Alien in the House

car’s remote start function, which is the only reason the four of us are alive at this time.”
    The murmuring started again, and again Mom shut it down.
    “Why did you flee the scene?” Mom asked.
    I snorted. Loudly. “The press were incredibly antagonistic, we were worried that the bomber was still around or might be disguised as press and egging them on to violence, we saw an opening, and we ran to the safety of Rayburn House. We now feel unsafe to leave, but if I’m forced to remain in Rayburn House, I’m going to have to assume that the U.S. government actually wanted us herded here for some reason. And, if that’s the case, I’m going to have to be offended on behalf of every A-C on the planet. And for those not on the planet as well.”
    “We are, of course, horrified to hear of this attack, and relieved that all of you seem unharmed,” the President said. “However, the United States government had no hand in the car bombing.”
    Chuckie scribbled something down and handed it to me.
    “That’s nice to hear. However, until the bombing is investigated—by the F.B.I., I presume, though I would prefer that the P.T.C.U. be the investigating agency, and that is an official, diplomatic request—there’s no proof of that, is there? And it’s going to take them more than five minutes to examine the remains of the car. In the meantime, we are literally trapped in Rayburn House. I’m requesting assistance to get us safely home to our Embassy.”
    “We can request a police escort,” a different, somewhat familiar voice said. Chuckie scribbled again. Aha, Langston Whitmore, the Secretary of Transportation, was the speaker.
    “Secretary Whitmore, terrorists are not the police department’s bailiwick. They belong to the C.I.A., but even more so, they belong to the Presidential Terrorism Control Unit. Now, let me be very clear. At this moment, I have two royal emissaries from the most warlike planet in the Alpha Centauri system waiting at the American Centaurion Embassy. They are not overly clear on much, other than that the one person on this planet they are to obey without question happens to be me. Now, I’d like someone there to, perhaps, brief you on just what one woman from Beta Twelve is capable of. We’ll wait.”
    “Hello Ambassador Katt-Martini, it’s Colonel Franklin.”
    I liked Franklin a lot, and I wanted to be very sure that everyone else in the room knew I liked Franklin a lot. “Arthur, how are you? It’s been too long since we’ve had a visit.”
    Chuckie grinned and nodded.
    “I’m well, and concerned for your safety. I can assure the rest of those present that just one Beta Twelve warrior would be capable of destroying a battalion, particularly if armed with a battle staff.”
    “They never go out without them.” Had no clue if Rahmi and Rhee were packing battle staffs or not, but that wasn’t important now.
    “Two of them, therefore, would present a very real threat to U.S. security,” Franklin said.
    Chuckie looked at me sharply. Not to worry, I knew where this was going.
    “Oh, did I give the impression the two princesses were here for any kind of military action? I’m so sorry, Arthur, but not to worry. They’re here to help celebrate my daughter’s first birthday. It’s a huge event in the Alpha Centauri system, particularly for Alpha Four and Beta Twelve. In order to keep a low profile, only the princesses have come. At this time.
    “However, as I’m sure you can understand, I have very royal guests who are, by now, concerned about my welfare. They’re young, and headstrong, and probably aren’t nearly as well-trained in diplomacy as their mother, the queen, would like. It wouldn’t surprise me if they felt it was incumbent upon them to come and rescue me from this situation, perhaps to show how dedicated they and the other Alpha Centauri planets are to those from that system who live on Earth. And that would be bad for relations, don’t you agree?”
    “Absolutely,” Franklin said. “And I’m assuming you’re requesting the assistance of the P.T.C.U. because a military escort could give the wrong impression?”
    Changed my mind. I didn’t like Franklin; I loved him. “Exactly, Arthur. But we do want to give our statements to someone who can actually act on them. Again, we all know it’s unlikely to be the police. And all of us were thrown by the blast—we all need to be examined by our Embassy Physician. The sooner the