“I don’t know.” Assclown shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. “Oh wait. Um… a zeeno-something. I’m not sure.”
“The boxes?” Bree prompted.
“I don’t remember.” Nicky sighed and dropped his head.
“Should I go find some scorpions?” Jason asked.
“I swear, I don’t know,” Nicky squeaked.
“I don’t think that’ll be necessary, Jase.” Bree stood up and patted her baby bro on the back. “Let’s get Nicky-boy situated and then get some dinner.” She hoped eating a good meal would help her feel better and stop the incessant pain in her head.
Bree supervised while Jason gave Nicky more water and escorted him to the bathroom. They secured the dickhead to the bed in one of the bedrooms before going upstairs.
“Jason, fill Max in while I get some food.” Bree wanted to avoid Max’s scrutiny. He’d know something was wrong with her. Besides, it would make Jason feel important to be the one to report to Max.
The tingling felt like her brain was being zapped with electricity. She stood in the kitchen, trying to think about food and what to make for dinner, but the pain in her head made it hard to think. She grabbed the bottle of tequila from the counter. She opened cabinets, looking for the pesky little shot glasses. Oh, to hell with that. She tilted the bottle to her mouth and gulped. The alcohol would kill any germs, right? She coughed a bit to clear the burn.
Salt and lime made tequila shots taste good, but she didn’t care about that right now. She needed some relief and needed it fast. She leaned against the counter and cocked her ear toward the living room. The boys were talking, so it was safe to gulp down a few more mouthfuls without an audience. Even she recognized how bad this looked. She wiped off the top of the bottle before putting the lid back on.
The tequila and the deep breaths cleared her mind enough to make dinner. She crafted three sandwiches with smoked turkey, Muenster cheese, mustard, and mayo on whole grain bread. She added a bag of chips, napkins, and three beers to the tray with the sandwiches and carried it to the living room. She put it on the coffee table and took one of the paper plates.
Bree took a big bite from her sandwich and wiped off the mayo that’d squished out on her face. Maybe the weird sensations in her head were due to a low blood sugar. That Kusharian had said her head was fine. Yeah, probably just tired and low blood sugar.
“Did you get a hold of Spyder?” Bree asked Max.
“No, but I left a message. He’ll get back with me when he can.” Max looked at Bree, eyeing her closely. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I’m fine! Stop asking!” Bree snapped. Well, damn. She hadn’t meant to yell. She swallowed her anger with a swig of beer. “It’s nothing some food and a little sleep won’t cure.” She couldn’t tell either one of them about the weird tingling sensations and piercing pain in her head, or that she’d been hit by one of the damn zappers. Besides, she’d be fine. She hoped.
15
“Up and at ‘em!” Bree pounded on the door and yelled at Jason as she passed his bedroom. Her taste buds stood to attention at the bold, heavenly aroma of coffee wafting through the house.
Max greeted her in the kitchen. “Good morning.”
“Eh, we shall see,” Bree mumbled as she poured a cuppa. While a decent amount of sleep had helped, the strange sensations in her head and concerns about the mission had her on edge. She typically worked with other trained protection specialists or law enforcement officers, not an impulsive younger brother, an ER physician, and a freaking alien. Not exactly a dream team, but with the help from Rick, Max, and Spyder she’d make it work.
“Good morning, JJ.”
“Morning, Max. Hey, Bree.” Jase bounded into the kitchen, a mile-wide smile on his perky face.
It would take illegal drugs and a caffeine IV to get Bree to bound out of bed with that kind of energy and mood. Unfortunately, she’d have to settle for drinking a shit ton of coffee.
Jase stood at attention in front of Bree. “Reporting for duty, boss.”
She offered a half smile and kept one eye on Max. Bree half-expected Max to take issue with Jason addressing her as boss and not the big bad black-ops guy. To his credit, Max didn’t flinch. Then again Mr. Black Ops rarely, if ever, gave away his feelings so openly.
“I spoke to Nina. Her Kusharian’s gonna meet us at Nicky’s place at 7:30 am. Any word from Spyder yet?” Bree took a sip of steaming coffee, peering at Max over the cup.
