by Gini Koch
Chuckie shook his head. “I don’t know why they wouldn’t be helping you already, even with me gone.”
“I explained that. World War Two. And such.”
“Yes, I know,” he said patiently. “But you’re at least as trusted by them as I am, Kitty.” He gave a mirthless chuckle. “Besides, what we really need is an ozone shield.”
“Why?” Jeff asked.
“It stopped the parasites when Alpha Four had theirs up.” My mind raced. “Oh. Wow. Um, I have a really clear and focused goal, Chuckie.”
“On it.”
“Do you think these things can do that?” Jeff asked, looking at the cube in his hand.
“Worth a shot. So, while Chuckie plays with our Outer Space Rubik’s Cube, where is the one Terry programmed? I’d figured Clarence stole it way back when.”
“Makes sense, but if he is the one who took it, he hid it somewhere,” Jeff said.
“The Embassy,” William said, before I could. “That’s why he’s trying to get in here. He lost his cube and knows where a spare is stored.”
“That must be how they were able to enter the dead zone they used for the secret lab—they had the cube and figured out how to work it.”
“We think each dead zone houses a cube,” Chuckie said. “I was hoping to test and see if we could get into one of the others with one of the two we have.”
“So does that mean our world is littered with these cubes?” Oren asked.
“Too little data to make an accurate hypothesis,” Henry said.
“Oh, but I’m here, and I’m great with making a really good guess. Yes, assume there are Power Cubes in every dead zone. And if we could find the one Clarence hid in here, we’d have three.” An idea formed. “Poofies, can you find the missing cube that mean old Clarence stole and hid?”
The three Poofs with us appeared from wherever they’d been. Harlie did a mewl-growl thing, and a few more Poofs appeared out of nowhere. I decided not to question. The Poofs bounced up and down, then disappeared.
“Great, the Poofs are on the hunt.” One problem down. I thought faster. “So, based on our earlier assumptions, I’m going to make another leap.”
“Why not?” Omega Red said. “It’s all speculation right now.”
“Oh, it won’t be speculation for long, Yuri. We know the Ancients came by more than once. I think it’s a safe bet that whatever the aliens are that are headed toward us, they dropped by, too. The Ancients hung around and interacted. But maybe these other aliens didn’t. They could have been like ACE—they came to watch and observe, maybe take some tests, but they’re supposed to be leaving us alone. They put their cubes and tunnels into the earth a long time ago, and they’re using building materials we can’t access or probe with A-C talents or Earth-based technology, so that probably means metals from another world.”
“Why are so many important things on top of these cube rooms, then?” Buchanan asked. “It can’t be random chance.”
“No, I agree with you. I go back to the idea that they’re working as attractors of some kind. Maybe they probe and give subliminal suggestions. I felt a kind of tug when Richard and I went by the dead zones we passed on the way to find Jeff and Chuckie.”
“I did as well,” White confirmed.
“So I think they’ve been influencing us in some ways, either the cubes, the space invaders, or both.”
“I can agree,” Chuckie said, still fiddling withd his cube. “Because while we both wanted to get out of the room, there was a strong draw to stay in it.”
“I think if I’d been in there by myself, I might not have gotten out,” Jeff said. “And not only because Reynolds figured out part of the cube when I couldn’t. Once I calmed down it was very . . . soothing to be there.”
“So maybe that’s why you were both so calm when we found you—the room chilled you out.”
“Maybe.” Chuckie shrugged. “We don’t have enough data to even make an educated guess at this time.”
“Okay, fine,” Christopher said. “So why did you mention the Ancients, Kitty?”
“Because of the Dome. I think that Ancients’ ship was shot down by the cube that probably resides under the Dome. And I think that happened because these guys and the Ancients didn’t get along.”
“Enough to shoot another vessel out of the air?” Jeremy asked.
