Invasive Species

by Cassandra Chandler

  Tracey stiffened in Kyle’s arms.

  “You can’t just take us away from our home.” There was no way Kyle was letting Tracey be carted off to an alien planet.

  Alan spun his chair around so they were facing. “Earth is about to be ground zero for a social revolution. A violent one. We’ll all be safer on an obscure dome world.”

  “I have a family,” Tracey said. “I’m not leaving them behind.”

  “We don’t have room for more,” Alan said.

  “And I’m not taking them to another planet.” Tracey shook her head. “Earth is my home, and I’ll fight to protect it.”

  “So will I,” Kyle said.

  “Even if it means your deaths?” Alan asked.

  “Yeah.” Tracey and Kyle’s voices merged as they answered at once.

  Alan sighed. He stared at Kyle for a few long moments. “I don’t even know your name.”

  “It’s Kyle.” Kyle’s voice came out sterner than he’d anticipated.

  He understood that his dad wasn’t aware Kyle existed. He really did. But there was still a knot of emotions in Kyle’s gut that he didn’t know how to sort through.

  “Kyle.” Alan smiled, and the knot loosened a little. “I want to hear everything. I want to know how this happened—how you happened. But you have to know by now that there’s no place for you on Earth, or Tau Ceti. Either species will dissect you.”

  “Actually, he’s appeared human for his entire life,” Carol said.

  Alan’s brow furrowed. “What?”

  “I created a chemical agent that suppressed his Tau Ceti DNA.” Carol glanced at Kyle briefly. “He missed his dose this morning, allowing it to manifest.”

  “How did you manage that with Earth-based technology?” Alan said.

  Carol’s eyebrows lifted and her mouth dropped open. She recovered quickly, but Kyle knew that guilty look. It was shocking enough that she’d been working with smugglers of any kind, least of all alien Bigfeet. But there was more to it than that.

  “You used alien technology to do it, didn’t you?” Kyle asked.

  Alan rotated his chair toward her. “Carol?”

  “I had to do something.” She gestured to Kyle, and said, “You were born green. Thank God I’d had the foresight to have a trusted friend assist with the home birth in my lab instead of having you at a hospital. And it turned out she had…certain connections.”

  “What kind of ‘connections’?” Alan said.

  Carol shrugged with one shoulder. “She’s the one who introduced me to the Lyrians.”

  “Lyrians?” Alan’s eyes widened.

  She nodded. “They’ve been operating on Earth for a very long time.”

  “I don’t care about the giant alien Bigfoot,” Kyle said. “My priority is getting Tracey safely back to her family—her life. And…” He looked up at her. “I’d like to be part of it.”

  “I’d like that, too.” Tracey smiled. “But I’d also really like to meet those Bigfeet. Bigfoots?”

  She glanced over at Carol, who pointedly said, “Lyrians.”

  “Could we ask them for help?” Kyle said.

  “We might be able to convince them to trade what you need to help Kyle for the parts of this ship,” Alan said. “Especially if they’ve helped you before. But then we’d be stranded on Earth.”

  Carol reached over and took his hand in hers. “Is it really that bad?”

  “The Reckoning is coming,” Alan said.

  Tracey shifted in Kyle’s lap. “That sounds really bad.”

  “It’s just a Coalition ship.” Carol rolled her eyes. “They like to sound important, so they give their ships self-aggrandizing names.”

  “You really have been talking with Lyrians,” Alan said.

  “What’s the Reckoning going to do when it gets here?” Kyle asked.

  Alan shrugged. “We don’t know. They might arrest everyone who’s made contact with Earthlings and try to purge the planet of alien influence. Or, if they think it’s too contaminated, they might bring it into the Coalition.”

  “That doesn’t sound too bad,” Tracey said.

  “And strip it of all resources, turning Earth into yet another world that’s incapable of supporting life outside of domes,” Alan finished.

  Tracey leaned into Kyle’s chest harder. “Okay. That sounds bad.”

  He wrapped his arms around her, and said, “We’re not going to let that happen.”

  “There are only four of us,” Alan said. “What do you expect to accomplish?”

