by Gini Koch
Buchanan was lying still on the bed. He looked peaceful, as if he was indeed merely having a very deep sleep. “Malcolm?” No response, and I hadn’t expected one. I took his hand in mine. “Malcolm, if you can hear me wherever you are, I’m going to find out what was done to you and fix it, I promise.”
Thought about the other times someone I cared about had been down. About when Reader had almost died. I’d had ACE to talk to then. Couldn’t bear to try to talk to him in my mind and not have him answer. Couldn’t bear to act like ACE wasn’t there, either.
“ACE, I know I can’t ask you to intervene. And I wouldn’t want you to take focus away from whatever’s going on with you. But if you have the ability, can you please watch over Malcolm? He hasn’t been in space, but he’s my friend and he’s saved my life, a lot. He’s kind of like you, ACE. He has his mysterious ways, and I don’t know where he goes or what he does when he’s not with me. But he’s always there when I need him, like you’ve always been. He’s not an astronaut, but he’s still an important penguin.”
There was no answer, but as I looked at Buchanan and thought about ACE, I remembered something important. Maybe I remembered it on my own, maybe ACE was around and strong enough to give me a little nudge.
“Thanks, ACE. Malcolm, I’ll be back, hopefully with the cure.” I squeezed his hand. “Don’t leave me yet, okay? I need to get the rest of the Justice League and the X-Men rolling on this.”
Trotted out of the room. “How’s Buchanan doing?” Jeff asked. “Is he awake?”
“No, why would you think that?”
“You’re excited and focused, versus worried and sad.”
“Well, yeah, but that’s because something dawned on me. Doctor Strange is probably on the astral plane and we need to bring him back.”
“That’s not exactly a help, Kitty,” Tito said.
“This will be. You need to contact Serene, and probably Jeff’s dad.”
“My dad? Why?”
“Because over the past couple of years, we’ve forgotten a few key things. Surcenthumain became the Superman drug. But it’s original purpose was to put human and A-C astronauts into a deep sleep so that they could travel to distant stars without dying and, I think, aging. That drug was created by Gaultier Enterprises.”
Had to say this, Tito and Jeff weren’t slow or stupid. Tito was on his phone calling Dulce, while Jeff called Alfred. Meanwhile, I sent Amy and Raj a text, telling them to focus their search on the space exploration section, or whatever it was, at Gaultier, particularly any offshoots of the Surcenthumain project.
We all finished about the same time. “Serene and Brian are on their way,” Tito said. “They just have to drop Patrick off with the other kids at the Pontifex’s Residence.”
“My dad’s coming, too. He’s going to swing by NASA Base and pick up some files first.”
“Be sure he’s under guard.”
Jeff nodded. “Already handled. I sent a text to James.”
“Great. Tito, Magdalena, right now we probably need to do whatever it is NASA would do for an astronaut in suspended animation.”
Nurse Carter was at one of the computers. “I have it here. We’re already doing much of it, but we can add certain fluids to the mix of what he’s getting. And if you’re wrong, they shouldn’t harm him.”
“Tito, while you’re at it, do we have the autopsy results back on Santiago yet?”
“It hasn’t happened yet. We left a team from Dulce at the hospital with his body and Melanie and Emily are going to be there when the autopsy is performed. I was going to go over today, too, and help, but I don’t want to leave my patient now. Why?”
“Have them run toxicology on what killed him. I know we all think it was arsenic, and I’m betting it was mostly arsenic. But I’d like to know if there was something more in that mix. Have them run it at the Science Center, because we need fast results. If we need to throw around our political weight to make that happen, feel free to share that, husband in the House or no, the American Centaurion Ambassador is ready to knock some heads.”
Medical assignments handed out, Jeff and I headed for our underground garage. He put his coat and hat on as we started downstairs. I laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“I think it’s cute that you’re worried I might think Malcolm was better than you.”
“Who says I think that?”
I settled the fedora on his head just so. “Oh, nothing.” Leaned up and kissed him. “To quote today’s go-to music, I’m forever your girl.”