“Look, I realize that we humans like to think that sentient life on other planets will have found a way to get
along with everyone and would only come visit when they want to share how to make world peace a reality. But we have examples in the Alpha Centauri system that say it’s a nice idea but not something that happens in reality. Utopia’s a great vision. But it’s a hard thing to actually create or maintain.”
“Let’s say you’re right,” Henry said. “Why build the way they have? The tunnels and rooms are so small. We discussed this earlier—you can’t get a car, let alone a tank, in there.”
“Maybe the aliens aren’t as big as we are.”
“There was plenty of room for me and Reynolds in the tunnels,” Jeff said. “The room was pretty big, too. About the size of our old apartments in the Science Center.”
I missed the Lair. Wondered if we’d ever see it again, then decided it was currently the least of my worries.
“The denizens of the Alpha Centauri planets are roughly our size,” White said.
“Maybe we grow them taller out here in the Boondocks of the Milky Way. Maybe I’m wrong. We’re going to find out, I’m sure.”
The computers started beeping like crazy. “You’re right about the world of hurt, Tito,” Big George said. “And Kitty, you’re right, we’re going to find out about the invaders, and soon. Chuck, we need you to hurry.”
“Why?”
“Because everyone’s wrong about the armada arriving Monday. It’s here, right now.”
“In our part of the galaxy?” Christopher asked.
“No,” Stryker answered, voice shaking. “In our solar system.”
Yi
CHAPTER 90
THE IM`fAGE ON THE SCREEN was indeed the armada. “Is that Jupiter?”
“Yes,” Big George said.
“Military worldwide is going to DEFCON One,” Henry said.
“Wow. I think we’re really beyond that. I put us at DEFCON Total Freak-Out, but what do I know?”
“I don’t have enough time to figure this out,” Chuckie said quietly. “If I did, I might be able to put an ozone shield up. But I don’t think that’s an option now.”
“Where are the missiles aimed?” Franklin asked.
“Some external,” Stryker said. “Some internal.”
Everyone was very quiet. I could hear R.E.M. singing in my mind—this could very well be the end of the world as we knew it. The heck with that. I dug my iPod out of my purse.
“What are you doing?” Jeff asked softly.
“The instructions Chuckie left for us were to activate the Avenger Initiative. That initiative said ‘go with the crazy.’ We’re all scared. I’d personally rather be having sex with you than facing space invaders so powerful that we can’t even comprehend how they’re traveling as fast as they are. However, duty, apparently, calls.”
“But Reynolds is here now,” Jeff pointed out.
“I have no idea of what to do,” Chuckie said. “I honestly wasn’t prepared for our enemies to come back so soon, let alone with this kind of backup.”
Wanted to hear tunes but needed to make calls. Decided I could do both until telecommunications went down. God alone knew if that was all that would be taken out. No, couldn’t go there, even though I was terrified. Everyone was terrified, even the men used to dealing with the biggest, fugliest monsters around.
This situation was threatening everyone and everything I cared about. And that flipped me from frightened to what had been working for me since Day One with Centaurion, and even more so since Jamie had been born—I was really, really angry.
Put my earbud
s in, spun the dial without looking, hit the button for play at random. Made sure the volume was such that I could still everyone in the room. Didn’t care what was playing, as long as it was music. Interestingly enough, hard rock didn’t come on. Adam Ant singing “Viva le Rock” came on.
Sent a group text out. Happily, telecommunications was still working. “Where do we think they’re going to come?”
“Alien arrivals seem to happen in the Southwest the most,” Stryker shared.
“Why do you think they’re going to bother to land?” Jennifer asked.
“Because they’ve put some time into this planet.”
“What if these aren’t the same beings who built the tunnels and made the cubes?” Jeremy asked.
“They are. And if they’re not, no one travels this far out of their way to blow things up from afar.” I looked at the picture as “Apollo 9” came on. I’d hit my Adam Ant playlist. No worries, it was helping. “WilliQam and Jennifer tried reading the aliens inside the ships, but they were too far away. They’re not far away now.”