“He said they’re working on a few things to disable the KGs, but don’t have anything reliable yet. He suggested netting the Kusharian. That probably wouldn’t trigger the nano-tracker’s violence meter, but it’s still risky.”
“A net?” Bree scoffed. “That’s a big fucking help.”
“Maybe Ipeshe can help.” Jason chimed in.
She had hoped Spyder would come through with information so they wouldn’t need Nina’s Kusharian. Bree rubbed her temples. “This day is off to a banging start.”
Max pushed his chair back from the table and stood up. “It’s gonna be fine, but we need to get moving. You guys finish your protein shakes and meet me outside. I’ll go get your guy from the bunker.”
Bree, Max, Jason, and Nicky stood in the hall outside Nicky’s door on the second and top floor of the apartment building.
“Hurry up and unlock the damn door. We don’t need any nosy-ass neighbors coming out.” Bree clenched her jaw to keep from cussing her brother out.
“I’m trying.” Jason fumbled the keys, until he managed to get the right key in and open the door.
“Holy shit, dude! This place smells like ass.” Bree wrinkled her nose as the smell of dirty ashtrays, man funk, and stale beer hit her. “Jason, go open some windows so we can breathe.”
Bree pushed Nicky past a card table to her immediate left, past two mismatched chairs, a dilapidated coffee table, and shoved his ass down onto a skeevy-looking couch against the far wall. “Can I get your decorator’s name and number?”
“Fuck you!” Assface sunk into the tattered couch.
“Not even in your wildest dreams, you repugnant sack of shit.” Bree chuckled and scanned the living room-dining room combo before entering the galley kitchen through the opening near the couch, then walking out the opening closest to the front door.
Max nodded an all-clear when he came out of the bedroom opposite the kitchen and shut the door.
After opening windows on the back wall on either side of the couch, Jason plopped down next to Nicky, pulled out a plastic cup from his backpack, and poked a straw through the hole in the lid. Clearly the humanitarian of the group, Jason fed Nicky one of Max’s protein shakes. Bree and Max looked at each other and shook their heads, but said nothing. Jason was a good person and they both wanted it to stay that way. Neither of them would have worried about feeding the dickhead. He could eat once they were finished with him.
“Hi. Oh, this place stinks,” Nina said, wrinkling her nose as she and Ipeshe walked in the door.
Jason grimaced and shrugged. “I opened the windows.”
“Our little friend is a disgusting pig.” Bree pointed at Nicky with her thumb. She nodded a greeting at Nina, but ignored Ipeshe; not enough caffeine yet to play nice with the Kusharians.
Max stepped up to shake hands with the newcomers. “I’m Max. That’s Jason.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Nina and this is Ipeshe,” Nina said.
Bree took a big swig of coffee from her travel mug. “Okay. We need to make our plan.”
“You don’t think he’ll know we’re here? Won’t he pick up our mental signatures?” Nina rubbed her palms on her pants.
“His arrogance will make him careless. He believes he has control over Nicky and has no reason to fear him.” Ipeshe put her hand on Nina’s shoulder.
“What makes you think he’s so arrogant? Do you know who he is?” Max asked.
“Our continued existence depends upon putting species survival above individual needs. Harming huma
ns contradicts this Primary Protocol. To believe he can get away with such a violation, he would need an inflated sense of himself.”
“I don’t really know what the hell you just said, but can we get on with making our plan?” Bree regretted allowing this Kusharian to be here.
“I will confront him when he comes in,” Ipeshe said.
Bree laughed. “I don’t think so. You’re here as an advisor only.”
Ipeshe stood her ground. “He is violating our Protocol and needs to be held accountable by our system. Besides, you cannot physically harm him, so he is not likely to cooperate with you.”
“And what are you going to do him?” Bree glared at Ipeshe. “We have guns.”
“I would like to borrow one of your guns.”
“No fucking way!” Bree barked. She looked to Max for support, but he remained stone-faced.
Nina shook her head in disgust, or maybe irritation.