Jeff put his arm around me. “Good. And let’s have different go-to music, if that’s okay with you.”
“If you insist.”
“I do.”
“Boy bands or divas?”
“With that as my choice,” Jeff said as we reached the garage, “I pick Aerosmith.”
“I knew I married well.”
CHAPTER 50
LEN AND READER WERE already inside one of our standard-issue gray limos. Kyle was waiting to open the door for us, chatting with Vance, who was dressed like every other man associated with Centaurion Division.
“Have to say that you have the best valet service in the world,” Vance shared as we reached them. “I was told my clothes would be ready by the time we got back.”
Didn’t share that this meant that the Elves, for whatever reason, wanted Vance to look like he was one of us, because I knew they could have gotten his clothes back to him two seconds after he’d taken them off.
“Yeah, it’s a great perk. You ready, Kyle?”
He nodded. “Raj said we needed to be on high alert.”
“We always need to be on high alert.”
Kyle grinned. “That’s what Len said.”
“Glad to see our paranoia levels are at DEFCON High. So, you know, routine.”
He laughed, opened the door, and helped me into the car.
I took the seat that had my back to the driver and Jeff sat next to me. Vance sat in the back seat, next to Reader.
Len turned around. “You realize we’re getting to the Capitol hours before the swearing-in ceremony.”
“We’re on a mission. From God.”
“Whatever you say, Kitty. Music?”
“Does a duck swim? Does a bear poop in the woods? Is the Pope presumed Catholic?”
“Gotcha,” Kyle said. “Random or selected? Or do you want The Blues Brothers soundtrack?”
“While I’d be all for Jake and Elwood, the newest representative for the great state of New Mexico has requested Aerosmith.”
“Over boy bands or divas,” Jeff added.
“Nothing wrong with either,” Vance said.
“Yes there is,” Len and Kyle said in unison.
The music started and the intro to “The Other Side” hit my ears. I relaxed as Steven, Joe, and the rest of my boys rocked on.
My phone rang. Dug it out of my purse. It was Nathalie Brewer. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Kitty, we were wondering if you wanted to go over with us for today’s ceremony. It can be a little overwhelming, even with others there. When it’s just you alone, it can be daunting.”
Jeff had faced down more scary things in his lifetime than the Brewers could imagine. Standing in a hall getting sworn in wasn’t going to daunt him. However, it was easy to guess that the Brewers wanted to cement their relationship with the Presidential Appointee.
“Going over as a group today?” Looked at Reader. He shook his head. “I don’t know if we can. We have some things we need to take care of prior to the ceremony.”
“I just meant with me and Edmund. We live so close to you, it seemed like it would be convenient.” Nathalie sounded disappointed. Out of all the Cabal left, I liked her the most. Jeff liked Brewer and had been gently urging me to give both of them another chance, even before the party. And Vance was going to go over with us.
“Well, maybe. Can I call you back? If we’re done in time, it’d be fun.”
“That
would be wonderful.” Nathalie sounded a lot happier. “Let me know if you have time for us to do lunch. You want to have a good meal before the ceremony, because there are a lot of pictures taken and I’m sure there will be reporters.”
Reporters. Knew I’d forgotten something. “Gotcha. I’ll call you in a while.” Hung up from Nathalie and dialed. He answered quickly. “MJO, how’s my favorite reporter?”
“Quite well, Ambassador. Hoping to see you later in the day. If I can get into the Capitol.”
“Oh, you’ll definitely be getting in. We’re coming to get you,” I tossed over my shoulder. Len nodded, and turned down the next cross street. “Leave the parrot at home.”
“He doesn’t have to,” Jeff said.
“Oh, yes, he does, he definitely does.”
“Miss Bellie will remain safely at home. I’ll hurry up, Ambassador.”
We hung up and a thought occurred to me. We were heading out into dangerous territory, and my Royal Guardians were nowhere around.