  Carol suddenly sat straighter in her chair. “We aren’t the only ones working toward protecting Earth.”

  “Okay, now you’re talking,” Tracey said. “But about who, exactly?”

  “The Department of Homeworld Security.” Carol beamed. “It’s a group of humans and aliens working together to preserve Earth’s rights and resources, no matter what happens with the Coalition. And they’re based on Earth.” She turned to Alan, and said, “If we join them, Kyle can stay on Earth and still be safe. Or as safe as anyone is in the galaxy nowadays.”

  “I like the sound of that,” Tracey said. “Well, the part about Kyle staying on Earth. The rest of it is kind of terrifying, actually.”

  “Alan, you can be with us, too,” Carol said.

  The knot in Kyle’s stomach tightened again. He’d dreamed of having his family whole when he was a child, but he’d given up on that long ago. Now, he realized his dream was a hell of a lot more complex than he’d ever imagined. That didn’t mean he was ready to walk—or rocket—away from it.

  “They won’t accept a Tau Ceti,” Alan said. “We’ve had clashes with them already. But they might accept Kyle.”

  “Alan…” The hope and optimism on Carol’s face clouded.

  “Turn the ship around,” Kyle said. “We’re going back. All of us. We’re going to make this work.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Aliens, spaceships, her homeworld in danger, and the hottest—and greenest—guy she’d ever hooked up with standing at her side… Tracey felt like one of her favorite books had come to life all around her, equal parts amazing and terrifying. She focused on the amazing part as she looked out the open ramp to the sandy ground below.

  “Florida, huh?” Tracey said. “Who knew they were so close.”

  “This is their newer base.” Carol walked up next to her. “Both bases are led by a mated pair of Sadirians and Earthlings, but from what Craig has said, I think we have a better chance of being accepted by this couple.”

  “Nothing to be nervous about, then.” Tracey wiped her sweaty palms against her pants. “They already get the whole alien-human connection, I guess.”

  “You don’t have to do this,” Kyle said.

  “I know.” She stood on her tip-toes and brushed a kiss across his lips. “But I’m going to do it anyway.”

  She turned toward the ramp and glanced to Carol.

  “Ready?” Tracey asked.

  Carol nodded. They headed out through the open hatch.

  Heat and humidity assailed Tracey’s senses. Insects droned. Her feet sank into the soft sand as they walked a few steps away from the ship.

  “I think I might prefer the Montana base.” Carol swatted at her neck. “If we end up getting to choose.”

  “I feel you.” Tracey looked around at the trees surrounding them. Clumps of silvery moss hung from the branches. Everything was still in the swampy air. She craned her neck around toward the ship, and said, “Are you sure we have the right place?”

  “Just give them a minute,” Alan said.

  Tracey turned back to the forest, and shouted, “We come in peace.”

  “Tracey…” Kyle hissed.

  “It’s not working,” she murmured. “Take us to your leader!”

  The air around them began to shimmer in a dozen places.

  “Oh shit,” she said. “No more talking, Tracey!”

  Carol held up her hands. “Remember, no sudden movements.”

>   Tracey quickly raised her hands. Damn, she really needed to work on the ‘no sudden’ part of that.

  The shimmers coalesced into a dozen small forms. Four-foot tall emerald green lizards surrounded them, standing on their hind legs, long tails whipping around. None of them carried weapons, but a line of metal ran down their backs and encircled their limbs and tails in bands of silver. They had stripes on their skin as well, each in different vibrant colors.

  “Oh my God,” Tracey said. “You guys are so cute!”

  “Tracey…” Carol warned.

  “Right, sorry.” Tracey cleared her throat. “We come in peace.”

  “We’re looking for the Department of Homeworld Security,” Carol said. “We seek sanctuary.”

  The closest lizard-person-alien-thing cocked its head to the side. The stripes on her side were a rich purple. “What sanctuary do you seek?”

  Tracey tried really hard not to squee. They were even cuter when they talked. But they also probably had sharp teeth and would eat her face off if she offended them.