Christopher and Jeff went to the screen. Christopher put his hand on the ships, and Jeff put his on top of Christopher’s. “Not human,” Christopher said. “Not mammalian at all. It’s a mind that seems vaguely familiar, but not like a mind I’ve read before.”
Jeff pulled his hand away. “Bellie, come to Jeff.” She squawked happily and flew to him. While she nuzzled him, Jeff put his hand onto her head. “Their minds are like Bellie’s.”
“Great, they’ll love you and want to kill me. Well, we knew that last part already.”
“Not what I mean. They’re more . . . sentient than Bellie is, but they feel much more like she does.”
“So, they’re birds?”
“Birdlike. Like the Canus Majorians are doglike or the Feliniads are catlike.” He went back, still holding Bellie, and put his hand over Christopher’s again. “They’re . . . worried?”
“Worried about what?”
Jeff shook his head. “I can’t tell. But they don’t feel angry or bloodthirsty or anything like that.”
“Desperate but not serious?” Hey, it was playing, and again seemed helpful. I’d never have guessed that Adam Ant was going to be my go-to guy for a major space invasion, but I never argued with serendipity. And Jeff’s kisses did drive me delirious, even if I didn’t have time for them at this moment.
He managed a chuckle. “I suppose. Some are more excited, some are frightened. They’re running the same gamut of emotions as we do or the different races from Alpha Centauri do. They’re closer to the Reptilians than to us or any of the rest of the Alpha Centauri species, but they feel familiar enough. At least, I think so.”
“Christopher, find the ship that has LaRue and Ronaldo in it.” He nodded and started touching each ship. William and Jennifer went to assist, as did Jeremy. Didn’t know if he and Jennifer routinely did the Go Team move or were just fast learners, but they were doing it now.
“Kings of the Wild Frontier” came on now. Maybe it was the asymmetrical drumbeats, but Adam Ant’s music was really firing my brain up. The lyrics of this song were incredibly helpful, at least to me in this situation.
“Chuckie, give Naomi your cube. Mimi, Abby, you’re up.”
“What are we doing?”
“Moving galaxies, probably. But right now I’d like you to figure out how the cube works and get an ozone shield, or some kind of parasite shield up around the Earth, pronto.”
They gaped at me. “How—” Naomi started.
“This is what Chuckie’s been training you for,” I snapped. “I realize the situation sucks, but we don’t get to be heroic when things are quiet. Not that they ever are, mind you, but still. You two are the most powerful adult A-Cs we have. You can do more than Serene, Jeff, and Christopher, and that’s without the Surcenthumain boost. Stop acting like you can abdicate responsibility now that the menfolkO are home and unharmed. It doesn’t work like that.”
The Gower girls looked at each other, then back at me. “You’re right,” Naomi said.
“Yes, but we have no idea what an ozone shield would be like,” Abigail added.
“I do,” Chuckie replied.
“Time for the Wonder Twins to go to triplets.”
“We need Jeff, too,” Naomi said. “He understands the cube, possibly better than Chuck does.”
“I doubt it, but it’s worth a shot,” Jeff said. He handed Bellie back to Oliver, then took Abigail’s free hand. I left them to it.
Buchanan had been quiet, and I needed some input. “Malcolm, where do you think they’re going to choose as their main arrival location? Or are you thinking they’re just going to blow us to smithereens?”
“I’m with you, Missus Chief. They’re going to land and see what’s going on. As for where, it’s going to depend on whether they want a show of force, to create panic and terror, or to create a diplomatic illusion.”
“MJO?”
“New York is always popular for this kind of thing.”
“Hacker International, Stryker’s already voted for the Southwest. A
ny other ideas?”
“Major cities are always popular,” Henry said.
“Tokyo,” Ravi said immediately.
“Moscow,” Yuri countered. “Going for an area with a lot of nukes.”
“Middle East, maybe?” Big George suggested. “They’re trying to start a war there, after all.”