No sooner did I think this than I realized that there was something on the seat next to Reader. I stared and a yellow eye opened, looked at me, winked, then closed. So Bruno was in Stealth Mode. Didn’t know if that meant Vance was untrustworthy, or Bruno felt playing it cool was the word of the day. Figured we’d find out.
Opened my purse to drop my phone back in and discovered Harlie, Poofikins, Gatita, who was Reader’s Poof, as well as a variety of other Poofs in there. Good.
We collected Oliver. He sat next to Reader, so technically on Bruno. Casually put my hand onto the seat next to me. Sure enough, I felt feathers. Gave him a hopefully unobtrusive pat and put my hand back in my lap.
Vance was clearly happy to be with his idol again. “I just wanted to say that last week’s edition of your “Get to Know Your Aliens” series was amazing. Each one has been so informative, but your in-depth analysis of how many people have been saved from superbeing attacks over the course of time was mind-blowing.” Oliver had been doing regular articles to explain how great the A-Cs were. None of us would have called them mind-blowing, but they were good, and very pro-alien, of course.
“Thank you,” Oliver said, looking both flattered and embarrassed. “I must confess, I’m not used to having fans. Well, sane fans.”
Vance shook his head. “You have a lot of fans now. You’re a celebrity.”
“Ah.” Oliver winked at me. “It’s always nice to be popular.”
Reyes’ office was in the Rayburn House Office Building, which was the biggest and most modern of the buildings that housed the representatives. It went up four stories, had two stories underground, and three levels of underground parking. Resisted the urge to ask if the A-Cs had helped build it.
Modern in D.C., of course, didn’t mean the twenty-first century. It was a big, sturdy, stone and marble set of buildings architects said was in an H design. If it was an H, it was the most humongous H ever. As we drove around to get to the right entrance to the parking garage, I got the two huge city blocks full view. This one building made our Embassy and Zoo setup seem small and ordinary.
The less said about the security stops and checks to get into the Capitol complex and down into the bowels of the Rayburn House the better. They were there for a reason, but more than once the desire to park the car elsewhere and use hyperspeed to get inside was almost overwhelming.
“This is taking forever.” Okay, I’d ruled out hyperspeed, but not whining.
“It’s because so many things are different now,” Oliver said.
“It’s a lot to do just because people now know there are aliens living on Earth.”
“It’s not just that,” Oliver explained patiently. “Most Congressmen don’t spend all their time in Washington. They’re here the days Congress is in session, perhaps for special events, and a few other days besides. The rest of the time, they’re home, in their districts.”
“I won’t be doing that,” Jeff said. “I live here now.”
“Yes, you do, and I’m sure that’s understood. You also, ah, have a very easy way of getting back to New Mexico quickly if necessary.”
“I can’t wait to see a gate,” Vance said. “Do they really look like airport metal detectors?”
Unlike the rest of us, we’d managed to keep the gates classified. There was no way Vance was cleared for that information. Then again, he hung with the Cabal, and he read Oliver’s column. Meaning Vance was likely well-informed.
“You won’t be seeing one today,” Reader said. “You’re not authorized.”
“He is,” Vance said, indicating Oliver.
“Oh no, I’m not. I’ve never seen one.” Oliver smiled. “However, I was explaining something to the ambassador. Normally there are always some Congressmen who choose to live out of their offices. Not most, you understand, but a few.”
“Like Santiago was?” Chose not to thank Oliver for the smooth conversational shift. Presumably us taking him along was thanks enough.
“Yes. Some Congressmen see no reason to spend the money on alternate housing here, since they’re not here all that much. Some rent apartments or houses. A few stay in hotels. Normally. But these past many months haven’t been normal. There are now far more Congressmen housing in the Capitol complex than ever before.”
“They can’t all be doing that.”
“No,” Vance said. “Plenty have a home here, too. Nathalie and Edmund, for example, because they can afford it, easily. Eugene and Lydia have a home here, too. So do the Armstrongs. That’s one of the reasons we all know each other.”
