Alien in the Family

I considered this. “Why? What’s going on that’s made whoever’s in that post seem either like the greatest option around or so necessary that things’ll go to pieces if he takes off?”

Alexander looked uncomfortable. “Nothing out of the ordinary.” This was mumbled. I wondered how they managed to lie to each other and why they were even trying to lie to us when it never worked.

Chuckie smiled at me. “I’m so proud.” He looked at Alexander. “I want the answer, too. Now.”

Alexander nodded. “My great-uncle has . . . certain views. Many feel those views are outdated.”

“We are all tired of living under the yoke and control of Alpha Four,” Neeraj said from the holding cell.

“No one turned the intercom off?” Chuckie sounded exasperated.

“It would not matter,” Willem said. “We can hear you through the glass.”

“We’re a good twenty-five feet away,” I pointed out.

Willem shrugged. “We can still hear you. Clearly.”

“All of you, or just the Major Doggies?” We all got closer to the holding cell. Clearly, stepping away hadn’t made a difference.

Willem looked like he really wanted to snarl at me, but he glanced at the Poofs on my shoulders and controlled it. “We Canus Majorians have the best hearing, but the Feliniads and the Reptilians also have hearing above that of any others in our solar system.”

Felicia nodded. “Those from Betas Five and Six are much closer to Earth people in terms of abilities.”

I wondered if this meant they were closer to us in terms of ability to be treacherous, but I didn’t voice it. “They have one heart, so that makes some sort of sense. How’s your sense of smell?”

Willem gri

Felicia sniffed. “Not that we can create enthusiasm for your choices.”

“Sorry, we’ll round up some interstellar rats for you. Oh! Quick thought! They’re probably in the room with you right now.”

Chuckie and Martini both chuckled while Felicia’s eyes narrowed, and she flexed her claws. I got the impression she was willing to see if she could take the Poofs, which was, all things considered, sort of impressive.

White cleared his throat. “However, the issue at hand is the current political situation. Feel free to share that with us. For example, there was no Planetary Council before we left, but I have no idea what may have changed since then.”

“I’d bet not much.” Chuckie looked at Queen Renata. “Because I don’t buy that the Alpha Four government has ever okayed a Planetary Council.”

She nodded. “They have not. We are all considered dissidents, in that sense, not just my planet.”

“Well, not completely,” Alexander corrected. “The Reptilians and Feliniads are considered allies, particularly when it comes to dealing with the other planets.”

Chuckie looked over at the prisoners. “Do you agree with that assessment?”

Neeraj, Felicia, and Willem came to the window. The others started to move, I looked at a Poof on my shoulder, and they stayed put. “We would, to a degree,” Neeraj said. “We and the Feliniads have been sentient and space-traveling almost as long as those from Alpha Four. However, because they successfully reached space and the other planets in our system first, they insist they are the leaders. In all things.”

“Some of their laws we don’t mind,” Felicia said. “Most we do.”

“None are allowed to travel the solar system without Alpha Four’s permission,” Willem added. “Let alone go beyond.”

“How did you all get here, then? How did you have interstellar ships at hand? Or did you jack some Alpha Four ships along with the Poofs?”

Neeraj glared at me. “Our ships are our own. We all are capable of interstellar flight on our own, and Alpha Four allows us to build our own vessels.”

“Because they might need us,” Felicia added.

“Do the parasites show up on your worlds?” Martini asked.

Neeraj shook his head. “We all have ozone shields protecting us. One of the gifts from Alpha Four.”

“And something they could remove if they chose to,” Willem added.

“Wow, bossy and nasty. What a fun combo. But, no one’s answered my question about the Chief Councillor.”

“His name is Leyton Leonidas,” Alexander said.

“Say that five times fast.”

“I’m sorry? I don’t understand you,” he said politely.

“Few ever do. So, what’s Leonidas done to stay in the job so long?”

“He has walked a careful line between support of the monarchy and support of planet’s rights,” Queen Renata answered. “He is truly a great man.”

Coming from the Queen of the Amazons, I had to figure this meant Leonidas was beyond impressive, at least in terms of his political skills.

“Queen Renata is correct,” Neeraj agreed. “His skills have kept all the planets in check since well before the attack on Alpha Four’s monarch.”

“He also suggested the idea of the Planetary Council,” Felicia added. “Though that’s not widely known among the people. Any of the people.”

“You’re all high up in your world governments?”

They nodded. “None of us are the leaders,” Willem said. “We are more like him.” He pointed to Gower.

“The high-level, in-the-know advisers?” That’s what Gower was for the Pontifex, in one sense. More nods. “So, not really diplomats like you told us when you got here.” Though, of course, Gower was probably the head diplomat on Alpha Team.

“We are here on a diplomatic mission, in that sense,” Queen Renata said. “We desperately need Earth’s help.”

“To do what?” Martini asked. “Because if it’s to bring back a new king of Alpha Four, you’re out of luck.”

“No,” Felicia said. “What we truly need is protection and emancipation from Alpha Four’s control.”

“But I’m not sure you’ve earned that,” Chuckie said. “You’ve come in disguise, undercover, and have lied about your intentions. We don’t tend to support governments that do that.”

Felicia snorted. “Oh, really? Let us give you a term I know your country is familiar with. We are freedom fighters, requesting assistance to remove ourselves from the yoke of tyra

“Wow, you’re good.” Hey, I was impressed.

Felicia looked extremely smug. “Radio waves travel.”

“So we’ve heard. And that reminds me, we still have to figure out what Kyrellis is doing.”

“I would like to question Moira,” Queen Renata said. “Perhaps I can get some information from her you could not.”

Chuckie shrugged. “Fine with me.” He smiled the evil smile I was fairly sure my mother must have taught him. “I’d like to question the ‘freedom fighters.’ Without a lot of witnesses. And before we have anyone from the Diplomatic Corps in attendance.”

The emissaries looked a little worried, especially when Martini smiled. Apparently my mother had taught him the scary smile, too. “You’re the boss.”

CHAPTER 33

ALL NONESSENTIAL PERSONNEL WERE SENT back to their jobs, guards were doubled around the holding cell and given orders to do whatever Chuckie said, and we took Queen Renata down to visit Moira. Wasn’t my preferred plan, but it had to be tried.

“I don’t think Moira’s going to see the light.”

“I’m sure she will not,” Queen Renata sighed. “However, I must try.”

“Think Reynolds will get more out of the rest of them?” Martini asked me quietly as we headed down in the elevator.

“Yes, and even if he doesn’t, I know he’s still studying the A-C system, so he’ll get something from that.”

“Getting it memorized?”

“He already has it memorized. He’s doing analysis now, I assume. While doing the interrogations.”

“You think he walks on water, don’t you?”

“Wow, that sounds so jealous. I’m going to pretend it wasn’t said with so much sarcasm. And, no. I know how smart he is. Jeff, he’s in an incredibly powerful position, very young. He’s not there because he has co