by Gini Koch
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Acknowledgements
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 45
CHAPTER 46
CHAPTER 47
CHAPTER 48
CHAPTER 49
CHAPTER 50
CHAPTER 51
CHAPTER 52
CHAPTER 53
CHAPTER 54
CHAPTER 55
CHAPTER 56
CHAPTER 57
CHAPTER 58
CHAPTER 59
CHAPTER 60
CHAPTER 61
CHAPTER 62
CHAPTER 63
CHAPTER 64
CHAPTER 65
CHAPTER 66
CHAPTER 67
CHAPTER 68
CHAPTER 69
CHAPTER 70
CHAPTER 71
CHAPTER 72
CHAPTER 73
CHAPTER 74
CHAPTER 75
CHAPTER 76
CHAPTER 77
CHAPTER 78
CHAPTER 79
CHAPTER 80
CHAPTER 81
CHAPTER 82
CHAPTER 83
CHAPTER 84
CHAPTER 85
CHAPTER 86
CHAPTER 87
CHAPTER 88
Teaser chapter
DAW Books Presents GINI KOCH’s
JEFF GLARED AT CHUCKIE AS HE WALKED IN.
“Why are you still here?”
“Because we have a problem,” Chuckie said. He wasn’t looking at Jeff or me, and he was still pacing.
Jeff somehow reined in the jealousy all on his own. Either he wanted to impress me, or Chuckie’s stress levels were particularly high. I figured on the latter. He shot a worried glance at Chuckie, then looked at me. “With the C.I.A.?”
“In a way. More with what you were doing in Paris.”
Jeff nodded. “Whatever we were fighting, they weren’t superbeings.”
I felt all proud. “See, Chuckie? Someone other than us was monitoring the weird.”
Chuckie heaved a sigh. “And that makes it better how?”
“Pardon me, Mister Glass Half Empty.”
“It doesn’t,” Jeff agreed. “We have nothing left to study.”
“You weren’t able to contain them any other way?” Chuckie asked.
“No. We weren’t the ones who destroyed them.”
“This delightful romp has many interesting twists and turns as it glances at racism, politics, and religion en route. It will have fanciers of cinematic sf parodies referencing Men in Black, Ghost Busters, and X-Men.”
—Booklist (starred review)
DAW Books Presents GINI KOCH’s
Alien Novels:
TOUCHED BY AN ALIEN
ALIEN TANGO
ALIEN IN THE FAMILY
ALIEN PROLIFERATION
ALIEN DIPLOMACY
(coming in April 2012)
Copyright © 2011 by Jeanne Cook.
All Rights Reserved.
DAW Book Collectors No. 1569.
DAW Books are distributed by Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious.
Any resemblance to persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal, and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
Nearly all the designs and trade names in this book are registered trademarks. All that are still in commercial use are protected by United States and international trademark law.
First Printing, December 2011
ISBN : 978-1-101-55240-7
DAW TRADEMARK REGISTERED
U.S. PAT. AND TM. OFF. AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES
—MARCA REGISTRADA
HECHO EN U.S.A.
S.A.
http://us.penguingroup.com
To Veronica, Michelle, Zachary, Hunter and Preston —for being here.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’m running out of creative ways to thank Sheila Gilbert and Cherry Weiner, my editor and agent, or Lisa Dovichi and Mary Fiore, my crit partner and main beta reader. So this time around, the simple “you’re the best in the world” will have to suffice.
Thanks again to everyone I thanked the last times, anyone I might have missed at any time, and everyone else added onto my own Alpha Team along the way, for all you do and keep on doing—you know who you are and why I love and appreciate you.
Love and thanks again and always to Team Gini, all those on Hook Me Up!, and all Alien Collective Members in Very Good Standing around the globe—you remain the best fans in the world and each and every one of you continue to totally rock my world. Extra love again and always to the legion of book review bloggers who continue to support books in general and my books in particular. *Smootchies* to all my Twitter peeps and Facebook folks, just ’cause.
Extra shout outs to: Nicole Snyder for being my consistent entourage and cheering section at what seems like every con; Terese Simpson for always being ready to meet me at Brent’s (and stay for hours) whenever I’m in L.A.; Adrian and Lisa Payne for always showing up at my signings, with smiling faces and books in hand; everyone who came out to see me when I was in NYC, both at Posman Books (waves madly to Stacey Agdern) and other less exciting locations, particularly those who came from far, far away and through all kinds of wet and windy weather (love you ALL), just to see me; authors Marsheila Rockwell, Seanan McGuire, Amber Scott, Erin Kellison, and Erin Quinn for writing awesome books I love as well as making me laugh and feel like a much bigger author than I probably am every time I talk to or see them; everyone at DAW Books, but most especially Joshua Starr, Marsha Jones, and Debra Euler who manage to handle every frantic email or call from me with aplomb, speed, and efficiency; and my Sanity Buddies—Helen King, Colette Vernon, Linda Artac, Tina Barker, and Dixie McMullan—the gals who drag me off and out of the house for the occasional reminder that there’s life away from my computer.