“What do you mean?” Jeff asked.
“Not everyone stays here year round. Guy and I do, and so do Lillian and Abner. But most of the politicians aren’t here all the time. So, the ones whose company we enjoyed who also have homes here, we went out of our way to get to know. Soon we all started visiting back and forth.”
“Senator McMillan has a home here, too,” Reader said.
“He doesn’t like Guy or Lillian,” Vance said with a shrug. “So he’s not part of our group.”
Refrained from comment about that, mostly because I didn’t like Gadoire or Joker Jaws either. Plus I wanted to ask about something else. Or rather, someone else. “You know, Vance, Jack and Pia Ryan used to be part of your group, didn’t they?”
“Yeah. Poor Pia. She’s never really recovered. They had that huge fight and she slept somewhere else the night he killed himself.”
Jeff nudged me and Reader gave me the “shut up” look. Not that I was going to share that Vance had this detail wrong. “Is Pia still hanging out with you guys?”
Vance shook his head. “I think she saw Eugene a few times, but that was it. He reached out, I guess.” Vance’s eyes widened. “You think he was going to try to kill Pia next? Or that he wanted her in his harem?”
“Anything’s possible.” What I was thinking was that I’d forgotten to share a really key piece of information with anyone else, namely that Eugene had said his “orders” had come to him via Pia. I didn’t want to share this in front of Vance, however. Time to get us off this subject. “So, MJO, all that still doesn’t explain why we’re going through so many checkpoints just to have the thrill of parking.”
“Well, what I described is how it was in the olden days. More Congressmen lived here more of the time. Once air travel became relatively inexpensive, that changed.” He sighed. “Altered the political landscape in a way, though I’m sure most would prefer their Congressmen to be in their home states. At any rate, with the new changes brought about due to the invasion, Congress is being required to remain in session almost nonstop. So there are more people at the Capitol complex, all the time, both living here and coming here. It’s affected security, which is why we’re going through so many checkpoints.”
All this Congress Chat had passed the time and we were finally allowed to park. Only there wasn’t a spot big enough for the limo. “We should have walked it,” Jeff said as we headed up and outside.
“I’
ll drop you and park the car,” Len said.
“No. Take the car back to the Embassy and just meet us outside Santiago’s office.”
“Can I go with him?” Vance asked. “So I can take the gate back, too?”
“No. You’re supposed to be telling us about how you and Hacker International have determined that every person in the building we’re about to go into is in danger.”
“Oh, right.” Vance slumped in his seat.
“Keep Kyle with you,” Jeff told Len. “I don’t want anyone wandering solo right now.”
The boys didn’t look happy. “We’re supposed to stay with you,” Kyle argued.
“We’re going into an office building. Just get the car back home and get over to us. By the time we get through security, you’ll probably already be back.”
Jeff had a point, and it was hard to believe that anyone was going to attack us between the car and the entrance.
Len pulled up into the loading zone in front of said entrance and Kyle helped us out of the car. I was sure I saw Bruno get out, though I didn’t think anyone else had spotted him. It was still raining, so I flipped my hood on.
“You’re sure we should go?” Kyle asked me. “Len’s driven alone before, you know.”
“Yeah, we’ll be okay. Just don’t take too long.”
Vance and Oliver went ahead to get out of the rain as Kyle got back in the car. The boys waited for the rest of us to go inside. Which we would have done immediately, only there was a gust of wind. My hood flipped back, and Jeff’s hat flew off. He caught it quickly and had it back on his head in just a moment.
However, that’s why I was looking up and so saw someone on the roof of the building. Someone I was pretty sure was holding a sniper rifle.
CHAPTER 51
I DIDN’T THINK ABOUT IT. I just grabbed Jeff and Reader and ran up the stairs and for the entrance at hyperspeed.
Managed to stop before we slammed into Vance and through the doors. Let go and spun around. There were no bullets hitting the ground, nor were any hitting the limo. Kyle gave me a “you so crazy” look, and the limo drove off.