  She forced her face into a serious expression. “Two of our group are Tau Ceti. Well, one is a Tau Ceti. Tau Cetian? Anyway, and the other is a human-Tau Ceti hybrid.”

  A wave of motion flowed across the group, accompanied by hisses and clicks and pops. It sounded more excited than angry.

  She hoped.

  “Calm yourselves,” the first to speak said. She turned back to Tracey and said, “We would see this hybrid. And the other one.” She waved her tiny four-fingered hand in a dismissive gesture.

  “Kyle,” Tracey called. “You can come out now. I think we found your people.”

  She turned to watch Kyle and his dad walk down the ramp. Alan came first, hands relaxed at his sides. Kyle followed, looking decidedly more anxious.

  Another wave of chitters, hisses, and pops sounded among the lizard-people. Several ran toward Kyle, who quickly raised his hands into the air.

  The closest lizard to Kyle had stripes the same blue as the water off tropical islands with white sands. She clasped her hands together in front of her, her lips pulling into what looked like a huge smile. In a high, sibilant voice, she said, “He’s so cute!”

  “Cyan,” the purple-striped lizard snapped. “Compose yourself.”

  Cyan snorted, her tail lashing behind her as if agitated. It calmed when she looked at Kyle again.

  “Yeah, Cyan.” Tracey pointed at Kyle, and said, “Just so you know, I have dibs.”

  Cyan kept smiling at Kyle as if she hadn’t heard Tracey speak.

  “O…kay,” Tracey said.

  “I was expecting a Sadirian vessel.” Alan glanced around at the new aliens surrounding them. “Not…”

  “Not a full contingent of combat trained Vegans?” the purple striped lizard said.

  Cyan finally turned away from Kyle. “You focus too much on combat, Violet.”

  “Vegans?” Alan had paled. “Not… I mean, you couldn’t be…”

  “The legendary creators of all Coalition technology?” Violet said. “And the technology that has been derived from it?”

  Alan stammered. “I didn’t expect… I mean, we thought you were legend.”

  “We are not,” she hissed. “And it is our new home that you intrude upon, Tau Ceti.”

  Tracey stepped forward, wanting to defuse what seemed like a volatile situation. “We’re just trying to find a way to be safe—well, relatively safe—and help our homeworld. Well, and his family’s homeworld.” She gestured at Alan. “We thought the Department of Homeworld Security would understand.”

  “Violet, peace,” Cyan said. “These beings seek sanctuary.”

  “And we will decide whether they receive it,” Violet said.

  “You will decide?” A woman suddenly appeared behind Violet. Out of nowhere.

  She looked human, with dark brown hair and eyes, and was wearing a green sundress. The same type of silver bands that the lizard-people wore were visible along her arms, legs, and neck, though.

  A man appeared behind her—if “man” could encapsulate him. “Hulk” would work. Or giant.

  He also looked human, aside from pushing seven feet tall and being so muscled, Tracey thought he might be able to pick up their ship and toss it like a football. His thick neck and limbs also sported the silver bands. But he was wearing khaki cargo shorts and a bright Hawaiian patterned T-shirt.

  Violet bowed and stepped back. “Only in absence of the Protector. I did not mean to overstep my authority.”

  “You never do.” The woman smiled at Tracey.

  “State your mission, Tau Ceti,” the huge man said.

  “To protect the people we care about.” Kyle stepped forward and interlaced his fingers with Tracey’s.

  She smiled up at him. “And our homeworld.”

  “Okay, I was talking to the Tau Ceti,” the man said. “And you two are not…” He gestured at Kyle, and said, “Well, I don’t know what you are.”

  “He’s a hybrid offspring.” Carol walked over to Alan and linked her arm in his.

  The huge man stared at them for several moments. “I don’t really know how to process this.”

  “Ari, come on,” the woman said. “It’s obvious. They fell in love, and a miracle happened.”

  Tracey laughed. “A great big green miracle.”

  “You know, you can stop pointing out that I’m green any time you want,” Kyle said.

  “That will not be happening soon.” Tracey smiled up at him. “Just so you know.”

  “I’m Sarah.” The woman stepped forward and extended her hand.