Last, but in no way least, the biggest thanks and all my love to the two people who make this all worthwhile, my husband, Steve, and daughter, Veronica. I continue to be the luckiest wife, mother, and author because you’re in my life.
YOU’D THINK AFTER FIGHTING parasitic jellyfish things from space that turn humans into fugly monsters, fending off some killer a
lligators while dodging mystery explosives, and warding off an alien invasion, I’d be able to handle anything, right?
Right!
Um, well, let’s define “handle.”
From what I’ve read and every single freaking person on the planet I’ve talked to has told me, pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman’s life. None of them mentioned the nausea, hypersensitivity, headaches, blurry vision, or exhaustion. Nope, it’s all ducks and bunnies and blue bears and purple dinosaurs.
Of course, the few people whose information actually counts don’t quite agree. There are only a few of them, because there are only a few of us, so far—those who’ve gone where no other women have gone before—interspecies procreation. What can I say? I like to be cutting edge.
When you’re married to an alien from Alpha Four of the Alpha Centauri system, there are benefits. Jeff’s smart, funny, and drop dead gorgeous. He also has two hearts, which gives him hyperspeed, superhuman strength, and amazing regenerative powers that are particularly pleasant in the bedroom. He’s also the strongest empath on Earth and, most likely, the galaxy. Which means I never have to whine for the tummy and foot rubs, and he knows my odd food cravings before I do.
The downside is that human-alien hybrid babies have human genetics dominant for the outside and A-C genetics dominant for the inside. You try being kicked by a hyperspeeding supermule for five months straight and then tell me it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
But no worries! Plenty of women continue in their careers while they’re preggers. Oh, sure, I’m dealing with end of the world as we know it stuff, but hey, I take on megalomaniacs and psychopaths for breakfast! Got an entire extended team who’re all at the top of their respective games. What could they possibly throw at us that we haven’t seen before?
I mean, you know, besides what we haven’t seen before? Something tells me I should be worried about this, but pressing duty calls—it’s time for my nap.
CHAPTER 1
THE DAY STARTED OUT like all the days had in recent memory—I was confined to my bed while everyone else got to do fun things like fly jets, kill the random parasitic superbeing that might have passed up the Alpha Centaurion system for a vacation out Earth’s way, or just walk around. Interspecies pregnancy, it was a joy.
Jeff came out of our walk-in closet like always, in his perfectly fitted black Armani suit and white shirt, tightening his tie. This meant nothing, other than he was dressed and ready for action. A-Cs love their Armani and formality.
He hypersped our breakfast trays to the living room area of our living quarters—what I called his Human Lair—zoomed back, leaned down, gave me a kiss, and rubbed my tummy. “How’re you feeling, baby?”
“Bored, frustrated, tired, and, oh, did I mention bored?”
I got the standard “good husband chuckle” that I’d gotten really used to these past couple of months. “It won’t be for too much longer.”
The com came to life. “Commander Martini, situation in Paris. Euro Base is requesting you and Commander White, and I quote, immediately if not sooner.”
Jeff went from relaxed to all business immediately. “Got it, Gladys. I’ll meet Commander White at the launch area.” He gave me the hairy eyeball. “And you’ll be staying in bed.”
“Commander Martini, reminder that you have a meeting scheduled in less than an hour,” Gladys shared.
“Cancel it,” Jeff snapped.
“Sorry, Commander Martini, I assumed you were already at the launch site, since Euro Base has an emergency.” Gladys could get a lot of sarcasm into what, in other mouths, would be mere statements of fact. “I’m talking to Commander Mother-to-Be Martini.”
“Huh? Oh, me.” Right. Married name. You’d think I’d be used to it. Still wasn’t, almost nine months in. Barely used to thinking of Jeff as Jeff versus Martini, let alone thinking of myself as Kitty Martini versus Kitty Katt. And Gladys knew it, which was why I knew she enjoyed moments like this. “What are we talking about?”
“You have a meeting.” I couldn’t see her, but I felt sure Gladys was rolling her eyes.
“I do? Oh! Right, I do.”
I got a hairier eyeball from Jeff. “Just whom do you have a meeting with?”
“The C.I.A. Discussing what we’re going to do while I’m out for maternity leave.”
Jeff growled. “You mean Reynolds is going to be here, in our bedroom, with you, while I’m in Paris?” Jeff had disliked Charles Reynolds even before he’d found out that we’d known each other since ninth grade.