Turned to the Middle Eastern Contingent. “What do you guys think?”
To their credit, the four of them didn’t waste time asking me why I was asking for their opinions. Instead, four brows furrowed in thought.
“May I ask a question?” Mona asked.
“Sure.”
“Why would so much have gone on here, in Washington, D.C., if this was not the landing site?” The others nodded their agreement. So did Buchanan, Tito, and White.
“Wow, we need to swear you into the Kickbutt Gang fast.”
I sent another group text out as the song changed again. Happily, the teams in Paraguay and Paris were in supersonic jets, and the supersoldiers were capable of supersonic flight as well. A day ago this would have been horrible news. Today it made me want to dig Antony Marling up from his grave and hug him.
“I know what we’re going to do.” Everyone looked at me expectantly, even the four doing the Wonder Twins Squared. “We’re going to do exactly what you told us to, Chuckie. The Avengers are going to assemble. And then, as my man Adam Ant suggests, we’re going to demand that our invaders stand and deliver.”
Yi
CHAPTER 91
“WHAT SHOULD I TELL THE TOP BRASS?” Franklin asked.
“Tell them Centaurion is going to give it their best shot, and we’d appreciate it if the rest of the world didn’t fire until we said to. We’d also appreciate it if the worldwide Mexican Standoff could be defused. Senator, MJO, you’re going to have to assist our good colonel with that.”
“Why bring the reporter along?” Armstrong asked.
“Because certain people know that he’s the best investigative journalist in the world and they’ll listen to him.”
“What about our lovely Miss Bellie?” Oliver asked.
“Much as I’d love to send her with you, I think that would be pushing it for the Top Brass. She’ll stay with Jeff.” I looked over. Jeff was still busy. Heaved a sigh. “With me.” Bellie and I eyed each other. “With Bruno.” Oliver nodded and put Bellie gently next to Bruno. Bruno didn’t react, but Bellie stayed put, so that was good enough for me.
“What are the rest of you going to be doing?” Franklin asked.
“Choosing our spot. I think it’s already been selected, which is nice. Oh, and you have a few more on your team, Colonel. Mister White, you, Tito, William, and Malcolm are going to wherever the Colonel’s going, along with our Middle Eastern Contingent.”
White looked surprised. “Why so, Missus Martini?”
“I say this all the time, and no on
e listens. You’re actually the best diplomat we have, and we need a diplomat to smooth things over more than I need my partner with me right now. You’re also an A-C and can get our people out fast if things turn ugly. Same with William, and he’s our best imageer after Christopher and Serene, so he can read things you may need read. Tito kicks butt better than anyone else around, Malcolm’s Mister Skills, and we need to prove that Mona’s alive and well and willingly with Mossad. Show up en masse, make the statement, dress for success, sort of thing.”
William looked at Christopher, who nodded. There was a lot of that going around.
Buchanan looked ready to argue. “Malcolm, this is you protecting me. Someone Colonel Franklin goes to see isn’t going to be on our side. Someone there wants this invasion to succeed. More than one, probably. Do whatever you need to, but accept that you’re the one most likely to spot them, whoever they are.”
“You sounded just like your mother,” he said with a small smile.
“Thanks. I imagine you’ll be seeing her soon. Tell her . . .” I was going to have him tell her I loved her, but Mom knew that, and besides, that sounded like good-bye, and I didn’t want any of us focusing on the end. “Tell her I want my security clearance back.”
“Shall we?” Franklin asked as the others chuckled.
“If you know where we’re going, we can go viaf the nearest gate,” White said.
Franklin nodded and shook my hand. Armstrong did as well. “Missus Martini, I’ll see you on the other side.”
“Hopefully with the negatives from my wild nights of passion in your hand.”
He laughed. “One never knows.”
The others going with Franklin all hugged me, even Buchanan. “Be careful,” he said in a low voice. “Clarence is still at large, and Cantu and the other captain won’t be where I’m going. And they’ll all be gunning for you.”