by Gini Koch
“If you say so.” Armstrong’s smile didn’t falter. He and Chuckie were having a stare down. Good luck to Armstrong. I’d beaten him, and he was now trying to take on one of the only two people I couldn’t outstare.
“I do.” Chuckie sounded calm.
Jeff looked at his uncle. White nodded. “I do as well,” Jeff said.
Armstrong shrugged. “We can discuss it with the President.” Got the impression Chuckie had won but wasn’t sure what he’d won, exactly.
“I think that would be wise,” Chuckie agreed. “The heads of the C.I.A. and the P.T.C.U. should be involved as well.”
“Already safely back in the Oval Office. Homeland Security is there as well, along with a number of world leaders, most of whom were already in town for the Festival. They’re just waiting for you and the Ambassadors here to join them.” Armstrong’s smile went back to Cheerful Politician. “Some of your pets have been spotted. I believe several of our finer companies would like to breed them.”
“Not just no, but hell no,” Jeff said pleasantly.
“Or create plush toys based on them,” Armstrong said smoothly, without missing a beat.
“Maybe, but only if American Centaurion holds the patents as well as majority share in stock and profits,” Chuckie said just as smoothly.
I caught Oliver’s eye, and he came over. “MJO, what do you recommend?” I asked quietly.
“About Poof toys?”
“Don’t be coy.”
“Oh, but it’s such fun. Mister Reynolds will need support. I’d suggest your husband go with him, while you take your baby home to her Embassy physician, to ensure she’s safe and well.”
“Gotcha.” Wondered if my Embassy physician was home, at a hospital, or taking two of my friends to the morgue. Decided I had to focus on the here and now, not the worry in the pit of my stomach.
“We will accompany Our friend and kinsman,” Alexander said, and he was definitely using the Royal We. “We would like to meet your President and other world leaders.” It wasn’t a request or a suggestion—it was an order.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Armstrong said smoothly. “We appreciate your help with this matter.”
“We only came to help because some of Our people reside here,” Alexander said, speaking clearly and projecting his voice. “If they were not considered welcomed members of your society, We would not have chosen to lend Our support.”
Oliver chuckled. “Then again, perhaps Mister Reynolds has all the support he’ll need with your King along.”
Armstrong smiled as the people with him nodded their heads a little too emphatically. “Well put, Your Highness. I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
Military vehicles arrived, and the Field agents began loading the captured Z’porrah onto the trucks. Several Field teams entered their ship, returning quickly to declare it