“No. I mean my oldest friend, one of my two best guy friends, and someone I’ve known since I was thirteen is going to be here, discussing work.” The growling continued. I heaved a sigh. “The jealousy chat. It’s been working so well with everyone else. Why do you persist in the Chuckie-jealousy?”
“Because I’m an empath, and I can feel exactly how he feels about you.”
“I’m sure he’s past it.”
“I’m sure he’s not.”
“Jeff, really, the jealousy is so hard to take right now.”
“It’s not jealousy. It’s fact. He’s still waiting. Patiently.” The way he said it, I realized he wasn’t kidding.
“Well, I don’t know why. I’m in love with you and have been pretty much since we met.”
“He’s not waiting for you to get tired of me. He’s waiting for me to make another mistake, where it makes more sense for you to leave me and go to him.” His expression made it clear he was reliving old guilt.
“Jeff, you were drugged out of your mind by our enemies. It was well over a year ago. And I was heartbroken, and all I wanted was to have it all have been a bad dream and you still love me. Which is what happened. Now, I’d love to continue to have this fight, again, but apparently Paris is calling you. I, on the other hand, get to have a video conference with people at the C.I.A. because, and this time I quote, your husband isn’t being at all cooperative.”
Jeff ran his hand through his hair. “They want things we can’t and shouldn’t give them.”
“No argument. Chuckie agrees with you. He’s trying to keep us from becoming the War Division. Isn’t it nice that the head of the C.I.A.’s Extraterrestrial Division is on our side?”
“He’s on your side, I’ll give you that.” Great, we were going to have the Chuckie Argument anyway. “He’s always ready to take care of you, isn’t he?”
“It wasn’t my idea to faint at C.I.A. headquarters.” In the middle of a really high-level discussion about Centaurion Division’s future, where I was representing Centaurion’s interests. Right into Chuckie’s arms, as it turned out. And right in front of the people I was supposed to be meeting with today. The fun never stopped.
“Yeah. Reynolds was all over the save on that one.”
“Chuckie caught me just in time, Jeff, and you know it. I’d have cracked my head open if he hadn’t been there.”
“There’s nothing like seeing the man you know still wants to take your wife away from you carrying her unconscious body in his arms to really make you feel good.”
Chuckie had proposed when Jeff and I were in the middle of a bizarre breakup that lasted a few hours but almost caused me to be killed, several times. That event still seemed easier than all the pregnancy stuff I’d been going through in the last few months.
“He was taking me to medical at the Science Center instead of letting a bunch of human doctors get me and take me away to perform horrible tests on me and our baby. Tito said he did the right thing medically, too, bringing me to Dulce.”
Tito Hernandez had been a medical student working three jobs in between cage fights when he’d helped me out in a big way during the fun interplanetary invasion that Jeff’s proposing to me had accidentally started. He was part of both Alpha and Airborne Teams now and, since he no longer had to work three jobs, had his medical degree. He was functioning as my personal OB/GYN for a variety of reasons.
Jeff grunted, and I was sure we were headed for the next
level of the Chuckie Argument, when the com crackled. I was fairly sure Gladys made it do that when she was annoyed. “Commander Martini? Will you ever be joining Commander White, or will he be handling the situation in Paris alone?”
“Fine, fine, be right there,” Jeff snapped. He gave me a good, long kiss. “I love you, baby. You behave.”
“Always. I love you, too. You be careful.”
“Always.”
He disappeared out of the room. Almost two years with Centaurion Division and the hyperspeed was still rather amazing. I took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and forced myself to relax.
“Gladys?” Many times I’d found that Gladys hadn’t actually turned the com off.
“Yes, Commander Martini?”
“Could you send the nice A-Cs with the video conferencing equipment down, and please ask someone, anyone, to help me finish getting dressed?” Yeah, I was that pregnant.
“Crew on the way, Doctor Hernandez alerted.”
“Great,” I grumbled. Tito was a wonderful doctor, but he really walked on the strict side of the medical house. “I’d like to know what’s going on in Paris, too, you know.”
“All of Alpha Team, other than yourself, Doctor Hernandez, and Pontifex White, are in Paris, Commander.”
“As mentioned earlier, Charles Reynolds is going to be here shortly, and I can promise you he’s going to want to know what’s going on. I want to know, too. Save me the time and energy and yourself the whining and get someone down here who can share all the details with me before Chuckie gets here.”
“Commanders Martini and White have asked that we not share situations with Sometime Supreme Commander Reynolds unless absolutely necessary.” Chuckie had had to take over Centaurion Division at the start of Operation Invasion, just before my wedding. Gladys loved reminding everyone of that. I wasn’t sure if it was because she secretly liked Chuckie or just liked to have everyone on edge.