“I am not going to use the weapon on any of you.” Ipeshe’s face softened. “As I have already explained to you, we are not here to harm humans in any way. Our mission is strictly to assist with the implementation of the Instant Karma Judicial System to protect humans from the T’Lalz. We have a strict code of conduct and a specific chain of command. If he is in violation of the Primary Protocol, he will be apprehended and reprimanded. General Shiruvu does not tolerate betrayal.” Ipeshe looked deep into Bree’s eyes. “I wish you would honor me with your trust. If I am the one with the gun, he will understand the need to cooperate and you will not be at risk of violating the Instant Karma laws. Please let me help you,” Ipeshe pleaded.
“If she’s going to screw us over, it’s probably not going to be by shooting us,” Max reasoned.
Bree took a long slow breath and closed her eyes for a moment. He had a point. It would be far more effective for Ipeshe to call the goon squad than try to shoot them all. Besides, they weren’t going to give her all the guns.
Bree opened her eyes and looked at the Kusharian. “Do you even know how to use a gun?”
“Yes, I do have training in your weapons,” Ipeshe answered.
“Fine. I’ll give you one of mine. This doesn’t mean I trust you. If you pull any bullshit, I will not hesitate to blow your fucking head off, even if I spend the rest of my life in a damn cocoon.”
Max gave a solemn nod of agreement. Bree took the gun out of her left thigh holster and handed it to Ipeshe.
“Thank you, Bree. I will honor you.” Ipeshe took the gun with her left hand then put her fisted right hand to her chest and dipped her head.
Bree ignored the gesture and looked at Jason. She needed to find a way to get him out of here. “Jason, I need you to take Nina out to the Jeep and keep her safe. I don’t want her to get caught in any crossfire. Can you keep her safe for me?”
“Can’t she just go down there by herself?” Jason whined.
Okay. More finesse needed here. He needed to feel important and significant. “We don’t know who this asshole will bring with him. If things go bad, I’ll need you to protect Nina and you two will need to finish the mission with Rick. I’m counting on you, Jase.”
Jason looked at Max, who nodded at him, then he puffed his chest out and said, “Okay. Come on Nina, let’s get out of here.” He ushered the doctor out of the apartment then turned around. “I need your keys.”
Bree tossed her keys to him and watched as the two headed out of the apartment.
“Good job,” Max said.
“Glad it worked.” Bree felt the knot in her stomach unwind a little.
Nicky spoke up. “Now that you’ve had your little planning session, can I go?”
“No. Your sorry ass is going to stay put so this douchebag sees you when he comes in.” Bree glared at Nicky, then pulled his phone out of her back pocket. “Okay. I think it’s time to send our text.”
“What’m I supposed to say?” Nicky’s voice cracked.
“We’ll handle the texting for you, so don’t worry that empty lil head of yours.” Bree scanned through the texts on his phone to find the last one to the Kusharian. There was no name associated with the number, but it was still pretty easy to find the text stream she needed.
“Let’s see…” Bree’s thumbs moved with lightning speed. “Zeeno-thingy broke. Need new one. My place at 9.” Bree tilted her head as she read the message. She nodded and hit send. “Okay. It’s on.”
Now they had to wait a half hour in the funky smelling cramped apartment. Bree preferred to be outside with Jason, but they needed to stay inside and out of sight in case their target showed up early or sent some goons to check things out.
Max looked at Ipeshe. “Why did you choose to come to Earth?”
“Our planet is mostly in ruins because of the T’Lalz. Life has been very difficult for us. When our leaders asked for recruits to come to Earth and help humans avoid the same fate, it was an easy decision for me. Most of my family died in the war. Helping other families avoid such devastation is part of my duty as a healer.” Ipeshe’s head moved side to side, a very bird-like movement.
Max dipped his chin. “I’m sorry for your losses.”
Bree resisted rolling her eyes. Barely. She had little interest in hearing this sob story. It could be lies and propaganda.