  Since Tracey was the one whose right hand was free, she took it and shook it. “I’m Tracey. Garden-variety human. That’s Carol, who’s the same—except a wicked smart geneticist. The Tau Ceti eye-candy on her arm is Alan, and this gorgeous hybrid is Kyle. My Kyle.” She glared pointedly at Cyan, who continued to ignore her.

  “You can all also stop calling me ‘hybrid’,” Kyle said.

  Tracey leaned forward and whispered, “He only turned green this morning, and he’s a little sensitive about it.”

  “Why sensitive?” Cyan had inched forward and was picking at the hem of Kyle’s shirt. “He is the prettiest being with Sadirian DNA I have ever seen.”

  Tracey stifled a laugh. “Did you hear that? She thinks you’re pretty.”

  Kyle’s scowl deepened.

  “This is all highly suspect,” Ari said. “How do we know it isn’t some sort of deception?”

  “You don’t,” Tracey said. “We’re asking for a chance to earn your trust.”

  Kyle put his arm around her shoulders. “We don’t want to leave our home. And we don’t want it to fall into anyone else’s hands—not the Coalition or the Tau Ceti. We’re having enough problems taking care of it ourselves.”

  Ari jerked his head toward Alan. “And you sanction this? You turn your back on your people?”

  “Have you met many Tau Ceti?” Alan said.

  Ari’s face remained as stony as ever. “Fair enough. But what do we do when you begin to crave the chemicals your kind siphons from humans?”

  “He won’t,” Carol said. “He never bit me when we were together. Not once.”

  “I never wanted to.” Alan smiled at her. “Being with Carol makes me happy enough on my own. And that was before I knew we had a family.”

  Violet made a gagging sound. Tracey tried not to laugh, even though her nerves were pulled so tight that her emotions were all over the place.

  So much was riding on this. There was no way she could go back to her mundane life. No way she could leave Kyle.

  And if the planet was in that much danger, she wanted to be in the know. She wanted to help.

  Sarah looked at the group and nodded, as if coming to some internal decision. “I’ve seen enough for now. We’re going to give them a chance.”

  Tracey’s knees felt weak. She sagged against Kyle’s side and let him support her.

  “Be advised that my fri
ends here will be watching,” Sarah said. “And you can never quite be sure when they’re around.”

  Violet’s smile seemed to have a faintly malevolent cast to it. “We will see to your ship and make sure you have appropriate quarters. Our base of operations here is too small to house you, so you will be relocated to Montana.”

  “Will they accept us, though?” Tracey’s stomach knotted up all over again.

  Sarah smirked. “They won’t risk pissing off the Protector of the Vegans. And I’ve got a soft spot for happy endings.”

  Tracey and Sarah stared at each other for a moment before bursting out laughing.

  “That sounded so wrong.” Kyle shook his head.

  Ari let out a groan. “Now there are two of them.”

  Tracey looked up at Kyle and said, “This was a hell of a first date. I can’t wait to see what you do to top it.”

  “Me? It’s your turn to plan the next one.” He leaned close and whispered, “Good luck with that.”

  “Oh crap.”

  He kissed her, wet and warm and deep, and she didn’t even care that they were surrounded by a bunch of aliens or that his parents were…probably averting their eyes and profoundly uncomfortable.

  She heard a tittering giggle and another gagging sound and finally broke from the kiss. Looking down, she saw Cyan covering her mouth with her little hands, her green cheeks decidedly rosey. Violet was glaring at them.

  Tracey let out a huge laugh at the absurdity of it all. It was hard to believe any of it was real. But it was her new life.

  “I think I’m going to love it here,” she said.

  —

  The Reckoning is on the way, and things for our friends in the Department of Homeworld Security are getting tense! And they aren’t the only ones with problems. Read on for a sneak peek at Export Duty.

  Export Duty

  The Department of Homeworld Security

  Book Nine

  Chapter One

  Lily was heading into a trap. She felt it in her bones as her truck bounced along the uneven gravel and sand that led to the small bungalow at the end of the lane. When she was close to the house, she turned off the engine, but didn’t get out of the truck. She needed to plot out contingency plans.