Alien in the Family

head went back sharply. Martini caught her before she went down. She was rigid, but because ACE was inside me, I could see a glowing substance funneling into her. It went in golden, but it came out all the colors of the Pantone Matching System color book.
    I watched the color motes fly through the air. They swirled around everyone with us, then everyone on the planet, then the planet itself. I watched via ACE, so I saw the colored pieces of Lilith’s consciousness swirl through our solar system then move off, toward Alpha Centauri.
    It is done. Lilith is scattered. ACE sounded sad.
    Are we safe from her?
    Yes. Lilith is one with the cosmos now and can join God.
    Interesting. Even the superconsciousnesses got to go to Heaven apparently. Even the ones who’d tried to take over the universe.
    God forgives.
    Oh, right. ACE heard more than top-layer, focused thoughts. How could God forgive her?
    Once Lilith was . . . birthed . . . Lilith saw all and so could understand Lilith’s wrongdoing. And repent. ACE sounded a little unsure on this point, and I decided we could table the rest of our intergalactic comparative religion course for another time. However, ACE still sounded sad.
    Do you envy her?
    In a way. But ACE pities Lilith more. ACE has what Lilith did not.
    Love.
    Yes. Because of Kitty.
    No. Because of ACE. You loved Earth before you met me, ACE. You cared and protected and mourned its inhabitants as your own. You did that, not me, not Paul. You could have told us you were God and we would have believed you. But you didn’t, because you also have humility. If you want to leave us, I’ll birth you. But if you want to stay, we would be happier.
    ACE wants to stay. ACE has a home here, and a purpose.
    Jareen groaned and came back. “That sucked. Did it work?”
    “Yes, good job. You birthed a demigoddess and saved the universe.”
    She grinned at me. “So, from what I gather for you guys, routine.”

CHAPTER 54

    “LET’S GO HOME,” Martini said.
    “It’s not over, Jeff.”
    “Looks over to me.”
    “Where’s the battle cruiser?”
    “Good point.” Martini looked up. “I don’t see it, but that might not mean anything.”
    Kitty, the ship has taken its shuttles and is heading back to Alpha Centauri.
    Why?
    The rules must be followed.
    They have rules and follow them?
    Yes. Does Kitty wish a listing of the rules?
    No, ACE. I’ll take your word for it. Of course, our game has rules, too. I told Martini that the ship was gone.
    “Good, so we’re done.”
    “No. We have to take the king.”
    He groaned. “How? He’s on Alpha Four.”
    ACE?
    Yes, Kitty. Who should come?
    All, if they can stand the trip.
    Many are hurt, but all can survive it.
    And come back?
    If they choose to. There was evasion in ACE’s tone.
    I know what’s coming. And what I have to risk.
    Very well.
    Billy Idol’s ‘Cradle of Love’ started in my ears as I felt ACE gather us all up, dead bodies included.
    “Fitting song.” Martini put his arm around me.
    “You can hear it?” I wondered if my iPod was too loud.
    “I think we can all hear it. ACE must like your musical taste. Someone should.”
    We time warped. That’s the only way to describe it, though we didn’t have to dance or anything. But once we were all in ACE’s bubble, so to speak, we shifted. I could see the planets, stars, and empty space whiz by us, but I got the impression I was the only one who could.
    We landed at a plaza in front of a place that made Martini Manor look like welfare housing. Frankly, it made the Taj Mahal look skimpy. Huge, white, built on the side of a hill—the architects had wanted to make darned sure that when you stood at the bottom of the many steps leading up you knew you were an insignificant peasant.
    “Guess this is your family estate.”
    “Yeah.” Martini sounded awed. I did my best not to feel anything about that.
    A crowd appeared around us. It parted a bit as a group of people came down the stairs. One was old and leaning on a cane. I didn’t buy that he needed it and figured this was King Adolphus.
    I looked around. Our group was all on its feet. Sure, some of our group were being held up on their feet, but we were still standing. On cue, Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” came on.
    “Barely,” Tim called out. The others chuckled. Nice to know ACE wanted to share my tunes with everyone. I wasn’t sure they worked for the others like they did for me, but I didn’t have any time to worry about it