Alien in the Family

He cleared his throat. “I would phrase it more that we are aware of the vital role the royal Poofs play in the control and progression of the monarchy, and while we are saddened that our last king has met his end, we rejoice that we will shortly crown a new king.”

“Wow, you’re really good with the doublespeak.”

I got a nod that was more like a bow. “You flatter me. I am Chief Councillor Leonidas.”

“I guessed.”

Leonidas’ lips quirked, but he kept the solemn going. “May I present Princess Victoria?”

She did the little head bow. “And you are?”

“I’m Kitty. Sorry about Gregory.” Sort of not really, but it’s what you’re supposed to say to someone when you’ve killed her son. “Not so sorry about King Megalomaniac, though, I have to admit.”

“He should have known better.” I assumed she meant the king. “Who killed Gregory?”

Tito was next to me, Gregory’s body in his arms. “I did.” He laid the body down and stepped back. “And I’d do it again. He was trying to destroy our world and your world, too.” ACE was projecting everyone’s voices, as near as I could tell.

Victoria nodded solemnly to Tito. “Your guard is forgiven.”

“My guard?”

“She means me,” Tito said. “Thank you, Your Highness.” It dawned on me that Tito was staying up here in case someone else tried anything. Gower was right, I did hire well.

“Love the Poofs, I must say.”

“They are very loyal.” Victoria closed her eyes. “Alexander?”

“I’m here, Mother,” he called to her. He was still in the Plaza, and Chuckie was holding him up. “I fought against Gregory, against our king. And I have aligned with these people now. And for what they stand for and believe in.”

Victoria looked straight at me. “I saw what you showed us. We do have laws,” she said quietly. “My uncle was a traitor and the reason my eldest son is dead. He did nothing when my grandfather forced my sister and cousins, forced his own son, to leave our world. If Alfred were here, this would not have happened.”

“True. But he’s not.”

“His son is.” Leonidas pointed to Martini. “Have you come back, to rule us as we should be ruled? To protect this world and solar system and all who dwell in it?”

I turned around and wiped my face of all expression, at least I hoped I did. This was why I’d wanted ACE to block my emotions from Martini, after all—I didn’t have any place in the decision he had to make.

Martini looked around. There was a lot of whispering and pointing. Kitty, they will accept Jeff, if Jeff declares.

I know.

“You want me to declare as king of this world?” Martini shouted. ACE projected his voice, too. There was a lot of murmuring, and I heard some agreement.

“Yes,” Victoria said. “We need a strong king to lead us.”

“Really?” Martini looked around again. “You kicked my family off this world and exiled us to Earth. You set that planet up, set us up. And now that Granddad’s proved to be exactly what you deserved, you want a change in the leadership?”

“Yes,” Leonidas said. “Not only Alpha Four, but the entire solar system requires strong, compassionate leadership. You are clearly a leader, and a good one. We need you. You are one of us as you can never be one with Earth. We ask you to take your rightful place here, where you have always belonged.”

“Gee, tempting offer. Of course, let me guess—I can’t bring my family back here, can I?”

“You would be the king,” Victoria said. “You could do as you wished. Let me show you what you would rule.” She waved her hands, and it was as though a big screen opened up above us and we were watching IMAX. The Doobie Brother’s “‘Takin’It to the Streets” came on. Clearly ACE enjoyed having a soundtrack.

Alpha Four was pretty amazing—deserts, yes, but they were beautiful, more than Earth’s. The seas were blue, and the industry was mature and functioning. Every part of the world was rich in something, and it seemed prosperous.

The images on Victoria’s super-IMAX changed, and we saw the solar system. I’d seen it before, six months ago when ACE had moved through me to join Gower. It was an intricate and intriguing place, each planet moving in a strange dance with the others. Victoria showed us glimpses of the other worlds as well, each different from Earth, each one fascinating in its own right.

She returned us to the palace and what I assumed was the royal city where the king would live. It was beautiful, impressive, lush. Nothing like a room in the Dulce Science Center or Caliente Base. A very little bit like what Martini Manor was like, but on a grander, better scale.

Now we saw the people, and it was odd to see so many of them. They all looked pretty great to human eyes, though I could tell some were happier than others. In fact, it was clear that not all the people were happy.

Victoria closed her hands and the images disappeared. “See what you would rule over? Alpha Four leads the other planets. You would be the most powerful man in this galaxy. You could do whatever you wished, bring your family here, do more than that.”

“Like what?” Martini asked. “You showed me a lot of nice things. I saw the people making them happen. It’s not all perfect here.”

Leonidas shrugged. “Then come rule us and make changes. The king’s word is law—you could enact any reforms you felt were needed.” I didn’t doubt that Leonidas had an entire list of suggested reforms on hand. If he was truly as Alexander had described, I figured Leonidas was praying Martini would say yes, because he’d finally get as king the kind of leader he was himself—the good kind.

I tried not to think about what Martini was going to choose. He was a protector, had been all his life, and now an entire solar system needed him. A solar system I couldn’t stay in. The one thing I knew Adolphus had said that was true was that I’d failed the tests for marriage. Martini couldn’t be king here and marry me. But then, he was the person who’d really taught me that the good of the many comes before the good of the few.

Queen Renata was next to Martini, and she whispered something in his ear. He nodded, and she whispered some more. He nodded again, then Queen Renata went and spoke to Christopher, Gower, and Michael.

Martini looked around. Christopher, Gower, and Michael were next to him. “I’d like to see what the others in the bloodline have to say about this.”

Christopher nodded and stepped forward with Michael’s help. “I respectfully decline the kingship of Alpha Four, for me and the descendants of my line. I will serve Alpha Four if my acknowledged leader serves or requests it, and I will not if he does not.” He put his hand on Martini’s shoulder.

Michael helped his brother get to Martini’s other side. “I speak for my brother and myself,” Gower said. “We respectfully decline the kingship of Alpha Four, for us and all the descendants in our lines. We will serve Alpha Four if our acknowledged leader serves or requests it, and we will not if he does not.” Like Christopher, he put his hand on Martini’s other shoulder.

Victoria and Leonidas looked back at Martini. “The others have declined,” he said. “You are the only hope our world, our system has. What is your decision?”

Martini didn’t look at them when he answered. He looked straight at me. “I respectfully decline the kingship of Alpha Four, for me and all descendants in my line. I have another life, and it doesn’t belong here, so neither do I.”

CHAPTER 56

I MANAGED NOT TO BURST INTO TEARS. ACE is allowing Jeff access to Kitty’s feelings again.

Thanks, big guy.

Victoria was standing there in shock. Leonidas didn’t look shocked—he looked worried, and a little hopeful, at least when he glanced at Alexander.