Alien in the Family

Council.”
    She nodded. “They have not. We are all considered dissidents, in that sense, not just my planet.”
    “Well, not completely,” Alexander corrected. “The Reptilians and Feliniads are considered allies, particularly when it comes to dealing with the other planets.”
    Chuckie looked over at the prisoners. “Do you agree with that assessment?”
    Neeraj, Felicia, and Willem came to the window. The others started to move, I looked at a Poof on my shoulder, and they stayed put. “We would, to a degree,” Neeraj said. “We and the Feliniads have been sentient and space-traveling almost as long as those from Alpha Four. However, because they successfully reached space and the other planets in our system first, they insist they are the leaders. In all things.”
    “Some of their laws we don’t mind,” Felicia said. “Most we do.”
    “None are allowed to travel the solar system without Alpha Four’s permission,” Willem added. “Let alone go beyond.”
    “How did you all get here, then? How did you have interstellar ships at hand? Or did you jack some Alpha Four ships along with the Poofs?”
    Neeraj glared at me. “Our ships are our own. We all are capable of interstellar flight on our own, and Alpha Four allows us to build our own vessels.”
    “Because they might need us,” Felicia added.
    “Do the parasites show up on your worlds?” Martini asked.
    Neeraj shook his head. “We all have ozone shields protecting us. One of the gifts from Alpha Four.”
    “And something they could remove if they chose to,” Willem added.
    “Wow, bossy and nasty. What a fun combo. But, no one’s answered my question about the Chief Councillor.”
    “His name is Leyton Leonidas,” Alexander said.
    “Say that five times fast.”
    “I’m sorry? I don’t understand you,” he said politely.
    “Few ever do. So, what’s Leonidas done to stay in the job so long?”
    “He has walked a careful line between support of the monarchy and support of planet’s rights,” Queen Renata answered. “He is truly a great man.”
    Coming from the Queen of the Amazons, I had to figure this meant Leonidas was beyond impressive, at least in terms of his political skills.
    “Queen Renata is correct,” Neeraj agreed. “His skills have kept all the planets in check since well before the attack on Alpha Four’s monarch.”
    “He also suggested the idea of the Planetary Council,” Felicia added. “Though that’s not widely known among the people. Any of the people.”
    “You’re all high up in your world governments?”
    They nodded. “None of us are the leaders,” Willem said. “We are more like him.” He pointed to Gower.
    “The high-level, in-the-know advisers?” That’s what Gower was for the Pontifex, in one sense. More nods. “So, not really diplomats like you told us when you got here.” Though, of course, Gower was probably the head diplomat on Alpha Team.
    “We are here on a diplomatic mission, in that sense,” Queen Renata said. “We desperately need Earth’s help.”
    “To do what?” Martini asked. “Because if it’s to bring back a new king of Alpha Four, you’re out of luck.”
    “No,” Felicia said. “What we truly need is protection and emancipation from Alpha Four’s control.”
    “But I’m not sure you’ve earned that,” Chuckie said. “You’ve come in disguise, undercover, and have lied about your intentions. We don’t tend to support governments that do that.”
    Felicia snorted. “Oh, really? Let us give you a term I know your country is familiar with. We are freedom fighters, requesting assistance to remove ourselves from the yoke of tyranny.”
    “Wow, you’re good.” Hey, I was impressed.
    Felicia looked extremely smug. “Radio waves travel.”
    “So we’ve heard. And that reminds me, we still have to figure out what Kyrellis is doing.”
    “I would like to question Moira,” Queen Renata said. “Perhaps I can get some information from her you could not.”
    Chuckie shrugged. “Fine with me.” He smiled the evil smile I was fairly sure my mother must have taught him. “I’d like to question the ‘freedom fighters.’ Without a lot of witnesses. And before we have anyone from the Diplomatic Corps in attendance.”
    The emissaries looked a little worried, especially when Martini smiled. Apparently my mother had taught him the scary smile, too. “You’re the boss.”

CHAPTER 33

    ALL NONESSENTIAL PERSONNEL WERE SENT back to their jobs, guards