.

Let us hope.

I sent a thank you to ACE, then looked at Chuckie. “I think we have suspected terrorists, Chuckie. They could be altering themselves to look like people we’d trust.”

“I could spot tha—” Serene was shut up by Lorraine’s hand slamming over her mouth.

Chuckie nodded. “Missus Martini, I’m sure they’d disguise themselves as your Diplomatic Corps, who would normally be above suspicion. But since all of Centaurion Division reports in to me at the moment, I’m going to override diplomatic immunity. Could you come with me and point out whom we should be concerned about?”

Lucinda nodded. “Absolutely. I wouldn’t want to help terrorists disguised as important people in our community.”

“How many, do we think?” Chuckie asked as he pulled out his phone.

Lucinda thought about it. “A dozen. If I were going to attempt some sort of terrorist overthrow, I’d only need to imitate the Diplomatic Corps. If they were taken away, anyone following them would likely lose their will to fight.”

He nodded and dialed. “I need a low-key pickup of about a dozen or so suspected terrorists. They could be impersonating high-level A-Cs, could be mentally controlling them. I don’t want any of the subjects injured, just detained safely far away from where we are. Good. Yes, at least double the A-C operatives. Yes, right away. Yes, I’m very aware it’s your wedding day. I’m also aware you’re the one who knows which of your Field agents are available and which aren’t.”

Chuckie glanced at me. “Yes, she looks great. A little upset that you’re arguing with me instead of taking care of this so you two can get married, but, you know, otherwise, great.” He rolled his eyes. “Because I need the big, nasty guys, and the imageers usually aren’t. Yes, great plan. Have her call in my human team as well; they need to appear to be in charge. Right. Hate you as well.”

He hung up and shook his head. “Are you marrying the most contrary man in the universe, or is that merely my impression?”

“What’s Jeff doing and why did you call him?”

“He’s contacting Gladys, who is still ru

There was a knock at the door. An A-C I’d seen around stuck his head in. “Mister Reynolds? Commander Martini said you needed us.”

“Back in a bit. I recommend you all stay here, other than Lucinda who, regretfully, has to risk herself by identifying those potential terrorists.”

“I’ll go, too,” Mom said. “Might help in the long run.”

They all left, and Lorraine took her hand off Serene’s mouth. “While Kitty’s on her honeymoon, Claudia and I are going to teach you two things. When to tell Kitty something the moment you learn it, and when to keep your mouth shut.”

Jareen chuckled. “Naked Apes really make things exciting. When Neeraj and I were joined, we just went to the head Iguanodon, made a couple of promises, hugged and kissed, and that was it.”

“I want to get married on your planet.”

“You don’t have time. The wait list for joinings is ten years. Our little wrinkle is that only the head Iguanodon can join anybody. See? Each planet has its stupidities.”

“I’ll bet you twenty of my dollars my planet’s wi

Jareen gri

CHAPTER 70

DOREEN CALLED IRVING, then went off to perform crowd control of the younger A-Cs. We heard a lot of ruckus start. My phone rang.

“Girlfriend, what did you just start?”

“You know, you didn’t have to carry the weight of the world by yourself, James.”

He sighed. “Yeah, I did. It was a specific, personal request.”

“You are the best, and I love you, you know that, right?”

“Right. So, what’s happening? Richard won’t allow any of the wedding party to leave the groom’s room.”

“Good. Keep Jeff and Christopher in there, in particular. That mean Mister Reynolds got a tip there were terrorists disguised as the A-C Diplomatic Corps trying to kill off all the high-ranking A-Cs as well as the head of the P.T.C.U. and the head of the C.I.A.’s ET division. We are very worried about where the real Diplomatic Corps is, of course, and will have to ensure these people tell us what they did with the real A-Cs.”