Ipeshe looked at Max. “Thank you.” Then she turned her focus on Bree. “I know you do not believe me, even though I honor you with my truth. I understand all of this is a big adjustment for humans, but the alternative - a T’Lalz invasion - would be far worse. Your own leaders worked with ours to create the Instant Karma System. Do you not trust your own leaders?”
Bree scoffed. “The jackasses of the Earth United Council are not my leaders. This country was founded on democratic principles and we elected our leaders. Your people and the EUC squashed that. So, no, I don’t trust them or your people.” Bree paused for a moment before adding, “or you.”
“She doesn’t trust anyone,” Max stated.
“Oh, what, like you’re a fountain of trust?” Bree shot back.
Max shrugged. “We better uncuff Mr. Farino there. We don’t want our target to see him like this.”
Thankful for the break from the Kusharian 101 class, Bree pulled Nicky up off the couch to unlock the cuffs. “If you want to live, I suggest you stay put and act normal. Ipeshe here has a gun now and she can shoot you.” Bree emphasized the word ‘can.’ A pang of jealousy flooded her. She longed for the good ‘ole days when she could shoot a perp if she needed to.
“He’s probably going to kill me anyway,” Nicky mumbled.
“No. He will not be allowed to harm anyone,” Ipeshe chimed in.
“So you say.” Nicky slumped back down on the couch and rubbed his wrists. “Can I at least get something to drink now?”
Max pulled a can of soda from the fridge and tossed it to Bree, who considered shaking it before putting it on the table in front of Nick-the-dick.
16
“Jason says it’s all clear out there.” Bree read his text around and typed a message back to him: Same here. Stay with Nina until I give you the all clear.
They had no idea how the Kusharian bastard would arrive. Would he drive a car or have a KG teleport him in? It didn’t much matter, as long as he showed up.
Four minutes until nine and the sitrep was all good. Jason and Nina, out of harm’s way. Nicky, in place on his couch. Max and Ipeshe, up against the cabinets lining the wall between the kitchen and living room, covering the opening into the dining area and front door. Bree, covering the opening in the back of the kitchen where she could see Nicky.
Max looked like a statue, but he could be half-way across the apartment and on top of the target before Bree could blink. She rolled her shoulders and bounced on her toes a couple of times. She glanced at the gun in Ipeshe’s hand and resisted the urge to grab it back. Hopefully the Kusharian would remain true to her word. Gods help the little alien if she fucked this up or turned on them.
Right at nine o’clock, the front do
or to Nicky’s crappy little apartment creaked open.
“What did you do to my Xenobavsudha?”
Nicky, the asshat, squirmed and looked right at Bree in the kitchen. Bree pointed two fingers at her own eyes and then out toward the living room.
“Who are you looking at?” The alien at the door asked.
Oh shit, too late. Change of plans.
Bree shoved Ipeshe into the living room, then she and Max took advantage of the distraction and slipped out the other end of the kitchen to block the front door.
“What’s going on? What are you doing here?” The alien asshead backed away from Ipeshe.
“You might want to take a seat there bub, ‘cause you’re not going anywhere until we get some answers.” The guy jumped when Bree spoke from behind him, but he recovered quickly and maneuvered his body so he could see everyone at the same time.
“How do you plan to stop me, human?” The arrogant bastard laughed. His eyes fell on the gun strapped to Bree’s thigh. “You can’t use that and we both know it.”
“She cannot. However, I can use this one.” Ipeshe raised the gun and pointed it at the Kusharian male’s head.
The guy sort of melted down into a chair.
Ok, so far so good.
“What is your name?” Ipeshe moved closer to the guy, keeping the gun trained on his head.
“Kozeb Teq of the Reiokel. Son of Ezho Teq.”
Ipeshe stood directly in front of the bastard. “What are you doing here, Kozeb? Do you represent the Council?”
“I’m guessing you’re not here on Council authority.” Kozeb stared at Ipeshe with a smile. “What would General Shiruvu think of you pointing that human weapon at me?”
Ipeshe’s eyes locked on the arrogant bastard’s.
Kozeb grabbed his head and yelped. “Stop! Please.”
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